Death Valley National Park: So Much More than a Forbidding Desert
A visual celebration of Death Valley National Park: home to the lowest and driest place in North America and the hottest place on earth…
But Death Valley is so much more than a vast and forbidding desert. It’s a diverse landscape of extremes and fascinating one-of-a-kind places that are guaranteed to excite all of your senses and to enchant the explorer, biologist, geologist, anthropologist, astronomer, and historian in you. Let’s go!
The most convenient way to get to there is to fly into Las Vegas, Nevada then drive the remaining 150 miles or so to California–a mini adventure itself full of surprises and one-of-a-kind places.
Just enough of Vegas to take a selfie at the iconic sign.
Being of sound mind, I quickly put the Vegas Strip in my rearview mirror!
It would be a gross understatement to say that Death Valley is in the middle of nowhere. Seemingly endless mountain ranges separated by enormous arid valleys are typical of the surrounding landscape in the Nevada and California desert.
Neglecting to check your gas gauge can be a dangerous and expensive mistake.
First night’s accommodations at the funky cool Longstreet Inn in Amargosa Valley on the Nevada-California state line. A great place to stay just outside the park and very near Ash Meadows. You can expect a yummy homestyle dinner and breakfast and are guaranteed to meet some very interesting people!
On the road into the refuge, the barren terrain suggests the total impossibility that anything can survive in such an apparent wasteland.
Yet, in the midst of the Mojave Desert, you will be delighted to discover a rich oasis that is home to flowers, butterflies, ducks, bighorn sheep, and more…
Spring fed from a vast aquifer…
Ash Meadows is also home to the loveable pupfish. Barely more than an inch long, these amazing creatures have survived for thousands of years in the midst of one of the hottest and driest places on earth, clinging to a mere sliver of habitat in the top few feet of fresh water where the aquifer breaks through the surface and meets the air and sun.
View from Father Crowley Point. By the way, Rainbow Canyon (also called “Star Wars Canyon“, a fighter jet training ground is just to your left, not seen in this pic. It’s absolutely thrilling to see the pilots flying below you inside the narrow canyon walls.
Located in the Northeastern hills of Death Valley National Park, Scotty’s Castle is one of the most unique and fascinating places you will visit anywhere, much less in such an incongruous location as Death Valley.
The Story of Scotty’s Castle. Although it’s named after Walter Scott (aka Death Valley Scotty), the Castle was built and owned by millionaire Albert Johnson. This is their story: Walter Scott, a charming and flamboyant con man, scammed his wealth by convincing investors to bankroll his non-existent gold mine in Death Valley. He was convinced that nobody would ever visit such a remote and inhospitable place until Albert Johnson became suspicious and decided to pay a personal visit to check on his investment. In an attempt to dissuade Johnson, Scott staged a bandit raid that went wrong when Scotty’s brother was accidentally shot. Scott might have been a con man, but he was no murderer and came clean. Despite the swindle, Albert Johnson forgave Scotty for the simple reason that he fell in love with Death Valley and would never have discovered the place otherwise. Johnson befriended Scott and built this palatial vacation home now known as Scotty’s Castle, preserved as part of the National Parks system.
Special Note: Except for special tours that can be arranged in advance on a limited basis, Scotty’s Castle is closed due to extensive damage incurred during a flash flood in 2015. (FYI, All of Frank’s photographs were taken before the flash flood occurred).
The palatial and elegant castle is largely, but not completely finished… and preserved as it was left in the 1930s.
An architectural masterpiece that boasts state-of-the-art utilities as well.
Electrical generators, driven by both internal combustion engine and water turbine.
The palatial living room, which hosted many honored guests and helped to keep Scotty’s story alive.
That’s a toaster on the top left shelf!
Privileged and intimate access to so many historical and personal artifacts, largely left as they were in the 1930s.
One-of-a-kind glockenspiel, organ, and player piano system that still plays!
Pipe organ in the music room.
Mrs. Johnson’s closet as it was in the 1930s.
Scotty’s bed. The rumor was that the mine entrance was hidden underneath!
Scotty’s hats and ties.
Looking up the hill towards Scotty’s grave. He died in 1954 at the age of 81.
Scotty’s grave overlooking the desolate and beautiful valley that he loved so much.
Very nice, Frank. Thanks for the trip.
Thanks for joining me, Brian!
I had no idea there was a castle in this area. Having an elaborate music room with a pipe organ is mind-boggling, too.
Indeed one of the most surprising and incongruous places ever!
Such amazing photos from what must have been a truly fascinating trip! Thanks so much for sharing your journey, Frank!
Thank you for the most kind words of appreciation, Anita. It is such a privilege to have the freedom and means to travel. All the best.
Thinking of you, Frank, and wishing you peace and joy ✨
Wishing you the same, exquisite poet Ana.
🙏🤗
Love the artist’s palette. Thanks for the photo essay, Frank!
Thanks for checking in, Wynne. Alas, the photos don’t do it justice. All the best.
Wow, great photos and commentary, thanks.
Thanks a bunch for the kind words of appreciation, Wayne. An amazing place for sure. It was a privilege to be there.