Steens Storm, page 3
And so, we waited. The comfort of our camper was far better than the possibilities the sleet and mud offered, should we choose to try to move camp. The storm raged into the next night, reminding me of my childhood fantasies where my room was a little cabin I came across in the woods during a huge storm; safe shelter. At some point in my sleep, I became aware that the noise had subsided and the camper was not rocking. The storm had blown out.
I awoke at first light, along with the dogs, who were bursting with cabin fever. It was one of those glorious mornings of calm; pure, clear skies washed clean by drenching rains, and snow dusted on everything around and above us. As the sun crested the ridge on the far side of the desert, the water that had gathered on the dry lake surface reflected the dawn. It was perfectly still, as if the world were holding its breath in anticipation. From our campsite, none other are visible; we were alone in a vast, frozen world. After watching the sunrise with John and the dogs, we broke camp before the ground thawed and moved to safer footing.
It was one of those experiences we would never choose, making discomfort the rule during vacation. And yet, in the early morning light, it all seemed right, that it should not have been any other way.
Other Alvord Desert and Steens area photo galleries on the site:
Alvord Desert and Hot Springs
Alvord Desert and a Kiteboarder
Alvord Desert and Steens Area
Daybreak over ther Alvord Desert
Fields Station - Denio Road
Pueblo Valley and Mountain
Stories about the Alvord Desert area on this site:
Daydreaming of the Alvord in Tokyo.
Steens Storm
Travel planning information for this area:
If you go: Alvord Desert