DEATH ROW 4/23/08

We reach “Death Row”, a curving natural amphitheatre of rock. After a steep descent, we park all the vehicles here, and the Land Rover team sets up supplies for another outstanding lunch. On the rocks, in the middle of the desert, on a sandstone mound at the edge of the La Sal range, we have sautéed brown rice with pork, chicken, and grilled vegetables. Cheesecake and fruit for dessert.

A Jeep passes us. The driver knows one of our guides, asks with a grin: “Do you have any caviar you’d like to share?” It’s a cute nod to the luxuriousness for which Land Rovers are also known. There’s a truth to the comment, oddly enough—and we’re all fine with it. To drive a Land Rover is to have an urge to experience the best the planet has to offer. Caviar included.