Cargo Muchachos Mountains...

Cocopah RV Resort
Yuma, AZ
February 18,2014

One of the things Ronnie and Carol wanted to do was a jeep ride in Pearl. So Joe and Ronnie were off to the BLM office in search of information and maps. After explaining what they were looking for, the very nice lady said "We just aren't there yet. Other states are way ahead of us." There were no books...no information on trails... nada!




They did however find this map...and since we had been close to the Cargo Muchachos Mountains when exploring the American Girl Gold Mine District...we decided to just head that way. With water and snacks loaded, we were on our way at 8:15 am.

 The Cargo Muchachos Mountains are actually in California. To get there from Yuma, we took I 8 west and took exit 164 to Sidewinder Road.

Just after Felicity, CA, Sidewinder changes from pavement to gravel...Pearl was very hopeful at this point and I even heard a "Whoa, whoa!" from the driver!




 There were trail markers along the way. At first we tried following them, but if you look at the map, most of them dead-end. So we tried a different approach.

When we came to a fork in the road, we each took turns giving the direction...left or right. Turned out to be lots of fun!

We followed the trail thru a wash where there seemed to be more green.







I spotted a vulture...actually his white beak gave him away.


I didn't even realize there were two of them until we turned the corner and saw them from the back...

if you look closely at the picture on the left, you can see the second one in the photo. Its below and to the right of the one in view.

 We did make a stop for a picture...I do love the color of these clusters of red on the tips of the ocotillo plant.

From there, it was up...

 ...to a beautiful view. This seemed like the perfect place for water and a snack. It is a little embarrassing to admit, but I have no idea where we were or how we got there.

The Cargo Muchachos Mountains are the most barren area I have ever seen. What a joy it was to spot a bit of color...a tiny bit of color.

 Pearl didn't have quite the challenge she had in Moab and we didn't have quite the views we had in Moab, but it was great just being with friends and enjoying the day!

We have had some beautiful sunsets...

Until next time...enjoy!

 

Up next...margaritas in Mexico! 

A Ghost Town...Castle Dome Mine

Cocopah RV Resort
Yuma, AZ
February 14, 2014

 We visited Castle Dome city...a mining ghost town about 30 miles north of Yuma. This town had it all...

a general store and church...

a school house...

a garage...



a motel...



a workshop...

a dress shop...

a saloon...

and lots of porches!

All together, about 20 buildings have been restored that were once part of Castle Dome Mining District. Each building is decorated giving you a "true life" picture of what daily life would have been like back in the 1800s.

 

 

We read that some of the relics and furniture displayed were found around the property and in some of the 360 caves in the area. There are over 15 miles of underground passages inside the mines. Also some relics were donated and a few pieces were purchased.

Mining began here in 1862 and it was a productive site until 1978 when the last mine closed. Castle Dome was a major silver, not gold, producer.

 When it was a thriving "industrial" town, more than 3,000 residents lived in the area.





There was a $10 entrance fee, but we all felt it was worth it. Everything is very "hands-on"...and I so love old things. So many things I recognized...like the old enamel table like the one we had in our kitchen that my grandma made biscuits on. And some of the glassware below looks just like it came out of my Mom's china cabinet.

What a fun way to spend the morning.

On the way home, we stopped at From the Farm...a great little farmers market.

 

You can buy from the store or pick your own (in designated areas).

Even though we bought veggies, that was not the reason for our stop...the sign that caught our eye was "Date Shakes". It was Valentine's Day after all and we were on a date so why not?

 

I really did not know quite what to expect...a date shake? Yep, chopped up dates in creamy vanilla ice cream! 

 

 

I am happy to say, I was pleasantly surprised...in fact, "lip smackin" surprised. Thanks Ronnie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of fresh veggies...dinner calls!

 

 

Until next time...

 

 

enjoy!

 

Up next...Pearl took us to the moon and back!