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| Scotty's Castle |
A May 22nd in Death Valley there was a small fire (small in California fire terms) near Scotty's Castle. Power was cut off and tours cancelled until May 30th. But the historic building is again open to the public and last I heard the June organ concert is still going to happen. And there were still seats available, though as I understand it the concert is almost always sold out. (
Check out info here.)
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| Scotty's Castle Organ Room |
I've never gone to the concert though. I'm typically too busy in June, and besides it sounds hot. I have heard the organ when I was on the tour a few years back (when these pictures were taken). But just last fall I was dragged out to Scotty's Castle for my Birthday kidnapping. But that time we took the underground tour. While not as beautiful as the rooms that fill the building above ground, the below ground sections of the Castle are filled with things that were able to help keep the inhabitants comfortable. They had plenty of water due to the spring there at the Castle and using water power generated their own electricity and using air circulation and more of the water had basically a swamp cooler the size of a room or two.
After the underground tour I wrote a mystery novel mostly set at Scotty's Castle in the 1930s. I'm in the process of editing the book, though it's slow going with all the other projects, with actual deadlines, that I've been working on. But I will get that novel edited this summer and move on in the process to try to get it published. And like so many mysteries my "detectives" already have a couple more adventures awaiting them. I just need to make the time to tell them.
Set in the 1930s? I'm impressed. Period pieces intimidate me...I'm always certain I'll put a cell phone in too early or fail to put in electricity in a time period that requires it. Lol! That said, one is never "dragged" anywhere on a Birthday kidnapping...the proper term is forceful fun enforcement. ;-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post...I'm adding places to my list of "must visits."
Perhaps I exaggerated. I did drive after all. But those adventures are a lot of fun. I'm never told where we're going, but it is always an interesting experience.
DeleteResearch for some of these things can be tricky. I recently submitted a short play set in 1851 San Francisco and one of the characters was called a "thug" I had to do a little research to make sure the word was in use then. It was.
I've never heard of Scotty's Castle until your post. It sounds like a great place to visit, although I agree that June might be a little warm. Maybe sometime in the fall would be better. Cool post, thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Ridgecrest Ca the gateway to Death Valley for several years and had always planned to go to Scotty's but never made it. Thank you for reminding me to set it back on my list but it is a road trip best done in winter.
ReplyDeleteActually spring would be very nice too. But not summer.
DeleteIt was years and years ago, probably the late 70s or early 80s when I visited Death Valley and Scotty's Castle. I'm glad to see that it's still going strong. xoA
ReplyDeleteI too have been to Scotty's Castle with my daughter. Amazing place. Didn't have the chance to do the underground tour. Didn't even know they had one! If I get a chance to go again will look into the underground one.
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