CALICO GHOST TOWN

Traveled across Route 66 towards Calico, California, a restored mining town. Apparently, Walter Knott of Knott's berry farm fame, owned the town and donated it to the state of California in the early 1960's. It is now a state park with great camping. We ended up staying there for 2 nights. Hiked way up into a canyon and discovered many out of the way mines that miners had dug into the walls of the canyon. Pretty tough life back in the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. They ended up pulling 85 million out of there in silver.

TRILOBITE WILDERNESS AREA

Let's face it, we take our Airstream places most people would never go. We followed a dirt road for a couple of miles into the Trilobite wilderness area until we knew we could go no further with the Airstream in tow as the road worsened. However, there was no place to turn around. We started moving rocks and Steve managed to pull the trailer into an area and then back it up. Realizing that it was becoming dusk, we looked around and decided that we indeed, had the best place on the planet to stay for the night. We cooked razor clams for dinner and then enjoyed our campfire and the stars by the bazillions. It was truly a special time. The next morning we went on a great hike and saw 4 bighorn sheep on the top of a ridge. That was the gift for the day.

VEGAS BABY!!!

We stayed at the Circus Circus KOA in Vegas while working a show that we had heard about at the Cow Palace. We loved their billboard!

Hail to John Muir

After leaving the Cow Palace, we headed to the mountains for some rest and relaxation. Of course, travelling in the winter, one must be prepared for cold weather and lack of open campgrounds! We ended up in Kings Canyon National Park. It is just below Yosemite and shares borders with Sequoia National Park. We drove into the snow and an incredible fog, always wondering what was just below the edge of the road. At 7000 ft we came upon the Park visitor center. They told us only one campground was open and of course it was up in the snow and fog. We traveled 9 more miles to Hume to get fuel for our generator and came upon the Hume Christian camp. They were very hospitable and told us we could park next to the creek and the fish cleaning station. We enjoyed 2 cold, crisp and clear days there. Hiked around Hume lake, drove to Road's End where we encountered our first bear of the trip who was quite the poser. Then off to the enormous Sequoia grove. John Muir first started coming to this area in 1873. Thanks to him attention was brought to this area. Unfortunately, many of these Sequoia behemoths were cut down, some taking 2 men 9 days to bring down. However, there is quite a grove left to behold. Words or photos could never describe what we saw.

COW PALACE

The first time the words "Cow Palace" were used was in 1935 when the thought of erecting this building was thought of. A newspaper editorial wondered "Why when people are starving, should money be spent on a "palace for cows". Thus the Cow Palace was born. It opened in 1941. During WWII it was used for processing soldiers bound for the Pacific theatre. The Beatles opened their first North American tour there on 8/19/1964.There have been many bands, hockey teams, basketball teams and roller derby teams that have used the Cow Palace. It is where the Grand National Rodeo is held. And now, Steve and Bonnie have played there!!!!

Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz Revisited

We have been staying in Half Moon Bay since Monday and enjoying our time off from work. The weather was great. We did much walking and reflecting. We also had an opportunity to visit an old friend of Steve's...another Steve. We walked with him behind his house through a protected grove of redwoods a few miles north out of Santa Cruz. It was a special reunion in a special place.