Tall sand dunes with their graceful curves loom up near Stove Pipe Wells in Death Valley National Park. It is quite an experience to walk out and climb to the top of the dunes.
I rode through Death Valley on my bicycle once. It was part of the six-month 10,000-mile solo trip I made around the US and Canada in 1989.
I had started my adventure in the small town of Diamond Springs near Sacramento, California, bicycled down the Central Valley, climbed up and over the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Bakersfield and, dropped down into Panamint Valley. The climb from Panamint Valley to Death Valley was the toughest of my whole trip. I was out of the saddle, standing on the pedals, and travelling at 2-3 miles per hour under a relentless sun.
Halfway up there was a large water tank for cars that overheated and couldn’t make it. There was nothing for bicyclists. I was on my own. The climb was burned into my memory banks. But I made it, crossed the valley, and biked on to Maine, where I turned around and started back.
I had been to Death Valley several times before I made the bike trip and have been back several times since. The National Park’s solitude, stark beauty, history and geology have brought me back, time and time again.
I like this photo because of the contrast between the golden dunes and purple mountains in evening sunlight.
They call this section of Death Valley the Devil’s Golf Course. It’s easy to see why. Salt deposits left behind by an evaporated lake go down several thousand feet. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
It is difficult to imagine the variety of landscapes in Death Valley unless you have been there. This photo was taken looking down from Zabriskie Point.
Another photo taken from Zabriskie Point. This one looks out across Death Valley.
You can hike up to Zabriskie Point following an old road that goes up through Golden Canyon. Part of the original Star Wars movie was filmed in this canyon. I kept a sharp lookout for Luke.
Here, Peggy caught a shot of me following the trail toward Zabriskie Point. The hiking was ever so much easier than my bicycling experience. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Our view on the way down Golden Canyon.
The colors here are created by different minerals in the rocks. Because of the color, this site is known as Artist’s Palette.
Traveling north, we come to Ubehebe Volcanic Crater, another of Death Valley’s geological wonders. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
You are welcome to walk into the crater. Falling is not recommended, as demonstrated by Peggy.
A smaller crater next to Ubehebe.
I think the erosion patterns near Ubehebe are fascinating.
Scotty’s Castle. The history of Death Valley is filled with characters and none was greater than Scotty. Born Walter Scott, Scotty was a first class con-man who persuaded Albert Johnson to build the castle and then claimed it was built with money from his own gold mine. Albert, who loved Death Valley and liked Scotty, went along with the tale.
The clock tower at Scotty’s Castle.
NEXT BLOG: We will journey east to the Everglades and I will introduce you to my all-time favorite buzzard.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Wow… a castle in the desert. Fabulous.
I like the desert, but I sometimes wonder what my cats would think of all that sand…
https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/7916523520/hCF6A8E5C/
Never need another kitty litter box? 🙂 -Curt
These photos are impressive. However, the bike ride story is what I will remember. Now that is really something!
My tailbone has its own built in memory of the bike ride, Bruce! –Curt
10,000 mile bike ride? and here I thought my 500 mile bike ride was note-worthy..
This place looks like the moon and a beautiful castle smack in the middle.. does anyone live there?
The castle has quite a history as you might imagine. Today it belongs to the National Park Service and is open for tours. Park employees live on the grounds but not in the castle as far as I know. –Curt
I was there in 1978! I still remember it. We arrived, by sheer good luck, when the wildflowers were blooming. Just stunning.
Yeah, Alison, people just don’t get the desert in bloom until they have seen it. Peggy and I caught Death Valley once just a few days after a major rainstorm had shut down much of the park. It was already blooming like crazy. I am always amazed at how fast desert flowers take advantage of moisture. –Curt
Another happy viewing time for a sculptor. I could never achieve the scale I dreamt of, but at least you have given me something to feed that craving. The shape and colour contrasts are immensely satisfying.
Just Mother Nature doing her thing, Hilary. 🙂 –Curt
A brave man to cycle through there! Your hiking looks challenging enough. What an extraordinary place it is.
I’ve always wondered how many people avoid it because of the name. As for the cycling, at the right time of the year it is a great place for a bike ride… if you don’t insist on bicycling over the mountain. 🙂 –Curt
Death Valley is one of those places that’s been a bit of a blank for me. I never would have expected such variety, or such colors. Now it’s a tempting destination, although I confess I had to do a map search to figure out exactly where it is.
Here’s the hoot – when I searched for “death valley map” I got a map for Powerhouse Lane, Louisiana, 70802. Hmmmmm…. Maybe it was your bike ride that brought it up.
Very strange on the search, Linda. Just the Internet pulling one of its tricks. And do add Death Valley to your bucket list. Avoid the summer! –Curt
Awesome photos!! One day we hope to travel through all of USA’s national parks!! 🙂
Peggy and I have visited almost all of them over the years. It has been a privilege. And thanks for your kind words. –Curt