We awoke early and continued our trek home.

Steve and I did a pretty thorough explore in 2022 but this was a first visit for the kiddos.
Here we were able to take a trip back in time and experience the daily life of the early settlers of the Owens Valley. This site celebrates the rich history of the period and tells of a time when the railroad station was the heart of a bustling western town.





Close to 50 authentic structures on eleven acres are filled with artifacts and original objects that depict the lifestyles of the homemakers, artisans, and townspeople of the period. Most of these objects of antiquity are the actual tools used by the practitioners of their crafts such as, newspaper publishers, gold miners, ranchers, blacksmiths, dentists, physicians, and pharmacists who lived and worked here. Can you figure out why I like it so?




All the historic buildings are original structures. Some, like the Laws Depot, the Agent’s house, the locomotive turntable, and the oil and water tanks were constructed right here and have stood on this site since the first train rolled in in 1883. Others are authentic structures that were relocated here from their original sites throughout the Owens Valley, and restored to preserve the history of the railroad. The section of narrow-gauge track that remains on the site still carries restored and working railroad cars – all of which date back to the early days of the railway.


We all appreciated the Death Valley history as we had been there twice on this trip, alone.
Lunch was on the shore of Mono Lake.
Mark Twain felt no love for this lovely lake when he described it, "Mono Lake lies in a lifeless, treeless, hideous desert, eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and is guarded by mountains two thousand feet higher, whose summits are always clothed in clouds. This solemn, silent, sail less sea—this lonely tenant of the loneliest spot on earth—is little graced with the picturesque." For us, we are constantly surprised by its unique beauty. It really was the right location for our final trip pause.

When we were in Death Valley in November, the road to Badwater was closed due to recent flooding. While we were only passing through on our way home, we still paused for some of this National Park's unique beauty.

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft below sea level. The salt flats here cover nearly 200 square miles, and are composed mostly of sodium chloride (table salt), along with calcite, gypsum, and borax making for a rather interesting horizon.

Stories suggest that Badwater Basin earned its name when a mule belonging to an early surveyor refused to drink from the spring-fed pool near the present-day boardwalk. However, the water here is not truly “bad,” just very salty. Despite this high salinity, many organisms not only survive, but thrive here. The pool is home to an endemic snail naturally found only at this location, and its rim is dotted with salt tolerant plants, including pickleweed.
It is just one of those places... indescribably unique.
Oh, and it gets hot here.
Our last Death Valley detour was tucked behind an unassuming yellow landscape. "The rainbow of Artists Palette is the highlight along the Artists Drive Scenic Loop. Here, visitors marvel at an array of colors (red, orange, yellow, blue, pink, and green), splashed across the hills. These colors are from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite, which creates a rainbow effect."
Home for the night was our favorite, Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.


Our last night on the road... the perfect last night on this very perfect trip.

We never realized that there was an oasis of natural beauty located only 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. What a true treasure.

This exceptional area features dramatic red sandstone peaks, a 13-mile scenic drive, and over 20 hiking trails, offering a major nature escape. It also has a picturesque campground where our evening concluded.

Our first stop was at the Visitor Center to get a lay of the land and the kids' Jr. Ranger booklet.


Through the Park volunteer, we learned of this must: Red Spring: A Desert Oasis.

For thousands of years, both wildlife and people have depended upon Red Spring for its lush vegetation, abundant food, and permanent water. This water allows a diverse community of plants and animals to thrive that are different from those of the surrounding arid desert. So very, very cool.

A raised boardwalk allows visitors to admire from a protective distance. What a delight to encounter rock writing. This communication comes in two varieties, petroglyphs and pictographs. The difference between the two types is the manner in which they were made. Petroglyphs were pecked into the surface of the rock.  Pictographs were painted on the rock. In Red Rock Canyon, a coating of dark "desert varnish" on lighter sandstone provides the perfect medium for petroglyphs. Red Spring area has a wide variety of different styles on the cliff faces and fallen boulders. We were able to see examples of both styles, located right next to one another.


We spent a peaceful night here.

Our rental trailer was returned to its Vegas location so the last two nights have our son and his crew tent camping.

We began our journey towards home, embarking on the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 13-Mile Scenic Drive, a premier, one-way paved loop which features stunning views of red-colored sandstone cliffs, desert landscapes, and over 12 major trailheads, taking approximately 40-50 minutes to complete without stops. Needless-to-say, it took us quite a bit longer (who wouldn't have stops?).

These were the prettiest park potties we have ever encountered. It proves an artist palette can be anything!



Our son always carries a trash bag everywhere he goes. This was a first to see a cigarette warning actually ON the offending item.





What a journey of delightful surprises!