• The Death Valley

    From 11/03/2014 to 11/05/2014

    After three days in Vegas crazy life, we are exhausted. We desperately need a place to recharge our batteries in the country, so we hit the road again, for a much quieter place : Death Valley

    Death Valley is the biggest National Park in the contiguous USA (1,5 time bigger than Alsace, or twice the Delaware or half Massachussets) and owns lots of records (hottest place on earth, lowest place in northern america...)

    Here we are : 282 feet below sea level, the lowest place in north america. It's said that after very big rains, this place can turn into a lake : for the moment you can just see a little pond...

     

    Badwater basin      The lowest mascots in north america

    The little withe spot on the edge is the sea level...      Badwater basin

    May I have the salt Honey ?      A former lake

     

    This park (alike all this US area, since Utah) has its own geological highlights. At Devil's Golf Course, you can observe very sharp formation (don't walk bare feet) resulting from sand and salt melted, dryed and compressed...

     

    Devil's Golf Course      Very sharp cristals !  

    Devil's Golf Course

     

     

    During 19th and 20th centuries, Borax mines (used for soaps) bring lots of workers and buildings in Death Valley. Interesting fact : as it was not possible to treat borax in Death Valley, companies had to transport raw ore all the way (tens of miles, without real roads) to the closest cities. This strenuous job is made by "20 mules teams". They are famous here in the USA.

     

    Some remains of a borax mine      20 mules team wagons 

    20 mules team

     

    If you take the time to explore, you can find lots of beautifull places in the park : sand dunes, an arch, colourfull hills...

     

    Death Valley      Artist Palet 

    Sand dunes      Sunset on Death Valley, from our campground

    Zabriskie point      Zabriskie Point

    Natural Bridge

     

      Don't forget that you can enlarge pictures by clicking 


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