DEATH VALLEY - 3

Devil's Golf Course

We had breakfast  in our room Wednesday and were on the road by 7:15.  We made the short ride to the Scottie’s Castle (Hwy 178) road intersection and turned southeast.  Our first stop was at the Devil’s Golf Course.  It was on a gravel road about a mile from the highway. It was a large flat area with small jagged rocks encrusted with salt.  We were the only ones there although we met one car leaving and one entering.

After spending a little time there we rode back to the highway and proceeded to Badwater Basin, the lowest (-282’)and hottest  place (134 F) in North America.  There were a lot of people here and we walked out on the basin a ways.  It was still early and it wasn’t particularly hot but shirt sleeve weather nonetheless.

 From here we backtracked up to Artists Drive, a nine mile loop to the east of the highway.  There were a lot of colorful rock formations and the last few miles of the loop were twisty and fun riding.

Next we backtracked back to Furnace Creek to top off our gas tanks at $8.75/gal.  It was a beautiful place with palms and other trees reminiscent of a desert oasis.  From there we took Highway 190 to the east  for about 10 miles before turning on the road to Dante’s View.  

Dante’s View

This road parallels the Badwater Basin road only about 7,000 feet higher.  The last few miles were steep and curvy.  At the end of the road (about 27 miles from Furnace Creek) is an outstanding  view.  However, it was very cold and windy.  There were a lot of tourists there and while we were there about 20 more arrived on tricycles.

Zabrinski Point

20 Mule Team Canyon

After taking in the view we rode back down to lower and warmer elevation and took the 20 Mule Team Canyon  loop which is an unpaved road just to the west of the highway. We stopped for a picnic lunch on the loop and I believe only one vehicle went by.  Upon finishing lunch we rode the rest of the 2.7 mile loop and went back to Zabrinski Point which we had passed on the way up. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot and we had to hike a ways up to the point.  Here again were fantastic views on three sides.

Keane Wonder Mine

It was getting warmer now as we turned north riding up to the Beatty Cutoff road and down  it about 6 miles before turning east on a rough gravel road out to the Keane Wonder Mine.  This was a very innovative mine in its day having set up a tramway over a mountain allowing  horizontal  and much shorter shafts to be dug to access the ore.  We saw only one person here who was hiking around.  This was our last attraction of the long day as we make it back to the Village and took a refreshing swim in the pool.  After another delicious dinner we sat around the fire pit and visited with a couple with homes in Indiana and Las Vegas.  It had been another interesting day having traveled 165 miles. [To be continued] M/W

DEATH VALLEY - 2

 

The next morning we were up early and found garbage strewn about outside.  As it turns out there are wild burros (that was the internet password) that roam around and routinely defeat the garbage can covers and proceed to make their selection.  This
motel didn’t serve breakfast but we had provisions to make do.

Leadfield Mine Geocache

We unloaded our bikes and were on the road by 8:15 and it was cold.  Our first route was the east-west Titus Canyon.  This is about a 25 mile one way gravel road with the first half being relatively flat.  After that it is a very steep downhill with sharp swithbacks and many big rocks scattered in the road.  It was  the most challenging road I had ever ridden and I was very proud to have made it with no falls.  We were riding through sheer high canyon walls on each side of the narrow road.  The only problem was the road was so challenging I didn’t dare take my eyes off it to enjoy the scenery.  We saw only one other group of 4 riders.  The leader commented with pride referring to his group and us that it was great to be over 50 and able to ride this.  We stopped on the last third to examine the Leadfield Mine which was also a  virtual geocache.  The Titus Canyon road terminated at the intersection with Scottie’s Castle Road.  (Scottie’s Castle was closed or we would have taken it in.) 

Ubehebe Crater

We followed this road northwest about 25 more miles to the Ubehebe Crater.  This is a huge 500 foot deep volcanic crater.  We hiked (more like slid) to the bottom on pea gravel and picked up a couple of geocaches there.  That 500 foot drop occurs in a horizontal distance of ¼ mile.  I believe that works out to about a 38% grade.  It was cold and windy on the crater’s edge but after that climb out it was time for lunch.

Stove Pipe Village Motel

After our picnic lunch we headed back down Scottie’s Castle Road to the motel at Stove Pipe Wells Village.  After checking in and getting settled we traveled the short distance over to the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes and looked around a bit.  Then back to the Village where we looked around more and had a good dinner at the restaurant there.  Our room was at the end of a little court with a raised fire pit in the center and there were often folks around it in the evening.  I had to get a rollaway bed as our room only had one bed.  However, it was really comfortable and I don’t know when I’ve slept more soundly.  We had traveled 170 miles that day. [To be continued]  M/W

DEATH VALLEY - 1

 

A while back I read an article by a motorcyclist who had toured Death Valley.  I was so intrigued by his story that it piqued my interest so I began doing some research.  First I contacted my son Clint to see if he was up for a spring time trip and he was.  Next I contacted a friend who is probably the most experienced and well traveled biker I know.  He was more than willing to advise us, so Clint and I met with him and he advised us on attractions as well as loaning us a book and map.  His advice changed our approach a bit as he indicated the most interesting places were off pavement.  This meant taking my little Yamaha XT250  rather than my Triumph Tiger XRx.  When another friend heard of our plans he absolutely insisted that Clint borrow his XT250.  Clint has a cargo trailer big enough for both bikes so the plan was to trailer the bikes down to Beatty, NV, and leave from there.

We left Sunday, March 13^th  a little after 7:00.  I would have preferred going a week or two later but that’s the only time we could get reservations at one of the two motels in the park.  Our first night was in Winnemucca and it was a long drive (523 miles).  Even though we took turns driving it was tiring.  Any hill of any significance required a downshift and a strain on Clint’s 2002 Ram truck with the 5.2 liter engine. We stopped only for gas and arrived in Winnemucca late afternoon.  To stretch our legs a bit we hiked around town some and picked up a couple of geocaches.  We had a fantastic barbeque dinner that was lean and very tasty at “The Little Pig”.

Breakfast was at the motel at 6:00 and we were on the road shortly thereafter.  Beatty, NV, was supposed to have been a fairly short drive but somehow my mapping was off and instead of 322 miles it was about 100 miles farther.  Part of the problem may have been my GPS and its directions because the return trip was much shorter and easier.  I had a brand new mapping program installed and it gave directions such as “turn on 1^st street and proceed 196 miles”.  As it turned out 1^st Street was Highway 95.  I thought something was wrong with my old GPS and kept fooling with it and just messed things up.  At any rate, we finally arrived in Beatty around 2:30.  At the motel we found a sign that said “Office closed from 11:30 to 3:30”.  We did find the clerk who would not relent but we were able to leave the trailer there while we proceeded on our motorcycles to the old ghost town of Rhyolite just outside of Death Valley Park.

Before relating the Rhyolite scene which we visited twice I’ll tell you what happened when we returned to the motel about  5:30.  I was informed that my reservation had been cancelled by Booking.com due to an invalid credit card number.  This seemed really strange as there had been no problems with my other reservations.  And, of course, the motel had rented our room.  Then we had to scramble around town to find a room as it was getting late.  We finally found one at the Death Valley Inn which took forever to get settled.  First the old lady clerk was extremely slow.  When we finally got to the assigned room which was supposed to have been two queens it was one king.  So I went back to the office for another try.  This time it was two queens but the room hadn’t been made up.  The third time was a charm but this took a lot of time.  It was past dark when we finally got settled.  [To be continued] M/W

STAYCATION IS OVER

Bulbs grow among the weeds

Mike and Clint arrived at the town house about 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. Bess was super-excited to see Mike, and I was relieved that they were safely home. After unloading the pick-up and trailer, Clint thanked Mike for planning a fun trip, and Mike thanked Clint for going along. Then Clint left for home.

Bess and I got along just fine, but she’s a bit bossy, you know. Actually, I think she whined at me less while Mike was gone, probably because I was just marching to her drummer. (“Oh, you want me to fix my supper now? Okay. I don’t mind eating early.”)

Staycation was reasonably productive. I finished crocheting Silas’ Christmas stocking. I just have to line it and then it will be ready for Santa’s visit 2022, now only 279 days away. I also put a face on “Jingles the Crocheted Elf” that I started during some other staycation years ago, and having accomplished that “buffalo,” perhaps I can finish him. I want our Christmas decorations to include lots of “softies” that a toddler can handle and enjoy. And of course, I stitched together the two fabric books for Silas, and they were delivered today.  

Yardwork calls

You know, I always think that I’ll get so much done while I staycate, but in reality, it just doesn’t happen. Could I stay on task and work harder and faster? I doubt it. I’m not sure I would even want to. It IS a staycation, after all. KW 

DEATH VALLEY STAYCATION – DAY 6

This is the last day of staycation. Mike will be home tomorrow (Saturday). These staycations always seem to be over about as soon as they start.  

It was warmer again this morning but not THAT warm, so I decided to have a fire in the stove. It’s actually easier to get a fire started when it’s cold outside, so at this time of year, a morning fire is better than one in the evening.

As planned, today I stitched up the cloth books for Silas, staying on task until they were finished. And then I mailed them. I’m quite proud of myself.

The mailman didn’t deliver a gift, so I took advantage of a download special offered by one of my favorite websites. KW

DEATH VALLEY STAYCATION – DAY 5

It was 31 this morning, and I lit a cheery fire in the little stove. Tending fires is Mike’s job, and he worried about my ability to cope, but I assured him that I really can start a fire. Now, if the pilot on the hot water heater were to go out – as it does from time to time – I’d be stuck, but even in that case, I remember how we coped “back in the day” by heating water on the stove.

Today I reorganized my quilting fabrics, making use of the Art Bin “double deep super satchels” that I bought yesterday. I almost panicked as I realized how my love of fat quarters and charm packs has morphed into a collection of dreams, but then I assured myself that it’s just my stash and it IS wonderful.

And look what came today! The two fabric panels, Volumes 1 and 3, of the Mary Englebreit Mother Goose books! I couldn’t believe it! I just ordered them on Tuesday. That was excellent service from Etsy seller, Obie’s Fabrics and More – and also from USPS. I hastened to wash the panels and by suppertime I had cut them out and ordered the pages so that I can sew tomorrow.

I’m not sure if these books are for Silas or his parents. I suspect they were tired of reading the same nursery rhymes from Volume 2. Perhaps they have yet to realize that children love repetition. But that’s okay because I’m glad to contribute to their education.

And I received another gift, too – a packet of white charm squares -- (You can never have enough charm squares!) – and some of those fancy decorative zippers that sew on the outside. Why did it take forever for someone to come up with THAT idea?

I only had 9,000 steps yesterday, but today Bess and I had a longer afternoon walk, plus I made many trips to the storage shed. I will finish this day with 11,000+ steps. KW

DEATH VALLEY STAYCATION – DAY 4

If it’s Day 4, this must be Wednesday. Mike messaged this evening to say the day had been long and adventurous, and – it was warm enough to take a swim this evening.

Today’s staycation gift, delivered by the mailman, is a book of doll clothes patterns for 14-inch dolls – Doll Studio Boutique by Erin Hentzel. I have a vintage 14-inch Toni, and I think she can wear these garments.

In addition to this reward, I drove to JoAnn’s today and bought two large storage boxes for my fat quarter collection. Ever since I revived my interest in sewing 15 years ago, I have marveled at the lack of storage systems scaled for the collection of fabric and thread, but these boxes should allow for the categorization I want.

It seems like there’s a dearth of new products right now. Or, maybe I’m just not finding inspiration for whatever reason. I suppose, though, that the pandemic and subsequent distribution difficulties are to blame.

Today, I took out an old project that had become a buffalo – “Jingles the Christmas Elf.” I finished his facial features this afternoon. I was stumped again when I couldn’t find the right size jingle bells needed for his costume, but upon checking again, I found some that will do. KW

 

DEATH VALLEY DAYS STACATION – DAY 3

By the time I took Bess to her kennel last night, I had 10,000 Fitbit steps for the day.

It was fairly warm at bedtime – 55 – and 44 when I arose this morning. A dark, dreary, rainy morning turned into a lovely, windy March afternoon.

I got Bess up at 7:00, and after we greeted each other enthusiastically, she whined. I knew what she wanted. I showed her that Mike was not in the bedroom and assured her that we are having a good time even so. She whined again, but then she finished her breakfast and curled up on her pillow in resignation.

Hallie messaged this morning that she and Nick have been reading to Silas from the cloth nursery rhyme book I stitched up. She wanted to know why I had chosen volume 2, so I explained it was the only panel available at the time. Did they want volumes 1 and 3, I asked, and she responded that Silas likes to turn the pages of the books, but he can’t yet manage the board books. She said it would be nice to have more, but she knows I have lots of projects. And that’s true enough, but nothing is as rewarding as making a gift that someone actually wants, so today I ordered fabric panels for volumes 1 and 3 of Mary Englebreit’s Mother Goose cloth book from an Etsy seller.

Speaking of projects, this afternoon I finished Silas’ Christmas stocking, with the exception of the lining. And now it’s on to the next thing, but that’s a topic for another day.

No staycation gift was delivered today, but I expect one tomorrow.

Another 10,000-step day. KW

DEATH VALLEY DAYS STAYCATION – DAY 2

Yesterday went reasonably well. Bess got over her funk, and I finished the day with 11,000+ Fitbit steps.

I was wide awake at 5:50 this morning, and of course, on standard time, that was 4:50, but I have to quit thinking that way. I arose drowsily and started my day. Mike had built a fire in the little stove, so I lit it. I didn’t get Bess up until 7:00, and she greeted me enthusiastically.

I have been crocheting. This is my third attempt to make a crocheted Christmas stocking for baby grandson Silas, whose middle name is “Fox.” It’s sorta reminiscent of “sly fox,” don’t you think? But when I was there last month, Silas didn’t seem sly at all. His nursery theme is woodland animals, and I naturally think in terms of a fox as I plan projects for him. So, the difficulty with this stocking is that I have an idea in my head to make a “fox” stocking, but it’s difficult since I don’t have a pattern to follow. And I want it to be special, so I’m obsessing over it, but I’m pleased to report that the current effort seems to be coming along.  

I hadn’t expected delivery of a gift today, but the mailman came early and surprised me with a book I had ordered -- Growing Vegetables in Drought, Desert and Dry Times by Maureen Gilmer. I know – it’s not really a personally inspirational gift, but that’s okay. I’m interested to know if I can improve my vegetable-growing efforts in these hot times.

A pleasant and uneventful day. KW

DEATH VALLEY DAYS STAYCATION – DAY 1

If you’re old enough (and you’d probably have to be at least 60), you might remember the old radio and early television series, “Death Valley Days,” sponsored by 20 Mule Team Borax and Boraxo. I remember that my mother had a box of 20 Mule Team Borax under the sink, and my grandfather kept a can of Boraxo, a powdered hand cleaner, on his bathroom sink. Somehow the name, “20 Mule Team Borax,” captured my imagination because I understood neither the mule team nor the product.

Anyway – I digress. Mike and Clint left this morning at 7:00 PDT for Death Valley. They loaded Clint’s utility trailer with two XT250s and lots of other stuff, and whatever happens with them is their story. This is my story – and Bess’s.

Bess knew as soon as she got up that Mike was leaving, and she wanted to go, too. Clearly, she prefers Mike’s company to mine. She followed him out to the pick-up, and he had to bring her back to the house where she promptly curled into a little ball on her pillow and went to sleep. She knows for sure now that she is here with me, and she doesn’t like it. I don’t particularly like it either, though I’m fine with staycating.

“What will you do while I’m gone,” Mike asked, and I declined to say. I know he thought I was being evasive, but I’d rather say what I did than what I’m going to do. Frankly, if I do nothing at all – with the exception of caring for Bess, that is – that’s just fine.

And of course, there will be gifts. Just managing Bess warrants rewards. Two gifts arrived early – my first issue of “Doll Castle News” and a packet of quilting fat quarters in 1930’s reproduction prints. The watering can was delivered today. I plan to keep it near the sink to save cold water

I went shopping this morning – Walmart, JoAnn’s, and Albertson’s. Sticker shock everywhere! 

After shopping and walking Bess three times, I finished the day having met my Fitbit goal of more than 10,000 steps – unusual for me. KW

RECYCLING FABRIC

Our mail wasn’t delivered yesterday. Late in the afternoon, a couple of USPS vehicles traveled through the neighborhood, but they didn’t deliver regular mail. We weren’t expecting anything, so I suppose it doesn’t matter. It’s just unusual – or is it?

We went to Albertsons this morning where I refused to pay the asking price for salad greens. The price disparity between store brands and manufacturers’ brands grows wider. In this troubled world, I’m afraid we’re in for it. I’m well aware that there are other places to shop, and we might do that. As I explained to my brother, it would be a long time before we’d starve, but I’m thinking we should augment our provisions anyway.

So – to return to the sewing room, I prepared Mike’s old shirt for recycling, removing the buttons and then cutting off the plackets, collar, and sleeves. The fabric is well worn around the seams, so I simply used a scissors to cut the shirt apart, leaving the side seams intact. I figure the shirt will provide enough fabric for three garments. The first is a pair of overalls for an 18-inch doll, a pattern I’ve wanted to try for several years.

In the process of cutting out the overalls, my mother’s distaste for used fabric was reinforced. The fabric is warped, which alters the straight. It doesn’t quite lie flat. Some parts are more faded than others. But – that’s why I chose overalls. If they look faded and worn, it’s all to the good. My dolls are active and industrious.

I forgot to take a picture as I worked, but here’s one of Grandson Silas on the puff quilt that I made for him using 1930’s reproduction storybook fabric charm squares. His mom says he likes to look at the prints. KW

NOT MUCH HAPPENING

 We’re doing just fine here, but I have nothing much to report.

The weather is making a slow segue into spring. Mornings are chilly, but the sun (if it appears) will give us a little afternoon warmth. It’s still too soon to work in the garden.

I’m slowly working on sewing projects. I subscribed to a site that promotes the making of doll clothes, and this month’s topic is upcycling a man’s shirt into a doll outfit – or whatever you want. Mike volunteered that I could use one of his shirts. I was surprised because Mike is fond of his collection of shirts. And really, most of his shirts don’t inspire me, but I happened to think of one – a “Bugle Boy” out of the early ‘90s – and found it in his closet. The collar was beyond frayed – totally worn out – and the sleeve was torn, but I felt his reticence when I asked to repurpose it. I held my ground and started whacking away on it before he could change his mind.

We’ll see how this goes. I’ve chosen a project, and I will either make progress, or life will happen and it will be added to my list of unfinished projects.

I like the idea of repurposing textiles. The more we keep out of the landfill, the better. But I also think of my mother, who always said that she much preferred to work with new fabrics. She didn’t alter or re-make much, but she made lots of new clothes. She took pride in her sewing and handwork. 

Well, that was then, and this is now. I wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes these days – and I don’t mind recycling an old shirt into something different. KW

GROWING FOOD

Garden produce, August 2021

Here it is March, and time to think about our farm garden and what we might successfully grow this year. As produce – and groceries in general – become more expensive, Mike wondered aloud if we could grow more of our food. It’s a nice thought, but in recent years, I haven’t grown anything in my garden that relieved us of buying food.

“The spinach on your plate came from our garden,” I might announce, “and by the way, that’s all of it.” Or, perhaps I’ll have enough to put up a box or two that I save to share at a family gathering. I haven’t even grown decent zucchini!

With hot, dry summers, my thumb has turned brown, and while I accept some responsibility for that, regional gardens shriveled away in last summer's heat while gardeners looked on in dismay. It can be too hot for the vegetation, even if you water.

We just can’t give up the effort to grow our food, though. Our world is facing environmental challenges, and hopefully we can overcome somehow.

You may recall that we have three rustic raised beds on the farm, and one contains strawberries. They are all fenced against the marauding deer, and I shade them with dog food sacks pinned to the fencing as summer progresses.

So, we talked about it. What can we do? More raised beds? Tear out the strawberries and plant vegetables? Plow up a section of the yard for a new garden plot? “Really, Mike,” I said, “it’s a lot of work, and it might be for nothing.” Besides digging up the ground, a garden plot would have to be fenced, and that means even more work. Paying the price for produce looks better all the time, provided produce is available.

But – here I go again. I researched heat-loving, drought-tolerant vegetables. Beans, zucchini, all squash, melons, corn, okra, and eggplant were among the listed items. These require space to grow adequately, and absent from the list are the leafy greens that are most important to our diet.  

Another suggestion is to plant earlier so that you harvest before the really hot months. “Early Girl” or Roma tomatoes were on that list. I’ve actually considered planting earlier, but I usually don’t get to it until June, and I admit that’s just too late. This spring, we must make early planting a priority.

And I wonder if we can’t do more to take advantage of the country fruits. We have lots of plums, serviceberries, black hawthorn, and elderberries, and we’ve planted cherry, apple, and pear trees in the yard. It’s too soon to tell what the yield will be. We get what we get, and some years we don’t get any. KW