I have been spending most of the last few weekends at the mining claim. There are lots of old mines in the area. One interesting one is the Ada mine which is about 1/2 mile from ours. It shut down in 1902 but was a big operation in its day. Here are some pictures of it..
I am also building a small (12x12) cabin on the new land. I thought I would work on it some this fall before the snow hits. This area is at a high elevation so will not be accessible during the winter or spring. The dogs sure love going to the claim!
While digging at the cabin site (where an old cabin once was), I found quite a few artifacts left by the miners. Crosscut saw, pick, a washtub full of their china. The china was all stacked neatly inside the washtub and about 8 inches underground. Much of it had broken after 90 years of freeze/thaw. 3 cups and one plate were intact though. Also, a kitchen knife, butter knife, fork, spoon- all very rusty.
I stayed in the sheep wagon camper for three weekends. I parked it about 2.5 miles from the claim. From there, I ride in two miles on the 4 wheeler. Then I park and hike in the last half mile.
I plan to go back this weekend so I will try to post more photos next week.
