Day 13 - Las Vegas, NV to Panamint Springs, CA

Day 13 - 187 miles, Las Vegas, NV to Panamint Springs, CA

We had to take a few last hours at the MGM Grand Lazy River before leaving Vegas and heading to Death Valley. 

At the Death Valley Sand Dunes we hit 122 degrees and had to pull Jack back from hiking away with his camera. Signs told us to pull off the blacktop if stopping the car and to turn off the A/C to avoid overheating.  Man is 122 degrees HOT!

We camped at Panamint Springs on the edge of Death Valley and the registration office warned us to wear shoes at all times because of Mojave Red and Mojave Green rattlesnakes and gold and red scorpions.  We bought some firewood from campground patrol guy and he told the kids some stories about the snakes and scorpions in that area.  He let us know that the desert critters generally run at people, not away from them.  They are not more afraid of you then you are of them.  Luckily we didn't meet up with any but we were dive bombed by a few bats.

Outside was alright but it was REALLY hot in the tent.  Still, having been given the local wildlife rundown the hot tent did not seem so bad.  We had hot dogs and made s'mores and all drank a ton of water.  It was fun but we were packed up and ready to go by 7:00AM.  Ahhhhh, sweet A/C!