The shadows were growing long so we continued our way. The next stop was Key's View, named after Bill Keys who homesteaded in the area in 1917 until his death in 1969.

I was going to type up a big thing about Bill Keys and his family. But I think I might just do that for another entry. It's fairly interesting though. It really gives me pause to think of the people who adapted to the land or at least were able to sustain / thrive in such a harsh environment.

We went to Keys View and got some really nice views.

I'm sure the better time to visit would be early morning before all the dust and haze rises. But even so we were afforded some interesting views of San Andreas fault, Salton Sea, Mexico, and so on. There was a short trail with plaques that talked about the air quality and other things. But there was a rather large group of tourists who didn't look as though they were wanting company. So we took some pictures and moved on.

We were just about done with our day. Sun was setting and it was a long 100 mile drive home. BUT THERE WAS SO MUCH MORE TO DO! We couldn't just leave yet.

We stopped on the side of the road to watch a gorgeous sunset and have a very late picnic lunch of sandwiches, sodas, cheese and grapes.

We had such a nice time sitting and talking quietly with each other about the day.

I looked at the map and wished we had done the Geology Trail and Queen Valley Road. We decided to come back the next day :)

On our way home, we were treated to an amazing sunset and watched other people make their way home. It was dark by the time we reached the mountain. We returned via the "back side" on highway 38. It was probably 8pm by the time we got home. Exhausted but stunned with the beauty of the day... plus the knowing that we would be back the next :)