Coffin Peak and Furnace Creek make up some of the place names in Death Valley National Park.  Why?  Legend has it that pioneers trapped here in 1849-1850, these 49ers, finally able to find passage out of this desert valley, one turning back and saying, “Goodbye, Death Valley.” 

We captured this picture of the moon rising over the Funeral Mountains that make up the east boundary of Death Valley national Park, along the Nevada border.

We have seen the harsh desert and we have seen the oasis and free flowing water that make up this wondrous place that we enjoy visiting.  Here are some Death Valley facts that you may enjoy:

1. 3 million plus acres of land
2. National Monument status in 1933 and national Park status in 1994
3. Lowest point 282 feet below sea level and mountain above 11,000 feet
4. Home to more than 300 species of birds
5. Hottest place on earth: 134 degrees on July 10, 1913 (56.7 Celsius)
6. Average annual rainfall 2.36 inches (Mobile, Alabama average 67 inches)
7. Over one million people visit the park each year (Eleven million people visit the Great Smoky Mountain national park each year)
8. Tim and Sherry find Death Valley to be one of their most favorite parks.

This weekend we  have enjoyed the art show, the weather, the people.  And don’t forget the wildflowers are in bloom.