Return to Volcano Days

58 and overcast, light drizzle that is almost a mist. Same yesterday. Not rain, but we'll take it.

I have been to, and posted about Volcano Days before. This celebration of the early boom days of oil and gas exploration in our state,  and of the boomtown of Volcano, is always a fun, laid-back event. You can see my earlier posts about the festival here and here, and the ghost story we found on our first visit here.

Creativity at work!

This little vehicle could turn on a dime.

A 1921 gas-powered washing machine, a bit newer than the one I used back in our non-electric days that was hand-cranked, and made in 1883.

An early gas- powered water pump.

Gas-powered machinery was used for many tasks, as depicted in these old photos.

It fascinates me to watch the old machines work. 

This one is called the Do-Nothing Machine, which is exactly what it did, but such a hoot to watch.

Larry really enjoyed the old cars. That wagon he's pulling? We bought it at the festival, and it's hauling our other purchases. This festival is always a great place to find good items for our booths.

Homemade blackberry ice cream? Yes please!

We were tempted to buy some raffle tickets for the restored John Derek, but resisted the urge.

I did buy some of this corn meal, though, and looking forward to some good cornbread.

There were plenty of people there to enjoy the festival and the cool weather made it an enjoyable day.

The festival seemed smaller this year, and I was sorry to find that the big, old operating well was not on display. The owner of that setup was quite elderly in 2007, so it's possible he is no longer able to bring it. 

Still, there were many other old hit-and-miss engines on display,  along with a few steam whistles, antique vehicles, and homemade contraptions that added to the fun.

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