At one point I had a social media website I belonged to but became disenchanted with it. During that time, I posted most of my photos and videos there and the comments received from my contacts were positive. It's with that intent I am encouraged to write a blog and share some of those same thoughts about my travels.
While I have no intentions of writing something once or twice a week, I hope to be able to write a little about where I was and what I was doing and seeing. It's one thing to see lots of photos, but it means nothing if you don't know what's behind them and why I took them. Plus, if you're like me you might enjoy looking at other people's travel photos and learn a thing or two in the process.
This trip, I had planned to go back to an area in our state that was affected by "The Gold Rush" of the late 1800's. It's located up near the US/Canadian border in Washington State near a small town called Oroville. In an area referred to by the locals as "The Highlands" found in the mountains east of Oroville, you'll find a plethora of abandoned homesteads, mine shafts, autos, and businesses from yesteryear. The so called Gold Rush was something that was short lived and life back then was very difficult where the winters were brutally cold, and the summers would cook you if you didn't have proper shade.
The mountains are speckled with this old stuff that seemingly sprang up over night when the word got out about the gold, and once their luck ran out they left most of their belongings to litter the area or to go back to the elements slowly deteriorating by the weather.
Some of the more modern items, such as the cars and trucks are left overs from family members from the earlier settlers who refused to leave what they knew as home. I met some of these people when I visited an area called Molson.
The local townspeople referred to it as "Old Molson, and New Molson". I was told that the original settlers who created the town had come to find out that they had built it on land that was already owned by another farmer. Reluctantly, they packed up the entire town, buildings and all, and moved it to what is known as Old Molson. Later, some developers moved in and basically separated the town and the newer part was given the name of New Molson and it seems that there was a number of disputes and animosity between the two groups. Some of you might recall the old term as "The Hatfields and MoCoys" where two families in another part of the US battled with one another for a number of years basically over NOTHING? Well, much was the same here although nobody was harmed in the process... it was more of a battle of words and pride. Years passed and somehow they brought peace to their now unified town and a flag was erected in between the town(s) and it was simply called "The Peace Pole". All that remains of that pole is the concrete base found in the middle of a field.
The old school house still stands today and acts as a local museum. While I had visited this town multiple times in the past, I could never time it when the museum was open, except this time! It was operated by volunteers, many of whom grew up in the town, still owned property there, and even graduated from that very school. Each school room was set aside as either a replica of what the classes looked like or housed some of the historical artifacts from days gone by. I HIGHLY recommend this museum as a must see if you plan a trip to the area. You won't be disappointed.
Across the street of the school are remains of "Old Molson" where you'll find many old structures still standing. It's a self guided tour that is kept open by volunteer services and donated money. If you like to see old buildings and farm equipment from the past, this is a treat to behold. One building in particular that caught my eye was the bank. With it's Western facade, blurry leaded glass windows, pounded tin siding and the original safe and teller windows, this place looks like you stepped back in time.
Stopping by about 15 different key points in two days, I had seen so much and long to explore more which will inevitably bring me back again. Molson, Chesaw, Nighhawk, Enloe Dam, and old Loomis offer so much to see for someone like myself that loves this sort of thing. The weather, while forecasted to be thunder showers seemed to cooperate most of the time and I stayed dry until I was on my way back home. If you watch the little video I put together, you'll see my surprise rainbow at the end. I hope you enjoy it.
While I have no intentions of writing something once or twice a week, I hope to be able to write a little about where I was and what I was doing and seeing. It's one thing to see lots of photos, but it means nothing if you don't know what's behind them and why I took them. Plus, if you're like me you might enjoy looking at other people's travel photos and learn a thing or two in the process.
This trip, I had planned to go back to an area in our state that was affected by "The Gold Rush" of the late 1800's. It's located up near the US/Canadian border in Washington State near a small town called Oroville. In an area referred to by the locals as "The Highlands" found in the mountains east of Oroville, you'll find a plethora of abandoned homesteads, mine shafts, autos, and businesses from yesteryear. The so called Gold Rush was something that was short lived and life back then was very difficult where the winters were brutally cold, and the summers would cook you if you didn't have proper shade.
The mountains are speckled with this old stuff that seemingly sprang up over night when the word got out about the gold, and once their luck ran out they left most of their belongings to litter the area or to go back to the elements slowly deteriorating by the weather.
Some of the more modern items, such as the cars and trucks are left overs from family members from the earlier settlers who refused to leave what they knew as home. I met some of these people when I visited an area called Molson.
The local townspeople referred to it as "Old Molson, and New Molson". I was told that the original settlers who created the town had come to find out that they had built it on land that was already owned by another farmer. Reluctantly, they packed up the entire town, buildings and all, and moved it to what is known as Old Molson. Later, some developers moved in and basically separated the town and the newer part was given the name of New Molson and it seems that there was a number of disputes and animosity between the two groups. Some of you might recall the old term as "The Hatfields and MoCoys" where two families in another part of the US battled with one another for a number of years basically over NOTHING? Well, much was the same here although nobody was harmed in the process... it was more of a battle of words and pride. Years passed and somehow they brought peace to their now unified town and a flag was erected in between the town(s) and it was simply called "The Peace Pole". All that remains of that pole is the concrete base found in the middle of a field.
The old school house still stands today and acts as a local museum. While I had visited this town multiple times in the past, I could never time it when the museum was open, except this time! It was operated by volunteers, many of whom grew up in the town, still owned property there, and even graduated from that very school. Each school room was set aside as either a replica of what the classes looked like or housed some of the historical artifacts from days gone by. I HIGHLY recommend this museum as a must see if you plan a trip to the area. You won't be disappointed.
Across the street of the school are remains of "Old Molson" where you'll find many old structures still standing. It's a self guided tour that is kept open by volunteer services and donated money. If you like to see old buildings and farm equipment from the past, this is a treat to behold. One building in particular that caught my eye was the bank. With it's Western facade, blurry leaded glass windows, pounded tin siding and the original safe and teller windows, this place looks like you stepped back in time.
Stopping by about 15 different key points in two days, I had seen so much and long to explore more which will inevitably bring me back again. Molson, Chesaw, Nighhawk, Enloe Dam, and old Loomis offer so much to see for someone like myself that loves this sort of thing. The weather, while forecasted to be thunder showers seemed to cooperate most of the time and I stayed dry until I was on my way back home. If you watch the little video I put together, you'll see my surprise rainbow at the end. I hope you enjoy it.
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