25th September 2009
Today we move onto Beatty, which is a base for exploring Death Valley. First though, we had some unfinished business in Vegas with a different sort of fountain at the Bellagio - the chocolate variety.
We had seen pictures of this fountain before leaving the UK and certain members of the group were keen to track this down. I was not disappointed either - surrounded by delicious looking cakes we simply HAD to try some, a chocolate muffin (with soft insides) and a vanilla slice kept us going until tea.
After our fountain encounter, we hit the road, taking in the glorious Spring Mountains on our way to Beatty. At about 8,500 feet above sea level, it was delightfully cooler at its summit with spectacular views over the valley below.
We also passed the Nevada Test Site, where the first atomic bombs were tested in the 1950s (so we may glow in the dark on our return).
We arrived at the Atomic Inn (another reference to the area’s history) in Beatty which is a former mining town, which now acts as a gateway to Death Valley, being just a 30 minute drive from the park. The accommodation is basic but clean and cheap, with the most important feature of air con.
Before sunset, we headed out to explore the Rhyolyte Ghost Town, which was originally set up during the gold rush and at its peak had around 9,000 inhabitents, but like many towns during this era soon went bust.
Also nearby is the Goldwell Open Air museum with sculptures including the Painted Lady and a penguin following a miner (now renamed Pingu and Miner!) right in the middle of the desert.
