When
we arrived back at camp, I discretely pulled Muir Trek aside. I filled him in
on the incident the first night in our camper. His expression was priceless.
“Does
the door on your camper squeak?” I asked.
“No,
it doesn’t,” he answered. “It’s completely silent.”
As I
was pondering his answer, Muir Trek worked through the contents of one of their
bins. He handed me a small container of WD40.
“Try
this,” he said with a smile.
This
was a very special evening. Prior to the trip Muir Trek asked during a phone
call, “What night would be best for us to make dinner for everyone?”
“Wow!”
was all I could say.
“What
night?” Muir Trek asked again, bringing me out of my euphoric anticipation.
“Monday,
Monday would work!”
This
was Monday.
A
tablecloth was on the table. Items started to appear.
The
evening color arrived.
A
small fire was built to produce coals. Coals were placed below and on top of a Dutch
oven. Stories were told.
With
our headlamps, we gathered around the table.
We
ate with unbridled enthusiasm. Outdoor Woman announced, “No leftovers!” We took
on the task and devoured beef tenderloin marinated in Port wine and wrapped in
bacon. The potatoes were exquisite and cooked to perfection. The salad was
complete with Feta goat cheese and homemade caramelized pecans. Conversation ceased.
We ate with abandon. There were no leftovers. Dessert was raspberry tarts and
chocolate truffles. And to top it all off, our friends were decked out in black ties. This was class!
This
will be one of our most memorable evenings under Death Valley’s star filled
sky.
We
walked around the campground in the night and then said our good nights. Muir Trek
quietly asked, “Will there be an incident tonight?”
“Doubtful,”
I answered; “WD40.”
More clouds enhanced first light on the last day of 2013
It was
warm, comfortable, 46°, and it was moving day. We visited the newly remodeled
Visitors Center at Furnace Creek. We backtracked a bit and headed to Stovepipe
Wells and filled up with gas. Our destination was high up into Marble Canyon.
Our preferred spot was empty, waiting. We picked our spots, got to leveling the
trucks, and the tops were popped. We had another place to call home for a
couple days. It was New Years Eve.
We
popped popcorn and the Lady brought out two bottles of sparkling cider, our
choice for bubbly. We all still had
stories to share. The wells had not run
dry. “Are we going to see midnight?” someone asked. “Only if I have to get up
to pee around that time,” Barking Spider answered.
We
did sit longer outside and watched the sky. A couple of us had seen shooting
stars dart across the heavens. Someone suggested we could not go to bed until
we had each seen one. It was delightfully quiet as a desert night should be. We
all looked up and a large meteor center punched the sky, leaving a brilliant streak
that ended in a pronounced red ball. It was perfect. “Time for bed!” we said in
unison.
This
part of Marble Canyon is aligned well to get nice early morning light. The Lady
and I were up first, the smell of Peets coffee was rich in the air. We walked
down canyon and found a bench on the north side to climb. We watched the line of
sunlight move toward us. “I want to go up there!” the Lady pointed at the high
peak above the canyon. Up is her favorite direction.
The
Lady had brought everyone here because she wanted to see dragon eggs again and
show them to our friends. We put our gear and packs together. Barking
Spider and the Lady were the first ready to go.
We
quickly moved through the first narrows and worked our way on the bypass around
the huge chock stone.
We
entered the dark and mysterious second narrows of Marble Canyon.
We
broke into the opening above the narrows. Butterflies were about.
We
passed by the famous pregnant sheep.
We
continued up……………………………..
.............and the
Lady led us to dragon eggs.
We
explored side canyons.
We
were kids again. “This is the best New Years Day I’ve ever had!” Mom Spider
said.
It
seemed that every direction we explored held treasure.
We
found a shaft of sunshine for a lunch spot. Our friends were happy.
It
was time to turn around and have some fun along the way.
The
group still took direction well.
I
believe we named this Bottom Slide Canyon.
The
canyon opened up below us.
We
passed by the Space Ship panel.
As
the shadows lengthened with the afternoon light, we enjoyed our walk back down Marble
Canyon.
We
again passed through the second narrows. This spot always stops me.
It
had been another incredible day.
Thursday
was a beautiful Death Valley morning.
Today
was a day of goodbyes. The Spiders and the Trekkers were heading home. The Lady
and I were staying a few more days. What adventures lay ahead for us?
Our adventure continues in Part Four
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