In 2004, our youngest daughter, Mary married Richard McKinley, whom she had met at a Cambridge, England. It was a beautiful wedding in April, when everything was green, so green.
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We stayed in Ludlow for a week, and then in Cambridge
for the wedding. (A delightful blogger lives in Ludlow/Shropshire, Carole AnnCarr.)
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| Certificate of Excellence |
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| 1066 or 1183 AD |
Ludlow is one of those English towns where roses and
geraniums grow everywhere, over stone walls, spilling into fences, and along
roads--So amazing that I almost wanted to cry.
I have recently discovered there is a “city” here in
California also called Ludlow. Boy
howdy. Could there ever be such diametrically
opposed cities?
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We discovered this Ludlow, California, as we drove
along Needles Hwy. We
had stopped for petrol/gas and were immediately hit with hot desert wind,
blowing sand-like bits of black lava, from an ancient lava flow, which is now being graded
and ground.
In 1883, Ludlow was once just a water stop for
trains. After gold and copper were discovered, the town's population grew dramatically. The town now
has ten residents left, after the gold and copper mines ceased to produce, in
1940.
Once Interstate 40 was built, the town slowly disappeared. Now there are many empty boarded up buildings, all that remain of the former boom town. In fact, the towns along the old Route 66 also slowly faded away. Ah, well.
Once Interstate 40 was built, the town slowly disappeared. Now there are many empty boarded up buildings, all that remain of the former boom town. In fact, the towns along the old Route 66 also slowly faded away. Ah, well.
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| Walter Feller-Digital Desert.com |
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| Ragtown-Ghost-Town |
It is a “gold mine” now for geologists and history
buffs. Remnants and pieces of old mines and rails
are very inviting to lead those interested through the Mojave Desert to Death Valley
Junction, passing through towns named Baker (Home of the world's largest thermometer) and Zzyzx.
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| It does exist. |
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Depending on your interests, please visit either
Ludlow. Both will astound you.
Please note that the desert photos are copyrighted by Walter Feller - Digital Desert.com. and Mojave Desert Photos . He has several books available for sale on Amazon. His photos capture incredible desert beauty.
I think the first Ludlow would be more my style. But then how can I pass up the second with the world's largest thermometer close by lol
ReplyDeleteBaker is a much desired stop in what will become open desert. The World's Tallest Thermometer is a noticeable piece of the landscape.
DeleteI love all your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI would be in hog heaven in that old mining town...history and rocks and beautiful places!
I am torn between the two myself. But it always come down to history and what catches one. Ludlow in England is marvelous year round. Ludlow in CA is best seen in October through April, as the summer is unbearably hot.
DeleteWhat an interesting contrast between the two places. I think I would enjoy them both!
ReplyDeleteEach have their own beauty and interest.
DeleteThe contrasts are stark. Ludlow CA does have sunsets like roses.
ReplyDeleteWhen we lived in Victorville, we went on walks with our children just as the sun was setting. The air would be cooler (94 deg.) and the colors fabulous.
DeleteNeither are within easy visiting distance. Both have beauty. My father would love the second Ludlow (we camped by disused mine shafts when I was a child so he could explore). I am always blown away by how green the UK is.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a hard decision: one or the other.
DeleteI miss green so much. We moved from Victorville (Mojave Desert) to Cork, Ireland (so green).
Great shot out the cave!
ReplyDeleteNow, how would you pronounce that road?
I will take a shot: Ziz-icks. That is the closest I can think. Be sure to check out its history. It is pretty interesting.
DeleteOlde English villages can be so pretty can't they? I do miss them sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLudlow, CA sounds an interesting area to visit.
A coin toss is the only way to decide.
DeleteI remember seeing the sign for Zzyzx on the way to Las Vegas when I was a kid. My brother and I spent many miles trying to figure out how to say it. Ah, good times.
ReplyDeleteMy regret is that we didn't take that turn-off and see what was there.
DeleteIt's a toss-up as to which would be better to visit. The English Ludlow is so pretty, the American one would be great for stark photographs.
ReplyDeleteGoing to Amazon soon to check out Walter Feller's books. His photography is intuitive.
DeleteIt’s Ludlow, Shropshire for me. Particularly since I live just 30 minutes by car away and make Ludlow my shopping town. It’s a gorgeous place, a gem among the usually mundane and samey English towns.
ReplyDeleteWe stayed in "Rose Cottage" for a week, just outside Ludlow, and toured around. Walked around the castle with a booklet, stood beneath the garderobe. Saw Darwin's statue. It is a town to be explored.
DeleteI would love to be where the flowers grow, but beautiful sunsets touch my heart.
ReplyDeleteIf only each were a few miles apart? No, that would ruin the mystery of each.
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