March 29- April 2 , 2025 Shoshone, California to Las Vegas, Nevada

 76 and sunny. 

Today we went to Vole Fest. I won this tote bag at the raffle for Vole Fest. The Amargosa Vole is endangered and only found in this valley. The tour of the vole habitat in Shoshone for Vole Fest.

The Shoshone pupfish (Another endangered species only found here) pond on the vole tour. Marsh 54 in Tecopa is one of three marshes in the area the voles live. There are 54 marshes in this valley, but the voles only live in 3 of them. 

Vole Marsh tour in Tecopa.  There was a fire here about a month ago that claimed the lives of they think 150 voles. It had the biggest vole population in the area. The bullrush is already starting to grow back, but it will be a few years before some voles from across the street in marsh 54 can live there. They need matted dead bullrush. Speakers at Vole Fest.

John Vole. A couple stuffed voles so we can see what they look like. 

Sunset with a jet trail. Cameron. the director of the Friends of the Amargosa Basin, gave a great talk on his newest book of wildflower photos and poems at the museum today. 

The farewell Primrose Patio potluck was last night. We are headed to Vegas and Judy D moved out of the artist in residence house. 5 of the 7 desert tortoises were out today, these three big guys were ganging up on the smaller one. 

Down on the wetlands trail the mesquite and willows are leafing out. Spring green. Sunset tonight. 

We are in Las Vegas Nevada for the Glass Expo that starts tomorrow. Here is our room in the South Point Casino.

Sunset tonight. Today I learned how to make silicon molds and silk mat molds. Barbara teaching silk mat molds, A face mold I made of silk mat, it needs to dry, A clear glass face made in a silk mat mold, Carry teaching silicon molds, a star and cow head silk mat mold I made. 

Two nights in a row I lost my whole $20 I take to gamble. I am about ready to give up. Saw this great movie tonight on the origins of Bullseye Glass. 

March 20-27, 2025 Shoshone, California

 High of 79 and sunny.

This lizard bid us goodbye as we left our  casita in Death Valley. Hike to the Alien landing spot.

Hike to the Alien landing spot. We dedicated John's bridge. Made a plaque and painted the last bolt he put in the bridge gold. 

John with the plaque. We also christened the bridge and John.

 Farewell dinner for Jill, Bec and Emmett. Raven on a wire at sunset. 

Sunset. Spent the afternoon helping my sister at her new house. I put shelf paper in the drawers and cabinets. Judy assembling a bunk bed for the guest room. Something I am not used to- cockroaches. The house has been empty for awhile. After she moves in and plugs the holes up they will be gone. I put out cockroach poison traps. 

Egad, it has been ungodly hot! Sunset last night. 

Beautiful, historic, down town Shoshone. It was so hot today the clothes dried before I finished hanging them all up. 

I love it when it is light enough and  warm enough to have dinner outside. John cooked a scrumptious dinner. High of 87 and high winds today. Cool looking lenticular clouds.

Vultures circling, looking for a place to roost for the night. This is about the weirdest sunset I have ever seen.

March 20, 2025 Death Valley National Park, California

 75 and sunny,

Palm grove at the Inn. These creosote bushes were the only thing we saw blooming. 

Heading into Marble Canyon. The first narrows of Marble canyon. 

The third narrows of Marble canyon, said to be the prettiest narrows in Death Valley.

Third narrows of Marble Canyon.

Third narrows and at the end of the narrows.

Petroglyphs.

I think these petroglyphs are more modern, not native americans. The walls of the canyon are striped with colorful layers that are uplifted and twisted. 

Heading back through the narrows on our way back.

Colorful wall in the narrows. The lower canyon.

Heading back. Chert nodules and quartz intrusions. 

The Inn is an oasis in the desert. We were having dinner and the fire alarm went off, they evacuated us outside and this was the view.

 Happy Birthday to Judy.