Scenic Sunday - Burro Creek

Last winter a friend and I took a ride to Bagdad, and beyond. As it was late afternoon by the time we got to the gravel road leading into Burro Creek we didn’t go very far. I really need to return and camp out there to do some rock hunting: opalite, agate, pastelite and apache tears. Located off highway 93 in central Arizona it’s just north and east about 50 miles of where I live.

To see more beautiful scenes from around the world, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

Part 11 Death Valley National Park - Day 3 Ubehebe Crater

After touring the opulence of Scotty’s Castle we headed out to Ubehebe Crater. (Say it out loud, all long vowels, a very fun name with an unknown origin.) It was very windy on the crater’s rim so we opted not to hike around it.

Ubehebe Crater
A few thousand years ago a tremendous explosion occurred in Death Valley leaving behind a crater .5 mile (.8 km) across and 500 feet (152.4 meters) deep. A rising plume of molten basalt came in contact with the overlying watertable causing a violent release of underground steam pressure that left volcanic cinders and ash up to 150 feet (45.72 meters) deep covering the ground from 2-5 miles (3.21-8.04 meters) in every direction.

photo of sign
There are actually several explosion craters in the area; some may be younger than Ubehebe.

Gaelyn and Jeremy
We really wanted to visit Death Valley’s famous rock Racetrack but it requires a high-clearance vehicle over 27 miles (43.45 km) of rough gravel road. Large boulders weighing up to 400 pounds mysteriously move across a dry lakebed leaving gouged trails behind. No one has actually seen the rocks move but scientists speculate that very strong winds blow the rocks when the surface is slick from occasional light rains. I’d rather believe they just go for a st-roll.

From Ubehebe Crater we headed to Titus Canyon for a hike, but that will be another post.

SWF - Goodnight sunshine, until tomorrow

One night last week Berta and I went down the hill for dinner and just in time for sunset. It’s hard to beat an Arizona sunset. Any night there’s a few clouds in the sky they are uniquely spectacular.
To see more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Yet another kitty update: Berta has decided not to take the kitty on and is giving Latte to a neighbor who is not home today so she’s here visiting me again.

I'm thankful!

Today may be Thanksgiving but yesterday felt like Christmas.

While I was painting the second coat on the ceiling (not a fun job) of the 5th-wheel the UPS delivery truck came by with my new water heater. It should be in by next week thanks to a local handyman. Yea, finally I’ll have hot water back in the RV. Just in time as I’m moving back in next week.

Then the mail came with the new books I’d ordered. I don’t buy many new things, so when packages arrive I get pretty excited.

Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving if you celebrate. And if you don't, just think about what you're thankful for.

Kitty update: Berta currently has Latte and is working on an introduction to her cat Mama. Seemed kind of quiet around here last night. Will keep you posted.

Over run with holiday guests

You’ve already met this guest. And no, I’m not keeping her. In fact she found a new home with one of the neighbors.

Tree lizard
This elusive visitor reappeared by my hiking boots even with the kitty around. I think she missed it.

Then last night I noticed this guest hanging out on the wall. After a few portrait shots I captured it in a glass. Not sure what kind of spider, anybody know.

I know the glass isn’t entirely clear, but it’s all I could find that was close.

Sure glad I don’t have to feed all of them as I’m not a very good cook.

I’m thankful to have so many friends, bloggers and others. I’ll be spending the holiday with great company and hope you will too. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are.

Death Valley Junior Ranger

Pledging to protect the parks
Because I’m a Ranger I like to earn my Junior Ranger badge while learning about all parks I visit. After our tour of Scotty's Castle my book was done, yet we still had more exploring to do in the park.

I may get funny looks yet promise to finish all the activities in my book. This made number 13 badge. Hey, I got a late start.

Good point brought up by a reader not from the US so I will explain. Within the National Parks system here, which includes almost 400 sites, a program for kids to learn about the individual park's cultural and natural history requires completing a certain number of learning activities, by age, to earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Some of the kids I have pledged in have many badges they proudly display on a backpack, jacket, vest or hat. It's a great way to get kids involved with their parks. Oh yea, I hang mine on a curtain in the living room.

Remember Whensday - Hitch 'em up

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to hitch up the team to go to town?

I actually took this photo last year while visiting a friend that collects the coolest stuff.

Sally from The (Mis) Adventures of Karl and Sally has started a meme where the past is remembered through sharing old family photographs and this is #25. I love the idea and hope you will too. So join the fun by clicking here.

MWT - Part 10 Death Valley National Park - Day 3 Scotty's Castle

Scotty’s Castle
After two days (and many posts, check the sidebar) exploring the stark beauty of Death Valley I was totally unprepared for the opulence of a castle built in the desert. It really is an amazing place with many innovative ideas and magnificent handcrafts. Yet the best part is the story, and Ranger Scott, dressed as a professor visiting during 1939 spun a good tale.

Wrought iron and wood gate with J&S
First there’s Scotty himself, called a scoundrel by some and a friend by others, who did not own the “Castle.” Born Walter Scott and known as Death Valley Scotty, he was undoubtedly the most famous prospector in the region yet unlikely ever struck a vein of gold.

Ranger Scot in the courtyard

Scotty grew up in Kentucky around horses and traveled west at a young age where he became a cowhand with his brothers not far from Death Valley. In 1890 he was recruited into Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and spent the next 11 years traveling in the US and Europe.

Scotty and Johnson’s cars
In 1904, an in debt Scotty met Albert Johnson, a multimillionaire insurance executive from Chicago. They were opposites in almost every way yet were partners and friends for over 40 years. Scotty was gregarious and loud with loose morals that often caused him trouble with the law. Johnson was shy, deeply religious and a respected citizen.

Equipment and mechanical building with 56-chime clock in tower
Johnson may have been living out his own fantasies or just entertained by Scotty when they traveled into Death Valley a portion of each winter. The condition to get his wife Bessie to accompany him was to build a proper home.

Construction began on the Moorish-style house in 1922 and because of the location caused quite a stir amongst the press. The flamboyant Scotty was there and called it “my castle” and it seems Johnson was glad to stay in the background. A custom cooling system was built using waterfalls like the one in the far right along with water soaked burlap placed behind a wall vent and ducted with air flow from the basement.

Sitting room showing light patterns from wooden window covers
Money was no object. The interior was adorned with imported and hand-carved furniture.

Dining room
Custom made Italian dishware were used to serve guests who afterward moved to the main salon where Scotty would entertain for the evening telling stories of his Wild West days while the Johnsons sat quietly by.

Kitchen
A diesel generator provided electricity for modern conveniences and water was solar heated.

Music room
There is a custom-made organ in the music room along with an electric player piano. I took video of the later but would never get it to download with dialup so you’re saved.

Scotty’s bedroom with his signature hats and red ties
Scotty didn’t actually live in the castle instead he had a ranch located several miles away. He would bid guests goodnight and leave the salon through an adjacent door into his bedroom where another door led outside.

Shoot hole
At Scotty’s request a hole was built next to the door leading out of his “bedroom” so he could shoot any scoundrels that came around. Yet knowing the bad guys usually traveled in pairs the outside of the “shooting hole” directed the bullet one way towards the door and the other way towards a window. It was never tested.

Front of house with pool
Worked stopped in 1931 and the Depression was rough on Johnson. Ultimately the house comprised of 31,000 sq. ft. of floor space, plus stables and guesthouses. The large pool was never completed or filled. When Johnson died in 1948 he left the castle and ranch not to Scotty but to the Gospel Foundation of California which he had established and allowed Scotty to stay and entertain guests until his own death six years later. During the late 1960s the National Park Service acquired all the properties.

Castle in a desert oasis
After this grand tour we continued our explortions of Death Valley from opulence to a big hole in the ground. Yet another post.

To visit more places around the world, or to share your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Another Visitor

Berta and I were getting ready to go to Prescott today to shop at the fleamarket, Costco and maybe a yard sale or two along the way. In fact we spent over an hour at the first yard sale and had to repack the car twice and then leave a small table behind that just wouldn’t fit. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

As we were getting ready to leave we both heard a very loud, distinctive and repeated MEOW. Now Berta has a beautiful all white at least 10 year old cat named Mama that only spends a little time outside and never when Berta’s away from home. Actually Mama spends most of her time sleeping on one of three heating pads or lounging in the sun on a window sill. So Berta followed the MEOW to make sure Mama got back in the house. Only it wasn’t Mama.

This tame little kitty couldn’t be more than two months old and still tries to suckle. However it knew what cat food was and when Berta put food down it was scarfed right up. Also found a convenient cat pan and jumped right in to do its duty.

Well we left it outside with food and water and after our shopping spree came home to hear it again, MEOW. Sure enough it had figured out how to get into the garage. It really has to be someone’s pet as it’s so affectionate. Also very vocal with a diesel purr.

Sleeping on my lap
So tomorrow we’ll check around the neighborhood and post a sign at the post office to try to reunite this adorable bundle of fur with its human slave. But in the meantime I have a visitor. Note, again, I said Visitor.

What do think of “Latte”?