Wanting to explore before the desert temperatures became too hot, we awoke early greeted by an amazing sunrise.
We began our day ogling the spectacular views from Zabriskie Point, considered some of the most photographed in Death Valley National Park. Named in honor of Christian Zabriskie, a prominent figure in the heyday of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, Zabriskie Point affords an elevated vista from which to marvel at the badlands below. These yellow and brown stripped hills have been shaped by the powerful force of water, and even during dry times, the path carved by this water is unmistakable. Gazing beyond the badlands, views of the salt flats covering the floor of Death Valley are visible in the distance, with the hulk of the Panamint Mountains towering above.For us, just gazing at the valley floor, from above, wasn't enough. We had to get down in it.As John Muir has so poignantly said, "Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt!"Mind you, we are traveling with our 4 and 6 year-old grandchildren, who though not pictured on this blog, totally loved it all and were hiking troopers.Meandering through the canyon gave us geological wonders at which to marvel. Wow.When we left the Point it was in the high 80s. Wanting to cool off a bit, we headed to Dante's View, a scenic overlook that provides a panoramic view of the valley from an elevation of over 5,400 feet. It not only offers a breathtaking vantage point to see the Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course, and surrounding mountain ranges, it was almost 20 degrees cooler and the perfect spot for lunch.After finishing Junior Ranger Badge requirements and taking the oath, we returned to an evening of camp life. The neighbor's dog seemed to know how to relax. Funny stuff.This was the first time, of our last two camping trips, where Mother Nature allowed us to have a campfire. We were giddy about it. "Light a campfire and everyone's a storyteller."With the moonrise being much later than the previous evening, we concluded our very fun day looking upward. Death Valley is the world's largest International Dark Sky Park, a designation given for having exceptionally dark skies with minimal light pollution. The park has the highest Gold Tier rating, and its vast, open landscape and surrounding mountains protect the dark skies, making it a premier location for stargazing. Oh man, so spectacular.
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