For 69 years the Death Valley 49ers have hosed the 49ers Encampment at Death Valley National Park.  Food, fun, music, tours, education, art, crafts and more bring thousands to this isolated place of extremes and delight to celebrate the original Death Valley 49ers.

The Furnace Creek Ranch area, owned by Xanterra, one of the event sponsors, has transformed this amazing area into The Oasis at Death Valley.  WE are excited to see the completed renovations.

We have attended this event multiple times as part of the western, mineral and mining craft show.  We look forward to seeing old friends and making new.   Busy at home, we are crafting and getting caught up on yard and house work.

Consider planning now to be a part of this awesome event held November 4-11.

You can learn more at the 49ers website www.deathvalley49ers.org and learn more about visiting Death Valley National Park at the National Park Service webiste.

Hope to see you there!

Fall, a mark of summer’s passing and time to harvest what is left of the garden, put away the patio furniture and brace for colder weather.  Unless you live in the Southwest.  Then its time to breathe a sigh of relief from summer heat and get ready for rockhounding, plant the winter garden, and have more fun.

We have enjoyed some time at home doing much needed house and yard work, as well as making some new craft.  I had acquired some Mammoth Tusk fossil pieces a while back and formed some into interesting pendants.

Above, Sherry has decorated the patio for fall around some petrified wood pieces from Arizona.

Next show is the ever-growing gem and mineral show in Joshua Tree, California.  It starts Wednesday, October 3rd and runs for five days.

hope your week is blessed.

“Warning:  Bears Active in the Area” signs warning of bears, greeted us at 8,300 foot elevation at Mt. Whitney Portal, the small store and already crowded parking lots, gateway to the famous Mt. Whitney hike.  22 miles roundtrip and an elevation gain of 6,000 feet can take you to the top of the highest peak in the lower 48 at 14,605 feet.  We didn’t see any bears and we didn’t do the hike, but did enjoy the scenery and cool mountain air.

We did some rockhounding earlier in the morning to find dolomite, a brilliant white form of limestone that sparkles in sun light.

Labor Day Art in the Park in Bishop, California is next on the agenda.  As we look forward to a great show, our five weeks on the road is coming to a close.

Hope your holiday is blessed.  Hope to see you there.