Show off... ! : )

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pensioner" <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 6:48 PM
Subject: Re: Death Valley Preparations

> In order to guarantee safe passage one must pay homage and make a few
> sacrifices.
>
> To appease the desert spirits, (it's DEATH valley, after all) take a
> battered tea kettle or tea pot (metal is preferred) and make an
> offering at teakettle junction of this pot.  Teakettle Junction is in
> itself a rather special place.  You can find it by inquiring at the
> visitor center as a last resort.
>
> If you visit Furnace creek ranch, have the ceremonial date shake at
> the lunch counter.  Location is very important, a booth will not have
> the same beneficial effect.  Sip or slurp reverently.  Do not anger
> the spirits by using a straw.
>
> Then walk the date grove, behind the post office.  Close your eyes for
> a moment and envision a better time when the dates were plentiful and
> the water flowed down the hill to sustain the majesty (before the time
> of the wicked Xanterra).
>
> Should you have the time, thank the Park Superintendant, J.T.
> Reynolds, for his fine work in spite of massive gutbacks in (no,
> that's not a misprint) park funding.  Say hi to Charlie Callaghan the
> resident poppywatcher and join the DV natural history group.
>
> Then buy a yearly parks pass at the counter and a Golden eagle
> amendment.  Or if you qualify a "golden" age pass.
>
> At this point you may be smiled upon by the spirits of the park and
> you may be blessed with little wind and good light, and safe passage
> on your journey.
>
> Reverence and respect is always appreciated by those who have gone
> before, and is a lesson for those who will come later.
>
> If you travel out SR190 through Panamint valley, stop for refreshment
> at at Panamint Springs resort.  The local cat, a beautiful silky black
> named Bad Luck, will accept a small stroke and withold his namesake
> from your travels for a while.
>
> Cottonwood canyon, west side road, flowers along the badwater road
> between mp 47 and mp 27, wildrose canyon, all rich with pixellating
> opportunities.
>
> For more trying road conditions, I might suggest the BFG AT-KO tire in
> your size.  Relatively quiet, long wearing, excellent rock
> protection.  Modestly priced.
>
> A GPS is often handy to get a good estimate of travel time.  DVNP is
> vast.  Distances and travel time are deceiving.
>
>
> Date:    Mon, 6 Feb 2006 15:25:02 -0700
> From:    bueses <bueses@EARTHLINK.NET>
> Subject: Death Valley Camping/Sightseeing in a 2wd westy?
>
> I am thinking of going w/ the significant other to Death Valley, CA for
> her
> 50th B-Day. Anybody got any Vanagon related tips for the trip in the
> middle
> of February? Can I go most places w/o 4wd?
>
> I know, I know, that I am way to thoughtful in planning such a trip for
> her
> Big 50, but what the heck, she doesn't want a big party, no cruise to BFE,
> no trip to Cancun, etc. for that girl-she wants to go camping in the
> Westy!
>
> Tom-never been to Death Valley, Is it worth seeing?
>
>
>
> Yep.