We started the day following breakfast at the Visitor Center nearby where we got some suggestions about places to visit. It was about 60 degrees and sunny. The sheer beauty of this area is nothing less than astonishing. Our first stop was a place about 20 miles away called the Mesquite Sand Dunes where a ranger conducted a guided tour showing us how he could identify various animals and even insects by the tracks they leave in the sand. Next we reached something called the Salt Creek where there have existed for literally thousands of years what are called Pup Fish. They thrive in heavy salt water. These fish are really tiny, so we could not actually see any. I would not highly recommend this stop, as it’s a fair amount of walking with not much of anything to see. Lunch was at a small restaurant in the Furnace Creek Ranch. We next visited a site where there was a mining operation in the 19th century of something called Borax. Best I can tell, this is some sort of cleansing/detergent substance. I seem to recall a TV program in the 50s called Death Valley Days, hosted by Ronald Reagan and sponsored by a product called 20 Mule Team Borax. Our next destination was a place called Badwater Basin. This is where the lowest point in the US is located at 282 feet below sea level. Quite a lot of salt there.

The best part of the day was a drive of about 25-30 minutes through what is called the Artist Drive with it’s staggeringly beautiful colored mountains. This is not to be missed.
The final stop was a place called Zabriske Point, where there were loads of photographers documenting the rather remarkable sunset. I seem to recall a movie by that name back in the 60s. Never saw it, but now I’ll have to look it up.After returning to the hotel, we went down to the 84 degree pool for a swim. We ate dinner once again at the hotel. Food is reasonably good. Enjoyed a nice bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Dry Riesling.


 


We’ve decided to check out and drive home tomorrow. We had a very active day and feel we’ve seen enough to get a real feel and appreciation for this totally extraordinary place.