After
a windy night at Mesquite Springs, we broke camp and headed out to
see Scotty's Castle and Ubehebe Crater. From there, the plan
was to go to the Racetrack and then Hunter Mountain.
The photos below are what we saw.
Our
first view of Scotty's Castle. Quite a place particularly
since it was totally in the boondocks when it was built.
Actually, it is STILL in the boondocks
The
park service offers paid tours of the castle. Above, the
group assembles outside prior to the "inside" tour.
Note
the fine stone work and the hand carved wooden door.
The
original name of the place was the Death Valley Ranch.
The
courtyard of the castle. Note the detailed iron work in the
gate and the window guards. The clock tower in the rear was
part of the power house building.
Inside,
our guide starts his description of the internals of the
castle. The guides were dressed as 1930's reporters.
A
detail of the furniture in the living room.
Hand
carved beams in the ceiling and and hand made iron chandelier.
The
NPS had contractors fabricate braces for the main beams in the
ceiling.
Leather
couches and intricate iron work on the door.
Another
view of the living room.
There
was a nice collection of antique firearms at he castle.
Furniture
in one of the sitting rooms.
This
device was a joke: it was described as a method of diverting
buckshot from a shotgun to kill attackers at the windows and doors
with one shot.
One
of the many nice fireplaces. This one had nice intricate
tile. The photos on the mantle were Walter Scott (Scotty)
and Mr. Johnson the owner of the castle.
This
room was originally the library, now it is billed as the dining
room.
Another view of the dining room.
The warming kitchen. The actual
food was prepared in another building and carted to this
kitchen. This stove was propane powered before propane was
popular.
Via the balcony, you could get a nice
view of the living room including the massive fire place.
Another special purpose room.
The theater area that also has a
piano, and a pipe organ. Note the hand carved beams.
A nice hand carved door.
The organ in the theater.
Another massive fireplace.
A parting shot of the clock tower at Scotty's Castle.
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Photos and Text Copyright Bill Caid 2012, all rights
reserved.
For your enjoyment only, not for commercial use.