Furnace Creek Golf Course

Monday - 9 February 2004 - Death Valley National Park, California: I checked our battery level in the middle of the night, and it read 89% full. It was low because I watched an hour of television before going to bed, lights were on, etc. When we woke at 7 o'clock this morning, the battery level read 94%. DT did start the generator this morning while making coffee, but we really didn't need the extra power. (We were remembering back to Goldie and her terrible, trouble-plagued electrical system. One or two hours and the batteries were DEAD! Ah, this is the life!)

Today, since it was simply a beautiful day, we decided to go golfing! Long-time readers will remember we played the fun course at Death Valley three years ago. It is a chance, no matter how terribly you play, to have your lowest round - the Furnace Creek Golf Course is at 214 feet below sea level and is the lowest golf course in the entire world.

My lowest round

 
View from Furnace Creek Golf Course

Funny thing - the last time we played Furnace Creek Golf Course the green fee was $28 and the course was in fabulous shape. Today it was $55 and in terrible shape! So sad. Here in the middle of Death Valley, one of the harshest environments in the world, is a natural spring. The water is used to irrigate the golf course and there seems to be an unending supply. Furnace Creek is like an oasis in the center of this dusty, dry, park. The course is filled with Tamarisk and palm trees and there is so much bird life in the ponds and creeks. We played with a couple from Las Vegas, Phil and Mary Beth. We had fun, though no one played very well. There was terrible wind on about half of the course. I had one par and am very excited - I can play rounds and rounds and rounds and rarely get a par!

When we returned from our Lowest Round - our batteries were 100% charged! Late this afternoon we took a walk over to the Visitor Center and then continued walking over to the restaurant and hotel area at Furnace Creek and then continued on to the stables. The resort-area in Death Valley has a fancy hotel with tennis courts and gourmet dining - and they also have motel units or cabins, and a cafe and bar. Death Valley has the usual trail ride horses for hire - and they also have a team of Belgian horses that pull a cart for a sight-seeing tour.

Belgian Horse

I am posting my website early tonight so I can watch the entire THREE HOURS of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on the USA Network! I hope you are watching too - and don't forget, it is a two-night event! Coco, a Norfolk Terrier is picked to win... but I always hold out for the Beagle!

RV Park: Furnace Creek Campground