Death Valley Revisited

Camper van parked in the twilight with the underlighting glowing.

I realize that the last trip just kind of faded away. That’s what happens when the temperature soars and the crowds gather. I fled both nuisances and sought refuge in the cool, clement clime of the California Pacific Coast.

Now, however, is the perfect time for a road trip. Temps are still moderate, crowds largely evaporated, and diesel prices plummeting to record lows. So I decided to take the long way back to Las Cruces, New Mexico, stopping at several of my favorite places.

Author posing next to his camper van.
I spent a night bivouacking (<= thank goodness for autocorrect, just this once) near Red Rock Canyon State Park. It’s east of California City, quiet, desolate, just fine for a 1-night stay.
Rough, rocket dirt road into Death Valley.
A rough and rugged road into Death Valley, courtesy of a huge rain storm. They got a decade of rain in a day. I would have suggested spreading it out a bit, but I’m no meteorologist.
Lounging in the desert with a black cat.
O! Sweet reward after surviving the perils of the road. Lounging in the garden spot of Death Valley.
Desert oasis, complete with palm trees and soaking tubs fed by natural hot springs.
Just kidding, here is the actual garden spot. Shiftless hippies created this space over the course of a few decades. Lawn, palm trees and soaking tubs fed by natural hot springs. Added bonus, this is the entrance to a low-level training route for naval aviators. They make frequent appearances in their loud and fast planes, just a couple hundred feet above the ground.

Comments

One response to “Death Valley Revisited”

  1. Merrill+Meltz

    On the road again! Sounds like you’re satisfying your “wanderlust” quite well. Enjoy and stay safe!

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