The excuse for the trip was to get paragliding instruction in Santa Barbara, in preparation for flying in the Alps in September. Travel began in Bend, Oregon, went south on 395 to the Sushi Pier in Reno for take-out dinner, on to Bridgeport hot springs for an evening soak. Morning at Hot Creek near Mammoth, then Wild Willie's hot spring (photos) a bit further south. Continued down through the Owens Valley, a tour of the Galen Rowell gallery in Bishop, over to Death Valley and a walk on the dunes at Stovepipe Wells in the morning before cruising to Las Vegas. The detour continued south to Yuma the next day, then a walk across the border into San Luis, Mexico, to visit with the people making a cool water processor. Once back from Mexico the wheels were turned toward the left coast, then north along the edge of the Pacific from San Diego to Santa Barbara. David flew in from Boulder and we stayed for a week+ with his sister, the driveway-painting artist with beautiful gardens. Got some great paraglider instruction from Rob, Kevin & Marty. When it was time to head back to Oregon, the route continued for a while along the coast, past San Simeon and the Hearst Castle, Big Sur, a stop at Nepenthe, inland at Carmel to the always fantastic Yosemite, over the Sierras at Lake Tahoe, then to Surprise Valley's wonderful hot Springs in the NE corner of California before returning to Bend. Another excellent trip.