Valley of Fire - May 2018

Our Journey Begins

We met early morning on Friday to draw together the caravan. Our original number of 11 decreased to 9 due to physical limitations and a sudden illness. Though our spirits were hit with sadness and concern, we were willing to put ourselves forward to have enough adventure for the two who couldn't make it. Luckily at the "line in the pavement" we were presented with 92.9 FM Caravan Radio, a device which tuned into the frequencies of exploration. With this device in hand we received a gateway to the world and characters ahead of us. It also provided us with a sense of direction and insight, not to mention some sweet tunes to listen to.

Out on the open road, we got in caravan formation and were introduced to Dr. Y, our first DJ who spun an Oakcity radio mix. Our instructions were to head out to Traver where a seven story tree house awaited us. As we rolled into it we received a not-so-subtle reminder of the business we should attend to thanks to the Backyard Fountains R Us ad. We did what we needed to do, got a variety of road supplies then found the giant treehouse. The explorers all agreed that this was a perfect design should troupe 001 need an outpost based in a tree. In the attic we also found a stray coyote we wanted to adopt, but just didn't feel like we were ready to take it on at this time.

Back in the cars with the radio pumping, we made our way to the Mojave. This stretch of the road was home to the Mojave airplane boneyard, DJ Pandola, and our buzzing DJ: Little B. As we made our way over the mountains and through the desert we couldn't help but feel like the place was transforming. It was right around the Mojave National Preserve that things started to fully activate. A new DJ by the name of Chuck Walla took over. His hard rocking ways and cryptic messages led us straight into Vegas. There was something about him we couldn't shake either. He seemed all knowing of our location and of our mission in the Valley of Fire. As the music continued to rage, and the traffic stacked up, we could feel our caravan's patience wearing.

As we broke free from Vegas and the traffic, the sun began to set and the radio changed to the Skitter Hour. A new DJ, Kit Foxo, welcomed us to a magical world of the valley, full of animals, deities and adventure. The winding roads led us past darkened rock formations, animals on the prowl and a desert awaiting our arrival. We were lucky to set up camp and eat before it got too late. I instructed the explorers to get to bed as tomorrow we needed to begin our quest with fresh legs and quick eyes.

Learning to See

The sun woke most of us at dawn and we collectively found ourselves in the cradle of the red rock formations that made Valley of Fire so incredible. We filled our bellies with a hearty breakfast before coming together to identify our mission parameters. We were in search of one of the most famous creatures in this valley, Chuck Walla. It appears this is the very same Chuck Walla whose presence became known to us on the drive in. To find him though we'd need to learn to recognize tracks and learn to read signs.

Our first lesson was held out at Atlatl Rock. Here we learned about the ancient petroglyphs and the possible meanings the people who made them were leaving behind. One drawn figure in particular stood out and luckily a ranger was nearby to identify them as an Atlatl thrower. She supplied our troupe with a several arrows and a couple atlatls and we all took the chance to learn how this weapon was used. With practice we were becoming better, but realizing we were getting a bit off track from our goal, we had to end our lessons. We began to learn and transcribe the petroglyphs so we may present them to Chuck Walla, should we find him. Under the heat of the sun, we also began the task of learning tracks and the kinds of activities which made them.

We broke for lunch, then headed to the Valley's headquarters to get a closer look at the local flora and fauna. After inspecting it, we continued our training out on the trail to Mouse's Tank. Here Explorers kept their eyes open and their senses sharp by playing the game Kit Catcher. I could see that as a troupe our perception of the world was widening. We were no longer simply hiking through to our destination but sauntering along the path, seeking understanding.

As the sun began to set, we made one last trek. At the Fire Wave, and before the mighty splendor of the sunset, we made collective observations of the land before us. We opened our eyes and senses to the world and landscape before us. It was in this state we saw two large luminous eyes, and thus we were also introduced to Kit Foxo. Kit was another deity and again one we had met through our radio the night before. She told us it was her who had banned Chuck Walla from the Valley, but it was now up to us to bring him back.

We walked back through the ebbing light and made plans for our challenge the following day: finding Chuck Walla.

Tracking An Immortal

The morning was spent going over logistics and making our plans on finding Chuck Walla's home. Tybeck and I arranged the cars while the rest of the team prepped supplies. We were to approach the southern route along Prospect Trail. From here it would maximize our opportunity to find Chuck Walla. When we found him, or felt he was nearby, we would sing the song Blue Shadows On The Trail to lure him out.

What we hadn't planned for was that our maps were incorrectly labeled and how much that would make the brutal desert sun even more imposing.

Our travel along the path was spectacular. As we approached the red mountains, their forms took on great shapes, and we were convinced that there were more gods in the hills. Shade was scarce, but we took advantage when we could. As we slipped into the mountain's wash, we noticed there was a sun dog out. Though the rainbow ring around the sun was beautiful, it seemed to further focus the intensity of the sun.

Midway through the wash the expedition team split between the fore scouts and the rear ops. As the rear ops stayed behind to study some rock faces, the fore scouts went ahead. By the time the rear ops made it to a difficult rock passing, two fore scouts went missing. The remaining expedition team began their search procedures for lost explorers.

I would be damned if I would be the first Captain to lose an explorer!

I took the high ridge route while Panopticon took the lower route. The rest of the team stayed in the shade at the rock passing. As Pan and I had radios, we communicated throughout in search of the explorers. As my path led to a dead end, I received word that that two explorers were safe and further down the trail. I backtracked, picked up the rest of the team and headed out to meet up with them.

As we reconnected, the heat and exhaustion was taking over. Our plan to find Chuck Walla was taking a back seat to our own survival. By the time we reached the slot canyon, we were only focused on our destination and an eventual meal. We finally got to the end, and with it our much needed lunch. Looking around the table, I knew it would be too much to send the team back to look for Chuck Walla. We would have to find another way.

Finding Another Way

Back at camp, the troupe rested. Tybeck, Denorae and I did some off trail scouting in the rocks that surrounded our encampment. As we climbed the highest peaks, we were making impressive discoveries through technical climbing feats. It was on one of these climbs I got separated from Tybeck and Denorae and followed a set of tracks and signs. After a little while, I found myself face to face with a Jackalope. A surprise to me, but not so much to her. She was another one of the fantastic creatures of this valley, and offered to meet our troupe later that night and help us find Chuck Walla, though only if we could pass two trials.

Without the rest of the troupe present, I agreed as captain then went back to meet up with Denorae and Tybeck.

As we returned to camp, the first trial revealed itself. A strange feral boy had appeared on a rock near our camp. Without even needing to express words, we all put on a ritual. As we gorged on watermelon and chanted to the moon, we were surprised to find that the boy had moved closer to us. I took a watermelon slice and offered it to him:

"Would you accept a slice of watermelon from a stranger in the desert?"

A single arm shot up and accepted it. He ran to the top of the rock, turned to us and held the watermelon aloft, in tribute. We had passed the first test.

The second came later that night at dinner. We had conjured up The Cheese Monster - an ancient beast whose coming spells certain doom for the hunger of explorers. The only way to stop it is to consume it all, leaving no spec (not even for a kangaroo mouse). The nine of us were understaffed with the two explorers who were supposed to join absent. Luckily the troupe rallied and after a lengthy time at the table we had consumed all of the Cheese Monster. We finished the final test.

Shortly after dinner we came together for a night of stories and show and tell around a campfire. There was a nautilus dance, and stories of creatures, perspectives, time and ghosts. We also had a poem read to us from one of our Explorer's experience on the trip. Lastly, we also got a special appearance from Jasper Willows, the Jackalope I had met earlier. She returned and told the full story of Chuck Walla and Kit Foxo via shadow puppets. As the fable concluded, she asked we sing Blue Shadows On The Trail to call Chuck Walla. When that still seemed to fail, she told us to speak our words to the desert and hope Chuck Walla would hear. With that Jasper promised to return to the Explorers again, then bounded off.

Our night ended under the stars and moon and a campfire slowly turning to embers.

We awoke the next morning early to pack our bags and make the long journey home. The caravan elected to start the Caravan Radio as we rolled out. The songs of cowboys guided our way and just as we got to the park boundries we heard once again from Chuck Walla. He had heard us. Our mission was a success.

Our drive home included a stop over at a strange automata gas station, a visit to the town of Zzyzx and a delicious lunch in Barstow. As we departed in the late afternoon from our original rendezvous point, we all hoped to do the trip again and bring more Explorers with us next time. The magic of Chuck Walla, Kit Foxo and Jasper Willows awaits those who seek it.

Big thanks and a full recognition to those that made Valley of Fire possible:

Deonrae - for making our radio station come to life
Kit - for all her collaborative designs, insights and for making the meals all happen.
Sindra and Tybeck - for being two of the drivers and taking people out to the valley.
Tybeck, Panopticon and Zepheer - Who documented our travels through photography
Turtleish - Who wasn't able to join but still offered camping supplies.
Our DJ's who took the time to guide our way.

Additionally we have badges received:

Spoor Trackers: Zepheer, Panopticon, Tybeck, Sindra, Binary, Kit, Mr. Blight, Denorae and Dr. Professor
Foragers (officially recognized): Zepheer, Panopticon, Binary
Culinarian: Kit