Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks

 Death Valley National Park

Westward Ho! to Death Valley National Park for a drive-through view of the hottest, driest, lowest place in North America. I had 2 goals: See Manly Lake and the enjoy viewing a wildflower bloom. No, it's not a mirage. It's a lake in Death Valley! Manly Lake only forms when specific rainfall conditions are met. Rainfall? In a desert? In Death Valley? Yes! In fact, the lake at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the park at -282 ft. elevation, was about 1 foot deep this spring, with kayakers having a blast! 




The 3 of us on the salt flat shore of Manly Lake.
 

I had to get my feet wet! Hmm... does that make me a Touron?

This year's wildflower bloom was not a "superbloom" as some experts predicted. But that's OK. To see millions of Desert Gold flowers was enough for me.

Wildflower bloom at Death Valley NP

As we pressed on through the remainder of the park, one of the camper tires blew out. Thank goodness our previous experience prepared us for this. Dave had the right tools!

Florida Man Update: Florida Man changes tire in Death Valley, CA in heat of day in 20 minutes "flat."


Joshua Tree National Park

April 10 was a very long driving day: packing up and leaving Valley of Fire; driving to Death Valley; stopping for Manly Lake and the wildflower bloom; trying to leave Death Valley but changing a tire instead; driving to Joshua Tree, CA; setting up the camper for the night. Our 300-mile per day rule was taxed by 100 miles. This doesn't seem like much in a car, but pulling a 29 ft. camper in Vegas traffic and then down some poorly maintained back roads, was tough on Dave. He was so tired he didn't complain about Beanie Weenies for dinner.

Today, April 11, we planned to hike in Joshua Tree National Park. We motored over and checked in at the Visitors Center, only to learn that dogs were not permitted on any of the trails. It would have been 30 minutes back to the camper to leave Trooper, then another 30 back to the park. Plus hiking time. Somehow it seemed too much after the long day yesterday. We stopped at one rock formation, Skull Rock, then took in the scenery at a few pull-offs. I was sorry we missed the Cholla Cactus Garden. Next time!

 

Skull Rock, Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Trees by a pile of rocks.
There were lots of piles of rocks with people climbing them.


Lots of branches on this Joshua Tree.

 The Joshua Tree isn't actually a tree at all. It is a yucca plant. The trunk is not woody like a tree, but is a fibrous tube. Thanks, my Florida Man arborist for that information.

When we decided to call it quits at Joshua Tree National Park, we still had to go to Wal*Mart for groceries and gas. A long morning, on top of a long day-before, meant Dave and I were ready to relax, eat lunch, walk the dog, play some gin rummy, and TAKE A HOT SHOWER! (Remember, we had no electricity for the hot water tank in Valley of Fire.) I hope heaven has hot showers, because it was heavenly standing under the stream of water and washing away the stress of the last 36 hours. And shaving my legs.

Florida Man Update: Florida Man BBQs ribs to perfection on his portable Weber grill. Florida Woman loves him and appreciates all he does for her. 

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." -Isaiah 58:11 NIV

 

Next stop: Snuggles with Coen! (oh, and hugs for Courtney and Kyle, too.)

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