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Our Awesome Travels

Our Awesome Travels
Taken In Quartzsite Arizona Dec 7th 2015

Saturday, November 05, 2016

Death Valley National Park, part 1 of 2

Where are we today
clic on a pic to enlarge it
        Today we have a plan, gonna do a tour. Because w are here really need to go to Death Valley, another place we always wanted to check out. Just because we can. We  had our coffees,  breaky and walkabouts done then packed a lunch and we were outta here by 8 am. Long day for touring ahead of us. But that is fine.
      About an hours drive to Death Valley, a place I have always wanted to see. Once we paid our fee $25.00 good for 7 days. We could get a National park pass for $80.00 a year but we are only doing 2 parks this year. We even got a few hikes in today as well.
    We are at sea level here but our first stop was at Dantes View, best seen in the morning, so a left turn and 13 miles up hill to 5,475 ft above sea level. We climbed and we climbed but all great roads.
now the last 1/4 mile a 15% grade, WOW!
1/4 mile steep and switchbacks
15% grade in very steep
here we are
the view amazing, one mile down to Death Valley
     Now back down we go to the visitor centre in Furnace creek.
 
       Coming into Furnace Creek 190 ft below sea level.
     We check out the visitor centre, watch the 20 minute video that was wonderful and very worth while.
we did not see any of these guys today
         By now it was 11:30 and we found a shady spot, (90f now). Suzie changed into her shorts and we enjoyed our picnic lunch.
       Then down the road to the Harmony Borax works that was started in 1882 only ran about 5 years. Interesting about Borax and we use it every day, you  can google it.
the 20 mule teams that hauled this away 

these wagons were huge
no wonder they needed 20 mules to pull them
         We left there after noon then began another 3 hour journey back home witha few more stops along the way. But this is enough pictures for one day I will do some more of our tour in tomorrows posting.
         We got back home at 3:30 relaxed in the shade for a bit and whipped up a tasty supper.  Grill a couple Chicken, broccoli and cheese sausage, and Acorn squash to add to our salad and cantaloupe.
sure hit the spot today
198 miles today in 7 and 1/2 hours
but sure was fun
      Now that was a really interesting day, lots of miles there and back, but sure glad we did it.
       I will post part 2 tomorrow.
      Thanks for taking a peek, and hope you had a wonderful day as well.
Where have we been this Winter

16 comments:

  1. Looks like an interesting place to spend the day.

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    1. Larry it was very interesting and worthwhile, could have spent a couple of days there.

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  2. We love Death Valley. It is so much more than a big dry desert.
    Be sure to make time for a tour of Scotty's Castle. Pretty amazing.

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    1. We had hopped to check out Scotty's Castle but it and the road is still closed due to Flash flooding.

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  3. Did that in 1997 with a SUNTREK group. Was October and boiling hot.

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    1. It was pretty hot yesterday too in the low 90's. Ac in in the car for sure.

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  4. We checked out Death Valley a few years ago. Aren't you glad you didn't have your motorhome on that 15% grade? We loved the adventure and it sounds as if you did too.

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    1. That road, no vehicles over 25 feet and I can sure see why.
      It sure was and interesting day trip.

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  5. Death Valley is on my list to visit...in the middle of winter! :c)

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    1. You could run into snow in the winter getting there through the mountain passes, some very high elevations to get there.

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  6. We were hoping but it is still closed.

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  7. We haven't been to Death Valley...it's on the list! Looks fascinating. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to part 2.

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    1. It is fascinating not like MOAB but still very interesting, Could easily spend a few days here to see everything.

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  8. That is one of our favourite places. Enjoy it's beauty!!

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