4/5/07 & 4/6/07 - Death Valley, CA

Thursday

On Thursday morning we drove through Pahrump, NV on the way to Death Valley. We stopped at a winery in Pahrump, then checked into the Furnace Creek campground in Death Valley National Park. We parked right next to another Casita owned by some nice people from San Juan Capistrano, CA. After we set up camp we drove through Artist Drive and Zabrisky Point and took some pictures late in the afternoon. The nice couple with the Casita had a fist fight about 10 PM. When we went to bed the temperature was 94 degrees, so sleeping was not easy. We had no power, water, sewer hookup, or internet access.

Friday

We drove to the Devils Golf Course, Natural Bridge and Badwater Point (the lowest elevation in the U.S. – 282 feet below sea level). I took a hike on the Golden Canyon trail (Carolyn stayed at the car), then we drove through the 20 Mule Team Canyon loop. Then we explored the old Harmony Borax Works and Salt Creek, home to the rare heat tolerant and brine water adapted pupfish. When we got back to camp at 7 PM the temperature was 104 degrees (but it’s a dry heat).