Recent content by Ray Dunakin

In this video we'll take a look at the former copper mining company town of Rio Tinto, NV. This ghost town has some interesting structures. We'll also meet a great horned owl! .

Huge kilns made of brick were built in the mountains of central Nevada almost 150 years ago. In this video we'll be taking a look at two of these charcoal kilns and learning about their history.

Here's something really interesting -- a fairly large mercury mill in northern Nevada. As I explore it, I'll explain the process that was used to extract mercury from the ore.

Come along as I explore a fascinating mercury mine in northern Nevada! The Cordero Mine has some great features, including a large steel headframe and ore bins, a massive two-drum hoist, and another building full of old ore samples.

Here's another new video... A short trip to the Red Ant Mine, an interesting little tungsten mine with an unusual headframe in Nevada.

Wow, I didn't realize that it's been two years since the last time I posted here. Anyway, since I'm now free to travel I've made several trips to Nevada. I took four trips there in 2024 and two longer trips in 2025. I'm just now starting to get videos made using the footage from those trips...

New video - Ocotillo Sunrise: A Desert Adventure I just finished a new video featuring footage from an overnight trip to the desert in February: Ocotillo Sunrise: A Desert Adventure I'm planning to do a lot more videos now that I'm free to travel.

How did you do it??

Thanks for all the kind comments. I made a video tribute to Cris' life to show at her memorial, and it's on YouTube now if anyone would like to see it: Cris Dunakin Memorial 1952-2024 - YouTube

Last January it looked like Cris' time was just about up. But then she bounced back, and ended up making it to our 40th anniversary last month. Unfortunately by that time she was becoming very ill again. Yesterday I lost her. Cris was the sweetest, kindest, most generous and loving person I’ve...

All through January Cris was very weak and tired, and sleeping about 18 hours a day. But recently she's been feeling quite a bit better. She's not sleeping as much and has more energy. The past several nights she hasn't even needed help getting to the bathroom. So for now we're holding off on...

December 3rd was our 39th anniversary. Over the years it's become a tradition for us to deliver a big load of toys to the Salvation Army toy drive on our anniversary, and this year we had Megaweapon totally stuffed with toys: A couple days later we went to Julian, CA and stayed in the...

Here's one more new video: Fall Foliage: Mt. Laguna, CA - YouTube In autumn the conifers and oaks of the Laguna Mountains present a dazzling patchwork of green and gold. Leaves glisten in the October sunlight while woodpeckers and other birds busily prepare for the coming winter. Music...

Here's another new video: Fall Foliage: Cameron Valley, CA - YouTube This video takes you on a flight above the cottonwood trees and willows in Cameron Valley, a patch of sage and grass land in eastern San Diego County. Enjoy the gold and yellow foliage in a typical Western setting! Music...

Fall Foliage: Julian, CA - YouTube I have a new video, featuring the colorful fall foliage that can be seen in and around the historic town of Julian, CA in the mountains of eastern San Diego County. Music: “Reflective Cinematic Piano & Strings” by DNG Music Licensed by AudioJungle .