119 Degrees of Fun

Weather reports threaten record breaking high temperatures in the area so we were up and away early, driving towards Death Valley on US190; well stocked with a tank of gas and six gallons of bottled water!

With highlights such as Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek to see (hmmm it all sounds a bit warm) and placenames such as Coffin Peak, Desolation Valley and Hells Gate… this visit seems a bit daunting.

Death Valley Visitor Centre was very informative and well done and most importantly, air conditioned.

We stopped at Badwater Basin; evidently the hottest place on earth and 282 feet below sea level. It was very very hot, the car registered outside temperature at 119F! Thankfully there was some cloud cover and it was only 10am so the sun was not at it’s worst. Even so we didn’t dare venture far from the car. Coming back along Badwater Road we took the Artists Drive Scenic loop road, taking in the wonderfully coloured rock faces, where evidently a scene from the first Star Wars movie was shot.

At the next stop, Zabrinskie Point, Kate was hot and tired so enjoyed the comforts of the car air con while I lugged my camera and tripod up to the viewing point. It was worth it.

The last must see was Dantes View, a 12 mile spur road taking us to an elevation of around 5500 feet and the most amazing views – cars and people were tiny specs.

We survived, and emerged out the other side of Death Valley and immediately ventured on to our next overnight stay, a four hour drive to the Hoover Dam Lodge. The first city area we came across was Pahrump. Priority, find Kate a decent coffee! The Satnav found us a Starbucks where we both enjoyed our first proper hot coffee for days. Also I couldn’t resist some Blueberries (okay they were surrounded by muffin but it’s still fruit 😂).

It was raining as we entered the Las Vegas ring road. The weather and busy multi-carriageway stark contrast to our day so far.

The Lodge was very Las Vegas, hotel rooms, and a big casino floor. We gambled a massive $10 that evening on the Blackjack table, and cashed out after half an hour’s play with $8, not bad.

Sand dunes just outside Stovepipe Wells.