Back in Black

The Wild dani (that's the latin name for it) and Legs and I went back to Black Diamond Mines in Antioch because we were burned the first time looking for Prospect Tunnel only to turn around several hundred feet from it's opening. But this time we were determined to find it. (and yes, I forgot the flashlight as usual)

These mine birds were very cute until they decided we were scary and all five of them flew haphazardly out of the mine straight into our faces.

We walked in all 200 ft with out a light...there was barely enough coming in through the opening.

Legs went back to escort the dani

Then we saw a little coyote

who went here for water.

The Star Mine. Ooh la la. (Please check this ooh la la wiki entry. Just do it.)

Later Legs grew a snow pea mustache in the cemetery.

Oh, we did find "Jim's" Place and I think that the park service is making up lies about it being cool so that the air shaft attraction nearby gets more visitors. Boo on the backwards map too.

Near death by rattle snake at Black Diamond Mine

I went hiking alone at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. After having visions of a mountain lion jumping on my back from a tree I turned back, only to almost step on a large rattle snake. The snake pretended I wasn't there and allowed me to take pictures of s/he.

Black Diamond Mines is awesome. There are 5 or 6 former town sites and 12 mines. Some of the mines can be explored. For my first trip I forgot to bring a flash light so I'll be going back this summer. Like most ghost towns, Black Diamond Mines has a cemetary full of children. But unlike most mining towns you can pay three dollars for an extensive tour of the undergroud labrynth.