December 12 Sunday 2010 Yuma

Some exploring today. We hear about Tumco an old ghost town less then 30 min away in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains in Southeastern California. Not much is left but enough to make it of some interest .Gold was first found in the area in1881. A self-guided tour with map takes one 1.5 miles through history. The trail takes one through residential, commercial and mining activity areas. We see the remains of a cemetery. Tumco boasted 3,000 residents who frequented 4 saloons. In 1896 it was known as Hedges, boasting a store, hospital, several bordellos, a casino and 7 saloons. But in1910 the Gilder cross Co. was in financial straits. It was operating a 40-stamp mill which was not generating the yield. Tumco went broke , equipment was sold for junk, metal was salvaged from mills. Rails wrested from their bedding and hoses carted away for scrap. Today the site is under the BLM land management.

Located off Ogilby road approximately 8 miles of interstate 8.

Larry and Barbie give us a surprise visit. At 4 we are off to the Fantasy tour presentation on the Yucatan. Pokino tonight I have to share blackout

REMEMBER-let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.