HEADED FOR GOFFS WE MADE A STOP AT PAPPY & HARRIETS PALACE IN PIONEERTOWN

 

We camped in the parking lot behind Pappy & Harriet’s, our favorite cowboy biker bar!  The guitar player was entertaining and the steaks outstanding. 

                                          GOFFS SCHOOLHOUSE

OCTOBER 1-3, 2010

Every year on the first weekend of October we head out Route 66 and after stopping at Amboy and other little towns along the way, we top off our tank at the state’s most expensive gas station in Fenner then set up camp at Goffs for the Rendezvous.  For the first time we camped at this event in our new trailer.

This circa 1914 schoolhouse served the community as an eight-grade one-teacher school until 1937.  When acquired by the Casebier’s in early 1990 it was badly damaged from vandals and the elements.  It has now been renovated and is on the National Register of Historical Places.  It currently serves as a museum and office and anchors the compound which features dozens of historic buildings and artifacts from the area which is now part of the East Mojave Preserve.  It is located on an old alignment of Route 66 at Lanfair and Goffs Rds. 

We always feel like we are arriving home when we turn into Goffs and pass through this sign.  This is one of many photos Alan took of the area at sunrise.

 

Other buildings in the compound include the bunk house, library an Atlantic & Pacific Boxcar, a replica of the old Danby Courthouse, a two stamp mill (which was fired up at this event – see below), and many many more.  Each time we visit there is something added that has been salvaged from the area.

A walk along the compound’s “Boulevard of Dreams” and you are enjoying an outdoor museum. A key to the buildings are artifacts is available at the school house.  It explains the history of each item.

 

 

 

 

 

              TOUR OF THE VANDERBILT MINING DISTRICT

Saturday morning we joined a caravan of about 8 cars to visit the Vanderbilt Mine.  Our leader was Debbie Miller.  We made many stops in the area and she was well-versed on the history of this mining district.  Our first stop was at the cemetery.

 

There were many relics left of this once booming mining area.  Under the bluest of desert skies, we visited many of the sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at camp we headed over to the Stotts Stamp Mill which some pretty dedicated volunteers have spent months restoring.  Amazingly, IT WORKED!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We lined up in front of the North Porch of the Route 66  building for the raffle.

Here Dave Dean and Chris Lesko hope to win a raffle or door prize.

They got nada.

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Stahl got the very first raffle prize, and another later.

Larry Boerio showed up late for the raffle and walked into two prizes.

Some people have all the luck!

 

 

 

With the sun setting, we headed over to the Flywheel Cafe for a carne asada dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s our group after a cocktail hour that obviously lasted too long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Lesko – bored with the conversation or too many beers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         

JoAnn and Dennis Casebier finally get a chance to eat and relax!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan was up at sunrise to photograph around the area.  He was rewarded with a beautiful sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ON THE WAY HOME WE STOPPED AT THIS CEMETERY.  I CANNOT TELL YOU WHERE IT IS….I’M SWORN TO SECRECY.  HOWEVER, I WILL SAY IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO FIND IT EVEN THOUGH WE HAD BEEN THERE ONCE BEFORE.