Death Valley: Intrigue lies in desolation

From: Chicago Sun-Times | Date: April 14, 2002| Author: Marek Warszawski Scripps Howard News Service | Copyright information

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK--The name doesn't exactly conjure images of fun in the California sun.

"Honey, let's spend the weekend in lovely Death Valley."

Uh, no.

Morbid or not, the moniker fits. Because if this desolate landscape of desert panoramas, mountain vistas and astounding geology spanning 3.3 million acres (making it the largest national park in the contiguous 48 states) were called Happy Valley or Picturesque Valley, it wouldn't hold the same allure.

"The...

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