DEATH VALLEY - KING OF DESERT

May 31, 2008. We headed towards Death Valley National Park, in California. It is one of the hottest place in the world. It is also one of the largest protected desert wilderness area in America.It was established as a National Park by Congressional Legislation in 1994. Prior to that President Herbert Hoover signed the proclamation making the area a National Monument on February 11, 1933.

Death Valley is visited annually by more than 770,000 visitors throughout the world who come to enjoy its diverse geologic features, desert wild life, historic sites, colourful scenery, clear night skies and extreme desert environment.

We were in Yosemite one of the highest point in US,yesterday. Later we experienced one of the lowest point in the world. I couldn't find the reason behind this park was named as Death Valley. A little scary ? Huh :-) But there were people who were killed by excessive heat while they were hiking. So it was recommended to drink at least four gallons of water a day. It was totally dry mountainous area.

We got there around 6 PM. It was about 2 hours drive from Yosemite. Death valley is located in California close to Nevada border. We kept on driving until we got to camping site. If you want to see how camping ground looks like in a desert, please check out pictures.It was on dust ground surrounded by dry mountains. Everything was as usual except there was no fire wood to light up the fire.It was a little bit hot inside our tent may be because the elevation was around 5,000 feet. It was Friday night so Avi bought wine in a small town before entering the park and surprised us after dinner. Avi has been the one fixing dinner always whenever we camp. The other reason I am enjoying camping is because I like Avi's soup.

Before we go to sleep,We also looked at clear night skies when the stars were shooting and satellites were moving. It was fun.

We woke up early in the morning. There was no any chance to stay in bed. It was hot and sunshine. We started heading towards the real desert from 5000 feet to 5 feet above sea level and then to mean sea level. While we were driving the elevation of mountains surround us were probably even more than 10, 000 feet.

We started driving until we arrived at the lowest point in America. When we arrived there we stopped by and experienced the heat. That elevation was 282 ft (85.5m) below sea level. It was too hot. There were a lot of people who came from throughout the world. We walked on it and felt the heat for about 45 minutes.

The lowest point in the world is located in Jordan/Israel. Its elevation is 1360 ft (414m) below sea level. This place is called Dead Sea. Another lowest point is located in Afar, Ethiopia at a place called Denakil. This place is the second lowest point in Africa and its elevation below sea level is 410 ft (125m).

Here is the interesting thing about Afar,one of Regional State of Ethiopia.Paleontologists discovered fossils and supported where life is originated from. A 3 million old baby was found in Afar at a place called "Hidar" in 1974 and her name was Lucy.

A year ago, another 3.3 million years old fossil was found and it was a baby and named Selam. The meaning of selam in Ethiopian language is peace.Afar has been a home for scientists throughout the world for many decades.

Have you ever put yourself inside a body of a concrete dam walking ? Next we are going to take you to HOOVER DAM- Wounder of Civil Engineering in a modern world. Keep in touch.