Locke

Locke is the historic Chinese part of Locke township, not far from Walnut Grove, CA were we are staying in an RV park.  It was located here after the Chinatown in Walnut Grove was destroyed by fire.  It was settled here in 1915, and at this time it was illegal to sell farmland to Asian immigrants.  They were dscriminated against in big cities however, in this location there was a relatively large Chineses population who had formed a political party called the Chinese  Kuomintang political party and eventually they were able to lease the land.  It became the hub for farming, of all crops, all things Chinese.  All buildings were built by the Chineses.  It also includes some Japanese dwellings.
Locke is located on the banks of the Saremento River which empties into the San Francisco Bay.  There are serveral drawbridges that cross this river.

  

Driving into Locke.

The Japanese Area.

One of the Chineses restuarants.

The narrow streets are lined with shops and its a hive of activity on the weekends.

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

Bogle Winery - CA

Yesterday we visited  the Bogle Vineyards in California and traces its history in the Sacramento River Delta back to the late 1800's.  This company was founded in 1968 and is based in Clarksburg, California.  William Bogle is the President and Vineyard Director.  They produce a wide range of wines.  We particularly enjoy their cabernet sauvignon.

The tasting room is well set out and for those who wish to enjoy a cheese platter there is a well stocked fridge with plenty to choose from.

There are acres of vines surrounding the pinic area. 

We decided to set up our picnic here.

It was Memorial Day, its similar to our ANZAC Day.  The weather was beautiful and many familes were enjoyong the day with family and friends.

We are self sufficient and prepared our own platter.  Both the strawberries and cherries are from the local area.   They paired well with the Bogle Cab Sav.

Located near by were four Californian Red Woods.  They are magnificant and their trunks are so straight.

 We were surrounded by beautiful greenery.

Throughout the picnic areas there are many varieties of plants and we were thrilled to see some sweet peas which smell as good as they didi when our parents used to have these in our home gardens.  

It was a fun day.

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

Harvey House - Bastow

We visited one of the 4 remaining Harvey Houses in the USA.  This concept was the inspiration of Mr Henry Harvey a visionary in the wild west. days.  As the west was expanding and trains which became a major mode of transport did not provide any creature comforts that we are used to today.  Mr Harvey's proposal was to establish a respite to weary traveller's once they got off the train where they able to enjoy some fine dinning and to freshen up.   They could then continue on their jouney with a full stomach.  The houses were built approximately 100 miles apart along the railway. In 1878 the first Harvey House was built in Sante Fe, New Mexico.  So this was in fact was the beginning of what is now referred to a fast food chain.  In its heyday roughly from 1920's and 1940's , a passenger train stopped  every 30 minutes at one of the eight platforms which are still visible in front of the Harvey House.

Passengers entered the Harvey House through the main lobby and then chose to eat in one of the 2 dining rooms.  In those days formal meant that men had to wear a dinner jackets.  For those who did not have one they could borrow one from the rack of jackets which they returned after their meal.  If the patron was not formally dressed, they could sit at a table but they would not get any service.  Each dinning room could seat 50 people and served about 150 - 200 people every 20 minutes.  The kitchen served a very a rather lavish menu and also made its own ice ceam and many other treats that could not be shipped in.  This is the original lighting .

Frederick Henry Harvey who passed away in 1901 was an entrepreneur.  

The staff who provided the service were called Harvey Girls.  They were young, single, intelligent women who were also of "good character", and, presumably, had a sence of adventure that propelled them to the unknown territory of the 1880's to work as waitresses.  They were provided food and logings and were paid a reasonable wage.  They were required to sign off on a list of regulations which included being single, no men in their dormatories, must be in by 10 pm and so one.  Reminded Beverley of when she started her nursing training in 1967.

They were not permitted to speak with the customers and their uniforms were provided. 

Harvey House Bastow also have a NASA Museum were we spent some time.

It wa well worthwhile a visit.
Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

Calico Chost Town, Bastow

Today we visited Calico which some 127 years ago was a bustling with prospectors searching for mineral wealth.  Its located in the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert and was founded in 1881 as a silver mining town.  The Silver King Mine was established and Calico Mining district became the richest in the state.  In its hayday it was producing $US 86 million in silver, $45 million in borax.  With a population of 1,200.  It had 22 saloons, a China Town and a red light district.  It contiued this way until 1907.  Like most towns of the early West , when the price of silver dropped from $1.31 an ounce  to 63 cents an ounce, Calico became a ghost of its former self.    

Today, it is a one of the few remaining original mining towns of the western USA thanks to Mr Walter founder of Knotts's Berry Farm.  In 1966 he donated Calico to San Bernardino Country.  

There is a lot of history in this little town.

One of the bars.

There is the opportunity to pan for gold and to explore a mine.

Some of the workers in the 1880's.

There is also an opprtunity to walk back in time and see how people loved
the dentist:

The home maker:

What made Calico run

It was a very windy day however, well worth the visit.  

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

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Peggy Sue's Diner - Barstow, CA

We arrived in Barstow , California yesterday.  Its about a 2 hour drive north from Glen Helen RV County Park.  Afer setting up it was time for lunch so on the recommendation of  the RV owner we decided on Peggy Sue's Diner.  Its an original diner, built in 1945.  It sits in the shadow of the Calico Mountains and it was built from railroad tiles and mortar from the nearby Union Pacific Rail yard.  It was reopened in 1987 with as attempt to restore and preserve in its original state.   The main Street is the orginal Route 66.

Peggy Sue's Diner is amazing. 

Its where you really do eat to the beat.

It has a 8 seated soda and malt bar just like you see in the films made in the 50's.

It is a great place to display the heaps of TV and movie memobillia of the time.  

As a fan of the original Mousketeers we had to take these photos.

John Wayne

There also have an adjoining gift shop  which features the prices displayed in the 50's.

Also  a much larger soda bar.

Our table was located next to Buddy Holly.  This performance was just before the tragic air crash.

You can also enjoy a Buddy Holly burger.

We dined there twice.  Liver and bacon with low calorie onion rings.  

Steak and shrimp.

A cornbread muffin.

 The food is delicious however, very large serves.  This is their take on a roast beef sandwich.

Liver and onions 

Low calorie desserts anyone.  Shared of course.

There is also a dina - saur Park located behind the diner.

Its quite pretty out the back.

With lots of turtles.

This guy even posed for photos.

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley