Trip to the West Coast 7

July 12th
The weather is gorgeous and we are having a nice breakfast outside.

We drive into the Mammoth ski area...

... and take a shuttle bus which takes us on beautiful mountain passes to a ranger station. From here we hike to the amazing "postpiles", basalt rocks. It's quite warm but not too hot for our hike.

After the "Devil's postpile" we go another loop to the Minarette Waterfalls. On our way we even discover some spots of snow in the shade of the trees! The kids are totally astonished to find it while it is so warm.

 

We are back in the early evening and enjoy our bbq with alpenglow!!

July 13th

The desert is calling but first we need to go shopping in Bishop to get sunhats! After a picnic on the curb we continue our way to Lone Pine. It's quite hot and we are staying at an RV Park with a super warm pool.

Again: Diner with Alpenglow

July 14th

We should have started a little earlier to avoid the worst sun on midday... 5:30 is still awfully early!

Everybody is excited to explore the Death Valley National Park. We try to get gaz at the first station in the park, but they're out of stock... Will we get stranded so soon in 112F? Luckily we are getting gaz at the next station.

While having breakfast on the go we enjoy the Great Dunes at the beginning of the park.

We stop at the Borox pit, explore a little bit (like the wagon for 20 mules that had to carry the botox and water) but rush back into our truck to get out of the heat (although we already had to turn off the AC).

Another short hike takes us through a little canyon.

Finally we get to the salt fields - unfortunately at the hottest time of the day... After the Devil's Golf Course, Dietrich and the older ones walk through a salt field at Bad Water, ca. 274 ft below sea level!

The rock desert we are then driving through is breath taking with its different colors and countless different shapes and little canyons.

We finally get to go to the air-conditioned, cool visitor center. A totally enthusiastic Ranger explains the geological and other facts about the desert and the kids answer questions about the park so that they are sworn in as "Junior Park Rangers".

With the park we leave California and enter Nevada with its straight, never ending roads.

 It's still very hot. After that exhausting day we stay at a luxurious RV Park in Pahrump (very affordable though, here in the middle of nowhere) with a big pool and waterfall. The night in this heat is not very restful...