Just one short day!!

This was yesterday afternoon.

And this is 7am this morning.

By 10 am it was in full glorious bloom

Its my Trichocereus.  A day bloomer, that will last one glorious day!  However, there are two more buds that look to me like they might open tomorrow.  Just want to pull up a lawn chair and stare at it.

Prescott and Jerome

We found a great place to stay at the Fairgrounds near Prescott.  Everything we need plus quiet spot in the countryside.  Went into town for breakfast and then drove the 30 miles to the funky, artsy, old mining town of Jerome.  Up a winding  mountain road to the top with sweeping views of Verde Valley and the red rocks of Sedona in the distance.  Walked the hilly streets popping in and out of galleries, shops and eateries. Best shop is Nellie Bly's which is chocked full of kalidascopes of every shape and size.  Worth the trip up there just to see the variety of imaginations.

Back to Prescott for the rest of the afternoon.  Nice historic downtown around the Yavapi county courthouse.  

Walked through the Sharlot Hall Museum that showcased the history of Prescott and Arizona in its territorial days.  Prescott was first capital of territory before it was briefly moved to Tucson--and then returned to Prescott before it was ultimately settled in Phoenix.

We found this map very interesting.  Dates to Civil War period when for a while it was proposed that Arizona would join the Confederacy in this configuration.  Until President Lincoln said, I don't think so.

Another view from Jerome's main street.

Went to a local steak house for dinner but when we saw the lineup of people waiting for the Friday night fish fry we changed our minds and ordered the special.  Gotta take your que from locals--it was very good fish!!

Ash Meadows to Prescott Valley

Before leaving California we stopped at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.  I was hoping to see more migrating water fowl but little early, I guess.  Not much bird life happening yet but still a nice place to visit.  Its one to remember to return to someday, actually.  What we did see was one of several springs on the refuge, this one called Crystal Spring.  This is "fossil water."  Water enters a vast underground aquafir over 100 miles away and takes thousands of years to move thrugh the ground.  A geologic fault acts as an underground dam partialy blocking the flow of water and forcing it to the surface into seeps and springs like this one.  The water is the most amazing blue.  We can see 15 feet to the bottom and can see it boiling up.

Most of the Refuge is an alkali meadow with these wetlands in the midst.

The rest of the day was on the road heading for Prescott, Arizona.  Needed to find a campground with cable so Will could watch Arizona play in first round of Sweet Sixteen.  Go Wildcats.

  

More out and about

Hiked up another slot canyon this morning until we came upon a rock fall too big for us to climb over.  We decided we were too old today, and turned around.  Still nice hike.  Then went on to drive up into the range of mountains that makes up the west side of Death Valley for another panoramic view.

back to camp and to lounge around the pool which has become a late afternoon habit here.  

Our camp and entrance to Furnace Creek Ranch Resort.  It was a Fred Harvey Resort "back in the day."  Lots of activity, lots of families, must be spring break.

Out and About

Took a drive 30 miles on a back country road up and over Red Pass, past the remains of an old ghost town, and ending passing through Titus Canyon. Here we stopped and hiked up Fall Canyon to stretch our legs.  Ended the afternoon lounging around the huge swimming pool back at Furnace Creek Ranch.

Took a little side trip to Salt Creek. The salt content in the water in this creek is extremely high yet a native pup fish florishes here.  As the streams dry up as the summers get hotter, this little fish congregate in the remaining pools, breading and laying eggs while it can to insure another years cache  of pup fish.  Desert adaption never ceases to amaze me.

70!th birthday in Death Valley

'To make a nice day even better, we went up the road a bit to Furnace Creek Inn and had a nice lunch to celebrate Will's 70th birthday.  

It is a grand old Inn in the desert that has been operating since the late 20's.  Lovely southwest Art Deco.  Fun way to say Happy Birthday to a someone who is pretty grand, himself!!

Scottys Castle

We visited and toured the most interesting place, Scotty's Castle.

The story is that back around 1920 there was a colorful character and con man, Walter Scott who told everyone that he had fallen on riches thanks to a gold mine he found in Death Valley.  All he needed were investors.  One of those duped investors turned out to be a Chicago businessman named Albert Johnson.  Wanting to inspeck Scotty's mining operation in person, Johnson arranged a visit to Death Valley.  Scotty hatched a scheme involving a staged gunfight to scare the city-slicker away while keeping the investment coming.  The plan backfired and Johnson quickly realized there was never going to be a gold mine.  Surprisingly, instead of being angry the Johnson's struck up a lasting friendship and they remained Scotty's source of "gold" for the rest of his life.  The Johnson's realized they had been had but fell in love with the area and in 1922 they built this lavish castle in the desert as a retreat from city life.  Scotty remained a colorful character and close friend and when the property was taken over by a foundation and turned into a hotel until the 50's, Shorty was often on the property sharing wild tales of gold and Death Valley to all who would listen.  Sorry we missed him!  

Now the property owned and lovingly managed by the park service in its original state of luxury.

Wood carvings, imported Italian tiles throughout the house.  Original hand painted leather curtains.

Hiking and sightseeing

We hiked a short 4 1/2 mile trail early this morning while it was still cool.  Got a close look at the colorful rocks and formations that make up the mountains surrounding Death Valley.

Needed to be back at camp to change sites at noon.  Have a better impression of this place now as we have a nicer site, plus I am getting use to it all.  Is a very busy place; besides an RV park there are rooms and cabins, golf course, 2 restaurants and gift shops.  Just a little tacky around the edges, could use a little tender loving care.  The National Park campground is booked solid, looks nicer over there. Now, the Furnace Creek Inn is just up the road,  and it looks amazing. Plan to have lunch there at least before we leave.

Spent the afternoon driving up to "Dante's View," an overlook that is 5000 ft --looking down on "Badwater" and the salt flats that are the lowest spot in North America at 282ft below aea level. 

Even in this harsh climate there is life.  Sometimes you have to look for it.

Temps are in the mid to high 80's at midday, cools down nicely at night. We have had a high thin cloud cover since we have been here which is keeping temps comfortable.

Death Valley

Arrived at our destination about mid day.  First time here, although we have been close, we never stopped to see what was here.  Got set up and spent the day getting our directions straight and deciding what to do first!  We are at Furnace Creek Ranch RV which is pretty funky, not as nice as we had hoped, but does have good hookups as we are going to appreciate having our air on. 

   

Kingman, Arizona

We were able lo leave town shortly afternoon. Made a short stop in Phoenix to catch a cup of coffee with Larry and Jean as they will be heading back to Iowa soon.
  Then it was a few anxious moments getting thru Phoenix traffic and we were on our way.  Soon into open country. North thru Wickenburg and hi way 93 to Kingman. Saw Joshua Tree forests mixed with Suguaro,  mountains, canyons, wildflowers galore.  Beautiful drive.
Got to Kingman and campgrounds full.  One especially nice campground let us dry camp in their parking lot for free.  They certainly won us as a future customer.

Heading for Death Valley

Packing the RV for a spring trip to California desert.

Goff's

Dewain and Linda Goff stopped by for a couple of days on their road trip through the Southwest.

We managed to get the "whole gang" together for dinner and breakfast the next morning.