Sunday, October 18th, a storm passed over the northern end of Death Valley National Park. The cell dumped almost three inches of water in the Scotty's Castle area. That is more rain in one event than the park averages in a year.
Flooding and mudslides caused amazing amounts of damage to some of the buildings on the Castle grounds. Mother Nature picked up a large portion of the road leading to the Castle and moved it somewhere else. Miraculously, the Castle itself sustained minimal damage. Talking with a ranger friend I've worked with the last three winters at the Castle (she's already out there for her season), she fully believes the visitor center and swimming pool saved the Castle. The swimming pool, which was never finished and never filled, is now filled, though with mud. This formerly glaring unfinished project turned out to be a blessing 85 years after construction stopped abruptly. I will never look at that swimming pool the same.
For photos, I will direct you to the Death Valley National Park Facebook page. Also, National Parks Traveler has an article and short video clip. The rest of the park was also impacted, but not like Scotty's. I almost cried when I saw the footage from the inside of the visitor center. The link for the video is:
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2015/10/flooding-runs-counter-death-valleys-image-remakes-national-park-landscape
I was scheduled to return to Scotty's Castle in three weeks for a fourth winter season. At this time, although the option was still available to return to Death Valley (to do what, I don't know), I have decided not to return. Trust me when I say it was a hard decision.
What now? That's still unknown. I will be in Texas until further notice. I have friends I haven't seen in a long time, new babies to meet, tap dance classes to attend, plenty of hours of piano playing to complete, and plenty of projects. Road tripping, traveling, camping trips, piano playing, dancing, visiting, running, scrapbooking, crocheting, who knows....It's always an adventure, right?
we have friends that are hosting there 1 nov , they were hoping not to have to shovel!
ReplyDeleteI remember your telling me about this event. I'm still in disbelief! As always, you emerged from this unsuspecting wrench in your plans gracefully and with your usual zest for life! I appreciate the footage.... Who would have thought that unfinished swimming pool would come in handy?! Crazy! Thank you for sharing the details on this devastating event.
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