How many years have you been visiting the Death Valley territory?

1 Comment

  • Chuck Loffland - 13 years ago

    Over Washington's Birthday weekend in 1953 my Boy Scout troop from Visalia, CA left home on Friday evening for some church basement in Lone Pine. Saturday morn we hit Death Valley. We camped in the Furnace Creek area; I'm not sure which campground. As I remember we saw Badwater, the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells and Scotty's Castle. There were probably more stops such as Mushroom Rock, Golden Canyon, or Artist Pallet. The part that stills stands out in my memory is Scotty. We were told that he normally slept during the day and roamed at night but that he heard the Boy Scouts were there and he came out to meet us and he shook hands with each and every one of us. He had on his white shirt, red tie, and that big hat. Very impressive to young boys. We went home on Monday afternoon.
    My next trip was Washington's Birthday again in 1959. I was going to Jr. College and my folks and another couple went. I have pictures of Mom and our friend sitting on the stagecoach at the museum in Furnace Creek. Ryan was open to visitors at their museum also. That year was my first trip down Titus Canyon. What fun. Five of us in a 1955 Mercury but no problems due to a very careful driver. My Dad.
    Washington's Birthday was a great time to go to Death Valley for me. When the holiday was in the middle of the week I could take one or two days vacation with it and have a nice visit. 1965 wasn't so good. On the way out the bottom of The Valley, dirt road from Ashford Mill, we had a sand storm and my three week old pickup was blasted down to bare metal before we got out. Thank goodness for insurance. Over the years we have probably been there in excess of twenty five times. Our son ran the Titus Marathon in 2003. The years have been good and the last few times we, or at least I, have enjoyed exploring more side canyons in a jeep. Our plans are to be back in February of 2011.
    Thanks for the good times and wonderful sights with the different friends and family that have chosen or been coerced into going with me.
    Chuck Loffland

Leave a Comment

0/4000 chars


Submit Comment