Transport: Water Wedding

Among the 56 U. S. peaks over 14,000 ft. high, Mt. Whitney’s solitary spire, rising 14,495 ft. into the California sky tops them all—highest land point in the nation. On the uplands close by lies Lake Tulainyo, highest U. S. lake. Eighty miles due east is Death Valley, 276 ft. below sea level, lowest, hottest spot in the U. S. Last week Californians celebrated the opening of 17 miles of CCC built roadway, the last link in a highway connecting the highest and lowest spots in the U. S. A gourd of mountain water dipped from Tulainyo was carried through 150 miles of cheers, bands and barbecues, first by Indian runner, then in succession by pony express, prairie schooner, pack burro, 20-mule team wagon, stage coach, locomotive, automobile. After a three-day trip the gourd was emptied from a swooping airplane into Bad Water, a brackish pool at Death Valley’s lowest point. The fiesta was called the “Wedding of the Waters.” Local citizenry hoped its offspring would be tourists.