Bee, you've gotta get outta NorCal and spend more time exploring Death Valley . . .
I admit that I only drove through it, but did not hike it. I was missing the hoo-doos of Canyon De Chelly and the brilliant red orange of the lanscape + the accent of the turquoise brush that grows along the many secret waterways. I DID notice that DV has the colored/striated rock (I even bought some of the jewelry made from the rock)but the lack of vegetation outcroppings left me feeling that the area was aptly named....
PS, I completely agree with your overview of California -- it is spot on. I have been to the Alps, Dolomites (Italian version), Carmel Range(Israel), and none of it came close to the list of attractions that you mention. HAH! Where else can you go to both the highest spot & lowest spot in the country on the same day? (Bob R's "Sunrise/Sunset" trip)
