This is totally a vanity site. It's about me and is dedicated that which is part of me:
challenges and pursuits
hobbies and interests
Basically it's a place to share me with anyone who may have an interest and, for posterity, to record what I have found interesting and gathered unto myself in this lifetime.
So, if you know me and want a peek inside my head and my life, here you go!
If you're stopping through and just curious, please enjoy your look around.
And if you're just bored and nosey...WTH, amuse yourself!
When exploring the Sierras and other remote parts of California one must travel om some of the little-used back roads of the state. Some of these old roads follow the trails the old gold-miners and settlers of yore used to get supplies or travel from one place to another.
One of the things I have always enjoyed is seeing new, interesting places. The most interesting places are those located away from the busy interstate and CA state highways. Many of these are boomtowns that saw a rapid growth of population and wealth from the time in the nineteenth century when fortunes were made and lost as the mineral wealth of CA was extracted from the earth. The towns remain vibrant for a short time until the nearby mines and placer deposits were played out. Soon after, the boomtowns lost population and influence, slowly diminishing until they have became virtually forgotten.
As opposed to the forgotten towns mentioned above, there are a number of Gold Rush towns that still exist today that have a sizable portion of their boomtown populations. Many of these towns now rely on tourists rather than placer miners to keep business running.
Some of the boomtowns have been completely lost to the changing needs of California with only plaques to recall their former fame and mark their location. The sites of some of the mining towns are located beneath the waters of reservoirs built for a growing population. Other mining towns, like Quartzburg (roughly 3.5 miles on Highway J16 northeast of Hornitos), do not have historical plaques as there is nothing left to indicate their existence (other than a tombstone or two on private land).
In the course of our travels to and from the mining towns, we have come across other sites and towns which have ties to California's past. This page covers those places that cannot be referred to as "mining towns."
Discovery of my ancestry has been a huge undertaking in the last 10 or more years. As I probe my genealogy, I'm pleased to share pictures and of information about members in my family tree.
OK, yes, I am crazy. Start knitting that sweater with extra-long sleeves now. You've seen it on TV, but I promise you that my real life experiences haven't been nearly as spooky. At least, not so far. Check out pictures of and information about overnight visits in haunted locations. No ghost hunter am I, but someone who finds the whole adventure fascinating.
Let me know what you think about my page. Send mail by clicking here.
Recent updates
June 19, 2021:
Uploaded Copperopolis page to Gold Rush Towns
May 15, 2021:
Updated Sheep Ranch page to Forgotten Towns
May 12, 2021:
Uploaded Mountain Ranch page to Forgotten Towns
May 9, 2021:
Uploaded San Andreas page to Gold Rush Towns and created page for Back Roads