Death Valley National Park, Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation in the Untied States, at 282 feet below sea level.  This lake bed completely dried leaving  plenty of salt crystal formations behind.  There was a tiny amount of water at the edge of badwater basin, but it was most likely from a recent rain.  There is a designated path to walk on to go out into the basin and see the salt crystal formations close up.

If you look very, very carefully in this first picture, you can see the sign marking where sea level actually is. 

 

A self portrait at Badwater Basin.

Death Valley National Park

As a little day trip while in Vegas we decided to go explore Death Valley National Park.  Active earthquake fault lines run through Death Valley.  The Panamint Mountain Range  to the west of Death Valley is on the side of the tipping fault block that rises and the other side is Badwater Basin that continues to fall.  Badwater basin in Death Valley the lowest point in lower 48 States as 282 feet below sea level. 

Death Vally is also known as the hottest post in North America.  This is because of the low elevation and the surrounding mountains which recirculate the hot air instead of allowing to to dissipate at night.  Temperatures can reach 120F in summer days and does not dip much below at 100F even at night time.  Since it was still spring while we were there the temperature was only up to 95F that day.

In the Nevada desert on the way to Death Valley.

Zabriskie Point

The Bellagio Fountain

While in Vegas we had several opportunities to see the complimentary water, music and light show at the Bellagio.  The Bellagio Fountains are choreographed to dance to the music.  Unfortunately, pictures do not do this experience justice you really need to hear the music and watch the water dancing to fully appreciate this event.

Regardless, I did take a few pictures to share.

Las Vegas

Earlier this spring we went on a little vacation to Nevada and California to soak up some sun while we were waiting for the snow to melt here.

We spent some time in Las Vegas, and since Las Vegas is known for all it lights, I thought it would be fitting to take photos at night to capture all those lights.

A different look for the Eiffel Tower

I am not sure of the name of this store, but I loved all the old sewing machines in the window.

Glass covering a light.  So beautiful.

 

Old Vegas

Fremont Street

Canadian Geographic's Wicked Weather Magazine

The Canadian Geographic Special Collector's Edition of Wicked Weather is now available where ever magazines are sold, and should be on display until August 30, 2013.

Here are a couple of quick picture so that you can see the magazine and also my photo which received honourable mention in the turn, turn, turn category.

My copy is looking a little dogeared already!