Death Valley...part 2

Where were we...time has flown quickly.  Another stop for a day of adventure was Salt Creek and those expensive pup fish.  Believe it or not there is water in Death Valley...and yes, fish.  There is a cool, wood boardwalk that hovers over the salt flat and lets water flow underneath it.  You can see the pup fish in many places and other wildlife...yup, that's a rattlesnake.  He's hanging out at the edge of the boardwalk in the shade.

We stopped at the Harmony Borax Works.  It's hard to believe that anyone could work, let alone live out here...such harsh conditions, and hard work for those pioneering folk.  

We also stopped at Furnace Creek for a picnic lunch, some ice cream from the General Store, and walked through the outdoor museum.  That is one big wheel...Timm is 6'3'' to put in perspective.  Do you notice the elevation sign in the background behind the wagon...178 feet below sea level.  We also took a drive throught Artist's Palette.  Such unusual colors, I see where it got it's name.  By that time, I was not hiking down intot he wash and back up the other side to get close...dang knees.  Lots of very tight curves in there as well and we followed the wash down the alluvial fan to the valley floor again.  Our last stop was at Donte's View, it overlooks Bad Water.  It's 282 feet below seal level down there, and over 5000 ft at Donte's View. 

What a full day we had.  It was so good to get out and explore.  I really enjoyed and I know Timm and Cassy did as well.  A great birthday present for everyone to enjoy. 

Dining hall improvements

For Christmas, the boys gave Dad gift cards to work on the dining hall.  A couple of weekends ago, Chris and some of his co-workers hung sheetrock inside the hall.  It was a nice surprise to come home to after our Death Valley trip.  Timm's been taping joints and screws during the week and it sounds like it will be textured and painted next weekend.  Anyone wanna come help?  We'll feed ya some great BBQ.  ;0)