There were three others on this trip.  The guide was a women called Karen.  First we drove for two hours out a town called Beatty where the transport was refuelled and we had something to eat.  Then we went to the mining ghost town of Rhyolite where an old boy told us briefly about the history standing outside a house built of bottles.  One time 10,000 people lived here and there was even a swimming pool and women were allowed to use it on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Next we left the metalled roads and headed out to Titus Canyon on a dirt track.  This was a one way road.  We reached the top of the pass and stopped to take some photos.  Then we went on down the road into the Canyon.  If there was rain then this would be impassable because it would become a real torrent.  The Titus Canyon was quite narrow and tall.  More impressive than the Grande Canyon on many ways.

When we left the Canyon we joined a metalled road where we saw some Coyotes. These were on the way to Scotty's castle.  

The history of Scotty's Castle is replete with stories of gold mines, shady deals and tall tales.  It's a story about a flamboyant Wild West trick-rider, a well respected Chicago insurance magnate and the legend they created in Death valley.

It starts in the early 1900's when Walker Scott convinced Albert Johnson to grubstake his gold mining expeditions.  The gold mines never materialized, but when Johnson came to Death Valley to visit, a friendship did.  Johnson fell in love with Death Valley and took a liking to the colourful Scotty.  He continued to spend vacations with Scotty in Death Valley and soon his wife Bessie joined them.  But Bessie suggested accommodations more comfortable than tents.  So Scott's Castle was born.  With his love for a good story, Scotty quickly spread the word that he was building the two million dollar home with profits from his phantom gold mine.  When the droves of reporters came, even Johnson passed himself off as Scotty's banker.

With its luxurious appointments, this Spanish style castle became a popular tourist attraction in the late 1930's.  Thousands of tourists arrived each year to see what they believed to be the dwelling of one of the worlds richest gold miners.  Today the castle remains a tribute to two very different men and their lifelong friendship.

The National Park now owns it.  We were shown around  by a 1930' dressed park ranger. Great furnishings, heavy Spanish/Italian oak and leather with odd bits of Indian art.  Lovely woven baskets.  Lunch in the cafe.

We then left and stopped Furnace Creek.

Then on to Zabrinski Point to view some amazing scenery.  We waited till sun set, and then left to go back to Vegas, arriving back at around 7.00 in the evening.