Baker's Retreat at 29 Palms, CA

Last Entry in Guestbook

2010-01-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

This will be the last blog, because we are up to date from the guestbook for now.
I do have some more pictures that I have gotten from Christie. As soon as I get them scanned, I will add them.
Hope you enjoyed this little bit of the Baker's history from the cabin at 29 Palms as much as I did looking back at it.

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2009

2010-01-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

January 29, 2009 - Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Part of roof missing and window broken in the back. Very dusty and rain got in broken window. Patched the broken window and going into town to find a roofer”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Just Dance" by Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis

February 16, 2009 - I visited. I wrote, “Here to check on roof job completed by Above All Roofing on February 15, 2009 (cost $1500.00). The contractor removed the old roof and hauled away roof trash. Installed new felt, 30 year shingles and flashing. Roof looked good. The inside of the cabin was covered with roofing debris from when the old roof was taken off and had to be cleaned up. Also replaced one back side window. Weather was overcast and a little windy but nice to work outside”.
Number One Song of The Day..." My Life Would Suck Without You " by Kelly Clarkson

March 31, 2009 - I visited. I wrote, “Here to clean up more roof debris on rafters, cleaned behind stove, ice box, couch, cabinets and all over. Everything looked good. Weather not too hot and no wind”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Right Round " by Flo Rida featuring KeSha

May 12, 2009 - Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Here to seal cracks in rafters with foam and replace curtains with blinds. Also cleaned out more dead moths”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Boom Boom Pow " by Black Eyed Peas

May 19, 2009 - Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Here to seal more cracks in rafters with more foam and covered vents in roof”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Boom Boom Pow " by Black Eyed Peas

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2007

2010-01-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

February 10, 2007 - Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Here to check things out, and all looked the same. Outhouse had some roof missing. Went antiquing in Yucca Valley and also went to Pioneer town”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Irreplaceable " by Beyoncé

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2006

2010-01-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

August 11, 2006 - Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Here to look over things. The power was on for some reason, it’s off now. It looks just like we left it”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Promiscuous " by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2005

2010-01-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

June 4, 2005 – Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Here to check things out. Hundreds of dead moths were all over inside. Checked roof area, took photos of the place and brought ladder to keep here. Ron’s patching the roof again”!!
Number One Song of The Day..." We Belong Together " by Mariah Carey

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2004

2009-11-13T20:34:00.002-08:00

January 18, 2004 – I visited. I wrote,” Here to move cactus from the front windows to area along side of driveway and cleaned new windows. Very nice day, cool, breeze and sunny”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Hey Ya " by OutKast

February 14, 2004 – I visited. I wrote,” Here to replace seven front windows. Cactus transplant looked good. Nice day a little overcast and cool but ok to work in”.
Number One Song of The Day..." The Way You Move " by OutKast

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2003

2009-11-13T20:34:00.001-08:00

July 5, 2003 – Sam the dog (Ronnie and Nikii’s) and I visited. I wrote, “Came to repair the roof. Nailed down the west side and cemented as needed. Place looked ok. Maria said to say Hi! Took bookend table to refinish. Got here at 7:30 a.m. and it was warm and nice. Stayed about an hour and a half”.
(Note from me: The bookend table is now in our office in Victorville.)
Number One Song of The Day..." This Is the Night" by Clay Aiken

September 10, 2003 – Maria and I visited. Maria wrote, “Here to check on things after a big storm. Roof looks like replacement is due. Ate at McDonalds, our first meal at the cottage”!
(Note from me: I guess Maria just renamed the cabin to the cottage!)
Number One Song of The Day..." Shake Ya Tailfeather" by Nelly, P. Diddy and Murphy Lee

October 11, 2003 – I visited. I wrote, “Came out to take down the ceiling and insulation. It was a messy job but got it all down. Patched the roof a little more. Nice weather not too hot”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Baby Boy" by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul

October 24, 2003 – I visited. I wrote,” Was here to clean up from last week. Very nice weather”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Baby Boy" by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul

November 10, 2003 – I visited. I wrote,” Here to replace six windows on the west side of cottage. The weather was cool in the AM, but nice in the afternoon about 72 degrees”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Baby Boy" by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul

November 28, 2003 – I visited. I wrote,” Here to replace seven windows on the north side of cottage and cleaned the window cranks on the west and north windows. The weather was cool in the AM and got cold in the afternoon but then got warm again”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Baby Boy" by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2002

2009-11-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

November 9, 2002 – Maria and I visited. I wrote, “Brought Maria out to look the place over. Very windy but warm. The west side of the roof was coming up so I had to nail it down. Maria loves the place”. LOL
Number One Song of The Day..." Lose Yourself" by Eminem

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2001

2009-11-04T19:41:00.001-08:00

July 6, 2001 – Steve and I visited. I wrote, “Out to check place over and all looked ok. Roof repair buckled a little but still ok. Checked out A/C unit and it works but not too well.
Number One Song of The Day..." U Remind Me" by Usher

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 2000

2009-11-04T19:40:00.002-08:00

November 18 and 19, 2000 – I visited. I wrote, “Came out to check place over and found front part of roof came off, about 15 feet of the first course. Water had leaked onto ceiling and had more water damage but nothing fell down inside. Went to hardware store and got a roll of roofing, “O” Henry, nails and miscellaneous stuff to repair roof, hope it holds up for a while. Tightened up window covers and put new locks for electric box and front door. Weather was perfect, lots of stars at night”.
Number One Song of The Day..." Independent Women Part 1“by Destiny's Child

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1998

2009-11-04T19:40:00.001-08:00

October 9, 1998 – I visited. I wrote, "Came out to pick up Ronnie. Found the place had been broken into, windows broken out and door broken in, pigeons living inside and pigeon crap all over. Put screen over windows and got pigeons out”.
Number One Song of The Day..." The First Night" by Monica

October 12, 1998 – Chuck and I visited. I wrote, “Came out to board up windows and door and to pick up Ronnie’s car. Pigeons were gone. Very nice weather and nice day”.
Number One Song of The Day..." The First Night" by Monica

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1997

2009-11-04T19:39:00.000-08:00

March 4, 1997 – Christie visited. She wrote, “Came to exchange cars with the “Roo”. He brought a couch out and I am retrieving our truck. Place looks dusty but in same condition. We need to do work. It is a beautiful day but a bit breezy. Forgot how much I liked this place. I miss you so much. Just kidding. Still a mess”. Christie
Number One Song of The Day..." Wannabe" by Spice Girls

April 1997 to October 1998 – I wrote, “Had been out now and again to look over place. Looked like it looked for a long time”!
(Note from me: I guess I didn’t write every time I came out during this time period.)

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1996

2009-10-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

March 29, 1996 – I visited. I wrote, “Here to pick up Ronnie at the 29 Palms Marine Base. His last weekend home before he goes to Japan. Place looked fine. West side of roof coming up a little, nothing to fix it with now.”
Number One Song of The Day..." Because You Loved Me " by Céline Dion

December 27, 1996 – Ronnie visited. Ronnie wrote, “Getting ready to go home for New Years. The shack looks good. Screen door broken but still works. Stationed here in 29 Palms, who would have thought! Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ronnie Roo
P.S. Windows should be boarded up, getting ready to fall apart.”
Number One Song of The Day..." Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1995

2009-10-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

October 5, 1995 – Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, “On our way to Laughlin. Stopped by to see Ronnie graduate at the 29 Palms Marine Base. Who would have ever thought Roger and Eva Lou’s grandson would graduate and be stationed here in paradise!! Gotta go now and so do those 2 darn cactus plants out front!”
Number One Song of The Day..." Fantasy" by Mariah Carey

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1994

2009-10-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

June 26, 1994 – Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, “Well so we missed by a year. I just heard a song on the radio called” Everyone’s Doing the Shake” by Randy (?) and the J. T.’s (Joshua Trees ?) it’s a dance song about the earthquake. STILL BIG NEWS HERE. Makes me want to retire soon. Pretty exciting here in 29 Palms. Everything is the same as before. Hot, dry and boring. So till next time. Ron and Chris. It will be our 25th anniversary on Tuesday the 28th so maybe we will retire here soon.”
Number One Song of The Day..." I Swear " by All-4-One

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1992

2009-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

May 31, 1992 - Christie, Ronnie and I visited. Christie wrote, “We came out to check out earthquake damage. None! There has been a lot of rain because the weeds have grown over the road and driveway. I guess we need to come out more often. It is really hot!! We are going to Palm Springs now to move Pat and Bill (Steve Wiest’s parents) to San Diego. Oh Ron did yard work. Ha, Ha.”
Number One Song of The Day..." Jump " by Kris Kross

July 2, 1992 – Christie, Ronnie, Chuck and I visited. Christie wrote, "About a month has gone by. We are coming to check out the place again. June 28th they had another earthquake 7.2 on the Rector scale. The 28th was our anniversary...what an earth shaking marriage this has been. Two years in a row we had earthquakes on June 28th. The place is just the same. Crummy! I’m glad I don’t have to live here. Ron just decided we have had damage. Cracks in the floor are worse than ever. Dad came with us and he has quit smoking, until now. My back is out and has been for a week and a half, ouch. I’m ready to go now, so we will be back next year or next earthquake. Bye for now, Christie.”
Number One Song of The Day..." Baby Got Back " by Sir Mix-a-Lot

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1991

2009-10-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

February 2, 1991 – Sharon, Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, “Sharon’s birthday present, a trip to our retirement home. Sharon wants to decorate. This would drive Marilyn crazy. She didn’t want me to put up curtains! Sharon just mentioned a bay window. I wonder where she will put the pool. The weather isn’t hot and it’s not real cold so this must be perfect weather. Sharon has volunteered Steve’s expertise. A new roof oh I mean ceiling. Sharon’s an expert on curtains so I know the windows won’t be bare. Can you imagine coming out here with no gas, no electricity, and no restaurants? That’s straight from Sharon. Well we got here at 10:30 am and it’s almost 11:00 am so we better go. Sharon and I are making Ron take us shopping at the new outlet stores. Who knows maybe will find something for our cute home. I can hardly wait only 15 more years till we can move out here. Yippee!!” Sharon wrote, “The sky sure is blue out here.”
Number One Song of The Day..." The First Time" by Surface

May 24, 1991 – Chuck and I visited. I wrote, “Came out to paint and covered outside wooden wall with two gallons of paint. Chuck cleaned up the kitchen and we took away two broken chair beds. Flowers are blooming on cactus out front. Nice day, about 90 degrees out.”
Number One Song of The Day..." I Don't Wanna Cry" by Mariah Carey

September 29, 1991 – Chuck and I visited. I wrote, “Came out to contact contractor about building a house. Cabin looks good. Nice weather, a little rain and thunder clouds.”
(Note from me: As you can guess we never did build a house out here.)
Number One Song of The Day..." Adore Mi Amor " by Color Me Badd

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1990

2009-10-04T12:46:00.001-07:00

August 3 - 4, 1990 – Ronnie and I visited. I wrote, “Here to look around. Everything ok, a little dusty inside. Installed new padlocks on front door, electric box and outhouse. Also put new toilet seat in outhouse. Ronnie and I took a bicycle ride for about 9 miles, it was hot.”
Number One Song of The Day..." Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1989

2009-09-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

August 19, 1989 – Christie, Ronnie, Marilyn and I visited. Christie wrote, "Marilyn won’t let us eat until 1:00 p.m. "That’s what my body is used to.” However I noticed she’s eating ice cream already. We came up to see the new water meter and all the water! Well the water meter anyway. Again I would rather be in Vegas. Had a BORING time. Ronnie, the diet coke can cannot stay! Sorry Roofus!"
Number One Song of The Day..." Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1987

2009-09-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

December 27 - 28, 1987 – Vida, Chuck, Christie, Ronnie, Brandie (the dog) and I visited. Vida wrote, "Here we are in 'Palm Desert'...can look to the right and see Bob Hope's home. (Note from me: I think the heat got to Vida, but wait it was December, hum.) Chris swept out the cabin. They tell me there were rats in here, but I don’t believe them. We are in the motor home. I froze last night. We are having a great time. Mainly cause Dad (Chuck) cooked breakfast and washed dishes!! A first!"
Christie wrote, "Personally I would rather be in “Las Vegas”. I think camping “stinks”. I need my hair washed and a bath, the dog is a pain and there’s nothing for us to do. I feel so sorry for me. Ron makes me come out here and he won’t even entertain me. I don’t get it! Does anyone know if they have Bingo at the Marine Base? I love good looking “young men”! Oh well looks like we’re stuck! Wow, Mom just had a great idea. Ronnie can stay with Brandie at the cabin while we go to Vegas. Ronnie didn’t seem to mind. We’ll go ask Dad."
(Note from me: And to think Ronnie became a Marine and was stationed at the 29 Palms Marine Base.)
Number One Song of The Day..."Faith" by George Michael

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1986

2009-09-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

October 11 - 13, 1986 – Jerry Ski and I visited. Jerry wrote, "Came up Friday night at 10:00 p.m. and stayed till Monday at 3:00 p.m. When we got here, the weeds were so bad it was hard to tell where the driveway was. We cleaned the place up and planted 3 cactus. Looks like someone tried to break into the shed. The cabin looked good! We brought the motor home and trailer with two ATCs. We had a very good time."
(Note from me: On March 19, 1983 I wrote “need to come up soon to put windows in”. Well, three plus years later still no windows were put in. Will they ever get installed?)
Number One Song of The Day..." When I Think of You" by Janet Jackson

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1983

2009-09-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

March 19, 1983 – Ronnie and I visited. I wrote, "Came up to look the place over. Everything looked ok. Need to come up soon to put windows in. We brought Tina and Sy up with us so they could pick up their motor home in Yucca Valley. Weather was cool and windy but clear."
(Note from me: Tina and Sy were neighbors of ours when we lived in Palmdale. Their motor home broke down and we brought them up to get it.)
Number One Song of The Day... "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1982

2009-08-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

October 8 - 9, 1982 – John Kadeing (a bike riding friend) and I visited. I wrote, "We came up for the California 500 motorcycle ride. The cabin was broken into. Kicked in the front door (bottom) and emptied out drawers, threw silverware through windows. Broke about 12 windows, threw all the puzzles all around. Could have been worse!"
Number One Song of The Day..." Jack and Diane" by John Cougar

October 23 - 24, 1982 – Jerry Ski and I visited. I wrote, "We came up to clean up and repair door and windows. Weather just right, (rain but nice). Talked to next door neighbor about looking after the place and call if there is trouble!" Jerry wrote, "Place looked bad when we got here (Saturday). After cleaning up it looked good. Love it out here. Jerry Ski"
Number One Song of The Day..." Jack and Diane" by John Cougar

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1981

2009-08-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

September 25 - 26, 1981 – I visited. I wrote, "Going on the California 500 motorcycle ride. The place really looks good, very little dust inside. Happy Birthday Jennifer, Love Dad."
(Note from me: The California motorcycle ride was a ride Christie and I went on quite a lot. The owner of the Harley bike shop had just moved his shop to 29 Palms from Los Angeles. Not sure if Christie went on this ride with me or not.)
Number One Song of The Day..." Kiss on My List" by Daryl Hall and John Oates

Pictures of the Gold Mine 20 years later

2009-06-20T21:49:00.001-07:00

The dune buggy that got us here.

The cabin at the mine.

Me going in the mine.

Jerry thinking of all that gold.

The man we met there.

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1980

2009-06-20T20:54:00.007-07:00

February 10 -12, 1980 - Jerry and I visited. I wrote, “Out looking for gold, found 2 lbs. Ha! Good weather, clear but cold. Went out to Dad's old gold mine. Met a man who knew all about the mines out there. He said we were welcome to come out anytime.”
(Note from me: Jerry and I came out with plans to go to Dad's old gold mine in the Pinto Mountains, but I wasn't sure I could find the mine because it had been well over 20 years since I was last there. It was easier to find than I thought it would be. The man we saw there was the new owner.)
Number One Song of The Day..."Rock With You" by Michael Jackson

November 10 - 11, 1980 – The Szumigalski Family (Jerry, Dixie and Margie) visited. Dixie wrote, "Monday night the 10th... My first remarks were, as were driving in, "Where in God’s name are you taking me? Of course it was dark when we got here, about 7:15 p.m. I love it, except for the outhouse!!! Really not too much dust at all. Weather wasn’t bad, had the door open tell we went to bed." "Tuesday: Wasn’t nice when we got up. As the day went on it was cloudy, but really not too cold. Jerry put caulking around the eves on the outside. Had a restful day. Thank you.”
Number One Song of The Day..." Woman in Love" by Barbra Streisand
Some pictures when Jerry and I visited. First one is me cooking. Next Jerry, well you can guess what he was doing. Last, just kicking back.

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1979

2009-06-20T20:54:00.005-07:00

October 7 and 8 1979 - “Ceiling still falling. Didn't have time to fix it. Maybe next time. Oops forgot to say who stayed. Jerry Szumigalski (Ski) and me.” “Had a very, very, very, very, very, very good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good (TIME).” Jerry wrote the above.
(Note from me: Jerry was a very good friend from work.)
Number One Song of The Day..."Sad Eyes" by Robert John

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1978

2009-06-20T20:54:00.003-07:00

January 27, 1978 - I visited. I wrote, “Came up to check on place and everything ok, but no electrical.
(Note from me: I had the electrical turned back on. Edison thought the cabin had been abandoned.)
Number One Song of The Day..."Baby Come Back" by Player

November 11-12, 1978 - Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, “Came up to get away. Man what a get away. What a romantic trip. Ha! A future dream home. The ceiling is real unique. All in all, a peaceful trip without J & R.” (Jennifer and Ronnie)
Number One Song of The Day…”MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1977

2009-06-20T20:54:00.001-07:00

February 18, 1977 - Had roof replaced by Curry Roofing Company.
Number One Song of The Day..."Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band

April 2, 1977 - Jennifer and I visited. I wrote, “Came to check on cabin. Everything in good shape. Ceiling looks the same as before. Rained early this morning, only cloudy now.”
Number One Song of The Day..."Rich Girl" by Daryl Hall and John Oates

April 9, 1977 - Chuck and I visited. I wrote, “Came up from Mom's house with couch and dining tables. Weather is just great.”
Number One Song of The Day..."Dancing Queen" by ABBA

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1976

2009-06-20T20:53:00.001-07:00

October 2, 1976 - Christie, Jennifer, Ronnie (first time Ronnie was here), Marilyn, Lori, Doria, Shelley, and I visited. Christie wrote, “What a mess!!! Ceiling caved in from thundershowers. Ron put roofing material up until we can get back to replace roof and ceiling. Hopefully soon! Weather was nice.”
(Note from me: Half of the roof blew off and the rain came in and ruined almost all of the ceiling.)
Number One Song of The Day..."A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1975

2009-06-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

October 11, 1975 - Christie, Jennifer, John, Cyndy, Jonny and Jennifer Foster (neighbors of Christie and me) and I visited. Christie wrote, “Left home (Palmdale) at 7:00 am and it was rainy and cold. Got here at about 10:30 am and it was beautiful. “House" was in excellent condition considering 2 1/2 years of vacancy. Ron and John fixed the window so maybe next trip out here it will be cleaner. A lot of dust, but everything worked. A few cans of food exploded, so we disposed of it.”
Cyndy wrote, “Ron is on the roof fixing it. Used table and chair to climb up, now working on how to get down. Got it fixed and jumped down. Now Ron is fixing front screen door.”
(Note from me: No one came to visit in 1974)
Number One Song of The Day..."Bad Blood" by Neil Sedaka

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1973

2009-06-20T20:51:00.001-07:00

May 26, 1973 - Vida and Chuck Colvin (Christie’s parents), Christie, Jennifer, and I visited. Christie wrote, “Beautiful weather.”
(Note from me: No one came to visit in 1972)
Number One Song of The Day..."Frankenstein" by The Edgar Winter Group

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1971

2009-06-09T20:57:00.003-07:00

May 21-23, 1971 - Marilyn and Dick Holt visited. Marilyn wrote, “Arrived 11:00 pm Friday night, windy. Dick fixed one half of roof. Nice weather but everything dirty.”
Number One Song of The Day…"Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night

October 24,1971 - Christie, Mom, Grandmother Susan, and I visited. Christie wrote, “First full day we left Jennifer alone, she's four weeks old today. She stayed with Grandma Colvin (Vida).” Mom wrote, “Beautiful day.” Grandmother Susan wrote, “Starved.”
(Note from me: As Christie noted, Jennifer was born on the 25th. But maybe the comment means four weeks to the day?)
Number One Song of The Day..."Maggie May" / "Reason to Believe" by Rod Stewart

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1970

2009-06-09T20:57:00.001-07:00

February 22-23,1970 - Christie, Betse, and I visited. Christie wrote, “Got in at 11:45 pm pretty cold. The next day was warm with sunshine, and people next door were putting in water pipes.”
Number One Song of The Day…"Thank You (For Letting Me Be Myself, Again" / "Everybody Is a Star" by Sly & the Family Stone

July 18-19,1970 - Uncle Henry, Aunt Virginia and Phillip visited. Aunt Virginia wrote, “Arrived 9:30 p.m. "HOT-HOT-HOT. Moon is beautiful but only one star, quite cloudy. Thanks for loaning us your chair and beds.”
Number One Song of The Day…"Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" by Three Dog Night

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1969

2009-06-09T20:56:00.001-07:00

February 4-5,1969 - Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, “Noticed first palm tree gone! Cold-burr! burr! Hailed 6:30 pm Thursday, rained Friday 7-8 a.m.”
Number One Song of The Day…"Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells

March 8-9, 1969 - Christie and I visited. I wrote, “Windy and cold.” Christie wrote for the 9th , “Sun shining -- windy oops! It rained.”
Number One Song of The Day... “Everyday People" by Sly & the Family Stone

June 1,1969 - Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, “Temperature 110 degrees…HOT. First trip in VW. Gas mileage 31.3.”
Number One Song of The Day…"Get Back" by The Beatles with Billy Preston

July 26-27,1969 - Uncle Henry, Aunt Virginia and Phillip visited. Aunt Virginia wrote, “Arrived 9:30 p.m. 95 degrees. Stayed overnight.”
Number One Song of The Day…"In the Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus)" by Zager and Evans

December 31,1969 and January 1, 1970 - Uncle Henry, Aunt Virginia, Phillip, Craig Colby and Grandma Baker visited. Aunt Virginia wrote, “Arrived 7:00 pm. Spent New Years Eve and most of New Years Day. Quite a celebration, cold too!”
Number One Song of The Day…"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" by B.J. Thomas

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1968

2009-05-27T15:52:00.001-07:00

May 15 through 17, 1968 - I visited and wrote, "Not too good of a trip". I got a DUI and crashed Dad's 1953 Chevy pickup. Thankfully no one got hurt.
(Note from me: You can see the truck before the crash on my post dated May 24th 2009.)
Number One Song of The Day...."Tighten Up" by Archie Bell and The Drells

May 17,1968 - My brother-in-law Dick Holt came to pick me up after the truck crash. Dick had no comment.
Number One Song of The Day...."Tighten Up" by Archie Bell and The Drells

May 20, 1968 - Mom, Marilyn and I visited. Mom wrote, "A most thankful trip". Marilyn wrote, "Not all pleasure". Dad could not come up because he was recovering from a heart attack. No, his heart attack was not from me crashing his truck!!
Number One Song of The Day...."Tighten Up" by Archie Bell and The Drells

July 18 and 19, 1968 - Mom, Dad and I visited to look at the truck. Mom wrote, "Hot 105 degrees".
Number One Song of The Day...."Grazing in the Grass" by Hugh Masekela

November 9-11, 1968 - Mom and Dad came up with the Lori, Doria, and Shelley Holt.
Lori wrote, “15617 Flor Ave. and "Very nice".
Doria wrote, “15617 Flor Ave. and "I like it".
Shelley wrote “15617 Flor Ave. and "Very nice".
(Note from me: The guest book had a column titled “Address”, but the girls were the only ones to ever put in at least part of their address. “Flor” stood for Florwood. Also, Shelley’s writing looked mysteriously like Lori’s. Then again…Shelley WAS only four years old!)
Mom wrote, "nice weather".
Number One Song of The Day...."Hey Jude" by The Beatles

November 23, 1968 - Christie and I visited. I wrote, "Planted palm trees".
Number One Song of The Day...."Hey Jude" by The Beatles

November 30, 1968 - Christie and I visited. Christie wrote, "Weather was cold, 64 high and 34 low".
Number One Song of The Day...."Love Child" by Diana Ross and The Supremes

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1967

2009-05-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

March 17 through 20, 1967 - Uncle Henry, Aunt Virginia, and Philip DeBry visited. Aunt Virginia wrote, "Spent a restful three days. Philip got a big turtle and we got stuck in the sand".
Number One Song of The Day...."Penny Lane" by The Beatles

March 19, 1967 - Uncle Roy Potter, my cousin C.L. Potter, and C.L.’s wife Joyce visited. Uncle Roy wrote, "Not a guest just a relative". C.L. wrote, "We were here P.M. 3/17/67 and A.M. 3/18/67 too".
Number One Song of The Day...."Penny Lane" by The Beatles

October 18 through 21, 1967 - Mom and Dad visited. Mom wrote, "End of a vacation”.
Number One Song of The Day...."To Sir, with Love" by Lulu

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1966

2009-05-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

January 8 and 9, 1966 - Mom and Dad, My sister Marilyn, and my nieces Lori, Doria and Shelley visited. Marilyn wrote, "We were here for the night".
Number One Song of The Day...."We Can Work it Out" by The Beatles

April 5, 1966 - My best friend Steve Wiest and I visited. I wrote, "Were here".
Number One Song of The Day...."Ballad of the Green Berets" by SSgt Barry Sadler

November 25, 26 and 27,1966 - Uncle Henry, Aunt Virginia, my cousin Philip DeBry, and Grandma Baker visited. Aunt Virginia wrote, "We were here for two nights".
Number One Song of The Day...."You Keep Me Hangin On" by The Suprems

December 31, 1966 and January 1, 1967 - Mom and Dad, Grandma Baker and Mom’s mother Grandmother Susan visited. Mom wrote, "Happy New Year". Grandma Baker wrote, "A fine trip". Grandmother Susan wrote, "Don't be modest when you come here".
Number One Song of The Day...."I'm a Believer" by The Monkees

Visitor comments from Guestbook for 1965

2009-05-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

March 19 and 20,1965 - Grandma and Grandpa Baker (Dad’s parents) and Mom and Dad visited. Grandma Baker wrote, "We were here for the night".
Number One Song of The Day...."Eight Days a Week" by The Beatles

December 26,1965 - My childhood friend Ed Hogan, my cousin Richard Lockwood, and I visited. I wrote, "We were here for the day".
Number One Song of The Day...."Over and Over" by The Dave Clark Five

The Guest Book

2009-05-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

A picture of the guest book where I got my inspiration for this blog.

The guest book was given as a gift to Mom and Dad from my cousin C.L. Potter's wife Joyce. She illustrated the first page.

More pictures of the gold mine June 4,1959

2009-05-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Mom is on the left with my dog King and one of the wives of the original mine owners. The bunkhouse is on the left.

Dad with one of the men who worked the mine. The cabin is in the background down the hill.

Yours truly leaning against an ore car. Don't I look happy?

Pictures of the gold mine June 4, 1959

2009-05-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

This was the road leading to the mine. All people who had claim in the mine were required to do work on the road. The mine cabin is just to the right of the road.

This is the cabin at the mine. Every gold mine claim had a name. If I recall, ours was called "The Golden Rod". I could be wrong---it's only been 50 years!!

This is a view of the cabin looking down from the bunkhouse where the cars and trucks parked. If you look close, the small black building is the outhouse. Yup, everyone had outhouses in the desert.

Pictures of move in day for the outhouse

2009-05-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

This picture is of Dad and C.L. Potter, my cousin. They are securing the outhouse. Must have done a good job because it's still in the same place 45 years later.

Grandpa Baker built it, so I guess he should be the first to break it in!!!

More Pictures of the Cabin from 1964

2009-05-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

This picture is the front of the cabin with a shadow of Dad taking the picture on the wall.

This was taken from one corner of the five acre property.

This is Mom and Dad. You can see Dad's 1953 Chevy truck and rental trailer from his Shell gas station. More about the Chevy truck later......

The cabin at 29 Palms as it stands today. The outhouse is in the background.

2009-05-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

My parents purchased the cabin sometime in early 1964. The cabin itself has three block walls and one wooden one. A large two-car garage with windows is the best way I can describe it. Dad finished the inside and had electricity connected on June 5,1964. He added an electric stove, refrigerator, air conditioner/heater unit, two sleeper couches, kitchen cabinets, and a table and chairs. Mom made it “homey” with curtains, a rug, nice dishes, etc. All in all, considering where the cabin was located (in the middle of the Mojave Desert) and what it really was (a garage), it was pretty nice. Oh, I did forget to mention one thing….there was, and still isn’t, any running water, although there now is a water meter on the property. At the same time Dad was fixing up the cabin, my grandfather was building an outhouse at his home in Inglewood CA. Sometime in early 1965, the outhouse was moved to the property where it still stands today.

As I recall, one of the reasons my dad bought the cabin was because it was on the way to a gold mine in the Pinto Mountains. He had a vested interest in the mine. So the story goes, the men could spend the night at the cabin and get an early start the next day to work at the mine to get gold. To my knowledge, that never happened. There wasn’t any work going on in the mine itself. At the time, each vested person was required to perform work at the mine to keep the claim in their name. This included keeping the road leading to the mine open and keeping the cabin at the mine in good order. Dad never got any gold from that mine!

The 29 Palms cabin stands today pretty much the way it was after Dad finished it. You will be taken from the start in 1964 to the present. I hope you enjoy this small part of my family history. Comments are always welcome.
The picture on top is of the cabin as it stands today.
The next picture down is the outhouse being moved to the property with my grandfather standing next to it.
The third picture is of the gold mine dated 06-04-59.

Number One Song of The Day....02/01/64 to 03/14/64 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles