Well the internet access we paid $25.00 for ran out this morning at 6:15 am so no more internet until we get to Las Vegas. It was a really slow and intermittent connection but we were at least able to answer e-mails and check the weather.
Last night it poured all night with the wind rocking the MH like a canoe on the ocean. Once again, Jewel was frightened and had to come to bed with us. We didn’t realize it rained so hard in Death Valley.
It was cold enough this morning that we had to put the heat on. When I opened the curtains we were surprised to see the surrounding mountains covered in snow and looking magnificent with the sun shining on the peaks. I’m not sure if I mentioned this but our CG is 190 feet below sea level so snow fall occurs rarely in this part of the valley.
Before setting out on the 26 mile Titus Canyon unpaved drive we stopped to inquire if the road was still open. We were told that it is open but to be aware for muddy and slick areas and standing puddles.
Before getting to the beginning of our destination we drove to Beatty, Nevada to get gas. The gas here is $3.78/gal and $2.29 in Beatty. Such a rip-off in Furnace Creek. Beatty is 6 miles from the canyon entrance so no issue.
We stopped at the Rhyolite Historic Townsite in Nevada, a mining ghost town on the way to Beatty and Titus Canyon.
Driving down the entrance road we stopped at a small museum that had interesting art sculptures in the yard.
While viewing the sculptures the artist that owns the building came along and invited us in. He told us the white sculptures were done by a Scandinavian artist. He, himself was a painter and photographer and ran this small non-profit museum. He photographed this picture during a meteor storm here in the desert with a special camera setting.
Rhyolite has an interesting history beginning in 1904 when two prospectors Shorty Harris and Ed Cross find gold. In 1905 Rhyolite established and the town site is developed. In 1906 the San Francisco earthquake destroys California's financial district and funding for Nevada mines decreases. In 1907 there is financial panic in the East and by 1908 the population of Rhyolite is 8,0000 at exactly the same time that mines begin to fail. By 1910 people begin leaving Rhyolite and the mines fail. In 1919 the Post Office closes and by 1920 the population of rhyolite is 20. Today the remnants of some very impressive structures remain.
This old mining ghost town is one of the best we have been to in a while. Ron saw a sign pointing to a cemetery so of course we had to go find it.
After filling the car with gas we started our 26 mile dirt road journey through Titus Canyon. We were told by a park ranger that the Titus Canyon drive is the most spectacular in Death Valley.
As we drove along we were climbing in altitude. Little did we realize we would be up where the snowfall had occurred the night before.
As we proceeded we were met with multiple switchbacks and hairpin turns.
The mountains are spectacular and the colors quite vibrant but are unable to capture the true beauty in pictures.
We climbed to around 5000 feet then it was back down into the canyon. We stopped at another ghost town called Leadfield, a mining town that lasted less then one year.
We were unprepared for this area of the canyon that led us through shear rock walls that were equally as spectacular as the mountain views.
The colors in the cliff walls are incredible with greens, purples, oranges and reds throughout.
Driving into the canyon was a unique experience to say the least. One we are happy we didn’t miss. It took approximately 2 1/2 hours to drive the 26 miles and at every turn we were awed. Neither of us imagined that Death Valley had so much to offer in history and beauty.
On our way back to the CG we stopped at the Harmony Borax Works that became famous through the use of 20 mule teams that moved borax from Death Valley to nearby communities.
Our final tour of the day took us through the Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a 2.7 mile loop drive through the badlands of Death Valley.
We have had the best experience here in Death Valley and have been exposed to magnificent landscape that we never expected to see. We decided to stop for dinner at the Inn at Furnace Creek Resort but it was not open for dinner until 5:30 pm.
We didn’t have any lunch so opted to try the restaurant at the Furnace Creek Resort. The food was mediocre and the prices sky high but it was better then cooking. LOL
Back at the CG we sat outside and enjoyed our last night here in Death Valley. Tomorrow we will be heading to Las Vegas. Not sure where we will be staying because we will not be making reservations until the morning.
