We got there Thursday afternoon and we all gathered at Mike and Sandy's (former workmates of Della's) new RV. After our tour of the new beautiful motor home, a fire was built and we sat outside catching up on the past year with appetizers and wine! From there we went to the Forty-Niner Cafe at the Furnace Creek Ranch for dinner with Jim and Della (classmates of Ted) and Lynn and Bob (Lynn was Della's former workmate). We took a look in the gift shop after dinner.
On Friday it was cold and rainy, a very good day to stay inside! In the afternoon the rain cleared and we gathered at Mike and Sandy's and then headed to Jim and Della's for beef stroganoff, Ted's favorite! We were joined by Kelli (former classmate of Ted and Jim and Della) who spent two nights with Jim and Della before heading to the motel. Dinner was wonderful and it was fun getting together with them.
On Saturday the sun was out and it was a beautiful day! Jim and Ted and I walked over to Furnace Creek Ranch to the art sale that was being held on the grounds. There were jewelry artists, pottery artists, tie-dye artist, artists showing their paintings and a wood inlay artist. His artwork was stunning. He actually had a list of every type of wood and quanitity of wood used in each piece that you received when purchasing a piece. His artwork was large and amazing. After we walked around we decided we needed some lunch before heading back! We gathered Friday evening with the group and then we had dinner at Jim and Della's; their famous spaghetti and meatball's. Kelli was there as well. Kelli had made home made applie pie that was delicious! We were so full we could hardly waddle back to the RV!
An early morning view at our campground!
Jim & Ted stop to rest on the walk to the Ranch!
Walkway to Furnace Creek Ranch
Sunday was another beautiful day and we drove up to Aguereberry Point with Jim and Kelli. Della is recovering from the flu and decided to relax at the campground. The point is at 6,433 feet and there was a little bit of snow still up there! It is a beautiful view of the valley!
Snow on Aguereberry Point!
The view of Death Valley from Aguereberry Point
Ted looking at the view (from a distance)!
Jim, Ted & Kelli at Aguereberry Point
Susan on the west side of the Point
Wish Kelli could learn to relax!
Jim at the point of the Point!
As we were leaving Aguereberry Point, we stopped to look at an abandoned mine and Jim's Escape let him know he had a low tire. When we got to Stovepipe Wells we put air in and found a puncture. We made it back to Furnace Creek and Jim tried to get the tire fixed at the gas station and ended up calling AAA to come and take care of it. They had to come over from Pahrump but got it changed to the spare.
Sunday afternoon we gathered at (yes, you guessed it) Mike and Sandy's! Mike is sort of our Wagonmaster, reminding us every year that it is time to make our reservation for Death Valley! I prepared dinner for Jim, Della and Kelli on Sunday night and for dessert we had strawberries with chocolate sauce!
Early on Monday morning Jim and Ted took off to Pahrump so that Jim could get a new tire for his car. That done, we went to lunch with Jim, Della and Kelli at the Furnace Creek Inn. For the four of us it is an annual tradition to have a lovely lunch with a view of Death Valley. Kelli had not joined us before and I believe she enjoyed it as well. They have a lovely gift shop that is always fun to look at and then we walked around the beautiful grounds, an oasis in the middle of Death Valley!
The driveway up to Furnace Creek Inn
Pictures after lunch
Ready to tour the grounds!
The view from the top floor at the Inn
Lilly pads in the pond
Monday evening we gathered for our last time around the campground fire! We had appetizers and wine and a lovely evening topped off with a nice glass of Grand Marnier! We had a great fire and a very enjoyable evening!
On Tuesday morning we were headed out. There were three of us that were going to Valley of Fire in Nevada. Kelli was going to join us and stay in our RV. We got to Pahrump and I finally got through to them and the campground was full. They only book on a first come, first served basis and we were pretty surprised. Every one decided to head home so we came on in to Las Vegas. Our Thousand Trails campground was full (we have a reservation starting Friday) so we came to Sam's Town Campground. It's a nice campground and the weather here is lovely!
We had dinner at the casino and did a little gambling. Yesterday we met Howard, a former co-worker of Ted's for lunch. Today is catch up day! Catch up on laundry, blog and get some groceries. I think we are going to see Pi this afternoon!
A beautiful visit at Death Valley..."Ain't Life Grand!"
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