[VAC] 3/03/01 Saturday - EEWCRC

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"East and West of the Colorado River Caravan"

Scrambled eggs, raisin toast with jam and coffee was the caravan breakfast today, then we were off
to Zabriskie Point for a view of the badlands (used to be the lake floor). At Zabriskie Point
overlook, we saw ancient mud hills shaped like monster. These were created from a once massive
undersea delta to the lake. Driving to the Point was across the floor of this lake - well below sea
level. 

Death Valley ranges from 4-16 miles in width and is about 120 miles long. It was formed 3 million
years ago when forces within the earth broke the crust into blocks that tilted and rotated, creating
the alternating mountain and valley pattern that's here today. Our leader told how during the ice
ages, large lakes intermittently occupied the basin; their evaporation left layers of mud rolls and
large salt deposits that are still visible today. 

When we went to leave the overlook, our Van's starter wouldn't turn over unless I crawled beneath
the truck with a hammer and forcefully whacked it several times to move the rotor off the dead spot
(where it had shorted out). We've had this starter for 11 days and used it for about 30 starts. 

Going down the mountain, we saw Twenty-Mule Team Canyon Road. Next stop was the hotel where we
walked through lush, groomed flower gardens. The hotel was built adjacent to one of the few sources
of water in Death Valley. Same procedure for starting the truck. It's doable but not on a regular
basis. 

On the way home for lunch, I stopped at the garage near our campground and inquired about the
closest NAPA Store and Car Care Service facility. There was one in the town of Beatty (about 30
miles away). I called them, they had a replacement starter, but they couldn't put it in today. I
told them I'd be up to buy it and would put it in myself. I also mentioned I had a NAPA warranty on
the one that was shorting out. We picked up lunch at the Airstream (left the van engine running) and
drove to Beatty. When I pulled up to the station, they motioned me to drive inside and told me
they'd install it for me because of the warranty <smile>. Forty five minutes later, we were out of
there with a new starter, no charge whatsoever. Bingo!! 

Price of gas in Beatty was $1.73 so we filled again. When I asked the clerk at the combination gas
station and grocery store, if there was a pharmacy or drug store in town. She said, "Yes" and
pointed to a shelf with small bottles of aspirin on it. Her comment was, "There's no time to be
sick in this town. All of us have to work every day." That comment said volumes.

On the way back, we stopped at the ghost town of Rhyolite. It was a boom town during 1904-1911
following a gold strike. There's a house built from 51,000 glass bottles. Out back is an older
Airstream where the caretaker lives. Because many of the building were built with concrete, they are
still standing (shells only). 

Back at the campground, happy hour was just ending with caravaners getting ready for our night at
the Amargosa Opera House. The house is a backdrop for dance-mime performances created and presented
by Marta Becket. She has been doing her one woman performances for 23 years, is 76 years old and
still going strong. The Opera House was filled to capacity. When she started this show, no one came
so she painted an audience on all three walls and in balcony seats. Her painting extended to framed
pictures selling for $1500 plus. This woman is a most unusual person.  

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net