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Published: December 3rd 2009
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What's for lunch??
A Mojave Desert critter day 87 miles 6,448
The drive through the Mojave Desert wasn't anything like we expected it to be. The image that the name Mojave conjured up for us was windswept sand dunes and hot temperatures. The part of the Mojave we drove through to get to Death Valley was none of that. Instead we saw mountains with so many different colors in the rock -greens, burgundy, yellow and oranges. There were also large flat areas where minerals have leached to the top that are called salt pans. We also saw some wild life - a coyote to be exact. He stood by the side of the road and licked his chops like he was expecting a meal -all he got was his picture taken.
Right now, in the winter, the temperatures are in the 60's and low 70's with a bright blue sky. At one spot there was an old abandoned mining operation. We stopped to check it out since it looked exactly like a railroad kit Ron had put together for his model in the backroom. This area is full of old boron mines and we figured that is probably what
An old Boron Mine
In the Mojave Desert, a scene right out of Ron's train set. this was part of too.
Part of Death Valley is in the Mojave Desert and our first stop there was the lowest spot in the western hemisphere, called Bad Water. This location is 282 feet below sea level. It was formed 20,000 years ago as part of a saline lake. We wanted to get out our snorkeling masks and fins and take a picture for Aaron and Tracy, but there were just too many people. We drove for 2 hours under sea level to reach our campground.
Our campground in Death Valley was still 190 feet below sea level and little more than a parking lot for RV's. There were no campfire rings or picnic tables, certainly no hook-ups. The only thing that defined a campsite was a narrow marker to put the check-in tag. We loved it - not the campground exactly, but the weather. We were warm again and the sun was shining and we could leave the windows open and go outside in short sleeve shirts. Ron also liked the fact that he could fly his glider 190 feet below sea level.
Death Valley was just so different
Bad Water
Click to enlarge and see the sea level sign than we expected. For example our campground area was across the street from Furnace Creek visitor center which is part of an oasis with natural springs that put out gallons of water every day. Part of the grounds are an old date palm orchard and Ron collected dates from the ground and ate his fill. There is also a golf course and hotel resort which is run by a private company. A few miles away is Mosaic Canyon with rock walls that look like polished marble. Some of the canyon walls are made from worn and polished conglomerate and look just like mosaic tiles set in a mural. Salt Creek was another strange place. It is a stream that has water that is 6 times more salty then ocean water and is home to pupfish. This area, with the water and greenery, looked so out of place in this dry arid landscape.
We left Death Valley on the 28th. This is the driest area in the world, 1" of rain a year, and it RAINED while we were heading out!!!!! Not a lot, but still…
We stopped at Zabriske Point which is a look out over
Furnace Creek Campsite
The best thing here is the blue sky and temperatures the valley. Just an unbelievable sight and a great last view of this surprising place.
We're hanging out in Las Vegas, getting a few problems taken care of. The penny and nickel slots are fun and so far we are breaking even.
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Kris
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I love the coyote and the last picture... that is what i expected you would see! cant wait to see you in feb!