The Purple Penguin

Finally warm! San Diego is warm – about 80F which is lovely. Love the warmth. Almost too hot in the car as we’d dressed for a cold Death Valley early morning.

We wandered around Furnace Creek and watched birds and generally pottered about. Didn’t see the roadrunner, of course. Never did see one or a coyote. How am I suppose to not feed them when I don’t get to see them! But we had a nice day. Then off to Joe’s spot for his moon rising photos. Got some sunset and moon rising photos but the moon may have been too bright for it to turn out well. Then to the dunes in the dark and some shots of those. People were turning up so we headed out to Badwater and ended up being the only people out there. Heard a bird flying off but nothing else.

First day of 2010 we were up a bit later than normal then off to Darwin’s Falls. Drove past the road (it wasn’t marked) and ended up at Father Crawley’s view. Which was nice though the road up there was a bit twisty and slow! Then back down to Darwin’s Falls. The guide book said it was an easy drive on a graded road – it lied. It was a rutted path that really needed a high clearance vehicle. But we made it. Just. Then the books says it’s an easy walk, suitable for all levels of ability. It lied. It’s not a good path to try in winter as there are several times you have to cross the stream and it gets deep and cold. We had to turn back as we couldn’t find a way across one section. There is also some scrambling up rocks and narrow bits of trail. Fun, but a bit disappointing as we didn’t make it to the falls after all that! But did see some birds.

Then off to Mosaic Canyon, which was an easy walk, with just some bits of scrambling up rocks. And back down again. Which was fun, because some of the rock was worn smooth enough to make a nifty slide. But the canyon was lovely and we had a good walk up it.

Back to the hotel to do laundry and have a large dinner. Then packed ready for an early start the following morning.

Up early and on the road by 6am. We stopped at Badwater for sunrise photos and Joe got some good ones from the walkway. Of course, the other photographers had to ignore the signs and climb over the ropes to get right on the water for their photos. Destroying the area for a photo, hope they got one that was worth it but I doubt it. We went via the Badwater Road out of Death Valley so saw the old Ashford Mill ruins and more of the valley. Then up through two passes to Shoshone and down to I15. It was then just moterway all the way to San Diego.

We made good time and got warmer and warmer. Arrived early afternoon, changed to t-shirts and sandals, and went to check on our whale watching tour. Switched to their nature tour which is 5 hours or more so more chance to see various things. So we’re off tomorrow morning for that. Then we walked down the harbour to some nifty little shops, then back up through a little Italy area, only to head back to the hotel for dinner.