Scouting
Time has flown, and I have been woefully absent. Apologies. Often, we have had scant or non-existent Internet service, and when we get home … well … there are all those catch-ups to do!
We picked up our rental at McCarran within sight of The Strip in Las Vegas, but that clearly was not our destination. We were headed for our annual workshop out in Death Valley, billed as the hottest, lowest (as in below sea level in places), and driest area in the United States.
There is a reason they call it Death Valley, and it always gives us incredible respect and amazement for those early settlers who braved this harsh land and survived.
It is also a beautiful land of color and contrasts.
But we arrived late at night under black skies filled with stars. The line down the middle of the road and the warning curve signs were our only safety guides. We arrived at our hotel and got to bed around 1:30 home time.
We “slept in” and got to breakfast when it opened at 7:00. Our scout-and-shoot participant arrived early, and we instantly took a shine to one another sharing laughs and a common irreverent sense of humor.
We headed out for the day to check things out and find new locations, something we always do before a workshop. We found backlit golden shrubs against black lava-ash fields. Nearby, we found an owl. My family has always loved owls. My grandmother and mother had a thing for owls. When I came along, I shared in their delight of these feathered creatures.
It was time for lunch, so we sat in the sun munching our fare. One does not come to Death Valley for gourmet food, but it was serviceable, and we enjoyed chatting.
There were more locations that we took in, having fun making photographs and continuing to help our new friend and participant. We got skunked at one of our locations, as we were too late for the light, but went to another instead.
We were really happy with what we got, not only as the sun had just set, but as the light faded and the stars came out.
It was a good day, and we repaired to the bar for some libation and excellent burgers. More laughs and good conversation, and it was time for bed.
As I try to continue this blog series, know that the Internet in Death Valley is as noted above with other locations, iffy at best and impossible and non-existent otherwise. I’ll post as I can, and the blogs will probably be short with time constraints.
Next: Day 1, Introductions
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Beautiful images and lovely comments. Look forward to hearing/seeing more.
Jim,
Great to hear from you. We are missing you out here but hope to see you and Tim in Provence. Meanwhile, thanks for your kind comments.
Take care,
TBC