Len Wilcox
(the one on the left)
is the Managing Editor of the 4x4Wire's Trails & Travels section and
the Author of:
"Desert
Dancing: The California Journal".
| Death Valley or Bust | Short Cuts |
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| Len Wilcox |
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Len Wilcox |
February, 2000
Death Valley or Bust
This February, I'm doing something different for me. I'm going to Death Valley with Terry Johnson and his group, and we're heading for some very interesting country. You're invited along, too.
It's my first trip with a group. My fellow staff members here at ORN tell me it's a great way to go wheeling. There are practical reasons that I certainly appreciate on this trip: We're heading to Death Valley, and crossing some of the most remote and dangerous country I've ever seen. At one point on the Lippincott mine road you're a good 40 miles or more from pavement, and the nearest town is 20 miles beyond that. That's a lonely place. I've been there, and you can't help but wonder if your maintenance and repair really is good enough, your emergency supplies and abilities up to speed, and - basically - if you'll survive a breakdown or a mistake.
That's a lonely feeling, one that takes away from the fun of a trip; you know very well that you could suddenly be in a life or death situation. Traveling with a group eases those fears a lot. You have help traveling with you.
But there's more. Traveling with others who enjoy the same things you do makes the trip more fun. We'll be exploring together some of the most interesting country on the face of the planet. The camaraderie is something to look forward to, and I'm sure we'll all learn from each other as well.
The Mojave Desert and Death Valley is home to some spectacular scenery. The geology of the land is laid out at your feet. Stories of victory and defeat are written in the myriad of tracks in the sand, and in the flights of the birds above. The human story is fascinating as well; the history of Death Valley is written in the shenanigans of its people, a colorful bunch.
My favorite Death Valley character - Shorty Harris - found gold, lots of it, several times, and died a rich man but with few material possessions. His riches were in the view from his mud hut in Ballarat, and in the freedom of his wanderings as a single-blanket jackass prospector.
Shorty would be bemused at us 4-wheelers traveling in such luxury across his desert, but he'd approve of the spirit that drives us there. Especially when we show up in a group - Shorty, for all his skill as a prospector and all his hermit-like ways, hated traveling alone, and most of his trips and his discoveries were made with a group.
Maybe we'll see him, along the trail, with his mule and his penguin, walking and talking with one of his many friends. We'll keep an eye peeled. Maybe he'll join us, and make it an even more interesting journey.
See you on the trail.
PS: My book, Desert Dancing: The California Journal, is finally out. You can order an autographed copy through my website, or, soon, buy it through Amazon.com and local book stores. For more information visit my website: Desert Dancing.
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