Dad crossing the bajada
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Like everyone else, Nancy and I hunkered down during the pandemic. We bought our food online, washed our hands alot, and barely went anywhere for fear of the virus. Finally, after not seeing my parents for more than six months, we buckled into our new Volkswagen for the long drive to the desert. After cruising over the Altamont Pass, we sped south on I-5, down along the western edge of California’s Central Valley. Because it was springtime, oranges hung like ornaments on the orchards near Patterson and white blossoms graced the almond trees surrounding Santa Nella. The grapevines at the foot of the Tehachapi Mountains had spring shoots on them and, on this notably beautiful day, the southern coastal ranges glowed green on the western horizon and a thousand small clouds floated across the blue sky like tufts of suspended cotton.