Death Valley

This needs to also be about Starlink, solar and lithium batteries.

We found The Pads just outside of Death Valley on our last visit to the area. An amazing boondock find but not quite perfect as there was no cell service. But... welcome Starlink to our lives! We've appreciated Starlink on this trip, but have been in places where there was always at minimum weak service. But this was the ultimate test. We became 100% confident the purchases were worth it as we learned we could turn things on in the morning, run toasters and coffee pots, fireplace, TV and microwave, etc. Its important to know what your system can do and what the limits are, so an entire boondocking experience does that.

Back to Death Valley though.one main reason we wanted to return is we had read from other blogs that there was water. Badwater Basin in Death Valley sits 232 feet below sea level and typically only sees about two inches of rain in a season. Over the past months, the area has had almost 2 ½ times that from a series of storms. The storms this season have brought enough water to out-pace the evaporation, which usually keeps the basin dry. That's allowed the lake to form. It's called Lake Manly, and it was as awe inspiring to see as one can imagine. Having been here when it was in its' normal dry state and now seeing it with water as a lake should be was a once in a lifetime experience.

We love our "site" here at the Pads:)

Here are some photos of the Rhyolite Ghost Town.

This may be the most "real" ghost town we've seen, since it hasn't been turned into a tourist shop area.

Next I will deluge you with photos of Death Valley and the lake!

And the Lake:)

Lastly the magnificent night sky - no filters, no lights!