May 26th DV Trip - Report

[ Follow Ups ] [ Death Valley Talk - Archive Set 7 ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by DeathValleyCoach on June 02, 2004 at 20:07:45:

Came from Maryland with my partner (Starbucks Bob) and stayed in Ridgecrest on May 25th. Motel 6 was fine - went to recommended Mexican Restaurant near the outskirts of town - very nice.

Got on our way at 5:30 AM on the 26th - last Wednesday. Went thru Trono (rest stop right in the middle of town - wow!) and up to Ballarat. Had a great chat with the man who runs the General Store. We had hoped to go to Barker Ranch, but unlike what many had told us, Barker ranch was more like 15 miles away from his store (not 3 miles like we thought), according to him. We decided not to go to the ranch - ....anyone know the name of the guy at the General Store in Ballarat? I think I want to go back there and give him $100 - if he will tell me his life story into a tape recorder for an hour - I mean he is out there alone - - -but what a nice guy he was to us. We took the long way back out to the main road and headed to Panamint Springs.

We stopped at P.S. and rather than eating there - we got two egg sandwiches to go. Onto the Saline Valley on our quest for the Lippencott Mine Road.

Well, we had been told on this board and another that finding Lippencott was a challenge. That was RIGHT! We went up thru Nelson's Ridge - wonderful - and down the other side. I thought we were doing everything right - but - no Lippencott to be found. What a disappointment! We went by the Old Burro Mine Road and then eventually hit Teakettle Junction. WHERE DID WE GO WRONG??? There was NO left turn to be found to Lippencott. I never saw the infamous warning sign or the rock kiln - - -I swear I will return and find it!

Finally, we got to the Racetrack - awesome - there all alone...walked all around it. Then onto Ubehebe - and up to Scotty's Castle. Took Starbuck Bob on the tour and then it was time to head south. We made it from Scotty's to Devils Golf Course in about an hour - yes - thats right - the road was open the the "hammer was down!"

Took photos at the DGC and then back to the Corkscrew Saloon for the long awaited beer and wings - -but - I'll be damned, they don't serve wings in the saloon anymore (they did on my last trip in January). I'm sure the lady at the bar thought I had lost my mind, because of my show of disappointment about this. Starbuck's Bob told me to relax - which is funny because he often has to be refrained at field hockey games because of his yelling.....but I digress! To get our wings we had to go into the fancy side of the establishment - which I totally hated, although the waitress was great and tried to help me make the best of the bad situation!

After we were done, it was time to head back to Ridgecrest. We were back at 10 PM - which was a pretty full day, but we sure did cover a lot. It topped out at 103 degrees that day at Furnace Creek - cool for my liking, but Starbuck Bob was grateful. It was amazing to see the temperature drop so quickly in the Panamints.

One thing we did find out on the way back....our friend in Ballarat sure does use a lot of electricity at night. I mean we saw his lights from about 15 miles away and didn't think it could possibly be his place until we came upon the road to Ballarat and thats where all the light was coming from. We thought about "crashing the party" but were just too beat ourselves to sidetrack back there again.

Anyway - it was a great day trip to my favorite place - Death Valley. If anyone would like to see any of the photos I took, just pop me an e-mail. I just have to find LIPPENCOTT on my next trip!!!

Also, if any of you go by Ballarat, stop by the General Store and tell my friend that Starbuck's Bob and Death Valley Coach from Maryland enjoyed his company and his directions!!


Follow Ups:


[ Follow Ups ] [ Death Valley Talk - Archive Set 7 ] [ FAQ ]