The valley got its name from the first settlers who crossed it as early as in 1849, trying to make the shortest way to the Golden fields of California. The tourist guide says briefly that "many of them stayed here forever". Borax deposits were found here in 1849 and then there was a mine built for its extraction and processing. It is very difficult to imagine the life of the miners here with the complete absence of any air conditioners. The same tourist guide informs that the majority of them were the Chinese. It were only mules used for transporting Borax from all the domestic animal that survived. The mules were harnessed by 20 into each 30 tons carts comprising two wagons with a barrel of water attached from behind. The road used for the transporting of the Borax has been preserved till nowadays and it is called "20 Mule Team Borax route". But this is not what the valley is remarkable with. However strange it sounds, but this is one of the most beautiful places in California.
Our neighbor on camping told us that he keeps coming here regularly already 15 years in a row. That was our second visit, and being wise enough with our experience, we knew, that the best time for for seeing it would be either early in the morning or in the evening. The point is that during the daytime the sun rays get reflected against the salt layers and the surrounding mountains, and therefore everything seems bleak and lifeless all around. Plus the heat to top up all the rest, which leaves just one desire: to get inside the car, switch on the conditioner full capacity mode and leave this place as soon as possible and drive as far away as possible.
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