March 21-22, 2017 Death Valley, California

After our dune hike we  had an appetizing dinner at the Bistro in Tecopa. Then into Death Valley the  next day. Rock formation on Twenty Mule Team canyon scenic drive.

Angie, Judy D, Jill, John and I  started out with a hike from Zabriskie point to Golden Canyon at around noon. The sign says Extreme Heat Danger, walking after 10 am not recommended. Fortunately it cooled down to the high 80's and  the wind was blowing cooling it off. It is a mostly downhill hike, we had a car at the top and one at the bottom.  

Beautiful colors washed out by the bright sunshine and shapes in a lunar kind of landscape.

Jill, Judy and John hiking along the top of a ridge, and Judy D and Angie traversing across a steep canyon wall.

 And into  Golden Canyon to the car.

When we got to Furnace Creek Inn our room was not ready, so I hung out in the garden and at the pool. It really is an oasis in the desert.

We had pre dinner appetizers on the rooftop deck outside our room with Mac, John, Kent, Judy D, Rod, Judy F and Sue D and dinner in the Inn diningroom with Angie, Jill, Judy P, Laurie and John.

 The next day Bec, Jill, Judy and I walked from the Inn to the Ranch (one mile each way) and back. Relaxed the rest of the day in our rooms, the gardens and pool. Bougainvillea flowers, a desert mushroom, a fossil Jill found and a water lily blooming in the garden at the Inn.

Emmet in his stylishly matching swim gear at the pool . For dinner we had heavy appetizers on our deck.