Posted by John Pinckney on August 10, 1999 at 21:05:55:
In Reply to: Death Valley area posted by Doug on July 08, 1999 at 01:44:07:
Doug:
We visited Bodie, Rhyolite, and Ballarat during our recent trip West. Comments (in reverse order!):
Ballarat: Definitely worth a visit. Try to get there in the early morning otherwise it's going to be extremely hot! Stop in at the General Store/Museum. Ballarat is privately owned, and probably gets most (if not all) of its support from purchases at the store and donations. Louie is a great host, and an absolute delight to chat with! Plan to spend considerable time there. You'll learn a lot... and enjoy every minute of it! One thing: If you buy sodas at the Ballarat General Store, and plan to drink them out of the cans, ask Louie to skip the ice and cups. Drinkable water is scarce and I'd rather see it go to someone who really needs it! Also, Louie had a couple of dogs tied on the front porch of the General Store. They'll bark at your arrival, so you and your companions best be ready for them. Tell Louie that the Ham Radio operator from Virginia who visited back June with his wife and young daughter asked you to say hello and give him our best wishes.
Bodie: Before I visited Bodie, the only Ghost Towns I'd ever visited were Rhyolite & Carrara in Nevada. Compared to those two, Bodie is simply awesome! I cannot describe with mere words what an experience visiting Bodie is. You've got to go there. Mornings or afternoons will probably be best this time of year.
Suggestions:
Be absolutely certain of the condition of your car. Especially so climbing in/out of Death Valley. We had a Chevy Lumina which had extreme difficulty with the trek out of Stovepipe Wells. That car just couldn't breathe! Best speed was 35 mph at times. That car actually scared us that we would be stuck in the desert. Be safe. Check your car first!
In case of ermergency, carry sufficient water and food. For my wife, daughter (age 4), and I, we carried seven gallons of drinking water and about a two-day supply of food.
Don't depend on your cellphone in case of emergency. Our portable phone was useless. Next time, I'm carrying an amateur radio 2-meter band HT, amplifier, and antenna. I understand Ham Radio coverage is excellent out there, especially in and around the Ridgecrest area. If you don't have a Technician class amateur radio license, consider getting one and the equipment if you like doing this kind of travelling. The range is better than CB or cellular, and you are likely to more likely to reach someone. Although I've been a "Ham" for 22 years, this was the first domestic trip since getting my license that I left my gear at home. Not ever again!
If you go to Bodie, I suggest you stay in Bridgeport. It's a nice town to really decompress in. We stayed at the Best Western Ruby Inn. However, call well ahead to make reservations. There's a very limited supply of motel rooms in Bridgeport. As for dining in Bridgeport, I give my highest recomendation for The Sportsman's Inn. Both supper and breakfast were excellent values, and they like children! If you run into Jess in there (you'll see him pictured with his family on a large portrait which hangs by the kitchen), tell him that the guy from Virginia with the little girl who had Shriley Temple curls says hi! Oh yes, portions at The Sportsman's Inn are huge! Definitely bring an appetite!!!
On our trip, we went near Randsburg (didn't visit as we spent too much time sightseeing already) and got to see the right-of-way of a "Ghost Railroad"! It was interesting visiting Trona, as well.
One thing about your trip: Expect to pay serious near-European gas prices. Being used to paying $1.12 in Northern Virginia (and about the same in Sacramento), be prepared to pay in the $2.00/gallon range in the area you're planning to tarvel. Also, be prepared for gas stations requiring either pay in advance or leaving your credit/ATM card with them before you fill the tank.
In a nutshell, Doug: Go to Ballarat and Bodie. The trip will be well worth it! Just remember to bring plenty of film!
-John
[email protected]
: I am planning a trip up Highway 395 in August (yes, I'm braving the heat). I have considered a side trip to Ballarat, Darwin and Keeler. Are these towns worth a visit? What other towns in the area do you recommend?
: Doug