.jpg "Artists Point Death Valley NP CA")
Gaelyn and Jeremy at Artists Point, sorry for the poor stitch jobWe left Badwater Basin to return to camp after a very full day of sightseeing: Salt Creek trail, the Harmony Borax Works, Furnace Creek and the hike to Natural Bridge. Yet wait, there’s a scenic 9-mile (14.48 km) one-way loop road that winds through colorful mud hills. The day’s not quite over at Death Valley National Park Artists Drive.
.jpg "Artists Drive Death Valley NP CA")
Artists DriveBecause of the lack of vegetation here, Death Valley easily displays the magical yellows, oranges, and browns of the earth presented in brilliant contrast to the startling blue skies.
.jpg "Mud hills along Artists Drive Death Valley NP CA")
Mud hills along Artists DriveThese multi-colored hills, representing 5000-foot (1524-meter) thick deposits of cemented gravels, ancient lake sediments, and volcanic debris form the foot of the Black Mountains.
.jpg "Mud hills along Artists Drive Death Valley NP CA")
Iron oxides show as reds, yellows, browns and blacks. Purple hues are produced by magnesium. Copper, or possibly the breakdown of mica, is responsible for the green color..jpg "Mud hills along Artists Drive Death Valley NP CA")
Some of these rocks reveal fossil diatoms, a phytoplankton that lived in water, and microscopic plants that indicate an environment which existed about 10-30 million years ago..jpg "Last light Death Valley NP CA")
Last lightI was in awe as we drove out of Artists Drive back into the valley and headed back to camp.
.jpg "Moon over the Black Mts Death Valley NP CA")
Moon over the Black MountainsYet I knew we had another day for more explorations at Death Valley, like a castle built in this “hell-hole turned tourist-trap”.
The desert has a stark beauty that you've captured well.
You are doing Death Valley in depth. Great pictures.
You captured those desert colors beautifully, and I love the moon in the last shot!
Your header is absolutely beautiful. Sigh. I could look at that sky for hours.
Joyce-Illinois
Beautiful reflections in the desert photo's
I can see where Death Valley got its name! 😉 Wonderful photos. I'm enjoying it through YOUR lens as I'm sure I could not stand the heat to see it in person.
That drive looks like a bad stretch for a claustrophobic. I think it's cool, though.
What are those vertical ripples in the first photo?
Hi Gaelyn,
Thank you for stopping by and introducing yourself. Quite a lovely life style you have experiencing our beautiful country. I recall driving clear across Death Valley one fall, and never passing another automobile. ;)Gorgeous country.
Humm . . . what a desolate place to see, but it seems to have a beauty all it's own. Not really much there, unless you know what is there from long ago.
Les
I love deserts (and desserts) but this blog of yours is expanding my horizons. Thanks mucho grando.
It has been so long since i have been to Death Valley! So a lovely place,especially if the weather is right. I also enjoyed going to the hot springs south of there, Tepesque (?)Hot springs.Great photos.
You certainly packed a lot into each day. I love that golden glow on the hills, and the softer sunset light and moonglow.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I'm delighted with yours! This brings back memories of our Death Valley visit; can't wait to read your "take" on the castle! 🙂
Hello, thank you for dropping by and leaving me a comment.
Those are wonderful shots. And very interesting description on them too.
Have a nice weekend!
P/s: You grew up with a yorkie? They are such a bundle of energy, aren't they?
I used to spend a lot of time in Death Valley, just love it. Tea Kettle junction, the Racetrack, abandoned mines and ghost towns, the funky towns just around the perimeter, and the places you mentioned in this post – all bring back great memories.
Looks like a lovely side trip! It is interesting to see landscape with few plants growing on it.
The colors make up for the vegetation – that's cool. Thanks so much for sharing, Gaelyn!
As stark as the landscape is, it's also very beautiful!
There is so much to see there! Thanks for sharing your great photos. My in-laws are enjoying Death Valley right now. They also had time to visit Joshua Tree, so now I'm really jealous!
I love your "hell hole turned tourist trap" statement. Amazing how they turned such a place of nothingness into a major attraction.