Wind Power

Last year when I traveled I-40, I kept a look-out and tried to photograph some of the old windmills. These things have been around for decades pumping water for home and agricultural use.

Windmill in eastern New Mexico

I recently completed a fast and furious trip along I-40 from California to Arkansas. As usual, even though the weather for most of the trip was overcast and/or rainy and/or foggy, I took pictures to help ease the boredom. Along Tehachapi Pass, I took some of the windmills, or wind turbines, designed to generate electricity. They have been a frequent subject of my picture-snapping over the years.

Wind turbines along Highway 58 in the western Tehachapi foothills

Were those babies turning? Oh, yeah.....probably more than I have seen them in the past.

In case you are wondering about the size of these wind turbines, the base of one set behind this barn can provide a little perspective.

Although I didn't get a photo, we did see some blades (there are three per unit) being trucked down the road. They were on some of the longest trailers I have ever seen. What I noticed this trip, although I'm sure they were there two years ago when I made this same trip, is that these wind turbines are not exclusive to the windy foothills of California's Tehachapi Mountains or the coastal range near Livermore. We passed clusters of them all through Oklahoma.....

 and northern Texas,

 

If you have any doubt that the Mojave Desert in California can be windy, just look at the number of wind turbines that lined the bottom edge of the Tehachapi Mountains we passed on the way back home.

Where else besides these places are you aware of wind turbines like these being used to generate electricity?


 Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press.