Last weekend we took four days off to visit and rest at Death Valley. We were camping. If you want to say that taking our Class A motorhome with washer/dryer, two slideouts, and all that jazz is really “camping.”
We bypassed Furnace Creek Campground and Stovepipe Wells…we didn’t need no stinkin’ hookups! Off we went to our old favorite – Mesquite Springs campground. Mesquite Springs is bereft of water, electricity, and sewer at the campsites. Instead, it offers gorgeous views of the valley, quiet, and peace. At the northern end of Death Valley you will find a quietness and simple sweetness that is unlike any other area of the valley.
Scotty’s Castle is a couple of miles away. The store there offers ice and tourist crap. The castle itself is quite interesting – take the tour someday…it’s quite cool.
Nike Air tennis shoe...pretty new...wonder where the body to go with it is located?!
We took the Jeep out for a couple of major spins while there. On Saturday we found our way on the road north. The four-wheel roads really aren’t true four-wheeling treks, but fun to drive. Along the way, we found a Nike Air sneaker in the middle of the road.
It’s strange finding articles of clothing, shoes, and personal stuff on roads. I wonder sometimes what happened to the person who owned these things. Are they dead? Are they brain-dead? Did they ever discover they lost their stuff along the way? …or not…
Crankshaft Crossing is probably not on the Ten Most Important Attractions list of Death Valley, but we think it has it's place!
Here is a photo of a road-side “attraction” in the middle of nowhere. Desert explorers and wanderers put up strange signs and crap. I think the sun and heat gets to us and this is the end result!
Ask anyone who spends a few years in the desert…dwellers and travelers in the sun like to collect unusual things, and then we place them in out-of-the-way locations for strangers to see. Most desert lovers appreciate “Rusted Art!”
While at Death Valley we usually read, read, and read some more. Evenings find us next to a campfire (Mesquite Springs offers fire rings, thank goodness!). The stars at night take your breath away. And, usually we end up asleep in our chairs next to the fire. Beautiful!
Cactus in Death Valley are required to be awe-inspiring!
While driving on the out of the way roads of Death Valley, you will find gorgeous landscapes, desert cactus, and once in awhile a rabbit or some other evidence of life.
The solitude and quietness of the valley is what attracts us so much…we return to settle the noise in our minds, the craziness of city dwelling, and to just be still for a few days. Of course, Richard does tend towards noise making (see previous post!). I have found Bose earphones an enormous help!
Stories of settlements in Death Valley are interesting!
Here’s a picture of the Leadfield sign – I find the word “swarmed” interesting – can you imagine a group of people swarming to this isolated area of desert? Mining was a big deal back then, but really! Gotta’ remember though, back in the early 1900’s there weren’t a lot of places to “swarm” to . . . the Great Depression was just around the corner. I wonder about the people who “swarmed” to this isolated place. Temperatures of 120 degrees F were normal in the summer. Winters were freezing. …crazy environment for even the most hardy of people.
Our jeep...always ready to go...desert driving is always so cool!
We love driving the washes in the desert. Not a lot of folks dig that kind of stuff, but it’s relaxing and quiet out there. In Death Valley you will find a lot of Europeans hanging out in the middle of the summer. For some reason the heat and summers attract people from all over the world. Interesting, but most people from Las Vegas, Nevada have never ventured to Death Valley. But, if you talk to a German national about it, you’ll find they know all about our western treasures of nature.
What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and explore our beautiful, extraordinary country. You will fall in love again under the starry skies of night, argue about which way to turn on a desolate road in the middle of nowhere, and see nature’s beauty at every turn of the road.
Oh yes. You’ll find a tennis shoe in the middle of the road. No doubt.
An ex-foster child, adopted child; all "grown up" now and am a writer, merchant, teacher of safety and a world class cynic.
7 responses so far ↓
Can you figure it out. lol // November 10, 2009 at 2:01 am |
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the picture’s heading supposed to read: “Crankshaft” Crossing?
Ah come on now, not a spelling error from Patti? I don’t believe it. I’m sorry, just messin’ with ya. I just couldn’t resist.
I really do enjoy your writing. It’s really good to hear you, if only through your writing.
By the way, I hope you will have a great “Happy B’day” on the 11th! This getting “older” stuff is really beginning to suck.
Catch you later.
pattiredd // November 11, 2009 at 1:38 am |
Oh yes, I know who you are Meredith!!!!!!!!! I pinged you to a server in Reston, Washington. Ha! Also, you are right – and I changed Crankshaw to Crankshaft. Good for you!
Still can't figure it out. (he he) // November 12, 2009 at 9:48 pm |
Sorry,
Your “ping” must have gotten “ponged”, because your not even close.
Let’s see, inside the “box” or outside the “box”? Think you’ll probably want to be on the outside of the box on this one.
Anyhow, hope you had a great birthday. What was this one, the big “double nickles”?
How’s that Pink Hard Hat Club working out? Does it cost to join? If so, is any of the monies being donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation?
If not, you may want to consider it being an option. And who knows, it might even stimulate potential members to join. Just an idea and I’m also curious how it’s working out.
Next Time?
pattiredd // November 12, 2009 at 9:56 pm |
Dam it! And here I thought I was so freaking clever. Now you have me going. I have my thinking cap and pink hard hat on now. I’ll figure you out if it’s the last thing I do!!! …back at you shortly…
Were's all that deductive reasoning? // November 14, 2009 at 1:35 am |
There goes your spellin’ again. If your going to cuss, kidlet, at least spell it “rite”. (i.e.: DAMN)
Now then again, I could be totally wrong, and I may be completely out of line, trying to second guess you. Who am I to say, that you may not have a body of water, somewhere, that actually may be in dire need of having a “dam” put in place.
See, there I go again, trying to read peoples thoughts and intentions. My apologies. Bad habit. (chuckle)
By the way, you overlooked answering any of my poignant questions, regarding your Pink Hard Hat Club. What is it, bucks up front, before any information is divulged? I’m sure, just an unintentional oversight on your part. Although, still curious.
Good luck with your Canoodling. (sp. ?)
pattiredd // November 16, 2009 at 2:17 am |
Ah ha…”There goes your spellin’ again. If your (YOU’RE) going to cuss, kidlet…..” Conjunctions – you overlooked that one! Back at you, whiz kid!
pattiredd // November 15, 2009 at 5:58 pm |
Pink hard hats from us are free. I think free is good. Do you have one right now? If not, give me your address and I’ll make sure that you get one immediately…hint, hint, hint.
Now that you have written “Canoodling,” I’m thinking you must be older than 50 and younger than 100. If you keep this up, I might just guess. I’ve been going through my phone book ever since 11/10.