With the so called "Bomb Cyclone" weather system approaching Northern California, I decided it was time to leave the state and visit parts of Nevada, where the weather would certainly be warmer and drier. My escape route winds its way through several modest mountain ranges, providing some interesting scenery in its own right. There were some good views looking back at the Sierra Nevada, as well. For a bonus, I encountered at least five bands of wild horses, with a total of about one hundred animals.
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Sierra Nevada From Twenty Miles
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A small community called Benton, or Benton Junction, or Benton Springs is located near the state border with Nevada. Despite being extremely remote, the village seems to attract a few people to enjoy the hot springs there.
One last view of the Sierra Nevada from 100 miles away.
The town of Goldfield bills itself as a ghost town, but it has never been totally abandoned. Founded in 1902 when gold was discovered on Columbia Mountain, the town grew rapidly and became Nevada's largest with some 20,000 residents, and with around 250 mines it was no doubt the richest. Virgil Earp was hired as Sheriff in 1904 and brother Wyatt moved there with him. Virgil later died here of pneumonia
By 1910, many of the mines had been consolidated into one company and many smaller mines had played out. With the population already dropping, a 1913 flood damaged part of the town and a 1923 fire burned even more of it. Today the population is about 250 die-hards trying to make a go of the tourism business. Many original buildings are crumbling, but a surprising number are in good shape. Many owners "plan" to restore their buildings, but it never seems to happen.
The Santa Fe Saloon claims to be the second oldest continuously operating saloon in the state.
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County Courthouse
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Commercial Bank Building
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Goldfield Hotel, Haunted
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Community Church
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Assay Office
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Shell Gas Station
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Fire Station
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Artifacts from the more active mining days can be found all over town.
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