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Judy Triem's avatar

Very interesting read especially at the end where you talk about Marta Becket and her opera house. I love the photos of the interior! It is certainly a contrast with the rock art which is also amazing. Thanks for sharing your travels!

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John Krist's avatar

Thanks, Judy! The Opera House is quite a sight.

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Bernhard Reutemann's avatar

The way you've connected the pecked-in petroglyphs of long ago with Marta's murals is marvelous and profound. Ancient graffiti is elevated by their creators' vision and genius, as with Marta's genius vision of performing to a full house. "In her way, Marta was a shaman..."

Yes, yes she was.

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John Krist's avatar

Thanks, Bernhard! Lots of art, magic and mystery in those desert landscapes.

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Jill W Bookwalter's avatar

Hi John, what a remarkable trip that we all got to go on with you and Leslie. I had no idea how interesting Death Valley is, and that a ballerina, dancer changed the focus and landscape so to speak of Death Valley. The Opera House was and is beautiful. I'm glad she wanted to take a hiatus from your job, life in New York to the make Opera House something for everyone to enjoy. I was impressed with the amount of clear and in pretty good shape the petroglyphs in Grapevine Canyon are today. The video Les got of the bright blue pupfish was incredible. That was an interesting story, fact about the Devils Hole, the waves after earthquakes and the missing divers. Thanks again, John for the history lessons and all the information about desert life and landscape. Until your next trip!, Jill

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John Krist's avatar

Thanks, Jill! I'm glad you enjoyed it. That was a great trip. We are off on our next adventure today, touring New Mexico and Arizona for the next 12 days. I expect to have plenty of new stories to tell afterward!

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Derek Knobel's avatar

Thank you both for vividly capturing and sharing the old (panels and pupfish) and new (natl monuments, or opera house ) must sees in such an enjoyable , engaging report.

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John Krist's avatar

Glad you liked it, Derek!

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