I recently made a trip to Death Valley for some site-seeing while the weather was manageable. Death Valley claims consecutive days with temperatures above 130F during some summer months, so a January trip seemed like a good idea. It worked out well with 65F and sun all day.
My first stop was at a place outside Ridgescrest, CA called Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark. It was a stop of opportunity when I saw the sign on the side of the road. I enjoyed it but the picture didn't do it justice in the early morning light.
Trona Pinnacles
The drive into Death Valley was spectacular. I came up from Ridgecrest and through the Panamint Valley. You climb up to about 4500 feet above sea level before plunging in to the valley, eventually winding up at the lowest spot in the US at 282 feet below sea level - Badwater Basin. Along the way were stops to see Salt Creek, the Devil's Golf Course, and Artist's Drive. It was beautiful. Crazy to think how hot it gets there. I find it very interesting that the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin) is less than 100 miles from the highest point in the continental US (Mt Whitney). Talk about extremes!
Salt Creek - Home of the Pup Fish
One of the views from Artist's Drive
The Devil's Golf Course - salt deposits
Me at Badwater Basin
I also got word that my orders are changing a bit and I will now be assigned to submarine group nine in Bangor. This is a much better job that requires no commute and is real shore duty - no deployments. I am supposed to be relieved in July and should be home in July. I can't wait!
