tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931427903554999662024-03-08T00:00:19.940-08:00A California AdventureDisney's California Adventure is all fine and dandy but, since I live in California, why not live the California Adventure for real? So blog along as I drag my trophy wife Cindy and my three kids (one of each) Rachelle, Dax and Parker, across this Golden State of ours as I duplicate, and hopefully improve upon, the California Adventure!David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-22011188848737381272008-05-09T09:27:00.000-07:002008-05-09T09:27:36.929-07:00Ride the Mud Wagon!<div align="justify">The finale of our day at Columbia State Historic Park is a ride on the Mud Wagon, a replica of a 1800s stagecoach. The horses aren’t replicas though, they are real, genuine, one horse powered steeds!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h3VKjpwI/AAAAAAAAAd4/7aV1CV89VQw/s1600-h/Wells+Fargo+Express+Colombia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197120835699320578" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h3VKjpwI/AAAAAAAAAd4/7aV1CV89VQw/s400/Wells+Fargo+Express+Colombia.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" align="center"><div style="text-align: center;">The Stage stops at the 1858 Wells Fargo building.<br /></div><br /></div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h3lKjpxI/AAAAAAAAAeA/u-p6QpQOA64/s1600-h/Wells+Fargo+Express+Colombia+Cellphone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197120839994287890" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h3lKjpxI/AAAAAAAAAeA/u-p6QpQOA64/s400/Wells+Fargo+Express+Colombia+Cellphone.jpg" border="0" /></a> This shot could be right out of the 1880s! Well, you know… <span style="font-size:0;"></span>if our express driver wasn’t talking on his cell phone.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198247736631259250" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SCPixmRicHI/AAAAAAAAAgA/r7GKpMEk4D4/s400/MudWagonTickets.jpg" border="0" /> With tickets in hand we boarded the stage.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h3lKjpyI/AAAAAAAAAeI/L9r2QTXGAa0/s1600-h/mud+wagon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197120839994287906" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h3lKjpyI/AAAAAAAAAeI/L9r2QTXGAa0/s400/mud+wagon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;" align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197122218678789954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_jH1Kjp0I/AAAAAAAAAeY/h3mJFpJX0ro/s400/stagerobber2.jpg" border="0" /> And wouldn’t you know it? Half way through our journey our stage got held up by highway bandits! Those dastardly ne’er-do-wells!<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197122218678789970" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_jH1Kjp1I/AAAAAAAAAeg/yFIEMg-EE8k/s400/stagerobber.jpg" border="0" /> I actually feel sorry for these guys. I mean, can you imagine trying to rob this crew?:<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h31KjpzI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/kj8HAfv0WBI/s1600-h/Mud+Wagon+Interior.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197120844289255218" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_h31KjpzI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/kj8HAfv0WBI/s400/Mud+Wagon+Interior.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Cindy: “Hmm, I wonder how much they get paid to do this.”<br /><br />Parkie: “This-is-so-COOL!!!”<br /><br />Rachelle: “Ooh, is that a real gun?”</p>Dax: “Uh... this is just a show, right?”<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197129661857113954" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_p5FKjp2I/AAAAAAAAAeo/sh-8rkC8INA/s400/Parkie+feeding+chickens.jpg" border="0" />Well... time to feed the chickens and then hit the road. This ends one awesome day at Columbia. I hope we can find some good BBQ on the way out. I’m a hankerin’ for a good meal.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">For more information on Columbia State Historic Park, visit:<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.parks.ca.gov/DEFAULT.ASP?page_id=552"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197465880486979458" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SCEbrlKjp4I/AAAAAAAAAfo/vbJoqFrbZOI/s400/California+State+Parks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197129661857113970" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/SB_p5FKjp3I/AAAAAAAAAew/vvgC-lt8AX4/s400/Red+White+and+Closed.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="">Next time on A California Adventure I’m going to post some shots of interesting sights we passed by on our trip home down highway 49. So check back soon (I won’t wait so long to post this time!)!<br /><br /></span>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-52141168154960634752007-09-24T09:34:00.000-07:002007-09-25T10:22:29.801-07:00Columbia ~ The Gem of the Southern Mines<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfxQG4yzYI/AAAAAAAAAV8/SvhLBtpJJx0/s1600-h/columbialogo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113821160931511682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfxQG4yzYI/AAAAAAAAAV8/SvhLBtpJJx0/s400/columbialogo.jpg" border="0" /></a> Because Columbia is situated about a mile off of State Route 49, I missed it the first time I drove through. So this time, I thought we would at least stop by and see whats there. Turns out, Columbia is quite the gem! We ended up having a blast and spent the whole day there. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfw424yzVI/AAAAAAAAAVk/9VsekBBZos4/s1600-h/2columbia1855.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113820761499553106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfw424yzVI/AAAAAAAAAVk/9VsekBBZos4/s400/2columbia1855.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Columbia is situated in the heart of the richest gold mining area of the Mother Lode. The Mother Lode is a region of gold bearing quartz, about one to four miles wide and 120 miles long, which stretches from Georgetown in El Dorado County on the north, through Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolomne counties, south to Mormon Bar in Mariposa county.</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfw5G4yzWI/AAAAAAAAAVs/q9jiyV7PlAc/s1600-h/3goldquartz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113820765794520418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfw5G4yzWI/AAAAAAAAAVs/q9jiyV7PlAc/s400/3goldquartz.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfw5W4yzXI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ie0gdolrvTw/s1600-h/MainstreetColombia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113820770089487730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfw5W4yzXI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ie0gdolrvTw/s400/MainstreetColombia.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="justify"></a>A beautiful town, Columbia is unique in many ways to the other mining towns of the Mother Lode. Closed to vehicular traffic, it's tree lined Main Street make for a very tranquil setting. As we explored the shops and exhibits, I could let the kids run around and not worry about them getting hit by cars.<br /></p><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfv0m4yzRI/AAAAAAAAAVE/fI6SO8OCWXU/s1600-h/soderer1910.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113819588973481234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfv0m4yzRI/AAAAAAAAAVE/fI6SO8OCWXU/s400/soderer1910.jpg" border="0" /></a> The omnipresent trees seem to have been there throughout the history of the town. They offer a welcome relief from the sun on hot days.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfv024yzSI/AAAAAAAAAVM/v8cDquv8PHE/s1600-h/ColombiaPortrait.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113819593268448546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfv024yzSI/AAAAAAAAAVM/v8cDquv8PHE/s400/ColombiaPortrait.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfv1G4yzTI/AAAAAAAAAVU/0APVn4VPDNU/s1600-h/shops.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113819597563415858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfv1G4yzTI/AAAAAAAAAVU/0APVn4VPDNU/s400/shops.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A lively town, Columbia has a variety of shops and activities offering everything from souvenirs, books, handmade candy, chocolates, coffee and other fine confectionery treats, fine dining, family dining, snacks, live theater, old time photos, 1850s era saloons, quilting supplies, museums, period exhibits and displays, costumes, gold panning, stagecoach rides, a gold mine tour, to name some of the fun.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113819872441322818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfwFG4yzUI/AAAAAAAAAVc/KLFTQ0DWrMo/s400/ParkieBigRedWagon.jpg" border="0" /> Parkie is impressed, this red wagon is much bigger that his little red wagon at home!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvftN24yzOI/AAAAAAAAAUs/edsJ69HaJVo/s1600-h/music.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113816724230294754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvftN24yzOI/AAAAAAAAAUs/edsJ69HaJVo/s400/music.jpg" border="0" /></a>Costumed musicians seem to be on every corner, providing period music that became the soundtrack of our day.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvftO24yzPI/AAAAAAAAAU0/d82ecLA5Ovk/s1600-h/nsgw1923a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113816741410163954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvftO24yzPI/AAAAAAAAAU0/d82ecLA5Ovk/s400/nsgw1923a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvftPW4yzQI/AAAAAAAAAU8/v05tVePOxG8/s1600-h/Jewlers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113816750000098562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvftPW4yzQI/AAAAAAAAAU8/v05tVePOxG8/s400/Jewlers.jpg" border="0" /></a> One thing all the mining towns have in common; they've all burned at one time or another. Often more than once. If the town prospered, they rebuilt. If not, the town disappeared into history. Columbia, which burnt at least twice, was very prosperous, so many of the buildings were rebuilt with “fireproof” materials. The red brick and green iron shutters are prevalent with almost all the buildings here.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfshW4yzLI/AAAAAAAAAUU/sI-1roEBJvE/s1600-h/bassett66.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815959726116018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfshW4yzLI/AAAAAAAAAUU/sI-1roEBJvE/s400/bassett66.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The mining in Columbia was “dry diggings”. Having no natural streams, only seasonal gulches, water had to be piped in from some 60 miles away and so was not plentiful. Mining was done by building a long sluice and then digging away at the surrounding gold bearing soil and running it through theses sluices.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfshm4yzMI/AAAAAAAAAUc/6j8rYWINq7o/s1600-h/digginsParkie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815964021083330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfshm4yzMI/AAAAAAAAAUc/6j8rYWINq7o/s400/digginsParkie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As a result, at the south end of town the terrain drops about 10 feet because of all the soil being mined away, leaving these formations of rock. These formations create acres of labyrinthine passageways, mazes, caves and tunnels. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfsh24yzNI/AAAAAAAAAUk/pztlNSqp7SQ/s1600-h/digginsDax.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815968316050642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfsh24yzNI/AAAAAAAAAUk/pztlNSqp7SQ/s400/digginsDax.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a>These rocks were underground until mining excavated the soil away from around them.<br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfsB24yzII/AAAAAAAAAT8/uC0BMsvtI5w/s1600-h/digginsPD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815418560236674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfsB24yzII/AAAAAAAAAT8/uC0BMsvtI5w/s400/digginsPD.jpg" border="0" /></a> A wonderland for playing a heck of a game of hide-and-seek and tag!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfsB24yzJI/AAAAAAAAAUE/rTnRITTjpZU/s1600-h/digginsRDP.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815418560236690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfsB24yzJI/AAAAAAAAAUE/rTnRITTjpZU/s400/digginsRDP.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfsCG4yzKI/AAAAAAAAAUM/g-STC7FDyfk/s1600-h/cabin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815422855204002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfsCG4yzKI/AAAAAAAAAUM/g-STC7FDyfk/s400/cabin.jpg" border="0" /></a> Some of the things to discover in this maze are a gold mine and this miners shack.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfrsW4yzHI/AAAAAAAAAT0/kVlFf8ln39o/s1600-h/digginsRachelle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113815049193049202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfrsW4yzHI/AAAAAAAAAT0/kVlFf8ln39o/s400/digginsRachelle.jpg" border="0" /></a> This leftover rock turned out to be excellent building material for the town. Today a marble quarry is worked nearby.<br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfrX24yzGI/AAAAAAAAATs/wo4jVs9ZsNE/s1600-h/StairsPortrait.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113814697005730914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfrX24yzGI/AAAAAAAAATs/wo4jVs9ZsNE/s400/StairsPortrait.jpg" border="0" /></a> These stairs from the town down into the “diggin's” is built with marble from the diggin's.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfrCW4yzFI/AAAAAAAAATk/K2qmKNxB_MM/s1600-h/StairsParkie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113814327638543442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfrCW4yzFI/AAAAAAAAATk/K2qmKNxB_MM/s400/StairsParkie.jpg" border="0" /></a> Parkie takes a closer look at the marble stairs.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfqxm4yzEI/AAAAAAAAATc/K6Gh0V4zKPc/s1600-h/MarbleFloor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113814039875734594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfqxm4yzEI/AAAAAAAAATc/K6Gh0V4zKPc/s400/MarbleFloor.jpg" border="0" /></a> The tile floor of the ice cream parlor is made from marble from the diggin's.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113813146522537010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfp9m4yzDI/AAAAAAAAATU/Q9poL7yNvoc/s400/IceCreamParlor.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Hey wait a minute! Did somebody say “ice cream parlor”?<br /></p><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113812609651624994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfpeW4yzCI/AAAAAAAAATM/J31MDx0vJJ0/s400/IceCreamRachelle.jpg" border="0" /> Ice cream sounds good right about now. I think Rachelle would agree. Like all the buildings in Columbia, the Fallon building has an old timey interior.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfpJ24yzBI/AAAAAAAAATE/TUQVWZ-JR8g/s1600-h/fallon1892.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113812257464306706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfpJ24yzBI/AAAAAAAAATE/TUQVWZ-JR8g/s400/fallon1892.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Fallon building in the 1890s.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfoym4yzAI/AAAAAAAAAS8/uhI9Fh3OntE/s1600-h/IceCreamParlorPortrait.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113811858032348162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rvfoym4yzAI/AAAAAAAAAS8/uhI9Fh3OntE/s400/IceCreamParlorPortrait.jpg" border="0" /></a> After a hot day exploring the town and the diggin's, nothing cools and replenishes the spirit like ice cream cones, sundaes and splits.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113811282506730482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfoRG4yy_I/AAAAAAAAAS0/_O4r5ohn0A8/s400/waterhorse.jpg" border="0" /> On the next installment of A California Adventure; </div><br /><div align="left">Water up the horses, were going for a ride on the mudwagon!<br /><br /><br />For more information about Columbia State Historic Park, visit their website:<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.columbiacalifornia.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113810479347846114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RvfniW4yy-I/AAAAAAAAASs/2yusAk873lY/s400/chamberofcommerce.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-62024857373699759702007-08-21T10:38:00.000-07:002007-08-21T15:38:35.764-07:00Railtown 1897 ~ The Movie Train!<div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101229214458221874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss08W2glTI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/72hCWSghjrE/s400/doubleheader.jpg" border="0" />After spending hours laboring on a hot day for our $35 worth of gold, we were ready to eat, cool down and relax. And to me, nothing is more relaxing than a slow leisurely ride on an authentic steam train through beautiful scenery .</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101233462180877666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss4zm2glWI/AAAAAAAAARM/VeUv52Fw6W0/s400/Fare.jpg" border="0" /> So after a hearty lunch, we headed over to the Jamestown train station at the Railtown 1897 state historic park, where I promptly purchased passage from an authentic 1897 ticket agent.<br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101236107880732034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss7Nm2glYI/AAAAAAAAARc/Aq2lzm7ao_g/s400/railtown-oldeng2.jpg" border="0" /> Jamestown was luckier than most gold boom towns in the Sierras in that it never became a ghost town. That was due largely to the fact that in 1897 the Sierra Railroad built into town and Jamestown became a distribution center of goods and services to this region of the Sierra Nevada's.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101236365578769810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss7cm2glZI/AAAAAAAAARk/2GKbNJ558UM/s400/ChugginAlong.jpg" border="0" /> Ah~ the rumble of the boiler, the bark of the cylinders, the hissing of the steam generator, the deep throaty wail of the whistle, the heavy brass bell, creaky old wooden cars, the scrape of steel wheels on steel rails, all a symphony to my ears. </div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101230313969849666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss18W2glUI/AAAAAAAAARA/4ilOoBgxTxs/s400/panorama.jpg" border="0" /> The Sierra Railroad also established it's shops and roundhouse in Jamestown which, miraculously, has survived all these years along with it's stable of steam locomotives! Gad I love it when history survives.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101241051388089778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss_tW2glbI/AAAAAAAAAR0/pHq3oJZrlXQ/s400/NiceScenery.jpg" border="0" /> Pretty view! With the symphony of steel going on and scenery rolling by that hasn't changed much in the last 110 years, one gets a rather authentic taste of the old west. Of course sharing the experience with a pretty damsel is always nice. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101247193191323074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RstFS22glcI/AAAAAAAAAR8/f1na6pypHwE/s400/back2future3-1.jpg" border="0" />I believe two factors contributed to the survival of the historic Sierra Railroad. One, it's remote location. Time stood still here for a Century and resisted the need for modernization. And Two, the railroad and its westerny location was discovered by Hollywood, providing the railroad with the needed extra income to keep it going (also providing an incentive to keep it's historic fleet maintained!). </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101247669932692946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RstFum2gldI/AAAAAAAAASE/xMfd81mtPqU/s400/relaxed.jpg" border="0" /> Did I mention that the ride is relaxing?</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101270656597661154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rstaom2gleI/AAAAAAAAASM/_pSYCQYcQ4k/s400/highnoon147.jpg" border="0" /> The Sierra Railway first appeared in movies in Hollywood's 1929 silent film “Virginian”. Since then the railroad has appeared in many movies and television productions. Here are some of its best performances:<br /></div><div align="justify">MOVIES<br />Virginian (1929), Dodge City (1939), My Little Chickadee (1940), Young Tom Edison (1940), Santa Fe Trail (1940), Duel in the Sun (1946), High Noon (1952), Rage at Dawn (1955), )Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972), Oklahoma Crude (1973), Bound for Glory (1976), Nickelodeon (1976), World's Greatest Lover (1977), Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979), Gambler (1980), Long Riders (1980), East of Eden (1980), Shadow Riders (1982), Chattanooga Choo Choo (1984), Pale Rider (1985), Back to the Future (1990), Unforgiven (1992), Bonanza: The Return (1993), Bad Girls (1994), Shaughnessy (1996), Song of the Lark (2000), Redemption of the Ghost (2000).</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101275488435869170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RstfB22glfI/AAAAAAAAASU/fFcPohJhotM/s400/PetticoatJct.jpg" border="0" />TELEVISION<br />Lone Ranger, Tales of Wells Fargo, Rawhide, Death Valley Days, Petticoat Junction, Big Valley, Wild Wild West, Green Acres, F.B.I., Iron Horse, Cimarron Strip,Man from UNCLE, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, "A" Team, Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101227672564962578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rsszim2glRI/AAAAAAAAAQo/qhDuu_oQytI/s400/turntable.jpg" border="0" /> Even big boys have to put away their big toys when they're done playing. Cindy and Parkie watch as our locomotive takes a ride on the turntable and eases into the roundhouse. I didn't notice until now that I almost duplicated the scene of #28, about mid-way in this post, that was taken some 50 years earlier!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101279817762903554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rsti922glgI/AAAAAAAAASc/i2W_9xjhK1c/s400/ghosts.jpg" border="0" /> Ghosts of the past. After a good days work (play?) #28 is in it's stall for the night and will be readied for yet another day of pulling passengers through history.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">As for us, tomorrow we are going to continue our tour of Tuolumne county gold country with a trip to the ghost town of Columbia. I'll blog about that next time on A California Adventure.</div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101228724831950114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rss0f22glSI/AAAAAAAAAQw/CYzIm1pooHI/s400/WellsFargo.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">For more information on riding the Movie Train, visit the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park website:</div><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.csrmf.org/railtown/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101282493527528978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RstlZm2glhI/AAAAAAAAASk/VX5uLvZ5t24/s400/Railtown1897SHP.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="right">See you next time!</p><p align="right">dav</p>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-63477241902780811292007-07-06T11:13:00.000-07:002007-07-06T10:59:04.019-07:00Tuolumne<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoQwPl-lgLI/AAAAAAAAAPw/uBdg0-EZNog/s1600-h/Gullgraver_1850_California.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081239324031549618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoQwPl-lgLI/AAAAAAAAAPw/uBdg0-EZNog/s400/Gullgraver_1850_California.jpg" border="0" /></a> In 1849 Gold was discovered in California, and the 49ers came. In 1886 though, the gold plumb run out, so the 49ers were 86ed! But during that golden era a legacy was born.<br /><br /><div><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080806369853276242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKmeV-lgFI/AAAAAAAAAPA/-DURiYR-Xck/s400/ca-049.gif" border="0" /> Actually, It's estimated by geologists that only 30% of California's gold has been found and 70% remains in the ground. Hot cha cha cha! How do I get me some of that?<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080446357465437346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFfC3UnlKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/iIxkoCTnfno/s400/CaliforniaJamestown.jpg" border="0" /><br />So us argonauts packed up the Sienna and headed to the Sierras to the Mother Lode region for the weekend.</p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080440529194816594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZvnUnlFI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/BIXkhUp9-Ig/s400/Tuolumne+map.jpg" border="0" /><br />And made our way to Tuolumne County. California's gold region has the best county and town names doesn't it? Tuolumne, Calaveras, Stanislaus, Amador, and Mariposa counties, and the towns of Angels Camp, Chinese Camp, Copperopolis, Mokelumne Hill, Fiddletown, Placerville, Folsom, Clipper Gap, Secret Town, Gold Run, Rough and Ready, Malakoff Diggins, French Corral, just to name some of my favorites.</p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080806378443210898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKme1-lgJI/AAAAAAAAAPg/fX-tUytW2Cs/s400/JamestownMonument.jpg" border="0" /><br />We are going to start out in Jamestown, or as the locals call it, Jimstown, situated roughly between San Fransisco and Yosemite on California State Highway 49.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKmel-lgHI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/-ulwMHwB70A/s1600-h/HavardMine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080806374148243570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKmel-lgHI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/-ulwMHwB70A/s400/HavardMine.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jamestown was home to the Harvard Mine, operated as recently as 1994, but as an open pit mine. It was closed due to falling gold prices.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKmel-lgII/AAAAAAAAAPY/PADwgoFnKV8/s1600-h/JamestownMiningCrew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080806374148243586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKmel-lgII/AAAAAAAAAPY/PADwgoFnKV8/s400/JamestownMiningCrew.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the folk that operated the old Harvard Mine.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080440533489783906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZv3UnlGI/AAAAAAAAAOY/O0N1eH74J_4/s400/Jamestown1897emporium.jpg" border="0" /><br />Jamestown is home to some beautifully restored hotels.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080806369853276258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoKmeV-lgGI/AAAAAAAAAPI/rV58ivmS92U/s400/GoldProspectingAdventures.jpg" border="0" /><br />We moseyed into <a href="http://www.goldprospecting.com/">Gold Prospecting Adventures</a> on Main street for our guide to finding gold.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZv3UnlHI/AAAAAAAAAOg/WsLviIJAwTE/s1600-h/Jimtown1849MiningCamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080440533489783922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZv3UnlHI/AAAAAAAAAOg/WsLviIJAwTE/s400/Jimtown1849MiningCamp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is their 1849 Mining camp on Woods Creek. This is where we are going to pan.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZv3UnlII/AAAAAAAAAOo/IATIw1u7w48/s1600-h/panning.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080440533489783938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZv3UnlII/AAAAAAAAAOo/IATIw1u7w48/s400/panning.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After “booting up” we jumped right in to panning.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439618661749714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFY6nUnk9I/AAAAAAAAANQ/DknUlRkJLl0/s400/prospectorCindy.jpg" border="0" /><br />Cindy's searches her pan for her early retirement.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080440834137494674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFaBXUnlJI/AAAAAAAAAOw/cZW4yCZUvI0/s400/ProspectorJoe.jpg" border="0" /><br />Let Prospector Parkie learn ya the finer points of panning:<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPXUnlAI/AAAAAAAAANo/vGtSjCqUUT4/s1600-h/panning1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439975144035330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPXUnlAI/AAAAAAAAANo/vGtSjCqUUT4/s400/panning1.jpg" border="0" /></a> First, shovel some oar from your diggin's into your pan and take it down to the creek for “processin'”. We's going to let the water do most of the work.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPXUnlBI/AAAAAAAAANw/Zr6VJKfZUf8/s1600-h/panning2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439975144035346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPXUnlBI/AAAAAAAAANw/Zr6VJKfZUf8/s400/panning2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify">Submerge the pan at an angle into the water careful like so's not to let any oar slosh out.“Massage” the silt out of the oar. Let the water work for ya, not against ya.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPnUnlCI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Y_MKYhpsZDk/s1600-h/panning3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439979439002658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPnUnlCI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Y_MKYhpsZDk/s400/panning3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When the water runs clear, agitate the pan so that the heavier material settles to the bottom, again careful not to let any of the oar fall out. Gold is heavy, so it will settle to the bottom.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPnUnlDI/AAAAAAAAAOA/5nn3DN9hEik/s1600-h/panning4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439979439002674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPnUnlDI/AAAAAAAAAOA/5nn3DN9hEik/s400/panning4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Lift the pan out of the water at an angle, allowing the lighter oar to wash out. Do this 3 or 4 times. Remember: Water is your friend.</p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPnUnlEI/AAAAAAAAAOI/OiyzQ5PAXYg/s1600-h/panning5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439979439002690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFZPnUnlEI/AAAAAAAAAOI/OiyzQ5PAXYg/s400/panning5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"></a>Using a little bit of water left in the pan, swirl the water lightly over the remaining sand, gently washing it away to reveal that the pan contains absolutely no gold whatsoever. Repeat said steps until your at your wits end.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFY63Unk_I/AAAAAAAAANg/sznKbuUIuqA/s1600-h/prospectorDav.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439622956717042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFY63Unk_I/AAAAAAAAANg/sznKbuUIuqA/s400/prospectorDav.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh boy~ this is going to be a long day. I guess I won't be quitting my day job anytime soon.<br /></p><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYk3Unk7I/AAAAAAAAANA/4yOo-WpHMto/s1600-h/sluicing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439244999594930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYk3Unk7I/AAAAAAAAANA/4yOo-WpHMto/s400/sluicing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Next, we moved on to using a sluice box. Now this is the way to go. The average one can pan is about 5 pans per hour. Using a sluice box, we can now process an average of 100 pans per hour! Heck yeah! The odds have got to be in our favor now.<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYk3Unk8I/AAAAAAAAANI/celSWrqK43o/s1600-h/sluicebox.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439244999594946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYk3Unk8I/AAAAAAAAANI/celSWrqK43o/s400/sluicebox.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Your friend, the water, is now doing all the work. In this photo, the water is flowing left to right. Those metal ridges help trap the heavier oar behind it while the lighter stuff tumbles on down. There is a screen and a mesh that will hopefully trap the gold. Old timey prospectors learned this from finding gold trapped in moss growing in the water. Clever old timey prospectors.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080439618661749730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFY6nUnk-I/AAAAAAAAANY/7Yx9BHBBkQc/s400/prospectorRachelle.jpg" border="0" /> After running oar through the sluice for an hour, the sluice is carefully removed from the stream and disassembled. Each part is then rinsed into a bucket. Now all the oar in the bucket has to be panned. Since Rachelle is the only one out of all of us who had any luck finding gold while panning, she gets the honor of panning the bucket. </p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYPXUnk5I/AAAAAAAAAMw/eDmhrkaLlYo/s1600-h/sluicepan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080438875632407442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYPXUnk5I/AAAAAAAAAMw/eDmhrkaLlYo/s400/sluicepan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Eureka! <strong>Gold!</strong> Now thats more like it.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080438875632407458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFYPXUnk6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/olcJde38W5o/s400/Gold!.jpg" border="0" /> Well, here it is, our haul for the morning. About $30 - $35 worth of gold. Of course it cost us over $100 to find it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFXu3Unk2I/AAAAAAAAAMY/m5lqc12PW1Q/s1600-h/bonanza.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080438317286658914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoFXu3Unk2I/AAAAAAAAAMY/m5lqc12PW1Q/s400/bonanza.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A warm sunny day. A cool, shaded creek. Fresh Sierra Nevada air. The prospect of finding gold. Away from electronic entertainment. All the ingredaments for a great family outing. Now thats the real gold, ain't it?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Next blog on A California Adventure:</strong> </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br />After spending the morning doing the equivalent of about 100 squats while panning for gold, we were ready for a relaxing ride on the “<strong>Movie Train</strong>”. See ya then!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081191211807899810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RoQEfF-lgKI/AAAAAAAAAPo/C1ZmqvmQy9c/s400/BackToTheFuture3.jpg" border="0" /></div>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-23069620191309760832007-06-30T21:52:00.000-07:002007-07-10T19:26:09.693-07:00The 100 year old lantern: a small Imagineering type project.<div align="justify">As a cartoon animator, I tend to be a little anthropomorphic (or is it since I’m anthropomorphic, I became a cartoon animator?). Regardless, allow me to indulge in a little anthropomorphism now. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BH13dZI/AAAAAAAAAHo/iVXjXbbDNNc/s1600-h/1907PaullsLantern.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050916743752938898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BH13dZI/AAAAAAAAAHo/iVXjXbbDNNc/s400/1907PaullsLantern.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The lead character of this latest blog post? This antique lantern. Yep! A 1907 Paull’s #0 kerosene lantern that I came into possession of with a little help from eBay. </div><div align="center"><br />And to help celebrate this lanterns centennial birthday, I’m going to build a lamppost to which to display it from. It’s the retirement dream of lanterns everywhere.</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050916743752938914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BH13daI/AAAAAAAAAHw/WCYoetZo9h4/s400/PatentJune30th1907.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Notice it's June 30th 1907 imprint. It's a 100 years old this year!<br /><br /></p><p align="justify">In studying historical photos of mining complexes and boom towns, I found that these types of lamps were never hung from lampposts. More likely, they sat on a table or were hung from beams or rafters, inside, not outside. Towns tended to roll up their sidewalks after dark back then. If a town did have outdoor lighting, it would have invested in fancy gaslamps along the main boardwalk. If a fella was out and about after dark, he would have carried this sort of lantern with him.</p><p align="justify">So I decided to take the Disney philosophy of “these didn’t exist back then, but if they did, this is how they would have looked” approach with this lamppost. I really like the ones they built for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. So I’m going to build this lamppost following their design.<br /></p><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BX13dbI/AAAAAAAAAH4/xSrzfvLR0Sw/s1600-h/BTMRRcollage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050916748047906226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BX13dbI/AAAAAAAAAH4/xSrzfvLR0Sw/s400/BTMRRcollage.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The BTMRR’s lamps are actually electric with a little “magic” involved to make them flicker like a lantern. Believe it or not, the BTMRR’s lanterns are “listening” to “music”! You’ve seen the levels on your stereo “flicker” to your music; the higher the intensity of the music, the more level indicator lights light up. The less intense the music, less level indicator lights light. Disney’s lanterns are doing the same thing, except they are listening to special music that though would sound terrible to us, is perfect for mimicking the flicker of a flame! If you watch closely, you might catch two or more lanterns listening to the same track! You never realized those lanterns were having so much fun, did you. Rock on!<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BX13dcI/AAAAAAAAAIA/xe-LcOApbzo/s1600-h/lamppostblueprint.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050916748047906242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BX13dcI/AAAAAAAAAIA/xe-LcOApbzo/s400/lamppostblueprint.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My lantern is 100% kerosene powered, thus simplifying this project immensely. I can do this since I don’t have to light hundreds of lamps night after night. And not having to deal with hiding electrical wires helps a lot too. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BX13ddI/AAAAAAAAAII/RMLICzK8Kq8/s1600-h/materials.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050916748047906258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2BX13ddI/AAAAAAAAAII/RMLICzK8Kq8/s400/materials.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bill of Materials:<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050917181839603170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2an13deI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/1nXesp6stHw/s400/paintedhardware.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">Disney Imagineering used leather strapping, but I'm going with a heavy hardware look typical of old mining equipment. So the first order of business is to paint all the hardware as close as possible in color to iron. I'm using brown Rust-oleum Hammered Paint Spray.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050917181839603186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhh2an13dfI/AAAAAAAAAIY/bYMOihkeWaI/s400/concretefooting.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Me pour concrete! Me man! </p><p align="justify">(edit: Apparently I chose the wrong footing, the Post Base flexes too much under the weight of the post. I suppose the post itself should have been set into the concrete. I'll have to find a way to remedy that). </p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058253811423879298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjKHCq2voII/AAAAAAAAAKw/4hru4_0mnSw/s400/tubularlantern.gif" border="0" /><br />There is like, “technology” behind these old lanterns! Turns out they changed the world. By using this technology, they burn a few times brighter than candles, thus allowing American ingenuity to continue after dark!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058547531352351010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOSLa2voSI/AAAAAAAAAMA/CbMHhOzCA6A/s400/installedhardware.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here the Heavy Angles are installed on the crossarm, and I included a 1/2” rod through the crossarm and into the post and cap to help increase its strength. A big thanks to my friend Don Simon who was gracious enough the let me borrow his drill press to drill perfect 90° holes to accept the hardware.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058547527057383698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOSLK2voRI/AAAAAAAAAL4/Omc0Mio9k7M/s400/handcut.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">I cut the angle brace the old fashioned way. And boy are my arms sore! </p><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061693401623142722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rj6_VK2voUI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/KzKVeOskBqo/s400/FinishedPostWLantern4-28-07.jpg" border="0" /><br />Done! Cool. Pretty much everything turned out as planed. Just in time for it's 100th anniversary later this month on the 30th. At that time I'll fire up the lantern and drink a toast to it and American history.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085756242352505106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RpQ8W1-lgRI/AAAAAAAAAQg/n6ACMk9MM2w/s400/6-30-07.jpg" border="0" /><br />Welp, here we are, June 30th 2007, toasting the 100th anniversary of the lantern. We even BBQed a steak dinner and dined under the soft glow of the lantern. I'm a geek! I know. Leave me alone. I'm going to relax and sip my Long Island Iced Tea in commemoration, listen to the crickets, watch my lantern glow into the night and enjoy this simple little moment.<br /></p>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-81090075163491732412007-04-23T11:30:00.000-07:002009-02-11T13:53:18.606-08:00Switzer~LandAh, the utopian wonderland of Los Angeles at the beginning of the 20th century. Frolic in the surf and sandy shores of the Pacific by morning, then scale the alpine heights of Switzer~land by afternoon.<br /><br />Switzer~land?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057435706053337170" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Ri-e-q2voFI/AAAAAAAAAKY/2aq1NKJMSUM/s400/SwitzBrochures.jpg" border="0" /><br />Yep. Time for hike and campout #2 with Dax’s Boy Scout troop 888. This time to Switzer Falls in the San Gabriels Mountains in Los Angeles. Don’t worry, I’m not going to blog about every campout we go on. But this hike is through another historic location only a few of miles from Mt. Lowe.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058543691651588242" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOOr62voJI/AAAAAAAAAK4/DcXR6HC4hFw/s400/SerpentsAtSwitzers.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">The Serpent Patrol: Dax, Brandon, Michael, Ryne, and Phillip.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057435706053337154" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Ri-e-q2voEI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/U8Zg8QNhidI/s400/ChristChapelSepia.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">Apparently, what with the “<a href="http://lymanadventure.blogspot.com/2007/03/blog-post.html">Ye Alpine Tavern</a>” and Switzer~land, turn of the 20th Century Angelinos were in love with the idea of transforming the Sierra Madres into the Swiss alps.<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058544026659037394" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOO_a2voNI/AAAAAAAAALY/OKNl6DD4g7g/s400/SwitzerFalls.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">The Switzer Falls area is set in the deep Arroyo Seco canyon and contains a series of waterfalls cascading over smooth rock into rock pools. In warmer weather some of these falls can be used as water slides. But today the water is snowmelt and is far too cold for us to swim in. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057435710348304498" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Ri-e-62voHI/AAAAAAAAAKo/GuJ8OmZIaMM/s400/The+Austin+Home+and+Yours.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">The nearby Mt. Waterman is named after Bob Waterman and his new bride when they took a month long honeymoon camping adventure and discovered the falls in 1883. When they returned they told their friend Commodore Perry Switzer all about it (I don’t know where he gets off calling himself “Commodore”, maybe I should adopt such a title! ). Excited by the news of this paradise, Switzer built a trail and packed in tents, food and kitchen equipment, creating the first tourist resort in these mountains.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058543695946555586" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOOsK2voMI/AAAAAAAAALQ/R6lcljsUGN0/s400/SwitzerStreamCrossing.jpg" border="0" /><br />Very little remains of the original road, so the boys had to make about a dozen stream crossings, balancing on rocks with full packs! Dax discovered that he has a natural ability for this and did quite well (Do I sound like a proud papa?).</p><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057435710348304482" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Ri-e-62voGI/AAAAAAAAAKg/nk0BBOWa0_w/s400/SWITZORGANsepia.gif" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="justify">Lloyd Austin and his wife bought Switzer's Camp in 1911 and renamed it Switzer~land. With donations, they built Christs Chapel on a rocky outcrop 200 feet above the upper falls. It looks small, but the Chapel and it's amphitheater could seat some 200 people, and was a popular location for weddings, conferences, retreats, and Sunday morning prayer.</p><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058543691651588258" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOOr62voKI/AAAAAAAAALA/BzMy8MqDJwY/s400/Chapelsite2007.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">Fighting the urge to yodel, I managed to snap this pic of the Chapel site today- minus the Chapel. Once again, the historic structures had to be dynamited by the U.S. Forestry service for safety concerns. Why can't we hang on to our history? </p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058543695946555570" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOOsK2voLI/AAAAAAAAALI/4kCTQLHVEK4/s400/SwitzerArches.jpg" border="0" />Here you can see some of the remains of the arches laying on the hillside. I don't blame the U.S Forestry Service for doing what they had to do. I blame heartless, ignorant folk who think their actions have no consequences! One of the reasons I believe Scouting to be so important.</p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOO_a2voOI/AAAAAAAAALg/rr7JMny5PJc/s1600-h/SwitzerCamp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058544026659037410" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOO_a2voOI/AAAAAAAAALg/rr7JMny5PJc/s400/SwitzerCamp.jpg" border="0" /></a> Switzer's Camp today is still very beautiful, and is very popular for day hikes and camping. The stream in the deep valley is shaded by white barked alders, tall oaks, sycamores and maple trees, keeping everything nice and cool. We set up camp next to the stream, and although it looks placid in this pic, the stream is actually quite lively and we fell asleep that night to it's calming rushing sound echoing off the valley walls.</p><p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOO_a2voPI/AAAAAAAAALo/hmsnIsyJ6f0/s1600-h/SwitzerFishin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058544026659037426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjOO_a2voPI/AAAAAAAAALo/hmsnIsyJ6f0/s400/SwitzerFishin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Chaplin Tim, tries his luck in one of the many rock pools. And yes, he dined on rainbow trout that night for dinner. </p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059276851158950194" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RjYpfa2voTI/AAAAAAAAAMI/XvReHpUdrhU/s400/HIKERJOYCE.jpg" border="0" /><br />Nice effort early Angeleno's! It looks like it was fun while it lasted. But these days, I guess we can just jet to the real Alps. But really, the Sierra Madres are respectable in their own right, they don't need to be the Alps. There is something to be said about this area reverting back to it's natural state. It made for a mighty nice getaway for us, camping in a relatively remote location and getting away from the electronic world (not the slightest cellphone signal could be found). And with everyones care, it should stay this way for the next 100 years. Or else the U.S. Forestry Service will have to Dynamite the whole dang mountain range to smithereens!!! </p><p align="justify">Okay! Okay! So I'm not a philosopher! Take it as you want.</p><p align="justify">Signed;</p><p align="justify">Commander Dav<br /></p>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-79756448100346618792007-04-13T07:47:00.000-07:002007-04-13T07:58:37.907-07:00Mo' Mojave!<div align="justify">In part one of Mojave! I mentioned that the desert is a strange place. Here is some more strangeness for you. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Apparently, Mojave is where old airliners go to die. There is a vast graveyard of mothballed aircraft at the Mojave Air and Space Port. What better place for us to mess around until dark? </div><div align="center"><br />Click pics to enlarge.<br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLbX13dgI/AAAAAAAAAIg/ImeSs5juAv8/s1600-h/MojaveGraveyard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051151390701221378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLbX13dgI/AAAAAAAAAIg/ImeSs5juAv8/s400/MojaveGraveyard.jpg" border="0" /></a> Notice the 747 on the right is missing an engine and the other three are plugged. The McDonnell Douglass aircraft on the left are “wrapped” with some sort of a protective coating. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLbn13dhI/AAAAAAAAAIo/URJ8SGXtIU8/s1600-h/rachelle5thclass.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051151394996188690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLbn13dhI/AAAAAAAAAIo/URJ8SGXtIU8/s400/rachelle5thclass.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>My daughter Rachelle enjoying her ride in 5th class. </p><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLbn13diI/AAAAAAAAAIw/kOwRo3vQ2oo/s1600-h/moviejet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051151394996188706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLbn13diI/AAAAAAAAAIw/kOwRo3vQ2oo/s400/moviejet.jpg" border="0" /></a> There is a lot of strange stuff in the desert. This one baffled me at first when I saw it. But now I suspect that it has been outfitted to facilitate movie and TV production. Because of Mojave’s relative proximity to Hollywood, a lot of that goes on here.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051305481242900114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhnXkn13dpI/AAAAAAAAAJo/hJNTzfJc7HU/s400/vintage_constellation.jpg" border="0" />Mojave also has a nice collection of vintage aircraft. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLb313djI/AAAAAAAAAI4/wGt5E0PUqCI/s1600-h/thefamilyjet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051151399291156018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLb313djI/AAAAAAAAAI4/wGt5E0PUqCI/s400/thefamilyjet.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><p align="center">This one looks about right for our family needs, we’ll take it! <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLb313dkI/AAAAAAAAAJA/280BG-1IiT0/s1600-h/airspaceportdetail.jpg"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051151399291156034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlLb313dkI/AAAAAAAAAJA/280BG-1IiT0/s400/airspaceportdetail.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify"></a></p><p align="justify">“Hey Buzz! It’s a space port!” Not exactly what I envisioned as a space port, or the rest of America for that matter. But, Mojave is an authentic, bona-fide <a href="http://www.space.com/news/mojave_spaceport_040524.html">space port</a>, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration's Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (FAA-AST)! According to Mojave Airports <a href="http://www.mojaveairport.com/">website</a> “"Mojave is to the emerging space industry what Silicon Valley was to the computer industry. There is a concentration of like-minded businesses here like no where else in the world." Well! I’ll be keeping an eye on this Mojave Air and Spaceport (As well as real estate values in near by Tehachapi)! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051305476947932802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhnXkX13doI/AAAAAAAAAJg/ZdhqCvoxMHI/s400/rotaryrocket.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">The <a href="https://www.space.com/businesstechnology/business/roton_rocket_00626.html">Rotary Rocket</a>. Strange. Described as a six-story traffic cone sprouting helicopter blades, this rocket was well on its way to becoming the worlds first single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft. It’s only failure? Funding.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052341117114033026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rh2FekGuo4I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/yMZ91K8AT3Y/s400/Xprize.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">My good friend Jason Hitchens took these photos when he went to Mojave, September 28, 2004 to witness <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceShipOne">Spaceshipone</a> winning the <a href="http://www.xprize.org/xprizes/ansari_x_prize.html">Ansari X-Prize</a> for private spaceflight. Above is the Mothership with Spaceshipone attached underneath.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052341121409000338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rh2Fe0Guo5I/AAAAAAAAAKA/NOq5NeJaIFQ/s400/spaceshiponeflight.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Spaceship one making its historic flight.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052341121409000354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rh2Fe0Guo6I/AAAAAAAAAKI/8t2GiY1aZ2c/s400/mikemelville.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center">Astronaut <a href="file:///wiki/Mike_Melvill">Mike Melvill</a> after the spaceflight.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051152138025530978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlMG313dmI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/T8zXwUsVsUs/s400/windgeneratorblades.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">More strange stuff. These are very large and very aerodynamic. And there are hundreds of them stored here. But what the heck are they?! They’re not fuselage, they’re not wings. My wife Cindy, proving that she’s more than just good looks, figures it out...</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051309093310396066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/Rhna2313dqI/AAAAAAAAAJw/fyeR8EBTAtQ/s400/solarwind.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify"><br />...on the Tehachapi Mountains, overlooking Mojave, there they stand, hundreds of them, silently doing their work: windmill generators. These are the blades for windmill generators! Way to go Cindy (I knew I kept her around for a good reason)! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051152138025530994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhlMG313dnI/AAAAAAAAAJY/HT55dZU7ic4/s400/solarwindpanorama.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">“As the sun slowly sinks in the west...” our day in the Mojave comes to an end. An interesting and full day to say the least, starting with a glimpse at California’s gold mining past, and ending with a glimpse of California’s aerospace future. A fascinating state indeed. </p><p align="justify">Coming up on "A California Adventure" we have another boyscout campout planned. This time to <em>Switzer~land</em>! You'll have to tune in to see! </p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify">Dav<br /><br /><br /></p>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-82240624195146995382007-04-02T09:38:00.000-07:002007-06-28T12:26:37.094-07:00Mojave!<div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Saturday, March 31st, 2007. The Mojave Desert. The desert is an endlessly strange and interesting place to explore. With the Mojave only 20 minutes away, we took a day trip there.<br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048882341281201714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhE7vUDO_jI/AAAAAAAAAFA/jm6WZsUxJbc/s400/theroadtorandsburg.jpg" border="0" /> The road to Randsburg<br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">I have a weakness. I <em>love</em> a good ghost town.<br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048886455859871298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhE_e0DO_kI/AAAAAAAAAFI/zkm0e8NWo3k/s400/randsign.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049104605838770034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhIF40DO_3I/AAAAAAAAAHg/6qc7AflXUww/s400/mapnew16.gif" border="0" />While way too lively to be a ghost town, <a href="http://www.randsburg.com">Randsburg</a>, California comes close with its remoteness, buildings dating back to the early 1900s, some of which are abandoned or in ruin, a population a fraction of what it used to have, and by having the feeling of being lost in time.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048888087947443794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFA90DO_lI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/w9qF_Br-vew/s400/oldrands.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Randsburg in the 1920s.<br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048892232590884450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFEvEDO_mI/AAAAAAAAAFY/-kDu52sgzqM/s400/Randsburg.jpg" border="0" /><br />Whats cool about Randsburg is that its far enough off the beaten path to retain most of its “Wild West” appeal, as opposed to the expensive “boutique” ghost towns found on highway 49.<br /><br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048902957124222626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFOfUDO_qI/AAAAAAAAAF4/9u5gdiBHLF8/s400/oarcar.jpg" border="0" /><br />But not far enough off the beaten path. Apparently there are still gold in them thar hills, namely in antique mining equipment. These oar cars fetch a pretty penny. Needless to say, I left Randsburg without one. Maybe someday though... maybe someday.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048905740263030450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFRBUDO_rI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Lxlr_k0rit0/s400/prospectordave.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Do I look convincing as an 1890s hard rock miner?<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048906367328255682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFRl0DO_sI/AAAAAAAAAGI/YByJFwa62WA/s400/prospectorparkie.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Prospector Parkie off to try his luck in the mines.<br /></p><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048908201279291090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFTQkDO_tI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/PpXxtSi01uQ/s400/mineheadandtrestle.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Mines in various states of decay surround the town.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048915270795460338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFZsEDO_vI/AAAAAAAAAGg/VhTHl1NpESg/s400/Joannasburgmine.jpg" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048909670158106338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFUmEDO_uI/AAAAAAAAAGY/KH1wcrpf8Zg/s400/miningcompany.jpg" border="0" /><p align="justify">This seems to have been an entire mining company, with shaft, oar bin, mill, tailings pile, company store, and a history of automobiles.<br /><br /></p><p align="justify"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048918887157923586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFc-kDO_wI/AAAAAAAAAGo/BJbbmJtucNo/s400/yellowasterloco.jpg" border="0" /><br />This locomotive hauled oar cars out of the Yellow Aster Mine, the big mine in town. The Yellow Aster was the most prosperous mine in all of southern California. Having abandoned the tunneling method of mining, the Yellow Aster is now a giant open pit mine, processing a rumored 4000 ounces of gold a week, and employing some 80 miners.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048893048634670706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFFekDO_nI/AAAAAAAAAFg/wVDHomqFKk0/s400/Hitchingposts.jpg" border="0" /> There is a whole parking lot with hitching posts for modern day cowboys to hitch their steeds and then mosey over to...<br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048894865405836930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFHIUDO_oI/AAAAAAAAAFo/JW08bmJLr8Y/s400/whitehousesaloon.jpg" border="0" /><br />... the White House Saloon. We were ready to eat, so we ventured inside.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048897090198896274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhFJJ0DO_pI/AAAAAAAAAFw/HJyGR_u2L3U/s400/whitehousesalooninterior.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">The interior of the White House Saloon retains its wild west saloon ambiance. We dined on refreshingly cool hamburgers, and nice warm soda. Just like the old timey prospectors did a hundred years ago!<br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049090660079959826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhH5NEDO_xI/AAAAAAAAAGw/OJkbKvw742g/s400/thefacilities.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>After a quick visit to the “facilities”, we're ready for more exploring.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049092889167986466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhH7O0DO_yI/AAAAAAAAAG4/lhj7ZO9cHVA/s400/graveminewood.jpg" border="0" /> No trip to a ghost town is complete without a visit to the the old cemetery.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049093537708048178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhH70kDO_zI/AAAAAAAAAHA/7OSgz8SJLuk/s400/randsburggraves.jpg" border="0" /> There are a lot of forgotten souls at this cemetery. The inscriptions on this marker are long lost. Most graves don't even have a marker anymore and all traces are of there even being a grave there are lost to the elements. Even still, someone took the time to commemorate them by placing a flower at each of the grave sites. Spooky...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049104172047073122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RhIFfkDO_2I/AAAAAAAAAHY/PXbk8RTkKnU/s400/Randsburg.jpg" border="0" /><br />Welp! They roll up the sidewalks at 5:00pm in Randsburg, so that ends our visit here. I don't want to stick around for when the ghosts take over the town. But this isn't the end of our visit to the Mojave. Our next stop is to a graveyard of a different sort. I'll blog about that in part two. You won't want to miss it!<br /></p><p>Dav<br /><br /></p><p></p>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-91249862103152384782007-03-19T22:44:00.000-07:002007-08-21T15:35:53.996-07:00Mt. Lowe / Ye Alpine Tavern<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAouXphDmI/AAAAAAAAAEA/2NO8-9s3BfQ/s1600-h/panoalp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044076359742197346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAouXphDmI/AAAAAAAAAEA/2NO8-9s3BfQ/s400/panoalp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My son Dax (10) graduated Webelos and officially became a Boy Scout- Good job Dax! For his first ever overnight hike, the troop (troop 888 Castaic) took a 6 mile hike (3 miles in, 3 miles out) to the historic Mt. Lowe, Ye Alpine Tavern site. Dax did great considering that his backpack about doubled his size!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAm8nphDkI/AAAAAAAAADw/gU0EFDPyJV8/s1600-h/DaxDav.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044074405532077634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAm8nphDkI/AAAAAAAAADw/gU0EFDPyJV8/s400/DaxDav.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">It amazes me some of the things Los Angeles used to have that doesn't exist anymore. The old Mt. Lowe Scenic Railway is one of them. At one time this was California's most popular tourist destination!</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAmrXphDjI/AAAAAAAAADo/kEBgTYgde6I/s1600-h/map.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044074109179334194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAmrXphDjI/AAAAAAAAADo/kEBgTYgde6I/s400/map.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Built between 1892 and 1895, Tourist would take the electric cars from Los Angeles, through Pasadena up to Rubio Canyon to the Rubio Pavilion:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAk63phDiI/AAAAAAAAADg/PIsliZGiD8k/s1600-h/RubioPavilion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044072176444050978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAk63phDiI/AAAAAAAAADg/PIsliZGiD8k/s400/RubioPavilion.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There, riders could transfer to a 3000 foot long incline railway that took them to the top of Echo Mountain that offered spectacular views of Pasadena, Los Angeles, Long Beach and as far away as Catalina Island.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044072172149083666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAk6nphDhI/AAAAAAAAADY/rZi0sD6qKqw/s400/inclinecolor.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044072167854116354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAk6XphDgI/AAAAAAAAADQ/i7m9GMZqpwU/s400/inclinetop.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAji3phDfI/AAAAAAAAADI/fpeYQdJd8O8/s1600-h/EchoMt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044070664615562738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAji3phDfI/AAAAAAAAADI/fpeYQdJd8O8/s400/EchoMt.jpg" border="0" /></a> The top of Echo Mountain included a Hotel, Observatory and a Zoo. There passengers could transfer to smaller electric trolleys for a turn-of-the-nineteenth-century version of a "drive in the mountains", to the Tavern.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAi_nphDeI/AAAAAAAAADA/6NZXDf-7mws/s1600-h/route.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044070059025173986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAi_nphDeI/AAAAAAAAADA/6NZXDf-7mws/s400/route.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAhb3phDdI/AAAAAAAAAC4/5EsVZ-Z3D4A/s1600-h/garysalpine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044068345333222866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAhb3phDdI/AAAAAAAAAC4/5EsVZ-Z3D4A/s400/garysalpine.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Tavern was first class all the way, with luxurious rooms and bungalows, fine dining, an Orchestra and Ballroom, a post office, a circulating library, tennis courts, horseback riding to Mt Wilson, electricity, and a phonograph and radio! all in an Alpine setting.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAg13phDcI/AAAAAAAAACw/p-nz42L7KPU/s1600-h/Troop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044067692498193858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAg13phDcI/AAAAAAAAACw/p-nz42L7KPU/s400/Troop.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Echo Mountain facilities burned in 1905 and the Tavern burned in 1938. In the 1950s the ruins were dynamited by the U.S. Forestry Service to create todays Mt. Lowe campsite. Here the boys stand were the Tavern used to stand.<br /></div><div><div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAf8XphDbI/AAAAAAAAACo/PZFd8LE2Obs/s1600-h/ML166.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044066704655715762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAf8XphDbI/AAAAAAAAACo/PZFd8LE2Obs/s400/ML166.jpg" border="0" /></a> The old trolley grade makes for easy hiking today.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAdH3phDaI/AAAAAAAAACg/7TcjQHk84RY/s1600-h/Tunnel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044063603689328034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAdH3phDaI/AAAAAAAAACg/7TcjQHk84RY/s400/Tunnel.jpg" border="0" /></a> Part of the trail took us through this short tunnel. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAc3nphDZI/AAAAAAAAACY/R771hic4OCg/s1600-h/Platform+and+Tavern.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044063324516453778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAc3nphDZI/AAAAAAAAACY/R771hic4OCg/s400/Platform+and+Tavern.jpg" border="0" /></a> The tent on the lower right is set up on the old trolley track bed, the backpacks and hat are on the old curving platform. Dax set up his tent (the big blue tent on the upper right) about where the crowd of people are standing in the photo below.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAcqHphDYI/AAAAAAAAACQ/groC9omhxt8/s1600-h/PC036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044063092588219778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAcqHphDYI/AAAAAAAAACQ/groC9omhxt8/s400/PC036.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ah, those were the days! </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044075170036256338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAnpHphDlI/AAAAAAAAAD4/YdhRMgjkmvQ/s400/PC037.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAcRXphDXI/AAAAAAAAACI/gbvYa0f4fz0/s1600-h/Groupshot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044062667386457458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAcRXphDXI/AAAAAAAAACI/gbvYa0f4fz0/s400/Groupshot.jpg" border="0" /></a>That was an excellent first hike. The boys had a great time. And I had a blast retracing old California history!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAboXphDWI/AAAAAAAAACA/lH-yxo3XD0I/s1600-h/View.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044061963011820898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgAboXphDWI/AAAAAAAAACA/lH-yxo3XD0I/s400/View.jpg" border="0" /></a> A clear, crisp day up here, an overcast, smoggy day down below. (Click pics to enlarge).<br /></div><div>For more information about historic Mt. Lowe, visit:</div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mountlowe.org/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044824790003222706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgLRavo6CLI/AAAAAAAAAEg/jAvIQpNu1dY/s400/mlps.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93142790355499966.post-41562839030517665382007-03-19T14:07:00.000-07:002007-04-09T11:24:13.885-07:00Mission StatementHowdy Folks!<br /><br />I'm not a Disney Imagineer... not yet anyway. But it is on my lifetime to-do list. Ever since I was a child I have been a big fan of Disney. Fortunatly I learned early on that the best way to work for Disneyland is not to work <em>at</em> Disneyland, but rather go out into the world, collect ideas and inspirations to bring back <em>to</em> Disneyland. My hero is John Olson. In the 1970s John (among others who deserve credit) went to the ghost town of Jerome, Arizona, and brought it back to Disneyland as the “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad”. <em>That's</em> what I want to do!<br /><br />That brings me to Disney's “California Adventure”. It's a disaster. It would have worked better as a “land” (Frontierland, Fantasyland, Californialand...) than an entire theme park. But there it is. What's to be done? Well... Maybe I can do something.<br /><br />So I started this blog so that you can follow the exploits of this Cartoon Animator, Model Railroader/Railfan, Surfer, Gamer, History Buff, Aerospace Engineering Illustrator, Former Boy Scout, Son of a "Rocket Scientist", and Father of a family of 5, as I drag my family around this great state of our as we (as the great Huell Howser puts it) “search for California's gold”, to maybe someday bring back to Disneyland and hopefully entertain and inspire generations to come.<br /><br />Maybe I'll win, maybe I'll fail miserably. But goll-darn-it! I'm gonna have FUN doing it, even if it kills me! California- here I come...<br /><br />Dav<br /><br />P.S. Don't be shy, your comments are welcome!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044121736071679618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_kKP142YHLOQ/RgBR_nphDoI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/wFsSOmv5mMM/s400/seal.jpg" border="0" />David Lymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01080038207515820919noreply@blogger.com1