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Dave Mead's avatar

That’s wonderful Dave, we had a tour of the opera house while we were there but we were staying in Death Valley itself for the duration. I’ll share my pictures from DVJ later in the year.

David Kirkby's avatar

Fabulous!!

With your interest in things Americana, I think you would would really like the ongoing story of the Cerro Gordo ghost town - an abandoned Silver mine high in the mountains between Death Valley and the Owens Valley. Some years ago, the entire town and mine site was sold. Meg and I had just been through the area a few weeks previously and we came across the advertisement for the sale. We even day dreamed about putting in a bid.

In the end it was bought by a very interesting guy who moved in, and has spent the last 5 years documenting his explorations and trying to bring the town back to life. He has a channel on YouTube. You will love his landscape sequences and the various abandoned mines and structures he explores - but Brent also has a genuinely engaging and sane philosophy of life. If you haven't come across his work, here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/@GhostTownLiving

Cheers mate

Dave :)

Dave Mead's avatar

This is brilliant Dave, thanks so much for bringing it to my attention. I am slowly working my way through the YouTube videos, half thinking wouldn’t this be amazing and half thinking he must be completely mad! It’s also bringing back memories of our incredible time spent in DV. I’m looking forward to sharing the pictures with you.

David Kirkby's avatar

Hey Dave!

You are welcome. I recommend watching his vids in chronological order, because it is a quite fascinating life journey he is on, and the later videos make far more sense if you know the history.

We passed through Death Valley twice - in 2014 and again in .... oooh I think it was late 2019. I could spent weeks in that area alone, and Brent seems set to spend the rest of his life there. Having myself done some caving and a lot of climbing, when I watched some of his early vids - exploring the mines - I was worrying that his remaining life might be quite short. He definitely develops skills along the way, I'm relieved to say - though some of those old mines are just flat out unsafe places.

Best Wishes - Antipodean Dave :)

Dave Mead's avatar

Yep, I’m a chronological kind of guy so that’s what I’m doing. We have old jet mines and ironstone mines around this area, and I wouldn’t enter any of them for all the tea in China. I’m also an above ground kind of guy 😂

Rebecca Cook's avatar

In wonder what dreams are like in the swan bed.💕🥰

David Kirkby's avatar

Ah! The swan bed is very lovely. Of course... I had the best companion!! :)

School of Blue's avatar

Wonderful travelogue.

David Kirkby's avatar

Ah! Friend Richard!

This was one of my early posts, when Meg and about 2 other people are my only audience.

No-one else comes back this far - so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to Death Valley Junction - one of the strangest places you will ever see.....

We loved it!

Best Wishes - Dave :)