Visiting Scotty's Castle

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In the middle of the middle of Death Valley, if you drive long enough, you'll finally see a tower. As you get closer, you'll see some palm trees, and eventually the rest of a house that is really more a castle.

It was built in the 1920s by the fancy of Walter Scott (Death Valley Scotty) and the money of Albert Johnson and his wife. They lived there at times, had a lot of fun in it at times, later turned it into a hotel when money got scarce and eventually left it to the Gospel Foundation which later on sold it to the National Park Service.

Today a tour guide takes you through the house for $15, and you can walk up to the hill where "Scotty" is buried, overlooking the castle that he so loved.

The pictures below will tell you more...

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Photos

Scotty's Castle
in the middle of the middle of Death Valley

Booties
I write this on December 2013. Seven months ago there was a fire nearby. Ash keeps on getting blown by the air and so to protect the carpets and the furniture inside the house, visitors are asked to put these booties over their shoes as they get ready to tour the house.

Nice ride
Mr. Johnson had money and a love for speed. He used to drive the hills of Death Valley fast in this ride. By the way, his wife eventually did in a car wreck nearby.

For reals...
these books were there when the original owners were there... and the books remain.

Ah! Que dicha!
Translates into something like: "Ah! such enjoyment!" (or luck, or happiness). Several messages like this are engraved throughout the house. Mrs. Johnson had a thing for Spanish architecture. The entire house is full of Spanish touches, including a painting of Don Quixote de la Mancha.

The tower
is the first thing you see for afar once you finally see the "castle."

Scotty's moto
"Don't say nothing that will hurt anybody. Don't give advice - nobody will take it anyway. Don't complain. Don't explain."