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.

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.

Originally established as a stagecoach depot in 1866. During the busy years of the railroad, there was also a residence for the section boss and a bunkhouse for the workers near the depot.

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.

Imagine living next to a volcano. “What a blast!” Sorry. Sure, it’s been at least 10,000 years since the last eruption, maybe as long as 100,000 years. Why risk it? And what would the insurance rates be…..

you’ll realize that you’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of roadside memories. At the signpost up ahead, there’s a turn-off for Little Lake Road. Take it.

It’s probably been thirty plus years, at least, since anyone has said that here. But at one time, this was a bustling stop on a highway that was once a major route from hither to yon.

I didn’t have an EMF Meter, an EVP, a geophone, Geiger counter or even a flashlight. But somehow I knew, the Dixie Inn was definitely NOT haunted. Case solved, put to rest, RIP.