I got into Death Valley around 6:00 PM. After turning off the wrong way to get to the campground (following the GPS’s leading) I dead-ended at a small airport. I turned around and as I was heading back saw three coyotes crossing the street. I got a few pics of them (below).
I credit the delay for my seeing an NPS employee as I entered the campground. She recommended I stay at the Texas Spring campground instead of where I had planned to go, saying it was quieter. It wasn't far away, and I still had a little time before it got dark, so I went for it. Glad I did. I didn’t see much of Furnace Creek, but it looked more open and crowded as did one I saw when I first entered the park. Not many people a Texas Spring, though. I got a site on the edge of the campground. It’s absolutely quiet and there aren’t many people here.
I’m in my tent now. I have all the flaps open. I don’t know that I’ve ever camped with the tent this open before. At best, I’ve opened one of the flaps. I could probably take off the rain fly as there aren’t people too close. Fortunately, there is a breeze since the tent, even with all the mesh, holds in heat. I should be fine, though.
After I ate dinner, I decided to try to go up onto the white hills near my site. It was easier than I thought. With new batteries in my headlamp, I went up and explored. It looked like snow-covered hills, but the ground was smooth and the crust-like surface gave slightly under each step I took like mud that was drying. It reminded me of a thick, soft, sourdough sugar cookie with a layer of hardened confectioners sugar icing on top. It wasn't regular dirt or sand. I think it has salt in it or something like it. With the moon being just over half full, and the hills being white, I could see without the headlamp for the most part. I walked around exploring up there for about an hour. So awesome. No one else up there. I could see the silhouette of the mountain ranges all around me and the lights of the lodge and resort area across the way and below me. What a great place. So glad I am staying here. Perfect temps outside. Now to get the temp in my tent down…
I can credit this exploring around the white hills of DVNP as being the moment I realized how much I really love exploring new places, especially those off the beaten path.
I credit the delay for my seeing an NPS employee as I entered the campground. She recommended I stay at the Texas Spring campground instead of where I had planned to go, saying it was quieter. It wasn't far away, and I still had a little time before it got dark, so I went for it. Glad I did. I didn’t see much of Furnace Creek, but it looked more open and crowded as did one I saw when I first entered the park. Not many people a Texas Spring, though. I got a site on the edge of the campground. It’s absolutely quiet and there aren’t many people here.
I’m in my tent now. I have all the flaps open. I don’t know that I’ve ever camped with the tent this open before. At best, I’ve opened one of the flaps. I could probably take off the rain fly as there aren’t people too close. Fortunately, there is a breeze since the tent, even with all the mesh, holds in heat. I should be fine, though.
After I ate dinner, I decided to try to go up onto the white hills near my site. It was easier than I thought. With new batteries in my headlamp, I went up and explored. It looked like snow-covered hills, but the ground was smooth and the crust-like surface gave slightly under each step I took like mud that was drying. It reminded me of a thick, soft, sourdough sugar cookie with a layer of hardened confectioners sugar icing on top. It wasn't regular dirt or sand. I think it has salt in it or something like it. With the moon being just over half full, and the hills being white, I could see without the headlamp for the most part. I walked around exploring up there for about an hour. So awesome. No one else up there. I could see the silhouette of the mountain ranges all around me and the lights of the lodge and resort area across the way and below me. What a great place. So glad I am staying here. Perfect temps outside. Now to get the temp in my tent down…
I can credit this exploring around the white hills of DVNP as being the moment I realized how much I really love exploring new places, especially those off the beaten path.