We took a night here at the Shoshone Inn in Shoshone, California, outside of Death Valley, because lodging in the park was just way too expensive; this won’t be the last time we stay here either.

Breakfast at the Crowbar Cafe because when you are going to Death Valley, what sounds better than eating at the Crowbar?

Entering the park.

It took Caroline and me until this, our fifth visit to Death Valley National Park in California, to make our way up the mountain to Dante’s View. The overlook from Dante’s View peers down 5,000 feet (1.52km) to the valley floor, where a moonscape-like surface has taken over. The salt from an ancient sea on the valley floor takes on different shapes and patterns and, when viewed up close, reveals a variety of crystalline formations such as those found at the Devils Golf Course.

*This claim of being our 5th trip might be wrong as on subsequent reading of this years later, I can only account for three previous visits, which would make this our 4th time at Death Valley.

The salt from an ancient sea on the valley floor takes on different shapes and patterns and, when viewed up close, reveals a variety of crystalline formations such as those found at the Devils Golf Course.

The terrain here is not a homogenous desert landscape; it seems that everywhere you look, you see something unexpected.

Contrast Valley might be another name for this National Park.

And though it’s called Death Valley, it’s brimming with life.

And suddenly, another day comes to an end.