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User / KPortin / Sets / Panorama, 2020
Karen Portin / 72 items

N 88 B 2.6K C 14 E Feb 5, 2020 F Feb 9, 2020
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We have been in Death Valley for close to a week. Internet connectivity is dead in the park. We had to travel outside the park for fuel and groceries so have a brief opportunity to post on Flickr. This is an image of the Titus Canyon Road, a marvelous gravel road that travels over two twisty mountain passes, a ghost town and a narrow canyon. For bone-rattling and heart-stopping excitement this road is a must when visiting the area. Wilbur is on the far right.

Tags:   road Wilbur view mountains Death Valley National Park

N 22 B 1.2K C 4 E Feb 5, 2020 F Dec 3, 2020
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Red Pass is the highest point on the Titus Canyon Road in Death Valley National Park. The road is 27 miles long and is best traveled with a four wheel drive high clearance vehicle. If you zoom in you might see the road snake down across the valley below.

Tags:   Wilbur road Titus Canyon Road photographer geology Death Valley National Park

N 26 B 1.2K C 5 E Feb 5, 2020 F Dec 4, 2020
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The terrain along the 27 mile Titus Canyon Road is amazing. That moon is the moon that was present that day (just somewhat enlarged!)

Tags:   moon Wilbur photographer Titus Canyon Road Death Valley National Park geology rugged eroded

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From Dante's View, we hiked out toward Perry Mountain. Fabulous views from the mountainsides down to the Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level. And Telescope Peak, at 11,049 feet is the tallest mountain on the other side of the valley, twelve miles away.

Tags:   Death Valley National Park hiking Wilbur salt flats Badwater Basin Dante's View

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While Death Valley Scotty (Walter Scott) convinced most people he built the castle with money from his secret gold mines, the actual owner and builder was Albert Johnson, a Chicago millionaire. Scotty, a flamboyant and outrageous character, ran away from home in Kentucky as a boy and went to work on ranches in Nevada. In 1890 he was hired to work as a cowboy in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. After traveling the world with the show for 12 years he transformed himself into a mining entrepreneur. He convinced several wealthy businessmen to fund his gold mining operations.
One of the investors was Albert Johnson. Eventually Albert Johnson decided to make a trip to Death Valley to check on the so-called mines in which he had invested. During the visit Johnson and Scotty became fast friends. Johnson's health was poor as a result of a near fatal train accident and desert air was good for his health. In addition, even though he knew Scotty was a scoundrel, Johnson enjoyed his company. So for a number of years, Johnson and his wife made annual winter visits to Death Valley. Eventually the Johnsons decided to build a magnificent winter home in Death Valley. The Spanish Mediterranean style mansion was filled with unique handwrought iron, unusual tile, custom made furniture and elegant tapestries. The plan included a huge pool and gardens.
Construction halted in 1931 when Johnson ran out of money as a result of the panic of 1929 and he also discovered that as a result of a surveying error, he was building the castle on National Park Service property. Eventually Johnson was able to negotiate title to the land. But the money to finish the castle as planned was gone.
Meanwhile, Scotty continued telling everyone this castle out in the desert many miles from civilization was his. Even Johnson told people during his annual visits the castle was Scotty's and he was Scotty's banker.
Johnson and his wife died in 1940's. They willed the castle and surrounding land to a charitable organization who used it as a bed and breakfast and took care of Scotty. Scotty died in 1954. The costs of operation and repair resulted in sale to the National Park Service in 1970.
A cataclysmic flood in October 2015 did significant damage to the access road and the castle grounds and structures. The damage is still being repaired. But Wilbur and I were able to participate in a tour. We hope to return if the castle is opened as planned in 2021.

Tags:   Death Valley National Park Scotty's Castle desert clouds Panorama


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