Splake Spolt: Death Valley

Perhaps it was the early morning departure, or maybe it was the drive from Las Vegas into the desert. In any case, few travel days have been so relaxing. We arrived at Furnace Creek Inn, which feels very much like the Eagles' Hotel California, with a lovely spring fed pool next to a palm oasis. Of course, it didn't hurt that we rented a red Boxter for the trip, and it made quick work of the desert miles and absolutely loved the curvy mountain roads. Our first full day started before dawn at Badwater Basin, a salt flat that at 282 feet below sea level is the lowest point in North America. With the top down and the air already starting to warm, dawn broke over the hills to our east as we headed back to the Inn for breakfast.

On a whim, we headed a couple of miles down the road to check for birds and found a Lucy's warbler, which is our thousandth bird identification together-- on Earth Day, no less! Of course, it would have to be a nondescript little warbler!

We then headed over two 4,000 foot passes to Father Crowley point, which at 64 degrees was 25 degrees cooler than Death Valley, where we had started. Not only was the view awesome, and the winding road super fun, but we also arrived just as an F-16 fighter jet came screaming over the ridge right next to and into the valley below.

The following morning, another early start-- this time up more winding high country roads to start our day at the foot of Wildrose Mountain, where there were still plentiful wild flowers, lesser nighthawks roosting at dawn ( bird #1,001) and even a herd of wild donkeys. It was actually too cold and blustery for an al fresco brekky, so we headed back down to the valley for a quick nosh, then up to the northern edge of the park, where we enjoyed a truly remarkable hike into, and then around, Ubehebe Crater. Even cooler, we found life bird 1,002, the ash-throated flycatcher, at the rim.