Room with a view

We're at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley National Park and have room in easy walking distance of the pool. This is an oasis in the middle of the desert. In terms of weather, there was a bit of everything today, from torrential rain to warm sunlight as we drove over from Las Vegas.

The temperature ranged wildly from the 40's crossing the mountains to the high 80's here.  Now we're kicking back and settling in, surrounded by French and German families on vacation, seeing the West.  Somehow, it's relaxing hearing people nattering on next door in a language I can't understand. They are eating strawberries and drinking wine, and the kids are having Pringles, the universal food.

We stopped at China Ranch Date Farm this morning, bought some goodies and had a nice walk along the Amargosa River.  To say it's off the beaten track is an understatement. Thanks, Marji, we would never have found this place without your insider tip.

The desert is lovely from all the moisture of this enduring El Nino winter. A true gift to California.  It rained shortly before we walked here this morning, and you could feel the life and heat coming up from the warm mud.