Anyone traveling along I-10 from LA to the Coachella Valley in Riverside County is greeted by a rolling sea of these giant wind turbines converting the prevailing west winds to electricity. Giant they are not, when seen against the mountains that make up the San Gorgonio Pass through which the winds blow.
Many people find wind farms something of an eye sore on the landscape. Maybe it's the farm boy in me, but I'm always pleased to see them.
This pic comes from last weekend, when clouds from a Pacific storm still surged along the rim of the mountain ridge along the south side of the pass. It was taken from the end of Two Bunch Palms road in Desert Hot Springs, where the asphalt surface turns to sand just short of a deep wash.
A cold wind was blowing, and lacking sufficient layers (a buffalo robe would have helped), I didn't stay out of the car long enough to get just the right angle. But you get the idea.
Photo finish Friday is the bright idea of Leah Utas over at The Goat's Lunch Pail.
Coming up: Montana Week
The one time I made that drive -- LA to Phoenix -- it was something like 105 degrees outside.
ReplyDeleteBut at least it was a dry heat.
I've never found them to be an eye sore either and figured they were doing something positive for our environment.
ReplyDeleteI hate the damn things! Not efficient, waste of money and a total propaganda coup!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first saw the windmills in California--east of San Francisco, back in the mid-80s. Now you have them all over the midwest.
ReplyDeleteI have heard arguments for and against, but I don't find them an eyesore and I do applaud attempts to use something other than oil, coal, etc.
ReplyDeleteI dunno... We always enjoy seeing them as we pass through. On our yearly trip to Death Valley, CA. Where my husband grew up.
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