The Gypsum Queen mine was in operation at the same time the Cubs won the World Series in 1908.  Fragile walls of gypsum, mined to make plaster, collapsed, killing two men, contributing to the mines closure.

Selenite, crystal gypsum, forms in layers within the sediment of this ancient lake bed.  This beautiful crystal gets it’s name from the Greek, seline, for the moon.  Ancient people believed Selenite was frozen moonlight.  Others believed Selenite allowed it’s owner to have clearness of thought or wisdom.  We collect it because it is beautiful.

Today begins the craft and art show as part of Old West Days celebration, here in Shoshone. As one of the gateways to Death Valley National Park, we expect a busy weekend.

We descended 1,000 feet from desert vistas, through hundreds of feet of alluvial flow to be greeted by a hidden oasis of date palms.  The China Ranch Date Farm is a family owned business within a lush oasis of palms, cottonwoods and willows.  Fed by natural springs, the harvest season has just began.  Over a dozen different variety of dates are available for sampling.  After a short hike along the Amargosa River and through the groves of date palms, we returned to the gift shop and purchased several pounds.  Sampling fresh dates was like eating candy.  Want some? China Ranch has a website.

We are here for the Annual Old West Days in Shoshone, a sleepy mining town, along highway 127, just outside Death Valley National Park. The weather is awesome. It’s not too late to plan a weekend in the Amargosa Valley.

A bubbly piece of white chalcedony served as a paper weight on the table of the campground host. A rockhounding conversation followed. collectable minerals can be found in all directions and for the past two days we have been doing just that.

Beauty is North of Las Vegas, under a two-hour drive. We are here for Beatty Days.  The little town blossoms for their version of Nevada Day, a state holiday. Today is set up in the park.