Return to Death Valley

Globemallow

Wow we've been busy.  No time to upload this blog until today. Saturday we made a return trip to Death Valley.  Our ride-a-long guest was Leni, aka: Auntie.  She is my brother-in-law's aunt.  She is 94 and sharp as a tack.  We had a great time with her!!!

Auntie, Nancy and Dan hit the road!

The main purpose of this trip was to see the spring wild flowers.  Pretty much they were just beginning to bloom. They have only had a little bit of rain but the flowers seem not to mind.

Beavertail Cactus

Brittlebush

Cleft Leaf Wildheliotrope

Trailing 4 O'Clock

It was a perfect 80 something day.  Many bikers were on the road. California mountains in the distance.

The first town you come to in California is Death Valley Junction formerly called Amergosa.  Funny in the middle of nowhere there is an Opera House with nightly performances! We will have to catch a show some day.

Brief stop for a photo op. Then some photos of the mountains.  Pretty amazing views. We stopped in at the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center so Auntie could see the short movie about Death Valley.  Lunch was next in the Forty Niner Cafe at Furnace Creek Ranch.  The Ranch was a busy place.

We had to stop at Badwater Basin! The lowest point in North America. 282 feet below sea level.

This is what it says in the yellow oval in the photo above.  I had to zoom way in to read the sign! (282 feet above my head.)

There are some side roads off the paved highway running through Death Valley but they really don't want you off roading in general.

Another quick stop at the Ashford Mill Ruins.  This was was really in the middle of nowhere.  (Could actually be the poster child for "The Middle of Nowhere"!)

The Harry Wade Road we took a pass on today.  

The sign in the distance reads:

Natural or man-made? Inquiring minds want to know. Very different from surrounding area.

Interesting color variations. 

As I am writing this today I am struggling with itchy eyes and stuffed up sinuses as we are being covered with tons of pollen, tree, grass and weed. I love having the windows and doors open to the breeze but had to close them today.  Ran the AC to clear out the air in the house.  Now time to dust, vacuum and mop to get rid of the rest.  

We are keeping busy and still loving our new home.

It's all about the journey.

Nancy and Dan