O.K., so the title is a little bit misleading. The folIlowing article will contain
only one reference to any sort of higher or lower power.
A majority
of people in Bakersfield seemed programmed to spend their weekend getaways in
the most uncreative fashion. Clam chowder at Bob's in Morro Bay, followed by
a boring overpriced cocktail cruise with a bunch of geeks in matching attire. Magic
Mountain follwed by a 1,200+ calorie meal at the Hamburger Hamlet. A dissatisfying
overpriced California Adventure in Anaheim. Lasting memories from these
type of activities will quickly fade.
Bakersfield is somewhat blessed
due to its geographic location within California. Within five hours driving
distance, we can see and experience just about anything. Within three hours the
choices are still staggering.
In the three hour range, I would have to say Death Valley ranks near the top of my
list. A 3.3 million acre adventure park which averages about 900,000 visitors
per year. To get statistical with you, that would mean that if each visitor were
to stand in the park at one exact time, they would have approximately 3.6 acres
to themselves. Truly a loners dream.
My last weekend visit to the
park left me with some everlasting impressions. If you can stand a bit of heat,
you still have time to enjoy. The smartest move is to rent a mini SUV from Budget
for an amazingly low price of $80 from Friday to Monday with unlimited milage.
You will get a new car with great AC that has the ability to provide a 90+
mile an hour drive through no mans land to get there. It is a brutal trip for any car, so you might as well put someone else's
through it.
From Bakersfield, you will pass through one of the
world's smeliest towns, Trona. Plug your nose and continue on. Entering the park
is going to set you back $10 for a seven day pass. An amzing bargain for what
awaits. Oncve inside the park, yor lodging options vary. The exclusive Furnace
Creek Resort caters to the high roller. Rates at this resort start at $250+
per night. Much more reasonably priced lodging choices exist throughout the park.
Camping choices are all over the park, with quite a few offering
free sites. More established campgrounds with varying facilites run typically
from $10 to $16 per night. Various rules apply at each campground, sp ay attention
to what you are doing. The easiest way to reserve a campsite is by calling
1-800-365-CAMP.
If you need a roof over your head and some much appreciated
AC, your lodging choices are limited to three others. The Stovepipe Wells
Village has rooms which will set you back $75 to $95 a night, with a a good
onsite restaurant and bar open until 11:00 pm. This is the closest lodging to the
Bakersfield entrance. The Furnace Creek Ranch is the low priced sister to the
Furnace Creek Resort and offers a variety of lodging, including $85 cabins, which
are actually more like a kid's playhouse due to the rudimentary construction
and close proximity to each other. The ranch also offers rooms situated in a
more traditional, motel style design built out around a swimming pool. These rooms
range from $117 to $149 per night.
Contact the resort at (760) 786-2361.
Hopefully
many of you are thinking at this point: why in the world
would you want to trek around the desert in searing temperatures? If you have
little knowledge of the desert and think it all looks exactly like the scrub
and Joshua trees seen on the drive to Las Vegas, you are very wrong. Death Valley
is one of nature's best playgrounds. Leave Bakersfield by 4 pm on a Friday
and you will be at your room before darkenss falls. You can then drink up at teh
Badwater Saloon as you make plans for the following days.
Wake up
early and begin your aventure. Your choices include the famous Badwater region,
which is the lowest point in the western hemisphere at -282 feet below sea level.
During the drive to Badwater, check out the Artist's Pallet. This is a very
colorful area in a region typically lacking color.
Other outing options
include my favorite which is a 2+ mile hike to the Dunes area. Visually this
hike is very misleading, appearing to be about 1/2 mile from the parking area.
As you continue to walk, you realize you don't seem to be getting much closer.
Eventually though, you will make it to the Dunes, and the hike to the ridge-tops
is incredible. The Dunes seem to rise up hundreds of feet, and the footprints
you leave behind will be blown away within an hour.
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