Although I have not told you about the amazing nature of Utah and Arizona yet (coming up this Wednesday) let’s jump ahead and see one of the most beautiful parks in the world: Death Valley.
Words can hardly describe how beautiful this place is so I will let the images do most of the talking.
Of course it was a great opportunity for a photo shoot. If I had been very smart I would have brought several outfits but alas I had only one. The color purple of this dress actually lends itself quite nicely for these amazing backgrounds. Here I am in front of the aptly named “Artist’s Palette”.
This dress was thrifted from a store in The Netherlands. It is a bit different from what I usually buy. It has more pattern and is more girly than what I usually wear, but I like the color purple and its slightly graphical pattern. Although I would consider this a high-risk purchase, the low price makes it worth while. It’s good to step out of your comfort zone and try something new every once in a while. For me that is one of the great advantages of buying something from a thrift store.
Death valley is known as one of the hottest places on earth. Death Valley’s Badwater Basin is the point of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level. It runs from north to south between the Amargosa Range on the east and the Panamint Range on the west; the Sylvania Mountains and the Owlshead Mountains form its northern and southern boundaries, respectively. Since the valley lies so low the heat is contained and temperatures can reach 134 °F (57 °C).
Here is the temperature at the visitor centre, but at other parts we recorded a temperature of 122 F.
Unbelievably there is still a small pool of water to be found in the valley.
But most of it is super hot and dry.
Some parts look like a true desert with lots of sand and the occasional cactus tree.
Other parts are rougher.
Driving through the valley is spectacularly beautiful.
Countless times you just have to stop and take pictures.
Death Valley is one of the many natural wonders we saw on this trip and experiencing (and posing in) the immense heat was a great experience in itself.
Want more dressing inspiration? Check out all the looks at Visible Monday!
What would you wear in this kind of heat?
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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I love this dress, great pattern yet with that modern flair you do so well. Perfect shoe and like the visual play back to your watch. You have been inspiring to move my style more modern in design. I do love vintage details, but I’m looking toward more clean design for future purchases. Beautiful pictures!
blue hue wonderland
We are inspiring eachother then. I have been so impressed with your last few outfits on your blog!
Breathtaking. I absolutely must travel there! I love the desert landscape; it speaks to my spirit.
If I were outdoors in that heat, I might opt for white or grey instead of my usual black. Heck, it’s nearly that hot here in Texas, and yet I wear black..
You’ve inspired me to shop for a fedora (but in black).
You would love it Stephanie. The whole area is just amazing. Yes a hat is a must! (ps. I haven’t forgotten about sending you your pictures. Will hopefully get to it this week)
Yes, I look forward to exploring more of the western US.
No hurry on the photos, please take your time! 🙂
I like the dress on you, even though it’s not your usual look. The frustrating thing about holidays is not having the pick of your wardrobe and being limited to what you decided to bring (often in a completely different temperature).
Yes I’m so enjoying having my full wardrobe back again!
Gorgeous photos!! You look GREAT in that dress & hat and cool as a cucumber! 😉
I was in Scottsdale, AZ and Las Vegas, NV last month and whew….hot hot hot!!
Looks can be deceiving 🙂
very cool pics,, you are always so stylish. For me, I’d be in my hiking clothes and boots, lol
Amazing photos, and the dress really does go perfectly with the scenery! Love the color, shape, and pattern! 🙂
Thanks Rita. Yes it was a good choice. Both in terms that the dress was cool and fitted in colorwise!
Cannot believe it is a thrifted dress (where????). Looks really good on you. Lovely colour, nice pattern. The photos are of course unbelievably good. Thanks for sharing.
Bought it in the shop close to you in Haarlem!
That dress is lovely, Sylvia. And you look great – I know how hot it is there – we were there last summer. And I have never been in hotter weather. And I have never seen anything like the scenery there. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos!
Thanks Ana. Glad you were able to experience this scenery as well!
This is a lovely dress, Sylvia, and it’s suits you very much. I love the photos, they are superb. What an amazing place.
Thanks Aileen!
Such amazing photos. You are a wonderful photographer and I thank you for taking me to places I have yet to visit firsthand. How did you stay so cool looking despite the heat – I didn’t see any beads of sweat!
No sweating in the desert. It literally evaporates right off your skin. Very dangerous as people don’t notice they are dehydrated as readily.
Really? No sweating? That must be hot! Great scenery for a photo-shoot!
You never stay out in the heat for long. We were driving through with a car so the aircon was never far away….
Gorgeous scenes, Sylvia. I need to get out there and see it firsthand! And you look amazingly fresh and comfortable in your purple dress – how do you do it?? : > Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday!
Definitely do Patti and combine it with the sights I will show on Wednesday. The nature in the US is just spectacular!
OK, spill…where did you get that dress?
It was bought at a thrift store in Haarlem.
Great photos! I have been wanting to visit Death Valley but will probably wait until spring time when it’s not as hot. This is a great dress on you. Glad you took the risk!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Thanks Alice. The immense heat was actually part of the experience for us. Great to feel what it’s like to be at the hottest place on earth!
Wow, Sylvia, these photos are GORGEOUS!! Both the amazing scenery, and how you look in this dress. Smart of you to sport a hat in that kind of heat!
Thanks Natalie. My hat hardly ever left me head during the holidays!