One day in Death Valley

VALLEY • DEATH VALLEY • DEATH • USA • TOURISM

Writes Mikhail Vorobyov aka mb-world: "Continuing our Photo Tour US West ...

... After spending the night in the town of Big Pine (Big Pine), the next morning we continued our journey. Today we had planned to visit the hottest point of the United States - Death Valley.

Death Valley (Death Valley) - it is a huge intermontane depression in the Mojave Desert, which has the status of a national nature reserve, an area of ​​13,500 km2. The park includes several valleys and deserts. Here is the lowest point in North America, relative to sea level (almost 87 meters below), as well as the July 10, 1913 recorded the highest temperature of 57 degrees Celsius.

By the way, its intimidating name, the valley received in 1849, when the settlers from Europe decided to get to the coast of California cut the short way through this place. As a result, almost all participants of this campaign were lost, not even reaching the middle of the basin. Those who miraculously managed to survive in this hellish inferno and named the hottest area on the planet valley of death. "

 1. Entry to the park is free. The narrow road number 190 stretches of desert, Joshua Tree overgrown with thick with broken branches.

 2. The first observation deck is located on a high hill, before descending into the valley.

 3. Next, begin winding descent to the bottom of Death Valley. With every meter, the temperature behind the rapidly increased

The thermometer in the car rose to + 46 degrees. The air is very dry and hot. At some point, almost went downstairs, I felt a sharp burning smell. Stop the car, get out and see - from the wheels is thick smoke. It turned out that going down this heat up a steep slope, I constantly pressed the brake pedal, and as a result pads boil.

 4. We had to wait about ten minutes until the smoke has disappeared and we were able to continue gently downhill ...

 5. On the road, I noticed an unusual effect. Among the dense clouds, cut a pillar of sunlight, like a stream of water in the shower, illuminating a small piece of the desert

And this place is called the Harmony Borax Works - in the 19th century there were organized the production of boron extraction "Harmony". Boron also called brown or Borox, from the Arabic and Persian bauraq - burah. Its use in the manufacture of soap. Hellish place ... hardly imagine how you can heat at sorokogradusnuyu do hard physical labor. We were able to withstand eight minutes, quickly taking a few shots and a bullet back in the cooled air conditioned vehicle. By the way most of the workers who work here were Chinese. Production there is not a long time - from 1884 to 1888.

 6. Today, in memory were only part of the furnace, as well as a wagon which carried the finished product.

Continuing the path, we soon saw the luxury hotel is surrounded by green trees. Oasis of lifeless desert. At this point the road forks - the right you will get to Bedvater where I planned to get the sunset. And while there is time, go to the left, to the cult place Zabriskie Point (Zabriskie Point) .

This name probably heard many, and without reference to the Valley of Death. Someone forgot to remind you that the so-called Antonioni's cult film, shot in the hippie era. Although I have that on the first visit, that this time, the place is not impressed. Yes, neobychno..no no more.

 7. To get to the observation deck, you need to leave your car in a parking lot and climb the short trail, which offers views of the famous.

 8.

Badwater Basin

The final place in Death Valley that we had time to visit.

It is here that is the lowest point in North America - 87 m below sea level. This is evidenced by a plate which is kind if looked up at the steep hill from the parking lot. But not this place is famous. A remarkable surface is formed with a thick layer of salt, which is formed in intricate patterns. Several thousand years ago the lake lapping Lake Manly, but today it has disappeared leaving only salt.

His name Badwater (which means "bad water") is obliged to place again the pioneers of the West. When the first explorers came here, thirsty, they saw a small puddle of water that accumulates salt among patterns. But after drinking a sip, spit grimacing, screaming Bad water! ("Bad water!")

 9. The thing is that the water contains large amounts of chloride concentration, sulphate and sodium, which is manifested in the taste ...

 10.

11.

 After sunset, we went in the direction of Las Vegas on the road number 178, which passes Badvoter south. However, immediately after parking, driveway was blocked. I had to go around through Zabriskie Point on the highway 190 clocked a couple dozen extra miles ...

Leaving Death Valley, we were planning to stay overnight in the town of Pahrump, which is located 20 miles before reaching Vegas. But arriving there found out that on the broad main street running through the city in addition to numerous shopping malls and fast network (for our arrival nearly all were closed) found only two motels located next to each other. I decided to go ahead and look at other options, but just a few miles we were on the outskirts of the city, where stood a luminous building of a modern hotel, with shining inscriptions Casino! Win $ 1 million! And stuff like that ...

Quaint town, a feeling that he is the only crossing point for short procurement of supplies and alcohol before arrival in Vegas itself. Without thinking, we just decided not to stay there and continued our way ...

12. And now, forty minutes before we opened a vast ocean of fire. The road passed among high hills, when suddenly, after a climb, went a sharp descent, and in the lowland stretches shining Las Vegas. Amazing sight ..

After another half an hour we were entering the city. Suburb Vegas than not noticeable. Straight streets, as if lined by a ruler, lined with numerous eateries, shopping centers, shops. Everywhere posters casinos and clubs with slot machines.

Call in on the first available gas station. Immediately draw the attention that gasoline in Nevada is significantly cheaper than in California. Bay full tank, on the navigator phone headed toward the main street "Strip" - the heart of Las Vegas. It was there that focused all the famous hotels, clubs, restaurants and other places of worship of the city.

I was mentally tuned to the high price of living, but to my great surprise, we almost immediately found a very budget motel Motel 6 right at the beginning of the Strip, from the a / port. It is located virtually opposite the Mandalay Bay .

Terms are simple, but there are a number of advantages: low price, having a pool, free internet access, and most importantly, the location is within walking distance from the epicenter of the life of the Strip.