The lake isn't very big and there wasn't too much to explore, which was nice in comparison to other, more crowded lakes nearby. It was pleasant how quiet it was and we were able to relax and take in the surrounding mountains. Each of us enjoyed taking a moment to cool off in the water. This was one of the most memorable parts of the trip for me. Just taking it in and enjoying time with Ben.
We packed the SUV with the usual road trip necessities. This time, it included Lysol, masks, and lots of hand sanitizer. Leaving home around 1PM, we made our way toward Arizona in the middle of August during a heat wave...the ideal travel time to go to the desert ;)
My goal was to capture the sunrise at the beach, maybe I should have left a little sooner to get my camera set up. But I was still made it for the experience I was hoping for. This beach was perfect. I drove part of Big Sur in the dark to get there but it is easily accessible from a road off of Highway 1. The short walk to the beach only built up the anticipation of what the beach and sunrise would look like.
Monterey has a unique rocky shore line creating large crashing waves allowing for amazing photos. The downtown area is also fun with plenty of shops, great restaurants and beautiful parks near the bay where all the boats are docked.
Our next destination was the “Mystery Spot,” and we didn’t really know what to expect. This illusion-based tourist attraction is in the middle of the woods, down a windy one lane road. When you get there you find a really unique tourist attraction, including a souvenir shop, food and plenty of photo opportunities. The tours are $8 a person, plus $5 per vehicle for parking, cash or check only and tours last about 45 minutes.
My goal was to capture the sunrise at the beach, maybe I should have left a little sooner to get my camera set up. But I was still made it for the experience I was hoping for. This beach was perfect. I drove part of Big Sur in the dark to get there but it is easily accessible from a road off of Highway 1. The short walk to the beach only built up the anticipation of what the beach and sunrise would look like.
One of the most memorable experiences of my trip was Badwater Basin. Rain stopped for a moment and I was able to enjoy the solitude and beauty of the surrounding area. Badwater Basin got it’s name after it was stated that the pools of water that can be found close to the parking lot contained “bad water.” Although the water is unsafe to drink due to the salt, some desert animal and plant life rely on this water.
I kind of lucked out with the stormy day, there were still visitors out in the desert but it was not as crowded as I’m sure it can get. Walking out to the salt flats is a good distance, but was easy and enjoyable looking at the glowing salt underneath my feet. I’m sure it is another story in the heat of summer. The desert here can get extremely hot! On July 10, 1913, Death Valley hit a sizzling 134 degrees F, the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth!
Panoramic Photo of Badwater Basin lowest point in North America, 282 feet below sea level. This is salt not snow by the way!
Photo By: Nichole McDaniel
Here is a link to wikipedia it gives a more detailed description of how the ancient lake evaporated over time leaving the salt crust we see today. Fun Fact: Death Valley also has the highest potential evaporation rate in the United States, with a potential 150 in. annual evaporation rate, meaning a 12 ft. lake could evaporate in a year!
As I walked further out, the salt flats have these raised hexagonal outlines, creating an artistic foreground going into the distance. The vibrant salt, looking like snow, and the unique hues of the storm clouds illuminated the desert. It was so peaceful that I can’t put it into words. I had to sit down for a bit and just take in the moment. Not only was it memorable because it is the lowest point in North America, at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, but because of it’s unique beauty. It was an experience I will never forget.
Walking among the salt and rock formations at Devil’s Golf Course, Death Valley National Park
Where "only the devil could play golf" humorously stated the 1934 National Park Service guide book to Death Valley National Monument. Obviously the name stuck. The Devil’s Golf Course can be found 1.3 miles down a gravel road off of Badwater Road. I actually passed it up and had to turn around. This is worth the stop if you have time.
These beautiful and other worldly crystalized salts are forever changing with the weather effects of the desert. It was cold when I went but the sign stated on a warm day you can hear the metallic cracking sound caused by the salt expanding and contracting. Sounds cool, maybe next time. The Devil’s Golf Course along with the Badwater Basin were my two favorite stops.
These formations are really sharp, so please be careful. Devils Golf Course is few feet above the flood level in Death Valley unlike the Badwater Basin. Without the water to smooth the salt pan here, salt pinnacles form. These delicate pinnacles form when the salty water rises up from the mud, the capillary action forces the water up, quickly evaporating, leave a little residue of salt behind. These pinnacles develop slowly, sometimes at rate of an inch in 35 years. This site gives a little more detail about the Lake and process that created the Devil’s Golf Course- Geo Maps.
It is one of the quicker of the stops but I doubt you will see anything else like it.
Panoramic Views of the Devil’s Golf Course
Photo By: Nichole McDaniel
Artist’s Drive is a scenic 9 mile one way loop which is a must and is open to vehicles less than 25 ft in length. While you could just drive the loop, the two vista stops along the way are worth it and as in my case even in the rain. I made a quick change in clothes and bundled up in my rain coat. At least I came prepared.
Chasing the sunrise. I decided to drive in the middle of the night and arrived in Death Valley a few hours before sunrise. Two things were happening, it was a new moon and a storm was coming. I was hoping I would get a few star pictures in the pitch black of the night or rolling storm clouds over the desert. Neither were happening this day.
Zabriskie Point would have been another amazing spot to watch the sunrise. These golden colored badlands create breathtaking panoramic views. There is a parking lot below and a short walk up to the view point area. There were several individuals hiking and exploring the tops of the ridges. I was still recovering and warming up from my early start and Dante’s view so I only explored a little.
Ever wonder about the history or interesting facts of the places you may pass everyday or a really interesting place you walked by and took a photo? Well I decided to do a little research about a few places I saw on my road trip to San Francisco. I hope you find out something interesting you didn't know before about this historic and beautiful city! I know I sure did.
