The Highs

Renee: Without a doubt, 100%, my high was living out my Star Wars fan-girl dreams in the Mesquite Sand Dunes Like…I walked where R2D2 walked (rolled?) which I’m pretty sure means I’ve peaked in life.

Nick: Seeing the hottest Park Ranger I've ever seen in my life in the Golden Canyon (Renee saw her too, and agrees. Love you honey). But mostly the beauty of no expectations...we had no idea what Death Valley would be like and didn't do a lot of research before arriving, so everything we saw and everywhere we went was awesome because we didn't have any predetermined notions of what to expect.

The Lows

Renee: Having to stay in a hotel instead of camping...I absolutely want to go back and actually stay in the park (all of the sites were full!); the hotel beds were waaaay less comfy than our tent bed.

Nick: I second what Renee said.

What We Learned

Renee: Deserts can be more than just flat, empty expanses of land, with the occasional cactus or tumbleweed blowing across the landscape (have I seen too many westerns...?). In fact they can be rocky and dramatic and salty and colorful and versatile, and just absolutely breathtaking.

Nick: Sometimes it's great when you don't have a plant or any expectations when exploring a new place.