First settled in 1853 when mines known as the Union Company and California Company were discovered, Howland Flat was once second in size and importance only to La Porte. Located twelve miles north of Downieville on the East Branch of Slate Creek and at the base of the dramatic 7,000′ elevation Table Rock Mountain, Howland … Continue reading
Okay, technically, Scales is not yet a ghost town as one to two homes here are still occupied. However, the town is certainly a shadow of its former self and is well on the way to “ghost town” status. Scales is a part of that remote band of rapidly decaying (and often already disappeared) Gold … Continue reading
Located in Plumas County near the town of La Porte, the cliffs pictured below mark the site where the gold rush town of Pine Grove used to be: Until recently, I did not know that Pine Grove used to be here. I just thought it was an interesting mining site. So, all of the pictures … Continue reading
I’d be willing to bet that not many of you know what diopside is. Don’t feel bad though. Prior to our trip to Brazil, I didn’t know either. Diopside – chemical formula MgCaSi2O6 – is an industrial mineral used for everything from covering electrodes to absorbing oxygen in molten steel to helping contain nuclear waste. … Continue reading
Maxim magazine recently voted Brazil as the “Hardest Holiday Destination” with the following explanation: Beautiful beaches, the land of silky football and home to the World Cup in 2014; it sounds like a perfect place to visit. According to Government travel advice, ‘Levels of violence and crime are high. Outbreaks of violence, particularly aimed at … Continue reading
This is where Team Ames and Team Boers spent New Year’s Eve this year: An indoor garden: The office: The living room with an extension of the indoor garden: A private study: Continue reading
It has been a while – too long – since Team Ames and Team Boers pursued an adventure together. So, it was with great pleasure that I, accompanied by my Italian, met up with Brandon and Amanda in Brazil. I’m a big fan of bees… and honey. Turns out my close family has the same … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 