Spring has Sprung

Spring Break Part 1: The Ranch in Death Valley

Two years ago I said I wanted to go somewhere warm for Spring Break and this year we did it.  Death Valley was the destination, Furnace Creek Ranch to be exact. The first day we arrived it was about 4pm, we checked everything out and then did some evening swimming.  The moonrise at night was so amazing!

Each day we would get up and do a morning outing and then come back to "the ranch" and have lunch, swim, play bocce ball, shuffle board, climb the huge tree by our room, check out the old train with Garrett, sit in the sun, swim again, go to the General Store (I wish I would have taken a picture of the kids in front of the store, there was so much they wanted to look at and had saved their own $ to buy things), have dinner, play outside and swim some more.  The kids loved the little store for the souvenir treasures and drinks and they all loved the pool!  Sitting in the sun in March and wanting to swim to cool off was such a nice feeling.

It was nice to spend time with my own family, far away from home, in the sun and I never checked email once! There were a few little glitches (like our van almost died and there is nowhere at all to fix that in the middle of the desert) but overall it was relaxing and memorable. The rooms had rocking chairs on the back porches and at night I could sit out and rock with Eric while the kids were going to sleep inside.  Those were such peaceful moments.  The busy moments were good too and I hope we created lasting memories for our kids.  I would love to do this trip again someday. 

There are a lot of posts for this trip and when I finished I had nine posts! I thought that was just perfect since Mason turned nine on the trip.  The Death Valley tour awaits you.

Spring Break Part 2: Golden Canyon

Golden Canyon was our first outing after arriving in Death Valley.  There were so many little places to explore and see.  The older kids could have climbed for quite some time but Garrett does not like to be left behind and wanted to go every bit as far and high as they did.  I imagine in another few years we will head back to this place and he will be able to keep up just fine. 

Spring Break Part 3: Sand Dunes and the Borax Mine

These sand dunes were so interesting.  To get out to the tallest dune was 2 miles but it's a long, sandy 2 miles for little feet so we didn't venture out that far.  When we got back from our trip Garrett asked me why there was no water at the sand.  Good question when you are used to going to the coast and sand usually goes with water.  The kids liked running up and down the hills and pointing out all of the different snake tracks.  Mason really wanted to keep exploring which is why he went back with Eric for his birthday. 

The Borax Mine didn't interest the kids as much but I thought it was pretty neat.  I cannot imagine people living out there at the mine in the 1800's.  It's really in the middle of nowhere and we drove a car.  Driving a mule team out there, working and living out in the desert seemed like a pretty hard way of life. 

Spring Break Part 4: A Birthday

Mason turned nine while we were in Death Valley.  We had a little pizza party in the grass outside our room.  A lot of people camp in Furnace Creek but it was so nice to have rooms with  beds!  Especially when all of the camping is in the middle of a rocky desert!  Our rooms had french doors that opened up onto the grass and across the grass was the gate to the pool.   Mason got to open a pocket knife and some new books for his birthday.  He said he was just glad we didn't have to be driving on his birthday.  Death Valley is a pretty long trek from our house. 

Spring Break Part 5: Sunset Rock

This was a fun night.  We headed across the street from where we were staying and climbed up the rocks to watch the sunset.  The lighting and colors at this time of the day in the desert are so amazing.  Not to mention it was awesome to be outside in shorts, in March, watching a sunset and feeling warm!

Spring Break Part 6: Badwater

Have you ever heard of Badwater?  The place or the race?  There is an Ultramarathon called Badwater that begins here in Death Valley.  Here is a little information on it from the race site:

Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater Ultramarathon is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The start line is at Badwater, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at the Mt. Whitney Portals at nearly 8,300’ (2530m). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000’ (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700’ (1433m) of cumulative descent.

Eric and I have watched a documentary on it called, Running on the Sun.   The people who run it are pretty much crazy.  Eric really wanted a picture of him running where the crazies of the Badwater Ultramarathon run.  There is nothing there, nothing but mountains and salt. 

Spring Break Part 7: Natural Bridge and Artists Loop

Natural Bridge is a place I really wanted to see.  To be honest the kids were worn out this day (our 2nd to last day in Death Valley).  The 2 youngest were not interested in another hike but it was very short and once we got to the "bridge" they wanted to climb the rocks and check things out.  It was also nice and cool on this walk, we were in the shade most of the time and there was a really nice breeze blowing.  I would like to go back again and spend a little more time exploring places like this one.  Artists Loop was a scenic drive through the colorful rocks.  It's such a different landscape than we are used to seeing!