Day 12

Saturday - July 28

Out of the cabin by 8:00. Purchased a light breakfast from the Rough Rider Saloon and ate on a veranda overlooking the canyon. An entirely different appearance in the morning sun and shadows. In spite of dire warnings not to feed the wildlife I dropped a couple of crumbs to the chipmunk ambling across the tops of our feet.
On west to Las Vegas where we drove down the strip in the middle of the day. It's changed just a smidge since I was there last in 1970.
Thence to California. At Death Valley Junction we came upon what were either wild or merely unfenced horses; one stallion, two mares and two foals. It would be the worst of understatements to say that Annie was thrilled.
Death Valley did not have the appearance I was anticipating. I expected miles upon miles of flat desert. There are hills and buttes, fascinating sand dunes and other formations. Most unexpected were the two settlements we came across. Both lodges with palm trees, grass and other lush greenery. (Highly irrigated.) The second lodge was part of an assemblage including the National Park Visitor's Center. The car exterior thermometer registered 118 degrees. I haven't been within 12 degrees of that temp. We were also 225 feet below sea level.
As we climbed out of the valley over the mountains to the west we passed stations of water for automobile radiators. Also a sign that said "Avoid overheating. Turn off air conditioners next 20 miles." Right!
We found Red Rock Canyon State Park just at dusk and scampered to get the tent set up by nightfall. As we laid out the tarp we noticed the wind blowing across the canyon. The tarp was uncontrollable. Our little nylon tent was like a plaything for that damned wind. After much anguish we finally got her up and staked down. A video of that exercise would be hilarious. The nylon tent sack is probably two counties away. The wind calmed some around 3:00 AM but there was little sleep to be had with all the whooshing and whistling and flapping.