Deep Springs

After spending a couple of days camping at Bryce Canyon National Park, we arrived at Deep Springs last Saturday afternoon. I can hardly convey what an amazing place this is. Here is what is it to drive in.

We came in from the east, crossing from Nevada into California through a mountain pass, probably on the order of 6000 feet above sea level. The approach to the college took us down easy switchbacks, and what we saw was a valley floor, dusty and brown desert, with a single green patch, as if we were in a massive sand trap aiming for a tiny green. The ranch entrance isn't marked like your typical elite college or university with highly visible signage. There is a dusty (of course) gate, a box for a missing visitors' log book, then a row of stout trees lining the dirt road between alfalfa fields. The road leads to a circle, populated with soccer goals, balls, and frisbees. Several buildings sit around the circle, most notably the main building, with library, offices, guest quarters, and a living room.

We settled in the boarding house, or BH, which includes the kitchen, dining hall, our apartment, and meat hanger. Yes, meat hanger. On Monday (I think it was), we took a detour from our trip into the Bishop, the local metropolis, to watch a cow being butchered. Binbin was fascinated, as were we. Four guys with knives and the traces of blood and entrails staining their clothes, removed the insides into a bucket loader and then proceeded to separate the hide from the carcass. After the hide was completely separated (about an hour or so), we headed into town for some shopping. We are still close to that creature, as it ages beneath our apartment, which now buzzes with the operations of the cooler.

We have learned so much in our days here that it's hard to get it all out. I had meant to write about the dairy boys, yesterday's 4 pm milking, and the delicious raw milk and cream that Ruth and Lilith provide. I'll get that in soon.

Another day is dawning in the valley, the cool breezes will soon cede to the mighty sun here.