There's Heaps...

Of human history in Death Valley National Park. One would figure the name alone would cause most folks to turn tail and run. Not so.

The Timbisha Shoshone Indians didn't name it Death Valley, for them it was home. They figured out ways to survive and thrive in this unique and harsh land. All this without air conditioned movie houses. Now that's tough. 

They moved up and down between the valley and mountains with the seasons. They were altitudinal "Snowbirds." 

Next came the miners, tourist promotors, borax harvesters, con men and a host of other get rich quick schemers. They left behind a legacy of cool stories, abandoned mines and ghost towns to prove their very existence. 

Death Valley National Park rocks on so many levels.

Good night from the almost lowest point in North America,

Jeff

      

Don't let the name...

scare you off.

Death Valley is a wild, cerebral, silent (when the wind's not howling) National Park. I think it's one of America's finest. It's also the largest national park in the lower 48, so fill that gas tank up before you descend below sea level. 

It's a weird weather marvel too.

There's years when not even a spits worth of moisture falls here. 

And talk about heat! OY! It gets Hades Hot! The highest recorded ground temperature was 201 degrees at appropriately named Furnace Creek. On that day the air temperature was a balmy 128. Don't go barefoot here. 

I'm going to chill at Furnace Creek for about a week.

There's Christmas lights at the resort, but no shopping mall Santa's. 

Sorry No Ho Ho Ho.

Good night from 192 feet below sea level,

Jeff

I'm Downsizing...

After all who needs all that space and stuff in Barley the Van? It's practically a Super Walmart minus the "Greeters" and electric shopping carts in the aisles.

Meet Sparky! 

I know, it's a bit snug for sleeping. I had to sell my baby Grand Piano too. You know the one in Barley's parlor beneath the chandelier, next to the fireplace. 

But the gas mileage rocks! I topped it off with an eyedropper of petrol after a week of moseying.

Nah! Sparky is just a temporary downsize. I still have the Big Guy waiting for me in Phoenix. 

We'll be en route to Death Valley National Park. Far, far away from America's shopping malls and department store Santa's. 

Anyone care to join me? There's only one thing more spectacular than a sunrise in Death Valley. That's a sunset in Death Valley. 

So long for now from the Sunshine State.