While in the Borrego Springs area, also drive across the valley to check out the metal sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda. They're located in a various locations, easily accessible and truly remarkable, especially The Serpent.
A couple of things you may or may not know. Harry Oliver stated that he thought most people would just take the rocks from one end of the pile to the other, making the monument a "moving" structure if you will. His old adobe Borrego home is just across the street, the water tower is still there. Harry was a two time Academy award nominee for set design and is well known for the old "witch house" in LA, which he also designed. "Desert" Steve Ragsdale is the founder of the town Desert Center, he actually built his own grave and monument near the town, but the state wouldn't allow him to be buried there... His grandsons still live in the area. The Thomas L. Smith, which most people claim is THE Pegleg Smith have been grossly misinformed. He stole around 5000 horses and sole them in Taos, he was married into several tribes which helped him when he was a trapper. But in 1881 Horace Bell wrote a book entitled "Reminiscences of a Ranger," in which he described Smith as the "most prolific liar" he has ever met. Thomas knew of the lost gold story and would tell a whopper if you bought him drinks or food. The real Pegelg was most likely a military man assigned at Ft Yuma. The gold, if you follow the clues correctly is most likely in the Fishcreek Mountain area. Philip A Bailey's book "Golden Mirages" explains it all, Bailey was able to meet Pelegs partner who told him the whole story...
Cool asl I love you shirt your kiddo is sporting! Watching more of your videos. Are you a teacher or a travel guide (not sure if that is the right word). Your videos are always so interesting and educational. They are always a great length. Long enough to give a little bit of history and other cool information, but short enough that when I reach the end I pause feeling like I really want to know even more about the area, and decide that this next place is a spot I have to visit! :) Great videos! TY!
What an awesome video. The years I lived there I was honored to be one of the judges of the Peg Leg Smith’s Liar Contest. It was a great even and the stories were so great to listen to. People would show up, camp out, have fires etc. it was a great time. Again, fond memories. On a side note, what camera system and setup do you use for filming when driving?
That's great. Would love to check out the contest. I bet it is super fun. For driving we usually use a DJI Osmo Action attached to a GoPro suction mount. Or someone just holds the camera.
@@SidetrackAdventures Itbwas super fun. People would dress up and spin some pretty good tall tales. Phil Brigandi was a great story teller, one of the best. Since the State Parks took over the property where the monument is they don’t hold the contest there anymore. If you search Phil Brigandi you can learn more about it. The winner gets to pick from a table of random, donated trophies. Thanks for the camera info.
While in the Borrego Springs area, also drive across the valley to check out the metal sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda. They're located in a various locations, easily accessible and truly remarkable, especially The Serpent.
A couple of things you may or may not know. Harry Oliver stated that he thought most people would just take the rocks from one end of the pile to the other, making the monument a "moving" structure if you will. His old adobe Borrego home is just across the street, the water tower is still there. Harry was a two time Academy award nominee for set design and is well known for the old "witch house" in LA, which he also designed. "Desert" Steve Ragsdale is the founder of the town Desert Center, he actually built his own grave and monument near the town, but the state wouldn't allow him to be buried there... His grandsons still live in the area. The Thomas L. Smith, which most people claim is THE Pegleg Smith have been grossly misinformed. He stole around 5000 horses and sole them in Taos, he was married into several tribes which helped him when he was a trapper. But in 1881 Horace Bell wrote a book entitled "Reminiscences of a Ranger," in which he described Smith as the "most prolific liar" he has ever met. Thomas knew of the lost gold story and would tell a whopper if you bought him drinks or food. The real Pegelg was most likely a military man assigned at Ft Yuma. The gold, if you follow the clues correctly is most likely in the Fishcreek Mountain area. Philip A Bailey's book "Golden Mirages" explains it all, Bailey was able to meet Pelegs partner who told him the whole story...
Thank you for the additional information. I saw the water tower across the street but was unaware that was where Henry Oliver lived.
The gold in under the rock pile.
My thought exactly, So, it must be there!
@@rickuest1512
I love your videos! More and more please!!
Cool asl I love you shirt your kiddo is sporting!
Watching more of your videos. Are you a teacher or a travel guide (not sure if that is the right word). Your videos are always so interesting and educational. They are always a great length. Long enough to give a little bit of history and other cool information, but short enough that when I reach the end I pause feeling like I really want to know even more about the area, and decide that this next place is a spot I have to visit! :) Great videos! TY!
What an awesome video. The years I lived there I was honored to be one of the judges of the Peg Leg Smith’s Liar Contest. It was a great even and the stories were so great to listen to. People would show up, camp out, have fires etc. it was a great time. Again, fond memories. On a side note, what camera system and setup do you use for filming when driving?
That's great. Would love to check out the contest. I bet it is super fun. For driving we usually use a DJI Osmo Action attached to a GoPro suction mount. Or someone just holds the camera.
@@SidetrackAdventures Itbwas super fun. People would dress up and spin some pretty good tall tales. Phil Brigandi was a great story teller, one of the best. Since the State Parks took over the property where the monument is they don’t hold the contest there anymore. If you search Phil Brigandi you can learn more about it. The winner gets to pick from a table of random, donated trophies. Thanks for the camera info.
Plot twist: the gold is under the rocks!
That would be hilarious.
I was thinking the same thing.
Plot twist: The gold is actually under the rock pile. The more people that search, the harder it will be to find. Brilliant!
That would be pretty funny. Who knows what is under that pile.
Is the Pumpkin Patch still there?
Hope you find the gold.
Still looking for it.
There is no pegleg gold in California
Read the story you'll then know it's not