ATV 2

Ok I had this Idea that I would go to an area called Bushnell Tanks, just to ride around. When I got there I found that Sycamore Wash had a lot of water in it, but only about a foot and a half. This water was not too deep to cross but the sky did seem a little rainy. If it rained the water level could go up a few feet and that would be a problem getting back? Trying to use good judgment I decided to go to a higher altitude away from any water problems.

My next targeted area was Pine Mountain Mine. I hadn't been there in around 20 years. It's hard to find and off the beaten path. Even if you have a map it's hit and miss, trying to locate it.

20 years ago I spent a lot of time in this area. There is a large Mill similar to the Sunflower Mine (see previous page) But this baby is really hid and NOT accessible even with the best Jeep "just too narrow". The one thing I figured out is that people have to live somewhere. People that worked these mines built cabins. Operating from memory I verified I was in the correct area by going to the closest cabin site I could remembers. This site is almost a historical treasure. Not many people have ever found it and almost no sign of vandalism, salvaging or bullet holes. When I seen it 20 years ago it was barely standing with pots full of dirt on the stove. Just think this could have been a real home to a family (100? years Ago?).

Did I mention I am way-way in and (as usual) by myself again! I'm blazing trails way off the main (fire) roads. I haven't seen anyone for hours. What could be worse than this? OK,,, FOG ! The fog came down the side of the mountain and cut my visibility to 30 feet + the dark. This is not good when you are navigating on land marks! I didn't take these pictures until I got to what I hope is the correct road and I felt safe (safer?).

What could be worse than this ? How about Hail ! The temperature dropped from about 45 degrees to 28 degrees these are the last pictures I would dare pull my camera out for. The hail came down so hard it was blowing and bouncing off my tank and hitting me in the face. I had my visor up 1/2 way using it for a awning so I could see under it. I had icicles hanging from the rim of my visor and helmet. The hail was getting very deep, over and inch, maybe 2, and ice was forming on the trails. (What next? Locus? ) On the bright side - the fog was gone ! I made it back to the truck. I ran the heater on high and sat in the truck for a long time defrosting.

What the hell is Geocaching?
It's this bizarre sport ? activity ? that causes most couch potato computer geeks to get out of the house. You see people (super geeks) have hid small boxes with treasure inside . They have a website that you can go to and find the GPS coordinates of these treasures. They have Zillions of these thing hidden through out the world ! I'll bet there are even some near your house, yes near YOUR house ! Of course the city ones seem too dorky for me. I went out looking for the ones hide in the wilderness areas. OK this is so geeky that it is actually appealing in some strange way. You find the treasure and take one item but you put 1 item back inside.

It was a nice ride in. Due to the unusual amount of rain we have been getting there were 4 major creeks crossings and many more small crossings. I took my time and headed for the top. It was just a nice enjoyable low stress ride.

Once at the top I was just chilling, and yes it was cooling down to. I was snapping a few pictures and a truck pulled up. The guys said "we will take a picture of you with your camera". OK,,, Then they said "will you take our picture with our camera?", ahhh the catch! But that was nice. I then offered to take a few more with my digital camera and email them. They were from back east and they were real happy with this. I posted their picture here just in case we see them on a milk carton.

As you could read from several of my last trips I needed a GPS. I needed it for the ATV not to do the Geocaching. But as long as I was out I tried my hand at finding a few caches. Yes it was kind of fun and there is something about getting those little prizes ! I did have a nice day in the mountains and it did cause me to go to places I would not have normally gone. For more info on geocaching go to