Meet the Heat

Michael Tennesen’s flippant observations about the nature of heat (“Into the Valley of Death,” Palm Latitudes, July 23) could be tossed off as superfluous, silly and singularly forgettable if it were not for the recent tragic results of the heat wave in Chicago.

Several years ago, my wife and I traveled to that same Artist’s Drive where the author felt compelled to roll up the windows and crank on the car heater . . . to know what Death Valley would be like on a really hot day.” We needed no such heat enhancement, because we covered the same ground on bicycles. That day, the thermometer never reached 100, but nevertheless we barely made it back to our tent at Furnace Creek. There, showers were available for the heady price of $1--the best dollar I have ever spent.

I suggest that Tennesen, in his search for the Extreme Heat Experience, check out of his air-conditioned room, get out of his car and walk for a few hours in that austere valley.

Charles N. Johnson

Ojai