death valley

We reluctantly left the Grand Canyon area and the little town of Williams which had been home, home on the range for two nights. However, if we want to come back there seems to be some need for English instruction. (Note to Egyptian Grade 12s- this sign should read 'buses'.)

More signs of the wild west....

guess the animals here can walk around freely

place names continue to amuse us

Need some meat to BBQ ? No problem!

As we drove towards California, we passed by the Hoover Dam. This mammoth success of engineering was built in the 1930's depression. It was named after Herbert Hoover, the US president at the time.



It still generates an amazing amount of energy by capturing the power of the Colorado River - remember the Colorado from the Grand Canyon?? The water builds up behind the dam to create Lake Meade, a popular recreation location in the desert, of course.

the wall of the dam is concave so it can withstand the great force of the water

Lake Meade

Water production is very important. This dam divides two states. Both are hot and dry. On one side is Arizona (Grand Canyon) and on the other is Nevada. We arrived here on a Saturday and we guess many Americans find this a really fun thing to visit on the weekends because the place was packed.

Yes, North Americans are pet crazy and take them everywhere!

This sign is a bit fuzzy but it reads "No pets on top of the dam". 

We drove on to Death Valley National Park, in the state of California. We were not at all prepared for what we saw there. After all, we had just been moved beyond words by the Grand Canyon.

Death Valley National Park totally grabbed our attention with these main features:

1) the out of this world, crayon coloured, moon-like terrain

2) the low low elevation

3) the minerals and the mining of these minerals

4) the desert with its Egyptian-style heat, and

5) Scotty's Castle- the result of one man's impossible love affair with this land and its characters.

...another Juniour Park Ranger getting his badge from the Death Valley Park Ranger

  

the moon-like terrain 

A few details. Once again complex geological activity has created the magnificent shapes of the crests and crevices of Death Valley. Vast. Expansive. Surprisingly colourful.

The rocky crests were covered with amazing colours. Some lookslike an artist's pallette.

sand dunes catch the rays of the sunset

The desert plants were equally amazing. We are not sure what this orange stringy stuff is- anyone know?

Despite the heat, people come from all over the world to camp in the desert. This couple are checking their gear before heading to their campsite.

the view David E. would like...

driving was a challenge

the low low elevation 

In the middle of this enormous park is the residue of an ancient sea bed. This is the lowest point in North America - about 87 meters below sea level. It is hot, hot, Egyptian hot here. The water all evaporates. The mineral salts remain on the surface in a thick layer.

Bikers (motorcyclists) are everywhere with their leather chap leggings and American flag clothing.

mat to scrape the salt from your shoes

salt crystals are gorgeous close up

bored people dug some holes

other bored people played x's and o's in the salt

hard to see, but lovers drew hearts

many photos are taken - wait for it...

oh yeah!

the minerals and the mining of these minerals

The minerals and salts on the surface of the land, the salt pans,  have turned out to be useful. So, of course, people have mined these - mainly borax. Check your bleach and detergent bottles and you will probably see that Borax is one of the ingredients. It is also used in cosmetics. Outside the park, there are still borax manufacturing plants, a major source of jobs and economic activity in this area. Where there are minerals, there also needs to be trucks and trains to transport these materials.

Info board in the park. Imagine mining here in the 1800's!

borax  plant ( we think) - just outside the pa

train near borax plant

train art

Scotty's Castle

Up at one edge of the park is Scotty's Castle- once privately owned but now part of the park. There are many details to tell about how this impressive estate was built in the the 1920s in the middle of Death Valley.

The story is too long to tell here, but it is a great story. A wealthy, wealthy engineer in the 1920s became absolutely captivated by the wild, wild west. He fell in love with the rugged land, with the promise of gold and riches, and mostly with the cowboy culture. One cowboy made a huge impression on him- Scotty. First Scotty swindled him out of a large sum of money by getting him to invest in a non-existent gold mine. When  Scotty's trick became obvious, these two still became friends and the wealthy Eastern businessman, Al Johnson, bought land and built this estate, pouring millions into the construction and engineering details.

the gate

charming weather vane

view of the "Great Room" from the 2nd floor balcony

Being an engineer, Mr. Johnson was able to build this place complete with running water (this was a desert, don't forget), and electrical power, all generated on the property. Word spread and people came from all over to see this place. Thus music room was equipped with player pianos and organs- the best that money could by. Listen and watch for our quirky tour guide getting in the mood...

original sink and taps with imported tile from Europe

It took years to build. Many workmen and materials came from Europe. The result was a mix of old world charm, cowboy style, and solid, impeccable grandeur. Charming.

tiles were brought over from Spain to decorate

Today, the most valuable pieces in the estate now are these hand woven baskets made in the 1920's by local Navajo (the local Native American tribes) craftsmen.

Read more of this story with some pics from the 1920s.

Back in the land of everyday people, we stayed at a "pet-friendly" hotel. What does this mean? Yes, you can bring your animal to stay with you. Rooms with animals get a special sign on the door. The room next to ours had a small, yappy dog, left on its own for hours. Oh the joy of pet crazy North Americans. 

cute sign on hotel room door tells others there is a per inside

cat grass  is at the front door

dog treats greet each new doggie guest

Funny. All day we had thought about the overwhelming glory of life forces while we explored Death Valley. But now back in the land of the living all we could think about was the overwhelming urge to whack the life out of that yapping little ankle biter. Lots to think about out here on the open range.