California Adventure day 2

The California National Park Road Trip continues . . .
Since we went to bed so early we were up and ready to go by 6:30am!  We topped off the gas tank . . .

. . . and hit the road.  Before we left Texas, I paid less than $2/gallon so sort of sticker shock a little bit.  The weather looks questionable, but it is our last full day at Death Valley National Park so going to get to my list.  First stop was Harmony Borax Works Interpretative Trail . . .

The Harmony Borax Works operated from 1883 to 1888 . . . it was known as white gold.  The best part about an early start is there aren't many people out and about which is great for us.  Then on to Salt Creek Interpretative Trail in hopes of seeing the pupfish.  What is a pupfish?

The pupfish is known to be in only two locations in Death Valley: Salt Creek (49 meters below sea level) and Cottonball Marsh (80 meters below sea level).  They are thought to be the remainders of a large ecosystem of fish species that lived in Lake Manly, which dried up at the end of the last ice age leaving the present day Death Valley.  The desert pupfish has been classified as endangered.

We looked very carefully but none were to be found.

On the road again with a pull off the side of the road to look at Devils Cornfield . . .

I just had to do it . . .

Yes, I stood in the middle of the road.  It was on to the one stop Colin was so thrilled about stopping at today, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

One of the task in the Junior Ranger book is to attend a Ranger Program so we just happened to arrive right before a Ranger Talk about Critter Tracks at the Sand Dunes.  It was informative and worth our time.  We even saw tracks . . .

I was fascinated by the ground . . .

As soon as the  Ranger Talk was over, I snapped a few photos . . .

. . . and then Colin went crazy . . .

 He frolicked and had a blast on the sand dunes!  Thankfully it started to rain and our fun was short lived.  I wasn't that sad.  When we returned to the car we both had about a cup of sand in our shoes!   We made a stop at Stovepipe Wells for lunch and to turn in the Junior Ranger Book.  Everything on my to do list was completed so found two new places to explore.  I had read about one but thought it would be too far out of the way but it was meant to be.  So back on the road for the 26 mile detour to the Charcoal Kilns . . .

It was a long drive especially the last 3 miles of rough gravel roads with super slow speeds.  It was so worth it and it was back the same 26 miles we just drove. It was a 52 mile round trip drive that took us about 2 hours . . . we were only at the kilns about 15 minutes.   Totally worth it since it was something I had crossed off my list so the unexpected detour made my day.  I was excited to see some wild animals as we drove back too . . .

I had to do it again . . .

I read a lot of travel books, magazines, and websites and see a lot of these type of photos.  I never really got the fascination with taking a photo like this until I was there.  It was just so peaceful being in the middle of nowhere and not a car or human in sight.  It was getting late but really wanted to stop at the last place on our list.  If we hurried we should be able to make it before dark so off we went to Darwin Falls . . .

 The trail was empty and we finally made it.  Colin had a blast climbing the rocks and exploring.  

There are many times that I know Colin just doesn't get it when we travel.  He is a really good sport most of the time and follows along even though I know he isn't so thrilled.  As we reached the falls and he saw all the rocks; he got it.  I think he might have said this was the best day ever!

It was back on the trail to the car . . .

A waterfall in Death Valley National Park?  I know it is weird.  It wasn't the grandest of waterfalls but just that it existed in the middle of Death Valley was remarkable.  The best part was just getting to the falls.  The unique thing about this waterfall is the resort we are staying at tonight, Panamint Springs Resort, gets all the water that they use from this waterfall.  You know you are on the correct road and trail by following the pipes.  I think it is between 4 and 5 miles of pipes!  Sure will make us appreciate the water when we shower tonight.  Just as we arrived back at the car the sun was going down.  Perfect timing!  We drove the mile back to Panamint Spring Resort.  We were both so hungry so ordered a pizza and prickly pear margarita too . . .

I walked next door to check into our small but cozy cabin.  By the time we found Cabin 18 it was pure dark outside; hardly any outside lighting as most of the power is from generators due to the isolated location . . . darkness was amazing as the stars were super bright.  We got settled into the cabin and by 6:05pm we are both super bored so we just went to bed!

Thankfully it was a comfortable bed . . . we even turned the window unit on because the family next door was ridiculously loud and let their kids run wild!  Hopefully it will be another early start tomorrow.  I will be happy to leave all the gravel roads behind . . . it was a day of never ending gravel roads but in the end so worth it.

Favorites for Today 
COLIN:  too hard to decide; sand dunes, waterfall, climbing rocks
HEIDI:  The kilns even after 52 miles of out of the way slow driving; remarkable.