Our last full day in Death Valley was one of extremes. Of course we visited the lowest point in the Western hemisphere, Badwater, a salt flat which is 282 feet below sea level. The Eastern hemisphere owns this record, though, with the Dead Sea at -1385 feet, and several other sites in the negative hundreds. Looming behind the parking lot at Badwater is a cliff with a sign marking the sea level; as you would imagine, looking up that sign can be spotted about 28 stories above your head.

Towering over Badwater on the far side of the valley is Telescope Peak, the highest point in DV at 11,331 feet above sea level. We did not go there, as it would have been about a three-hour drive, but we could see it, and anyone on it could probably see us, since its name honors its 100 mile views in all directions. On the far side it overlooks Panamint Valley, which is part of DV Nat’l Park and very much resembles DV.

We also experienced some extremes of color. These are relative extremes, because colors are subtle in DV. We hiked Golden Canyon, whose various golds contrasted with a reddish iron cliff at the end of the trail. You may be able to discern some color in the photo. There’s also a shot of my husband doing Tai Chi on the trailside. The hiking stick lying beyond his pack will be left behind. I was fated to leave part of my computer charger in the room the next day. Our brains may have been affected by the extreme dryness of which numerous signs warned.

We agreed that the Artist’s Palate, a nine-mile drive through variously colored volcanic formations, was our favorite site. There were viewpoints, one of which is shown below, though the phone camera really doesn’t do it justice. The most dramatic scenery was in the last 4 miles or so, when the road twists among variously shaped monoliths, the view changing with every curve. No pictures: we just gawked and gasped.

Our final extreme was the extreme difference between the homey village of Stovepipe Wells and the fabulous oases of Furnace Creek. Dusty from a day of hiking, we pulled in hoping for dinner, which was available if you like your post-trail entrees between $40 and $80. I just can’t spend that sort of money on food when I’m so underdressed and sweaty. There were palm trees and designer stores and museums and you-pay wifi; even the ranger station was a triumph of understated elegance and contemporary architecture. We scuttled back to friendly, downscale SW for another cheeseburger at the Badwater bar, though we poshed it up a bit by choosing The Frenchy. I think it had brie on it.

This ends our tour. Next time I promise something extremely different.