February 10-12, 2020 Beatty, Nevada To China Ranch, Tecopa, California

 Judy D and Judy P left on their 170 mile, 2 week backpack from Beatty this am. The B2B- Beatty to Badwater hike. They will hike from Beatty Nevada to Badwater, Death Valley following the course of the Amargosa river. They started this 10 years ago as a fund raiser for the Amargosa Conservancy, but now just do it every year because they like it. My sister does it every year and many other people have part or all of it with her over the years. John has gone on much of it. I just do support, drive them places, bring food, stay in hotels and go out to eat with them when they stay there. Lots of fun, but I don't carry a pack that far anymore. 

On our way up to Beatty we were stopped behind an accident. The patient left in this medical helicopter, then we continued to Beatty. Today we came back through Pahrump. John had a crown come off one of his teeth so we stopped at a dentist in Pahrump to get it cemented back on. There are wild horses and burros along the roads in the area, these cute signs remind you to watch out for them. Back in Shoshone it was 68 degrees and sunny. Big winds, but I set the lawn chair up in the lee of the bus and worked on my masterpiece. Here it is so far. The center is a piece of glass I fused, beveled and polished. 

John and I hiked the white trail this afternoon. Beautiful warm , sunny, and  big wind. I love the shadows on this mountain. John ahead of me on the trail.  

Sunset tonight near Tecopa. 

Sunset tonight near Tecopa. Acme Siding in Amargosa Canyon just west of China Ranch. The railroad stopped here and loaded up borax from the mines. the railroad is long gone and much of the railroad bed is eroded here.

I took John to the Mudthedral. It is a series of arches and tunnels through what looks like dried mud.  A tunnel leads to the arched open chamber in the middle of the mudthedral and a tunnel on the other side. You can look up and see the mesquite trees above.

The end of the Mudthedral. John crossing the Amargosa River to the Slot Canyon that you can see the mouth of it under the sunburst. 

Hoo Doo outside of the Slot Canyon. John in the mouth of the Slot Canyon.  

It is almost spooky with all the little caves and fang looking rocks. John in the Slot Canyon. 

 Back on the other side of the  the Amargosa River. A cool looking rock valentine.  

John heading back toward China Ranch in Amargosa Canyon right below Acme siding. The old Assay building just west of China Ranch. 

I took this photo of the door through a door at the Assay building on the way out.  

Evening light on the badlands behind the date orchards at China Ranch Date Farm.