
There are a lot of different searching strategies, but at a high level, the basic ones are "Depth First" and "Width First". In non-geek terms, when you get to a "page" do you follow every link until you get to a page with no links, or do you get the whole page, then follow the first link then back up?
Yes, sadly, I think that way.
So, I decided to try mountain biking at SanTan regional park. I went a few weeks ago (and ran over a rattlesnake, but that's a different story) and the riding was ok. But, there is an entrance that is closer to me than the one off Brenner Pass. I decided to try the GoldMine entrance and started biking up GoldMine to get to SanTan when I met a person coming down who said it wasn't ridable and would be hike-a-bike. I turned around and tried a different trail and that is when I saw an abandoned mine. I detoured up to see it before riding back to my car (only by the saving grace of Stan's and tubless tires).
...and now we descend into the search. I got home and searched for "santan park mine". A few links down I found out about the "Lucky Strike Mine". How interesting. There's gold in them thar hills!
Then, I found out that two of the old prospectors are actually buried there! As a matter of fact I rode right by the graves. Wow, I'm observant. But so what, who were these people? What is their story?
Then I found out about Marion Kennedy and Mansel Carter. Fascinating.
From there, natually I had to go back and "run" the trails and go see it for myself.
Now, do these people have relatives? Has someone gathered their DNA to do the DNA genealogy? Regrettably they don't let you inside the fence or let you see the remains. That's why I brought bolt cutters and a shovel! Ok, I might be making that last part up. There are limits to even my "depth first" searches.
I went from "Let's go mountain biking" to "looking at the graves of early miners". I find it interesting that all of this was here, less than 15 miles from my house, and I never even knew about it. It's amazing what you can learn when you're not just driving by places.
After that I finished my "run" (scare quoted due to the amount of hiking above my anaerobic threshold). Here is the hike up. Yes, it really is that steep.
But the views are pretty nice.








