A few days in Death Valley and on to Boulder Beach at Lake Mead..

Well, Friday afternoon found us turning right at Armagosa Valley and we headed for Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley.  Same place we met up with Tom and Deb last year! Last year we stayed in overflow as there were no spots left in the regular campground. Overflow isn't even open now. We had our pick of spots in the campground this year. It's nice for $7.00 (with the senior pass $14.00 without) they have flushed toilets, water stations for washing dishes etc., 2 dump stations and dumpsters for garbage.  The sites are big and spacious. No tables or fire rings though. 

Sunset Campground Death Valley, CA.  

Saturday found more folks pulling in..just not like last year....

Panamint Valley Overlook :) 

We set up, enjoyed the warmer temps outside until dark when it cooled way down and we started our little red campfire.  Dinner was cooked inside. 

Saturday morning we decided to take a drive up and out of the park towards Lone Pine, CA.  We decided instead of Lone Pine to go left instead which took us down Highway 395 to the town of Ridgecrest, CA.  We got propane $5.00 a gallon ouch! 

Trona, CA..the town was devastated by twin tremor earthquakes.  

This plant was the lifeblood of Trona, no more :( The plant shut down after the 

earthquakes damaged it beyond repair. :( 

Our lunch spot! 

We have never been to Ridgecrest but it's a nice sized town.  I brought lunch with us, but we thought if we could find a good Mexican Restaurant we'd do that. Turns out they had plenty but they wasn't any dine in service. Nope, not happening. 

About 25 miles out of Ridgecrest we came to the little depressed town of Trona, CA. They had a Mexican Restaurant at one time, but a little investigating found they had an earthquake in 2019 that devastated it.  Once I have better service I'll read up on the quake. 

The road out of Trona takes you back into the park. Another road we hadn't been on in the park. Nice drive with little traffic. Because you can, people do tend to speed on this highway.  

We found a beautiful pull over to have our lunch.  The low carb wraps were delicious, and the view awesome! 

Continued our drive and then we were back home around 1630.  Happy Hour time! It gets so dark so early here so we lit the LRC (little red campfire) and enjoyed our evening. Ken barbecued some awesome cheeseburgers and I made some zucchini fries for dinner. So yummy! 

Over happy hour we decided to stay one more day before moving on to wherever :) 

Waking up about 0700 this morning, taking our time watching people take down camps and getting ready to leave. Another beautiful day in Death Valley.  I can't post as there isn't much service but figure this way I won't forget haha. 

After breakfast on Sunday we decided to take a drive over to Zabriskie Point just a few miles from here.  Last year we drove by but didn't take the little walk to the top so this year we did.  Death Valley is so unique with its own beauty! 

Always the dare devils..If grandsons were with us, that's where they would be too!

20 Mule Team Canyon

We took the drive through Mule Team Canyon. It's a one way road with a big sign at the beginning stating that fact. Near the end here comes a woman the wrong way! How the heck could she miss the sign! Bet that was a fun drive for her. 

After that we headed to Badwater Road and the one way drive through Artists Palette. That's our favorite drive in the park I'm thinking.  9 miles through some of the prettiest colors of the park.  

We headed home thinking we were going to stop and get ice, then remembering last year it was about $5.00 a bag..nope we'll make do with the fridge. I made lunch and we watched the last of "The Blind Side" that we started the night before. After that we headed outside to enjoy the warmth of the 80 degree day.  

Once the sun went down it cooled off quickly so we enjoyed the evening with the Little Red Campfire.  Ken barbecued some awesome chicken and I made a simple salad. Perfect dinner! 

We woke up this Monday morning around 0700 and getting the day finally started. We've enjoyed 3 days here and now it's time to move on.  We're heading for Lake Mead and Boulder Beach for a few days. 

We left Death Valley near our regular time of 1100. Had an enjoyable drive to Boulder Beach, right near the shores of Lake Mead.  WE found us a nice spot on in the campground and proceeded to have a late lunch (about 1500).  All the spots here are big and roomy, with picnic tables and fire pits.  Restrooms with flush toilets are throughout the park.  With the America the Beautiful Senior Pass it's only $10.00 a night. Be warned though they only accept cash, which is just strange but it's been that way for a few  years now. 

Looked to be pretty shut down, along with an old motel next door!

Looks like a small devil''s tower! 

Love this view coming into Boulder City!

After our lunch and getting set up we took a leisurely walk through the campground. It's hard to believe but most sites are full and they've got over 100.  Several families with children, homeschooling at it's finest. Learn and see the country, nothing better especially nowadays! 

Our spot at Boulder Beach Campground...

We enjoyed the evening outside with a fire going and then a later dinner of leftover barbecued chicken and salad. 

Finally got some wifi so decided to see about getting this posted.  Today (Tuesday) we'll head out to see some of Boulder City and a visit to Total Wine in Henderson. Tomorrow we'll start a trek north hoping to be in Winnemucca on Saturday. I've got a lab appointment on Monday morning there.  

Have a great day! Going to be a beautiful 80 degrees here today!