China Ranch Date Farm

The road in

 

A little oasis in the middle of nowhere. This is still a working date farm. It has had lots of changes and been different types of ranches or farms over the years. It is named China Ranch because the original homesteader was a Chinese man that had worked in the borax mines. He grew fruits and vegetables and established the water. On the way into the ranch you can see some of the mines in the hillsides

 











 

It amazes me the things you come across while going from place to place.
 

Shoshone

We drove into Shoshone and came across this lot with all sorts of art.

                        Then on the other side of the road I saw these cliffs.

Come to find out they are called “Dublin Caves”. They were used to house miners and vagabonds in the early 1900 through the 1960's. Some had chimneys. I could see into them and they weren't very big. It is said that some famous people stayed there: Death Valley Scotty, Shorty Harris and the Ashford brothers.

                                                                                                                                                                    

There were still some bedsprings inside the caves. I'm sure if it wasn't for the doors to the entrances you'd find more vandalism or squatters.

There was also a graveyard with many old grave sites.

But, to my surprise, the graveyard was still being used!

Notice there is only a day of birth for Carol Lee

One site stated: “Senator Charles Brown”, 1883 to 1963.

Tecopa Hot Springs

On the way to Tecopa we stopped at Barstow to get groceries. The stairs to the motor home broke. Another thing to fix. I'm beginning to think we need to paint LEMON on the side of the rig.

We were going to stop at a BLM campground to see the Mojave National Preserve. We turned and went in about 5 miles when we came to a steep hill with lots of boulders. We could see the campground, but didn't think we could negotiate the hill. So, had to unhook the car and back-up until we could turn around. When we got to Baker there were no campgrounds so had to continue to Tecopa Hot Springs. We will have to save Mojave National Preserve for another trip.

Notice the sign "U - We Wash"

 An interesting site in Tecopa.  

A relic of another era.

 

Well Tecopa Hot Springs is an interesting place. The county springs are enclosed with a his and her's side. NO clothing allowed and don't dunk your head under. There are about 3 different campgrounds and each has it's own spring. Some are just tubs that are enclosed in a building. Others, not sure how they are set up

 

The area has some mountains with gorgeous colors. Lots of borax.

 

Borrego Springs

 

A narrow escape!

Took a day trip around the Salton Sea. The west side of the lake is 4 lanes and very busy and wasn't taking as long to drive around as we thought. So we stopped in at Borrego Springs to see the metal sculptures. 

 

 

There are quite a few sculptures and they are spread out around the town. The Chamber had a brochure showing where they are located. These are just a few.

Look at the detail

 

Bashford's Hot Mineral Spa

The mineral "pots"

Well we have been here 2 weeks now. Just been relaxing and going to the pool or the mineral pots and of coarse a trip to the Slabs. 

 

  

                                                 This is the cooling tower for the pots.

 The road into Bashfords, off Hwy 111



 

 

 

The spa sits below part of the All-American Canal” which is 85 miles in length and the Chocolate Mountains

 There is also the Chocolate Mountain Gunnery range with signs do not trespass, live ordinance.

The canal road is a great place to walk the dogs and I sometimes deviate off to gravel roads and have come upon some interesting finds.

                                         A little shooting practice.

Not sure if this is a house.  It is not very wide.

A child's boot.  Who knows how it came to be in the middle of nowhere or how long its been here.

Four wheeling is one of the past times, but you can see the dust they kick up for miles away.

East Jesus

This is another place we came across last year, by accident. We were just driving around Slab City and noticed the unusual art. At the time we didn't know it actually had a name. This year as we visited it again, one of the members told me the name and that they have a web site. East Jesus is in Slab City, outside Niland, CA. Here again there have been some changes. The founder, Charles Russell passed away May 2011. Some of his art work was taken away to prevent it from being destroyed, either by weather or human hands. It is my understanding that friends are maintaining this art community and trying to decide the direction they will take.. It is an interesting place.  Many artist continue to contribute to the displays.