Death Valley Birthdaze - Saturday

This year, Aimee wanted to go camping for her birthday. So bright and early, we packed the cars and headed out to the desert. Yes, we were camping in Death Valley. (You know, Aimee. Turning 29 is not the end of the world.)


A couple items of note regarding Death Valley. Don't buy gas at Panamint Springs. It's way more expensive than other stations in the Valley. And, when it come to camp restrooms, I've got to express my love for the pit toilets at the Wildrose campsite. I can't believe how clean they were. They're definitely better than any gas station toilet. (Yes, Brittney. This maybe one public bathroom where you can go barefoot! Wait. Yeah, that's never a good idea.)


Camp life was all about music -- until the rangers shut us down for the night. I guess the drums could be heard a quarter mile away. With the dogs also having to remain on leash, it made camp life a tad restrictive. (Sorry Frankie, no more fetch)


Nonetheless, the dogs -- Frankie and Raven -- seemed to enjoy themselves, even if they got pretty dusty laying on the camp floor. As the evening moved on, the fire started and the libations poured.


Raven seemed a tad tense (based on the dandruff that accumulated on her back). However, overall, all was well as we played board games and ate food. (Steaks! Yum!)

Afterward, we hung out around the camp fire. Quietly (so as not to alert the rangers), Matt and Erin serenaded the birthday girl. And we ended the evening with roasted marshmallows and ghost stories. (Of course.)