Monday, September 17, 2007
Left at 6.15 a.m. Temperature 65. Warm
We did intend to get up and out really early but it was difficult as there was no clock in the room. We did wake at 4.20 but that was far too soon to be on the move. The next time we woke, it was 5.45.
[Click on the image for a larger version]
Our first destination today is the Mesquite Sand Dunes just outside Stove Pipe Wells. The parking is alongside the road so easy to spot as there were already several cars parked there. The sun was just about to appear over the mountains and we could see the dune to our left. Pretty spectacular they were as well.
The temperature had risen to 70 degrees so plenty warm enough for shorts. We also covered ourselves in sunblock and wore hats. The first part of the walk was over rock strewn scrub land but soon we were on sand. The dunes got progressively higher the further we went and it was difficult to climb up some of them. Coming down the other side was good fun though. The sun at that time of the morning creates wonderful shadows and is the best time to photograph them.
We stopped frequently to drink water – it is very easy to dehydrate out here even at this time of the morning. The sun was getting quite hot so we turned back just before we reached the furthest peak. I felt sorry for Tom carrying not only his camera pack on his pack but his tripod over his shoulder. We think we got some good shots but we won’t know until we get back to the hotel.
Now somewhere for breakfast. We drove back to Stove Pipe Wells but could find nothing there. The next place was Furnace Creek, which was about 20 miles away, so off we set. Not much grows here in Death Valley and all plants must really struggle to survive. The mountains though are spectacular. I’ve never seen so many different colors of rocks before and the formations themselves are interesting.
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September 20 2007 | Further Afield | No Comments »
After spending a couple of hours on the sand dunes near Stove Pipe Wells, we had to find somewhere for breakfast. There was nothing in Stove Pipe Wells so we drove about twenty miles to Furnace Creek. The first place that served breakfast was the Wrangler Steakhouse, so we went for it.
Unfortunately it was buffet style and we are not too keen on that type of service but beggars cannot be choosers. There was a set charge of $12 per head, payable in advance. We were told where to sit and left to get on with it.
The place was quite busy. At first there just seemed to be a hot service. We had a choice of rubbery scrambled eggs, runny frittata, sausages, bacon, fried potatoes, biscuits and gravy. Coffee, tea, sodas and orange juice were available as well as toast, which you cooked yourself.
As we were eating our breakfast, I notice that some people had fruit and yogurt and then spotted a healthy breakfast bar on the other side of the restaurant. So of course I had to go and have a look. There was lots of fruit, mostly of the canned variety, some fresh applies and oranges and some brown spotted bananas. There was also oatmeal . This I had to try. The bowls were tiny, just slightly larger than finger bowls. Brown sugar and raisins were close by but the milk was on the other side with the coffee and tea.
Oatmeal was OK but if that was all you were having for breakfast I guess you would have to make about six trips to refill your bowl.
I was surprised that the restroom was so tatty and no attempt had been made to cheer the place up. The toilet was very low, almost kindergarten size. I noticed on the way out that the handles on the doors were also very low. Could this building have been a school in a previous life?
On the way back to my table I noticed that there was also a cereal bar right at the end of the restaurant. It would have been nice if we could have been informed of all the choices when we paid the cashier.
Definitely do not intend to return here. It is very expensive and certainly not worth the money.
September 20 2007 | Breakfast Log | No Comments »
The temperature had risen to 70 degrees so plenty warm enough for shorts. We also covered ourselves in sunblock and wore hats. The first part of the walk was over rock strewn scrub land but soon we were on sand. The dunes got progressively higher the further we went and it was difficult to climb up some of them. Coming down the other side was good fun though. The sun at that time of the morning creates wonderful shadows and is the best time to photograph them.