California 2025, Day 11, Still on the Road (Bakersfield - Las Vegas) and Death Valley ☠️

Wow, what an extreme day. First extreme solitude and vastness on the roads towards Death Valley, then extreme temperatures (around 50°C) and extreme depths in Death Valley, and finally extreme hustle and bustle in Las Vegas (more on that tomorrow). On the way from Bakersfield to Death Valley, I became truly aware for the first time of how damn big America is and the vastness that this country encompasses. Of the 4 1/2 hour drive to Badwater Basin in the middle of Death Valley, we spent 4 hours driving through endless desert landscapes and steppes. Often, we were completely alone on the road and could not identify any traces of human civilization besides the road itself. In Death Valley, of course, every time we got out of our air-conditioned car, we were almost overwhelmed by the scorching heat. However, getting out is definitely worth it: whether it’s sand dunes, canyons or the dried-up salt lake at the lowest point in America (86m below sea level), Death Valley offers excitement, fun, and games for the whole family. Games like 'Who tips over first while sprinting across the salt lake' or 'Who can get sunburn blisters the fastest' may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they are still popular with both young and old. At some point, you start to get tired of all the rock deserts, even though the texture and/or color of the desert changes every few miles: sometimes classic yellow sand desert, then a reddish-brown rock desert, and finally an almost black gravel desert; there’s definitely something for stone fetishists here.

As for Las Vegas, we only stayed at Paris (the one with the Eiffel Tower replica), which is directly opposite the Bellagio and of course also directly across from the famous water fountains. However, we can't report much yet, as we spent almost the entire day in the car or in Death Valley. The first impression is already overwhelming.

To be continued...

Favorite snack during long car rides: wheat crackers (our favorite: Wheat Thins by Nabisco)