During a weekend road trip from the San Francisco Bay Area, destination Mono Lake, Mr. Misadventures and I made a side trip to Bodie, a fascinating gold-mining ghost town with lots of untold stories to tell.
Located in the Sierra Nevadas, Bodie is a mining town from the late 1800s frozen in time, or as they call it “in a state of arrested decay.”
Well, my imagination likes to get the best of me, so in my mind, the total state of abandonment is due to a sudden alien (or maybe vampire) invasion. [I think American TV is getting the best of me…]
No matter what history you believe about this historic town, it is a great place to visit. It is literally most of an entire town left intact. It is great for kids, historians, wild west enthusiasts, and in particular photographers – there is something for everyone to entertain themselves with.
There are picnic grounds and guided tours, but we just wandered around for a couple of hours. As this was just a stop on our way to our final destination, we did not have as much time as we needed to see (or photograph) everything and we are headed back in September to take more time.
Despite being there such a short time, Mr. Misadventures took some great shots. Buildings of all shapes and sizes:
Photo credit: Mr. Misadventures
Vehicles of all types abandoned and waiting:
Photo credit: Mr. Misadventures
Some in better condition than others:
Photo credit: Mr. Misadventures
And of course, no mining town is worth its salt without at least one church to keep the moral temperature in check:
Photo credit: Mr. Misadventures
Visit the Bodie website or the California Park site for me details on planning your trip. The roads are closed in the winter and it is really hot in the summer, so plan accordingly!
How about you? Ever been to a ghost town?
Like it? PIN it!
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RhondaP
Saturday 7th of December 2013
Wow! This place looks fascinating! I might have to try to drag my grandkids there,they are teens and would probably love it!!
Cherie
Monday 19th of August 2013
I remember visiting Bodie as a child! Thanks for bringing back some memories!
Andi Fisher
Monday 19th of August 2013
@Cherie, my pleasure! What did you do there when you visited?
Thomas Murphy
Friday 16th of August 2013
Wow this place looks cool! would love to check it out.
Jennifer
Wednesday 7th of August 2013
Wow, very eerie... great pictures though!
jen
Tuesday 6th of August 2013
Reminds me of Colorado towns I saw as a kid. Why can't I take pictures like this? *sigh* They're gorgeous. I love that one with the old truck.