Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
144
Inn and entered the tourism business by opening The Furnace Creek Inn. The mission-style structure
was set into the low ridge overlooking Furnace Creek Wash. Adobe bricks were handmade by Pai-
ute and Shoshone laborers, while a Spanish stonemason created the Moorish-influenced stonework.
Meandering gardens, Deglet Noor palm trees, and more rooms were added and other improvements
were made for its completion in 1935 with 66 rooms.
Warm springs continuously flow to the facility, keeping the swimming pool at a constant 84
degrees and providing all of the moisture necessary for the inn, its surrounding gardens, a forest of
date palms, and the nearby ranch, which was added in 1933. A lush 18-hole golf course at the ranch,
the lowest-elevation course in the world, is situated next to an airport that services small planes,
some of which just stop for the food. Wild but lazy coyotes on the course have been known to walk
off in broad daylight with those little white balls that resemble bird eggs.
Hiking, horseback riding, and tennis are also popular with guests—but be prepared.
Whether you are walking or driving, pack lots of water, then pack some more. Summer tempera-
tures (measured 5 feet above the ground) can average about 120 degrees with humidity below 10
percent. Surface temperatures are considerably hotter. Hats and sunscreen are also recommended
for most activities.
Other area attractions include the 2,000-year-old Ubehebe Crater, a relic from an explosive
steam eruption when rising magma met an underground lake. Dante's Peak on the eastern border
of the valley offers a mile-high vantage point toward the southern portion of the park; it also over-
looks Badwater, so named because of the reaction thirsty animals had to the salt-filled springs.
Scotty's Castle (built by Walter Scott, also known as Death Valley Scotty) is a testament to
what a determined con man can accomplish. Scotty did most everything in life with other people's
money, often obtaining the funds through deceit. A wealthy Chicago insurance man named Albert
Johnson invested in Scotty's “gold mine,” but quickly became disillusioned with the results. When
he finally traveled to Death Valley to inspect the “mine,” he discovered two things: Scotty had lied
to him about the investment and his health greatly improved with the climate change. Thus began a
lifelong friendship and partnership. Johnson eventually financed more than $2 million in construc-
tion overseen by Scotty, leading most people to believe that the property was his. Tours are available
daily but are quite limited in size, so plan ahead.
