The holiday thread :).

**Janszoon** · 05-07-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

During the same trip I also visited Death Valley National Park, in the middle of the Mojave Desert, specifically Badwater Basin, during one of the hottest summers recorded there. On the day I was there the temperature was approximately 130'F, and dry as hell. I thought I was going to burn up!

Death Valley is one of mine and my wife's favorite places. Going there really feels like a trip to another planet and the sheer number of stars you can see at night is mindblowing.

MoonlitSunshine · 05-07-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Death Valley is one of mine and my wife's favorite places. Going there really feels like a trip to another planet and the sheer number of stars you can see at night is mindblowing.

There are places like that in the West of Ireland, I remember being out in Sligo for a joint 21st/18th in a cottage out in the middle of nowhere a few years ago. We were lucky enough to be there at the same time as a meteor shower, the view was absolutely stunning. We spent about an hour lying in the middle of a road/dirt track looking at them fall, even without the shooting ones there were enough stars to make it an hour well spent, I've never seen the milky way so clearly either!

**Janszoon** · 05-07-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonlitSunshine

There are places like that in the West of Ireland, I remember being out in Sligo for a joint 21st/18th in a cottage out in the middle of nowhere a few years ago. We were lucky enough to be there at the same time as a meteor shower, the view was absolutely stunning. We spent about an hour lying in the middle of a road/dirt track looking at them fall, even without the shooting ones there were enough stars to make it an hour well spent, I've never seen the milky way so clearly either!

That was my experience in Death Valley as well, the Milky Way was very, very distinct. There's no horizon glow there to speak of and no cell phone reception or radio stations available either.

**Janszoon** · 05-07-2011, 08:31 AM

Now that I think of it, I guess it would be appropriate for me to post some of my Death Valley photos. They're a couple years old but it was a vacation I took so it's in keeping with this thread.

The Devil's Golf Course

Ubehebe Crater (a volcano that destroyed itself thousands of years ago)

Bad Water Basin. All that white stuff is salt packed down by people walking on it, the brown stuff to the sides is salt too though it hasn't been packed down. It's also interesting to note that it was about 110 degrees Fahrenheit down in the valley when I took this photo and yet, as you can see, it was still cold enough up in the mountains for there to be snow on the ground.

Zabriskie Point

The Batlord · 05-07-2011, 11:47 AM

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!

MoonlitSunshine · 05-07-2011, 04:39 PM

They look wonderful. There's something so alluring about a place in which there is virtually no life. There's an interesting book about the allure of that territory called Moon Palace, by Paul Auster. Ever since I read his descriptions of what being in such a place, surrounded by everything that isn't "civilisation", can do to you.

**Janszoon** · 05-07-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonlitSunshine

They look wonderful. There's something so alluring about a place in which there is virtually no life. There's an interesting book about the allure of that territory called Moon Palace, by Paul Auster. Ever since I read his descriptions of what being in such a place, surrounded by everything that isn't "civilisation", can do to you.

It really is an amazing place, so alien. And it's huge. The whole national park, which is basically the valley and surrounding hills is 5,270 sq mi (13,649 km2).

Burning Down · 05-07-2011, 04:47 PM

Jans, isn't it amazing that Bad Water Basin is one of the lowest points on this planet at ~280 feet below sea level, and then you look up to the mountains which are only about 80 miles away? Mount Whitney, one of the tallest peaks on the Earth, is in that part of the mountain range, standing at 14,500 feet.

**Janszoon** · 05-07-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

Jans, isn't it amazing that Bad Water Basin is one of the lowest points on this planet at ~280 feet below sea level, and then you look up to the mountains which are only about 80 miles away? Mount Whitney, one of the tallest peaks on the Earth, is in that part of the mountain range, standing at 14,500 feet.

It is amazing. And it's even more amazing that they have a footrace every year where people run from Bad Water Basin to Mount Whitney.

I don't think Mount Whitney is one of the tallest peaks in the world though. Still, it's pretty big.

Astronomer · 05-07-2011, 07:01 PM

I love holidays! Traveling is my main love in life. I'm going to New Zealand in July, and hopefully London in September/October if all goes well (and if I'm not tempted to stay in New Zealand...)

05-07-2011, 08:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Now that I think of it, I guess it would be appropriate for me to post some of my Death Valley photos. They're a couple years old but it was a vacation I took so it's in keeping with this thread. The Devil's Golf Course Ubehebe Crater (a volcano that destroyed itself thousands of years ago) Bad Water Basin. All that white stuff is salt packed down by people walking on it, the brown stuff to the sides is salt too though it hasn't been packed down. It's also interesting to note that it was about 110 degrees Fahrenheit down in the valley when I took this photo and yet, as you can see, it was still cold enough up in the mountains for there to be snow on the ground. Zabriskie Point __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

05-07-2011, 04:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
MoonlitSunshine Dat's Der Bunny! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,088	They look wonderful. There's something so alluring about a place in which there is virtually no life. There's an interesting book about the allure of that territory called Moon Palace, by Paul Auster. Ever since I read his descriptions of what being in such a place, surrounded by everything that isn't "civilisation", can do to you. __________________ "I found it eventually, at the bottom of a locker in a disused laboratory, with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard". Ever thought of going into Advertising?" - Arthur Dent

05-07-2011, 04:47 PM	#18 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	Jans, isn't it amazing that Bad Water Basin is one of the lowest points on this planet at ~280 feet below sea level, and then you look up to the mountains which are only about 80 miles away? Mount Whitney, one of the tallest peaks on the Earth, is in that part of the mountain range, standing at 14,500 feet.

05-07-2011, 07:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	I love holidays! Traveling is my main love in life. I'm going to New Zealand in July, and hopefully London in September/October if all goes well (and if I'm not tempted to stay in New Zealand...)