The wildflowers are STILL spectacular in this part of the Mojave Desert that includes Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Preserve.   The park service called it a “Super Bloom,” and it brought thousands of visitors to Death Valley.  While visiting Ash Meadows, the docent told us they seen extra visitors as well.   This weekend we are in Shoshone for their Annual Spring Art Show, having been in Death Valley the week before.  So, if you have not seen the flowers, This experience can be done in a day’s drive from the LA area, but is best a full weekend.  Do something spontaneous pack up the car and drive out.  The weather is warm and overnight camping will be comfortable.  Above, Sherry is pictured at one of the springs we visited while in Ash Meadows.

I posted a story last week about the diver that died in 1965 and was never found, in Devil’s Hole, the over 500 foot deep cave system within Ash Meadows that is home to a rare Pup fish.  Above is a park service picture of their diver’s exploring that cave system – the bottom of which has never been found. We visited the site and watched a bat, just outside of the cave catching insects.

Rare Pup fish live in a pool of water that disappears into a cavern over 500 fee deep in a part of Death Valley National Park within the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, in Nevada.  The government has protected this area for over six decades.  Back in the 60’s, three scuba divers broke through the fence and entered the underground system.  One was lost and even with many rescue dives, the body was never found.  While the park service has sent professional divers to explore – the bottom has never been found.  Earthquakes around the world have caused waves of six feet in this water, a constant 93 degrees.  Ash Meadows also has a spring that puts out 2,800 gallons a minute.  We tried to visit this area last November, but flooding had washed out some roads.  We hope to visit Ash Meadows this week.  And you thought the desert was dry.

The Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley features a palm oasis complete with streams of water.  We are in Death Valley for the Spring Art Show at Furnace Creek Ranch.  We hope to do some sight-seeing after the show before we leave the area.  We last visited the palm oasis back in 2012.