Calico Ghost Town
Saturday | 3 February 2001 | Las Vegas, Nevada:
John Glenn made it back to earth safely while we were driving on Highway 58
towards Las Vegas. It was a clear and sunny day and actually a little warm!
We drove through the little town of Mojave, and checked-out the airfield
outside of town. Mojave is home to a testing facility for aircraft. And, a
company is based in Mojave that repaints and refurbishes airplanes. We have
been by here before, but have never seen so many planes on the tarmac - most
of the planes were Continental - probably there to be repainted. It is a
strange site to see about one hundred airplanes, parked in rows like cars at
the supermarket.
Later in the day we stopped at the old ghost town of Calico, California. In
1881, Calico was a silver and borax mining area. The 1,200 residents
left when the mines went "dry" and in around 1960 the Knott's Berry Farm
family bought the ghost town and turned it into a tourist destination. It is
now operated by San Bernardino County. Here are a few photos of
Calico Ghost Town:
Terry and Snickers in Calico Ghost Town
Calico Ghost Town
Abandoned mine
Mine shaft in Calico Ghost Town
We were really enjoying poking around in the old buildings,
when there was a "gunfight" in the town square - the same gunfight that
takes place every hour. Actors put on a little show for the customers,
including "audience participation". It was a funny show (though two "bad
guys" die), but my wimpy beagle is terrified of gunfire and I completely
forgot about his fear. Poor boy whimpered and cowered, shaking, between my
feet! His tail went directly between his legs. He didn't put his tail up
again until we stopped two hours later at a rest stop.
RV Park:
Oasis RV Park
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