Life in the valley

We started today early (for us) to try to beat the heat and headed out to explore the Mescite sand dunes.The light on the dunes made for interesting shadows. The sand was very dry (as you'd expect) and very fine. Thomas loved climbing the dunes and sliding down them. We all found the animal tracks fascinating and were thrilled to find the tracks of a sidewinder rattlesnake.

As the day started to heat up we went in search of shade in the canyons. In these sheltered places we saw flowers, birds and lizards.

On our way back to the ranch we stopped at the salt creek, of which we've written already, and then spent the afternoon in the swimming pool.

That evening we went to Bad Water - the lowest place in the western hemisphere. We had pizza on the salt flat while watching the sun set. On the central path, the salt had been crushed down to form a wide white path which was strangely smooth. On either side of the path, the dry earth was crusted with salt crystals, which formed tiny trees and ridges as far as you could see.  It was eerie and beautiful.