Date:         Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:49:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Death Valley
In-Reply-To:  <200701241851.l0OIpQcC002996@flpi098.sbcis.sbc.com>
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From the archives:

In order to guarantee safe passage one must pay homage and make a few
sacrifices.

To appease the desert spirits, (it's DEATH valley, after all) take a
battered tea kettle or tea pot (metal is preferred) and make an
offering at teakettle junction of this pot.  Teakettle Junction is in
itself a rather special place.  You can find it by inquiring at the
visitor center as a last resort.

If you visit Furnace creek ranch, have the ceremonial date shake at
the lunch counter.  Location is very important, a booth will not have
the same beneficial effect.  Sip or slurp reverently.  Do not anger
the spirits by using a straw.

Then walk the date grove, behind the post office.  Close your eyes for
a moment and envision a better time when the dates were plentiful and
the water flowed down the hill to sustain the majesty (before the time
of the wicked Xanterra).

Should you have the time, thank the Park Superintendant, J.T.
Reynolds, for his fine work in spite of massive gutbacks in (no,
that's not a misprint) park funding.  Say hi to Charlie Callaghan the
resident poppywatcher and join the DV natural history group.

Then buy a yearly parks pass at the counter and a Golden eagle
amendment.  Or if you qualify a "golden" age pass.

At this point you may be smiled upon by the spirits of the park and
you may be blessed with little wind and good light, and safe passage
on your journey.

Reverence and respect is always appreciated by those who have gone
before, and is a lesson for those who will come later.

If you travel out SR190 through Panamint valley, stop for refreshment
at at Panamint Springs resort.  The local cat, a beautiful silky black
named Bad Luck, will accept a small stroke and withold his namesake
from your travels for a while.

Cottonwood canyon, west side road, flowers along the badwater road
between mp 47 and mp 27, wildrose canyon, all rich with pixellating
opportunities.

For more trying road conditions, I might suggest the BFG AT-KO tire in
your size.  Relatively quiet, long wearing, excellent rock
protection.  Modestly priced.

A GPS is often handy to get a good estimate of travel time.  DVNP is
vast.  Distances and travel time are deceiving.

From last year..