2/27-29. Once again, we went to chase flowers in the desert. Last time, was 2010, late March. This year, because of the flower reports generated by the national park service and this excellent website, I decided to go again. Bought tickets on Thursday midnight, and we flew to Las Vegas on Saturday. Tickets are a bit pricy and non-direct. Hotels are even harder to come by, as my father doesn't camp. Both nights, I booked the very last room I could find. All my effort is justified. I wasn't disappointed. 2/27 Saturday. Waiting for the rental car shuttle at LAS, 82°F, hotter in the sun. Brand new car of only 41 miles. Plastic still covered the wheel (which I only removed later after the burning smell).
A stop at Vegas' Wholefoods for some produce and liquid. Drove 2 hours to Beatty, along I-95. Saw some donkey from the road. 
Got to the hotel ~5pm. Stuffed the mini fridge, bathroom break, headed out for sunset. A bit too late. Start seeing flowers near Hell's Gate, promising what's to come further down, and south. 
2/28 Sunday. Sunrise at Zabriskie Point. This is a must. Maybe the most scenic spot in the park. Good color before the sun rose, then cloudy all day. I walked up the hill north, where many DLSRs and tripods stood right on trail. Had to be careful to skirt around each one. A photographer told me that he snatched a photo of me coming down, but didn't show me the photo. I inquired about the flowers. He told me to go to MM25. Thanks you!
We walked Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for a bit. Got sand everywhere. (Sand is impossible to clean. Later, I tossed away my shoes). Drove west out of Death Valley, up Panamint Ridge (4950' at the pass), and down and out of Panamint Valley. For a brief time, view of some high Sierra peaks. Lunch at Father Crowley Point, with an outstanding view east to Panamint Valley and Ridge, as well as the Rainbow Canyon below.
After a rest stop at Furnace Creek visitor center (88°F @3pm, cloudy), drove to Bad Water. I walked bare feet like many others. This is the lowest point in North America, at about 282' (85m) below sea level. No more potholes with water inside, except one pond fenced off right by the parking lot. By the time we reached MM25, it was a bit dark, and our batteries ran out.
2/29 Monday, sunny. Dad doesn't want to get up early again for sunrise. 
Drove to Dante's Point. This is the most awe inspiring place. Wish I could camp here (probably not allowed), but definitely for sunrise or sunset. Stars would be great too. Trails go both directions along the ridge for quite a bit, allowing time to take in the view in all directions. The multicolored hills and the Greenwater Valley and Greenwater Range are now tinted green, but no water of course. Snowy Sierra mountains, white valley floor, colorful rocks.
Next, nonstop to MM25. Flowers are dense, big and fragrant. Had lunch in the car, soaking the view. Too warm in the sun (84°F?).
Artistis Drive is our last tourist stop in the park. Very colorful.
Furnace Creek at 2pm today is 91°F. 
I had to put in some $3.18/gl gas. Grateful that this gas station exists. Drove out to Pahrump, and filled the tank at $1.50/gl. Then all the way to the LAS airport rental car return. Got home at almost midnight.
