Badwater Basin, Devils Golf Course, and Artist Drive

Texas Spring campground is nice. There are no generators allowed here and it's amazingly quiet. Even though there's virtually no shade at all. For this second evening, in a row, I've been treated to the sunset, leaving incredible shadows on these cliffs, and dark, dramatic skies at the other end looking east. 

It got up to 87 degrees yesterday and knowing how the desert is, in the morning it will be quite comfortable for a hike. So I left before 7 am to reach Badwater Basin. It's where you can find the salt beds at a place 282 feet below sea level. There is a sign on the cliffs, showing sea level. There was plenty of parking and in the shade for quite a while since the parking lot was up against the mountains. I had no fears about leaving Jo Jo in there knowing he would be more than comfortable. It was a mile hike in from the parking lot on what started out quite flat. and eventually became a bit bumpy. But it was starkly beautiful by the time I got to the stacked cairns, I knew I had made it. So it was my first two mile round trip hike in Death Valley, as I headed towards a place called Devil's Golf Course. This was a one mile long dirt road which wound up with yet another unique landscape in the salt beds. Peering into small holes you could see the crystallized salt formations that looked like stalactites. This was a rough ground that only someone very agile would dare walk on these formations. I am surprised that they would allow it in this area. The eco system is fragile. I headed out just in time as a tour bus with dozens of people came in. I was pretty lucky avoiding crowds until that moment. I had one more stop to make which was the Artist's Drive. Lucky me, again, that vehicles 25 feet or under are the only ones allowed on this road. And I could see why, as the road was only one lane, one way, and quite narrow in spots. I stopped briefly for another quick hike.There were a few really steep dips in the road which concerned me a bit and felt a little bit like riding a roller coaster. I wanted to raise my arms up. I made it to the ultimate view at the Artist's Palette. Luckily I could park my van away from the sun and get a pristine view of these painted cliffs, which reminded me a little bit like the painted desert and Zion combined. I decided to park my chair there, with the awning extended, and draw the view for the next couple of hours. I would have gotten done sooner except between Jo Jo getting his stranger love, and the Sylver Gypsy, there were distractions from curious folks. I could tell that Death Valley National Park is an international destination. There were people here from all over including Japan, India, and all parts of Europe. Most people got in and out of their cars and stayed for a few moments, while others entered into this canyon to hike. I enjoyed watching the shadows on the hills as it was slightly overcast today. I finally took a slow drive back to my campsite and really felt the heat set in this afternoon. In fact it was warm enough so I didn't have to heat my water to take a nice shower. Fortunately, I had some home cooked frozen meals that I took with me including a thanksgiving dinner complete with stuffing and mashed potatoes. It was another fabulous day and I continue to pinch myself for those good times.




































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