Exploring the Range of Light

Of course, the answer had to be an emphatic “No”. We didn’t ask or wait to find out whether they had supernatural occurrences in this abandoned town, or whether the star-filled Nevada sky had overwhelmed them with it’s immensity, making them feel too small to handle the great burden contained in the historic consequences of the long abandoned site. When it was a booming mining town people would say, “Goodbye God, I’m goin’ to Bodie!” Perhaps that phrase gives a clue about what it was truly like there, and why they wanted company.

This is just one of many adventures I have had personally in what Jerry and Janine Sprout refer to as the “Range of Light Territory.” The husband-and-wife team own the Diamond Valley Company, and are the publishers of the “Trailblazer Travel Book Series”.

Jerry writes that the “Range of Light Territory is vast and comprised of contrasting elements—unified by the sharing of a watershed that extends over hundreds of miles.” He says the term was coined by John Muir because, in sunlight, the one-of-a-kind landscape actually “glows.” From the crests of the High Sierra peaks through the desert of Owens Valley, and finally into the dunes and magical oases of Death Valley, this book covers a geographic wonderland of enchantment and adventure.

Whether you want to sleep in cabins or resorts, in camper vans or in tents, this book will get you there. Included are the geologic oddities as well as the historic locales, giving you the latest and greatest information on where to go and the best way to get there. There are many secrets for you to discover contained in these pages.

In addition to Bodie, they enumerate quite a few of my other favorite haunts. One is the Panum Crater, said by some to be part of the youngest volcanic chain in North America. Whether that is accurate or not, it is a remarkable cinder cone, filled with obsidian, pumice, and the rarely seen “bread bombs”. The basalt columns of Devil’s Postpone, the massive Ubehebe Crater, and Mono Lake are natural formations that are so uniquely formed, they force you to believe whole-heartedly in what is seemingly impossible. Plus, you could probably spend a full day putting together “Ubehebe” into different words just to laugh at the sound of it.

Made-made structures are just as unusual, including the Amargosa Opera House, where ballerina Marta Beckett gave performances every evening until her death. Since visitors were sparse, she painted a remarkable mural on the walls of the theatre populated with the most appreciative audience. The desert nurtures this kind of intense creativity. It is a cherished family memory having been able to see one of her ballets in person. Scotty’s Castle, in Death Valley proper, with its huge spiral staircase and ornately carved doors, makes you feel you have been dropped into a set for a movie. It is yet another place where the unexpected happens.

Since I knew people who had been detained in the remote, military type camp at the Manzanar War Relocation Center, this has provided many illuminating visits. My childhood memory of the numbers tattooed on their wrists is poignant. During WWII, Japanese immigrants and Japanese American citizens were incarcerated here. A gallery with outstanding historic photos by Ansel Adams and others has been built, but visiting the graveyard, in the shadow of Mt Whitney, with origami paper cranes blowing softly in the wind, is perhaps the most moving tribute to this era. 

The Sprouts excellent overview breaks the Territory into “Regions,” each with its own map. They have the background and skill, and have made this guide particularly easy to use, both fact-filled and entertaining.

This is the couple’s twenty-eighth book, counting new editions. They say that is what happens, “When two outdoor-loving people join together with an abundance of curiosity and limited attention spans.” Janine takes all the photos, and Jerry does all the writing. They develop the volumes with a real sense of purpose: sharing their love of adventure with all of us. They report that, “Our books are offered in support of the economies built around preserving nature and history.” They are grateful for the opportunity to write them, and this appreciation shows.

The third member of their team was a shining black Labrador named Blaze. On their 19,000 mile journey that took over nine years to put together, she was their constant companion. Although Blaze did not like riding in the van, she did like getting out, running, and giving all the new spots her famous “sniff-test.”

When you set forth with this book in hand, you are being guided by the vast experience of our author guides who love these wild lands. They have chosen this region wisely: it has no equal. They give you the tools, history, and information to create your own out-of-the-ordinary escapades in an area so close, it is easy to set up a long day or a couple of days to see what you will find no where else. It will spark your imagination and longing for travel.

The best way to buy the Trailblazer books is directly from Jerry and Janine at trailblazertravelbooks.com. They are also available on Amazon. Tuck this one under your pillow, and let the wanderlust infiltrate your dreams.