Friday morning I jumped in the car and impulsively drove out to Death Valley to catch the wild flower 'Super Bloom' - the golden carpet. Although I brought a bucket full of cameras with me, I hardly took any pictures. Instead, I soaked up the landscape without the aid of any devices. Mental photos.
I'd only been through the Valley once before, back in 2001 on a hellish trip reminiscent of a Hunter S. Thompson novel. This time was full immersion and awareness. Death Valley to me, is a giant's playground, with an amazing collection of varied, majestic features. I think I neglected to use the camera because I was in awe the entire time. Paralyzed by the sublime.
In my haste, I forgot my sunglasses which made the walk through the salt flats of Badwater Basin a challenge. I couldn't even keep my eyes open for the photo above, which is out of focus anyway, much of the way I experienced that location with my eyes scorched and teary.
Saturday I camped in Mesquite Springs after climbing down into the Ubehebe Crater. Although I brought a tent, I had the foresight to sleep in the car after strapping down tubs of gear to the roof. That night the Valley got slammed by a severe wind storm. Several times I awoke fearing the car was going to tip over, or a rogue cow would crash through the windshield (too many tornado movies). At the very least, I expected the roof strapping to give way and all my crap would eject across the sky like laundry from a parachute. At 5:00 am I emerged, and it was still all there. Even my boots which I had foolishly placed under the car, now hidden in a small pile of sand and dust. I climbed the nearby ridge and looked off in the distance to see a tent blowing across the valley.
One thousand miles in three days, but time there feels of greater distance.
