Where: Near Boulder Oaks, California; shot from a plane heading from San Diego to St. Louis
When: May 8, 2008
The answer to your question is yes: There is indeed a Thing Valley. Google Maps says it's about a mile down a hiking trail off the long and winding Thing Valley Road.
Too big? There's a smaller version at Flickr.
Images and text ©2005-2012 Mark A. Dodge Medlin