Laws Railroad Museum; A Gem in Owens Valley

[@bythebay72]

Mr. Smart was the star of this video. Thanks for bringing him to you tube...and thanks for the tour

[@johncraig3948]

I have not been to Laws in over 40 Years! Looks like a really cool Museum where you can see machines actually work

[@FromShetoMe]

Go on a Wednesday or Saturday when the volunteers are there to demonstrate the equipment.

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

Great video! My family and I have been visiting Laws as long as I can remember on our way to fishing in the High Sierras, first at a place called Paradise and later Convict Lake. We’ve made many fond memories exploring the Eastern Sierra and Highway 395. Laws is a true gem that everyone who drives 395 needs to visit. Fun fact, the Laws Museum has been working with the LADWP, who still owns much of the land in Owens Valley since building the LA Aqueduct, for the past several years on extending their track along the original C&C right of way south a couple miles to provide longer rides in their Brill Car.

[@FromShetoMe]

That would be wonderful. They would get a lot more traffic if they did that.

[@davidplotkin5173]

Thank you Debi for your wonderful narration and introduction to this gem. I'm making a list of sites to definitely visit when I get on the road, and this is going on the list! Plus, with a bunch of BLM land in the area, it's terrific to take one's time and visit the whole area. I never would have known about this had it not been for your sharing of this adventure. Thank you.

[@flybyairplane3528]

FSTM. DEBBIE, Hello, hearing you mention a narrow gauge RR, I always think of the old RIO GRANDE RR, that old wood fired locomotive always shows up in western movies, nice place that MUSEUM you visited , lots of neat stuff. enjoy your trips regards to JOHN, happy trails ,cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, that train provided us with a re-supply when I was attending Colorado Outward Bound School in 1972. And then 4 years later, it dropped John and me off at the same spot when we were on our honeymoon and were backpacking. And then in 1989 we rode it with our son when we were on a Backroads Bicycle tour. So many fond memories surrounding that train.

[@BillSprague]

PDA Pretty Darn Amazing! Thanks for yet another bucket list item.

[@garygus5966]

I love trains !!!

[@willar7179]

I’m sitting in my PW Ontour in the parking lot of this place watching the video again. Mr Smart was showing some different rocks to a family and when they left we got to talking. He reminded me of this episode and I have just watched it again. You did a super job of showing what a great place this is. I expecte to spend an hour or so here and have been here 5 hours. Definitely worth the detour from the 395.

[@FromShetoMe]

So glad you stopped. Like you, I thought it would be a quick walk around but I got so engrossed in all the history. And good to know that he actually saw the episode because I never heard back from anyone there.

[@willar7179]

@@FromShetoMe he said he was embarrassed that he was in so much of the video, but I think he was secretly proud.

[@44cornpops]

What a great video ! Beautiful edited and captured the essence of era . Can't wait to visit

[@TM88FYI]

Good morning!!

[@spellmadam2947]

We truly enjoyed this. Thanks so much for sharing. We may need to take another road trip

[@alexharris5985]

I share your love of that area, have ya’ll gone to the White Mountains to see the bristlecone Pine trees? absolutely unprecedented. There is a lovely doable hike that will impress you beyond words and offer wonderful pictures and videos to share

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, love that area. It was closed that week.

[@marym9618]

Zentnerds unite!!! I got hooked on his videos several months ago and now I am just itching to go rockhounding every weekend!

[@FromShetoMe]

If I could be 20 again, I'd be in his classes!

[@angpb6176]

Wow, so much respect for the volunteers and stewards of this amazing place. Loved your tour guide! My Dad was railroad and his Dad mining - he would love this. Thank you for taking us along on the tour.

[@TravelsofRedRover]

Great video Debbie. I really wished I had seen this video yesterday. We literally blew by there today. In a hurry to catch the end of the fall color in Mono County. Thanks for sharing. Law’s Museum is now on our short list of must sees. Bye for now.

[@janetfolkerts5827]

Wow..so much history, a place to acquire great appreciation for where we have been to get where we are..THANK YOU for sharing.

[@casedoumasr656]

Great museum love it spent over 5 hours here it just keeps going and going ❤️🚂⛏️🇺🇸🏆

[@mysticalmisfit1332]

Hi Debbie & John🙋🏽‍♀️ Wow! Loved this. My dad would enjoy this museum too. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@davec9244]

new to your channel !the museum is now #1 on my list must see the hit and miss engines My ears perked up when you sad deny nerds ,or zet nerds do you watch Nick too got to love it ,brought to you by Vinmans Bakery !!! me too thank you for the education

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, we love Nick.

[@lisadudley5890]

Fascinating. Awesome video.

[@timphillips4072]

amazing how easy he starts the motors a part of history indeed

[@TM88FYI]

Very interesting video. Thank you very much.

[@steves524]

😀 Looks like a great tour..

[@afwilbanks4172]

Debbie, you are always teaching us about our heritage. Love it, Love it, Love it!!! Where was John's ice cream??? A nice video.. thanks 😊

[@doggonervn211]

I can tell I will need to spend more time going thru the Bishop Valley when down in Eastern California. Maybe I can "pick" your brain on how you do all these new video tricks in your videos. Inquiring minds want to know, LOL! I may have to change editing programs!

[@FromShetoMe]

Happy to share.

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Wow! What an incredible museum! Loved your editing & music - nailed the feel of the place.

[@kathyowens9901]

Wow Debbie that was awesome, imagine using that equipment back then, did you see that anyone ever made money off those mines? That would be interesting, thank you for taking us with you!

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Really interesting. Did you open the safe? Great video. Thanks

[@sportynat8702]

That was a great video of interesting sites off the beaten path. This must have been earlier in the summer or early Fall before the Sequoia fires.

[@FromShetoMe]

September 8.

[@timsmith7625]

Looks like you got a nice private tour. Will have to check it out when in the region again. Alaska next summer and adjusting the trip to shorten it and then will head south, so maybe 2022 fall. You should be working on that safe and combination to fund your travels and video productions!

[@FromShetoMe]

I'm guessing it's empty. I told her she should get in touch with the guy who has the YT channel, "LockPickingLawyer"

[@timsmith7625]

@@FromShetoMe That’s what I suspect, but a nice attention getter to help drum up visits! I’m good for doing that as these places need to stay alive in these times.

[@timsmith7625]

@@FromShetoMe Also, bought the Omni stove and some of the inside attachments. May be emailing for help on cooking with it as I’m not a very good cook. Maybe you guys should go to Alaska again and I can learn from the experts!

[@BobKeefe]

Superb video! You do such a great job at these. 😀👍 I especially appreciate the little B roll inserts showing the obscure people/items you reference.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks. I love rabbit holes and ended up learning all about Jeanette MacDonald. It was fun.

[@kxrv6629]

Another great video Debbie. We were here last April 1st when it was only semi-open and there was no train running. Still had fun exploring the outsides

[@camperab]

Thanks for your video. A very interesting museum indeed!

[@ellemdee276]

As you said, it's very cool to be able to walk right into the exhibits & get a hands on experience as opposed to seeing everything behind glass. That level of engagement, along with the top-drawer volunteer docents, makes it much more memorable. I'm thinking this is not very far (an hour?) from Whitney Portal Rd so this museum definitely earns an entry on the ol' bucket list near that one, too. Thanks for telling us about it!

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, one hour north.

[@despinaraizes4757]

Another interesting place to add to my travel destinations. The room with all the wheels going at the same time reminded me of a Rube Goldberg contraption. Thank you for another adventure for me to watch from my comfy chair while my RV outside is feeling lonely.. Hope the delta variant goes the way of the Dodo Bird soon.😉

[@FromShetoMe]

I made the same Rube Goldberg observation when we were there. Will be great when/if things settle down. Has been a trying time. Was recently reflecting on the "infliction of emotional distress" caused by the pandemic.

[@rickguthrie7662]

I knew John is a great videographer, but I did not know what a great whistler he is. Nice intro John!

[@cheryl7917]

Wow, perfect timing for you to post this video. I'm headed to Death Valley in about a week and Bishop is one of our overnight destinations. Your Death Valley videos have been a great inspiration for my upcoming trip. You are so talented at filming, editing, music choices and narrating. The information you include about the places you go is always interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing and inspiring others to visit the great places you go.

[@FromShetoMe]

I think things are cooling off DV but could still be pretty warm. If the pool has re-opened at the ranch or Stove Pipe, you can pay a nominal fee and get in both a shower and a swim. And the fall color in the Eastern Sierra should be fantastic.

[@barbaracade7785]

Wow what an awesome place, somewhere Dean and I will go next visit, I love poking around living museums like this. How long did you guys spend there?

[@FromShetoMe]

3 hours but would have stayed longer but it was 100 degrees.

[@nomdeplume9603]

Debbie- I just discovered your channel! I've learned so much ! Also very much enjoy your format. I acquired a 144" High Roof Sprinter recently that was done by SyncVans in Sun Valley. I was wondering if you'd entertain doing a video to help me outfit it for cooking and warming it up a bit to make it more homey. I live in Laguna Niguel! -Hersch

[@FromShetoMe]

Hersch--we're on the road this month. I wish I had more time/inclination to organize my videos but I have done videos on cooking/kitchen gear. And what I take changes with the seasons. Focus on small and minimal. The less you take, the happier you will be. Start with the bare essentials. I'm more into utilitarian than homey so I'm probably not the person to advise you on that. But if I were you, I would just take the van on outings because you'll find your needs will change significantly as you travel. And I would also use your travels to help you personalize the van. Pick things up as you go that will remind you of your great adventures. Have fun!

[@Tony-um2el]

What a Fabulous place. Thanks for taking us along. Was that a real Budweiser wagon? Not So did a great job of showing the workings of the mill. Bucket List for sure.

[@FromShetoMe]

Full size replica of a borax wagon.

[@Tony-um2el]

@@FromShetoMe In the one barn was a Budweiser wagon, just wondered if was actually real.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@Tony-um2el Don't know but I'm guessing it was.

[@jeffreyraines4913]

Absolutely a “must see” on a future trip. A perfect place to take the grandkids ( or anyone) to learn history up close. A great example of local museums that are all across this country. Thanks for sharing 🇺🇸🙏

[@mikenewmanhayes2010]

Last time I was there was 1979

[@FromShetoMe]

You need to come back. The volunteers have done a great job.

[@tdadventures]

Wow !! Fascinating !!! hmm Do I hear a future road trip from CA to MA along route 6 from you? That sounds like fun.

[@FromShetoMe]

Looking into the route.

[@jmorfin6649]

Is it wheelchair accessible? I would love to take my parents there.

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes it is.