Ghost Town and Gold Mine Part 2

Carol Freshley December 9, 2014

After you get used to the abundance of cars, trucks and tractors you begin to look around at the interesting buildings, animals, and 'things', even big machines that still work! If you take a deep breath you may even begin to see that there is a lot of humor going on and that it starts at the front door.

It appears that there may be several families that actually live on the site.  This looked like private property. — It appears that there may be several families that actually live on the site. This looked like private property.

Reminds me of the song, "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred

"I see.  You were too cheap to buy a small bag of treats for us.  It is only a dollar.  Go back and get one!" — "I see. You were too cheap to buy a small bag of treats for us. It is only a dollar. Go back and get one!"

"Did you get food?  The bag.  A dollar.  Go get some.  Unlike Don, I don't pose for free!" — "Did you get food? The bag. A dollar. Go get some. Unlike Don, I don't pose for free!"

The item in front was used to lower miners down the mine shaft.

An old motor home.  I would have been happy just walking around and capturing its funkie character.  Not Tom.  He goes for the GOLD. — An old motor home. I would have been happy just walking around and capturing its funkie character. Not Tom. He goes for the GOLD.

Inside the motor home.  Wood paneling! — Inside the motor home. Wood paneling!

Inside the Assay Office.  So, this looks interesting, but how would it look as a black and white.  "Glad you asked," replied Tom. — Inside the Assay Office. So, this looks interesting, but how would it look as a black and white. "Glad you asked," replied Tom.

This looks like a contrived scene in a 'find the objects puzzle'.

What I wanted to capture was the whole scene but see the leaves on the shelf on the inside.  Took some work and a flash set on manual settings that would reach 19 feet and not blow out the image.  That whole flash photography thing is toug… — What I wanted to capture was the whole scene but see the leaves on the shelf on the inside. Took some work and a flash set on manual settings that would reach 19 feet and not blow out the image. That whole flash photography thing is tough!!! But, I am getting the hang of it. And my Lensbaby. And having way too much fun along the way.

Now, for those random things that were recorded for posterity!! Mine are going to sit in my library while I figure them out.

OK, this is the winner in the category, "I can't believe you REALLY took a picture of that!!"

Um . . . . it is a device that holds something.  How many guesses do I get? — Um . . . . it is a device that holds something. How many guesses do I get?

Help!!  Tom smiles and keeps me in sanity mode.  It is a piece of rotting plywood.  Love the color and perceived texture.  Somehow, though, I don't have a need to bring it home. — Help!! Tom smiles and keeps me in sanity mode. It is a piece of rotting plywood. Love the color and perceived texture. Somehow, though, I don't have a need to bring it home.

If you guessed rusting 'many coats of paint' on a Model A radiator . . . you WIN!!!  Clap, clap, clap! — If you guessed rusting 'many coats of paint' on a Model A radiator . . . you WIN!!! Clap, clap, clap!

Rick must have really photoshopped these items to look so new!!  Great job Rick. — Rick must have really photoshopped these items to look so new!! Great job Rick.

Whew.  Feeling better now.  I know what this is. — Whew. Feeling better now. I know what this is.

A gold plated seat on a rocket?  I do love the leaves!  I'll pass on the ride. — A gold plated seat on a rocket? I do love the leaves! I'll pass on the ride.

Guessing . . . . rotting tire or street sweeper brush?

This is for parts that don't want to be lubricated.

Good way to get splinters in your britches.

This is Big Bertha.  When it is too cold Don can't get it to start.  But, if you are ever there when it is warm enough . . . pay the $10 because this lady can really put out powerful canon shot sound.  Scared me even though I knew it … — This is Big Bertha. When it is too cold Don can't get it to start. But, if you are ever there when it is warm enough . . . pay the $10 because this lady can really put out powerful canon shot sound. Scared me even though I knew it was coming. Big Bertha is a diesel powered generator.

Finally, our hunger outweighed our need to photograph any more. We drove into Jerome and had lunch at the Haunted Hamburger. Great food. We walked off the calories after lunch by strolling the sidewalks of downtown Jerome. Those photos will be shared in the next blog.

Ghost Town and Gold Mine Part 1

Carol Freshley December 9, 2014

Welcome to the three new people who joined us for the first time. Genie, Jack and Sandy got their initiation to photo tripping with us by strolling around the Ghost Town and Gold Mine, clicking away at what some might consider 'junk' but if you get to know Tim and Don we quickly learn that each piece has a story and, now, a place to call home. Over the years, I have been going back to shoot this special site. I even have favorites that I am glad to see are still present! There is always something new and even more that I had not seen in a prior trip. Enjoy our photos. We hope that you get at least a small sense of this most fascinating place.

This is how we started our day!  Excited and in awe.  Image captured from the car. The day just kept getting better. — This is how we started our day! Excited and in awe. Image captured from the car. The day just kept getting better.

The site is still an active lumber mill. When we got there Don, the proud owner of Ghost Town and Gold Mine was cutting some lumber pieces with help from Tim. This is one place where you can take 'people' photos! Don will even help you out by driving out one of several tractors just so you can photograph the event. Admittedly, with seven of us there was a lotta clicking' going on. But, rather than leave out some great shots, I will include them all so you can get to know these fine gentlemen. If you go to visit the site, please don't be shy about asking for a photo. Heck, Don may even fire up the tractor for ya!

That sign on the tractor is enlarged below.  In addition to taking photos, you get some useful information on 'old stuff'. — That sign on the tractor is enlarged below. In addition to taking photos, you get some useful information on 'old stuff'.

When you first arrive at the 'scene' it is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of items that can be photographed. I suggest starting with some big stuff first . . . like the cars, trucks, yes, even the fire engine!

As you can see from the images above, there are lots of old cars on the property. Their rust, faded colors and wrecked damage does not diminish their interest to photographers. There are also pieces of cars that by themselves are fascinating. And, not all the cars are real old or complete wrecks. Some, like "The Other Woman" could be driven on the streets of New York City and is often taken into Jerome for shopping!!

Pistol for the brake, double barrel for the stick shift and a gorgeous custom interior and wood steering wheel!

Rare radiator emblem showing the Star of David and the Dodge Brothers on a '36 pickup. — Rare radiator emblem showing the Star of David and the Dodge Brothers on a '36 pickup.

All for now. Next blog entry will be a continuation of our extended morning. Handsome roosters, hens, baby chicks, a goat, dogs, many things that you might recognize and maybe a few that you will join us in asking, "What is that?" Plus, there is a bit of humor going on, as you might well imagine!

DBG Noches de Luminarias

Carol Freshley December 8, 2014

During the Noches de Luminaries the Desert Botanical Garden takes on a whole new look and feeling. Of course, it is dark. But, it is way more than that. First there are the crowds. They are happy crowds, some walking around with glasses of wine (in some cases bottles). They chat excitedly with the wonderment usually reserved for children. There are five bands spread out through the garden. The new entry that leads you back into the Garden has been finished and is very nice. To top it off, we had a full moon rise!! We slowly made some progress in getting shots . . . very slowly. Then we sat down, listened to one of the fine bands, had a glass of wine and enjoyed just being in such a wonderful space with a great friend.

These ladies were back.  I think of them as the 'official greeters'. — These ladies were back. I think of them as the 'official greeters'.

There were several times when I felt as though I was at the bottom of the ocean.  I love these prickly corals. — There were several times when I felt as though I was at the bottom of the ocean. I love these prickly corals.

Part of the new entry way. It wraps around, is open and inviting.

We laughed and asked how many shots of the same scene we could take and make them look differently on the blog.  I promised to crop mine in a different way.  Ultimately, this shooting scene was one of that challenged our patience to get sh… — We laughed and asked how many shots of the same scene we could take and make them look differently on the blog. I promised to crop mine in a different way. Ultimately, this shooting scene was one of that challenged our patience to get shots not dominated by people. We lost and went on to get wine!

We got skunked on getting a decent image of the rising moon.  What was fun was the number of people standing behind us watching to see if we would ever get one!!  With gear like ours they must have thought we knew something!!  LOL — We got skunked on getting a decent image of the rising moon. What was fun was the number of people standing behind us watching to see if we would ever get one!! With gear like ours they must have thought we knew something!! LOL

A beautifully decorated tree was the site for many 'couple' shots.

On the way out Tom got us into some Tom foolery as we tried to practice zooming in or out on a long exposure. Sure, Tom!!!! Fortunately, before getting too discouraged with our results (which were lousy), our stomaches saved the day and we decided to get dinner at Thai Basil in Tempe. We hope you have plans to attend at least one night at the Gardens this season.