Friday, March 19, 2010

WICKENBURG AND THE VULTURE MINE

We finish our day in Wickenburg with a nice "lupper" at a western restaurant
Bill checks out a big mining pot




Devin and Paul explore a ramshackle bunkhouse


a wonderful old oak ice box made for many


Bill explores the pantry






old iron oven was large capacity

kitchen, mess hall


Mary gets ready to cook supper on the porcelain cook stove



Louise checking out the electrical system



I have no idea what this is


Bill and Paul trying to figure out the electrical system

Donny videoing with his new HD movie camera

acid vats

Louise and Donny


Bill and Paul share opinions on what this piece of machinery really is

OK, so what the heck is it, really?






Bill studies it carefully



Looks complicated





Donny is diplomatic with his opinion



the gang checks out the opening to the Vulture Mine

The old building has about 600,000.000 worth of gold still in the stone walls



They didn't fool around, did they.


These two shady characters might be highgraders




Wonder how much gold is in the fallen pile of rocks?



Assay officers


pantry storage for mine workers



old kitchen sink


fireplace and sitting table, still with hat and beer bottle


Watch your step, Louise!




Hole from the main floor into the cellar?




The two photographers get thier photo taken (thank you Devin)



Time for a beer


Donny enters the old stone building at his own risk



I feel sorry for the poor burros

EXPLORING THE APACHE MINE with DONNY, LOUISE, DEVIN AND BILL

Donny, Devin and Bill look into an upper mine passage


Louise explores the desert


Devin, Louise and Donny start into the mine



Devin brings his flashlight




Devin examines bats up close





These bats have huge ears!






We all have to slide on our butts to get down this dusty shaft







Devin finds a nice green vein








Paul wants a sample









Our fearless leader


Louise and Bill find an opening to the sky



some supports within the mine


Which shaft do we explore?



Louise and Devin take a break at Moe's cabin



Bill signs in


awesome rental vehicle


a big Saguaro cactus has fallen on this old stone cabin



the old Saguaro is still green and leaking fluid


Dev hitches a ride on the back of the RZR