Had it not been for the Jeep Junkies we would not have had this opportunity. The Castle is an incredible place being built by a lone individual, Randy Johnston. He began the actual building in 2000. It is four stories high and is quite a remarkable feat of engineering. We so much enjoyed his personal tour.
This builder/owner has quite the sense of humor and obviously loves what he is doing. The Castle is off the pavement nine miles on a dirt road that he maintains himself. Along the way are some insights into his humor. One was a scenic turnout which went around a few large rocks. Another was a funny Desert Sanctuary with a female Buddha - rub her belly and become pregnant, male or female, the sign warns.
And, "Rest Area"
Here is the "Emergency Call Box" which contains a tin can on a string.
The main entrance. 
View from the entrance.
Rooms are built around a central core. He built all the doors and hardware and has done all the welding, laid all the blocks..... He owns and plays a theatre organ which will be installed in the house.
The center of the core. When the railings are painted he will be installing a fountain in this area.
After leaving the Hard Luck Mine Castle we continued past and had lunch on the top of the pass leading to Goldpoint. This town has a rich mining past. Rather than being a ghost town as so many towns are, Goldpoint currently has 9 residents and many buildings.
Great little write up you did bout my dad! Im the other Randi Johnston. Just want to say thanks!! As for his humour i know oh too well. One of his classic stunts was he took several coins dimes,nickles,quarters 50cent pieces and silver dollars and weldeed a rod onto one side so when he poured the pad for our garbage cans to sit he stuck the coins on to it. Every trash day wed hide behind the drapes in our house and peek at the garbage men while they lifted up the cans and saw all that money and the things they would do ever so descretely to try and get that money!!! Do me this favor if your ever there visiting him again just ask him to tell you "Who's his favorite kid?"He gets a kick out of that.
ReplyDeleteWell, I really liked the shrine to all of the deities as well. My other car could not make the climb north of there so I had to turn back. Never made it up to the castle but maybe next time I will make the trip.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!