We explored the whole playa, running around and having some fun. Taking some pictures and checking it all out. One thing to note though is please don't be a jerk and walk in the lakebed right after it's rained! It leaves horrible footprints in the area!

On our way back out, right as we passed the Tea Kettle Junction, we got a flat tire.

We are beginning to be pros at fixing flat tires. We had to fix one on our rental van when we were traveling in New Zealand a few months earlier as well. We were super bummed because the spare tire on Michael's jeep as super thin tread, and if that thing got a flat, we would be screwed. We were not very well prepared. We ended up running into some people who had rented Jeeps and they were super kind and gave us their can of "fix-a-flat" just in case we needed it on our way out! You can rent Jeeps inside of the Death Valley park if you don't have a 4x4 vehicle but want to do some off roading, they also offer tours if that's more your style.

We drove very, VERY slowly on the way back out after we changed the tire, and I'm happy to report we made it back home the rest of the way without a hitch. We've learned our lesson since then and now carry an extensive emergency car kit with us any time we travel outdoors. Oh, and we got some tired with thicker tread on the Jeep. I listed some of the key items to bring with you in your car below in the resources.