Death Valley - Thanksgiving 2010

Pergandes had an amazing adventure to Death Valley, the largest National Park in the contiguous 48 states. You know it's going to be a great trip when 5 minutes into the trip, the kids tell you that this is the best trip ever. We were amazed at the diversity of the park and did our best to explore it over the course of about 2 1/2 days.

Dante's View - Overlooking the valley and the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere from 5,475 feet.


Badwater Basin- 282 feet below sea level and a vast valley of table salt where the kids ran with freedom through with the wind.


Hike to Natural Bridge, a natural stone bridge of rock that spans a narrow valley. The kids got their hiking legs here and loved the exploration and climbing.


Devils Golf Course - A huge bed of rugged and huge salt crystals balls that are fun to climb and explore but dangerous and painful when you fall (as Presley and Mom both experienced).


Even though it was unseasonably chilly during our visit, the kids enjoyed swimming in the pools fed by naturally warm springs.


Our most adventurous hike through Golden Canyon to the Red Cathedral, where Dad climbed to the top and his crazy family then followed.



Ubehebe Crater, a 770 foot steam explosion crater that the kids raced to the bottom in 4 minutes but then it took a grueling 40 minutes to climb back out (after lots of fun sliding down).



Mesquite Sand Dunes - Felt like we were in the Sahara Desert with miles of Sand Dunes, many over 150 ft. tall. Fun to roll down but the sand lingered in your ears and toes for several days!


Sunset horseback riding along the valley floor, a nice wind down after busy and adventurous days!