Zabriskie Point

Texas Springs Campground

The campground is ugly, but the view is spectacular.

Sunset

I have had the pleasure of camping here twice, and I believe there is no better view when you first get out of bed.

Sunrise

Death Valley

This sand dune is almost 400 feet tall.

Road to Death Valley

The dirt hills in the foreground are the Alabama Hills; they are taller than any mountain in Alabama. In the background are the Sierra Nevada; Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 is to the left of the road.

As I was standing beside this canyon a fighter jet flew over the mountain in the background and dove into the canyon. It happened to quickly to snap a photo.

The road is heading down into the Pantamint Valley. Death Valley is on the other side of the mountains. From the spot I took this picture it is 11 miles to the first curve in the road.

The Pantamint Range; I love the patterns in the rock.

Nevada/California

View from the 23rd floor of Harrah's Reno. I stayed at a casino, but I didn't get my room comped; maybe if I had actually gambled...

Looking west over Lake Tahoe.

The road to Tioga Pass and Yosemite. It was closed just beyond this spot because of snow.

Nevada/California

I had to attend a conference in Las Vegas at the beginning of April. Deandra was generous enough to allow me to spend a couple of extra days just driving around. On Sunday, April 6, I left Las Vegas (with a quick drive up the Strip) and drove 550 miles to Reno. I didn't really have a destination in mind; the only goal was to be in driving distance of Death Valley on Monday.

Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort; site of the conference.

You drive for miles through the desert without seeing any signs of people, and then you come across these tiny little towns. I cannot figure out what the residents do for a living, or why they would choose to live there.

Boundary Peak, the highest point in Nevada.