CHINA DATE FARM in DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA

We have been dying for a date shake since our first in Bard Valley, California, near Yuma.
 
April 4th, Saturday was our first excursion here from Pahrump is a trip into Death Valley, CA to see the China Date Farm to get another shake.  I am now wondering if we could not make our own if we had a blender.  Hm-m?
This is a map of Death Valley and we traveled into the southern part of it.

California and Nevada
the darker purple being Death Valley

 Most of our trip was scenery and we share it with you.

Nearing the Hot Springs,
though we did not stop at those campgrounds.

Now we are turning down the dirt road to the Date Farm, a bumpy ride for sure.  Reminded me of the road to our friends in SC, though theirs is sand.

Yes, it is narrow!
And winding!

This was also mining area in days gone by.  The mines in this canyon were known collectively as Gypsum Queen, and between 1915 and 1918 they produced about 100,000 tons of gypsum.  The ore was shipped to Los Angeles on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad and was used to produce plaster. The mines were closed in 1918 after 2 men were killed in a cave-in about 200 yards downhill from here.

The curving road still shows many different colors of terrain.

Finally we are arriving at the China Ranch.  I will show the signs as we saw them rather than typing the information.

 

Ah-h-h, they do have date shakes!

They have an antique and area crafts and rocks store.  It was very interesting, and again I would have loved to buy.  But not wise in a motorhome.

Jams, jellies and sauces of the area.

Rocks and geodes.

Indian handiwork.

More handiwork

And antiques!

Back outside, checking out the plant life.

Neat table and stools
made from palm tree logs.

Date palms in the oasis of the valley.

Mission of eating a date shake was accomplished so time to return home.  We also got a large date cookie and a package of dates to snack on.  I am amazed how sweet they are.
When back in Pahrump we checked out a store called Book Worm Used Books.  Tens of thousands and in multiple truck trailers and small modulars, all connected.  Not as cheap as I would like, but was good for Gary as he found authors that he likes to read and can not find very often.
In the afternoon, Gary spent some time in Gold Nugget Casino and came back with an extra $15. Not bad!  We only play for pennies, so do not expect to get a fortune.  Safer that way.
While he was there I spent the afternoon reading outside in a lounge.
There was also a street sale outside the fence around the park.  Not anything for us though, but we like to look. I think that they might do this weekly.

Sunday the 5th we went to First Southern Baptist Church and then to the Buffet at the Gold Nugget. It was two for one day and we ate more than we should have, but it was good and better than cooking and only $10.75 total. Evidently that is what others thought as the line was long and we saw many of those Baptists that we had met in church. After eating, we crossed the street and spent the rest of the day reading and resting when not on the computer. Not sure what we will do Monday.  Stay tuned.