Death Valley is the hottest place on the planet. Its air temperature has been registered at 134°F. Even in October, it’ll creep into triple digits, so my plan for today was a quick in-and-out trip, Ocean’s 11-style.
Badwater Basin is the lowest place in North America (282 feet below sea level); salt lines the basin and there is a strong smell of cured meat. I feel like I’m missing a link to connect those two observations. I viewed the basin up close and from afar, at the top of Dante’s View. Way out in the distance, almost imperceptible, is Mt. Whitney, the tallest point in the contiguous United States.
My favorite view of the badlands was at Zabriskie Point, named after Christian Zabriskie of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, and not Jo-Ellen and Dave Zabriskie of comment section fame. The jagged formations stretched out like a thousand fingers, and clouds overhead cast shadows that added even more varieties of browns, yellows, and deep oranges.
I successfully left without melting and drove east through Death Valley Junction, a particularly unphotogenic ghost town. I fueled up and waited out the heat in Pahrump, Nevada, and considered finding a place to camp. Thankfully, Dad reminded me that the Vegas Strip would be more impressive at night, so I pressed on.
I spent about twenty minutes walking Las Vegas Boulevard, which I found plenty as a solo traveler. I think I would enjoy the glamour and brashness more with friends. Right now, I’m in Philosopher-Errant mode, so I can’t be bothered with such base activities as the Strip provides. I also think casinos smell bad. I was considering a buffet until I pictured myself, alone in the line for crab legs. I cannot let myself fall to such depths. I shot out of Vegas and parked for the night. More philosophy tomorrow.
Now that I have been officially recognized as a comment contributor, I must add a comment to your Day 50 adventures. Beautiful pictures of Death Valley. Thanks for them. We went there twice and both times could not get to Dante’s Peak. The road had been damaged by floods. Your view of Bad Water Basin from there is so good. As for Christian Zabriskie, I imagine we are somehow related. I have Zabriskie genealogy books from the 1960’s which could help discover how distantly related we are, but it would take a while. We drove through Pahrump a couple of times, Jeff and I. Strange and unforgettable name! There is an interesting listing in Wickipedia about the town history, including where the name might have come from. On Thursday this week we will be flying into Las Vegas to begin a 10-day vacation in Utah and New Mexico. Jeff finds the fare to Las Vegas is just about the cheapest way of getting to that part of the country. First stop will be in Kanab, UT, where we are going on a tour of the Escalante, which includes a hike through a slot canyon, something Jeff has always wanted to do. If we survive that, then we will head for our favorite place in NM, the Casitas of Gila. Jeff hopes to do some astrophotography while we are there. Then we fly home (EWR) via El Paso and Dallas. I wonder where you will be during that time. Love, Grandma
“Ooooo — Las Vegas!
Ain’t no place for a poor boy like me.
Every time I see you, Crystal City,
You know you’ll make a wreck out of me.” — Gram Parsons
Your picture of Zabriskie Point is beautiful.
Hey, Jake! I just got an email notification on Linkedin which says I’m supposed to congratulate you on your SIXTH year at Boston University.
Honest.
What I want to know is: How can you be in two places at once when you’re not anywhere at all?
“‘Tis a puzzlement!”