Forecasting a hectic day for today, last night I brewed a pot of coffee and filled my ice trays, then chilled both before going to bed, a ritual I occasionally practice in order to wake up to iced coffee.*** The smell of that coffee, though... Two hours later, still tossing and turning in bed, bone-weary … Continue reading The Real Think vs The Real Thing
Death Valley
Perfection’s Rough Draft
One of my few accomplishments during the quarantining last year (besides an epic four part poem about dust, and five poems about national park grief) involved creating a Halloween costume, buying all the parts, fitting it into a perfect storage container, and even labelling it. Then I put it in my closet, the quarantine never … Continue reading Perfection’s Rough Draft
The Day After…
More? More!
Five Stages of National Park Grief
Hello, Campfire Talesmen and Taleswomen! Our last shared post completed a series of five poems depicting the five stages of grief, as represented by National Parks awaiting our return. Yes, they rhyme. Denial = Crater Lake Anger = Lassen Volcanic Bargaining = Joshua Tree Depression = Death Valley Acceptance = Yosemite The final post, Yosemite, … Continue reading Five Stages of National Park Grief
Down in D. Valley
"Thank you for visiting your national park..." (sigh) I'd give you the sales pitch, but honestly, why try? Either, One. My name's embossed on your bucket list, Or, Two. "Over my dead body!" Thus, I'm dismissed. Make no mistake, I love my survivalist crowd. They arrive flushed and nervous; depart tanned and proud. Still, I … Continue reading Down in D. Valley
Going, Going, Go On
Going to the mountains is going home. ~ John Muir The photo of Muir, the autograph, and the quote were part of an art display called The Autograph Book of L.A. that displayed part of a collection of autographs curated by Los Angeles City Librarian Charles Lummis, started in 1906. The mountains photo is from … Continue reading Going, Going, Go On
Death Valley Day Trip
In a post about Leadfield, there are written directions about the one way road, but maybe you are more of a visual learner. The above map shows the entrance to Titus Canyon Road at the top center, directly below Rhyolite (more to come about Rhyolite, but this should get you started). Other helpful hints, courtesy … Continue reading Death Valley Day Trip
Up High & Down Low
Book Review: My Friends Call Me C.C.
My Friends Call Me C.C. by William Gardiner Hutson is a fictionalized retelling of a decade plus in the tumultuous life of Clarence Chauncey ("C.C.") Julian, starting in glamorous 1920's Los Angeles, ending with Julian's mysterious death in 1930's Shanghai, and provides the backstory to — among other historical events — the swift rise and … Continue reading Book Review: My Friends Call Me C.C.
Ghost Town: Leadfield
To reach the ghost town of Leadfield inside Death Valley National Park, take Daylight Pass Road northeast towards Nevada. In Nevada, it's renamed 374. Just outside park boundaries, go west on Titus Canyon Road, which is a one-way, unpaved road, which goes all the way through to Scotty's Castle Road. Be advised, the distance from … Continue reading Ghost Town: Leadfield
