Down in the Valley

After Bart and Jerri left on Sunday, we departed in the opposite direction toward Reno, via Death Valley.  The wind was blowing nearly as hard as it did when we drove from Albuquerque, but it was from a different angle and therefore was not as bad.

The closer we came to Death Valley, the more desolate it became.  I thought it was dry between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, but it looks like a virtual oasis compared to what we were seeing in Nevada and California.  By the time we arrived at Furnace Creek and our campsite, we were accustomed to the look of a plant every ten or twenty feet, surrounded by dirt and rocks.  Furnace Creek is situated at 193 feet below sea level.

After setting up in the campground, we went to an area called Badwater, which is 282 feet below sea level.  Above the parking area sits a sign that indicates the elevation of sea level.

See the white sign to the middle-left . . . that is sea level.

As we were driving toward Badwater, it looked as if a huge lake surrounded it, which it does at times, but not this time of year.  It is just salt.  The water is a mirage.  We also saw what looked like fields of wheat stubble.  We couldn't figure that out either until we got to Badwater and looked closely at the salt crystals.  The salt crystals grow, and when the dust blows, it settles on them, making them look like plants.  Another amazing mirage.

This is one salt crystal

These at long distance look like wheat stubble

Total desolation

That is not a lake - just salt.

We walked a ways on the salt path, and at about the same time, Don and I commented that it felt like we were walking on a rubber sport court.  Fascinating.  There is one little pond filled with salty, salty water and the microbes that can live in it . . . and that is why it is called Badwater.