Things to do in Death Valley

Death Valley Sailing Stone

Death Valley is the lowest, driest and hottest valley in the United States. It is the location of the lowest elevation in North America at 85.5 m (281 ft) below sea level. It holds the record highest temperature in Western hemisphere and world’s second highest…

Wikipedia

… and we are going in the hottest month of the year: August, average max of 46ºC and min of 29ºC. Let’s stay the night there, what a great idea! Remember that most RV rentals don’t insure you if you go through Death Valley. The actual hottest place in the world is El Azizia, Libya.

2008 marks the 75th anniversary of the National Park Service in Death Valley. For years people bring their tents and watch the glorious sunsets and the spectacular starry skies from the desert. There are many campgrounds, download the Visitor Guide (PDF) for more info and safety recomendations.

RV information:

• RV Hookups are available only at the concession-run Stovepipe Well RV Park and the privately owned Furnace Creek Ranch Resort and Panamint Springs Resort.
• On the rest of campgrounds: Only one RV per campsite. Generator hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As in all National Parks, a $20 fee per vehicle has to be paid. Since we will be going at least to Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Yosemite, we can consider buying the National Parks Pass for $80 one year worth.

• Dye. Of heat, dehydratation, rattlesnake byte…
• Break down the RV with no insurance.
• Camp and enjoy the beauty and loneliness of the desert at night. Stargaze.
• Watch desert wildlife: kangaroo rats, coyotes, sidewinder rattlesnakes, tarantula, scorpions, black widow spiders…
• Hike through the hottest spot in the world at that hour, see desert landscapes such as Devil’s Golf Course, Zabriskie Point, Racetrack Playa, Eureka Sand Dunes, Badwater, and many many more…
• Go to Scotty’s Castle ($11, lame IMAO)

Sources

• Wiktravel
• National Park Service

RV free parkings and more info

You should know that parking RVs overnight in any place is prohibited. You must use specialized parkings… most of them are not free. I remember talking about this and saving some useful links but I just can’t find them.

Here are some useful links:

• New RVer (info for beginners).
• Free Campground for RVs, including alternatives like Wal-Mart parkings.
  
• RV Travel.
• Find a campground.

Home, sweet motorhome

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The C28 motorhome SPECIFICATIONS ITEM SIZE Feet: 27′ – 29′ Meters: 8.2 – 8.8 SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS Number of People: 4 adults & 2 children xD AUTOMOTIVE Chassis Ford/Chevy Gasoline Engine Fuel-Injection (liters) 7.5 4spd Overdrive Transmission YES Automatic Transmission YES Factory Cruise Control YES Power Steering & Brakes YES Factory Cab Air YES Factory Roof Air-Ducted YES ELECTRICAL Generator YES Auxiliary Battery YES AM/FM Radio with Cassette or CD YES 12V Interior Lighting YES INTERIOR in. cm. Height 79 200 Width 96 243 KITCHEN & BATHROOM FEATURES Wash Basin YES Shower YES Toilet YES Water Heater YES Heater & Thermostat YES Kitchen Sink YES Range (Stove) YES Microwave YES Refrigerator YES TANK CAPACITIES gal. ltr. Water Heater 6 22 Fresh Water 35 132 Sewage Tanks 55 208 Propane Tanks 14 53 Gasoline Tanks 55 208 BED SIZE in. cm. Cab-over bed Length 76 193 Width 54 137 Clearance 27 68 Couch Length 67 170 Width 41 104 Dinette Length 74 188 Width 40 101 Permanent Double Length 74 188 Width 60 152

RV: questions and answers

Jason called a RV rental company (getrv.com) and here is the info they gave him:

1. Where to park & sleep: there is ample information on their website and it seems we will not have any problem.

2. Driving the RV: we can drive most vehicles using Australian/Spanish licenses, however, drivers must be >= 25 years. I guess it depends on the rental company…anyway, Pablo and Jason are over 25 years old.

3. Driving inside big cities: We can drive ‘anywhere’ in the US, including big cities.

4. How to refill water deposit / what to do with the sewage / electricity when not driving: Sewage and water lasts around 1 week. Can be refilled or disposed of at most gas stations. For electricity, most models come with a generator.

Thanks to Jason for calling them and I think what we should do next is just…renting the RV!

Driving in California: The Law

Governor’s Message

My Fellow Californians:

You have in your hands a valuable handbook that can help ensure a safe driving experience.
For your protection and those of others, I strongly urge you to read it and keep it handy for future reference.
As Governor, I have always been supportive of you, the driver. I want you and your family to be safe at all times while driving California roadways, and that is why I signed two very important laws that will take effect on July 1, 2008.

In addition, I also want your business transactions with the DMV to be as seamless as possible. I encourage you to check out www.dmv.ca.gov. It is a great website where you can conduct tasks such as renewing your car registration or driver license online – rather than in line.

Your state government will continue to take action to find ways to further improve the California driving experience, but I also need your help. You can help me and your fellow Californians keep our roads safe by applying what you learn in this handbook. Working together, we will ensure that our state continues to be a fantastic place to live.

Wishing you a safe drive,

Thank you Arnold.

And now, more interesting links on driving California:

• California Driver Handbook (the book that Arnold references)
• California Driving, a survival guide (another guide)
  
• RV Across the USA (yet another guide, it has interesting info for RV drivers)