Death Valley National Park

Drove to Lake Olancha on the west side of Death Valley NP and camped in a private campground rather than in the park. We just cant do non electric when its 100 degrees. 

We saw some nice snippets of wildflowers on the way.



Wild west memorabilla lol 
We stopped here for some native oranges!! So very good!

Arrived at our campsite. view out our window. No frills but very pretty view.
Made a small charcuterie plate with Iberian ham I brought to remember our trip to Spain last fall



A better view in the morning!




The first stop in Death Valley National Park was Father Crowley Vista
This spot has a great view of Rainbow Canyon which was used for military training.

this 


Next stop "Badwater Basin" the lowest spot in North America!!
It is named Badwater basin because earlier settlers donkey wouldn't drink the water... not because it eas bad but because it was too salty!    
 The salt



I walked in the water. could only get about 6-12 inches clear but so so salty. i stuck my finger in to tasate and wanted to spit it out!!!

I tried to get a pic of the salt crystals but hard to do in the blazing sub,
It was so salty it dried instantly on your skin immediately ! Crazy.

The red circle is pointing out a sign the park put up (somehow,lol) to mark where sea level is.

This pic actually has lots of minute yellow flowers, So hard to photograph

Desert fivespot- coolest little flower ever!
Omg this road was like a roller coaster
Next we drove the "Artist Palette" drive. How cool is that!! I was in my glory.




Next stop Zabriskie Point The most photographed place in the park. I can see why. but honestly I think Artis Pallette was more or as amazing.




Salt Creek was our next stop. Hardly any water and yet the Death Valley Pupfish somehow survive. There were hundreds of them
On to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. So different from the rest of the park


Found some awesome wildflowers on the way back. Apricot Mallow everywhere, Indian Paint brush. I'm in my happy place


So happy. done with the heat. On the way to the coast !!!








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