Mountain View and More Hikes

 Went for a run this morning, got kicked off the golf course, saw two coyotes and one roadrunner! Then started our extra day with the 20 Mule Team Canyon Drive, more spectacular colored rock formations! Then up the hill to Dante's View, at about 5500 feet above the valley floor offered spectacular views all up and down the valley. A great short hike featured some wildflowers, too.

We returned to our hotel room for our lunch then off to the swimming pool. It was 90 degrees by this time.Then we went north, about halfway to Scottie's Castle, and drove a bumpy gravel road for 3 miles to the trailhead for Titus Canyon. (The Golf is not enjoying some of this trip! Note: the Titus Canyon road goes all the way through - about 23 miles, but one needs to have a more rugged vehicle). Great hike up the canyon with very different rock formations. Stopped at Stovepipe Wells on the way back for some souvenir shopping, happening across this all original '49 Olds at the gas pumps. High temp this afternoon was 97!

Back to the motel for yet another dip in the beautiful pool, then across the way to the Furnace Creek Inn for a wonderful peaceful dinner. We had already eaten dinners at the three restaurants here at the Ranch, and wanted to try something different. The Inn is a much more upscale place, originally built by Fred Harvey and the guy who owned the Borax Mine and catered to a wave of adventurous travelers back in the 30s. The Furnace Creek Ranch was originally built as a camp for the people working in the mines.

So now we leave for home. We've seen almost every square inch of this wonderful park. We figured out the last time we were here to really explore was 2003. When we gathered in LV for Janet's wedding back in 2005, we think we just passed through here on the way home.