March 29-31 2014 Shoshone, California

After our wonderful pampered trip to Furnace Creek with Judy, Jill, Laurie, Bernie and Ryna we went back to Shoshone. Judy, Laurie and Jill left and it was so quiet. We were so exhausted from having fun that we slept in, relaxed, read-and John did taxes.

The bus in front of Judy’s house in Shoshone. Home sweet home. Last light.

Fire on the mountain. Nettle flower just opening, devils herb and desert bird of paradise.

High winds, blowing dust and really cool wind clouds seen on our bluff trail hike.

Wind clouds. This evening we attended a lecture at the Shoshone Museum about the book Fire and Forge by Kathleen Housley about Harry Rosenburg  who grew up in the Shoshone area. Lots of good history. Pictured are Kathleen, Harry and George Ross.

March 28, 2014 Shoshone, California

We regretfully left Furnace Creek Inn after a fabulous visit and returned to Shoshone.

Jill, Judy and Sue with Mohave Mud! The Mohave mud is sold at China Ranch. 10 years ago I bought Judy some for her birthday. We posed like this with the mud. At the ranch the mud was not selling so fast, so Bonnie put the old  photo of us up with it and it started selling! So today we made a newer photo.  Jill dressed to go.

The pool in Shoshone from behind the waterfall. Judy getting a hydro massage from the waterfall.

Jill and Judy choosing some jewel gifts. We had dinner at the Crowbar with George Ross.  John, Judy, George, Jill and Laurie.

March 27, 2014 Death Valley

 

The sun striking the Panamint Mountains in the morning out  our window. Judy, Jill and John at the trailhead at Zabriski point.

Heading down into Gower Gulch.

John, Judy and Jill coming down an embankment near some mines. Judy on the trail by another mine.

Colors in the walls of the canyon. Jill and Judy in the narrows.

Below a dry fall. Judy and Jill near the mouth of the canyon.

Out the mouth.

Above the wash. Dinner at Wranglers steak house. John, Suep, Jill, Ryna, Bernie and Laurie.

Sunset behind the Inn. Borax ore, fanglomerate, wild flowers and a car at the ranch.

Furnace Creek Inn at the end of the day.

March 26, 2014 Death Valley, California

We hiked early in the morning, it is hot in the afternoon, plus we had massage appointments and a lovely pool to sit around in the afternoon.

It started out cloudy and ominous. John heading up Desolation canyon.

Judy coming around the bend, and John still heading up.

The the high dry fall we have Jill climbing up, then John with Judy’s pack, and then Judy. At the overlook to Artist palette mother and daughter, Judy and Jill-in the wind.

Sisters Judy and Sue, Auntie Sue and niece/daughter Jill. Jill and Judy heading down.

Jill and Judy still coming down, John heading out.

Back at the Inn, John in our huge kind sized bedroom. One of my favorite places in the world, the pool at Furnace Creek Inn.

In the pool. Doesn’t this shelter in the garden look inviting?

One of the pools in the garden at the Inn, a fan palm leaf.

Path into the garden.

March 24-25 2014 China Ranch to Furnace Creek Inn, Death Valley

 

desert dandelion, desert gem, desert 5 spot, quail, poppies, desert tortoises, two types desert iguana.

We spent the night in the luxury tipi’s at Cynthia's China Ranch Tipi’s, right in the middle of the date palms. Really quiet and peaceful. In the middle of the night we were woken up by the coyotes howling.

We brought our own dinner, calzones and salad.  Judy, John and Laurie dining. Sunset on the badlands to the south.

Our hostess, Cynthia. We have been coming here every year for the last 20. The garden at Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley. The place is an oasis in the desert.

Happy hour before dinner with Wanda- the park archeologist, Judy, Laurie, Jill, Bernie, Ryna, and John. Judy, the birthday girl with her birthday cake after dinner in the dining room at the Inn.