Death Valley Winter Vacation

Death Valley is a great playground. At this age kids can't stop running. This is approaching DV from Trona.

We pulled off early in the morning and found this guy. I don't believe I've seen one since.

The primo playground at Death Valley is of course the Stovepipe Wells dunes.

The opportunities are endless. You can run down the face of the dune ...

Or you can slide down ...

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe The opportunities are endless. You can run down the face of the dune ...

Or you can create these really cool avalanches.

Our favorite campground is Stovepipe Wells. Bring your bike and have fun.

But it comes at a price .... Had to take him to Beatty to get stitched up.

When you finally get your fill of all that sand (it can all be washed off at the showers/pool) it's time to move on to Zabriskie Point.

There are lots of trails at Zabriskie.

The trails go on forever.

And since you're close to Badwater you may as well stop for a looksey.

Don't put that salt in your mouth, boy. There's not enough to go around.

It takes a bit of time but eventually you find where the best adventures are to be had.

This side canyons have these dry falls that are a real challenge to climb. But climb you must because another canyon lies beyond.

These narrow canyons are a blast.

All that climbing can really tire a guy out.

If you're lucky you'll find a bed to rest on.

The Huebejebee Crator. Everyone shoots the main one next to the parking lot but this one's far more attractive. These are all scanned from 4X6 prints so the sharpness just isn't there,



THE END

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe The primo playground at Death Valley is of course the Stovepipe Wells dunes.

Oh Igor - What a marvelous depiction of Death Valley combined with the limitless energy and enthusiasm of youth! Your boy looks to be having the time of his life.

Obviously I've grown old. I know the distance out to those dunes and it takes my breath away just to get there. To consider fun a crawl to the top followed by one hella slide that fills my unders with sand... no longer my cuppa. Perhaps because of that I enjoyed this series of photos all the more.

Thanks for taking the time to put it together for us.

nena

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann Obviously I've grown old. I know the distance out to those dunes and it takes my breath away just to get there. To consider fun a crawl to the top followed by one hella slide that fills my unders with sand... no longer my cuppa. Perhaps because of that I enjoyed this series of photos all the more. nena

Yes, it does create a mess for the parents. Fortunately there are warm showers right across the hwy from the mesquite dunes ($2). So it's into the car and right to the showers. Of course the clothes have to be cleared of sand. But it's not like the first time, when we had sand in our sleeping bags for days.

How it Was

Here's an image I came across today that is probably has very little appeal to most of you. It has very little artistic merit.

Yet I find myself being overwhelmed with emotions by it. I can't see their faces but it was all there. Even their body posture is as it had been. A timeless image.

Hiking the dunes at evening light was a great way to end the day.

La Gorda

... and we never forgot to pay homage to the gorda on the way to Death Valley.