She fell off the wagon and never looked back. Actually, she was never on the wagon, but was always under the wheels and tied to the yoke

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Bodie State Historic Park, California. Ghost Town -- Summer 2012

CaliforniaCowboyGold RushHistoric ParkHistoric Park CaliforniaHistoryMono CountySierra NevadaStateabandonedarchitecturebodiedecayghost towngoldmining townpld westshackshack Bodiewestwestern

Bodie State Historic Park, California. Ghost Town -- Summer 2012

CaliforniaCowboyGold RushHistoric ParkHistoric Park CaliforniaHistoryMono CountySierra NevadaStateabandonedarchitecturebodiedecayghost towngoldmining townpld westshackshack Bodiewestwestern

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The sounds of static and muffled notes were all that conected them to the outside civil world as loud drunken men fell up and down the dusty streets. (Bodie ghost town and California State Historic Park) Baby's Room

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Bodie is "shelter; one who brings news" - Bodie ghost town and California State Historic Park - Baby's Room

CaliforniaCowboyGold RushHistoric ParkHistoric Park CaliforniaHistoryMono CountySierra NevadaStateabandonedarchitecturebodiedecayghost towngoldmining townpld westshackshack Bodiewestwestern

The flickering alternating histories of knee-highs, pigtails and pixies show the the long decline of memory. The faded paper, dried inkwells, chalk stains and splinters on thighs all map the physical and mental abandonment of the old west . The school house stands quiet showing that the yawning gulf between dreams and failing infrastructure does not give a shit as time cycles by. The inkwell may have ran dry as the town dried up but the memories of the inkwell and pigtails remain for those willing to search the veins of historic gold. Have a sip of mercury laced tea and dream with with the Scrivener Lumière Noir. What ever happened to the girl with the ink stained pig-tail? Alternating histories thirst for and create shadows and other points of divergence.

Could we ask: “What side of the old wood bar does she stand? Does she stand 'em or do the they stand her? Are the splinters in her hand or on her backside?”

CaliforniaCowboyGold RushHistoric ParkHistoric Park CaliforniaHistoryMono CountySierra NevadaStateabandonedarchitecturebodiedecayghost towngoldmining townpld westshackshack Bodiewestwestern

eyelid dreams & waking up Pollyanna - Bodie Ghost Town - California

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I have known you all your lives the cold wind hisses.

Come. Follow. Turn your back to the dusty bars of main street.

Standing askew on the the corner of Maiden Lane and Virgin Alley the signpost leads the way. The red light district calls out with her soul filled song as light spills from open doors and illegitimate
sounds spill from those that are closed.

Can you hear the sirens calling? The wax you stuffed in you ears at the stamp mill long ago melted in the oppressive heat of the machinery and her ever burning fuels.

It is too late to lash yourself to the guide of temperance. More than a few of the 65 bars along main street have taken your pay and charged your desires on this day, The red light district calls and beckons.

Once winged maidens, daughters of the earth await. Each one clipped and bound to the salts of the earth. Take a deep breath before the plunge. Drink from your dusty bottle and stumble toward the sirens of the night.

Arousing face.
Descending.
Souls and dreams are all smashed by the rocks of the mountain.

Is that a touch of the pox?
Syphilis may make you crazy but not as quickly as the Mercury at the stamp mine.

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Bodie Ghost Town - California 2012 - This Land is Your Land

From the wandering Bard:  
Woody Guthrie
(the missing versus)

There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me;
Sign was painted, it said private property;
But on the back side it didn't say nothing;
This land was made for you and me.

And:

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back

This land was made for you and me.
In the squares of the city, In the shadow of a steeple;
By the relief office, I'd seen my people.
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking,
Is this land made for you and me? -- Bodie Ghost Town - California 2012 -

CaliforniaCowboyGold RushHistoric ParkHistoric Park CaliforniaHistoryMono CountySierra NevadaStateabandonedarchitecturebodiedecayghost towngoldmining townpld westshackshack Bodiewestwestern