Birds of paradise, cassowaries and a variety of other birds can be seen by day, while at night you can search for tree-kangaroos (yes, some kinds of kangaroo live in trees).

BBC: Watching Australia's wildlife

There's not much more to it than that, and a quick stab at the ignition, a first-time roar from the exhaust and we're off, in search of the Joshua Tree National Park and a little bit of extremeweather testing.

BBC: Trick of the light: A California road trip

Mr Platt's body was found shortly after midnight by a search and rescue team wedged against a tree after the water subsided.

BBC: North East Wales

Skiers and snowboarders in search of fresh snow often hitchhike from lower elevations to the rocky summit above tree line.

NPR: 5 Snowboarders Killed In Colorado Avalanche

The link between these tales appears to be a tree, the life-giving properties of which have turned it into a grail for those in search of eternity.

NEWYORKER: The Fountain