PapaMarshall

Day 11 – 11/2 – Into Death Valley

Breakfast, check out, on the bus, heading for the first road cut.

Darrell has discovered that this group is inordinately interested in geology – which suits him fine. So on our way out of the Las Vegas valley we stopped at one of his favorite road cuts for a field lecture on faults, pyroclastic flows, obsidian and such:

From there we headed into Death Valley National Park

The frist stop was the Ashford Mill – an old gold mining processing mill that is now and interesting ruin.

From there we headed up (or down, as the case may be) to Badwater Basin – the lowest point in North America (282 Feet below Sea Level)

There’s a sea level mark on the adjacent mountain for reference:

Can you find the sign?
Here’s what it looks like

 

While we were there Darrell gave a “geotalk” explaining who plate movements created such a low point.

The next stop was Devil’s Golf Course:

I’m fairly experienced at “playing the rough” but this is ridiculous!

Then it was on to the Furnace Creek Ranch. This resort (complete with golf course) looks like a mid-century modern motel that has been updated at least once and is now undergoing a significant renovation.  There’s construction everywhere.  But the pool is open and the open-air Borax museum is cool.

 

20 mule team wagon setup. Note the wheel taller than Cheryl. Fun fact, the team was actually made up of 18 mules and 2 draft horses.

 

They described for us “the Dance of the Mules.” When rounding a sharp corner the second, third, and even fourth pair of mules would pull in the opposite direction. Otherwise the string of mules would pull the wagon over.

 

The steam powered tractor that (briefly) took the place of the mules. Shortly thereafter a rail line was completed.
Another of the pieces of equipment was a logging “truck” with solid wood wheels (and iron tires).

Following an early supper in the makeshift cafeteria (Remember the construction?) we caught the last of the sunset on the nearby mountains.

Then we retired to read, attempt to blog, prepare for the morrow.

Tomorrow we explore more of this amazing place.  Such variety, such contrast.

Till then, TTFN

R

8 Comments

  3. C – Furnace Springs Ranch was built on an natural hot springs (someone brought in palm trees so it looks like an oasis). It has a swimming pool (uses the spring water then goes to water the golf course), the lowest golf course in the US, horses for riding, and a tennis court!

    The Funeral Mountains in Death Valley (appropriate name) turn pink in the evening sun while in the morning the full moon sets over the western Pinamint mountain range. Here we were in one of the few “dark sky” areas of the country but the full moon washed out our star watching night.

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