The Conway Ranch has a rich history, dating back to 1872. A beautiful setting that literally begs photos to be taken.

With a road named “Oil Plant Road,” you’d expect to find an oil plant somewhere along its way. False Advertising! No Oil Plant! Maybe they were actually talking about an actual plant, like a shrubbery….

The large abandoned ruins of the mine’s stamp mill complex on the side of the mountain are what prompted me to take my scouts on this hike.

I was a bit disappointed when I finally found it, not so much as to its condition, but rather that it was fenced off and posted no trespassing, so I couldn’t get in amongst the walls.

What was this large wooden ore bin used for? Gold or silver ore? Some other kind of material? That’s part of the fun of finding places like this, the wondering what it was used for.

Each time driving by, I’ve wanted to take a picture of this old factory. This time through, I did.

The Ranch House Cafe had been serving great food for decades, under several different names over the years. So sad to see it closed.

You’ve most likely zipped past this abandoned service station, if you’re a Hwy 395 junkie. It’s been closed for a long time, nothing to see here, keep moving along. But every place you see like this has a story, and sometimes, they’re wacky. And sometimes, they’re ordinary. I think the story behind this service station is rather extra-ordinary.

Here’s what the Rustic Oasis Motel sign looks like today. I had seen a picture of it from many years ago where it was in better shape and thought, “hmmm, I should stop and get a picture of that for my explor-files.” So, I did.

Who needs a bath more than once a month? Would have loved to visit this particular building when it was open for BATHS. Made of stones from local mines, opened for business in 1921.

Speeding past on Interstate 10, maybe a half dozen times a year, the “abandoned place gravity well” has tried to pick me off the freeway to stop and take some pics. It finally happened.

When there are many motels to choose from, what might make someone pick one over another, especially after driving for hours late into the night?

School’s out for summer, and winter, and fall and spring.

The Blue Bus, ain’t calling us. Driver? Driver?