Ah, the peace and quite. Boondocking with my buddy Cliff. (36.33798, -116.59951) We are camped at the sight of and old mining town. All that remains are some concrete slabs.
Guess where I am going.
Scotty's Castle
Death Valley Scotty coned Albert Johnson of Chicago into investing in his fictional gold mine. He and his wife traveled to Death Valley to see the mine for themselves. Scotty stalled and stalled until an unlikely friendship developed between Scotty and the Johnson's. Albert and his wife decided to build a winter retreat here and construction began in 1922. $$$$$$$$
Despite the name, Scotty did not live here. His preference was a spartan house a couple of miles away.
There is exquisite, unique metal work through out the house.
This is the prep kitchen adjacent to the dinning room. Most dishes were prepared in the detached cook house and brought here to be served.
Going old school.
I love the beautiful metal work.
Music room
Ubehebe Crater
A veritable babe in the desert, Ubehebe was created 2000 years ago when hot magma superheated ground water which flashed to steam creating an explosion that spewed shattered rock over a 6 square mile area.
White Gold
Borax was the most profitable mineral found in Death Valley.
Mule powered wagons hauled 36 tons of borax and 1,200 gallons of water to the rail heads at the south end of Death Valley. Not all wagon trains were pulled by 20 mules, sometimes a few more or a few less.
The yellow trail was used from 1882 to 1883. The red route from 1884 to 1888.
The mules were replaced by steam powered tractors.
The salt flats are called the Devils Golf Course.
Though my Golden Age got me into the Death Valley campgrounds for $6, it's infinitely better to boondock for free with nary another sole in sight. (35.92684, -116.32967)
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