When Tom and I are at Scotty’s Castle, I give house tours, and Tom does the underground tours. The house tours give the why, who, when and what of Scotty’s Castle. The underground tours give the how: they describe the technology of the house. Scotty’s Castle was built in the middle of Death Valley from …
From February 2015
Heading into Town
Tom and I feel a little like pioneers out here in the wilds of Death Valley. No cell service and no internet keep us cut off from the world much of the time. We are miles from a gas station or grocery store. We are enjoying our time, but one day every two weeks we …
Buffalo Gnats
When people think about Death Valley hazards, they think about rattlesnakes, heat, and scorpions. They don’t think about the hazards we have experienced so far: mice with hantavirus and earthquakes. But the hazard that has irritated me the most has been the Buffalo gnats. Buffalo gnats sound like harmless herds but they are really biting …
Spring Wildflowers
While our family and friends back in Ohio are getting buried under snow and freezing, it has been beautiful every day in Death Valley. The temperatures are in the 70’s and 80’s and we haven’t had any precipitation all month. Because of the warm weather, the spring wildflowers are already blooming. Many people try to …
Minister Wherever You Are
This last week I was reminded every day that, while I might have retired from pastoral ministry, I am in ministry wherever I am. Even in a place with no cell phone service or internet access, God needs witnesses and servants. We may not be in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but we …
Volunteers in the Park Picnic
This last week, one of our assigned duties was to attend the monthly Volunteers in the Park (VIP) picnic. We were reluctant to go, but our boss told us to check it out. The picnic was held at Cow Creek, close to Furnace Creek, so we had to drive an hour to get there. I …
Working in the Visitor Center
One of the duties that I really enjoy (and that Tom is glad to avoid) is working in the Visitor Center. I love the variety of things that you do and all the people that you talk to in the Visitor Center. I also like working the cash register and making sure that it balances …
Fall Canyon
Tom and I took a hike that was (relatively) close to our compound last week. We drove up a road that leads to Titus Canyon and then hiked half a mile north and into Fall Canyon. This is another one of those “use” trails – not officially maintained by the park but with a clear …
Earthquake!
Friday, about 6:30 p.m., Tom and I were sitting in the RV. We had just finished supper after another busy day at the Castle. Everything was quiet as it usually is at the compound – even on a Friday night. Suddenly there was a booming noise and the RV started shaking. We looked at each …
Transfiguration Sunday
Today is Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday of Epiphany and the Sunday before Lent starts. We went to worship at the Date Grove, as we have for the last three Sundays, and Laurie preached on the Transfiguration. Laurie explained the difference between the seasons of Epiphany and Lent in this way: Epiphany is when …