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Death Valley And Mojave | |
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WEEKEND GETAWAYS - Friday, October 12, 2007
Make The Most Of Your Vacation - From Coast to Coast!
Greetings Getaway Lover,
Here's A Great Trip To Enjoy....Death Valley And Mojave
Dust and desolation, tumbleweeds and rattlesnakes, barren
landscapes -- these are the bleak images that come to mind
when most people hear the word desert. But east of the
Sierra Nevada, where the land quickly flattens and the
rain seldom falls, the desert is anything but a wasteland.
The topography here is extreme; whereas Death Valley drops
to almost 300 feet below sea level and contains the lowest
(and hottest) spot in the Western Hemisphere, the Mojave
Desert, which lies to the south, has elevations ranging
from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. These remote regions (which are
known, respectively, as low desert and high desert)
possess a singular beauty found nowhere else in California:
there are vast open spaces populated with spiky Joshua
trees, undulating sand dunes, faulted mountains, and drama-
tic rock formations. Owens Valley is where the desert meets
the mountains; its 80-mi width separates the depths of
Death Valley from Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the
continental United States. Exploring the wonders of Death
Valley in the morning and then heading to the Sierra to
cool off in the afternoon is an amazing study in contrasts
Happy Trails,
Jan
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--DESTINATION: Death Valley & Mojave
Believe everything you've ever heard about desert heat:
it can be brutal. To avoid dehydration and sunburn, you
need sunglasses, sunblock, a hat, and clothing that
blocks the sun's rays and the wind. Because this region
is vast -- about as big as Ohio -- and the weather is
unpredictable, you'll also need to make careful driving
plans. Facilities such as gas stations and supermarkets
are few, so be sure to fill your gas tank whenever you
can and check your vehicle's fluids and tire pressure
frequently. Shut off your car's air-conditioning on
steep grades to avoid engine overheating. At the start
of each day load the car with three gallons of water per
person, plus additional radiator water, and a cooler
stocked with extra food. Be sure to bring reliable maps;
signage can be limited and, in some places, nonexistent.
It's a good idea to have a compass and a cell phone
(though the signal may fade in remote areas). A pair of
binoculars can also come in handy, and don't forget your
camera -- you're likely to see things you've never seen
before.
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--WHAT TO DO AND SEE:
Afton Canyon
Canyon, Barstow
Because of its colorful, steep walls, Afton Canyon is often
called the Grand Canyon of the Mojave. It was carved over
thousands of years by the rushing waters of the Mojave River,
which makes one of its few aboveground appearances here.
Where you find water in the desert you'll also find trees,
grasses, and wildlife, so the canyon has attracted people
for a long time: Native Americans and, later, settlers
following the Mojave Trail from the Colorado River to the
Pacific Ocean set up camp here. Now you can, too, at a 22-
site campground amid high-desert cliffs and a mesquite
thicket. The dirt road that leads to the canyon is ungraded
in spots, so you are best off driving it in an all-terrain
vehicle. Check with the Mojave Desert Information Center
(PHONE: 760/733-4040; www.nps.gov/moja), in Baker, about
road conditions before you head in.
Address: Off Afton Canyon Rd., 36 mi northeast of Barstow
via I-15, Barstow, CA, USA
Antelope Valley Indian Museum
Museum/Gallery, Palmdale
Notable for its one-of-a-kind Native American artifacts,
Antelope Valley Indian Museum has more than 2,500 items
on display, including pieces from California, Southwestern,
and Great Basin tribes. The unusual Swiss chalet-style
building, built in 1928 by homesteader Howard Arden Edwards,
clings to the rocky hillside of Piute Butte and is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
www.avim.parks.ca.gov. COST: $2. OPEN: Mid-Sept.-mid-June,
weekends 11-4; tours Tues.-Thurs. by appointment.
Address: Ave. M between 150th and 170th Sts. E, 17 mi east
of Antelope Valley Freeway (Hwy. 14), Palmdale, CA, USA
Phone: 661/942-0662
Artists Palette
Geological Site, Red Rock Canyon State Park
Artists Palette, so called for the brilliant colors of its
volcanic deposits, is one of the most magnificent sights
in Death Valley. Artists Drive, the approach to the area,
is one-way heading north off Badwater Road, so if you're
visiting Badwater, it saves time to come here on the way
back. The drive winds through foothills of sedimentary and
volcanic rocks. Within the palette, the huge expanses of
Death Valley are replaced by intimate, small-scale natural
beauty. It's a quiet, lonely drive.
Address: 11 mi south of Furnace Creek off Badwater Rd.,
Red Rock Canyon State Park, CA, USA
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Other Places of Interest:
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
Park, Lancaster
California's state flower, the California poppy, can be
spotted just about anywhere in the state, but the densest
concentration is in the Seven miles of trails lead you
through 1,745 acres of hills carpeted with poppies and
other wildflowers as far as the eye can see. Peak blooming
time is usually March through May. The visitor center has
books and information about the reserve and other desert
areas. Many trails are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.
www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=627. COST: $4 per
vehicle. OPEN: Visitor center mid-Mar.-mid-May, weekdays
9-4, weekends 9-5.
Address: Ave. I between 110th and 170th Sts. W, Lancaster,
CA, USA Phone: 661/724-1180 or 661/942-0662
Badwater
Body of Water, Red Rock Canyon State Park
Reaching Badwater, you'll see a shallow pool containing
mostly sodium chloride -- the pool is saltier than the
sea -- in an expanse of desolate salt flats. It's a sharp
contrast to the expansive canyons and elevations nearby.
At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater is the lowest spot
on land in the Western Hemisphere -- and also one of the
hottest. The legend of its name is that an early surveyor
noticed his mule wouldn't drink from the pool and wrote
"badwater" on his map.
Address: Badwater Rd., 19 mi south of Furnace Creek, Red
Rock Canyon State Park, CA, USA
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--WHERE TO SLEEP:
Best Western Colorado River Inn
Under $90 to $175, Needles
Each room at this property off I-40 has a hair dryer;
deluxe rooms also have coffeemakers. Local phone calls
are free, and there is complimentary coffee in the
lobby every morning. The country-Western style rooms
are spartan, but decorated in rich colors.
www.bestwestern.com. 63 rooms. In-room: refrigerator
(some), ethernet (some), dial-up, Wi-Fi. In-hotel:
pool, laundry facilities, no-smoking rooms, some pets
allowed. AE, DC, MC, V.
Address: 2371 Needles Hwy., Needles, CA 92363, USA
Phone: 760/326-4552 or 800/780-7234
Fax: 760/326-4562
Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino
Under $90 to $175, Primm
Decorated in the style of a western frontier town, this
hotel is the biggest and most popular in Primm. Its
buffalo-shaped swimming pool and a large amusement park
-- which features several roller coasters and other rides
-- make the property a hit with families. The casino
itself is enormous (46,000 square feet), and rooms here
are bright and cheery and decorated with lodge-style
furniture. Among the resort's several restaurants,
Batelli's Italiano Restaurante and Oyster Bar ($-$$$) is
a favorite; chef Fernando Batelli serves up his signature
cioppino (a hearty seafood stew) and other Italian
favorites with brio. www.primmvalleyresorts.com. 1,193
rooms, 49 suites. In-room: kitchen (some), refrigerator
(some), dial-up. In-hotel: 8 restaurants, bars, pool,
concierge, no-smoking rooms, minibar (some). AE, D, DC,
MC, V.
Address: 31700 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Primm, NV, USA
Phone: 702/386-7867; 800/386-7867; 702/837-0022 for Batelli's
Desert Inn
Under $90 to $120, Lancaster
Year after year this 1950s hotel remains a popular dining
and lodging spot. The rooms are basic, decorated in dusty-
purple tones. On the premises are the D. I. Cafe (¢-$)
and the fancier Granada Room ($-$$), where you can dine
on American-French dishes such as breaded, baked chicken
breast stuffed with cream cheese and walnuts, or beef
tenderloin stuffed with a medley of shrimp, mushrooms,
and Swiss cheese. Every night, the D. I. Lounge serves up
happy hour and live entertainment. The well-kept, parklike
grounds are a half mile from downtown Lancaster.
www.desert-inn.com. 144 rooms. In-room: refrigerator,
ethernet (some), dial-up, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants,
room service, pools, gym. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Address: 44219 N. Sierra Hwy., Lancaster, CA, USA
Phone: 661/942-8401 or 800/942-8401
Fax: 661/942-8950
--WHERE TO DINE:
Bagdad Café
American, Under $10 to $15, Barstow
Tourists from all over the world flock to the site where
the 1988 film of the same name was shot. Built in the
1940s, this Route 66 eatery serves a home-style menu of
burgers, chicken-fried steak, and seafood. An old
Airstream trailer from the movie sits outside the café.
www.bagdadcafeusa.com. AE, MC, V.
Address: 46548 National Trails Hwy., Newberry Springs, CA, USA
Phone: 760/257-3101
Emma Jean's Hollandburger Cafe
American, Under $10 to $15, Victorville
This circa-1940s diner sits right on U.S. Historic Route
66 and is favored by locals for its generous portions and
old-fashioned home cooking. Try the biscuits and gravy,
chicken-fried steak, or the famous Trucker's Sandwich,
chock-full of roast beef, bacon, chilies, and cheese. AE,
MC, V. Closed Sun. No dinner.
Address: 17143 D St., Victorville, CA, USA
Phone: 760/243-9938
Needles Route 66 Cafe
Mexican, Under $10, Needles
Surf the Wi-Fi Internet on your laptop at this no-frills
diner, which serves a nice mix of American and Mexican
standards. Though Needles is famous for its "giant"
chicken-fried steak smothered in country gravy, locals
prefer the spicier selections such as the homemade salsa,
chili Colorado burritos, and sizzling chicken fajitas.
For dessert, try the deep-fried flaming banana, topped
with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with
honey, cinnamon, and whipped cream. www.needlescafe.com.
D, MC, V.
Address: 2411 Needles Hwy., Needles, CA, USA
Phone: 760/326-1100
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The travel destinations and events that appear in this
newsletter have been selected by our editors. Apart from
those offers clearly set apart from the text, none of the
links presented here are paid promotions for any company
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