2015 Southwest Trip - Day 22 - Red Rock Canyon; Inn at Furnace Creek, Death Valley

Not far outside Vegas is where we pass through our final rock fortress of the trip. We can't seem to get enough of this stuff. Mother Nature's cathedrals. We got an early start, with Pam being bribed to get up and about with the promise of an early Starbucks of her choice.

The scenic loop through the canyon begins. 

Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center - quite a few day trippers from Vegas here....had to park in the overflow lot. None of the bathrooms worked - no water to flush. Reactions of people varied, depending upon need. Sort of humorous observing reactions so long as you're not one of the needy.

Panoramic view from the visitor center wall of windows inside the center.

These are slabs containing real petroglyphs recovered from the vandals who had cut them out.

Pam told Norm that she'd do it if he'd do it - he can't resist a challenge. Pam came off looking like a guy. You see Pam, these are two guys! Ha, ha, jokes on you. Norm's back hurts. Joke's on him, too.

Pam liked this gourd.  Took a photo for our friend, Suzie.  Hard to see but it had feathers hanging from the neck - just $45...no, we didn't buy it

There are people on a trail somehere way down there.  Ants.

Pam hoping to make some extra money by serenading the tourists. Not her day.

About 150 million years ago enormous red sand dunes covered an area of the Southwest equal to that covered by the Sahara today. That's why the formations here seem much like the formations in the Valley of Fire we visited yesterday.

Okay, once again the selfie stick is quite visible in Norm's hand. Who thought of this infernal device, anyway?

Driving the 40 mile scenic loop. 78 degrees under limitless clear blue.

There were a number of climbers making there way up the rock face dead ahead. More ants.

Hope some wise-ass doesn't set this off while we're nearby. Obviously we're no longer on the scenic loop.

Entering California on the way to Death Valley. 

Arrived. Once we turned onto the road to Death Valley other cars melted away behind us.

85 degrees makes the Valley seem benign. That white mound ahead isn't sand, it's solid rock. Could have been a dune at one time though.

Our stay for the night is The Inn at Furnace Creek. We arrived by a (finally) very reasonable 3:30 pm in order to enjoy it to the fullest. In our past Death Valley forays, either when driving or riding our motorcycles, we stayed at Furnace Creek Ranch across the street from the Inn. It's a more laid back, fun place where you get your eats at The Wrangler. 

Furnace Creek Inn is one of the Great Lodges of the National Park System. 

"Tokenism" finds no water in this recirculating fountain due to drought - if nothing else did, that told us we're back in California. But the Olympic size swimming pool is filled to the brim. (And a lucky thing. We're puttin' on the swimsuits.) All of the water hereabouts comes from a deep acquifer. There is actually a second pool on Inn property and also one at the Ranch, both filled. But the tiny fountain remains dry.

Ountain is

One last selfie...or is it?

Lobby

Lounge, particularly cool when the heat outside begins to tickle 120 degrees.

Dining Room. 

Our room - love the neo-pueblo look and minimalist decor

We look right into the palm trees

Trying to get our bearings in the jungle.

View from our room.

Aaahhhh!

The great beyond.  "Abandon hope all ye...."

Rooftop terrace lounge

The pool is the temperature of bath water - Pam's favorite temp!

After a swim, sitting by a fire at poolside. There is a large fireplace on both sides of the pool. It's a bit darker out than it seems, but shown brighter here thanks to the awesome low light capabilities of the Iphone.

Darker yet, Norm browsing his Ipad.

  Time for a second dip

 

And finally a fire to light the night makes sense.

Tomorrow, our next to last day on the road will find us spending the night at June Lake, nestled at the foot of the east entrance to Yosemite. The drive through Yosemite never gets old. Any day now it's possible that an early snow will close Tioga Pass for the season. Please, hold off for 48 hours.

We drove a relaxing 197 miles today.