awwww so Sad!

Oh dear... you know how much I love camping in Death Valley during Thanksgiving... probably the parks busiest time... well we might not get to go this year. The campground was closed till August for remodeling and then I moved and didn't get it together. My brother checked and all the cool spaces are gone...all gone... so bummed that's for sure.

Can Hardly Wait

We are nearing the time for our next great adventure to Death Valley. Twenty three days but whose counting!  This cool couch is part of an artist exhibit we saw on the way to a ghost town. I can't even remember where but I do know it was really cold that day! But look at that gorgeous blue sky!

Old Car

This is a ravine in Death Valley where you might see some big horn sheep! We went with a group to to hear a talk about the sheep and their history in the park. The Forest Rangers are pretty interesting and informative. It's always good to show up for their talks, it's possible to learn a whole lot!

So the day we went on the talk... we didn't see any but I remembered this car was nearby and Chris and I left the group to go find the car and low and behold.... we found a whole herd of sheep... pretty cool to see. I will post those pictures the next time I blog.

 Flash floods are always a possibility in the desert... you can see how much rock and sand the waters have moved down the ravine over the years.

 I love the colors of the desert, of course the best time to be there is in the fall or winter.

Why.... Death Valley?

Ubehebe Crater

So often people look shocked when I say we spend Thanksgiving in Death Valley... why they say ... isn't that a desert...it's hot right? Sure is  ... but in November it's perfect! Sunny afternoons and it cools down at night. There are tons of things to do in Death Valley... everything from hiking to ghost towns... to pup fish! The geological features are breath taking. But really the thing that I love about Death Valley is how close it's bought my little brother and me together. We fought like cats and dogs as children, we stood up for each other, we watched out for each other and then we grew apart... like a lot of siblings do as adults. But now we talk more, we plan the trip, we talk about what we want to do when we get there...we actually get excited about something. I don't know about you but most of my life I learned not to get excited cause it might not happen... how sad is that.

But now ... Death Valley has taught me that I can be excited, that Thanksgiving comes around every year, and my brother will spend it with me. Like family ....and it makes me happy.

my camping buddies!

Our step-father Lambert joins us and he is so adorable, I love him so much. He was the best man my Mom was ever with. He loved her so much, he treated her like she was the most precious woman on Earth. He's given me the love of a Father... and that makes me warm and sappy inside. These are reasons why ... I love Death Valley!

The Views

The Views are what I love about being in Death Valley... it's the largest National park in the southern 48 states. You can see for miles and the stars at night are breathtaking. For a county girl living in the city, this is heaven!

Both of these pictures are from 09 and taken at Dante's Peak. The rock formations are gorgeous and you have to see this view when the sun is setting!

Foiled Again!

Every year before we leave Death Valley, Chris and I scope out the other campsites to see which one I should reserve. Well we decide upon number 90, I even took a photo so I wouldn't forget the space number!
So what are we looking for ... well we definitely want trees to put our tents under, it has to be near the restrooms... for me... lol, and Chris looks at the campfire situation. We aren't really suppose to change it in any way. Of course that doesn't stop Chris from digging, smoothing, and rearranging the rocks.
So this space 90 was perfect in all ways. Now why didn't I make reservations when we got back home? Well I finally did just the other day and yep space 90 is long gone... the only one left in the area is space 86. What's really funny is I went to Furnace Creek to get a photo of that site... I couldn't believe it.... there is my stepdad's car with his bike trailer in the photo! www.campsitephotos.com, that is hilarous! So here's where we will be this Thanksgiving!

It's a pretty site! and this year we are staying through till Saturday after Thanksgiving!  Whoo Hoo! Email me if you care to join us =)

Scotty's Castle

Front View, photo by Chris De Barros

side view

Of course your first trip to Death Valley has to include the everyday places to visit like Scotty's Castle. They have the coolest tours ever.... they are called living history tours, which means the tour guide dresses and speaks like they did back in the 1930's! They have tour starting like every 15 minutes or so on busy days. My personal advice is to use the restroom before leaving on the tour... cause there aren't any restrooms inside and you can't leave and come back.... they have no sympathy!

DV Scotty, borrowed Picture

Everything is as it was from back in the day when Scotty & his benefactor,  the millionaire from Chicago, Albert Johnson built, designed and lived in it! Well is was actually somewhat designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Albert was a engineer so he put together a way to create electricity for the house! See picture of tile above!

You have to walk on special rugs so nothing is disturbed by the 100's that trek through it on a weekly basis. The house is filled with unique hand-wrought iron and tile, custom-made furniture, hand-selected tapestries and European antiques. I really liked all the wrought iron.

Our Irish Friend!

awwww how cute we are! photo taken by Alan

Ok so our Irish buddy emailed my pictures from us in the pool ... so I thought I 'd share them! Just what you were waiting for huh?
So Alan came over last week and made Chris & I his Irish Stew... which turned out to be delicious! Parsnips, sweet potatoes, turnips, potatoes, onions, & hamburger!

Alan cooking in my kitchen! Looks like fun huh!

Thanksgiving in Death Valley can bring you new friends and new experiences! The desert is a place where your heart can be renewed and in it's silence peace comes over you. 

Totally yummy!

Swimming in the Desert!

Surprisingly as cold as it was this past week, we went swimming for the first time in Death Valley. Now mind you I have been camping in Death Valley for over 5 years and we always take a shower at the Furnace Creek Ranch... it's only $5.00 and you can't believe how good hot water feels after a night in a tent. I know, I keep my tent pretty plush with a thick rug on the floor, fluffy felt covered air mattress and a quilt but still ... a shower is always delicious! This year the camp Volunteer told me I have to go in the pool because it is a spring fed pool, fed from a warm spring that has minerals. So I took her advice and jumped in t-shirt and all! What a pleasant surprise. I liked it sooo much I went on Monday too! I know... it doesn't look like we rough it at all lol

So the second visit, I took the picture above which has people in it that I don't know... but on Sunday when we went for our first swim we met an Irish bloke, Alan and he took pics of Chris and I.... so when he emails them, if they are kosher, I will post them too! =)

My Step-Dad

I love this photo! Lambert Lelevier, just turned 82 on Nov 12, 2010. He is an amazing man and he was so good to my Mom. She picked the worst men ever in her life until she met Lambert, who treated her like gold.

He loves old movies with Burt Lancaster. He still rides his motorcycle at 82. And he is willing to camp every year with us in Death Valley. We went over to Rhyolite this year, an old ghost town. Lambert retired on his birthday and now wants to become a gold prospector.

Here's our space 87

Breakfast sizzling, coffee percolating in space 87! Next year we are aiming for space 90! Furnace Creek Camp ground... best camp ground in Death Valley. You are welcome to join us.

It's a Family Tradition

About four and half years ago I lost my Mom to heaven and when Thanksgiving came around I decided we should do something different. I called my little brother Chris and my step-dad Lambert and asked them if they would join me camping in Death Valley. Surprisingly they both agreed to attend with me! Thanksgiving 2010 is our third time in Death Valley, we took a year off and camped at Aqua Caliente.

Arriving at sundown... such a sight to see!

What I love most about Death Valley is how huge it is, the greatness of it, the awe of it all. You can see forever and the stillness is heart stopping.