A fantastic journey from Las Vegas to Death Valley

        The magnificent scenery of national parks in the United States has always had an inexplicable appeal to me. Every time I see the travel channel introducing those magnificent mountains, boundless deserts, or towering trees, it makes me yearn for them. So, taking advantage of the Chinese New Year to visit my sister's newborn baby in the United States, I specially arranged a trip to Death Valley National Park to fulfill my long cherished wish.

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        On the way from Old Chinsan to Las Vegas, I was amazed by the scenery along the way. As soon as I stepped out of the airport, the dry desert atmosphere of Nevada was completely different from the rainy Old Chinsan. Because we heard that the terrain in Death Valley National Park is varied, we rented a JEEP SUV and embarked on this adventure with great anticipation.

        Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), making it the best place to visit in winter. The temperature in Death Valley in early February is around 20 degrees Celsius, which is very pleasant. This place is renowned for its unique geological landscapes, including majestic mountains, fissures, and large-scale salt plains, as well as numerous remnants of volcanic activity and sedimentary rocks, providing abundant geological research resources.

 

Badwater Basin: Standing at the lowest point in North America

        Our first stop is one of the most famous attractions in Death Valley - the Badwater Basin, which is 282 feet (about 86 meters) below sea level and the lowest point in North America. A vast expanse of white salt fields came into view, making one feel as if they were on another planet.

        When I walk on the salt field, surrounded by desolate scenery, the salt layer under my feet shines brightly in the sunlight, and the cracks and white salt flower shapes on the ground look desolate but have a unique beauty that makes people calm down.

        We took many photos and even found the sign that marked Sea Level. We saw the sign hanging high on the mountain wall, reminding people that we were at the lowest point of the earth. The feeling of standing in an extreme geographical environment is really shocking, and it has also given me a deeper understanding of the diversity of landforms.

 

Artist's Palette: Colors bestowed by God

        Next, we will go to the Artist's Palette, which is a mountainous area famous for its vibrant colors. As the car meandered up Artist's Drive, various colors such as pink, green, yellow, and purple filled my eyes, as if someone had casually brushed them with a paintbrush.

        Although it was previously known from the data that these colors were actually formed by mineral oxidation after volcanic activity, upon seeing them firsthand, one still admires this masterpiece of nature. With different angles of sunlight, the colors also change, and the entire attraction is full of vitality. We stopped the car and strolled among the hills, trying to capture the color changes from every angle.

        It's interesting that Artist's Drive is a one-way road with a significant drop, similar to the race track in the Disney Cars game, which is quite unique.        

 

 

Zabriskie Point: Enchanting Golden Canyon

        Zabriskie Point is another charming natural wonder in Death Valley, where the terrain is carved into various wavy rock formations by wind and water, resembling an art gallery of nature, both desolate and magnificent.

        Climbing up to the observation deck, one can enjoy the undulating scenery of the entire mountain range. Every rock and sand dune seems to embody billions of years of history, making people feel a shock that transcends time and space.

        Hoover Dam: A Miracle of Human Intelligence

        On the way back, we took a detour to visit the Hoover Dam located at the border of Nevada and Arizona. Compared to the natural wonders of Death Valley, the massive concrete structure of the Hoover Dam showcases human wisdom and perseverance, forming a strong contrast but equally awe inspiring. Standing on the dam overlooking the Colorado River, I feel so small, no wonder it is known as one of the greatest projects of the 20th century.

        The time zone difference between Nevada and Arizona is one hour. As soon as you cross the state border, you can skip an hour by watching the GPS time on the car. It's also an extremely interesting experience!        

 

Las Vegas: A World of Indulgence and Splendor

        Returning to Las Vegas at night, walking on the famous Las Vegas Strip, flanked by world-class casinos, five-star hotels, and exquisite shopping centers, some resembling the Eiffel Tower and some replicating Egyptian pyramids, each building's shape is stunning, accompanied by bright neon lights and constantly changing advertising billboards. The entire city is like a cultural puzzle from different countries.

        This trip combines the desolation and magnificence of nature, the great achievements of human engineering, and the bustling and dazzling city that never sleeps. Death Valley taught me humility and the power of nature far exceeds our imagination; The Hoover Dam allowed me to witness humanity's conquest and creativity in extreme environments, as well as the miracle of changing the world. After returning to Las Vegas, although I returned to the hustle and bustle of the city, the scenes of Death Valley and the Hoover Dam remained deeply imprinted in my mind, becoming an unforgettable memory in my life.

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