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Published: November 6th 2008
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Nope this girl is a Silver digger!
At least today I am! We left Vegas on the early side. My mother was able to get in one last stint at the slot machines and of course her luck once again prevailed. I got her sense of direction (which is none) but barely any of her luck! So much for genetics! Leaving Vegas behind we started West for California. Unfortunately I am not going to be leaving my heart in San Francisco...or anything else for that matter! The weather had turned up north of San Fran and my dad didn't want to take any chances of driving in inclement weather so we decided to stay on the Southern end and head for San Diego before we turn around and make the journey back. Even though I really wanted to get to San Francisco on this adventure I now have an excuse to come back to the West coast so no tears over here.
As we left Nevada behind and continued our drive into the Mojave Desert we kept seeing signs for "Calico the ghost town." I had always heard about "ghost towns" but never thought in a million years
we would stop at one. Well stop we did...along with 6 bus loads of German and Japenese tourists who took a picture of stop signs and bushes along with the actual houses and mines that made up the town. It was actually a cool little place to stop. Most of the buildings have been restored but they still retain some of the tools and everyday items the miners used to use. At the saloon there was this cute little old man playing an old school piano. He just kept looking out into the street and never looked at anyone but he never missed a key! In addition to touring the mine, which was creepy at best because it was so dark and my mother was clinging on to use for dear life for many reasons (snakes, rats, holes you might not see), you could walk into some of the old houses that were still houses until the 60's. It was hard to imagine that this dusty, old shanty of a town could have been a thriving community but apparently in the late 1800's it was a booming Silver mine. Of course they had the usual tourist shops in some of
the old building. One in particular was a pottery store that sold Native American art and pottery. The lady who was working was lovely and was very interested in where I came from and why I was there. Apparently the store buys from different individuals who belong to mahy different tribes across the West Coast. I would be lying if I didn't tell you that Native American history fascinates me. Their folklore is amazing and is reflected in everything they do and everything they make. I, of course, had to buy something there and she kept urging me to take a potting class when I get home because I would be "abel to vent all of my frustrations." I guess I will have to look into that when I come back.
Alas it was time to leave the little ghost town of Calico if we had any hope of making it to San Diego without hitting gridlock. Just before we got into the car I spotted a man who was dressed in head to toe western gear complete with a Sheriff's badge. Rollie of course took off to chat with him. After several minutes, when it was clear they
were in an indepth conversation, I just had to take a picture. This guy had the best boots on (you'll be able to see what I mean when you look at the picture) and the whole get-up was just too much! As it turned out he wasn't a Sheriff at all, not even in every day life, but a mere patron who dressed the part so tourists could take pictures with him. If only everybody could me that way the world would be a nicer place.
So I leave you here, with me, in San Diego. Currently looking out to a clear blue sky and endless sunshine beating down on the patio. Tomorrow we will tackle the zoo. I actually was able to get there last March when Jen and I came to visit my cousin but my parents have never been so it should be interesting. I also hope to get them to La Jolla so they can see how pretty it is along the coast. Its been a great week filled with things I never thought in a million years I would see. I hope this finds you all well. Catch you on the flip side!
Mary's Record Keeping
miles traveled: 3434 total miles...whoa thats a lot!
cowboys seen: 3...counting Mr Sheriff today!
money spent at the casino: not a penny...I just couldn't waste the money
text messages/picture messages/postcards sent: no clue
Hope the weather back home is cooperating...heard it was raining a whole bunch. I will send some sunshine your way...or bring it back...one or the other!
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Shauna
non-member comment
Happy Anniversary!
Hi Mary-love the pictures and please pass on to your parents that we said Happy Anniversary!!