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I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

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Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Part 5 - Death Valley National Park - Day 2 Harmony Borax Works


In the last Death Valley post I mentioned the mining of salt deposits. Well sodium borate, or borax, known as the “White gold of the desert” ranks as Death Valley’s most profitable mineral as seen at the Harmony borax Works.  Read more here.

20 comments:

Loran said...

I remember those commercials (dating myself here) but didn't know all about it. Thanks for sharing.

Craver Vii said...

That's a dramatic header!

Gee, that post left me parched and thirsty.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Gaelyn: I remember that product so well, it used to run on the cowboy shows back in my day.

Carol said...

I'm another one who remember the "20 Mule Team borax show...it also works for killing fleas in carpets..

Awsome!!!! header
www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com

Barb said...

Well - your post brought back memories for me, too, Gaelyn! Giddyup!

Anonymous said...

Its always interesting to see where the things we use come from. It should be a requirement for us to know the history and components of the things we wish to buy and use. That way, we can make a better decision about our effects on other people, the environment, and our personal karma.

Small City Scenes said...

Ah '20 mule team Borax' and it is still around. I remember learning about the mines back in the 5th grade and was fascinated. Still amazes me.

Regarding my post. No hard work at all. I just took the top picture (reflection one) and turned it upside down. Weird huh! MB

Janie said...

I remember Ronald Reagan doing those commercials.
Somehow, TV managed to romanticize Borax. It's amazing what advertising can do.
Interesting history on the subject. Sounds like those poor Chinese laborers didn't fare too well.

Joe Todd said...

Been a long time since I thought of 20 mule team Borax. Saw that picture and felt a little nostalgic. I've been doing some research on the Burma shave signs one used to see along the road. Thanks for the pictures history and commentary

Martha Z said...

I'm enjoying wandering through Death Valley with you. It has been a while since we have been there.

I have an award for you, stop by and see if you want to participate.

Sally in WA said...

Interesting post. I was reading info on the town of Boron, CA in the Mojave Desert a couple of years ago which has the largest open pit borate mine. Plus I think borax must have been being mined outside of Amboy, CA, also in the Mojave. Fascinating stuff. Thanks for your post.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Another very interesting post. It remindes me of the gold mining in the Knysna forest in the late 1800's. Gold was found in the streams of the forest on the Southern Cape Coast (Garden Route) and hundreds of people moved into the area because of the gold. Millwood developed as a thriving town, but after gold was found on the Reef (Johannesburg area), the prospectors moved as there wasn't much gold to be found in the forest. Today there are onle a couple of abandoned mines, a grave yard and a little museum with a coffee shop.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

How interesting Gaelyn. I have not heard of Brax for years and years.

Les Barr said...

Happen to come across your Blog. I just love reading about History. I also like to snoop around History in our area. You have some very interesting Posts. I enjoyed them. Will follow your Blog from now on.

Thanks and nice to meet you.
Les

Tash said...

terrific photos of a great place. I like how you tie the theme together & tell a story.

Ruth said...

I can be sure I will learn something new each time I read one of your posts. Very interesting.

Lorac said...

I remember commercials for that!

Rambling Woods said...

I too remember those commercials.. Interesting info as always Gaelyn

Anonymous said...

It always amazes me where things come from, and everything that we do to get it. Those 20 mule teams amaze me, and especially out there, those were hardy mules!!

Louise said...

Never had a clue from where Borax came or how it was formed. Such an education you provide!

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