KICKING OFF SHOSHONE DAYS, BIRDWALK PARTICIPANTS MET AT THE SHOSHONE MUSEUM. LED BY LEONARD WARREN, ORNITHOLOGIST,THE GROUP HIKED TO THE SHOSHONE RV PARK AND THE TRAIL WHICH CIRCUMVENTS THE PUPFISH POND AND RECREATED VOLE HABITAT.

THE RV PARK DISALLOWS WOOD OR CHARCOAL FIRES. OURS IS ABOVE-GROUND AND RUN ON PROPANE. WE WERE THE ENVY OF THE CAMPGROUND.

SHOSHONE NIGHT LIFE CENTERS AROUND THE CORKSCREW SALOON.

THE SPRING FED POOL IS A CONSTANT 89 DEGREES.

MARTA BECKET. A SUCCESSFUL AND DEDICATED ARTIST AND DANCER IN NEW YORK, MARTA VISITED THE CALIFORNIA DESERT AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE EMPTY DETERIORATING BUILDING WHICH SHE EVENTUALLY MADE INTO AN OPERA HOUSE WHERE SHE SPENT YEARS AS A ONE-PERSON SHOW. HER HISTORY IS COMPELLING. MARTA DIED A FEW YEARS AGO. I TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO SEE HER IN THE 1970S.

CHINA RANCH IS DELIGHTFUL TO VISIT. THE ROAD IS A SCENIC DRIVE. China Ranch is a family owned and operated small farm, a lush piece of greenery amidst the forbidding Mojave Desert near Southern Death Valley. The gift shop is full of antiques and the best part is the date bread and date shakes.

THELONGSTREET CASINO AND RV PARK IS A STRANGE PLACE FOCUSED ON LARGE COWS. IT IS LOCATED IN THE AMARGOSA VALLEY JUST OVER THE NEVADA BORDER.

AFTER 5 DAYS IN SHOSHOE AND SURROUNDING AREAS, WE HEADED FOR FURNACE CREEK IN DEATH VALLEY FOR THE 49ER ENCAMPMENT TO CELEBRATE THE PIONEER SPIRIT. IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH FURNACE CREEK BE PREPARED FOR SOME SURPRISES. THE FURNACE CREEK INN IS CLOSED AND UNDER RENOVATION. A MISSION IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. GET TO FURNACE CREEK RANCH AND THE STORE, COFFEE SHOP, STEAKHOUSE, ETC. ARE GONE. A MAKESHIFT RESTAURANT IS AVAILABLE NEAR THE GOLF COURSE AND THE GOLF SHOP IS NOW A GIFT SHOP/STORE.

THANK GOODNESS THE SPRING-FED POOL WAS OPEN.

TEXAS SPRINGS CAMPGROUND WAS CLOSED BUT SUNSET WAS OPEN. WE FOUND A GOOD SPOT AND ENJOYED OUR TIME THERE. WE COULD EVEN HEAR THE CONCERTS FROM OUR CAMPSITE. FAMILY ARRIVED ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS – TWO FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS. IRENE IS FROM SPAIN, AND JAMIE FROM GERMANY. THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO A CLIMB AT THE SAND DUNES.

THERE WAS A CRAFT FAIR AND AN ART SHOW AND PROGRAMS AT THE VISITOR CENTER. THERE WAS ALSO A PARADE WHERE ALAN MARCHED WITH THE CLAMPERS.

THE DAY’S HIGHLIGHT: THE WAGON TRAIN ARRIVAL

THESUNSETS IN DEATH VALLEY ARE MAGNIFICENT AS IS THE EVENING SKY.

BELOW IS BADWATER, BELOW SEA LEVEL.