Death Valley
Yesss!! We finally made it to Death Valley and back. Benny ran great. With only two minor flaws, Tara ran out of battery’s in the camera,so we didn’t get as many pics as we wanted, and the temp gauge didn’t work, but I’ll check into that tomorrow.
We stayed at Furnace Creek campsite witch was a great campsite, but a bit more than what I wanted to pay. Our first night we made a awesome potato soup on the rocket stove. And played games.
When we woke in the morning I opened the door and closed the screen and within 5 minutes a roadrunner came right up to the door.
While we were eating breakfast I saw a coyote probably 50 feet away. I would have a pic for you but someone forgot the battery’s for the camera. 🙂
we finished up breakfast and were off to to hike at Badwater salt flats. This place was very interesting, the ground not only looked like snow it felt like you were walking on snow.
Next we traveled north to check out Scotty’s Castle a must see if your in this neck of the woods, or shall I say desert. 🙂 We were privileged enough to take a tour. The house is full of unique and beautiful woodwork definitely a must see for any woodworker.
We also took the underground tour which was a 1/4 mile of underground tunnels leading to different locations on the grounds. What I thought was interesting about this part of the tour was a underground observation room so you can see people swimming in the “lake”.
We then headed back to camp and enjoyed dinner, and read Harry Potter by campfire.
Not Too Simple 
Fun! That area of the country is just fascinating…I guess because its so different from out this direction. No dessert or cool salt whatevers here.
Harry Potter by fire light sounds great, too. Speaking of, I found out recently that Universal Studios, I believe, is creating a Harry Potter world to open this summer. I think its on like 20 acres. I am SO going one day. Yall should add it to your places to go/people to see list.
February 3, 2010 at 4:38 am
Mmm, potato soup. That was yummy. A lot better than those burnt black beans.
February 3, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Cool photos. I’ve never been to places like that, being a Minnesotan. I mean, I’ve been to Nevada and Arizona and California for vacations but my parents were not into camping or “wildlife” so we didn’t see anything like that! It gives me a different perspective on the dessert, and maybe I will have to get there someday.
February 4, 2010 at 7:09 am
Very, very cool. My Death Valley experience was limited to a drive-through where my dad spent the whole time worrying about the car breaking down and us dying of exposure!
Is Scotty’s Castle the ‘Death Valley Ranch’ pictured?
February 6, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Yes it is.
February 6, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I’ve never been to Death Valley, but it’s one of those Bucket List places. Isn’t it interesting that in the desert Scotty built an underground area? We have one near here in Fresno, Forestiere Underground Gardens.
Looking forward to more stories of your journey.
Steve in Central CA
February 15, 2010 at 8:38 am