The Tonopah Temptation Workshop in May 2011

[ghostcount]

First timer here. I'm anxious on an agenda/schedule. Any word from Jim or Per for more details? Do I really need a 4x4 for this excursion?

 

[mike c]

No,there are some dirt roads,but nothing a regular passenger car can't handle. I did get stuck in the sand once when driven off the hard packed dirt road but the guys pushed me out right away.

 

[Curt]

I rode out to the secret place with "Outwest" in his Ram Diesel 4x4, going a hundred miles per hour I couldn't say what the road conditions were. It was an "E" ticket at Disneyland for those who remember what an "E" ticket was.

Ghostcount and others, I was filled with anxiety my first time there, I flew into Las Vegas with 50 pounds overweight in the luggage, I fell asleep at the airport going out and missed the flight because I was tired from packing and repacking the night before, they booked me on the next flight, Southwest, I brought everything but the kitchen sink. My advise is to relax, take what you are comfortable with, don't worry about having the wrong equipment and look forward to a really fun time. I rented a Toyota Prius and it was on a plan of its own, I drove off the road in Death Valley when it just took off.

I'm game in the back but managed to go everywhere the others went. I did have boots which were nice for the trekking we did, all easy stuff. I have to say this about the Tonopah workshop, the people I met there were the greatest bunch I've ever been with. I will always remember it as a highlight of my life. No kidding I didn't know that there were people out there who met at these events and loved the craft and had a really super time doing it.

It's too bad the restaurant in Goldfield closed up, they had a great Buffalo burger, but there are other places to eat. Maybe it's me having grown up in a small town but I really enjoyed Tonopah, a few blocks long but all that's needed. The grocery store has everything you forgot to take, I went there for bottled water and other treats. Be sure to obey the traffic laws and speed limit. They will follow you around at night and if you speed through town you will probably get a ticket. Other than that the people there are are really friendly.

If you come for the first time and have the time Rhyolite is down the road, it's a very special place, often seen on the History Channel, Death Valley is there too but most of you know this.

Bring prints if asked and have a lot of fun, I'll be thinking of you folks.

Curt

 

[ghostcount]

Thanks Curt for the reassurance.

I might stop by Rhyolite and hoping to camp in DV on Sunday if there's availability on their grounds. I'm banking that people will be leaving DV since it the end of the weekend - I'm dreading it if they are full and wouldn't have a place to stay Sunday night.

 

[markbarendt]

Ghost,

Get your camp early in the day then go explore if you can.

May is pretty warm during the day in DV so I am going to guess that tourist trffic will be tailing off and that there will be room to camp.

If there's no room around Furnace Creek just head for Stovepipe Wells. The dunes are a fair walk but a great subject!

Try carpooling some too once you get there, once you leave town there is nothing close so a little company is great to have.

 

[ghostcount]

Thanks Mark, I didn't think about Stovepipe. The sand dunes would be nice to see if the weather is not too bad. I was just checking the weather in DV and it seems to be north of 90's this time of the year.

 

[outwest]

I'd go again just for the special omelet at the hotel/casino restaurant. Remember, you get extra points if you bring along an old Ford hubcap for Jim. Hey Curt, you may have missed the reason we were going so fast - the saucer was gaining on us! Seriously, it was truly a great experience.

 

[SUNdog]

Tonopah

Hi:

Oh's, bys the ways stays offs Nevada's 375; manys a workshopee has disappeared whiles ons it!

I's suspects they's kept ins this here building!

JP

 

[jimgalli]

I think Per's out of the country right now. As soon as he's back we'll firm up an itinerary which we ultimately won't stick to.

As to hostelries, I recommend the Hi Desert and the Jim Butler. The Hi Desert Inn is decorated tastefully with Jim Galli photographs of the surrounding area.

 

[SUNdog]

Hi All:

In all seriousness, the Tonopah/Goldfield area is unique with a rich cultural heritage. It is one of my favorite places to visit and photograph and one with the most friendly of folks.

Jim and Per put on a wonderful workshop and it is one that I thoroughly enjoy. There's a lot of opportunity for large format work and also to just play around with little snappy cams. I'm not sure if I'll make it this year as I think I'm on the waiting list, but I wish everyone a great time.

JP

PS - a few more pics from around that area

Amargosa Valley

Beatty

Scotty's Junction

Goldfield

Tonopah

 

[2F/2F]

I have contracted Jim, and told him that if there is a group of two, or two singles, on the waiting list, you can have my two spots. I am not going to be able to make it due to my busy schedule. Darn it. Have fun, folks! Maybe next time...

 

[lilmsmaggie]

I think Per's out of the country right now. As soon as he's back we'll firm up an itinerary which we ultimately won't stick to.

Yep - I'm guessing Per should be back around April 25th.

 

[jimgalli]

The Tonopah Skyline

skyline, tonopah, nv​

New York ain't the only place with a skyline.

 

[mike c]

Jim,Tonopah seems to have alot of tin!

 

[Asher Kelman]

Looking for another attendee from L.A. to share the drive.

Who needs to ride to Tonopah for the workshop and has not made driving arrangements? I'm in L.A. and would like to invite one or two folk to share the ride. I have enough space for 3 soft cases and boxes for the LF camera etc. Tripods too.

Asher

 

[outwest]

Nice shot, Jim!

 

[madmax]

Any recommendations on which route to take . The one thru 395 or the other one thru DV First timer here and help would be great . I will taking lge and small format stuff but will be working in large as much as poss

 

[jimgalli]

Any recommendations on which route to take . The one thru 395 or the other one thru DV First timer here and help would be great . I will taking lge and small format stuff but will be working in large as much as poss

Highway 395. It gets really gorgeous around Cartago and up through the eastern Sierra. If you have the time you can go all the way to Mono Lake region and then come across to Tonopah on Monday AM via Hwy 120 and US 6.

 

[ghostcount]

madmax, I'm in the same quandary. I plan on coming up either Saturday or Sunday and can't decide between camping in DV or camping in Lonepine.

 

[williamtheis]

so I'm coming from Sonoma county... what was that about wine? I got reds & whites to share...

coming with a buddy and we will meet up in Ridgecrest... his 4x4 will be towing my 4x4....

 

[jimgalli]

so I'm coming from Sonoma county... what was that about wine? I got reds & whites to share...

coming with a buddy and we will meet up in Ridgecrest... his 4x4 will be towing my 4x4....

Any Dago Red always appreciated!

 

[madmax]

Very possible might have room for traveling buddies have a 4 door F250 truck diesel gets 20 miles to gal. Waiting for wife to say yes or no. There was one person in Anaheim might buddy up will know by next monday

 

[SUNdog]

Tonopah

Yep, we's gots cows bigger'n Texas, just don'ts trys milkin's it!

Stateline

And we's gots RonsPauls better'n Texas too.

Tonopah

JP

PS - Seldom Seen Slim is one of my favorite real life desert characters, a picture of him hangs above the bar in Panamint Springs and another in the historical museum at Beatty. If coming through either, stop and have a look.

 

[mike c]

madmax,lets form a convoy starting from San Diego up to LA then over to Tonopah .

Mike

 

[madmax]

consideer it done that would be fun we could change leaders and you get tp pick the photo-stop on the way there