Title of Science Fiction book (probably 60's era)

[Captain J]

I am looking for a book I read a while ago. The book is about a group of a
few prisoners being transported via car on Earth that suddenly find themselves in a jungle. They discover they are on a planet where water activates latent
spores into life forms. They eventually find an old city and discover
vampire like beings. In essence they used a form of energy transfer beam
to send people from place to place. When first started accidents happened
and these people had been one, taken from Earth 20,000 years earlier.

Help with title PLEASE.. Thanks

[Captain J]

Bump. Someone on another board thought this was a DAW book from the early to mid 70's. Any help would be most apreciated.

[Hitmouse]

Not a DAW book, and from the 1990s but the scenario you describe is very close to In Green's Jungles by Gene Wolfe

[Captain J]

Thanks, but that is not it. It is definitely older sci-fi. They are traveling in an old station wagon, and the whole feel is 60's early 70's.

Bump again for hope.

Thanks

[beenorthern]

My brain said Richard Lupoff ... checked Wikipedia ... could this be *Sandworld*?

[Captain J]

My brain said Richard Lupoff ... checked Wikipedia ... could this be *Sandworld*?

Yes, you have found it. My gratitude knows no bounds. Thank you so very much.