Castle Dome Ghost Town

In 1863 Jacob Snively followed early blazes to a 10 mile long faulted area where ancient volcanics had filled the faults with Galena, lead ore, laced with Silver. Early miners dug shafts down hundreds of feet into these rich deposits. Silver was the goal in these early days. Recovery of Galena, think lead, became very important during both World Wars. The last miner left in 1979.  Over the past 116 years the population in this remote desert location fluctuated between a few hardy soles to several thousand people providing all the services needed to support mining. The Armstrongs bought the property in 1993. In 1998 Fish and Game wanted to remove all remains of the mining era spread over a many square miles. Allen Armstrong asked and was granted permission to collect and move it all to his museum. You can read more here and here.

The volcanic plug that the town was named after.

This Galena ore yields 40 oz of silver per ton.

Rusty treasures

Stone Cabin Cafe 1956

Early glass had a green tint. Glass makers added magnesium to make it clear.  The Mg tinted the glass purple after long exposure to sun light.

Very old jeans discovered in the mines.

Bunk house washroom

Miner's cabin

We spent several hours exploring the treasures collected here. I especially liked that you could touch and handle most of the items.

Rainy Day Fun

It is pouring much needed rain here in San Jose. Rachel and I are having a great time making up our own game using rummy tiles.

Visiting My Favorite Girls

I am up in San Jose, CA having quality time with my son's family.

Simply mesmerizing 

Ctenophors, my favorite jelly

Artist Alison McDonald created 12 sculptures to create a dialogue 

about the negative and positive effects of plastic in our environment.

The aquarium has many interactive computer activities that engage children and adults alike.

Coloring your fish is only the beginning. When you are satisfied with your fish, tap a button and your creation pops up on a large screen in a burst of bubbles. You can also email your fish. 

The touch pools are very popular. 

Nothing like touching live organisms.

I tried to stop myself, but I have to say it.

My granddaughters are cuter than yours.

Favorite Spots

Happy New Year

Georgie Lake, Vancouver Island
50.744546, -127.614683 free

Union Bay, Vancouver Island  

49.584518,-124.885942 free

Cochiti Lake, NM

35.640813 -106.320856  fee

Abiquiu, NM  36.228325 -106.395896 free

 Near Great Sand Dunes NP, CO 
37.526950, -105.593480  free

Walden, CO  40.839122, -106.312334  free

Leadville, CO 39.24708  -106.356973  free

Merry Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very merry  Christmas.

Adobe Deli

We are enjoying a full hook up at the Escapees Dream Catcher park in Deming, NM. We went to the Adobe Deli for a great dinner. They are known for there tasty French Onion soup, but tonight it was on the salty side. Linda enjoyed her oysters fresh from the gulf coast. My Ruben was terrific. I took half of it home for lunch tomorrow.

Seeking some Warm

The weather is still cool and the nights freezing. Luckily no snow, only frost. So far it has been Walmart nights, but the fresh water is down to 6%. Tonight we camp with s full hook-up.  Dump and fill the tanks and most importantly take a looooong hot shower.

Memphis Bass Pro store.
I would love to see the inside.

At this point, I always feel that I am in the West again.

Leaning to drive the 42 foot beast. Very nerve-racking.
Freeway only for me.
Linda handles all the close quarters city driving.

Heading South

A New England wake up call. Go south RVer, go south. The plan is I 81 to I 40 to I 30 to Dallas, TX, all the while hoping the weather gives us a break.