Approaching Death Valley, Lone Pine California (Where are the people?)

Now, where is THIS one coming from? I am just now starting to go through the photographs I took during our latest family vacation in the US. How come a photograph of scenery?? Is it the fact that I have started continuation studies at the Musrara school of Art & Photography that is opening up my vision, or is it just about time for something like this to happen?

What is interesting for me in this photograph as there are no people at all?
Could it be that this photograph relates to "scenery" photographs in the same way my people photographs relate to "street" photography?
I am looking for the common thread.