This time of the year, you can find flowers in Death Valley, some are native and some are not. Like dessert flowers they keep coming back every year. The two on the left are Jeanne and Annie. As for the others, Roy and Tammy the flower children with us know their name. They, Roy and Tammy kept a list of all new flowers they found here in Death Valley.

As I stated in the last blog, lots of the Death Valley photos needed enhancing, actually I enhanced all of them, all 873 of them. That is only the ones I have, there are more photos that I did not get from Kathy, Jeanne and Candance. I will not post them here, but instead will post them on my Gallery. Click Here, and Click Herefor more photos. You can only upload photos to the second “Click Here”.

On Apr 5th, we went to the Minietta MInes, and then Surprise Mine (not in Surprise Canyon). Both of this places have old cabins that people can use for over nighting. First come first serve. If you get there and the flags are not up, then they are available for use. You should use 4-wheel drive vehicles to get there. The cabin at the Minietta mines was pretty nice. These cabins are maintain by non-profit, volunteer groups that take on preserving historical landmarks.

On Apr 6th, we went to Ballarat and up Surprise Canyon. On Apr 7th, we went thru Ballarat and up Pleasant Canyon. Pleasant Canyon was memorable. At the top, Rogers Pass, at 7200 ft, we had pretty spectacular views. And then, not to embarrass John Irwin (college buddy), but he did get his 4-wheel drive stuck leaning side ways to what looked like a bit more than 45 deg. Kathy and Chad jumped out of the windows. It was kind of fun. Thanks John, it was a minor highlight of the day. I did say you need 4-wheel drive to venture in the backcountry trails of Death Valley.

On Apr 8th, we went to China Ranch, and on the 9th we went thru Titus Canyon, and Scotty’s Castle. China Ranch is an oasis in the middle of the dessert. They grow date palms there, and make an excellent date shake.

We were: John and Kathy with Jeanne and Chad, John and I had many adventures in our college days. There was Roy and Tammy, Dave and Candance with Annnie. And just me. One eve John grilled some “bird”, yap I had a piece but it was only a small leg. We all had a great time. Here is the Wikipedia link to info on many places of interest in Death Valley, Click Here. This is also a most excellent link about general data about Death Valley, Click Here. John, you would enjoy the many links in this last website.