Death Valley

Several weeks ago Bill suggested we take a Valentines Day trip. He asked Karen if she would like to go somewhere like Cambria or Death Valley or ?  Since it had been over 40 years since we had been to Death Valley, we decided to go there and enjoy late winter in this National Park. We left home on Thursday, February 13th to spend a few days there.  

This blog is a record of our trip.  We hope you enjoy our adventure as much as we did.

We stayed 2-nights, 3-days in Furnace Creek at the Ranch at Death Valley.


View from our room includes the Death Valley golf course (15th hole just beyond the fence).

After check in, our first stop Thursday evening was Zabriskie Point at sunset, just 5-miles south of Furnace Creek.

Welcome to Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point panoramic views of mudstone hills.

                                                             

Valley/Mountain views from Zabriskie Point as the sun sets.

As the sun set, it was back to the Ranch Oasis where we'd get dinner at the fast food, pizza, burgers, etc counter for dinner. We enjoyed sitting outside that evening before turning in.

Friday morning we decided we'd just grab a continental breakfast and enjoy the surroundings.

Beautiful morning for breakfast outdoors (note the size of Bill's sweat roll!).

We then walked around the Oasis and enjoyed seeing some of the history back in the 1800's.

Twenty Mule Team wagons hauling Borax in the 1800's.

1894 Steam Tractor.

Locomotive #5 used from 1914 - 1931.

As we drove to toward's Badwater Basin, we stopped at the Devil's Golf Course.

Bill thought this was a real GC!

I can't find my ball!

It's not here.

The Devils Golf Course consists of hard crystalline salt spires dotting the landscape, like a coral reef.

Our next hike was to Natural Bridge, 4 1/2 miles off the highway on a dirt road. The hike itself is a 2-mile round trip uphill, with an 800-ft rise before reaching the end. 

Half mile from the parking lot, the walls of the canyon narrow. 

Uphill into such a cool canyon as we near the Natural Bridge.

The 50-ft high Natural Bridge.

This must be a spectacular waterfall when it rains.

Waterfall at trails end - Bill climbed it to see if any water was in the basin above - none.

Next stop, Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America.

If you look closely, you'll see the sign 'Sea Level' about 2/3 up the mountain.

Badwater Basin is the site of a 30-ft deep lake that evaporated and left a one-to-five foot layer of salt in its wake. It's a briny pond, four times saltier than the ocean.

We walked a mile on salt brine that was slippery and soft due to underground water.

At one point, Bill stepped off the 'trail' and licked his finger, then got a small amount of salt on it. We then put a small amount on the tongue for tasting.  Boy, was a grain or two of this salt - salty!

After breakfast we had bought some sandwiches and chips for lunch at the general store and sat on the back tailgate of the Jeep enjoying the scenery as we filled our stomachs. A beautiful view, great company and 70 degrees with a mild breeze (no pictures) was perfect.

On our way back to Furnace Creek, we took the 9-mile, one way paved road thru Artists Palette. This drive took us through rolling foothills with vibrant hues of pinks, reds, yellows, golds, greens and purples.

More colorful than our pictures.

We then drove back past The Ranch and toured Harmony Borax Works.

For ref., the large wheels are 17-ft. in diameter and the tank was for water.

Between 1883 and 1889 the twenty mule teams hauled more than 20-million pounds of Borax out of the valley.  It took them about 20-days to travel from Harmony to the rail head, a 330-mile round trip.

After a full day of hiking and sight-seeing, it was time to enjoy our spring fed pool. Besides the general store and pool, there are three restaurants onsite, including a saloon/steakhouse and a 'real' golf course. 

The Saloon/Steakhouse 

We enjoyed our R&R swimming in the warm spring fed pool.

Friday night we celebrated Valentines at the Furnace Creek Inn.  The dining room was beautiful and the food was outstanding.

The Dining Room.

Enjoying our meal - and yes, they had a special Vegan meal for Karen.

Sunset from our dinner window was beautiful.

Early Sunday morning Bill headed over to the ‘real’ golf course.  Because he had a 2019 PGA Golf Tournament lanyard from the U.S. Open, he received a free round of golf - what a deal.

Sunrise as Bill walked to the golf course.

The lowest golf course in the world.

Bill said the course was in good shape and he enjoyed the quiet, serene, tranquil atmosphere. At this lack of altitude, the ball does not travel as far but, he did well, playing 18-holes in 2 hrs. 

Bill played 2 balls on Hole # 1 – an easy par with both!

Although Bill played alone, he did have company on a couple holes.

After 18-holes of golf, we packed up and headed home Saturday morning. 

We had a wonderful time hiking and exploring Death Valley. We did not make it to Scotties Castle this trip as it was closed due to flooding last year nor did we get to Stovepipe Wells. Regardless, we had a wonderful Valentines weekend getaway.

Bill & Karen