Since getting my FJ Cruiser, I've rediscovered my love of off roading. It was also my love of the FJC that nudged Manacsa towards purchasing one as well. Since then, he and I have run across one another on various FJ Cruiser forums as well as FJC gatherings. Well, the first weekend of May, we finally got a chance to wheel together along with four other FJs.

The group officially met in Trona, CA on May 3rd, but the orgnaizer of the expedition invited me to join them as they explored the Trona Pinacles. Many films and comercials have been filmed at this otherworldly location, the most recent of which is "Land of the Lost" starring Will Farrell. After arriving at the Pinacles, I knew that they begged to be shot through the 10.5mm fisheye...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Trona%20Pinacles%202008/TronaPinacles-00.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Trona%20Pinacles%202008/TronaPinacles-02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Trona%20Pinacles%202008/TronaPinacles-01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Trona%20Pinacles%202008/TronaPinacles-05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Trona%20Pinacles%202008/TronaPinacles-04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Trona%20Pinacles%202008/TronaPinacles-03.jpg

I'm really enjoying that fisheye lens, though when shooting in full sun, it is dificult getting correct exposures when you have sooo much image in the frame.

The group met up in Trona Saturday morning and were on the trail by 8:45. From this point on, the trip was more about the wheeling, and left little time for photography. Most of what I captured was shot on the move, through my windshield or driver's side window. I'd really like to do this trip again and leave ample time for photography..

Here's a fiew trail shots from day 2..

Heading down into the Panamint Valley.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-001.jpg

That's Manaca's FJ in the lead..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-003.jpg

The driver od this rig uses the handle MuddyGrrl.. She lived up to her name and found some mud in the middle of the desert.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-004.jpg

The FJs line up in Ballarat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-005.jpg

One of the Ballarat ruins.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-006.jpg

This old cowboy (George) turned 89 the week before we came through "town". I could sit and listen to his tales of old for hours at a time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-008.jpg

The old Dodge Power Wagon was owned by Charles Manson and his family..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-010.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-013.jpg

More from the trail..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-032.jpg

Then a brief stop..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-029.jpg

To check out the view..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/zDVD1-031.jpg

The day came to a close and camp was made. We'll pick up with day 3..

We covered close to 150 miles of trail spread between days 2 and 3, with close to 100 miles of that on the final day.

The first leg of Day 3 took us up Goeler Canyon and we ended up at the notorious Barker Ranch, home of the Manson Family. The main house is now open to the public and people can stay there over night on a first come, first served basis. Personally, I couldn't do it.. I'm still wondering if there's a dark spot on my soul just from visiting the grounds..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-001.jpg

Manson's bedroom..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-003.jpg

Notice all the "Free Charlie" parafinalia..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-002.jpg

And on the mantle there were numerious candle remnants as well as a couple religious candles. I wonder if the candles were used for light or if they were burnt in worship of the self-proclaimed Jesus..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-004.jpg

Taking a *dip* in the Manson pool..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-005.jpg

Group pic outside the Barker Ranch gate..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-015.jpg

The next stop was the Mengal Pass..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-007.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-008.jpg

And shortly after that, we stopped for lunch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-009.jpg

Manacsa
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-010.jpg

Taking a snooze..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-011.jpg

Teasing the boys while Daddy naps..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/jimminez/Death%20Valley%20Day%201/Death%20Valley%20Day%202/zDVD2-012.jpg


Anyway, that was the last real stop on the trip. The rest was covering rocky trails at high speeds so we could get home at a decent hour.

It was a great trip, packed full of lots of desert beauty. Next time through, I'll defiantely make more time for photography.

Thanks for stopping by. :)
~Brian

Looks like good times were had by all. The Manson house looks pretty creepy. Don't know that I could stay there either. George looks like an interesting fellow.

Noob alert! How did you get that 'rounded' look in pic 5?

I think of the entire set, I like 22 the best. They're all great tho.

Hey Bri! Looks like fun to me. That old dude's eye are amazing. And that Manson house was very creepy....

Rick

Looks like good times were had by all. The Manson house looks pretty creepy. Don't know that I could stay there either. George looks like an interesting fellow.

Noob alert! How did you get that 'rounded' look in pic 5?

I think of the entire set, I like 22 the best. They're all great tho.


Thanks for the kind words!

The rounded look is from using a fisheye lens. All the Pinacle pics, most of the Power Wagon shots and the two FJ line up shots were all shot with the Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye. It gives some awesome distortion!

Great and interesting images. For someone from the Great White North it is always interesting to see these. Probably not a trip I will ever make.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

Don't know when I enjoyed a thread more Brian. So good to have you posting your exceptional photos and glad you have rekindled two loves at once. Hope to see a lot more of your work in the future. Wish I could say which pic was my favorite but It's just to difficult to pick one, although that second one with the flowers has to stand right up at the top. Wonderful use of the wide by the way.

Nice pictures and story. Did I read somewhere that they thought that they had found more gravesites at the Manson house?

What a wonderful series of images to give us a hint of the great time I'm sure was had by all. :D
-Bruce

This is a fascinating and fun series.

You did a superb job with your fisheye. I had a heck of a time overexposing my skies with mine. You are a champ at getting a great exposure!

The Manson ranch is just freaky. I'd love to see something like that.

Great photo's, haunting story. I would really like to go and see it, stay there? I think not! LOL

Hey Bri! Looks like fun to me. That old dude's eye are amazing. And that Manson house was very creepy....

Rick

Mornin' Rick..

He really was amazing. I can only imagine the history he could tell. When I make it back that way again, I plan on spending an hour or two just sitting back and talking with him.

I'm glad the shots were able to express the creep factor I felt in Manson's house.

Hope all is well in the AZ.
~B

Great and interesting images. For someone from the Great White North it is always interesting to see these. Probably not a trip I will ever make.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

Hi WG..

I imagine shots of the desert hold the same interest for you as shots of the Klondike hold for me, though some day I hope to make it up there and see things for myself.

Thanks for taking the time to view and comment.
~Brian

Don't know when I enjoyed a thread more Brian. So good to have you posting your exceptional photos and glad you have rekindled two loves at once. Hope to see a lot more of your work in the future. Wish I could say which pic was my favorite but It's just to difficult to pick one, although that second one with the flowers has to stand right up at the top. Wonderful use of the wide by the way.

As always OT, you are too kind.

I can't even begin to tell you how good it felt to get out and actually shoot some decent photos. It is such a relief to finally feel like my multi-year slump has finally come to an end. God bless the Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye! LOL

The FJ definately has the ability to get me back into some beautiful country.

Hope all is well with you and yours.
~Brian

Nice pictures and story. Did I read somewhere that they thought that they had found more gravesites at the Manson house?

Yep, they found a shallow grave a month or two ago. It's thought to contain the remains of a young woman that wanted to leave the ranch who, after taking a long walk with Charlie, was never seen again. The discovery of the grave has spurred the local authorities into searching the area using the latest technologies.

It was quiet the day we were there, but then again, it was mid morning on a Sunday.

What a wonderful series of images to give us a hint of the great time I'm sure was had by all. :D
-Bruce


Hi Bruce,

Yep, we all had a blast. Between the local history, breath-taking sights and occasional technical four wheeling, we had an awesome time.

Thanks for posting!
~Brian

This is a fascinating and fun series.

You did a superb job with your fisheye. I had a heck of a time overexposing my skies with mine. You are a champ at getting a great exposure!

The Manson ranch is just freaky. I'd love to see something like that.

Thanks Jeta. I had the exact opposite problem when using the lens. The exposure was often underexposed for everything other than the sky. I changed my metering from spot to center weighted, but it did little to correct the problem. I'll have to play around with it a bit more to see if it's a camera issue or just the user. :)

It was pretty cool being somewhere with such a horrid history. You can't help but wonder what it was like living there.

Thanks for taking the time to view and post.
~Brian

Great photo's, haunting story. I would really like to go and see it, stay there? I think not! LOL

Thanks Lori.

If you ever decide to go, I can hook you up with directions. You'll need a 4x4 to get there though.

~B

very nice shots how did you get the skys so damn blue in the first shots??????:)

very nice shots how did you get the skys so damn blue in the first shots??????:)

I'm going to blame that all on the lens. I think the sun was screwing with the exposure, but the end results were pleasing. I'm finding the fisheye quite tricky in full sun situations.