Death Valley area Adventures...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

We made a two week 'loop' from Northern Calif south to the Death Valley desert area, arriving back home yesterday...

First stop was at Red Rock Cyn SP 35.37212,-117.997285 for two nights - great sights of the canyon walls...bright blue sky's....temps in the 70's during the day...

NOTE: if you 'select/copy' the Lat/Lon numbers I've posted, and 'paste' into your 'Google search button', you will get a map of that exact location where you can change to view to the SAT VIEW to see the area, etc...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

We next traveled over to DV NP for a two day stay at the Furnace Creek area's 'Sunset' CG 36.458061,-116.864396

It was getting warmer in the Valley...hit the low 90's by the time we left...

We toured some of the Valley during our stay...lots to see if you have a high clearance vehicle and take the time to explore some of the gravel roads up into some of the canyons...

The fuel prices were a bit out-of-this-world! Of course, that was the only station for miles! Those in the know, took a road trip over into Nevada where the prices hovered around $3.79/gal...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

We then hit the road North to the Mesquite Creek CG 36.961964,-117.369424 for a couple of days...

The higher elevation eased the temps a bit during our stay - many others had the same idea, as the CG was crowded...

We used the CG as a base to take a run over to Scotty's Castle, and make a fuel/ice run into Beatty, NV for a day...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

We then headed into Nevada to head North for some more adventures...

Passing Bonnie Clare Dry Lake 37.173191,-117.158918 on the way over to Hwy 95, we stopped to drive out onto the 'Lake' to take some pictures...We also took some video out on the 'Lake' - rolling our rig from afar, directly over the camera to get some neat footage...

We also stopped to look at an old mine ore processing site ruins...then hauled our AS nine miles up a gravel road to a place called 'Hard Luck Mine', where a fellow has been building a huge, round shaped 'house', out in the middle of nowhere...more adventures...good luck with your continuing home building 'project', Randy...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

We continued North, winding our way through NV/CA/NV...lots of back country to see when you're not in any big hurry...

We stopped to toss a couple of snowballs in a high mountain pass, west of Lida, NV...

We wound up the day on the road at the small town of Dyer, NV 37.666413,-118.063557 where there was a nice, full hookup RV park, next to the only 'store/gas station' in town...

Staying overnight, we ate a great breakfast across the highway at the Boonies Saloon before again heading North...Patricia almost felt guilty winning about $40 from one of their 'one armed bandits' (slot machines) after only spending about $15 for our meals...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

After leaving Dyer, we found a great, remote camp spot on BLM land, just south of Wellington, NV...

We traveled 6.5 miles up a gravel road into a deep canyon on Desert Creek 38.630534,-119.334698

We had the place to ourselves, and enjoyed a couple of days of solitude, only disturbed by a session of target practice as we broke out our firearms for some 'plinking' and to blow out the cobwebs, as it were...

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

We again headed north and settled in at the Carson Valley Inn's RV park 38.957248,-119.76941 right next to their Casino - how convenient!

After two days with all the RV hookups (civilization) we tried to head back home, but another storm had hit the Sierra's with snow flurries falling on us in Minden, NV!

Not being the 'cold weather' types, I didn't unhook our water hose at night, and we had lots of round ice 'cubes' the next morning! Simple solution - switch over to our internal water system - no problem! Our furnace got a good work out for a couple of days!

We actually had to extend our stay a fourth day to allow Hwy 88 to clear up, so we had plenty of time to explore Carson City and the surrounding area - more adventures!

Coming home, we got to see the HEAVY snow pack up in the Sierra's - lots and lots of that white stuff up there - our rivers in Northern Calif will be flowing wildly for the next several months!

We got to experience the Highs of the desert and the Lows of the mountains (temp wise) on this road trip - or was it the Low of the desert and the High of the mountains (altitude wise)...I'm confused...time for another Adventure!

Wendy · Apr 14, 2011

Thanks for the pics of one of our favorite places. You're lucky Sunset campground was open - lots of times it hits 100 in early April and they close it down. We debated visiting Hard Luck Mine earlier this year but didn't make it out there - will definitely have to put it on our To Visit list. And when you were parked on Bonny Claire lakebed, you were parked where we used to have some awesome parties when we worked at Scotty's Castle.

Glad you enjoyed the trip.
Wendy

Mexray · Apr 14, 2011

Wendy....

The county maintained road is good going up the Randy's 'Hard Luck Mine' (about 9 miles) and the round block house he's been building for years...

Randy told us there is an old mine shaft on the property, and one short tunnel in the hill behind his casa project...

While he offers tours inside his house ($5 donation) we didn't take him up on it...from what he said, the construction was slowly coming to an end - he has built a steel beam framework at the top that he will glass-in with large plate glass - he mentioned that they like to look at the stars out there, and the glassed-in 'observatory' will allow them view the heavens during the winter in comfort...

When we got home I found this site about his place, http://www.landwatch.com/Esmeralda-County-Nevada-Land-for-sale/pid/144009057 listed for sale @ $3.25 Million! Randy didn't mention it was for sale when we talked, so I assume this sales price 'number' is just to see if there is anyone out in cyber space willing to be serious - I think not, IMHO!

He has a couple of small windmills, several solar panels, and a couple of generators for power - the sales ad says he has to truck in his water from a nearby spring...$3.25 Mil is a bit optimistic, in any event...like we all say at one time or another, "everything's for sale - if the price is right"....

brens · May 24, 2011

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. My favorite pic. was the Yucca guy!

Death Valley area Adventures...

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