Scenes From Death Valley

Chelsea and I spent our New Years Eve camping in Death Valley National Park.  For a place that is known for its extreme heat, we experienced the opposite — extreme cold.  I was planning for temps in the 30’s, but it ended up dropping down to 14 degrees where we were camping.  Much too cold for someone who hasn’t experienced a real winter for well over a year now.

Despite the cold though, Death Valley was a beautiful and other-worldly place.  After driving 28 miles on a four wheel drive road, we camped next to an area known as “The Racetrack” which gets its name from the large rocks that move across a dry lake bed all by themselves.  These rocks leave trails behind them as they move which I supposed looks like they are racing.

There are a lot of theories as to how these rocks move, but the popular theory is that the dry lake bed has to fill with just a little bit of water and then freeze.  Then, strong winds have to come along to scoot the rocks across the slippery surface leaving a trail behind.

My theory? Aliens.

The Racetrack moving rocks at Death Valley National Park

Moving Rock on the Racetrack in Death Valley

Artist's Palette at Death Valley National Park

One Response to “Scenes From Death Valley”

  1. Dad says:

    Great pictures John

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