Ash Meadows

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley, Nevada showing off its golden winter colors waiting the return of the green of spring and summer

On our return home, we traveled east out of Death Valley, driving towards Amargosa Valley in Nevada so we could make a second visit in five years to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. I, for one, was surprised by the golden, lifeless landscape; suppose I had forgotten that winter has this capability. While I was initially disappointed by the contrast to our first visit, the longer we walked along the spring-fed stream that feeds these wetlands in the middle of the desert, the more enamored I became with the meadow’s winter beauty. The nearby Devils Hole, a small part of Death Valley National Park lying outside of the main park boundary, was also on the itinerary, but a long drive home and a late start had to leave our return visit to the Devils Hole pupfish for a future trip.

Salt Sausages

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

On the salt flat in Death Valley National Park at sunrise

Up before sunrise so we could take a long walk out on the salt flat near Badwater (elevation: 282 feet / 85.5 meters below sea level) and wouldn’t you know it, it takes forever for the sun to reach us.

On the salt flat in Death Valley National Park at sunrise

We almost gave up after having walked out approximately a mile and a half (2.4km) and waiting for more than a half-hour for the sun to peek over the mountains.

On the salt flat in Death Valley National Park at sunrise

Luckily, we held our ground because watching the shadow brighten and give way to sunlight was spectacular. The bluish salt quickly turns golden for a moment before blazing white.

Death Valley National Park in California

Out on the salty Death Valley floor, we found areas where the ground buckles and small stalagmites grow in the cracks; insects that didn’t leave before the last water evaporated are dried into fragile shells, and miniature forests comprised of salt crystals, hair-thin filaments, and ceramic-like chunks that sound of glass as they clink together.

Caroline Wise and Jutta Engelhardt on the salt flat in Death Valley National Park at sunrise

Daybreak here is as amazing as any sunrise at the Grand Canyon.

Death Valley National Park in California

Heading up Mustard Canyon Drive to visit a place in the park we’ve not visited previously, I think.

Death Valley National Park in California

The Harmony Borax Works lay in ruins but are well worth the drive up the narrow road.

Amargosa Valley, Nevada

Trying to maximize daylight hours during the shortened days of winter, we pushed Jutta along so we could make one more stop along the way before heading home. And don’t be mistaken; I’m not implying this giant cow is my mother-in-law.

Jutta Engelhardt and Caroline Wise at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley, Nevada

Looking into the clear waters that are emerging from this spring at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley, Nevada.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Amargosa Valley, Nevada

Our visit will be short as we have quite a few miles left before pulling into Phoenix this evening.

Death Valley

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Shoshone Inn in Shoshone, California

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.

Crowbar Cafe in Shoshone, California

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

Caroline Wise, John Wise, and Jutta Engelhardt at Death Valley National Park in California

Entering the park.

Caroline Wise and Jutta Engelhardt at Death Valley National Park in California

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.

Death Valley National Park in California

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.

Death Valley National Park in California

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

Death Valley National Park in California

Contrast Valley might be another name for this National Park.

Death Valley National Park in California

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

Death Valley National Park in California

And suddenly, another day comes to an end.

Nothing Before Hoover Dam

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Nothing, Arizona

Because Nothing, Arizona is better than Absolute Nothing.

Hoover Dam in Arizona

This view from the Arizona side of the Hoover Dam might not exist in the future.

Hoover Dam in Arizona

Almost two years ago, I took this exact same photo, except back then, the water level was higher, and if you look into the background of this new shot, you will see the construction work going on for the new bypass bridge. When that bridge is finished, the view from the Arizona side of the dam could disappear. This evening, we are driving to Shoshone, California, for a night of soaking in the natural hot spring the Shoshone Inn has on tap before driving into Death Valley National Park tomorrow morning. No, we did not stop in Las Vegas for a raucous night of gambling; I suppose the only thing we are really interested in with Vegas is a visit to the Liberace Museum.

Nothing New

JWise Photo of the Day, Travels

Huntington Botanical Garden in Los Angeles, California

Today finds me doing a lot of nothing besides sleeping. After the long drive home from Santa Barbara yesterday and facing an almost equally long drive tomorrow as we travel to Death Valley, I took it easy and didn’t take a single photo here in Phoenix. And so it is that I am posting a photo from this past week’s visit to the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California.

Donut Man

JWise Food, Photo of the Day, Travels

Rainbow Donut from Donut Man in Glendora, California

On the road trip back to Phoenix, Arizona, my mother-in-law and I stopped on old Route 66 in Glendora to try Donut Man’s donuts. I had recently read about Jim Nakano, the owner of the shop and the inventor of the fresh strawberry and fresh peach donuts, and was hoping against the season that just maybe the strawberry donut was in production. Unfortunately, the cold snap delayed the berries, and I’ll have to wait until our next visit to Southern California to try these famous concoctions. Until then, we satisfied our sweet tooths with a mixed assortment, leaving a few for Caroline to sample after we got home.