Day 4

This morning it was 48º F and raining. Made it kind of miserable to be outside but we didn't want to miss the pupfish.

 

   

 

These tiny inch-long fish live in what is considered one of the smallest vertebrae habitats in the world.  By the end of summer the water has evaporated to the point where there are only a few pools left.  The surviving fish (sometimes only 50 adults) huddle in these pools until the Winter rains come, then breed in the Spring.

 


 

On the drive to Scotty's Castle


Scotty's Castle
The castle takes its name from Walter Scott, better known as "Death Valley Scotty," an ex-cowboy, prospector, and performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson, who had been urged by his doctors to spend time in a warm, dry climate, was convinced by Mrs. Johnson to build the mansion. At the time, though, Scotty told visitors he financed the building himself with booty from a secret gold mine (which never existed).

 

This picture shows the unfinished pool. The tile for the pool is still stored in the basement of the castle. Picture of our tour guide waiting for us to assemble. They are actually park rangers dressed in period costumes which allows them to keep the money collected for the tour.

 

The main living room.

Gun Collection

 

Bessilyn Johnson, Scotty, and Albert Johnson

Scotty's Bedroom
Except he reportedly only passed through this room, exited via a back door and slept in a cottage elsewhere on the property.

 

Dining Room

 

 

Parlor

 
The organ music was stored on paper rolls.

 

After the tour, we sat in our car to eat lunch because it was cold outside.  I had my window down and before long this huge raven stopped by to see if I'd share any crumbs. We walked this 3/4 mile loop trail around the castle property.

 

Construction workers used this gravel separator to sort rocks, gravel, and sand which was used to make cement right on the property. This Model A Ford dump truck was used during castle construction.

 

 

When the railroad went out of business, Mr. Johnson purchased the railroad ties and bridge timbers for $1,500. The 100,000 ties were stacked in squares, with some stacked 230 feet high. The ties were used for firewood and building material. Many have been stolen. Only 42,000 remain.

 

This is the power house at Scotty's Castle. Water from a well several miles away was used to turn a water wheel. The water wheel powered a dynamo which charged a series of batteries supplying electricity to meet ranch needs.  Later, diesel generators displaced the water wheel. The abundant water supply was also used for indoor plumbing and an evaporative cooling system.  He also had a solar water heating system.