Getting to Death Valley is quite a feat - you have to drive across a desert, over up a mountain range, across a desert valley, up another mountain range, and then down into the valley.

On our tour of California, we passed a lot of elevation signs, but this one I've never seen before. This is on the way down into Death Valley.

California has its extremes. Our first day we were looking at snow piled over our heads, and a few days later we were in 124 degree heat! At one point, our SUV thermometer topped out at 133. In that bizarre environment, when the wind blows it actually makes you feel hotter. We like to cover all the bases when it comes to temperature.

There is a lot to see at Death Valley. It is the largest National Park in the continental United States. Here is the low point of our trip - literally - as we stand at the lowest elevation in North America.

Death Valley is like another planet. Here is the Devil's Golf Course, a formation of rock resulting from weathering down the salt. The rocks are remarkably sharp, and make a cracking sound.

The dryness of the desert leaves behind an expansive and remarkably barren salt flat. We chose not to venture beyond this dire warning sign.

Speaking of another planet, there are many places in Death Valley where George Lucas chose to film scenes from Tatooine. Don visited the valley where R2D2 rolled along right before being captured by the Jawa in the 1977 A New Hope Star Wars film.

Death Valley is devoid of life, but is rich in minerals. There are so many minerals in the earth that it is naturally colored in gentle pastels. This photo is taken in an area called Artist's Palette.

Don went hiking in the 130 degree heat. It was a short hike, but beautiful, in the other-worldly Golden Canyon.