Fantastic job telling the story of your older brother's encounter with one of the most evil individuals known to man. Of course, that is true, but thankfully Dave could see he was at the wrong place and left. Also, the encounter with Tex watson (cold blooded killer) could have ended badly. Congrats on a happy ending to this chapter for your family!
Your Brother is very lucky to be alive......Most all folks who stumbled upon paranoid Charlie's little family at Barker Ranch were never seen again, buried 8 ft down in the surrounding desert.....One fellow who was touring Death valley and never got close to Barker Ranch was encountered and killed for his VW beetle which Charlie's boys liked to strip down and turn into dune buggies...I'm frankly surprised that your brother wasn't simply killed for his dirt bike by Tex that first day when he was alone..............Your Brother had angels on his shoulders that day..............
Thank You ! We had messaged about 2 yrs ago concerning Manson, your brother and friend Michael Meyer. I had purchased his book and absolutely loved the stories he told of his days as a Ranger. Thank you for making this video of your brothers stories to add just a little more insight into this mass murderer. Your skills of story telling are truly getting more and more interesting. Trudy
I could hear Lennon screaming ‘helter skelter’ while I was riveted to your brother’s recollections. You can still feel the madness, the horrific presence. Those rangers did an incredible job capturing that band of miscreants. Thanks for making the difficult climb, and sharing the history.
Wow😱 Finally got enough WiFi to stream your DEATH valley video. Appropriately we drove through Panamint Valley today on our way to Ridgecrest. What a harrowing experience your brother survived. Thanks for sharing and re-tracing his tale
Well Holy Moly!!! An amazing story from your brother. I was on the edge my seat watching today’s video. Having grown up in LA during that time, hearing this brought back all the incredible strangeness and scariness for this high school kid at the time! Phew for Dave!
This is one of the most interesting stories I've ever stumbled onto via TH-cam's suggestion column - really nice job putting this together with just the right amount of interaction from the on-camera interview mixed in at the right times...awesome job !!
Very interesting and scary story. Well done! Your background music is perfect. I am always conscious of it and I’m amazed how you always have great music that matches the theme of your video.
Wow! This was so creepy. I remember hearing stories of Manson’s early days here in Indiana before he headed west.I didn’t realize that they captured him in Death Valley. Your brother is so lucky to have evaded the “family”…
Debbie is a filmmaker now! I can see the efforts of your course in the amazing opening guidebook sequence and the overlays of your brother speaking while you explore the area he describes, looks great. My question is what did Dave say to y’all when Manson was caught, “Hey I know that guy!” ;)
I remember the day. We were watching the news in front of our black and white Zenith. We already knew the story of their meeting many months earlier so it was a shocker when he said that was the guy. The murders had left everyone on edge. I told Dave he should go to the police. Glad he didn’t take my advise because it could have made all of us vulnerable to attacks by other members, some of whom are still devoted followers.
Your story telling skills are so impressive! I’m going to send this to our smart TV and have my Death Valley-loving family members watch the whole thing. Thanks Debbie and John!✌️
Gave me shivers! Wow, fascinating story and atmospheric video. Thanks to you and your bro for sharing it. Took me right back to being terrified as a kid.
This is a great video you did on this, I'm so glad I happened onto it. Years ago I went to Barker's Ranch with a group on small dirt bikes. (I'm 73 now & do those trips in my Jeep) It was when the ranch buildings were very complete, before it was all burned. We were able to sit at the concrete "booth & table" inside, where they likely ate, & there was still the old Servel LP gas refrigerator that they'd used. I agree with your choice on the bathroom cabinet where Charlie was captured. I too sought it out, & your picture matches the room I saw. At the time I was there the cabinet had already been taken by a souvenir-hunter, but the bathroom fixtures were still in place. Your brother's instincts were good & likely saved his life. I read of some miners who lived near the Ranch. Tex Watson asked one of them to accompany him to look at some ore he'd found. The man turned him down & said later he had the distinct feeling that if he & Tex walked up there, he would not have returned. Tex Watson was one freaky-crazy guy & was wearing his usual sidearm,. I'm glad you made it on your e-bikes too. That terrain can be treacherous, changing with each passing storm. I'm passing this video on to friends, excellent job!
I was there in 2007 on a KTM 990r came over Mingal Pass. This was before the cabin was burned out, and in pretty good shape. It was a creepy place to say the least!! Each year in February, we camp in Furnace Creek and ride DV. Spectactual place!! Thanks for taking me along.
One of the best youtube stories I've seen! You have a talent. I would love to view more of your adventures! Just fun &interesting. I also have spent some time in Death Valley. Thank you for your narrative and scenery. Great Job! Thank you.
oh, I chanced to stumble upon this great video. I was also fascinated with death valley and avid watcher of many videos on death valley. It is really astonishing that 68-70 year elders could do this sort of adventure into the remotest places. Feeling so grateful for this video, which took me on a free tour of Barker Ranch.
Whoa. First - loved your editing & music. Second - good on you for being so persistent. Rest - yay for your brother for surviving that whole scenario. Holy crap. Unless you lived in CA during that time, you can’t understand that fear of what happened. Last - my ancestors were the people stuck there in 1849. Asabel & Sarah Bennett. I really enjoyed this one!
Wild story. Thanks for telling it. I got to see it one month before the fire. Ya'll are crazy to try that on those scooters. It's hard enough in a Jeep. Glad to see you lived to tell the tale. The Death Valley Germans perished not far from there.
When I was 6 and living in Death Valley in 1063, I remember hiking up some canyon with my parents and one of the rangers to check on a hermit. I remember once we got the shack/house how much greener it was, with shade trees. Must have had water. Unfortunately the guy was not there. Wish I could remember more of the story of who he was, and the spot. So cool that you made this video to remember the story of your brother. So much gets lost as we age, lol. Thanks, brought back some great memories of Death Valley.
The ability to talk your way out of a sticky situation is an important life skill! My friend, who grew up in a gang area, shared that he avoided being pressed into a gang with a strong sense of "gotta go"
in the summer of 68 my dad, a NYC cop took me to visit his best friend growing up in brooklynwho was living in laguna beach. The pacific coast highway at nite was packed with young hippies, many who lived in caves in the canyons running out of laguna ! It was quite the adventure , we also visited tijuana where i bought sandals, leather belt and fireworks ! No charlie manson sightings but plenty of wild people, a far cry from booklyn but stories to tell my classmates my freshman year in september ! Now i want to go to death valley ! never gave it a thought till watching your videos, thanks for the inspiration !
I don't know if you know but you are an inspiration you're a real powerhouse I don't know if you're married but the way you put that truck together and that bicycle and all your stuff and just went down the road all to tell a story I appreciate you that's so deep to me!
A buddy and I drove up several years ago and even with 4WD it was a scary drive. I did like seeing the ground water occasionally bubbling up from the road! Great video! And your brother's story was excellent. I wonder whatever happened to the bus? Supposedly it was up there with everything else through the 1980s.
Wow quite a story. I was just a kid but I remember my older sister was so freaked out about them, especially the runaway girls. She had been a runaway girl in LA in that period. Wow you look amazing for 68 btw, and a bright storyteller too. Ditto for your bro! ✨
My best friend and I used to spend a lot of time camping in the Panamint mountains and valley back since 1970. We had many an encounter “ meeting “ those hippies over the last 40 plus years.Some not so good! I’ve seen Barker ranch in tact and even saw the cabinet where Charlie was hiding in the ranch. I was always careful as I was a California police office since 1973 and got a lot of good advise from cops back then not to trust or become overly friendly with strangers we meet out in the back country. I even met Ma Barker once at the Indian ranch. Panamint has alway been the Wild West!
Was there one night 2001 I think it cursed me, later on when i went back to Burbank this problematic kid who was my roomate brought in some psycho homeless guy who stayed with us for a few days and it was a very very scary and uncomfortable experience. Its weird as if the Manson spirit brought it on while i was out there. I was gonna camp out but got there late and had no idea how hot it was, it was night, i remember seeing that house, and the hot wind and that sign squeaking in the wind and white scorpions all over the dirt. There is another Balarat legend Seldom Seen Slim.
This was an incredible experience to watch. My best friend Don from many years later recounted a similar encounter there. Though thankfully, they bailed really fast after running into Tex in their 4WD Jeep. I ran into them (sorta) as a kid riding my bike to see the Spahn Movie Ranch because my Dad instilled a love of westerns into me. I remember them as hippies like my sister, cousin and their friends. But there was a weird vibe that even 8 year old me picked up on. Quentin Tarantino's great film brought all this back to me. My brother in law house sat at the Cielo Drive home. I guess I visited him there too but I don't remember that as different from other brief visits to Bel Air homes with my Dad. Thank you for sharing. Sharon Tate was a truly beautiful person who reminds me so much of my older sister. I so wish Rick and Cliff could have saved her. There is nothing funny about it. Just a longing for a safer feeling LA.
My son in law, a US ARMY Ranger took me up that canyon and into Butte Valley. There’s a book written in the 80’s by an old miner. The title is, There’s Ghosts in These Canyons. Or something like that. He tells of his encounters with the Manson Family there in Death Valley. Great video, glad you made it out of there safely.
Back in August 1978 I read a bunch of incredible books that changed my life. One, a paperback from a guy who was in the Manson family but escaped from Charlie with the help from an old prospector/roscicriucian/mountain man. I've never heard of this guy or seen the book again. He got away right before the murders went down in L.A. I think his name was Bob or something common like that. I still can't believe I never saw his name again. God really saved him. I wonder what became of that guy?
@@FromShetoMe Really? Do you remember his name? Remember how the prospector put up a psychic wall so Charlie couldn't get to him and all his crappy vehicles kept breaking down? In all the reading on the " Family " I did I never saw his name. I want to say it was Bobby.
@@FromShetoMe Please do if you can not forget me. Funny thing is the other day here in Reno I saw one of the books I bought back in August '78; " The Miracle of Fasting " by Paul Bragg. I bought it again 44 years later. By the way I sincerely enjoyed your video. Pleasantly odd the synchronization that life brings to us . Have a safe trip back home 🏡.
Probably named after Ballarat in Australia. The first time I went to Death Valley was on spring break with my parents in our Ford pickup and trailer, in 1969. I was 10 years old.
Good job. Often I don’t care for music people use. Some scenic place with hard rock Musi. Your music was very appropriate for your story. It was a near thing for your brother AND ballarat Bob. That bunch was crazy!
I honestly think my experience at age 13 was scarier than this one. I would often beg to fish overnight at the Santa Monica pier back in 1970. I would get dropped off around midnight, then take busses back to Eagle Rock to be back home by 6 so I could be at school at 7. One night, just after 2 AM, from a distance I saw four other kids running onto the pier and coming towards me. At first I was thankful that I was going to have some company, but then I saw it was some well-known school bullies from my junior high school. They were the ones who always chased me after school and would throw stones, bottles and sticks at me or want to fight. I looked behind me hoping to see a grownup, but I knew already that I was all alone out there, just like I always was. Then the bullies were right on me throwing hard punches. I fought them the best I could, even got a few good punches in. But I was easily beaten about the face until I was bloody. After doing that, they all grabbed me and had almost thrown me off the pier into the dark water below. The only thing that saved me was me grabbing tightly ahold of one of the littlest guys and whispering into his ear, "It's time to get wet, little Ricky!". I was already hanging off the pier, but I was bringing him right along with me. He quickly yelled, just like a girl, "PULL HIM BACK, PULL HIM BACK!". Then the other three pulled us back up onto the pier with me still clenching ahold of Ricky. Before he knew what was happening, I threw him into the other three and climbed up on the railing and had kicked them away as they tried to come get me, or push me off. But I eventually knew my only escape was jumping into the water and swimming to shore. I acted the bravest I could. "I'm not scared of a little water, I'll just jump off myself and race you f@gg*ts to the beach! Last one there is a rotten egg!!!" It was either that or them knocking me out and throwing me off anyways. I did my best backflip off the pier and into the water. When I hit the surface I went down underwater about 17-18 feet, the deepest I'd ever been. Our swimming pool at home was only 9 feet deep, and even that depth hurt my ears. When I finally came to the surface, I looked up to see the four bullies looking down at me to see if I was even going to surface. Then I had to kick away from a barnacle-crusted piling to get away from the dangerous pier and the current that was trying to take me under it. After that I had to swim straight ahead about a hundred yards in order to get to a place where I could make it safely past the section of pier that stuck out where the rides were located. It was a moonless night and the water was very dark. I'd never swam in dark water before, it was very scary. I swam as fast as I could. I swam very, very fast. The whole time my nose, eye and lip was still bleeding. I pictured man-eating Great White and Tiger sharks smelling the blood from a mile away and coming right after an easy meal, racing each other to be the first to take a huge bite out of me. I thought about stingrays and jellyfish, and muscle cramps that stopped me in my tracks, too. But after about six long minutes I finally got close to the shore. I saw the bullies just getting there to the beach. They had beaten me getting there, like I had expected. I haven't a clue what took them so long. Well, they did have to run a long way though, not just off the pier and right onto the beach. When I walked off the beach I expected to have to fight with them again. But instead, they were all smiles. "Wow, that was pretty brave, what's it feel like to do that!" and "We would never do what you did, here, want my dry shirt so you won't get yelled at for being wet when you get home?" was what I heard them saying. It was then that they told me that my own mother and sisters had given them $20 to beat me unconscious and throw me off the pier. They dug in their pockets and came up with around $2 in coins they still had left, then gave it to me. They said we'd talk at lunch at school, and I was invited to hang out with them from now on. I did for a little bit, too. "If you want to destroy your enemies, you don't have to fight them, you just have to make them want to be your friend instead" It lasted about a week, then they were right back to pestering me after school again. My older sister a year older than me had something to do with that though. I saw her talking with them between classes. She must have said something to them. But yet here I am, I'm still here in the year 2024! Well, that's my true story anyways. Do you think it sounds scarier than meeting Manson and his followers as an adult or not? "In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it." (Abraham Lincoln)
@@FromShetoMe Many thought had gone through my mind that one night. I got another hundred true stories though. That was simply one of them. I've been through a whole lot. Thank you for reading what I wanted to share.
@@FromShetoMe Good point. The road is always unpredictable and changes with weather. My Sprinter is 4WD and lifted but I doubt I would try it. E-bikes were a great choice for you. I have a standard Mt. Bike I like to bring and it was handy exploring the Jeep trails around Greenwater in Death Valley.
Just bums me out that some dingbat decided to burn down Barker Ranch house, because it was "evil". Eventually, will drive my Jeep up Goler Wash and visit Barker Ranch, myself. As an aside, I'm 68, too. Enjoyed your video.
Good tour of the ranch. I lived in Ridgecrest for 45 years and knew about it but never went back in there to explore. Knew a guy that pumped gas at Little Lake Hotel off highway 395. Charlie Manson got gas there regularly. The hotel is gone now.
A real experience having met the Manson clan! Glad he made it out ok. By the way, when he took the two passengers into town, he didn't say if he had to drive with nose clips on🤢
I have been going to Panamint Valley since 1970. Me and my best friend have encountered many a hippy in those mountains . We always kept to our self’s while meeting these guys but it was intimating. I saw Barker ranch before it burned down and saw the cabinet Charley was hiding in still attached to the wall. I could probably tell a hundred stories. Since I was always a certified California police officer I got a lot of advise from other cops in that area. Always carry a gun! I am now 74 years old!
My old boss Larry H (USMC) was the pilot LAPD flying the helicopter the day they raided the ranch. He was also airborne over the shoot out with the SLA that had kidnapped Patty Hearst. RIP Larry
Wow. This video continues to amaze me with all the comments from people who have their own stories to tell. I'm assuming there is no video from the vantage point of law enforcement.
Got a flat tire three weeks ago after stopping at that very Ballarat sign. Took 5 1/2 hours to get the tire plugged and back on the road. But enough of my bad memory. You're story is great and the editing very good indeed. Well done!
Death valley the lowest point in the United States is also extremely close to the highest place in the lower 48 states which is Mount Whitney, approximately 120 miles apart.
The girl he can't remember was probably Ruth Ann Morehead. The age is right and her dad supported them to a degree. And she was one of the group that got arrested at Barker Ranch so she could have been there at that time. But who knows.
Her father Dean Moorehouse was a former Baptist preacher who had become enamored of Manson .Ruth Moorehouse would continue to play a role in the family and was one of the ones to get an X on her forehead.
That was an Erie happening and thank God your brother was a quick thinker, wow. And, I felt your pain when you were on the ground because this 68 year old took a header on the ice a few days ago, we just don’t pop right back up quite so fast do we. But, thankful that wounded pride was the worst injury. You do a great video, thanks.
It wasnt Charlie Manson, but met and partied with Jim Morrison at this remote hippy commune in the Mojave desert in the 60's. Just rambling around...trippin on sunshine!! Lol
The good old Trail 90, road looks pretty rough now- years later. I hiked up Surprise Canyon in 07'. Rocky at Ballarat was telling me about the Ballarat Bandit- no relation to Bob. Another example of weirdness from Panamint Valley. Fascinating story. That meet with Tex would have been scary- he was the worst one of the lot. Of course, there are some happier stories about Death Valley- like some of Ed Abbey's adventures.
Quite a story. I am in the process of going back and watching all your videos. Just love them. Saw you use a cell phone to level your RV. What ap do you use? Thanks.
I use the one that comes on the phone called “Measure.” It has a “level” tab on it. Just a warning, the farther you go back in my videos, the more amateur they become.😅
How is Rocky doing? He saved my butt one time when I knocked a tire off its bead coming down from Brigg's. I stayed at Barker a few times too, before some idiots burned it to the ground.
Dave was a true pioneer in the world of 'Adventure' riding. Very chilling story. Thank you!
Had many good 4WD trips all around that area back when the building was still standing like in the picture. Thanks for the memories.
Fantastic job telling the story of your older brother's encounter with one of the most evil individuals known to man. Of course, that is true, but thankfully Dave could see he was at the wrong place and left. Also, the encounter with Tex watson (cold blooded killer) could have ended badly. Congrats on a happy ending to this chapter for your family!
Your Brother is very lucky to be alive......Most all folks who stumbled upon paranoid Charlie's little family at Barker Ranch were never seen again, buried 8 ft down in the surrounding desert.....One fellow who was touring Death valley and never got close to Barker Ranch was encountered and killed for his VW beetle which Charlie's boys liked to strip down and turn into dune buggies...I'm frankly surprised that your brother wasn't simply killed for his dirt bike by Tex that first day when he was alone..............Your Brother had angels on his shoulders that day..............
Loved this. Another 68 year old here who needs to start adventuring.
Definitely get out there because, as you know, it only gets harder.
I'm only 61 and with all my ailments I couldn't do that already But I am in the market for a van Gona do some traveling while I still can
Thank You ! We had messaged about 2 yrs ago concerning Manson, your brother and friend Michael Meyer. I had purchased his book and absolutely loved the stories he told of his days as a Ranger. Thank you for making this video of your brothers stories to add just a little more insight into this mass murderer. Your skills of story telling are truly getting more and more interesting. Trudy
I could hear Lennon screaming ‘helter skelter’ while I was riveted to your brother’s recollections. You can still feel the madness, the horrific presence. Those rangers did an incredible job capturing that band of miscreants. Thanks for making the difficult climb, and sharing the history.
That was Paul.
@@lyndonreddick1888I got blisters on me fingers
What a story!! If your brother only knew who he was really dealing with .He was a brave soul.
Amazing. Just an amazing story. Thanks Dave. Thanks Debbie and John for being so persistent in finding the ranch so we could see it.
Wow😱 Finally got enough WiFi to stream your DEATH valley video. Appropriately we drove through Panamint Valley today on our way to Ridgecrest. What a harrowing experience your brother survived. Thanks for sharing and re-tracing his tale
Fascinating. I do believe you should do a mini documentary on your brother Dave, as I suspect he has many stories to tell.
Sounds right
Wow! That is quite a story! I'm certainly glad your brother came through it unharmed! Please keep up the great videos...
Well Holy Moly!!! An amazing story from your brother. I was on the edge my seat watching today’s video. Having grown up in LA during that time, hearing this brought back all the incredible strangeness and scariness for this high school kid at the time! Phew for Dave!
This is one of the most interesting stories I've ever stumbled onto via TH-cam's suggestion column - really nice job putting this together with just the right amount of interaction from the on-camera interview mixed in at the right times...awesome job !!
Thank you so much. My brother died last week and he was such an inspiration to me.
Yes, I agree
I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing both your stories. This one in particular has always fascinated me.@@FromShetoMe
Amazing story! 💥💯Great filming and editing also. Sorry to hear of your brother's passing.😔
I love that Matt’s Offroad recovery plug! Cracked me up
Very interesting and scary story. Well done! Your background music is perfect. I am always conscious of it and I’m amazed how you always have great music that matches the theme of your video.
Great story. Im going to Ballarat tomorrow for a week . Thanks for sharing
Great presentation of your brother's adventure. Wow...not something I would want to experience, but totally interesting. Thank you
I love the choice of your music. It’s very interesting, and not too loud!
Wow! This was so creepy. I remember hearing stories of Manson’s early days here in Indiana before he headed west.I didn’t realize that they captured him in Death Valley. Your brother is so lucky to have evaded the “family”…
Debbie is a filmmaker now! I can see the efforts of your course in the amazing opening guidebook sequence and the overlays of your brother speaking while you explore the area he describes, looks great. My question is what did Dave say to y’all when Manson was caught, “Hey I know that guy!” ;)
I remember the day. We were watching the news in front of our black and white Zenith. We already knew the story of their meeting many months earlier so it was a shocker when he said that was the guy. The murders had left everyone on edge. I told Dave he should go to the police. Glad he didn’t take my advise because it could have made all of us vulnerable to attacks by other members, some of whom are still devoted followers.
@@FromShetoMeProbably the wisest decision your brother made was to get away from that luny bunch. Great video and great story
What a fascinating story and footage thanks for sharing.
Your story telling skills are so impressive! I’m going to send this to our smart TV and have my Death Valley-loving family members watch the whole thing. Thanks Debbie and John!✌️
There are lots of fascinating stories from DV.
WOW! Thank you for sharing your brother’s story.
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. It actually gave me chills. I can’t believe your brother lived to tell the story!
Me too!!
That was a lot of fun and very informative! Thanks for all your hard work and excellent editing . . .
Gave me shivers! Wow, fascinating story and atmospheric video. Thanks to you and your bro for sharing it. Took me right back to being terrified as a kid.
This is a great video you did on this, I'm so glad I happened onto it. Years ago I went to Barker's Ranch with a group on small dirt bikes. (I'm 73 now & do those trips in my Jeep) It was when the ranch buildings were very complete, before it was all burned. We were able to sit at the concrete "booth & table" inside, where they likely ate, & there was still the old Servel LP gas refrigerator that they'd used. I agree with your choice on the bathroom cabinet where Charlie was captured. I too sought it out, & your picture matches the room I saw. At the time I was there the cabinet had already been taken by a souvenir-hunter, but the bathroom fixtures were still in place. Your brother's instincts were good & likely saved his life. I read of some miners who lived near the Ranch. Tex Watson asked one of them to accompany him to look at some ore he'd found. The man turned him down & said later he had the distinct feeling that if he & Tex walked up there, he would not have returned. Tex Watson was one freaky-crazy guy & was wearing his usual sidearm,. I'm glad you made it on your e-bikes too. That terrain can be treacherous, changing with each passing storm. I'm passing this video on to friends, excellent job!
Thank you! I’m guessing that road got pummeled in the storms from past 2 years.
Loved this video, very interesting. I’m 73 so I can relate to this story. I forgot Manson was captured in Death Valley.
I was there in 2007 on a KTM 990r came over Mingal Pass. This was before the cabin was burned out, and in pretty good shape. It was a creepy place to say the least!! Each year in February, we camp in Furnace Creek and ride DV. Spectactual place!! Thanks for taking me along.
One of the best youtube stories I've seen! You have a talent. I would love to view more of your adventures! Just fun &interesting. I also have spent some time in Death Valley. Thank you for your narrative and scenery. Great Job! Thank you.
Thank you!
@@FromShetoMe NO! THANKYOU!
Thanks for sharing. Dave’s story gave me the chills! Glad you didn’t get hurt on your fall.
oh, I chanced to stumble upon this great video. I was also fascinated with death valley and avid watcher of many videos on death valley. It is really astonishing that 68-70 year elders could do this sort of adventure into the remotest places. Feeling so grateful for this video, which took me on a free tour of Barker Ranch.
You are so welcome!
I remember hearing about that family on the news while the family was still on the run. Your brother is a very lucky person! Good video too!
What a great format. You're so creative.
Wow! What a great video and story! I loved it. Well done.
This was fascinating! Thank you for sharing it with us.
"Frasier is down!" John cracked me up. Only old goats like me get that reference.
Whoa. First - loved your editing & music. Second - good on you for being so persistent.
Rest - yay for your brother for surviving that whole scenario. Holy crap. Unless you lived in CA during that time, you can’t understand that fear of what happened.
Last - my ancestors were the people stuck there in 1849. Asabel & Sarah Bennett.
I really enjoyed this one!
Wow, related to the Bennetts. That’s so cool. I read Manly’s book as a teenager and was so impressed.
What a story! Thanks for sharing.
Wild story. Thanks for telling it.
I got to see it one month before the fire.
Ya'll are crazy to try that on those scooters. It's hard enough in a Jeep.
Glad to see you lived to tell the tale.
The Death Valley Germans perished not far from there.
When I was 6 and living in Death Valley in 1063, I remember hiking up some canyon with my parents and one of the rangers to check on a hermit. I remember once we got the shack/house how much greener it was, with shade trees. Must have had water. Unfortunately the guy was not there. Wish I could remember more of the story of who he was, and the spot. So cool that you made this video to remember the story of your brother. So much gets lost as we age, lol. Thanks, brought back some great memories of Death Valley.
Could have been Ballarat Bob. He was actually using Barker Ranch when Charlie came in and basically pushed him out.
Great video Debbie. Really good. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, fascinating story - thanks for sharing!
Very nice editing on this video!
68??! Damn, Girl, you look amazing!
The ability to talk your way out of a sticky situation is an important life skill! My friend, who grew up in a gang area, shared that he avoided being pressed into a gang with a strong sense of "gotta go"
Yes, and a sense of humor too.
in the summer of 68 my dad, a NYC cop took me to visit his best friend growing up in brooklynwho was living in laguna beach. The pacific coast highway at nite was packed with young hippies, many who lived in caves in the canyons running out of laguna ! It was quite the adventure , we also visited tijuana where i bought sandals, leather belt and fireworks ! No charlie manson sightings but plenty of wild people, a far cry from booklyn but stories to tell my classmates my freshman year in september ! Now i want to go to death valley ! never gave it a thought till watching your videos, thanks for the inspiration !
My first impression of Laguna was in 1966, driving north on PCH and being greeted by the Laguna Beach Greeter.
@@FromShetoMe the guy with the big white beard ! a summertime santa claus ! they had him on postcards ! I need to go back there for a visit !
I don't know if you know but you are an inspiration you're a real powerhouse I don't know if you're married but the way you put that truck together and that bicycle and all your stuff and just went down the road all to tell a story I appreciate you that's so deep to me!
Thanks! I think everyone has the abilities to do the same and hopefully people see that if I can do it, they can do it.
A buddy and I drove up several years ago and even with 4WD it was a scary drive. I did like seeing the ground water occasionally bubbling up from the road!
Great video! And your brother's story was excellent. I wonder whatever happened to the bus? Supposedly it was up there with everything else through the 1980s.
I think it might still be there. The Power Wagon is down at Ballarat.
Now I want to explore Death Valley! Thanks for the video, Debbie. I can see that you are incorporating ideas from your film course. Nice work!
Nicely done.
Thank you.
Wow great story. Thanks to you and your brother for sharing!
yep, 68 and falling off a e-bike is some bold frisky move's and a flat tire out there and the party is over...thanks for the ride thru.
Love your channel
Wow quite a story. I was just a kid but I remember my older sister was so freaked out about them, especially the runaway girls. She had been a runaway girl in LA in that period.
Wow you look amazing for 68 btw, and a bright storyteller too. Ditto for your bro! ✨
My best friend and I used to spend a lot of time camping in the Panamint mountains and valley back since 1970. We had many an encounter “ meeting “ those hippies over the last 40 plus years.Some not so good!
I’ve seen Barker ranch in tact and even saw the cabinet where Charlie was hiding in the ranch.
I was always careful as I was a California police office since 1973 and got a lot of good advise from cops back then not to trust or become overly friendly with strangers we meet out in the back country. I even met Ma Barker once at the Indian ranch. Panamint has alway been the Wild West!
This was great..!!!, and your brother was lucky to be able to escape, ! cheers!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
68!? You look wonderful!!! And you said Matt's off ride towing that so funny I was just watching them today 😊
One of our favorite channels.
Oh wow!! What a creepy and scary story. So glad your brother was able to fib and leave safely to tell this story.
WOW.. what a story.... I had chills the whole video.. I kinda didn't want you to be in that area! Thanks for sharing.
Was there one night 2001 I think it cursed me, later on when i went back to Burbank this problematic kid who was my roomate brought in some psycho homeless guy who stayed with us for a few days and it was a very very scary and uncomfortable experience. Its weird as if the Manson spirit brought it on while i was out there.
I was gonna camp out but got there late and had no idea how hot it was, it was night, i remember seeing that house, and the hot wind and that sign squeaking in the wind and white scorpions all over the dirt.
There is another Balarat legend Seldom Seen Slim.
Yes, but I wasn't able to learn much about him.
@@FromShetoMe google it
Wow your brother is a very lucky guy to have escaped from Charlie! Thanks for the amazing story😲
This was an incredible experience to watch. My best friend Don from many years later recounted a similar encounter there. Though thankfully, they bailed really fast after running into Tex in their 4WD Jeep. I ran into them (sorta) as a kid riding my bike to see the Spahn Movie Ranch because my Dad instilled a love of westerns into me. I remember them as hippies like my sister, cousin and their friends. But there was a weird vibe that even 8 year old me picked up on. Quentin Tarantino's great film brought all this back to me. My brother in law house sat at the Cielo Drive home. I guess I visited him there too but I don't remember that as different from other brief visits to Bel Air homes with my Dad. Thank you for sharing. Sharon Tate was a truly beautiful person who reminds me so much of my older sister. I so wish Rick and Cliff could have saved her. There is nothing funny about it. Just a longing for a safer feeling LA.
Thanks for adding your story here. I’m curious if you followed a link here and if so from where.
@@FromShetoMe Gosh. I think it just showed up in my YT feed because I have been watching stuff about Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.
@@daveschlom4033 Interesting. Thanks so much for letting me know.
My son in law, a US ARMY Ranger took me up that canyon and into Butte Valley. There’s a book written in the 80’s by an old miner. The title is, There’s Ghosts in These Canyons. Or something like that. He tells of his encounters with the Manson Family there in Death Valley. Great video, glad you made it out of there safely.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
This gave me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing.
Great story have been to Death Valley many times but, never was aware that Charles Manson camp in the valley. Thanks for taking me on this adventure.
Very interesting story, thanks for sharing 👍👍
Wow, morbidly fascinating! Well done!
Back in August 1978 I read a bunch of incredible books that changed my life. One, a paperback from a guy who was in the Manson family but escaped from Charlie with the help from an old prospector/roscicriucian/mountain man. I've never heard of this guy or seen the book again. He got away right before the murders went down in L.A. I think his name was Bob or something common like that. I still can't believe I never saw his name again. God really saved him. I wonder what became of that guy?
I remember reading about him as well.
@@FromShetoMe Really? Do you remember his name? Remember how the prospector put up a psychic wall so Charlie couldn't get to him and all his crappy vehicles kept breaking down? In all the reading on the " Family " I did I never saw his name. I want to say it was Bobby.
@@andyokus5735 When we get back home in a few weeks I will see if I can find it in my records.
@@FromShetoMe Please do if you can not forget me. Funny thing is the other day here in Reno I saw one of the books I bought back in August '78; " The Miracle of Fasting " by Paul Bragg. I bought it again 44 years later. By the way I sincerely enjoyed your video. Pleasantly odd the synchronization that life brings to us . Have a safe trip back home 🏡.
@@andyokus5735 I think you mean Paul Watkins - he wrote a paperback, I think it was 'My time with the Manson Family' or similar! Peace!
Probably named after Ballarat in Australia. The first time I went to Death Valley was on spring break with my parents in our Ford pickup and trailer, in 1969. I was 10 years old.
Good job. Often I don’t care for music people use. Some scenic place with hard rock Musi. Your music was very appropriate for your story. It was a near thing for your brother AND ballarat Bob. That bunch was crazy!
I honestly think my experience at age 13 was scarier than this one. I would often beg to fish overnight at the Santa Monica pier back in 1970. I would get dropped off around midnight, then take busses back to Eagle Rock to be back home by 6 so I could be at school at 7. One night, just after 2 AM, from a distance I saw four other kids running onto the pier and coming towards me. At first I was thankful that I was going to have some company, but then I saw it was some well-known school bullies from my junior high school. They were the ones who always chased me after school and would throw stones, bottles and sticks at me or want to fight. I looked behind me hoping to see a grownup, but I knew already that I was all alone out there, just like I always was. Then the bullies were right on me throwing hard punches. I fought them the best I could, even got a few good punches in. But I was easily beaten about the face until I was bloody. After doing that, they all grabbed me and had almost thrown me off the pier into the dark water below. The only thing that saved me was me grabbing tightly ahold of one of the littlest guys and whispering into his ear, "It's time to get wet, little Ricky!". I was already hanging off the pier, but I was bringing him right along with me. He quickly yelled, just like a girl, "PULL HIM BACK, PULL HIM BACK!". Then the other three pulled us back up onto the pier with me still clenching ahold of Ricky. Before he knew what was happening, I threw him into the other three and climbed up on the railing and had kicked them away as they tried to come get me, or push me off. But I eventually knew my only escape was jumping into the water and swimming to shore. I acted the bravest I could. "I'm not scared of a little water, I'll just jump off myself and race you f@gg*ts to the beach! Last one there is a rotten egg!!!" It was either that or them knocking me out and throwing me off anyways. I did my best backflip off the pier and into the water. When I hit the surface I went down underwater about 17-18 feet, the deepest I'd ever been. Our swimming pool at home was only 9 feet deep, and even that depth hurt my ears. When I finally came to the surface, I looked up to see the four bullies looking down at me to see if I was even going to surface. Then I had to kick away from a barnacle-crusted piling to get away from the dangerous pier and the current that was trying to take me under it. After that I had to swim straight ahead about a hundred yards in order to get to a place where I could make it safely past the section of pier that stuck out where the rides were located. It was a moonless night and the water was very dark. I'd never swam in dark water before, it was very scary. I swam as fast as I could. I swam very, very fast. The whole time my nose, eye and lip was still bleeding. I pictured man-eating Great White and Tiger sharks smelling the blood from a mile away and coming right after an easy meal, racing each other to be the first to take a huge bite out of me. I thought about stingrays and jellyfish, and muscle cramps that stopped me in my tracks, too. But after about six long minutes I finally got close to the shore. I saw the bullies just getting there to the beach. They had beaten me getting there, like I had expected. I haven't a clue what took them so long. Well, they did have to run a long way though, not just off the pier and right onto the beach. When I walked off the beach I expected to have to fight with them again. But instead, they were all smiles. "Wow, that was pretty brave, what's it feel like to do that!" and "We would never do what you did, here, want my dry shirt so you won't get yelled at for being wet when you get home?" was what I heard them saying. It was then that they told me that my own mother and sisters had given them $20 to beat me unconscious and throw me off the pier. They dug in their pockets and came up with around $2 in coins they still had left, then gave it to me. They said we'd talk at lunch at school, and I was invited to hang out with them from now on. I did for a little bit, too. "If you want to destroy your enemies, you don't have to fight them, you just have to make them want to be your friend instead" It lasted about a week, then they were right back to pestering me after school again. My older sister a year older than me had something to do with that though. I saw her talking with them between classes. She must have said something to them. But yet here I am, I'm still here in the year 2024! Well, that's my true story anyways. Do you think it sounds scarier than meeting Manson and his followers as an adult or not? "In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it." (Abraham Lincoln)
All I can say is, wow.
@@FromShetoMe Many thought had gone through my mind that one night. I got another hundred true stories though. That was simply one of them. I've been through a whole lot. Thank you for reading what I wanted to share.
Nice job on the video! I enjoyed it very much. I was in Ballarat recently but didn't make it to Barker Ranch. I hope to get there next time.
I’m wondering how the road is after last year’s summer storms and then this winter’s record rains.
@@FromShetoMe Good point. The road is always unpredictable and changes with weather. My Sprinter is 4WD and lifted but I doubt I would try it. E-bikes were a great choice for you. I have a standard Mt. Bike I like to bring and it was handy exploring the Jeep trails around Greenwater in Death Valley.
Awesome shout-out to Matt's Offroad Recovery! :D
“Thought it was my bones”. Lol. I know the feeling more every day!
awesome video. thanks
That was a very interesting story Dave told, enjoyed the way you incorporated it into the present day🚐
Yes, I had to stew on it for a year to figure out the best way to share it and not creep myself out.
wow so cool ride and amazing you are 68 years old.
70 now. But thanks.
@@FromShetoMe you looks like 50:)
@@fenjafenja5677 Thank but not up close. 😅
Oh wow. What a wild story.
Very cool video and editing. Well done.
Glad you are ok after your spill.
Some awesome bruises.
Just bums me out that some dingbat decided to burn down Barker Ranch house, because it was "evil". Eventually, will drive my Jeep up Goler Wash and visit Barker Ranch, myself. As an aside, I'm 68, too. Enjoyed your video.
How far from LA is Barker Ranch?
6 hours or so.
Good tour of the ranch. I lived in Ridgecrest for 45 years and knew about it but never went back in there to explore. Knew a guy that pumped gas at Little Lake Hotel off highway 395. Charlie Manson got gas there regularly. The hotel is gone now.
Yes, it burned many years ago. A shame because it was a cool building.
A real experience having met the Manson clan! Glad he made it out ok. By the way, when he took the two passengers into town, he didn't say if he had to drive with nose clips on🤢
LOL. Probably because the car didn't have AC and the windows were probably down the whole way.
I have been going to Panamint Valley since 1970. Me and my best friend have encountered many a hippy in those mountains . We always kept to our self’s while meeting these guys but it was intimating. I saw Barker ranch before it burned down and saw the cabinet Charley was hiding in still attached to the wall. I could probably tell a hundred stories. Since I was always a certified California police officer I got a lot of advise from other cops in that area. Always carry a gun! I am now 74 years old!
You should write down your stories. Might be of interest to a historical society or your descendants.
My old boss Larry H (USMC) was the pilot LAPD flying the helicopter the day they raided the ranch.
He was also airborne over the shoot out with the SLA that had kidnapped Patty Hearst.
RIP Larry
Wow. This video continues to amaze me with all the comments from people who have their own stories to tell. I'm assuming there is no video from the vantage point of law enforcement.
Got a flat tire three weeks ago after stopping at that very Ballarat sign. Took 5 1/2 hours to get the tire plugged and back on the road. But enough of my bad memory. You're story is great and the editing very good indeed. Well done!
Wow. Never had to plug a tire.
Death valley the lowest point in the United States is also extremely close to the highest place in the lower 48 states which is Mount Whitney, approximately 120 miles apart.
The girl he can't remember was probably Ruth Ann Morehead. The age is right and her dad supported them to a degree. And she was one of the group that got arrested at Barker Ranch so she could have been there at that time. But who knows.
Thanks for the info.
Her father Dean Moorehouse was a former Baptist preacher who had become enamored of Manson .Ruth Moorehouse would continue to play a role in the family and was one of the ones to get an X on her forehead.
@@kimballamram552 Frightening.
Great video !
My sister-in-law dated Tex Watson in college in Texas.
👏
OMG, now that would be quite a story.
Did she get a shiver off of him?
That was an Erie happening and thank God your brother was a quick thinker, wow. And, I felt your pain when you were on the ground because this 68 year old took a header on the ice a few days ago, we just don’t pop right back up quite so fast do we. But, thankful that wounded pride was the worst injury. You do a great video, thanks.
Had some nasty bruising but otherwise, good to go.
It wasnt Charlie Manson, but met and partied with Jim Morrison at this remote hippy commune in the Mojave desert in the 60's. Just rambling around...trippin on sunshine!! Lol
The good old Trail 90, road looks pretty rough now- years later. I hiked up Surprise Canyon in 07'. Rocky at Ballarat was telling me about the Ballarat Bandit- no relation to Bob. Another example of weirdness from Panamint Valley. Fascinating story. That meet with Tex would have been scary- he was the worst one of the lot. Of course, there are some happier stories about Death Valley- like some of Ed Abbey's adventures.
This was fantastic!!!!! Better than cable tv !!!!
Wow. Thanks.
Wow 😮!! This is a good one. Thank you.
What a great story! Please tell your brother "thanks"; I enjoyed this video very much! Interesting content and wonderful music score!
Quite a story. I am in the process of going back and watching all your videos. Just love them. Saw you use a cell phone to level your RV. What ap do you use? Thanks.
I use the one that comes on the phone called “Measure.” It has a “level” tab on it. Just a warning, the farther you go back in my videos, the more amateur they become.😅
Wonderful video and you guys rock!
You guys are narly.. love you GOD bless you ❤️💞🥰
How is Rocky doing? He saved my butt one time when I knocked a tire off its bead coming down from Brigg's. I stayed at Barker a few times too, before some idiots burned it to the ground.
Rocky?
Tell me more.
What kind of vehicle are you using? Seems very up to the task!❤❤❤
Those were RAD E-bikes.