Sand Dune Sunset in Death Valley
October 7th, 2020
Day one!
We depart at 8:00 a.m. and drive to Death Valley on a route we’ve not taken before. The views are as scenic as they are educational — a lesson in volcanic geology. The austere landscape of western Nevada looks surprisingly like Oman with its high desert brush and rocky peaks.
We arrive in the early afternoon heat. One hundred degrees F in October. We head north to the Ubehebe Crater. A hot wind ushers us up the hill for a look inside — more photos coming in a later blog post.
We have the option to camp nearby — Mesquite Springs campground is EMPTY. We have it all to ourselves. But it’s early and this is Death Valley. We opt instead to drive on to the sand dunes where we’re rewarded with a northerly view at sunset and the pleasure of exploring the dunes in bare feet, sand as soft as powdered sugar against the skin.
After sunset we continue on to Furnace Creek where we unpack in a cool, 80-degree breeze and gaze at the starry sky in pure desert darkness.
More tomorrow,
Kelly
Photos of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
compassandcamera.wordpress.com 
“Sand as soft as powdered sugar.” If you lose your camera your words are all we need 😊 Safe travels.
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Aw, thank you!! When beauty is all around, the words flow. Thanks for sharing your kind thoughts!!
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Seeing these dunes makes it seem as if you are in a very faraway country. I really like the lights and shadows that build up the landscape as much as the relief itself. Enjoy the outdoor.
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Hi Lookoom! Thanks for your sand dune comment. (Just following up with replies I didn’t get to while on the road.) So fun to explore and a great place to start the trip.
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Such an interesting set of photos — and I agree that it looks as if you’re in a faraway country. Pretty but bare. How wonderful to have the place to yourself!
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Thanks, Rusha! Finally replying to comments I didn’t get to while on the road. The dunes were so cool — it really did look like a faraway country. Death Valley has that effect! 🙂
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Please don’t feel compelled to write notes for each of my responses. You may need to rest more. I’ve enjoyed your series, and your pictures and joy of seeing the sites are thanks enough. Just hit Like.
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Hi! I’m Irene from Barcelona. I’ve been following your blog since many years ago (couldn’t remember). But I just wanted to thank you for all the pictures. I receive an email each day and take a little moment to watch the beautiful photos while being at work. A little detail but beautiful. Continue with the work! Love the pictures!! 🙂
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Irene! Hola! Hello to you in Barcelona! I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to you. I’ve been catching up after our road trip vacation and the US election just happened too, which has been a long week+ of nail biting and watching the TV. 🙂 Thank you so much for being a long-term follower of my blog. I SO appreciate knowing that you are out there reading and enjoying the photos. Especially during the pandemic, it’s been so fun to write every day and connect with people like you! Stay safe and healthy in Spain! If we visit Barcelona, I’ll let you know. Hasta luego and muchas gracias!
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Death Valley is one of our favorite go to places, Kelly. Where ever you go there is beauty and fascinating geology. Thanks for the reminders! Great dune photos. –Curt
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Thanks, Curt! Every time I go to Death Valley I want to go back again. So much cool stuff to explore.
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Another place that I never tire of! 🙂
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Oh, that is gorgeous! Death Valley is so unique – a great place to start your meanderings! Are you guys camping for the whole trip?
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Yeah, Death Valley was a perfect first stop to transport us as much in mind as body, too. We camped about half the time, with two additional nights we really wanted to camp but it was too late and/or cold to pull into somewhere dark. Also stayed at the Montage Deer Valley and Amangani (the splurge). Also LOVED Under Canvas. Would do that again in a heartbeat!
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What stunning scenery! Your photos literally took my breath away ✨
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Thank you! 🙂
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Fabulous! 🙂 🙂
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Thanks, Jo!
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Ahhhhh I feel the soft sand, and the cool of the evening. Such beautiful photos.
Alison
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Thanks, Alison! (Just following up on comments I didn’t have a chance to respond to from the road.) The dunes were so cool!
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