Day 4-5~ Pahrumph & Death Valley

Yesterday we had our orientation for this 33 day guided trip. There are a total of 22 motorhomes plus the two tour guides. Our first outing was a trip to a local boutique winery right here in Pahrumph. Amazingly they grow most of their grapes locally through drip irrigation available because of the extensive aquifer.

Because this county has a population of less than 100,000, an unsual state law allows wineries, brothels and fireworks sales. After a winery tour we had a nice dinner at the winery. Today we left early for a bus tour of Death Valley. Neither Chig nor I had ever been there before. Our first stop was at Zabriskie Point with a vista point overlooking Badwater Basin. What an interesting landscape.

Our second stop was at Badwater Basin where we were at the lowest point in North America, 282' below sea level.

We next went to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and on to Furnace Creek for lunch. For me the highlight of the trip was our tour of Scotty's Castle on the northern end of the valley. Here we learned the story of a cowboy "flim flam man" and a wealthy Chicago millionaire becoming unlikely friends. The friendship resulted in the milliionaire building a castle in Death Valley and allowing the cowboy to claim it as his own. An interesting tale. The castle was constructed in the 1930's and features beautiful tile and wood work.

We were fortunate to have the high temperature today of only 104 degrees. Two days ago it was 122 degrees. Tomorrow we leave Pahrumph and head to St. Goerge, Utah. We will stop enroute at the Valley of Fire.