May 6, 2013 - Death Valley

In the immortal words of Bob, “it’s amazing how vast nothing can be” ! It is called Death Valley for a reason! After a hair-raising drive up, over and down Daylight Pass, with brakes smoking from the 13 (!) mile steep descent, we arrived in Death Valley NP and drove to Stovepipe Wells where we stayed for the night. It is hard to describe Death Valley except to say that it is in realty not really a valley. There are 6000 ft. peaks rising on all sides and the road from Stovepipe Wells to Panamint Springs went from below sea level to 6000+...

Apr 6, 2013 - Death Valley NP, CA

We made it to California!! Death Valley is a pretty bleak place, and I am glad we are here in April. The hottest temperature on Earth was recorded here at 130 degrees. So this is the hottest place on Earth, the lowest place in the North America at 282 ft below sea level, and with 2 inches of rainfall per year it is the dryest place in the wester hemisphere! It is about 95 degrees here now. There are some great place-names in Death Valley, like Stovepipe Village, Furnace Creek, and Badwater Basin. We had a sand storm during our third night...

Mar 29, 2013 - Death Valley day 3

Day 3 Traveled to Furnace Creek campground and went to Borax miners museum. lots of old mining and transportation equipment. Very cool. borax mining very big in early Death Valley history . Then to Zabriskie point . Most photographs taken from this vista . Everywhere you go here is more amazing than the last. Temp very high over 32 c

Mar 28, 2013 - Death Valley. Day 2

Day 2 Traveled to devils golf course ,salt creek where small minnow size fish still survive in salt water that flows along dessert floor, artist palette ( beautiful coloured rock formations ) and Death Valley Basin ( lowest place in America's -250 ft ) all amazing. Took about 200 photos . Death Valley is beyond belief . So much to see. Temperature about 30 c .

Mar 27, 2013 - Death Valley

Left Ridgecrest and traveled thru Trona . isolated area . only thing going on is Borax mining. Of, 20 mule team Borax fame. We arrived at Stovepipe Wells Village in the heart of Death Valley after traveling thru high ( over 5000 ft ) mountain pass and down a long steep road to sea level .had to stop once cause brakes were overheating.. We got checked in to a campsite and then went to a place called Scottie's Castle in the northern park. Google Scottie's castle for info, about a lovable con man . Cool place in the middle of nowhere. Stopped...

Mar 25, 2013 - Death Valley National Park

After visiting the Pahrump visitors center we decided to head to Death Valley National Park. It was a logical choice because we would never get closer to it than where we are now staying. So after 7 hours and some 200 miles we were very impressed and so very happy we experienced this treasure. Not what we expected at all...AT ALL! I have uploaded a few pics from today but there are to many, so I have put them all together in a video presentation and uploaded it to my Youtube channel. Copy and paste the following link and hope you enjoy...

Mar 25, 2013 - Death Valley

Death Valley (DV) via Pahrump was the next objective and about 60 miles west of Las Vegas. Pahrump is the sort of place you don't need to stay very long unless you are at Lakeside RV park where we stayed. We stocked the larder at Pahrump just in case we ran out of food and water in DV. I have been told that you can get a tour of a brothel where the girls wear sort of what they show clients before the rental is completed. I of course didn't do the tour. Don't even think about asking!!! The road into DV was better than most Australian roads...

Mar 5, 2013 - Death Valley...Misunderstood and Magnificent

Greetings all! It’s been a while since I posted anything here but will update you on a few happenings in our lives….. We had a fabulous Christmas with the family; Kaia is now 4 years old and the love of our lives. We spent a week in the Central Coast Region of California with my BFF, Fran and our son, Brandon….lots of fun wine tasting and for Brandon, his first time seeing that part of California. I am now officially retired as of February 1st…yahoo! The State of California Teacher Retirement system won’t let you collect your well-earned...

Jan 31, 2013 - Death Valley - Wildrose Peak

Day 18 (am temp 41.9) Death Valley – Wildrose Peak Let’s see – Charcoal kilns or Aguereberry Point. The camp host said the view from Aguereberry rivals that of Dantes View, and both the kilns and A. Point are not too far from each other on the same road, which by the way, is the same road that I had turned around on when heading to Wildrose the other day. Since the kilns were the furthest, my inclination was to go there first, and work my way back. Sometimes the best of intentions are just that – intentions. As it turns out, the location...

Jan 30, 2013 - Death Valley - Bike ride, star gazing

Day 17 (am temp 40.8) Death Valley – bike ride to Artists Drive, star program Was a little tired from the Mosaic Canyon hike, so decided to drag the bike off the roof of the truck and go for a little relaxing bike ride. My direction of travel would take me towards Badwater – 19 miles from camp. Ok, so my eyes are bigger than my pedal power. Riding the bike along the edge of the basin really makes you feel small and insignificant. I just can’t get over the vastness of this land. And it’s so quiet. Anyway, my journey took me past the...

Jan 29, 2013 - Death Valley - Mosaic Canyon

Day 16 (am temp 37.9) Death Valley – Mosaic Canyon Wildrose Peak seemed like a nice challenge today, with expectations of great views and a good hike. The day was clear and warm, so headed out on yet another new road. As the drive continued upward – now somewhere around 4,000 feet - and as the temperature continued to drop – 42 at this elevation – I began to question whether this was such a good idea, considering the gear and clothing I had with me. Recalling the bitter cold last night on Dantes View, at 5475 feet , I could just imagine...

Jan 28, 2013 - Death Valley - Dantes View

Day 15 (am temp 43) Death Valley – Dantes View Sort of a catch up/run errands day, as a quick trip into Pahrump for supplies and refueling was in order. With gas prices here at Furnace Creek at $5.12 for regular and $5.48 for diesel, the drive was worth it, as diesel was only $3.59 in Pahrump. My other need was internet access for this website as well as a couple other things, as my usage plan has forced some limited use out here in the hinterlands – otherwise knows as “off net” - as I received one of those “slap on the wrist” messages from...