Friday, November 8, 2019
Our campground has no hook ups so we use the generator in the allowed hours (7am-9pm) to charge the batteries. We don’t run anything during the night. It is cool enough to crack the windows and have comfortable temperatures.
We decided to start at the lowest elevation spot in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Badwater Basin. Death Valley averages 2 inches of rain per year. So there isn’t really any water around these parts.
Come walk with me…
It is obvious that most people walk out to here and don’t venture further. The salt flats are trampled down. But we kept walking further (rangers said it was ok to).
Out here the ridges are taller and more pronounced. It is definitely prettier the further you go out.
Like how the salt crystals are so neat and orderly. And, yes, it does taste very salty.
Jeshuah likes to build rock cairns. Today he built a salt cairn.
Walking back to the parking lot. There is a tiny white sign on the rocks straight ahead. That sign indicates where sea level is. You can tell we’re much below that in the flats. We figured we walked at least a mile out and a mile back.
After the salt flats, we hiked Sidewinder Canyon. It’s a 3.9 mile hike.
These walls are HUGE!!
Had to do some climbing too. Come climb with me…
Gotta hang somewhere.
I want you to meet my trusty hiking buddy…my walking stick. (0:
I am certain that this stick has kept me from twisting my ankle many times. You’d be amazed at how many people compliment me on my walking stick. Maybe I need to give it a name.
Sometimes up
Sometimes down inside
And sometimes a wee bit tight!
Last stop was Artist’s Palette. The colors in the rocks are amazing. you don’t normally see green and pick hills.
The sun was setting and glowing off the taller rock formations.
Come walk with me…
Caught the moonrise again.
Jed caught this one.
A couple of cute portrait pics.
Bats came out at sunset.
Suzie,
Your family continues to inspire me. Death Valley looked like a unique and fun adventure to a foreign land. I hope you all stay healthy and happy and I look forward to seeing you at a competition one of these days.
Mike