Into Death Valley, California
Do you think you would have the gumption to take off across an unexplored desert in a covered wagon, with only a vague idea of where you were headed? Few people today would probably have the courage . . . but in 1849 a group of pioneers (known as the ’49ers’ ) set off from Salt Lake City, trying to reach the gold fields of California to make their fortune. They took what they thought was a shortcut! After…