Great hikes

Not so much driving today - stayed close the The Ranch. Started out at Badwater, the lowest spot in the Western Hemisphere at -282 feet. Its interesting how hundreds of thousands of tourists, walking out onto the salt flats, have created a very wide path. Then we did a nice hike up to the "natural bridge" - its not Arches NP,but its OK.  Then a one-way paved route along "Artists Drive" with a stop at "Artists Palette" for some spectacular colored rock formations.  Then another nice hike up the Golden Canyon, which, if one goes far enough, would connect to the trail leading down from Zabriskie Point (saved for another time!) The two trails are the most spectacular ones I've found. We found some shade for our picnic lunch under a date palm in the grove by the campground (shade is very hard to find around here!) Then  up the road just a bit to the exhibit about the Borax mine which operated from 1883-1889. (You know, 20 mule team Borax!) Back to the pool in time for a much needed swim in the 85 degree water. Before dinner, we took a one hour "sunset wagon ride" around the complex. It was fun to talk to the cowboy, but not worth the money. Ended our day with another pretty good meal at the Saloon. We were taken good care of by a young waitress from Romania. (Note: there is no place to get inexpensive meals here!)  Note the color of the sky in the photos!

We've been having so much fun, enjoying this brilliant sunshine and temps in the low 90s, the WE'VE DECIDED TO STAY ANOTHER DAY! We'll be home Thursday (maybe).