We are now in the PST, which puts us 2 hours behind Phil and 3 hours behind Erica, which makes our internal clocks completely messed up! As I write this blog, it is 11:40 p.m. while it is 1:40 a.m. for Phil and 2:40 a.m. for Erica!
Today we ventured into Baker City and did somewhat of a walking tour. This city has kept it's Victorian elegance of the mining era and there are actually more than 100 buildings in the Baker City Historical District! It was an easy outing for lunch and a walk.
Although we have brochures about the city, Google is always the best touring tool to search for other neat places to see and things to do. In my search this morning, I found that there is a Chinese Cemetery in town as one of the "9 things to do" per Tripadvisor", so we found the cemetery. And as stated in one of the reviews, it's a shame the city hasn't kept the cemetery more inviting because it is an area that outlines the Chinese history in this old mining town.
Before we went out, Thom ventured up onto the roof of the motorhome, just to check things out. He found that our over-the-air antenna is gone and as is another of our antennas, perhaps radio, and one other is broken. So, we will be adding this to our window trim list with Winnebago! Our bedroom ceiling fan is also "dying" and this as well needs to be replaced! Oh the life of being a motorhome owner! We love it!
I hope you enjoy our walk through Baker City and our visit to the Chinese Cemetery!
Platted in 1865 but not incorporated until 1874.
Most of the original Baker City buildings remain.
At the corner with the United States flag is the Geiser Hotel. This hotel is a three-story, stucco-clad, brick structure that at the time of its opening in 1889 had plate glass windows, electric lights, baths, an elevator, and a dining room that seated 200. Originally called the Washauer Hotel, it became the Geiser Grand in about 1895 after its purchase by the John Geiser family, which had large mining investments in Baker County and elsewhere.
I didn't read the sign that said only hotel and restaurant guests were allowed past a certain point when I took this quick photo, but there is a beautiful stained glass ceiling in the restaurant that I am hoping to view while being a guest for lunch or dinner before we leave on Friday!
This is the original ceiling in the gift shop of the hotel.
We so appreciate the local art in each city we visit. How unique to use an outline of Oregon and make it look like a bicycle!
St. Francis DeSales Cathedral
The Cathedral was constructed in 1906–08 of local volcanic tuff. The Cathedral was renovated on several occasions, most recently in mid-2007. We tried to visit the Cathedral but it was locked at all doors we were directed to use. Perhaps we'll try again before we leave.
The doors to the church are made out of stainless steel!
In the local bank, sits encased a gold nugget weighing over 80 ounces! The locals here still pan for gold and do find it! NOTE: "The Armstrong Gold Nugget is a gold nugget that was found June 19, 1913, by George Armstrong, at a placer mine near Susanville in Grant County, Oregon. The nugget weighs 80.4 ounces and is on display at US Bank, 2000 Main Street, Baker City, OR."
Polaris Slingshot - Is it a motorcycle or a car? It has a steering wheel so the powers that be want to call this a car! Regardless, it is really cool. We have seen a few on the highways and byways in motion but not parked in all places Baker City!
The door to a Mexican restaurant.
I'm not sure if you can read the three window displays so I zoomed in so you could. See photo below!
All Acme, like the Road Runner cartoon, although these are related to legal issues, just like the "White House"! LOL!
After our walking tour, we headed to the local ACE Hardware and I saw this little shopping cart. I have not noticed these in any of the other ACE Hardware stores we have been to. Too cute!
This is the poorly maintained Baker City Cemetery.
In the middle of the cemetery, a cluster of these pretty weed flowers!
This also stuck out like a beautiful "sore thumb"!
Mountain View RV Park. I must admit, I wasn't too thrilled when we entered through a mobile home park, but the RV park is in the way back and we have a really lovely site. The park is quite western!
Mountain View RV Park
In doing my research on the city, I learned:
Until next blog ...
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