Goodsprings, Nevada

This morning was family reunion time. It is wonderful when you have family to visit when you are traveling––and, especially, family in Las Vegas. My cousin Brian took Meg and me to Goodsprings, Nevada, a place most Las Vegas visitors would know nothing about. You first take the 15 south, joining the Sunday migration of Californians heading back to California after a weekend in Las Vegas, and then turn right at Jean to drive on the very straight road.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

A helpful direction map to Goodsprings on a T–shirt.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

A beautiful Southwestern house in the middle of nowhere.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

We passed by the Goodsprings Cemetery, circle 1890. It was closed.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

I got out of the car to take some photos, watching out very carefully for any desert animals lurking under the brush––that is, rattlesnakes. The wind was fiercely blowing.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

A zoomed–in photo of an interesting gravesite.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

And even closer–up. Gravesite of an alcoholic perhaps?

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

A Joshua tree.

Goodsprings, Nevada

Goodsprings, Nevada

The wind was blowing so strongly that a tree limb came down on an electrical wire, so the route up to the main part of Goodsprings was closed.

Goodsprings, Nevada

The Pioneer Saloon

But we were here to visit the Pioneer Saloon, built in 1913 to serve the thirst of the local miners. Their website is interesting: www.pioneersaloon.info.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

Old sign on the wall.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

Notice referring to an old hotel that was in Goodsprings.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

To the left of the saloon.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

Plaque dedicated to the builder of the saloon.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

The old door to the old establishment.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

For sidewalk drinking.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

A blue grass band was playing inside the saloon. A movie of their music is in Movies, Las Vegas Movies, on this website.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

On a wall.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

Also on a wall.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

An old potbelly stove.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

Carol Lombard, movie actress and wife of Clark Gable, died January 17, 1942, at age 33, in a plane crash on the Potosi Mountain Range above Goodsprings. Clark Gable waited in the Pioneer Saloon for word of any survivors (there were none)––hence, the saloon’s memorial to Carol Lombard and Clark Gable.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

More of the memorial.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

More of the memorial.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

And one more. There are also very interesting photos of the old miners and of life during mining days. However, my photos of them did not come out well.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

Another person who has visited the saloon––Johnny Depp.

The Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon

And, of course, Elvis.

The Pioneer Saloon

The General Store

To the left of the Pioneer Saloon, is the Goodsprings General Store. You can pick up a walking tour here to see old buildings of interest in the part of the town up the hill.

The General Store

The General Store

Inside the general store. I don’t think this guy looked up even once at us––we were not of interest to him.

The General Store

The General Store

More of the general store.

The General Store

Going Back to Las Vegas

Another Joshua tree. If you want to see a desert very full of Joshua trees, go to the Joshua Tree National Park north of Palm Springs, California. There are also very interesting rock formations at the park.

Going Back to Las Vegas

Back in Las Vegas

We passed this McDonald’s on Las Vegas Blvd. Brian thought it had the original McDonald’s design from way back in time. I think so also.

Back in Las Vegas

Back in Las Vegas

A daytime view of the Strip from my hotel window.

Back in Las Vegas

Back in Las Vegas

A view in the other direction toward the mountains surrounding Las Vegas––that’s snow on the mountains.

Back in Las Vegas

Sinatra Dance With Me

Meg and I went to see the show “Sinatra Dance With Me” playing at the Encore. This time we found the popcorn/drink bar and brought our snacks in with us to eat while watching the show.

Sinatra Dance With Me

Sinatra Dance With Me

I think the more you like Sinatra the more you will like the show. One of the dancers was outstanding and a joy to watch. It is the male in this poster. We had a very good Chinese dinner after the show and a session at the slot machines––you really can’t avoid being enticed by them. What a great day today: family, an interesting not well–known Vegas site, a show, and a good dinner.

Sinatra Dance With Me