Ridgecrest, CA-4-16-07

Pics: 1) Indian Paintbrush flowers; 2) the 20 mule team wagon, used to haul the borax out of Death Valley; 3) fuel sticker shock in Death Valley

4-16-07-Monday-62604-137-Ridgecrest, CA-Sunny-windy-low +49-high +88

Saw 1 Chuckwalla lizard

Route 178 took us to a fork in the road - left on Panamint Valley Road to route 190 or right to Wildrose and then route 190. We took the right fork and not having a good map it turn out to be the slowest route because about 5 miles of the road was rough, narrow, winding, gravel, and broken pavement. The good thing about this road was the wild flowers that we stopped and photographed, the Indian Paintbrush, and the only blooming flowers in Death Valley at the time. We made it to route 190 and the lowest point of elevation (today) was -272 feet below sea level. This is not the lowest point in the valley, however, and we'll see it tomorrow.

It was interesting to visit the site where Borax was made and one of the 20 mule team wagons used to haul out the Borax. Then on to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Campground, where we stayed the night. One other thing of interest was the price of gas at Furnace Creek. Regular $4.36 and Diesel $3.91. Tomorrow - Las Vegas.