A Flood Destroyed Our Road...Again

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Published 2022-09-25
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Well...it happened, again. Twice in a month our road has been completely washed out. This has halted progress on the American Hotel and everything else. It's been a very trying time, but if I've learned anything in the past 2 years or so, it's that the only way forward is through. So we got back after it and went about fixing the road, once again.

Along the way, I took two side trips that really inspired me and helped keep everything in perspective. I visited the graves of the 1872 Earthquake victims as well as the Burro Schmidt Tunnel. Both really helped me this week as all this was happening. The stories for both are really interesting and I hope you took as much away from them as I did.

More photos and video of Burro Schmidt here: www.instagram.com/brentwunderwood/

Cerro Gordo T-Shirts and more: store.cerrogordomines.com/

Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545

Thank you all so much for the ongoing support for this town and the project. It means the world!

All Comments (21)
  • Ive been dealing with debilitating anxiety for over a decade now. I haven't left my house for anything for over a year. Because of this video I'm heading to a park overlooking my town to just breathe and find hope. Thanks Brent, this video really helped me.
  • @naturalorang3
    You need a civil engineer to do an water runoff & erosion control/mitigation plan. Imagine if this happened when you had a hotel full of guests and you are stuck waiting for the road to be cleared? Fixing the road permanently is going to be more important than finishing the hotel.
  • @RobertRiley
    Are you guys working with a civil engineer? My wife is a CE project manager and when I showed her the video the first thing she said is “that’s not a road, that’s a drainage channel”. She indicated you may want to check for a new alignment since this thing is going to constantly wash out the way it is. In short if you aren’t talking to a civil engineer you may want to consider it to avoid wasting effort.
  • I am a 73 year old woman. I watch your show on a regular basis for maybe 6 mo. Even if things look dreary for you it really gives me something to focus on. I don't go many places but through you I can see things. Like this video, makes my life better and I want to thank you for that. So even if your life is somewhat crumbly at times rest assured you bring joy to others. Thank you.
  • @fordpodge
    Are you OK buddy? Things seem to have gone quiet. Love your videos, your enthusiasm and your constant positive attitude and approach to everything, even when life has thrown some curve balls at you guys. It's inspiring to say the least. You've encouraged me to get out there again, enjoy my surroundings and push to better myself. Huge thanks and hello from NZ.
  • As you have found out there are no quick fixes. A wider road is needed to incorporate culverts, rainbars across the road, and side ditches to divert runoff. Start you water diversions at the top and work downhill. Look at the rain as a water stockpile opportunity to recharge groundwater. There must be areas near the town that can function as empoundments. If anything, berms on contour from the drainages ,out toward ridgelines ,will function to absorb runoff, lessen impact on the road. Again, start at the top, and work downhill.
  • @Scampcam
    As much as it sucks to be delayed, this rain is IMPORTANT. It has shown a weakness you could've otherwise missed, had it not happened. Now you can make plans so it never effects you drastically again, as other commentors have advised.
  • @dogisgood1464
    "One day will be our last and whatever hope we have, has to happen before that day" -Brent Underwood, Ghost Town Living I have a feeling that's gonna be one of those timeless quotations for years to come.
  • @pewpew9193
    Thanks for covering the story of William Schmidt or "Burro Bill". It's like a personal tragedy that turned into dedication & triumph. He was told that his 20 years of incredibly hard labor was wasted, but he didn't think so. Multiple generations later, people still read that memorial & walk through his tunnel. It shows what a dedicated person is truly capable of. The man moved tons & tons of mountain. God speed, William Schmidt.
  • 100 years from now these videos will tell the tale of you and your drive to save the town. What an epic tale that might be.
  • @barrettabney
    This is why ditches exist. You desperately need a water management ditch on the side of the road, with a sloped and graded road surface, so water travels sideways and into the ditch. and not down the entire length of the road. The water needs to be taken down the mountain in the ditch. Not having a ditch is just going to cause a repeat of this over and over again.
  • @Nova2032-
    New Subscriber :-) What a lovely young man you are Brent. You are adventurous, funny, humble, respectful, hard working, and a genuine kind soul. I'm an old gal , born and raised in England. I have been fascinated by the old western days in America since I first arrived in 1985. How lucky we all are, to have YOU, who is so dedicated in preserving History, for all generations to come and see how the early settlers lived. What you are doing, is immensely admired and appreciated by so many people. You have countless wonderful messages. And I can bet, that folks will be talking about Brent Underwood, at Cerro Gordo Mines, for hundreds of years to come. Your video today, really touched our hearts. Henry Burro Schmidt, What an excellent example of determination, and never giving up. This is you Brent! You never give up, and you are a true example of strength for all of us. Take care of yourself, and keep doing what you are doing.
  • I was born in Lonepine and for the first seven years of my life, Ridgecrest was my home. I've only been to Lonepine once, the day I was brought into this world. It's been at least 30 years since I visited Ridgecrest. I've got some plans, with just a little good fortune, that will include seeing Cerro Gordo myself in the future. Brent, do what you can. Don't let this world bring you down. I've often challenged my defeatest thoughts by saying "what else do you have to do?" and that usually turns off my want to go to my comfort zone watching videos on YouTube and doing absolutely nothing, all day. We can only do what's right in front of us at any given moment. God Bless. Have a good day.
  • I was concerned that with all the new people coming. Plus all the new construction, that you would become stressed. Your first videos of being alone, finding your peace. The solidarity of your walks to find the pieces of history for the store. The exploring the mines. You seemed so happy, peaceful with how things were. Don’t lose that part of you. It’s very hard to get back the peace and tranquillity of just being free.
  • @drueatcer
    About five years ago my son and I walked through Burro Schmidt tunnel, it was awesome and appreciated all his work.
  • It’s been a month. Missing you. Hope you didn’t get lost in a mine
  • A fire and 2 washouts. If not for you and your perseverance it could have been the end of the line for Cerro Gordo. I hope my wife and I get to stay a night in the hotel someday.
  • Thank you Brent for giving me personally , a reason to keep going on, I’m 64 and you just showed me that I can Persevere in my life. I’m recently divorced and living with my daughter and her family, I’m not an introvert but I’m also not an extrovert I’m existing but you have showed me another way to live life in a more exciting way Thank you for your insights and imagination to the future! God Bless you in your Quests ! I will try to live a more exciting adventure until My time here on earth is over ! I don’t travel well but I’m going to put one foot in front of the other and regain a more insightful meaning why I’m still here!
  • @budperez2921
    Say Brent, what's going on, how is it going now..... haven't heard from you lately! Please update us with some news I hope is good news. Prayers for you Brent
  • @H.B.Fishing.
    I had been taking care of my dying father and when he finally passed I found your channel. You helped me in so many ways and I want to thank you so much. I have been with you since early on and have been wanting to come visit but I take care of my mom now. Thank you for everything and remember I called dibs on dealing the first poker game at the new hotel. Thanks Brett in so many ways.