Tanya's Daily Scoop | Elisa's Daily Scoop 16 Fun Facts about Death Valley National ParkHello, hello!! How are you this chilly January Saturday! I'm writing to you from Manorville, at Dream Come True Farm. Yes, another Saturday at the barn and horseback riding!  Gianna & All-Star  Molly  Molly & Kelsey The excitement of these kids cannot be contained when it comes to riding!!! So, here I am, with a few other moms, hanging out in a cold barn and arena, adoringly watching as my girls ride away! And speaking of "riding away"...Tanya headed out on the road yesterday towards Death Valley National Park!! I can't tell you how I wish I was caravanning away with my girls, along with her and Dave. As you may have read, Cosette and Dominic opted NOT to join them on this trip. But, I can almost guarantee that if Gianna and Kelsey were going to be on this trip, that these two kiddos wouldn't have hesitated to go! Anyway, how much do you know about Death Valley National Park? Check out these... 16 Fun Facts About Death Valley Nat'l Park  1. In 1994, the "Death Valley" section of the Mojave Desert was named a national park by Congress. 2. Death Valley is on the border of California and Nevada, two hours away from Las Vegas. 3. According to the National Park Service, Death Valley was named by California gold seekers who had to cross the desolate wasteland in order to reach the gold fields in 1849. 4. Death Valley is home to the country’s lowest point, Badwater Basin, which lies at 282 feet below sea level. 5. Death Valley National Park is 3.4 million acres, making it the largest national park in the mainland United States. 6. Death Valley is the hottest place in the country with the highest recorded temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit, measured in July, 1913, which also happens to be the highest recorded temperature in the Western Hemisphere. 7. At Furnace Creek near the center of the park, the ground temperature was recorded at 201 degrees on July 15, 1972. 8. Many scenes in the original "Star Wars" trilogy were filmed in Death Valley 9. Home to more than 1000 species of plants (including 50 that are found nowhere else in the world), 300 species of birds, 51 species of mammals (including bighorn sheep and mountain lions), 36 species of reptiles and a few amphibian and fish species. 10. There are nine designated campgrounds in the park and $20 is all it costs to keep your vehicle in the park for a week. 11. There are plenty of roads to travel Death Valley including more than 300 miles of paved roads, 300 miles of dirt roads and several hundred miles of 4x4 roads. 12. There are an estimated 6,000 -10,000 abandoned gold mines in Death Valley. 13. Mount Whitney, the highest summit in both Sierra Nevada and the lower 48 states, is visible from Telescope Peak, according to the National Parks Service. 14. Dante's View, Zabriskie Point and the sand dunes are the most popular places to watch the sunset. 15. Scotty's Castle, the former villa of Chicago millionaire and conman, Walter E. Scott offers tours. Built in the early 1900's, the guides dress up in 1930's attire for authenticity. 16. It is recommended that visitors not bring their pets to Death Valley due to the high temperatures and the threat of large mammals. Don't forget to read all about Tanya's first day at this amazing National Park!! Have a FAN-TAB-U-LOUS Day!!! -E xoxo  |
