Ash Meadows Wild life Refuge

Ash Meadows is a part of Death Valley National Park although it isn't in the boundary of the park.
It was established to protect a Devils Hole Pup Fish. The fish is under an inch long and only lives in Devils Hole. A crack in the earth that has water in it. The water is 89 degrees and very salty.



This zebra tailed lizard greeted us in the parking lot. Last time I was here I was greeted by a sidewinder.

Not a very good picture of the hole as it is completely surrounded by high fencing to keep us out. The hole is known to be at least 300 ft. That is far as divers have been able to go.

Another lizard taking advantage of some shade.

This is Longstreet Springs, the fussy cloud left of center is fine sand being blow about by the water shooting from the ground. This spring puts out over one thousand gal. a minuet at 89 degrees. It also has Pup fish.

The Longstreet Cabin that has been restored.

This flower is the Yerba Manza it was used by the natives of this area fore medicine. Treating colds,coughing and stomach pain. Also to relive swelling and as an antiseptic. All parts of the plant were used.

In the center of this photo is a Pup fish. The blue spot. (click on the photo to enlarge)

There are several pup fish in this shot. They are very small but bight blue.

More pup fish. The first time I was here they were not in breeding colors just brown.

This is a steel plate in a bridge over the streams flowing from the springs. This is Kings pool springs at Point of Rocks. All the trails are wooden decks and are being rebuilt. We were not able to visit Crystal springs, the largest springs in the park because of the reconstruction of the decking.

One of the displays in the park. I really enjoy visiting this area and recommend it.

The folioing photos of are of cactus blooming in the garden of the Preferred RV Resorts garden.

Death Valley - Scotty's Castle

This is the first hole on the Death Valley Golf Coarse. The sign reads " 214 Ft.. below sea level the lowest coarse in the world.

This is Scotty's Castle. It was built by a insurance Mogul after he had invested in a nonexistent gold mine Scotty had scammed him into buying one third. He loved the location and built this home. He said it was Scotty's and that he was just his banker. That way he could enjoy his time there with out being bothered as a host. He was a guest.

This is "Jimpson" (loco weed) it grows all over the desert.

Cholla cactis blooming. After about eightteen years down in the South it is the first time I saw this.

This is a well that was dug for looks as there is a spring above the house that provides over three hundred gallons of water a minuet.

A plaque in the left side of the entrence.

This was a guest house but is now the gift shop.

The clock tower still works and keeps good time but is a big maintenance headache.

Scotty and his burro on the weather vane.

This Pontiac is older than I am.

One of the fire places in the house.

This is not a fire place. Water was piped over the rock wall to act like a air conditioner.

The gun collection of the owner and Scotty.

Photos of some of the guest. Buffalo Bill, Hoover, and Teddy Roosevelt among the many celebrities that were guest.

The "day" bed for the Mistress of the house.

The every day dish's of the house.

I found this gas cook stove to be the most interesting thing in the house. It ran on an early form of Propane gas that was only available in Long Beach CA. almost 200 miles away. But there was no wood available.

The hood.

We were visited yesterday by two of my cousins that live in the area. Left to right Janice, me, and Kathy. They are Ruthy's daughters and live in the area. We had a short visit as they had Mother's day things to do. I hadn't seen Janice since I left CA. in 1946. Kathy stopped in OR. in the mid 60's.

This is the view from our front window here at the Motor coach Country Club.

At night.

The market place at the Collage Of the Desert (C.O.D.

Mary must have liked it, new ear rings, shoes, and a dress. We will be leaving here in the morning for Pahrump NV. We will miss this park but three days of 100+ heat it is time to head North. Our Mothers day got a slow start today. We were going to the Elks club for brunch. Opened the door for Mary and discovered we had a flat. Changed clothes and the tire. Made us late for our reservations but I had called them and we were fine. Got the tire repaired so we won't have to wait in the morning.

Lunch with Aunt Ruthy - Tram - Joshua Tree- Stagecoach

The highlight of our stay in Indio/Palm Springs was lunch with my Aunt Ruthy (call her Ruth and you are in trouble) We joined her and her companion Jim for lunch at their favorite spot. We had a great time remembering our youth in Long Beach California where she met and married my dad's baby brother Larry. The time they joined Gloria and I for a fishing trip in Canada. She and Mary are now best friends.

I took this photo to late. It should have been taken before Jim started eating the mountain of Ice Cream topped with a whole can of whipped cream and chocolate. It was about ten inches tall. Ruthy had two bites and Jim darned near eat it all.

The tram car coming down the hill.

Looking down hill at the tram coming up at us. (the dark spot at the bottom of the tower center)

Snow at the top of the tram ride. 7000+ ft.

Palm Springs far below us.

A few shots of the only wild life we saw.

This is a small creek at the base of the ride.

We were visited by a family of Canada geese this morning. I wonder what happened to the rest of the chicks.

We went to the Palm Springs Follies. They put on a great show that you can't take photos of. Great music and dancers. Also very funny.

We made a trip to the Joshua Tree National Park. This is a very large Yucca of some kind with Mary as close as she would get because......

It was covered with bees. This plant was about 12 to 14 ft. tall.

A part of the forest.

Some of the flowers that are in bloom at this time of year. " Brittlebush"

This is "Apricot Mallow" I have seen this flower all over my travels in the South, clear down to Mazatlan Mexico.

Dune Evening Primrose

Strawberry Hedgehog a very bright flower that can be spotted from far off.

A very pretty flower.

This is Ricky Scrags a very famous Blue grass player the only star we could get near at the Stagecoach festival we went to.

We came to Indio for this festival. It was a big disappointment. Great music but 55,000 people you couldn't get near the stage unless you wanted to pay $800+ for a seat. They had a long list of what you couldn't take in. Tickets said you had a row and seat # wrong no seats at all. But you could buy one. You could buy water for $2 a sandwich for $8 and a beer fir $9. I drank water.

These are the Humming birds that Nova Ann and Larry got us for our home in Yuma. We love them!