Death Valley

Dan suggests we visit Death Valley. We are so glad he did!

We leave the KOA in Calico on a sunny, warm, beautiful desert morning. I walk early. The high desert is a great place to walk. We are at an elevation of more than 2,200 feet but seem to be somewhat acclimatised.
It is almost 80F when we leave; on I-15E listening to Gordon Lightfoot on the ipod. We pass a number of RV's travelling west - the snowbirds are going home.

We stop at Baker - lo and behold - espresso at the Mad Greek Cafe! Truly an oasis in the desert!

Baker

We are in good company!!

Now we are driving directly north on Hwy 127; wide open desert on a long straight 2way road. No fences. It is already 93F.
Our surroundings look inhospitable; dry, scrubby low vegetation on the flats and bare hills.
We stop at Shoshone, a small town (popn. 31), southern gateway to Death Valley National Park. We visit the small museum and pick up maps. It looks as if we will be able to drive through Death Valley on Hwy 178,  passing a number of sights on our way.

Great name. I wonder how you say it?

We have 78 miles to go to Furnace Creek which is about halfway through Death Valley.  After leaving Shoshone we start to climb; so does the temperature! The landscape becomes even more vast and the vegetation more sparse. The road ahead looks as if it will disappear into the rocky cliffs that tower overhead.

To think that we are driving through Death Valley!!



We reach a summit then descend gradually into Death Valley. The GPS shows a thin pink line snaking through a background of green. Now we have Willie Nelson and Kiri Te Kanawa on the ipod. We surely will remember where we have been when we play this music at home!

Facts
Death Valley is famed for its trifecta: it is the hottest, lowest and driest place in the country.
It is the largest national park in contiguous US comprising 3.4 million acres of desert wilderness across 2 States - California and Nevada.
Its highest elevation is Telescope Peak at 11,049 ft.
The Badwater Basin salt pan at 282 ft below sea level is the lowest point in North America and the western hemisphere.
A temperature of 134F,  the second-highest ever recorded in the world, was noted in 1913.
The ground temperature can be 80F hotter than the air temperature. A ground temperature of 201F has been measured in Death Valley.
On average Death Valley is the hottest place in the world. July is characteristically the hottest month with an average temperature of  116F.
The valley receives less than 2 inches of rain a year.

We continue to descend into and through enormously wide flats.
Although the name Death Valley evokes all that is harsh, barren and lifeless, the structure of the land itself is spectacular with eroded mountains, water-sculpted canyons, sand dunes, even palm shaded oases.

Shoshone

The temperature is almost 100F as we approach  Badwater. We pass a cyclist!! Now we have seen it all!

We stop and ask him if he would like some cold water but he says he has plenty.


Badwater, the lowest point in Death Valley and the US at 282ft below sea level, is an unbelievable place. We park up and walk out on the crinkly salt flats - a timeless landscape. It is hot and dry!

We still have 17 miles to go to Furnace Creek - aptly named. We will stay at the Furnace Creek Ranch and RV Park over the weekend.
Furnace Creek is a desert oasis shaded by date palms. There are springs here; some of the desert's few freshwater sources. There are a variety of accommodations, restaurants and the Death Valley Museum and Visitor Centre.

Badwater Basin

Driving into Furnace Creek is quite something after the barren landscape we have just crossed. The Inn at Furnace Creek is a resort; it looks lush and green. Built in 1927 the Inn features a natural spring-fed swimming pool, cascading palm gardens and fine dining, not to mention a number of activities.

We are just down the road!!

The Inn at Furnace Creek

Furnace Creek

Our drive has been slow; we don't want to miss anything and each turn in the road brings forth new, amazing sights! There is nothing repetitious. The colour and formation of the surrounding landscape is continually changing.

We are grateful that the road is fairly empty of cars - no one behind to hurry us along.
We finally reach Furnace Creek about 4.30pm. It is very hot! We have a celebratory beer in the RV with the airconditioner on.