VanNice Travels: July 2016

Lonely road...

COOK BANK BUILDING

On our way home from San Bernardino, and a week of softball, we stopped at Rhyolite, a

historic Nevada mining town. Prospectors Shorty Harris and Ed Cross discover gold in1904.

By 1908 the population of Rhyolite has exploded to 8,000; between financial panic in the east and failing mines the population plummets to 14 by 1920.

The Cook Bank Building was built in 1908 at a cost of $90,000. It was three stories including a basement. The basement housed the Post Office, the bank was on the first floor and business offices on the second and third floors. The building had electric lights, steam heating, and marble floors.

PORTER BROTHERS STORE

The Porter brothers had three stores in California. They moved merchandise from their Ballarat, California store across Death Valley to their Rhyolite Emporium.

OVERBURY BUILDING

Built in 1907 as a bank and business building (notice the bank vault) at a cost of $45,000.

It had electric lights and indoor plumbing.

Rattlesnakes!

RHYOLITE SCHOOL

By the time this second school was built, most of the students had already left Rhyolite.

LAS VEGAS & TONOPAH RAILROAD DEPOT

Built in 1909 and one of three railroads that served Rhyolite.

Old power pole outside depot.

Abandoned truck near Bottle House.

KELLY BOTTLE HOUSE

Tom Kelly built this bottle house in 1906 from 50,000 beer and whiskey bottles that he collected from the local Rhyolite saloons (approximately 50 at the time) only to raffle it off. He sold tickets for $5.00 each and the three bedroom home with gingerbread trim was won by the Bennet family who lived in it until 1914.

Front porch.

Bottle house window.

GOLDWELL OPEN AIR MUSEUM

THE LAST SUPPER

The museum began in 1984 with the creation and installation of "The Last Supper", a ghostly interpretation by Belgian artist Albert Szukalski.

Amaragosa Valley interpretation of a "shoe tree".

"Ghost Rider" by Albert Szukalski. To make this sculpture, Szukalski wrapped a live model in fabric soaked in wet plaster. When the plaster set, the model slipped out, leaving a rigid shroud.

TRIBUTE TO SHORTY HARRIS

Fred Bervoets tribute to legendary Rhyolite prospector, Shorty Harris, and his hopeful penguin companion, reflects the optimism of the miners' endeavor.

Sphere

SIT HERE!

Sculpture by Sofie Siegmann - I was intrigued by the placement of this piece.

Yep... I was there!

THE MARTIN HOTEL

Spent the night in Winnemucca and had an amazing Basque dinner at The Martin Hotel, more food than we could eat! Basque chicken noodle soup followed by bread, salad and Basque beans (if you do it the "Basque way", the beans go on top the salad! Yum! Who knew?), and then hominy, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. Wait, next came the main dish, ribs for me and 3 porkchops for Scott! Did I mention "prairie dust"? A mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic liberally sprinkled over everything! Still not done, finished off with homemade bread pudding not to mention red wine comes with this family style meal.

Oh yes, we'll be back!

We spent a week in San Bernardino watching Jaden play softball; her team represented Oregon. Pendleton finished in the middle of the pack - just couldn't get past Montana... They did have the distinction of being the only team to beat Utah, the team that won the championship! Utah will play in the Little League Softball World Series in Portland.

We stopped for lunch at Erik Schat's Bakkery in Bishop and saw this bumper sticker!

Sandwiches were excellent, macaroons too!

And YES, WE DO LOVE CAMBRIA!!!

SAN BERNARDINO AL HOUGHTON STADIUM

Pendleton girls play in the Western Region Softball Tournament. Just look at that field - what an awesome place for these girls to play and what an amazing opportunity!

Gift exchange before first game against Montana.

Pledge of Allegiance + Little League pledge for players and parents!

Love how the girls are connecting (hands and braids!)

Big sister, Jilly, encouraging the team! 212° - only one

more degree and water boils - give that little extra!

Jaden at bat with Justin coaching first base.

And a throw from 3rd base!

SAN BERNARDINO

Palm trees outside our motel...

View from the Castaway Restaurant overlooking San Bernardino. Beautiful view - 2 weeks ago a fire destroyed five homes next door, fire fighters fought the fire from this patio deck.