SALOME-AZ DAYTRIP; Shavua Tov, Quartzsite-AZ

October 19th: I got out of bed later this morning than I did yesterday - when I walked into the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee, Holland commented that he noticed I didn't leave the house early for my morning walk. I replied, "I'm not walking on the weekends - I used to, but I'm leaving the weekends open for US … if you want to do something; I'll save the walking for weekdays."

So, he suggested we go for a drive after I finished my morning cup of joy juice.

We'd check out Salome-AZ, first … then backtrack and drive to Bouse-AZ, and back to Quartzsite, over the Pass to the Plomosa BLM camping land.

On our way up the freeway to the side road that would lead in the direction Holland was aiming for, I saw a sign the read Phoenix 112 miles ahead; I was surprised we were that close - Holland knew that, because when he worked in Bullhead City, and worked and lived in Phoenix; he would drive through Quartzsite to get there.

His mother, and Harris relatives have lived in the surrounding areas - and he visited them, often: and though he never spent time in Quartzsite until we married and started our Road Gypsy adventure … he had to drive through Quartzsite to get to Lake Havasu-AZ and Kingman-AZ.

Quartzsite - a.k.a. Tyson’s Wells: https://www.cornerstone-environmental.com/publications/item/quartzsite-a-k-a-tyson-s-wells

This region is his youthful stomping ground.

We breezed through the shot-gun-town of Brenda, very quickly … all there was there, was a quickie grocery store made to look like a modern trading post … and m.i.l.e.s. of RV Resort Parks. That's it.

Passing through, Holland quipped, "We might check one of two of these out; I know how you like to be on the move." I laughed. But, if he is serious, I'm game to try something new ;-)

Salome-AZ from Quartzsite-AZ; 39 min (38.5 mi) via I-10 E, US-60 and US-60 E

Pinpointing the location of Salome-AZ

How To Say Salome: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwd2IMp3IXQ)

Highway #60-AZ

U.S. Route 60 in Arizona:  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_60_in_Arizona)

Coming into the town of Brenda-AZ.

'Stop! I see a mine!'

Desert Wells, Arizona: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Wells,_Arizona)

Ruin remnants may be part of the mining   area; near aqueduct bridge, over highway.

My personal 'mine expert'; Holland's family owned a mine, at one time.

As we got closer to Salome, Holland said, "It has a Jewish name, so I thought you might like that".

Even though we do not discuss my Sabbath observance - and I am not showy about it, he knows that I set this 24 hour period aside for rest, reflection, and restoration.

He is not being prickly anymore; he is doing his best to meet me halfway in this period of withdrawal from the world's madness, that comes at us, and after us, the other 144 hours of the week.

I like that he is trying.

I like that today peace reigns: in us, for us, and around us. Today we are cocooned on our own private bubble ;-)

When we came into Salome, and saw a vintage motor court col-de-sac, I let out a delighted squeal, and Holland pulled over. My eyes were happy to see that there is retro renovations taking place on the Amber Hills Motel :-)

This is what I was hoping to see somewhere along the Route #66 route.

And Elohim did not disappoint in leading Holland to this particular desert location.

Whoever owns this property is keeping it maintained - the sign is neglected, but the motel is being upgraded; keeping to it's beautiful simplistic design.

The owners are also keeping the individual wood door car garages for each motel room, and that caught my attention, too.

In my mind's eye, I could visualize stylish brightly colored, and flamboyantly finned 1950's cars (sunny yellow, turquoise, cherry red, flamingo pink, baby blue, champagne pink …) with lipstick-red tail lights zooming (or purring) down the highway, looking for a place to pull over and rest, on the long and scenic journey to the promised land of California.

What a treat it must have been back in The Day, to spend the night in such a lovely desert motor court: I researched this motel online, and found an old postcard that showed what it looked like in the 1950's - when it ran under the business name of 'Blue Star Motel & Café.

I was so happy Holland wanted to do this drive - this is one more thing I can check off of my Bucket List :-)

FINALLY - a throwback Route #66 vibe ;-)~Salome-AZ

Salome-AZ: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salome,_Arizona)

Amber Hills Motel

A vintage postcard showing the motel in it's glory day.

People did stay there, along the route …

Holland says the foam behind the cactus, is construction insulation foam.

Saguaro cactus bird housing; Gila Woodpeckers dig out nest holes in living saguaro cactus that tower above the arid landscape.

Gila Woodpecker: 

(https://arizona-birds.com/gila-woodpecker-botw)

The market was vacant, but the sign held vintage promise ;-)

A sunburned prickly pear cactus, in the background.

We did not see anything like what the Wikipedia reports says about Salome-AZ … so, Holland says, "next time we'll drive further - and explore more fully."

Info Salome-AZ by another route: (http://www.ontheroadarizona.com/salome.html)

Salome wasn't very large, so after I got my eye candy fix, Holland started backtracking to the route we would take to Bouse-AZ.

Holland had read about a homestead site in Bouse; and wanted to check it out.

Bouse-AZ from Salome-AZ; 28 min (29.7 mi) via AZ-72 W

A little humor at the junction road to Bouse-AZ ;-)

This looks like an ancient topped volcano; Hwy #72, towards Bouse-AZ

Remnants of Volcanoes Across AZ: 

(https://news.azpm.org/s/17246-remnants-of-volcanoes-across-az-geologist-says/)

Vicksburg-AZ

Saguaro cactus; Vicksburg-AZ

A spot of color in the desert; Bouse-AZ

Quartzsite-AZ from Bouse-AZ; 33 min (26.5 mi) via Plomosa Rd

Holland was telling me about this last night …

Homestead foundation.

I was careful walking here - rattlesnakes will seek available hidey-holes from the searing sunlight.

This is a flash flood area; the shored-up lower foundation was important.

This part of today's Daytrip was one of Holland's Bucket List items - and though disability retirement doesn't sit easy with him - I'm glad he is relaxing enough to enjoying himself.

We had visited Bouse, before … but the last visit found us on the opposite side of the roadway, searching for an illusive ghost mine:

My January16th, 2024 "GHOST TOWN GASLIGHTING~Bouse-AZ" Post: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024_01_16_archive.html

I had been thinking of Bouse and the Pass drive last week … and was happy to be doing it, today.

Elohim is so faithful; even in small matters, He cares :-)

On our way over the Pass, homeward, we saw an impressive Saguaro …

An impressive armed Saguaro cactus, coming over the Pass between Bouse & Plomosa BLM camping land.

Plomosa Rd. Quinn Pass BLM Land:

 (https://thedyrt.com/camping/arizona/plomosa-rd-quinn-pass)

Saguaros are the largest columnar cactus in the United States, growing up to 50 feet tall and 30 inches across, with notable branches, usually referred to as arms. Because saguaros grow so slowly, it might take 50 to 75 years for them to grow their first arms. Arms are important to them because they store extra water. After 100 years, they usually have several arms. After 200 years they have many arms.

Over 50 arms may grow on one plant, with one specimen having 78 arms.

Saguaros are covered in sharp spines that can be up to 3 inches long. The spines act like leaves, absorbing sunlight and catching rainwater.

Saguaros provide food and shelter for many animals, including birds, bats, tortoises, javelina, and coyotes. Many animals eat the Saguaro Cactus; the Long-Nosed bat, bees, wasps, ants, and butterflies drink the nectar of the Cactus flower. Small animals such as the Pack Rat, and Pocket Mice will come to eat the Cactus. 

Saguaros bloom in the spring with flowers on the tops of their arms and spear. In mid-summer, the saguaro produces bright red fruit that is a food source for many animals.

The Saguaro cactus is a native, iconic, and unmissable feature, of the Sonoran Desert landscape; they grow only in the Sonoran Desert.

Later, while eating Supper, I looked out the livingroom window and saw a lovely sunset … with a strange, highlighted, cloud.

The Day had been a good, fun, enjoyable, and interesting Day from the get-go.

I was truly blessed.

And thankful.

A weird little ufo-shaped-cloud, caught in the sunset aura; Quartzsite-AZ

GHOST TOWN GASLIGHTING~Bouse-AZ

January 15th: This morning when we were all up and alert, we enthusiastically went in search of the local ghost town :-)

Our boy Bleu is getting to be a big boy …

He's getting stealthier at locking his kennel. The other day he was so tired, and went to his kennel to lay down - only to realize that he had locked himself out: he can lock it … but he needs help to unlock it ;-)

I watched Bleu's antics for a while while drinking my coffee … and Holland checked the Bank Balance before we left home - and was happy to tell me that Del Pueblo RV Resort had been forced to return the overcharge we disputed; and sicced our Banking Accountant on:

(((THANK YOU, ELOHIM!)))

But we will never go back there, again: it wasn't so much the over charge as much as it was the illegal tapping of our bank account - we never gave them that information; the only way they could have accessed it was through an illegal tap. So, they've permanently been denied any access - legal, or otherwise: and we'll never go back.

For our adventure today, I drove the first leg of our journey - then Holland drove the sketchy parts; and back home again.

Today's Plan; locating the Swansea Mining Ghost Town: (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31301-d7645184-Reviews-Swansea_Ghost_Town-Parker_Arizona.html, https://www.blm.gov/visit/swansea-historic-ghost-town-0, & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swansea,_Arizona)

Trying to track down the right road …

GPS said it would be a 1-1/2 hour drive up Plomosa Road-AZ.

We drove forward, and enjoyed the freedom and unique beauty of the AZ desert.

Two semi-trucks passed us in the opposite lane along the route, and Holland said there must be a town somewhere up ahead, and that this BLM Land must be a truck route, also. I said that I didn't read anything online about any town between Point A and Point B.

Camp Bouse BLM Land - between Quartzsite-AZ & Parker-AZ

Up in the mountains that show in the background of Quartzsite BLM Land areas.

Elohim & Holland are SO GOOD to me ;-)

These streaked peaks caught Holland's attention; and interest.

Halfway to our goal, we spotted a town of sorts on the horizon …

Still traveling through BLM Land; Plomosa Road-AZ

A white stone marker up ahead - could be what we're looking for?

Bouse-AZ; NOT the Ghost Town we are searching for.

Bouse-AZ, (/ˈbaʊs/ BOWSS rhymes with "house"):

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouse,_Arizona)

It turned out that Holland was right in thinking there was a regular desert town between Point A and Point B ;-)

The drive through modern Bouse is a short hop-skip-and a jump; eventually we came to a junction featuring a through-way highway (left & right) that would take us to Parker if we turned left; and a gravel road straight ahead, that GPS was telling us would lead us to our goal: we drove straight ahead - over train rails.

And saw a small building labeled, "Museum"; so, we stopped for a look-see ;-)

We didn't get out of the truck though because we didn't want to waste any time getting to the actual tourist-advertised ghost town. We snapped off a few pictures, and moved forward.

Bouse Museum, and alongside the building, are relics of mining days in Bouse-AZ 

Tanks are everywhere in Bouse … small, or tall.

The Museum also serves duty as Bouse Assay Office.

Holland took over driving once we got to the 'Primitive Road' sign - I would have continued driving, but I knew Holland would be more comfortable taking the lead on unfamiliar roads.

Okay, we are getting somewhere: off Plomosa Road, and into the desert.

Reviews I had read about this place were supposed to be helpful: they weren't :-(

Off the beaten track, and hopefully towards our adventurous goal.

We are definitely in a flood zone. Hopefully we are on the right trail.

Holland spotted this donkey trail - I hope we spot some wild donkeys ;-)

Fresh 'sign'; they are in the area - but we never saw them. We even pulled out the binoculars we had purchased in Wyoming; but they were hidden.

This is supposed to be another indication that we are getting closer to our goal …

We lost the GPS signal shortly after the first porta potty sighting; so we were 'winging it' by recalling what I had researched online, and what I could recall from Trip Advisor Reviews concerning the Swansea Ghost Town.

The 'wash' area was becoming deeper. I impishly shared our warm-weather-adventure with some cold WA State Friends ;-)

The 'wash' depth was parallel to my eyes … about 6-1/2 feet deep.

Cell service ended …

There were no road signs of any sort to guide us along, at any point since we left paved roadway (other than Flash Flood warning signs) - one would think that since tourism was Bouse's main source of income, they would have guiding road signs to point people along the search for their mining ghost town, they take such pride in.

We crossed a deep & wide patch of irrigation water.

A saguaro cactus, apparently feeling out of sorts. LOL.

Saguaro Cactus: 

(https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Saguaro%20Cactus.php).

This cloud reminded me of the ancient sea creatures called trilobites.

Trilobite Fossils:

 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2023/03/21/trilobites-had-an-extra-pair-of-eyes-new-fossil-discovery-shows/?sh=2995b4576b03)

Red pumice rock pushed upward out of the earth.

More Porta Potties, 3 in a row … hopefully we are almost there.

We made 'Midway'! Swansea is near ;-)

Area Information Plaques.

Forging ahead on our quest, we drove Betsy over some pretty deep ruts that had apparently been set when the road was wet following the recent rainstorm, and began to climb in elevation.

Hope is beginning to fade …

As the rocks in the roadway got larger, and deeper, we called it a Day, and turned around.

Climbing upward on a steep, deep, rocky incline.

The rock was so loose that Betsy's tires sunk deep, and the rocky depth was nearing the spoiler bumper: we didn't want to risk tearing that off … or damaging the underside of our 4x, so we carefully turned around and headed back down to stabler ground. Betsy is our only mode of transportation, and we need her in tip-top shape to haul Independence around from place to place. It was a disappointing end to our adventure, but there was no other choice.

We have a 4x vehicle, but as the incline got steeper - and the rock got deeper … we were worrying about the possibility of high-centering and getting dug in; no road traffic, and no civilization in sight for miles if we found ourselves in wilderness trouble.

It was a mutually prudent decision to turn back.

We called it 'a Day' here; the rock was just too deep to push on any further.

Bouse needs to get their act together, to collect tourist $$$

It was a long, dusty drive - enjoyable, but also disappointing.

We had been driving around for 51 miles in the desert (after about 10 miles on paved road, before driving on gravel/dirt road): and deciding to give the adventure one more try to reveal itself to us, Holland turned left, and flagged a guy on a caterpillar down: and the local didn't know what we were talking about … despite it being all over the internet.

It was time to go back to Quartzsite.

Holland decided to give the search one more try …

Took a left at the East Cactus Wilderness Sign.

No one seems to know where the illusive ghost town is located; Bleu was as curious as we were.

We got 'the hell' outta there ;-)

The ONLY thing we have not seen out here, is the illusive ghost town.

Holland's BD Gift this year will be the CB he's been wanting ;-)

Wash board roads … are a chubby gal's friend ;-)

1960's Vibrating Belt Exercise Machine

We enjoyed ourselves & had a good day of companionship.

It's a ghost town alright … even local people don't know where it is: it shows up on the internet now and then to draw in tourists - but other than that, it gaslights people ;-)

Driving back through the modern town, we took our time to check it out: there were a lot of historical relics to see … maybe all the ghost town stuff had been shifted to here ;-)

Back in the modern Bouse town, we let Bleu out … and saw a mine shaft; not what we were seeking - this is modern, and on private property.

Off to the side of the thoroughfare, was a collection of Bouse relics from it's Past.

Rail Car.

Replica of the original jail house.

Replica of a Railway Water Tower.

Weight Scales.

Replica of the Bouse Train Depot.

Bouse Rail Crossing …

Replica of Steam Engine.

Miscellaneous rail work things.

Steam Engine stuff; the blower looks like an ancient Ammonite fossil shell ;-)

Ammonites: 

(https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-12754472 & https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/fossils-and-geological-time/ammonites/#:~:text=Ammonites%20were%20marine%20animals%20belonging,small%20and%20internal%2C%20or%20absent.)

Tire levers are designed specifically for removing and installing tires without damage.

A coal bin & drill rods, leaning against it.

Mining drag line bucket.

Machine to sort precious metals from sandy soils.

Early Era Caterpillar Tractor.

Some sort of road machinery …

Road Grader Tractor.

Directly across the road from the relics … Camp Bouse MiIlitary Tanks.

Camp Bouse: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Bouse)

Camo Tank.

M60 Patton Tank Plaque.

Patton 3 hr. Movie: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6AaLxv5B0E)

Early era army flat-bed truck w-tailor.

Patton's Establishment of Camp Bouse Plaque

WWII Honorary Plaques.

We crossed the street to grab some munchies in the little store there, and this sign made me happy to spend $$ in this little town that takes pride in the American Spirit - and boldly supports our faithful ally ;-)

We backtracked home over the mountain pass; it would have been easier on his body to turn right and drive home through Parker, on a paved highway - but Holland chose to spread his love over me, instead. I am so blessed :-)

Rock formations appear like 'eyes in the sky'; the eyes actually look kinda angry. LOL

'The Redmills went over the mountain' to see what was on the other side ;-)

'The Bear Went Over The Mountain' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCLjdL8g-8s)

We had spent 4 hours on the road, and it was enjoyable.

We had a lot of fun :-)

Betsy parked, and all of us back inside Independence relaxing; Bleu enjoyed some beefy dog chow … and Holland and I enjoyed a big, tasty salad, with juicy slices of garlic bread on the side.

After Supper; Bleu slept, Holland researched some stuff online - and I tuned into the Iowa Caucus results while working on some flip-flops to wear when the weather gets warmer.

Both Holland and I were excited to see that President Trump had seriously taken the lead :-)

Worked on some thong posts while watching the Iowa Caucus Presidential Election kickoff.

30 minutes in … and The People's Choice was VOTED IN: there was no dumped ballots, no counting behind closed curtains, no basement zoom meets where a greedy wife speaks for her ailing, addle-minded/stuttering husband. The People VOTED for what THEY WANT.

President Trump reminds me a little of General Patton, and isn't it ironic that the nazis of WWII feared and hated Patton … and the nazis in DC intent on inciting WWIII in America - and across the globe - fear and hate Trump, like no one else in modern History; and no matter how they try to destroy him, their schemes meet with utter failure. 

With their votes, The People spoke loud and clear tonight.

The People are sick and tired of being bullied by the obamanite-demonrats: they are not going to be told what to do, how to think, who to get behind, politically.

The People are fed up with an American Congress that is 95% seated with obamanite-demonrat Anti-Americans, pushing obamanite Anti-American agenda's.

The People are sick of watching a doddering, senile old man destroy our Country; our economy; our sovereign borders; our children's future with warped social studies, and twisted ideologies; our Nation's Judea-Christian foundation; our military; our freedoms, with scientific twaddle; and relentlessly going after a man they hate with a rabid ferocity … in general, across the board … The People are tired of the wicked DC nonsense.

In Iowa today, there was no gaslighting happening.

Today was a good Day, from start to finish :-)