Nicholas Randolph of Eaton 

I currently live in Shoshone, California, which is a gateway into Death Valley National Park. This is a view taken near my front yard. Rather than towering buildings and endless traffic jams, we have towering mud/clay hills and vast desert-scapes, with sunsets most people can't imagine. Who needs the moon, when we've got the stars?

We don't have a Starbucks out here, or high speed internet access. But Cafe C'Est Si Bon is even better, especially since my best friend's dad runs the cafe. Plus, my dad says that Cafe C'Est Si Bon serves truely organic coffee, and that Starbuck's Coffee has potentially dangerous chemical additives.

You might find this funny or even a little ironic, but one of my favorite drinks is a nice green coconut sipped directly from the coconut shell. My Mom and Dad's friend Dave sometimes brings them out from the Big City -- Las Vegas.

Behind me you'll see some of the most wonderous mud and clay flats that stretch for miles... That is, you'll USUALLY see the flats. Right now it's all lake, reminiscent of the Tecopa Basin from long ago. My dad and I went out exploring the effects of increased rainfall over the last two weeks.

If you decide to visit Death Valley, be very careful of flash floods. It doesn't rain very often, but when it does, the the water rushes through otherwise innocent looking channels dug into the desert. Entire roads have been washed out by water travelling over 40 miles per hour.

My mom and I enjoy visiting the rock sculptures transported to Tecopa by the previous owner of the Crystal Cross Hot Springs Resort. I'm learning that art is best inspired by nature. Combining art IN nature can be truly wonderful.

Redrock Canyon National Conservation Area is less than 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas. At first, I thought that the towering red monoliths were volcanic rocks, until I discovered that they are actually ancient sand dunes that have become petrified and frozen in time!

Three things you'll need at Redrock Canyon to climb free-style: Water, a good pair of shoes, and several hours of daylight!