Turkey day. I guess it just wouldn't be complete without turkey and ham, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, ratatouille and a bun. Now add to this a backdrop of some ancient Precambrian, Ordovician and Devonian marine beds, often overturned and interspersed with implied angular unconformities between, served with a side of Pleistocene volcanics and THEN I'm truly satisfied. Like this year. Our family spent the holiday taking in the stunning scenery with a full plate of thanksgiving fare while either eating calmly beside our lovely daughter and her six-dollar smile, or chasing our toddler around a series of gravelly paths hemmed with cactus. Not quite the "norm" for a turkey day celebration in most folks' heads, but with two of these desert middle-of-nowhere kind under our belts, one without kids about ten years ago and one with kids this year, I'm looking forward to more in the future.
But that was just the warm-up. There is more adventure involved, albeit not so gastronomically inclined. You can impress your pink-loving little girl and bring her to find canyons with rocks her favorite color. Then you can witness how nimble her limbs are, climbing about the dry falls and exhibiting her momma's sharp skills. Canyons are rather ubiquitous out here, and many contain areas requiring technical climbing skills. Don't go alone. Keep little ones safe and check out some park info for a nice place to start.So remember, if you find yourself in the Death Valley region* during the turkey time of year, don't miss out on some bird, drop by Panamint Springs Resort for a nice plate! Then take your family to explore a few of the flash-flood carved water courses, within innumerable canyons, containing a whole palette of earthly colors imaginable. Whew! I really love Death Valley.
Where were you this turkey day?
* put on some geography goggles and you'll realize that this is something akin to saying "if you're ever in Connecticut..."
9 comments:
happy belated t-day, I was in Japan, where it wasn't a holiday and drooling over everyone's thanksgiving photos on the internet. :)
I was trapped in a house with a couple of 79 year olds. I would have much rather been climbing some geologic wonders.
BTW, I'm having a tomato giveaway on my blog. Since nobody ever visits me, the odds off winning are currently quite good.
Kat: I once had a turkey sandwich with a smear of cranberry jelly on it while away from family the first time and it seemed to hit the right spot. Go ahead and feed the need.....
Mimi: Maybe next year? Don't you live somewhat near the desert?
Thanks for the tip on the tomato giveaway. But, can I ask, is this like one of those road signs that advertise "strawberry" when they really have way more than just one to sell?
Maybe next year for sure.
Gads, I hope not. Well, if it is, they've got me already, but it was worth it. Muir Glen tomatoes aren't cheap and I'm a sucker for cookbooks.
MmmMm, I was at home in a warm house with a shower and flushy terlit. A fridge that hummed along keeping cold stuff cold, a gas range that turned on and simmered, baked, fried and boiled. Awoke and went to sleep in a large, comfy bed with happy pillows. Broke bread with family and listened to music all afternoon.
All that said, I would much have rather been in the desert!
xo, Biggles
Was that a sourdough roll?
Mimi: You had me at "Muir."
Biggles: Nothing like happy pillows. See you next year at Panamint!
Chile: I think they were, but I was suffering the beginnings of a headcold and couldn't taste very much. I'm guessing the slight tang I picked up was what some would call sourdough.
Merry Christmas, You Foo Boo!
Chile: Merry X-mas dude! And like, wow, Happy New Year!
Leo: Uh, I tried doing a translation and your comment seems along the lines of advertising, maybe. I'll give you a few days to clarify, then you get deleted. Oh, and happy new year if you use a Jesus based calendar.
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