Sacred Pilgrimage

Location:
United States

hiking, camping, walking

Imagine trekking along miles of stretched earth, sun-baked, and looking down cliffs. Imagine carrying a small backpack over your shoulder and climbing up sand dunes that resemble Egyptian pyramids. This trip that my friend Jim invited me to was like a pilgrimage in the Far East, yet we were in the middle of what seemed like nowhere in California. The name Death Valley National Park may throw you off the wall, but when you get there, it is a quiet oasis. This may not be your idea of fun, but for a weekend of adventure and relaxation, this park offers that and more.

When we arrived, we came to Zabriskie Point in time to witness the sun set as hues of magenta, orange, and red washed across a blue backdrop. Aching from the six hour car ride, disillusioned by why I chose my first adventure to contain the word death in it for a weekend basking in over one hundred degrees heat, I stepped foot onto the beige sand. Although we were like a tiny dot in this Universe, the mountains kindly allowed us to feel like we were on top of the world. Arms wide-stretched, I breathed in the air as light breeze brushed against my face and then whipped past my hair.

As night fell, Milo drove us to the campground where we stayed our first night. It became clear that I had come unprepared. My 2 liter bottle of water, clothes, and money I thought would allow me to buy my way through were insignificant. We were far away from society and the closest gas station and convenient stores were miles away. No frillings of modern day civilization here. The toilets brimmed to the surface with bugs, but there were clean safety seat covers for those who dare to relieve themselves. None of us used the bathroom that night, but we did cook carne asada over the open fire and ate before heading to our tent. Like walking on the brink of Zen, my love for Death Valley grew. My three day and two nights adventure went from a purposeless journey to one of a sacred pilgrimage.

Around dawn the next morning, I snuck away tasting the crispiness of the air. I jogged along a trail filling my lungs with the fresh cleansing breath of earth. For the rest of the trip, we hiked up Artist’s Palette, visited Devil’s Golf Course, Dante’s Point, the salt pools, and the sand dunes drinking water and fasted on sandwiches. Just being there was enough to feel the mountains’ power and glory. The presence of the mountains’ stillness and boldness effected vibrations of strength and power. Even though it was just terrains after terrains, each site had its own secrets, mysteries, and history.

There were moments I wondered what I was doing there and what I would be doing if I wasn’t. The more I hiked, the more it became clear that getting away from our fast-pace civilization put me in a deeper appreciation for life.

As the day waned, Milo’s fiancé Kathy led us to a motel for our second night. You won’t find a throng of people fighting for a room like you would during holidays in Las Vegas. Here, you could get used to the desert star treatment. The few people we spotted were friendly. At times, I wondered why these people chose to work up here when there was hardly anyone around. But, I didn’t ask.

The next morning, we took a cold shower at a stall. After that, we headed to the diner for breakfast. As I gulped down a glass of orange juice, I knew it was time to head back. I felt sadness brewing in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t want to leave just yet.

When we left, I recalled my adventure as if I had stepped into Salvador Dali's painting of The Persistence of Memory, surreal and time begotten. A sacred pilgrimage comes to an end at some point. The sand dunes were the last that I remember and the last that I saw, but it wasn't the end.

Further Information

Travel tips: Research ahead of time before going. Bring a lot of basic necessities like papers, utensils, and hand wipes.
Must see/do at this place: Depending on one's endurance, a person should see what attracts them say like sand dunes. There are different hiking trails varying in difficulty so people should use what fits their fitness level.
You should avoid here: Doing anything that does not feel comfortable like using the bathroom or touching anything that is not meant to be touched.
Other helpful information: I went knowing nothing about the mountains and the wilderness, but I came back appreciating so much. I even lost a lot of weight. It was a great exercise. It challenged me mentally, physically, and spiritually.