By popular demand a group of us are planning a (semi-) Local Trip to Cantil. This was discussed at last night's Discussion Group. At that time the concensus was for Sunday but there were no strong arguements for that and Sharna wants to go but can't go on Sunday.

Therefore, if there are no objections, I would like to switch to next Saturday, January 24, at 10 AM. Of course, since it's so close (about 10 minutes from California City), there's no reason people can't go whenever they want.

For those not familiar with the area, Cantil is about 10 miles North of Cal City on Neuralia (about 40 minutes from Rosamond). However, Cantil is more of a general area than a town, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantil,_California. I couldn't find much on Google but I think that long ago there used to be a small town there complete with a post office.

The area I found of interest a couple of weeks ago was a group of about 50 (maybe less) houses being invaded by massive amounts of drifting sand, to the point that residents obviously are having to shovel their walkways like snow. This is where I would like to start. I've already posted one photo from that location at http://home.earthlink.net/~photo_johns_2/objects/091a7648a1i1.jpg. If you do a Google map just follow Neuralia North out of Cal City till you get past the Honda Test Track and look to the left you'll a checkerboard of streets with houses. I'll be parked along Neuralia at that location. An alternative route is to take Hwy 14 North to Redrock-Randsburg Road, go right, then another immediate right onto Neuralia and go about 2 miles.

In the general Cantil area there are many other houses, some newer, some older, some abandoned, and some in ruins. Once we go through the first group of houses then I would like to check out some of the other places around there. One such place is about four miles back toward Cal City and about 1 mile to the East where another group of houses sits. Another is the area North of the test track along Norton, Valley, and Pappas roads. Also, if there's time, I'd like to check out the mining area along the shore of the dry lake.

Comments?

Sounds like a good trip Glenn. I think the long shadows in the late afternoon would be great for BW pictures. If you are still there in the late afternoon, I'll see you.

The short version is that we had a lot of fun, and got some cool photos while we were at it.

Here's the long version.

The area we started at is called "Rancho Seco" on Yahoo's map. It's about 10 miles North of California City along Neuralia. For some reason it is under siege by drifting sands, In places completely covering fences and piling up to the eves on houses. Several of the houses, shacks mainly, have been abandoned leaving it to nature to take it's course. Most of the other houses were an odd collection of mobile homes, trailers, sheds, and stuff buried in the sand. Mixed in to all this there were a few houses that city folk would actually recognize, though I'm not sure anyone out there owns a level. The few people we talked to seemed to be an eclectic, but friendly bunch. We explored only two of the five East-West roads and none of the North-South ones. Nor did we get beyond the Rancho Seco area of Cantil. Which means I have an excuse to go again.

The first house we went to was an abandoned duplex about 20% buried in sand. After circling around and photographing the outside we found our way in only to be confronted by mounds of sand several feet high, buried furniture that had been left behind, a collapsed ceiling, but otherwise it was strangely preserved, like something out of the "Twilight Zone." As a group we were constantly amazed at what we saw, even in the closets which elicited jokes like "Lee, don't you think it's time you came out of the closet." I felt like a little kid exploring a new and wonderful sand box full of buried treasures.

Next we walked over to a one-room shack where the toilet had been in an outhouse. Now, only the shack and the toilet stand. Of course us guys had to pose with the toilet while Terri muttered something about "Guys!" But there's potential in those shots. The weather cooperated and gave us some intermittent cloud cover to enhance our photos. Inside the shack was still the kitchen sink, a stove, a trundle bed, a table, and lots of sand. It was so stark that there wasn't even a closet, just four walls, a floor, and a roof. I'll bet the rent was low.

Serendipitously (I like that word, it reminds me of a song) I got a photo of an old couple, him in a wheelchair with a chain saw and her holding tree limbs for him to cut. At first he wanted $200 to let me take his photo, but then settled for a print with a laugh.

We looked at a couple more shacks, got in a group photo, took shots of buried cars, boat, fences, and a "dwelling" of uncertain construction that had been turned into a burm home by the sand. The resident was pleasant and had a couple of good stories to tell. There's got to be enough stories in that little community to write several books.

After we had dined in Cal City on Subway sandwiches we wandered out to the Red Rock Canyon cliffs, since Lee and Terri had never been there. We hiked North along a trail only a short ways before we came upon a small canyon with beautiful hills and cliffs that would make a stunning panorama. While Jerry was standing on a rise taking a photo of the scenery I took a photo of him, Lee took a photo of me taking a photo of Jerry, and Terri took a photo of Lee taking a photo of me taking a photo of Jerry taking a photo of the scenery. That should be an interesting shot.

By then we were all getting tired so we called it a day and headed home to look over our treasures. Where to next?

Dave,

Sorry we missed you. We talked to a man living at the SE corner, the one with the cars in the sand, and the couple with the chainsaw. Where was the lady that tried to chase you off?

I would love to go if you plan another trip....

Yeah and please post plans here or email me with the times and confirmations.
Sorry I didnt' go I just wasn't sure everyone was going.
Thanks.

Sharna

WOW!!!! A Stanley Steamer! Wish I'd have been there.

That wall with the design is about 2 miles ENE of the area we were in. In the two trips I've taken to the Cantil Area I don't think I've explored more than a few percent so I know there's a lot more to see, much of it not so obvious or hidden as you've found out. I'm tied up with a demolition job right now so I won't be going out for at least another week or two, depending on weather.