In January 2010, Dianne, Daniel and I visited Death Valley.  This is a place none of us had ever been, though I have often thought it would be great to go there since my teenage years in Los Angeles.  Mostly, however, the opportunity would arise in the summer, when it is hellaciously hot to the point of being dangerous there.  Thus, our winter trip was ideal.  We enjoyed temperatures that got to the 60’s or low 70’s in the day, chilly nights for stargazing, and beautiful sunshine most of the time.