Death Valley and whats with Pahrump

It was another early start this morning although the effects of the jetlag are starting to wear off. We were up at 6am and off by 7.30am. 

It was another cruise down the Owen's Valley before turning off the double carriage way and heading into the Death Valley area. The roads were straight and easy. After the UK experience this is more our style with little traffic and at times no cars as far as the eye can see, yeeaaahhhhh!

As we were driving along we saw a strange tree about 100m off the road. So we parked up and went in pursuit of answers hoping it was a cactus. Being a little nervous we checked in all directions for Spiders, snakes and scorpions. After a close inspection we decided it was a yukka and as yet have still not found the allusive cactus; where are they?

After two and a half hours we dropped down into the valley itself. We popped into a general store at Stovepot Wells, and wow it was hot!!! The thermometer in front of the shop read 116F.

We drove off the main road up to the hills and parked outside Mosaic Canyon. We walked for about 40 minutes. Come on, why wouldn't you? I've watched way to many westerns to miss this opportunity. It was a classical narrow canyon weaving its way up into the hills. Julia struggled badly in the extreme heat and we did start to get worried. I ended up carrying her out with Sue carrying Holly. They loved it and after more water were good to go again.

Next we wandered a little down the valley until we reached Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. They were surprisingly large considering where they were located. We wandered in a little way but not for long and some of us were wilting quickly. More of a put on than for real. 

The parks head quarter are located at Furnace Creek; great name.

Another 30 miles and further down the valley. What we couldn't believe was the race going on. Come on, I thought I was hard out, but thats just nuts. We cheered them all enthusiastically as they went past. Even a couple from New Zealand. 

The visitors centre was really good, not to mention air-conditioned. Really informative about the area with a large display area. Hard to get away really. In the village another thermostat showed 122F. The kids didn't join me going to the shop and were starting to lose their enthusiasm to follow me anywhere. Its weird really 50C. Hot, but easily tolerated for short periods. Death Valley has the hottest temperatures in the world. It's a dry heat though which makes it much easier to cope with. 

The reason it is so hot apart from being inland, surrounded by

mountains, is that it is below sea level, reaching 282 feet below at Badwater Basin. There was the wind blowing though surprisingly strong and so hot. It was hotter than standing in the sun but out of the wind. Like you had this hair dryer which worked really well in your face all the time. We checked out the salt and moved on quickly. We did check out the Devils Golf Course and a lookout but no time for describing those now.

Oh the hijinks in the back seat! Hollys impersonation of Peppa Pig!

We headed out of the park and towards Las Vegas at great rate of knots. Halfway there we dropped down into a valley and through a town called Pahrump. What the hell? There are over 30000 people here but where are they hiding. It took about six miles to drive through the place. You would get a collection of half a dozen houses along a street and then nothing else. It was like that all over the place. It was as if they had decided this was going to be the next Las Vegas and divided up a massive area for a huge city and just told people to choose random sections. The long main street was very similar. There are a large number of shops etc but fields behind them. Strangest thing I've ever seen.

Our accommodation in Vegas is great. We have an apartment at the Siena Suites and managed to get an evening swim in. Holly was none to pleased to leave the pool, probably because it is the only way to keep cool outdoors.