Gold Rush Transforms Gooch/Monroe Families

Not everyone who came out to the California Gold Rush was free to go where they wanted.

But soon the territory, flooded with Argonauts, became a state - a free state.

Lives changed.

I have a screen treatment for this exciting period of American History.

Click here.

Westward Ho!

Rick Newborn (l) and George Alger (r)
Photo copyright: LJ Bottjer

History moves slowly with the Highway 50 Wagon Train Association.


Annually, with a mission to recreate the trek taken by thousands of treasure seekers to the gold fields of California, it lumbers out from Lake Tahoe.

Come along for the ride by clicking here.

Salty Songs with the "Miner's Farewell".

Had it not been for miners, Lake Tahoe could easily have stayed solely the summer home of Washoe Native Americans.


Instead, the intrepid thousands risking life for riches and often paying with death without gaining an ounce of treasure brought the world's attention to the region.

Chris Bayer celebrates the lives of the largely unknown dreamers in an evening of old time music at the Mark Twain Cultural Center in Incline Village on Friday, March 11. Bayer is more than just a talented guy with a banjo.

To continue click here