California Here We Come

May 28, 2021

After playing at Valley of Fire we heading over to Pahrump, NV., which is just west of Las Vegas. A Very sprawling town though that seems to be typical out here. We stayed at Preferred RV Resort, with our membership to Coast To Coast twas only $10.00 a night. And what a deal! Really nice campground, sites a bit tight but lots of amenities and very well kept.

 Pool, Clubhouse, Community Events, Exercise Room, Billiards, typical outdoor sports: miniature golf, horseshoes, basketball. They even have a Woodshop, Stained Glass Classes, Arts & Crafts, and Sewing Machines for use. A fish pond and beautiful gardens rounded things out. WOW

The roads around the campground made for good biking. And so close to town, if you needed anything or wanted a night out to restaurant or casino it was easily had. We spent several days there and would not hesitate to go back. High on the list of favorites.

Obviously, driving through the desert causes odd things to happen to one's electronics. Talk about a time warp and we aren't even near Roswell, LOL 

June 1, 2021

After a relaxing Memorial Weekend, headed out and across the border to California. Was quite disappointed there was no welcoming sign at the border. Guess we aren't truly welcome LOL. But we did pass this exit and well, how do you pronounce this one??? 

Our route took us through more mountains and along the Death Valley National Park border. We considered going in and checking it out but the 115 degree temperatures made us reconsider. Perhaps next time we come out this way and it's winter! 

The route is another desolate area with a whole lot of nothingness, surrounded by bare mountains and yet has such a beauty about it. Most of the drive was in Nat'l and Local Preservation areas 

We kept passing areas where the “sand” was white, thought at first perhaps salt fields but found out differently. It is from Borax, that area has the biggest borax deposits in the world. Yep, Borax, as in 20 Mule Team Borax you buy at the supermarket. Actually, that company is located not far from the area we passed through. The things you find and learn while traveling are impressive.

Our travels took us to Barstow, California where we would spend the next couple of days at a KOA there. Typical, older, KOA. Great staff, just enough room between sites to not feel boxed in, pool, campstore, playground, etc. This one also had an archery field, thought we'd like to partake in that but well, we have decided we are not desert people. Temperatures over 100 degrees everyday. 

They not only had RV and tent sites but several size cabins and a couple of platform tents, though they called them Safari Tents. That was a first. We were supposed to leave on Thursday but found the temperature was heading to 105 then so called our next destination and were told to come on over. Did manage to get some early morning, late evening walking and biking in as large empty area behind the campground used mostly it seemed for horseback riding and ATVs.

June 3, 2021

So decided to play tourist today and headed to the Calico Ghost Town just a couple miles from Bartsow. Calico was one of the many mining towns to spring up in the area back in the late 1800s when silver was found. It held the distinction of being among the richest mines in the state between producing $86 million in silver and another $45 million in borax, that was a lot of money back then! At it's height in 1887, it maintained a population of 1,200 with 22 saloons, and over 500 mines. The population fell after that and continued to fall to today's population of 8, Yep, 8 and they all work at the Ghost Town. At some point the town became the propriety of Walter Knott, of Knott's Berry Farm fame. It was he who donated the town to San Bernardino County in 1966 and they have maintained it since.

Fun way to spend a day (well half of a day), besides the little chops and a couple of eateries, it boasts The Calico/Odessa Railroad, Maggie Mine, Museum, Bottle House, Mystery Shack and several other of orginal buildings. There is even a campground (which we didn't stay in). 

House made of bottles

The Mystery Shack is a house of illusion that truly plays with your mind and body, not for the queasy among us.

There were these adorable quail type birds called Chukars there that were such fun to watch. They even put on a bit of a show LOL.

Spent several hours there, enjoyed a bit of lunch and then headed on our way. One of those campy touristy places with just enough history to make it fun, entertaining, and educational. Worth the stop. 

Ta!  

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