Every tourist destination has its attractions. However, because every tourist is different, these attractions have greater or lesser value. In this series Gary gives his reasons for traveling to a particular place. Hopefully some of his thoughts will entice you to consider adding this particular location to your itinerary. The entire series is being categorized under the heading, “Spotlights.” However, you may find more about these locations in the archives of this website, under headings such as, “Great Places,” “Things to Do in,” “Best of,” “Top 10” and “Places of a Lifetime.” In addition, “Walking Tours” of many of these destinations may be available for purchase on the website for the low price of $1.49 each.

Death Valley National Park preserves one of the most interesting and unusual landscapes in the Continental United States. It has been described as a “moonscape” and as “hell on earth.” The hottest temperatures ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere occurred here (134 degrees Fahrenheit). I loved Death Valley and highly recommend it for the following reasons:

1. Death Valley National Park contains the lowest point on land in the Western Hemisphere, a place known as Badwater.

Badwater

2. Zabriskie Point is an otherworldly location in the southeastern part of the park.

Zabriskie Point

3. Other characteristics of Death Valley include colorful sandstone rock layers that are stark but beautiful.

Red Cathedral

4. Scotty’s Castle is the interesting residence of a strange and off-beat character named Walter Scott who pretended to own this technologically advanced desert dwelling.

Scotty’s Castle