Fans of this blog may have seen a few of these pictures before. However, as the date for publication of Ghost Towns of Route 66 draws closer and as Ghost Towns of the Southwest http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=1968adventurer&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0760332215&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrcontinues its advancement towards sell out of the second printing, I thought you might find a few shots from our favorite ghost towns of interest. These first photos were taken during the research stage of Ghost Towns of the Southwest. They exemplify the broad definition of the word “ghost town” and clearly illustrate the lure these places have for the adventuresome traveler.
Bisbee, Arizona – a true time capsule from the late territorial period.
Bisbee, located a few miles south of Tombstone is a true gem. Most of the historic section of town appears as an untouched time capsule. This is especially evident during the early morning hours when the streets are empty.
Ruins of a mill high in the mountains above Cerbat, Arizona. This photo is available as a print.
No visit to Bisbee can be considered as complete without a stay at the historic Copper Queen Hotel. With but the faintest nod to the modern era this stately old hotel embraces visitors with a charm and elegance that instantly soothes and comforts the weary traveler. The next town on our list is Cerbat, Arizona. Nestled deep into a rugged canyon in the Cerbat Mountains, the town of Cerbat was once a community with a very promising future. For a short period of time it served as the Mohave County seat. The boom times lasted for less than twenty years, roughly 1875 to 1895. Mines operated in the area from around 1860 until well into the 20th century. Little remains of the town itself with the exception of faint foundations buried in thickets of mesquite. However, vestiges of the rich mining history abound. As a result it is imperative the visitor be alert to open shafts and collapsed stopes.
Endee, New Mexico – population zero
I will continue the ghost town theme with the next posting. To whet your appetite here is a little comic relief from Endee, New Mexico, a ghost town located about five miles west of Glenrio, Texas on a section of Route 66 bypassed in about 1952.
A short time ago we (my dearest friend and I) quietly observed an auspicious anniversary – two full decades since I first exchanged the written word for payment. To say the very least it has truly been an adventure.
Red Lake north of Kingman, Arizona
The never ending quest for that big sale, that opportunity that allows me to quit the day job, has proven to be quite elusive. With each passing day I develop a deeper understanding for the old prospector that just knew if he could climb one more hill, cross one more desert, survive one more long winter, he would find the mother lode. Long ago I lost count of how many feature articles and newspaper columns have been written. The count for published books is now at six and climbing. Still, the grand prize that is the opportunity to make my living as a writer and photography remains just out of reach. Every time I allow reality to bring me up short, every time I become discouraged enough to throw in the towel, the faintest glimmer of color is found in the bottom of the pain or a nugget is trapped in the sluice and the passion for the quest is reignited. The nugget or color has taken many forms over the years; a call from Jay Leno, a publisher offering to cover travel expenses, a prestigious award, a glowing review, a lucrative contract. Still, the mother lode remains hidden amongst the barren canyons and desolate sands. Dependant on mood I see my efforts to promote the books and skills as selling myself or prostitution. In all honesty I suppose that is the essence of life, trading time and skills for money that buys food, keeps gas in the Jeep, and keeps a roof over the head. One lesson learned in the past twenty years is that promotion is more than half the battle. Lesson two is the importance of contacts starting with the fella upstairs. Last but not least is the importance of having a sense of humor. Lesson one is a never ending curve. First, I learned to court the editor. Then, I learned to write. Next, I learned to promote. To that end I discovered a wide array of fascinating things and places such as blogging, how to build a website, and a website for book lovers and authors – Goodreads. Here is a little something from that website, a plug for the books written. .gr_container { font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; width: 250px; } .gr_book_container { border-bottom: 1px solid #d7d7d7; padding: 5px 0px; } .gr_book_image { float: left; padding-right: 20px; } .gr_book_title {} .gr_review_stats {}
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