Death Valley

This is the largest National Park in the US outside Alaska; it is also one of the lowest places in the world 282feet below sea level it is also one of the hottest places in the world, summer temperatures reaching between 110f and 120f the highest recorded 134f !!!!! I am very pleased to say the winter temperatures are very pleasant making our visit very enjoyable. Summer time also brings thunderstorms which send flash floods tearing down narrow canyons the average rain fall is less the 2ins a year, we were lucky enough to see 3 different flowers in bloom, 2 yellow and 1 purple which I think was a “desert five spot”
The valley got its name from a group of pioneers and gold seekers who in 1849 decided to cut across the desert, this would save them 500 miles from their journey it took them over 3 months to complete their journey, only 2 man died in the valley but the journey had been so hard they gave it the name “Death Valley” There are mines all over the valley and many precious metals have been found, but the discovery of a mineral – Borax- initiated the exploration of the valley “The Borax company” built the roads and 20 mule teams drew wagons weighing 40 tons across and out of that desert, some of the wagons are still here also the remains of a The Harmony Borax Works and ofcourse the white Borax is still all over the ground.
As we have seen in the other parks the whole area is a wealth of geological phenomena, large sand dune formation, sculpted rocks, volcanic craters and isolated valleys and ofcourse the colours which change with the sun and are so very beautiful, none of the red we have seen in other parks but wonderful greys, browns, yellows, blacks and whites with strips of green, reds and orange thrown in, awesome, the shape, every where you look this is different sometimes smooth and round sometimes sharp and pointed a huge mishmash of shape and colour, wonderful just to drive and look!!

Les and Margaret broke down on the campsite in the valley, starter motor I had to give them a tow to start, and then we did that park on a hill with a roll start going back to “Pahrump” a largish town we had passed through just before Death Valley. There we were able to find a garage that can repair but a new starter is required which will not be here until Monday, why do we always brake down on a Friday?

Saturday we went for lunch at the casino a lovely buffet meal as many visits to the table as you want for the very princely sum of £3.50 it was very good even had a chocolat fountain. We also found great internet cover in the library

On Sunday Margaret and I went to Scotty’s Castle, this is amazing built in the 1920’s a wonderful Spanish Style Castle/House in the middle of the desert, this opulent home’s name is “Death Valley Ranch” having been built by a wealthy insurance guy from Chicago, whom Scotty a cowboy/miner/conartist had convinced to invest in a mythical gold mine, the two became firm live long friends but Scotty a conner to the end told every one it was his castle build with cash from his gold mine, it is a wonderful story you may be able to find more on the web he is known as “Death Valley Scotty”
The house now belongs to the country (I am not sure what this is in the US at home it would belong to the National Trust) The house now stand as is was in 1939 when the Johnson’s and Scotty lived/stayed here it contains all the beautiful furnishings and artwork also decorated in 1939 style, the ranger who gives a very good tour telling lots of “Scotty” stories is also dressed in 1939 clothes, it was a good fun visit, lovely to and very interesting to be able to view and walk around an American house from this period of time.