Death Valley Book Of Knowledge

Prior to the existence of the human species, through periods of incomprehensible time, the stage was being sculpted from the raw materials of this fiery planet. As one might expect in preparation for a live theater performance, the scenery was being set, the props placed, and the lights prepared. As if directed by an unseen producer, multiple permutations were tried, adjustments made, and conditions perfected in readiness for the actors, or in this case, the creatures and people who were to eventually inherit the tormented landscape. Although popularly referred to as Death Valley, the human naming of this grand theater begins to pale and lose its sting as we lose ourselves in the magnificence of the setting. While still undergoing revision to suit the geologic forces at play in the wings, our stage now appears deceptively stable, enough so that we come here, contribute our own diminutive parts of the performance, and move on. The human cast in this notable drama has been impressive, existing through several key scene changes that have occurred at a pace so leisurely as to be imperceptible by the players themselves. Only looking back on acts long since finished can we write of the dynamic setting. It is then that we realize the lakes of the valley have been replaced by an extensive desert expanse, the air of the sky has warmed, and the flowing rivers have moved underground. During this time, the troupe has grown in size, joined by new participants late in the performance. The original company spent thousands of years here, well versed in their roles with the land, and then when some wagons rolled in from stage left, with people reading from another script, the plot thickened and headed off in new directions. The drama was entering a time of intense diversification, as the new actors, unfamiliar with the elements of the stage, often faltered. These troubles brought a state of disrepute upon the theater, as the newcomers spoke of the heat from the severe overhead lighting that interfered with their intended goals. While the first inhabitants of this stage were content to work and play harmoniously within the parameters of the setting with modest demands, the greenhorns sought to receive hefty payments for their labors, and advertised heavily to attract large audiences. Their experiences were promoted and publicized so well that these more recent acts have often overshadowed the direction of the original presentation. A tiny band of desperate and lost gold nugget seekers from the East are credited with initiating the conversion of script, followed by the likes of a visionary entrepreneur from the financial hub of San Francisco, a shifty and unprincipled conman from Kentucky, and a rugged sheriff who walked barefoot through broken whiskey bottles to capture a criminal. They played out portions of their life dramas in this unique region many now call Death Valley, and in so doing, unwittingly provided more legendary spark for the territory’s ambiance than anyone could ever foretell. Hidden amongst these true accounts of this wild and woolly stage, we also stumble across incredulous dusty legends, those tall tales that serve to complete our expected visions of the Old West. Leading the pack is the legendary story of an intrepid man on stilts in a poisonous chasm of bleached bones, who single handedly cleared out stagnant lethal gases and opened up this supposedly deadly place for others to visit. Historical tales of all types provide a vast and fertile soil, in which we cultivate for future generations the seeds of a colossal enduring epic, saturated with enigmatic appeal. This sweeping saga of the Death Valley frontier during times gone by has provided more curious exhilaration than even the finest of fiction novels could possibly dream, and true historical drama is one of the foremost draws to this alluring region. Even though the need to separate fact from fantasy becomes necessary at times, it only serves to whet our appetites further. While much of historical lore centers around the adventurous prospectors and promoters who sought riches here, earlier people have existed in this primordial territory up to ten thousand years prior, living on and with this natural world in ways far different than their commonly known followers. Clearly, how humans have interacted with this land has always provided a certain inescapable lure. Yet of course, there is much more to the inimitable Death Valley territory than what we mere humans have done on this stage for a very short period of time. Geology and the peculiar landscapes are the backdrops, providing additional magnetism for the hundreds of thousands of yearly explorers who now travel the region. Moving boulders on a dry lakebed, huge holes in stone cliff spires, deep shaded canyons amid perpetual sunlit desert, beautiful waterfalls, colossal craters hidden until upon them, and ancient forests on soaring skybound peaks are among the appealing scenic enticements that beckon us. The multifaceted flavors of this wild place provide a virtual feast that is eagerly devoured by our caged urban minds, allowing us to relive the excitement of divergent nomads in a very wild world, while escaping the bonds of our own more mundane existence. There are many reasons why folks continue to flock to Death Valley National Park, and the objective of the Death Valley Book Of Knowledge is to assist all who visit here with their understanding of what makes this an extraordinarily wild retreat, one worthy of its ample governmental shelter. Understanding the manifold geographic, climatic, and historic characteristics of this distinctive realm will undoubtedly assist in creating a dramatic vision in our mind’s eye. Consider the pages that follow as program notes. During the course of creating this manuscript, the objective has been to examine as many diverse aspects of the vast Death Valley territory as could possibly be imagined. Thousands of pages have been written by numerous authors about this land and its history over the years, more than most folks would be inclined to read. By distilling the story into its essential elements, perhaps this volume will provide a ready access portal through which the curious may pass on their journey to greater enlightenment. The core focus remains on those characteristics that seem to present the greatest appeal to the majority of area enthusiasts. Being a professional educator in a former life, I firmly believe that learning should be engaging and diverse. In addition to the basic pragmatism of science and history, there exists an affective tone on occasion, painting an ambiance of feeling that transcends the rudimentary interpretation of knowledge. These are not hard indisputable facts, but rather states of mind that flow from the drama of the stage. Consider this a new breed of encyclopedia and anthology, one where the customary rituals of staid formality have been dispatched, in exchange for a relaxing measure of personal service, where knowledge is supplemented with philosophy. First and foremost, this is a broad-based resource book, one that can be read as personally desired, and need not be experienced sequentially. The encyclopedia section is alphabetized for easy reference as wanted, and the anthology portions consist of self-contained chapters, which may be read in any order. The manuscript is divided into the following five sections: 1) Wisdom Of The Sages (six introductory chapters to set the scene) 2) Of Mountains, Mysteries, Mules & Men (1149 alphabetized encyclopedia entries) 3) Journeys Through Time And Place (fourteen chapters of diverse regional topics) 4) Poison Gas And Wagon Trains (four chapters written from 1890 to 1939) 5) On Trails Of Legend & Adventure (four guide chapters to assist territorial travelers)