Death Valley comes to life

Death Valley, the lowest and for much of the year hottest place in the Western Hemisphere, is only about four hours drive from Los Angeles. Usually one of the driest spots on Earth, it has rained so much this winter—including the wettest two weeks in 93 years—that the low point at Badwater has filled with a lake several feet deep. Rangers predict a rarely seen spring explosion of desert wildflowers in the largest national park outside Alaska. Blooming has already started. If you go, forget seeing famous spots like Zabriskie Point or Dante's View. Highway 190 east from Furnace Creek will be closed until March or April due to flood damage. Reality check: The high temperature last year at Furnace Creek was 125 degrees on August 10.