Hi there, again! It seems that fall, winter and summer can't decide who's turn it is to be here. So I decided that since summer won the bid for this weekend, I should take full advantage of the victory. This I did. Saturday's trip was planned to see the old mining town of Eureka Utah and the ghost towns that are all around it. We got to Eureka at about noon and headed up the mountain on the east side of the town. Located on the foothills is the Chief no.1 mine shaft and business offices among other buildings. The above foto shows the mine head which still has the cable and machinery still intact. 
This next foto shows the actual spool of cable that was used to transport the miners and ore from inside the mine. The interesting fact about this mine is that it is a "hot" mine. Where Park City mines are all cold, this one is actually hot. I know this for 2 reasons. Number one is that my grandfather worked this mine as a teenager and two, you can see the steam rising out of the shaft. In the winter, there is actual moss that will grow around the mouth of the shaft. I don't know how deep it is but by judging on the cable size, I would say its a long way down. The actual measuring gauge is still attached to the assembly but the markings have long since faded away. Behind the building are various other buildings that were easy to identify. There was a workshop, complete with a blacksmiths shop, a changing room with a shower area, a heating plant where hot water was heated for various uses and a main business office. I never knew they were back there until a few years back when I was able to actually get up to the site itself. It had always been behind a locked gate. After spending time looking around, we headed back down to town to browse the only open antique store. Needless to say it didn't have shit so it was a quick visit. Next we headed off to the southern end of the town and headed up into the hills to explore the true ghost town areas. This area is loaded with old mines everywhere. Most are either locked behind gates or inaccessible to the normal human who doesn't want to hike up a mountain. I took us to my favorite garbage dump to see what had surfaced this year. Don't laugh! I have pulled some killer old bottles out of this dump in times past so its always worth a trip to see. I wasn't lucky today. I did find 3 bottles that were 3/4 there but they don't interest me. I like the complete ones, purple and blue being my favorites. I did find a ton of broken ones and pieces but nothing worth keeping. 
After the dump, we started to explore a few new trails I haven't ever been on before. The new trail led us to the southern side of the only current mine in the area. They are mining clay! They use it for make up and computer circuit boards among other things. While on this trail, the Jeep was finding every mud puddle and having a blast. We ran into a hunter on a 4 wheeler who cautioned us that the trail we were on was very difficult. Of course I said thank you then backed up the trail in reverse to make it a challenge. A bit further on we came to the mother of all desert mud puddles. I had no idea how deep it was but we soon found out. I had opened the sun-rider top up to the sun roof stage and that was a mistake....... NOT! We hit the puddle and before we knew it we were covered head to toe in mud. The inside looks just like the outside. WOOOO HOOO! Gotta love it baby! I probably wont be as happy when I have to clean it but what the hell.... it was AWESOME! Does it get any better???? 
Back down on the valley floor we came to the old cemetery. I had to feel bad for 1 family. Of 4 known children they had over a 5 year period, all were either still born or died withing a few months of birth. The west was tough on the people who tried to tame it. The above stone , though broken , was kind of cool looking. The detail carved into the stone was incredible and it would rival those made today. After the the graveyard, we explored a few more trails and then headed home. Some day I plan on publishing a coffee table book of all the ghost towns I have been to in the west. Will it ever happen? Who knows, but that's the plan! This cool stuff is disappearing so very fast. I would love to have a book that shows what once was. Am I crazy? What do you think? JEEP on my friends!
Welcome to another adventure ! Saturday was almost a perfect day to Jeep. What would have made it perfect you ask? Well, it could have been longer. It seems that there is never enough time to go out and Jeep till you feel completely satisfied. But that's all part of life I suppose. The day started late due to obligations here at the house: laundry, cleaning, you know, stuff you hate to do but have to do any way. I headed up Logan canyon and took right hand fork and then the trail to Mt Logan. I had hoped the rain would have kept the trail a little moist it didn't. It was dusty as hell! Before I knew it, everything, including me was covered in dust. Nasty , yucky stuff..... but a part of the Jeeping lifestyle. The above foto is an unidentified bird that was huge. My guess is Turkey Vulture, but what do I know? Anyone have a clue?
The view from the 1st mountain you have to go over to get to to the real Mt Logan is as far as I made it. You still have a great view of the world and its so nice up there. This is a foto of the mountains looking to the southeast. The clouds were boiling up getting ready for an evening of rain. I just wish it would have rained why I was up there. It would have cut down on the dust. But, even with the dust, the trip was a blast. Gotta love any time you can get out of the city and play in the Woods!
While parked on the peak, I wandered thru the trees and met my new friend. This is Bill, but I call him William. He was going to every pine cone on the this branch and getting the pine nuts out and eating them. If I recall, they can store a whole bunch in their mouth and take them back to where they live. He was having fun and even posed for a few fotos. What a nice guy. On another note, Fall is coming. The trees have begun to change colors up there. Looks like we will soon be facing colder weather and the dreaded snow. I know I am not ready for it. Well, that's it. Enjoy your day and don't forget to Jeep on!
I know it's no where near Sunday but what the hell, it's the thought that counts right? Anyway, we headed up Blacksmith Fork canyon Sunday afternoon with the intent to see if all the people who said you can't go past the spring falls to the main road were right. The road in to the falls was quite lonely and we really only saw like 4 atvs heading into the mountains. Most of the traffic was headed out. We came to the turnoff and headed into the canyon of the falls. I will say it again that I am really pissed off that the Forrest Service changed the trail and took out the water crossings. We arrived at the falls and didn't even stop. The atv riders looked at us like we were crazy and we probably are...... The trail wasn't very bad at all and we followed it for quite a few miles. We came to a very beautiful spot and I decided to stop and take some fotos........ and sure as shit, the battery was dead on my camera. I have the worst luck. From now on I vow to check out the battery before I go anywhere. Sam had her film camera so we snapped a few fotos and moved on. The trail was still fairly good and I began to doubt the naysayers. The further along we got the narrower the trail got but you know me, it didn't faze me 1 bit. There was even a point where a high flowing spring was flowing off the mountain and onto the trail..... finally some mud! The river had also got closer as the canyon narrowed and we began to see all sorts of beaver dams and fish all over. It's like no one must ever fish there. Well, the trail got really narrow and we rounded the bend and there it was..... the rock slide. We had to stop and get out to see how tough it would be....... and being a solo vehicle, I made the decision to turn back. I will return one day and try my luck at it.... that I promise. Just as we turned around, a full size truck came around the bend and got the surprise too. He barely squeezed by us and how he got turned around I'll never know cuz we split! I thought I had scratched the Jeep but his truck looked like shit. I think he was trying to impress his date. Anyway, we headed back, stopped at the falls and played in the water and headed for home. It was a great day and as I said, I will return. Jeep on my friends!
Hi again! Just thought I would up size or update you guys and gals on the snack cake kids. I now use Sam's old day bed for a couch because its bigger, and the kids have already taken it over. This foto makes me laugh because the air conditioner is aimed right at the couch and they lie there and sleep. Twinkie loves to lay there on her back like the dog in the Sprite commercial. I just have to laugh. Zinger is taking after Dazee. Even tho she is too small to do it, she loves to try to look out the front door window. I give her another 6 weeks and she will be able to do it. They both still have the teenager listening problem. Sometimes they come when called, other times they ignore me. But, they are getting better. They are also following in Dazee's steps by teasing the neighbors yappy little mutts. They love to run over to her fence and run up and down it showing them that they are free to play and her dogs are not. Ya gotta love it. Any way, not a lot going on. Due to some financial setbacks the Jeeping has tapered off to nothing, but it's OK. Its been too hot to go out and enjoy it anyway. Oh well, enough said. Enjoy life my friends and don't forget to take time to smell the roses....... JEEP ON!
Hi and welcome to another adventure......well, 2 actually. I took Wednesday and Thursday and Friday off to celebrate my two favorite ladies birthdays. Laura's was Tuesday and and Sam's was Friday. I had some unfinished business to work on Wednesday and Thursday but Friday the fun began. Sam wanted to go Jeeping so off we went to the mountains. We headed out to the mountains east of Logan and began our adventure. We headed up right hand fork and began to explore. Our first stop was Old Ephraim's grave site. Before we got there the Jeep found a mud hole and had to go through it. It had no problem doing it and covered everyone, well, everyone in the back seat! HA HA HA HA HA.......
We took a group foto and there it is. That is Josh, Sam, and Laura. Why am I missing...... cuz I am the fotographer! Woo Hoo!
After the foto, we continued on and ended up at Bear Lake to consume fresh raspberry shakes. They are sooooooo good! The place was packed so we exited out and headed to Beaver Canyon. We went up the canyon, saw the plane wreck site and headed out on a new road to see where it went. Did I mention we found snow? Yup, still some spots with snow. Go figure. The road we followed actually led us to Franklin Basin so we made a circle! We headed down Logan Canyon and bought an ice cream cake for dinner. We broiled some buffalo burgers on our new grill and then had the cake! It was great. I love a great burger!
Saturday morning dawned and it was time for a new birthday adventure. I have a friend who owns a few horses, so I begged her for a small favor. 10, the good friend she is agreed and woo hoo we had a good old horseback ride for the birthday girls. Myself and Josh sat on the porch in retirement rockers and enjoyed the moment. Her porch is sooooo awesome. I could have sat there for hours. Oh wait, I did! Anyway, the girls had fun and enjoyed themselves so it all turned out great! Thanks 10! The rest of the day was spent relaxing until dark then we headed out to Brigham City to watch the fireworks. All in all it was great weekend. Hopefully I have another great weekend planned next week. I hope it all works out....... it has to do with Boston Terrace....... until then, jeep on!
Hi there, again! It seems that fall, winter and summer can't decide who's turn it is to be here. So I decided that since summer won the bid for this weekend, I should take full advantage of the victory. This I did. Saturday's trip was planned to see the old mining town of Eureka Utah and the ghost towns that are all around it. We got to Eureka at about noon and headed up the mountain on the east side of the town. Located on the foothills is the Chief no.1 mine shaft and business offices among other buildings. The above foto shows the mine head which still has the cable and machinery still intact. 
This next foto shows the actual spool of cable that was used to transport the miners and ore from inside the mine. The interesting fact about this mine is that it is a "hot" mine. Where Park City mines are all cold, this one is actually hot. I know this for 2 reasons. Number one is that my grandfather worked this mine as a teenager and two, you can see the steam rising out of the shaft. In the winter, there is actual moss that will grow around the mouth of the shaft. I don't know how deep it is but by judging on the cable size, I would say its a long way down. The actual measuring gauge is still attached to the assembly but the markings have long since faded away. Behind the building are various other buildings that were easy to identify. There was a workshop, complete with a blacksmiths shop, a changing room with a shower area, a heating plant where hot water was heated for various uses and a main business office. I never knew they were back there until a few years back when I was able to actually get up to the site itself. It had always been behind a locked gate. After spending time looking around, we headed back down to town to browse the only open antique store. Needless to say it didn't have shit so it was a quick visit. Next we headed off to the southern end of the town and headed up into the hills to explore the true ghost town areas. This area is loaded with old mines everywhere. Most are either locked behind gates or inaccessible to the normal human who doesn't want to hike up a mountain. I took us to my favorite garbage dump to see what had surfaced this year. Don't laugh! I have pulled some killer old bottles out of this dump in times past so its always worth a trip to see. I wasn't lucky today. I did find 3 bottles that were 3/4 there but they don't interest me. I like the complete ones, purple and blue being my favorites. I did find a ton of broken ones and pieces but nothing worth keeping. 
After the dump, we started to explore a few new trails I haven't ever been on before. The new trail led us to the southern side of the only current mine in the area. They are mining clay! They use it for make up and computer circuit boards among other things. While on this trail, the Jeep was finding every mud puddle and having a blast. We ran into a hunter on a 4 wheeler who cautioned us that the trail we were on was very difficult. Of course I said thank you then backed up the trail in reverse to make it a challenge. A bit further on we came to the mother of all desert mud puddles. I had no idea how deep it was but we soon found out. I had opened the sun-rider top up to the sun roof stage and that was a mistake....... NOT! We hit the puddle and before we knew it we were covered head to toe in mud. The inside looks just like the outside. WOOOO HOOO! Gotta love it baby! I probably wont be as happy when I have to clean it but what the hell.... it was AWESOME! Does it get any better???? 
Back down on the valley floor we came to the old cemetery. I had to feel bad for 1 family. Of 4 known children they had over a 5 year period, all were either still born or died withing a few months of birth. The west was tough on the people who tried to tame it. The above stone , though broken , was kind of cool looking. The detail carved into the stone was incredible and it would rival those made today. After the the graveyard, we explored a few more trails and then headed home. Some day I plan on publishing a coffee table book of all the ghost towns I have been to in the west. Will it ever happen? Who knows, but that's the plan! This cool stuff is disappearing so very fast. I would love to have a book that shows what once was. Am I crazy? What do you think? JEEP on my friends!
