After hearing about the history and current situation with the Salton Sea from my cousins we all decided to take a day trip and check it out. My (second) cousin Ruth has hiked and traveled through most of the parks and desert trails in southern California and combined with studies she is very knowledgable of the geology and history of the area. In her travels she has met numerous "desert rats" that have taken up residence or escaped for what ever reason to living away from society in some remote areas of these desert regions. Traveling to the Salton Sea would give us an opportunity to meet one of those persons.
Ruth is a writer in addition to being a teacher and has published a number of articles about the people and history of the region.
Ruth has asked that I add a link for her blog titled "Phantom Seedlings" to mine and I do hope that you will visit it. It profiles her interest in the deserts and the people that live and have lived there. It also contains the preface for her upcoming book. Take a look at:
The history of the Salton Sea is an amazing story. I was only vaguely aware of the Salton Sea and the location since a couple of years ago when Bev and Jeanne pointed it out to Joan and I when we were visiting Joshua Tree National Park. You can see the sea from some areas at that vantage point.
The long chronology of the Salton Sea is best read from a number of internet links and involves Colorado River flooding and diversions, Southern Pacific Railroad, B-29's from a base in Utah dropping fake bombs, early American Indians, Sonny Bono, the Rat Pack (Sammy Davis, Frank Sinatra, etc.), salt mining, great fishing, large scale fish and pelican deaths, and more. It's a history that probably not many other lakes or body of waters can match. The farming of the Imperial Valley at the south end of the Salton Sea is an integral part of this region and is a key economic factor.
Besides the interesting past history of the Sea it's future is a big question mark. Can the current problems be fixed? Can the Sea survive? Can the polical interests be resolved? The Sea may only have a limited future.
Here are a couple of suggested links for more information about the Salton Sea:
http://www.saltonsea.ca.gov/thesea.htm click on the chronology button on this one
Click on photos to enlarge!
This is the visitor center for the Salton Sea State Park. It's a well kept facility and has a new appearance. The park rangers are very informative and have a video presentation that is well worth watching. A nice RV park is at this location also.
That's right, when standing on the shore you are 228 ft below sea level, sea level being the Pacific level. This might be compared to Death Valley which is 282 ft below sea level. For you pilots this is a really low density altitude except probably in the summer when it's around 120 there.
This is what remains of the Salton Sea Yacht Club. The area was developed in the 50's and became a hot spot for the stars from Hollywood to hang out giving it the title "California Riviera". Now the area is a ghost town.
One of the thousands of white pelicans at the Salton. The Salton is on the Pacific Flyway for millions of migrating birds. What would happen if the Sea dries up?
A large flock of the white pelicans.
Joe and Bev goofing around on the abandoned playground close to the yacht club.I've decided to split this day trip into a couple of sections so see the next entry for more of today's adventures.
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