Death valley Tourists

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
My word, in the incredible temperatures being reported, what and why is this madness that compels people to go to Death Valley? I have to admire them too. What resilience and appetite for danger.

There is such variance in constitution when it comes to endurance of cold or heat. I am often shivering in the supermarket despite many layers while people around me are in light summer clothes. Conversely I could be feeling half dead indoors during a heatwave but I see people jogging past quite oblivious. Our weather in the UK cannot of course compare to such extremes as Europe and America are getting.

Yet right now these surely are killer temperatures and people surely need to be sensible. Should they be stopped for their own good from going to Death Valley?
 

Rose65 said:
My word, in the incredible temperatures being reported, what and why is this madness that compels people to go to Death Valley? I have to admire them too. What resilience and appetite for danger.

There is such variance in constitution when it comes to endurance of cold or heat. I am often shivering in the supermarket despite many layers while people around me are in light summer clothes. Conversely I could be feeling half dead indoors during a heatwave but I see people jogging past quite oblivious. Our weather in the UK cannot of course compare to such extremes as Europe and America are getting.

Yet right now these surely are killer temperatures and people surely need to be sensible. Should they be stopped for their own good from going to Death Valley?
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Several years back I was depressed about work and family issues and decided to visit Death Valley in the heat of summer. I simply wanted to be alone and away from people. So I finally made it to the only hotel in the area, a place called Furnace Creek Inn. Arriving about dusk I went up to the front desk to buy a room and they told me the place was completely booked up! l thought to myself, 'Who in the hell would book a hotel in Death Valley in August?' Turns out it was a bunch of tourists from Germany who wanted to have the experience of visiting the hottest place in the world. As it turned out, some of the Germans, hearing of my plight decided to bunk together so a room could be freed up for me. I made a lot of friends on this trip even though I could not speak or understand German.
 

sch404 said:
Several years back I was depressed about work and family issues and decided to visit Death Valley in the heat of summer. I simply wanted to be alone and away from people. So I finally made it to the only hotel in the area, a place called Furnace Creek Inn. Arriving about dusk I went up to the front desk to buy a room and they told me the place was completely booked up! l thought to myself, 'Who in the hell would book a hotel in Death Valley in August?' Turns out it was a bunch of tourists from Germany who wanted to have the experience of visiting the hottest place in the world. As it turned out, some of the Germans, hearing of my plight decided to bunk together so a room could be freed up for me. I made a lot of friends on this trip even though I could not speak or understand German.
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You are all made of stern stuff!
What a great experience and how charmingly accommodating the Germans were.
 
Sometimes people just need to do stupid stuff to say they did so. I think the desert has a lot of beauty. But I wouldn't go there in the dead of summer. I'd rather be by water with a breeze. Watched this on the news.
 
sch404 said:
Several years back I was depressed about work and family issues and decided to visit Death Valley in the heat of summer. I simply wanted to be alone and away from people. So I finally made it to the only hotel in the area, a place called Furnace Creek Inn. Arriving about dusk I went up to the front desk to buy a room and they told me the place was completely booked up! l thought to myself, 'Who in the hell would book a hotel in Death Valley in August?' Turns out it was a bunch of tourists from Germany who wanted to have the experience of visiting the hottest place in the world. As it turned out, some of the Germans, hearing of my plight decided to bunk together so a room could be freed up for me. I made a lot of friends on this trip even though I could not speak or understand German.
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What a great story.
I really liked it.

Apparently Death Valley was recorded at 54 Celsius or 129.2 Fahrenheit this week.
That’s crazy.
 
hollydolly said:
what a load of old cobblers. We're not about to get 30 degree weather.. in fact it's mostly rain for the next 10 days... and even if we were, we're no strangers to 30 degree weather, at least here in the South.
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LOL Yea, I thought it was a false headline too, BUT here is where the story started on Tik-Tok with a driving instructor....better watch out. :)

https://www.the-sun.com/motors/8613170/drivers-risk-fine-driving-without-air-conditioning/#:~:text=Drivers can keep their cars,£5,000) for careless driving.

if you google "fine for driving without air conditioning" it will give this response...

Drivers can keep their cars "well ventilated" by using the A/C or having their windows down. It's to ensure they do not become drowsy, reducing the risk of losing control of their car. Drivers have been warned that they could get a penalty of up to $6,500 (£5,000) for careless driving. ( fact or fiction )?
 
Pffffft. working outdoors as a field mechanic, you soon got used to the heat. While not death valley hot, (in town) it was mighty close out in the open desert area.
Oh yeah... the expo is held in March. Got a wee bit hotter in July and August.


Imperial hot.jpg Imperial Valley.jpg
 
When we went through DV many years ago, there were signs saying not to use your car A/C. It could make an older car work too hard and overheat. We had a new car and opened the windows. Once was enough.
 
I drove through Death Valley once as well when I lived and worked in Calif. in 1970, my first full time job. Took a vacation and went out that way in July. It certainly was hot. I remember stopping for gas somewhere along the way, Furnace Creek sounds familiar. When I got outta the car it was like stepping into a furnace alright 🥵
Tish said:
Is it a dry heat or a humid one?
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Dry ... Very Dry!
 
MrPants said:
I drove through Death Valley once as well when I lived and worked in Calif. in 1970, my first full time job. Took a vacation and went out that way in July. It certainly was hot. I remember stopping for gas somewhere along the way, Furnace Creek sounds familiar. When I got outta the car it was like stepping into a furnace alright 🥵

Dry ... Very Dry!
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Thank you.
 
Rose65 said:
My word, ...Should they be stopped for their own good from going to Death Valley?
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Although kids need limits, with adults regardless of dangers...no No and NO to Nannyism.

Any that visit Death Valley in order to enjoy its deserts, do so during winter. Only fools or those wanting something to brag about do so in summer. And yes there are many Snow Bird seniors playing cards during winter in the DV campgrounds.
 

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