Death Valley Feb 5

I went over to Death Valley on Saturday Feb 5, then left town on business.
This is my first opportunity to post on what I found there.

I've never seen Death Valley look like this before. Badwater usually has
somewhere between a little and no standing water - people were boating
there!!! There were kayaks and canoes paddling around and the water
literally extends for MILES. The reflection of the Panamints was amazing.

North of Badwater, the desert is a salt bed, and nothing grows there because
of the salt content of the dirt. Not so south of Badwater, and the hills
were green and flowers were everywhere. Enough to make you wonder if you're
really in Death Valley.

There really wasn't anything unusual from Salt Creek and Stovepipe Wells
north. Highway 190 from Furnace Creek over to Death Valley Junction is
still closed from the damage last summer - the staff all seem to agree that
it will open in late spring. Other roads were closed because of the water -
Salt Creek, Artist's Drive, others - too soft to drive on.

Definately a worthwhile trip.

Bob in Las Vegas