The Truth About Death (Valley)
So I am prepping for yet another attempt for Death Valley and I am wondering what that really means. Death Valley wouldn't seem like the ultimate destination for many people but think of it this way; Living in Michigan is a beautiful thing but come Feburary most of us become a little like Jack Nicholson in the Shining. Closed in for months on end can really take its toll on a good portion of the population up here. So its time to head on vacation to a warm sunny destination. Why not head a couple hundred feet below sea level and bask in the almost predictable 90 degree days and pure sunshine. Sure there are a few hundred rattlesnakes per square acre but hey - watch where you step and there shouldn't be any problems. -
I attempted a trip to DV two years ago. I made it right to the gate. Then I was confronted with the unmistakable yellow and black sign stating the evindent. "PARK CLOSED"
I have lived in North Carolina where hurricanes can wipe out whole islands and close parks in an instant. But on this given day in August of 2004 I realized that a couple inches of rain could close hundreds of miles of road and lock down the largest national park in the cont. US. Two inches of rain within a couple hours had created mudslides and flash floods so severe that the people who got in its way had the realization that mud can stop anything directly in its path. Two people were buried alive in their cars and the park had to be shut down because the roads had been washed out and the rangers had no way to tell how many people were stranded.
The park, with its own personality, can stop the most healthy people who simply go out for a walk. People often die just trying to reach a destination they see in the distance. Visitors are told to drink a gallon of water a day-even if they don't think they need it. You don't sweat and you don't know how thirsty you are till it is too late. When we were there a couple years ago we were amazed to see the thermometer go up as we were driving down the mountains outside the park. 100......105.....110....115....117 degrees. This temp was achieved at only about 100 feet below sea level. We were so geeked we went to the store to get some extra water and hang out a little longer. While getting our 3 dollar bottles of water we saw eggs for sale and just started smiling. We spent almost an hour hanging out cracking the eggs just to watch them sizzle on the rocks and cook as if they had just been thrown on a gas grill.
So, back to the initial point. Why would someone need to prepare for the most hospitable place in the US. Or the more deserving question.....Why the Hell would anyone want to spend their valuable vacation time in Hell..........
Just to say "Yeah I conquered that bitch, and isn't my tan sweet!"
So I am prepping for yet another attempt for Death Valley and I am wondering what that really means. Death Valley wouldn't seem like the ultimate destination for many people but think of it this way; Living in Michigan is a beautiful thing but come Feburary most of us become a little like Jack Nicholson in the Shining. Closed in for months on end can really take its toll on a good portion of the population up here. So its time to head on vacation to a warm sunny destination. Why not head a couple hundred feet below sea level and bask in the almost predictable 90 degree days and pure sunshine. Sure there are a few hundred rattlesnakes per square acre but hey - watch where you step and there shouldn't be any problems. -
I attempted a trip to DV two years ago. I made it right to the gate. Then I was confronted with the unmistakable yellow and black sign stating the evindent. "PARK CLOSED"
I have lived in North Carolina where hurricanes can wipe out whole islands and close parks in an instant. But on this given day in August of 2004 I realized that a couple inches of rain could close hundreds of miles of road and lock down the largest national park in the cont. US. Two inches of rain within a couple hours had created mudslides and flash floods so severe that the people who got in its way had the realization that mud can stop anything directly in its path. Two people were buried alive in their cars and the park had to be shut down because the roads had been washed out and the rangers had no way to tell how many people were stranded.
The park, with its own personality, can stop the most healthy people who simply go out for a walk. People often die just trying to reach a destination they see in the distance. Visitors are told to drink a gallon of water a day-even if they don't think they need it. You don't sweat and you don't know how thirsty you are till it is too late. When we were there a couple years ago we were amazed to see the thermometer go up as we were driving down the mountains outside the park. 100......105.....110....115....117 degrees. This temp was achieved at only about 100 feet below sea level. We were so geeked we went to the store to get some extra water and hang out a little longer. While getting our 3 dollar bottles of water we saw eggs for sale and just started smiling. We spent almost an hour hanging out cracking the eggs just to watch them sizzle on the rocks and cook as if they had just been thrown on a gas grill.
So, back to the initial point. Why would someone need to prepare for the most hospitable place in the US. Or the more deserving question.....Why the Hell would anyone want to spend their valuable vacation time in Hell..........
Just to say "Yeah I conquered that bitch, and isn't my tan sweet!"
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