Desert Rats's topics - tribe.net

Check out this web site!

2009-04-14T16:24:27Z

www.basinandrangewatch.org

great photos

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

Link to cool documentary on Nevada

2009-01-12T00:34:05Z

http://www.knpb.org/programming/local/the-big-empty-watch

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Full Moon in the Desert

2008-07-25T05:02:59Z

8/28/08 is suppose to be a pretty spectacular moon glowing in the sky. I'm seriously thinking of ditching work so I can enjoy the sky. Any events I should know of?

posted in Desert Rats - 8 replies

Salton Sea

2008-02-02T13:59:22Z

We just saw the Salton Sea documentary and it inspired a trip one of these days. Is there a particular place or town that is more interesting or convenient than others down there?

posted in Desert Rats - 12 replies

Dunmovin'

2007-12-28T06:51:10Z

I just love the name of that place. A little collection of trailers south of Lone Pine on CA 395. Anyone know the history of the place? It still shows up on AAA maps, even though you'd never guess there was a town there....

posted in Desert Rats - 10 replies

Winter in the Desert

2007-12-23T18:44:33Z

So did you get some snow last weekend from our rainstorm? How do you spend your cold days in the desert? Me? I would love to stay some place that had a reasonably priced hot springs and local shops.
JT here I come!

posted in Desert Rats - 4 replies

2nd Annual Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival

2007-10-07T21:36:20Z

Howdy all!

Just wanted to give everybody a heads up on a smaller homegrown headie festival. I don’t know if any of you heard of the Joshua Tree Music Festival in Cali…but the same fella has put together another festival- Check out their myspace page. At any rate, I’m pretty stoked to be going for the 1st time.

2nd Annual Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival
October 20 & 21, 2007

The 2nd annual Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival is happening October 20 and 21 at the Joshua Tree Lake Campground, in the shadows of the infamous National Park. This rootsicana newgrassy folkadelic experience is for music loving souls of all ages. The music is continuous, alternating on two stages in one bowl, creating an intimate festival experience. Temperatures in the magical Mojave desert in October are ideal!

The festival lineup includes The Avett Brothers, Hot Buttered Rum, Uncle Earl, The Greencards, Dan Bern, South Austin Jug Band, Jake Shimabukuro, Martha Scanlan, Merle Jagger & Tim Easton, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, the Everybodyfields, Bluehouse, Honky Tonk Train, and the Trespassers.

Plenty of on site camping. Children of all ages are welcome. The festival village includes Organic Foods, World Market, KidsVille, Art Installations, the Love Train, daily parades and more. The music begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, and goes til late. On Sunday, music goes from 10:30 a.m. til sunset. Dance under the stars and howl at the moon in this awe-inspiring high desert environ!

Early Bird Tickets are now available now for Saturday ($40), Sunday ($30), or a two day pass for $65.00. Purchases of festival tickets and camping reservations may be made online via the website. To order by phone, call 877-327-6265 toll free. For festival information and to purchase tickets, log onto: www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com

Myspace-
http://www.myspace.com/joshuatreemusicfestival

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

death valley

2007-09-16T21:17:09Z

is large, and I've never been before. I'll have 4 days there over thanksgiving, and suggestions of where I must go?

(I would prefer to be hiking and camping outside of designated campsites while there, but I don't know this desert at all.)

posted in Desert Rats - 18 replies

San Bernardino Aug 21st: Be there!

2007-08-20T21:59:18Z

Hello neighbors,

The County off-road vehicle ordinance will be reviewed by the Supervisors this Tuesday, August 21. Everyone who cares about controlling irresponsible ORV use must be there!

Ordinance 3973 has begun to turn the tide on ORV abuse in the Morongo Basin by restricting ORV trespassing and staging and by increasing enforcement. There is still much to be done, but it is critical that this major step forward not be reversed.

Opponents of the ordinance are promising to show up by the busload. They are putting a lot of pressure on the Supervisors to weaken or repeal the ordinance. If we are to keep the ordinance intact and effective, we must demonstrate strength through numbers. We are also encouraging folks to bring signs to increase our visual presence.

Community ORV Watch is arranging carpooling and also has a map link to the hearing on their Website, www.orvwatch.com. Also on the COW Website you will find Frequently Asked Questions, the text of the ordinance, and many more resources.

If you can't go on Tuesday, we ask that you call your Supervisor on Monday and tell him that you support the ordinance staying strong and intact.

Details, address, and phone numbers are below. See you there on Tuesday, August 21, 10 a.m.!

Best regards,

Christine Carraher
Morongo Basin Conservation Association.
www.mbconservation.org

Hearing: 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 21. Press conference preceding at 9 a.m.

San Bernardino Board of Supervisors
385 No. Arrowhead
San Bernardino, CA 92401

Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, 1st District (approximately 29 Palms and east): 909-387-4830
Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, 3rd District (approximately west of 29 Palms): 909-387-4833

posted in Desert Rats - 1 reply

ORV Hearing Date Changed

2007-07-20T04:54:41Z

THE MEETING DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO AUGUST 21.

TRESPASS. HARASSMENT. NOISE. DUST.
Had enough?

Then you better get ready to roll up your sleeves and defend the law - or lose it!

The San Bernardino County off-road vehicle Ordinance is under attack by an aggressive rider group. They have successfully lobbied the Board of Supervisors to reconsider the ordinance and are advocating a radical new proposal that would gut it. Their proposal calls for the REMOVAL of the trespass provision and the REMOVAL of the staging provision. And what do they want to replace these critical provisions with? An education program. That's it. Hard to believe? See the text and an analysis of their proposal here.

The removal of these key provisions would essentially destroy the ordinance and send us right back to where we were two years ago, with no effective way for desert residents to prevent ORV trespass and to protect their property and the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. Once again, law enforcement would be without the tools they need.

If you agree that we cannot afford to lose any of our progress and the excellent forward step provided by Ordinance 3973, then you need to get to work. All hands on deck! The Community ORV Watch steering committee cannot win this fight alone. It's going to take every resident who cares pitching in and helping out.

To keep Ordinance 3973 alive and working for you, here's what you gotta do:

1. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 21, in San Bernardino. You must be there. You must bring five if not ten friends with you. The rider groups are rallying to get hundreds there; we can't let them outnumber us. COW is arranging carpooling and can reimburse carpools for gas. Contact COW ASAP. Check for updates at www.orvwatch.com .

2. You must write and call the Supervisors NOW and tell them that the ordinance IS WORKING and to keep it strong and intact. You must get five if not ten friends to do the same. See a sample letter here. You can also print the sample letter out and distribute it to others to send in. Find Supervisor addresses/phone numbers below, at the bottom of this message.

3. You must help get the word out about the importance of this ordinance, the danger that it's in, and how others can help:
The COW Website has PRINTABLE FLYERS. Print one out, make some copies, and GET THEM OUT! They need to go to businesses, clubs, friends and neighbors, at swap meets - anywhere you can think of. If you need to be reimbursed for the cost of copying, contact COW. If you're shy but want to help, contact COW about a partner to do outreach with you. Letters to the editor have a BIG IMPACT and are desperately needed. Write today! And call in to radio talk shows. Arrange to have a presentation about Ordinance 3973 to your club, organization, or homeowner's group. Contact COW for a speaker. Post about this issue on blogs and forums.

4. Get signatures on the COW petition. It's printable from the Website here. We must have more signatures by August 1 than the opposition! Petitions need to be returned to COW by August 1; check the Website for pick-up and drop-off options.

5. Get the real story! Ordinance opponents have been aggressive in spreading misinformation. They are confusing people about what the ordinance really says and does. The only way to fight misinformation is with the facts. Educate yourself about the ordinance with COW's friendly Frequently Asked Questions. An informed advocate is a powerful advocate. Send the link on to others who care about this issue. The COW Website also has a PRINTABLE one-sheet Answers to Your Questions About Ordinance 3973 . Print this out, make copies, and get it to anyone who has questions or has been misled by ordinance opponents.

6. Forward this message to others who have been harassed by off-road vehicles in the San Bernardino County desert and are likely to benefit from Ordinance 3973. (But don't spam, please!)

7. Donate funds to COW to help with outreach, carpooling reimbursement, printing costs, etc.

8. There are many other ways to help. Need some direction? Have some ideas you'd like to pursue? Contact COW.

Ordinance 3973 is a fair and reasonable ordinance that was created by stakeholders including property owners, rider groups, and law enforcement. It's working! Let's keep it strong!

Contact your Supervisor:
Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt (District 1) -- (909) 387-4830
Supervisor Dennis Hansberger (District 3) -- (909) 387-4833
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
385 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, California 92415-0181

Hearing on Ordinance 3973 is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, at 385 No. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino.

Hearing dates are subject to change; check for updates at www.orvwatch.com

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

in NM

2007-07-04T05:53:02Z

any good hotsprings???? Taos Santa Fe
Colerado

posted in Desert Rats - 6 replies

your desert needs you

2007-06-28T05:20:53Z

Hi Friends,

Like most of you, I'm here because I love the desert, and enjoy sharing info and stories about this special place. A year and a half ago, Ordinance 3973 was passed in San Bernardino County to control the damage and abuse caused by irresponsable off-road riding. The Sheriff supports it, as does county code enforcement. Large off-road interest groups such as CORVA and ORBA were in on the creation of the ordinance; responsable off-roaders understood that their future riding opportunities might be at risk without better controls on the abusive riders. Ordinance 3973 has been a success, based on input from law enforcement, homeowners, desert visitors, and responsable riders.

A small but vocal coalition of riders want to turn back the clock by overturning the ordinance. The desert could loose it's new found protection from abuse without your help! Please read on, and share this with anybody who cares about the future of this wonderful place!

Defend your rights!

San Bernardino County Ordinance gives you the right to take action against off-road vehicle trespass, harassment and excessive noise and dust. It also requires that large gatherings of ORV's must get a special use permit.

Ordinance 3973 is Working!

The Code Enforcement ORV Team and the Sheriff's Department report that Ordinance 3973 has given them the tools to deal with irresponsible riders and neighborhood nuisances effectively, reducing rider-resident conflict and drains on officer's time.

Ordinance 3973 is under review by the
County Board of Supervisors
NOW!

Defend the law or loose it!

Contact your Supervisor. Tell them that the ordinance is working and needs to be supported with no changes that would weaken it. Write and call! Contact info below. It is critical that the Supervisors hear from you!

Be at the public hearing. Opponents to the ordinance are expected to be there in force. Your presence is critical! Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at the County Building in San Bernardino. Check orvwatch.com for updates and rides.

Get the Word out! Write the newspapers. Call in to the talk shows. Talk to your neighbors!

First District (Twentynine Palms area) Brad Mitzelfelt (909) 387 - 4830

Third District (Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree) Dennis Hansberger (909) 387 - 4855

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors 385 North Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, Ca. 92415-0110

Contact your County Supervisor TODAY!
Tell them to leave Ordinance 3973 just the way it is. STRONG!

Report ORV abuse: (760) 228-5410

Code Enforcement and the Sheriff's department need you to report ORV abuse; their funding and future enforcement depend on it. Learn more about the provisions of the ordinance and how to report at: www.orvwatch.com.

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act - Need Action Now

2007-05-13T23:21:18Z

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act has been recently reintroduced in both the house and the senate. This bill would permanently protect over 9 million acres of Utah's public lands including red rock canyonlands, the Mojave Desert, and Basin and Range wilderness areas. These lands, which are owned by all Americans, are currently being threatened by oil and gas exploration, off-road vehicle use, and other destructive use. This bill would preserve these amazing, pristine, roadless, wild areas for future generations and help preserve a vast array of wildlife such as the desert tortoise, Gila monster, and bald eagle.

This bill needs national support - so please see the attached link to find out how you can contact your state representatives.

http://www.suwa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=work_arwa

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

High Desert Acoustic Music Festival...May 11, 12 , 13

2007-05-07T20:48:01Z

You're invited to three days of great acoustic music in the beautiful Village of Joshua Tree May 11, 12 &13 . National and local artist sharing their talents and time. Camping available. Music, art, food and fun. Tickets are $15 for Saturday. Friday and Sunday are Free! Call for tickets or questions, 760-366-5660
Ralph

ps some vendor space still available.

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

Joshua Tree area needs your help - please read!

2007-05-02T23:06:12Z

Please call or email to help enforce the current laws restricting off-road vehicle abuse (illegal riding, riding in restricted areas, illegal riding on private / protected lands, etc):

cross-posted at:
http://virtualjoshuatree.tribe.net/thread/28c7c1c3-6916-4268-9b30-6a51bbb61e6b?newpostingid=0bdc8bde-9f4e-4dc7-a572-09b973282eed#0bdc8bde-9f4e-4dc7-a572-09b973282eed

Thank you!

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Spring

2007-04-16T17:19:28Z

Snow melt has got the streams running, everything is budding and flowering. Many smiling faces hiking in the foot hills. What a lovely time of year.

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

The desert on NPR

2007-01-17T09:43:28Z

Interesting NPR story about the desert:

http://broadcast.uwex.edu:8080/ramgen/wpr/bok/bok060115b.rm

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Amboy, CA - Breathing life into a faded desert landmark

2007-01-17T09:15:06Z

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-amboy17jan17,0,5203777.story?track=tothtml
Breathing life into a faded desert landmark
Amboy was lively till old Route 66 was bypassed. Now a fast-food magnate has a vision of reviving its crumbling modernist cafe and motel.
By Mike Anton, Times Staff Writer
January 17, 2007

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Eastern Oregon Desert.

2006-12-07T02:15:32Z

I love the Oregon desert.
I haven't been able to make it out there quite as much as I would like, living and working in Portland, but I plan to get out there more soon!
I have made a little tribe that deals with all of Oregon, but with a special nod toward the eastern section;

http://tribes.tribe.net/beaverstate

Please visit and share your experiences and reflections on the Eastern Oregon desert.

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Excited!

2006-11-28T16:16:54Z

I'm off to India next month and hope to see some desert in Rajasthan - It'll be a little different than the Southwest I think.
Anyone been and have any recommendations?

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

New Mexico or Colorado? Or...

2006-11-21T08:00:38Z

I so want to move the weather has gotten cold amd damp here in Pennsylvania. It makes my body ache...I need a desert? Any opinions on either of these states and their towns? I lived two years at least in Santa Fe, NM...so I am familiar with the north. I went down to the resevoir once or twice, but mainly stayed around Santa fe , Espanola, Las Vegas , and Taos area. Do any of you all have opionions on any Colorado or other New Mexico desert towns? I might think about others states too...If you convince me ...I'd like to hear what you have to say...

posted in Desert Rats - 11 replies

Northern Roadtrip

2006-10-12T07:04:17Z

I'm driving to Pittsburgh next month and figured I'd go the scenic route. So far I am thinking Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Badlands/Mount Rushmore.

What else do you recomment in Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota and on...

http://maps.yahoo.com/beta/#maxp=location&q7=pittsburgh,+pa&q6=chicago,+il&q5=rapid+city,+sd&q4=devils+tower,+wy&q3=idaho+falls,+id&q2=twin+falls,+id&q1=san+francisco,+ca&trf=0&mvt=m&lon=-101.2060546875&lat=41.8040781442723&mag=14

posted in Desert Rats - 14 replies

is this tribe still alive??

2006-10-04T19:47:32Z

My guess it will wake up here soon with the weather getting cooler. Looking forward to hopefully some desert adventure this Fall- Spring!!!

posted in Desert Rats - 6 replies

New Desert Communities Magazine developing a feature in High Desert Happenings

2006-06-04T16:55:16Z

I'm the editor of a new lifestyle publication due to launch in October for the California Desert Communities. I am developing a feature on High Desert Hijinx, Entertainment, Unique Experiences, Dining, Art/Music Scenes, Development and Design. Anyone wanting to get the word out on anything unique or worthy of exposure please feel free to contact me. I am also cultivating writers and contributors if you have story ideas.

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

cool group

2006-05-03T15:35:50Z

If you love the desert then there's a group you should know about called Desert Survivors, based in the Bay Area. They do a lot of great trips and also volunteer work (in the desert naturally) and environmental advocacy. Check out their website and support these fine folks at "http://desert-survivors.org".

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Desert Tours Business

2006-03-12T05:22:21Z

Hello,

I have always had this idea of starting a desert tours business. I want to buy/rent a small storefront on 395 somewhere near the Trona Pinacles and take tours out on quads or in a converted Pinzgauer 4x4. The business would just need to support myself and my small store front. I'd cater to Eurpoean tourists as well as families driving out from LA to Mammoth Lakes and such during the fall and spring ski seasons.

Do you think such a business would be viable? Just looking for opinions.

Thanks,

Chai

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

Finding work in the desert?

2006-01-19T16:29:52Z

I'd love to find some way to generate a small income that would allow me to be out in the desert for a longer period of time, at least for a season or two.

Does anyone know of any sorts of desert jobs that an interested person could pursue?

Best,
S.

posted in Desert Rats - 7 replies

Saline Hot Springs~School Bus Driving ??

2005-12-09T18:27:57Z

Hey folks,

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about the degree of difficulty/danger involved in driving a bus down to saline valley hot springs in January.

My partner and I live and travel full time in a 37 foot school bus, and we were really wanting to go and camp out and soak at saline hot springs.

We have never been there but would love to find a way to be able to go.What would be the best route for us, and what time of year ?

The bus is in great shape with a 9.0 litter engine and an allison transmisson.It is automatic.We recently went up the 101 from southern cal to oregon and the bus went through northern cal just fine..though slow through mountains.Didn't overheat once.

Not shure how those hills compare to the hills to saline though.

Any ideas on the difficulties or considerations from those who have been there,would be apreciated.

Love N Light ~ Pixie

posted in Desert Rats - 5 replies

Water filtration...

2005-12-01T22:52:23Z

Does anyone have experience with various methods of water purification/filtration, and if so , any recommendations?

I'm hoping to go out for a few weeks in the Oregon desert late next spring, and I will carry a lot of water, but I'm curious about the possibilities of utilizing local water sources, too.

posted in Desert Rats - 29 replies

Bryce and Zion

2005-11-12T20:53:42Z

I am heading off on a raodtrip next week to see Bryce and Zion. I am quite excited about it - I've been wanting to see these parks for a long time.

What other recommedations do you have for me to see? Any recommedations on where to stay?

I am leaving Saturday and coming back on Friday

posted in Desert Rats - 7 replies

Current conditions at Black Rock

2005-07-14T22:36:53Z

Just got back from the playa. I was not expecting there to be much dry yet... I was able to drive a couple miles out from 12 mile. The center lines were still uncrossable but the surface is very much settled at this point.

Had a totally new experience. As unique as the 4ft deep snows in January. Standing several miles deep into the playa and watching the Quinn river dumping water onto the surface topped all. The leading edge of the water was "rushing" outward at about 10 ft a minute.

The *SOUND* was so amazing: in the quiet of the playa was filled with the BIG gentle sound of the water tumbling into he cracks both bubbling and babbling. It was hard to tear myself away to back the car out before the water encroached and swallowed it.

http://www.threemeadows.com/adventures/

posted in Desert Rats - 7 replies

Back from Saline Valley

2005-04-14T15:40:34Z

Hi yall !

Just returned from my first trip out to the springs. We had a great time and met some nice folks. Overall the trip was hard, the road sketchy but worth the effort none the less. Ths landscapes were beautiful. The flowers were blooming, the skies were clear. The starry skies kept me up, saw a bunch of falling stars and fell asleep with the moon. did I mention the springs they werre also fabulous.Maybe we'll go back in the fall.

Heres a link to some photos:

www.monkeyview.net/id/192/t...l/salinevalley/index.vhtml

Saline Valley Road - South Pass High clearance 2WD. Southern access from Hwy 190 to Lee Flat has been surfaced for 8 miles but is very potholed. From South Pass, road is graded gravel. May be closed in winter due to snow or ice. Approx. 50 miles from Hwy 190 to Warm Springs Road. Take left fork at South Pass; right fork goes up to Hunter Mountain.

Hunter Mountain Road............OPEN
Saline Valley North Pass........OPEN, cleared by miners.
Saline Valley South Pass........OPEN; high clearance due to rough road.

California road conditions: 1 800 427-7623. Nevada road conditions: 1 877 687-6237.
Road & Weather Conditions as of 8:00 a.m. this morning; subject to change without notice.

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

late may/early june head to death valley, onto mexico

2005-04-06T00:54:13Z

this just came to me, but beofre i move to the east coast (later this summer) i'd like to explore at least a desert or two, and visit mexico (i've never been!)

any ideas? anyone have a car? i'm seriously considering buying a car to do this, it'd be awesome to find someone who wants to visit the same places

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

395

2005-04-05T09:36:06Z

I've been most of the way up the 395, from where it starts (or ends, depending on your perspective) near LA @ the 14, through Nevada and where it meets Albert and Goose Lakes.

I've seen a lot of national and state parks, goofed off in abandoned mines and have done some scrambles, hiking, and of course, lots and lots of driving.

So far, Movie Road has been one of my favorite places, and there's a few inexpensive camp grounds out there that I enjoy going to, like Tuttle Creek and Mt. Whitney.

What about you folks?

Photos:
http://www.angelfire.com/film/quietgirlproductions/lonepine.html

posted in Desert Rats - 15 replies

where should i go?

2005-04-04T23:51:32Z

i'm heading to the mojave (near kramer junction) in a few weeks for a campout, and while i'm down there i want to do some exploring. was thinking of going to joshua tree and death valley but i'm looking for suggestions of things to see. i have been to all these places already so ideas for somewhat off-the-beaten-path areas and trails would be great. time permitting i may try to veer into arizona or utah too. what are your favorite places to go? bonus points for more obscure sights.

posted in Desert Rats - 12 replies

information on old road in vidal

2005-03-19T23:59:48Z

My Google search failed, so I'm hoping someone on here knows.
I was driving around the desert last week, and found a road shown on the map as paralleling CA 62 and the railroad from Vidal (not Vidal Jct.) and then rejoining with CA 62 a few miles to the west. I thought it a good side trip. I got to the road, and it wasn't in the best shape, and really looked like it hadn't been driven in a few weeks. After about two miles, I hit a large wash, and the road was gone. One of the downsides of the recent heavy rains.
About 1/2 mile off the main road (US 95) though, I spotted these really interesting pilars:
http://www.lonelycrowdedwest.net/pics/ca/desert/pics/vidal3.jpg
http://www.lonelycrowdedwest.net/pics/ca/desert/pics/vidal4.jpg

I've read about the Mohave Road and the Bradshaw Trail, and know that there are lots of roads like them in Southern Cal and Western AZ. Anybody know what this road is/was? Or maybe why these pilars are here?

Thanks in advance.
Colin

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

Belated hullo...

2005-03-11T02:41:31Z

hey Tribesters - just saying hey, good to be in the tribe. Please excuse the late hello, just seeing what tribes fit b4 posting. Thx.

-Beester

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Anza-Borrego Desert photos

2005-03-09T06:01:51Z

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=7joumbi7.6a92tdg3&x=0&y=-pul300

These were all taken in the last week in the Anza-Borrego desert. I stayed for awhile in the Culp Valley campground, which I highly recommend. It's pretty secluded, free, and there's a ton of hiking and rockclimbing all around. I saw two bighorn sheep, a coyote, and a roadrunner came running towards me full speed. Yeah, I love the desert!

I'm still continuing on my camping trip, heading to Joshua Tree now.

Peace!

posted in Desert Rats - 8 replies

first bloom of 2005

2005-02-26T17:52:51Z

my newest profile pics have some photos of the first bloom out in the socal desert (imperial dunes)

With a bloom this early, we should get multiple blooms all the way until April perhaps? all this rain has created quite some beauty. ; )

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

vegas road trip

2004-12-24T05:50:28Z

michelle and i and some other friends are taking a road trip to vegas for christmas, and i'm so excited! we're going to spend two days being silly in the city but then we're heading out of town to go to some awesome hot springs near the hoover dam. driving fast in the desert is one of my absolute favorite things to do and i get to do it with fun friends this time.

although we are pretty set for activities, suggestions for things to do in and around vegas are still appreciated. what are your favorite places around there? i've been to valley of fire and red rocks a few times, we may have to take a little trip to those places too. anyone know any hidden gems in the area?

posted in Desert Rats - 11 replies

a trip to the desert? - only one problem

2004-12-12T03:35:11Z

i have no car. i dream of going on a trip to the desert, bringing TONS of water, and maybe some illicit substances. ,, exploring, wandering, and not getting too lost!

anyone open to this in san francisco/the bay area?

feel free to message me or reply to this, thanks!

-donnie

posted in Desert Rats - 5 replies

photos

2004-12-09T00:42:11Z

i love the photos in this tribe's album. they make me homesick for the desert. the main pic of a joshua tree at sunset is particularly lovely. who took it?

i have some desert pics here, and many more to post eventually:
http://www.pyrokitten.com/gigutah/gigutah.html

posted in Desert Rats - 4 replies

"maze district of canyonlands"

2004-12-03T14:45:20Z

Well we just barely scraped the surface @ Canyonlands a couple of years ago and our next trip is this June and I'd love some info on the Maze District of Canyonlands. Where are the cool spots?

posted in Desert Rats - 14 replies

Road trip

2004-12-03T14:27:53Z

I am about to head off on a road trip from San Francisco and have decided to go to southern Arizona, New Mexico and across Texas from El Paso to San Antonio. I'm planning on taking in the Sedona area, Saguaro NP, Tombstone, White Sands NP, Big Bend NP and maybe Carlsbad caverns.

Any other ideas of what to see in the southern part of these states? I've decided to go south since I've been to the northern parts before and the southern parts seem less accessible than some of the other areas.

posted in Desert Rats - 13 replies

Sonoran Desert: Sky Islands

2004-10-02T21:29:25Z

Please join & contribute!

Sky Islands
for those who love our precious islands in the sky: Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Rincon, Huachuca, Pinaleno, and Chiricahua Mountains...

http://SkyIslands.tribe.net

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Favorite places

2004-09-30T02:24:13Z

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to is Arches National Park in Eastern Utah. I could sit and look at the rock formations there for hours (and anybody who knows me knows that I generally am very impatient and dont sit still for long anywhere!).
Nearby Canyonlands was also pretty anazing.

posted in Desert Rats - 38 replies

Owyhee Idaho

2004-09-26T17:00:24Z

I'm starting to learn about Owyhee Idaho.
Looks to be a pretty amazing place. I'm heading there in the next month or so.
Anyone been to or know about it?

There is a great book I found, by accident which is an awesome read "Desert Time" by Diana Kappel-Smith, Univ. of Az. Press.

I highly recommend it as a source for places to visit, and it also offers historic/geologic/zoologic info about the places she goes as well. It has given me a greater appreciation of what has/is going on at the places I go.

posted in Desert Rats - 8 replies

Going to Joshua Tree

2004-08-03T16:05:50Z

over labor day - cant wait

got the psycheldelics lined up and ready to go

posted in Desert Rats - 4 replies

BURNING MAN 2004 OPEN CALL FOR DJS BANDS FIRE PERFORMANCES ETC...

2004-06-08T18:55:19Z

HEY BURNERS,
ANALOG FRENZY WILL BE SETTING UP CAMP TETRA THIS YEAR AT BURNING MAN AND WE WOULD LIKE TO OPENLY INVITE ALL OF YOU PERFORMERS TO COME OUT AND DO YOUR THING. dJS, BANDS, FIRE, ACOUSTIC MUSIC ETC.. PLEASE EMAIL ANALOG_FRENZY@YAHOO.COM FOR MORE INFO AND OR JOIN ANALOG FRENZY AND NETWORK 23 TRIBE.

FREAKA
16K WATTS OF JBL SOUND FOR YOUR PERFORMING PLEASURE

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Guadalupe Canyon

2004-05-31T09:55:58Z

Now theres a cool spot. Anyone been there? Its in Baja - about 1 hr southeast of Tijuana. First you'll drive through the canyon which is unbelievable - as impressive as the Grand Canyon. Then you make your way through the desert (4 wheel drive is highly recommended). There a campground with a small number of sites. Each site has a hottub built into the natural rock formations. The silky mineral water comes from a nearby hot spring. Amazing. Go there, NOW!

Thanks for having a true interest in the desert and not just BM drones.

posted in Desert Rats - 17 replies

anza-borrega suggestions

2004-04-29T03:31:38Z

i'm going to anza-borrega park near san diego this weekend. anyone ever been there? have any suggestions for cool hikes and things to see? i'm particularly fond of hikes that involve rock scrambling, weird rock formations, narrow canyons or expansive views. what else is good to see in that corner of the desert?

also, anyone ever been to the salton sea?

posted in Desert Rats - 4 replies

South America

2004-04-22T20:31:37Z

I've heard vastly great things about the deserts in Southern Boliva and Northern Argintina. I had just a taste in Bolivia and want more.

My friend McCabe and I drove from Potosi to Uyuni on the way to the Salar de Uyuni. It was one of the most stunning drives ever on a one lane dirt road from the Andies highlands to the flatlands of the altiplano in a ratty Toyota Land Cruiser.

That drive and the night spent on the Salar de Uyuni was worth every minute of the rest of the three weeks in Bolivai, including the three day stay in the hospital.

We went through a lot to be able to tour around in a car without a guide. And it was really worth it in so many ways. Most everyone we talked to tried to talk us out of it and pushed us to do the Gringo Trail with all the rest of the touristas and I'm glad we didn't.

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

Edward Abbey

2004-04-06T22:16:49Z

I was just reading in another tribe about people trying to apply the "Leave No Trace" concept to their daily (urban) lives, and then remembered reading Edward Abbey, who would happily throw his empty beer cans and cigar butts out of the window on the highway, since he saw highways as just a big black scar across the desert - how could he possibly make it much uglier?

Abbey saw the bigger picture. Everything is temporary. He was one of the last people to travel through Glen Canyon while the dam was being built, but even then , he realized that in a couple of thousand years, it would all be gone, and the river would rule once again.

So don't worry about it. Take a shit in the desert. Flick your butts. They'll be long gone before you ever will. And do you want to see human detritus? Just visit an urban landfill. That too, will all be long gone someday.

Not a rant, just a thought....

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

inland empire...

2004-04-04T18:51:22Z

Anza-Borrego was amazing. So nice to be somewhere that isn't lined with fences. You could just pull off and and do as need be done. Just after sunset, we saw an campfire in the distance, about half way up a 2000 foot peak, quite a sight...

reuben...

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies

new member says hi!

2004-03-18T11:59:44Z

this is definitely the tribe for me! i am happiest when road tripping through the desert, especially southern utah. i have travelled all throughout the US deserts in CA, NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM, ID, and OR, as well as baja mex. i love scrambling over rocks in canyons, rapelling into slot canyons, photographing crazy rock formations, exploring new playas, watching the stars through the steam of hot springs, playing on sand dunes, drinking beer on top of cedar mesa, getting a little lost in arches "fiery furnace," experiencing monsoon thunder storms that wash out roads, and listening to the coyotes howl.

i have a bunch of pics from various desert trips in the photo section of my profile and many more on my website http://www.pyrokitten.com (with more to come).

my heart belongs to the desert and i hope one day to have a home there (though i am pretty addicted to life in the bay area for now - if only i could get all my favorite people to move out to the desert with me!)

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

anti-travel southwest web site

2004-03-17T07:11:38Z

http://www.lonelycrowdedwest.net

Something I've been working on for a while. Finally just said "screw it" and put it online. I have NM and a bit of AZ (Cochise County) online now, and I'm working on the rest of AZ now.
This is for all of the restless travelers, seeking refuge in the arid reaches.
I'm looking for submissions and pictures. Your work will always be credited. You can either submit something for an area that is not already represented or you can submit something for one I had already written, but sucks.
You can either email me, --colin@lonelycrowdedwest.net or use the submission form: http://www.lonelycrowdedwest.net/form.html but you will still have to email pics for the time being.
Anyone is welcome to do this, I want to get a wide variety of opinions and stories.

Thanks,
Colin

posted in Desert Rats - 2 replies

Just saying hi...

2004-03-08T21:43:38Z

Hiya all. I just found the tribe and wanted to say hi.

I've been hooked on the desert ever since spending a couple summers with relatives near Death Valley when I was a kid. No televisions, few chores, for that matter we didn't even have a roof. My two cousins and I had to sleep outside on cots because there wasn't room inside.

We pretty much wandered at will and only came back long enough to eat a pb & J sandwich or to crash on the cots. Of course as soon as we lay down, we would wake back up because of the views of the amazing night sky.

-J

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

Bryce and Zion

2004-02-11T20:43:16Z

I am thinking of going to Bryce and Zion in Mid March for a 3 day weekend. I can't do much hiking because I have a bad knee so in theory would not need to spend 'long' at each park.

Is that doable? One thing I have learnt from the deserts is that distances can be deceiving. Sometimes what looks like a short drive takes all day while other times you can cover 150 miles in no time.

Where would be the best place to fly to, Las Vegas? And a good place to stay?

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

the harsh mistress i can't live without

2004-02-05T19:29:17Z

i miss the playa. it speaks to my soul. it calms me down, lifts me up, lets me coexist with my joy and my pain in a way that 'here' doesn't always.

i just found something i wrote in 2002 after a midsummer camping trip to a non-black-rock nevada playa:

-----

the playa lays us bare. i have mixed feelings about how raw it makes me. while i mostly love it, it does kick my ass, but i keep coming back for more. it's intense -- the heat, the wind, the work to get there, building it up and breaking it down, inside and out. the community that forms. the pure being, or the being pure. all of it.

posted in Desert Rats - 3 replies

Why Do I like Deserts?

2004-02-02T17:54:08Z

Everytime I feel like I need an energy boost I go to the desert. In our everyday life we have so many pressures that get on top of us, work, relationships, money problems.....

I love going to the desert because there everything is so simple. It's all about survival. It is humbling and it helps me remember that everything else is not important.

posted in Desert Rats - 8 replies

Nevada in winter

2004-02-02T10:38:06Z

I've driven across Nevada in the winter three times now. I'm sure I will do it again someday.

It's always been on one of those no-sleep, no-stopping, crazy banzai runs across the country. Have to get to my destination. Need to get home. Lonely, tired, cold.

Maybe it's the winter that inspires such things... the time of year when we all get down to business, to save up for those lazy summers, stopping at gas stations just to wash the windows, to let the sweat evaporate; having a picnic in the grass by the railroad tracks in one of those tiny green valleys.

The first time was with my once-girlfriend, Christine. We piled ourselves into the old Honda, resolving that we would make it to Minneapolis and back in no more than a week. Neither of us could have even pointed to Minnesota on a map at the time.

It was the first time I'd seen the snow. The first time I'd seen the barren mountains and miles of undisturbed sage. All of it pure white, reflecting the light glaring down out of a sky that was too clear for words.

We took the car down one of the nameless offramps, the ones that lead to some snowed-in dirt path winding its way up into the mountains. We got out and poked at the ice, enjoying how amusingly crunchy it was, how it went on for miles.

The pavement is odd on Interstate 80, just east of Reno. It makes a whining noise under the tires. In the winter, there are no cars on the road. No travelling families. No college students on summer road-trips. No tourist couples. No motorcyclists in full studded leather. Only the machines of commerce. Miles upon miles of semi-articulated trucks with plumes of grimy slush covering the trailers; tire chains swinging from racks down below.

We passed them all. Eventually, I found an empty flatbed doing 75, and hid behind him for an hour, letting him push the air out of the way, saving gas. Night fell, and we crossed the border into Utah.

I love the Silver State in the summer, but it's better in the snow.

On the return trip, we took it slower. I had covered half of the radiator with aluminum foil to keep the temperature up, and the heater was working nicely. We'd pull off in the truck stops, search the menus for vegetarian food. It was like a game, "What can I eat without getting sick?" The smell of diesel in cold, crisp, clean air will forever remind me of the snowy desert.

We'd get our food, and look out the windows... I related a story to Christine: when I was a child, my mother had told me about the time she drove from San Francisco to her hometown of Minot, North Dakota. It had been winter. I had asked her, "Did you go across the desert?" "Yes," she answered, "but it was the cold desert. There was snow everywhere."

This was contrary to the deserts I always saw on TV, rolling dunes, men in tattered shirts dragging themselves through the sand whispering, "water..." From that moment on I believed that there was also an opposite desert someplace. It was a special "cold desert" that was always empty and freezing, the same way the TV deserts were always empty and hot. Not only that, but my very own mother had been there, in her white Ford Pinto hatchback with the dent in the side. I was so proud.

Nevada wasn't my first experience with empty. I had been to the high plains before, to North Dakota with my mother when I was young. It was summer. I liked watching the wheat fields, tall grass waving in the wind. I liked being able to see from one horizon to another. I was raised in a steep valley beneath ancient tall trees. Being out in the open felt so free. So simple.

We flew, it being the most practical way to travel. I didn't recognize the significance of flying at the time. For a ten-year-old, it's novel and exciting to see real airplanes. Now I hate airplanes. They make my world small, and I want to live in a large world. I am in awe of the amazing scale of this place, and speedy, effecient air travel hides that scale from me. I look out the windows and I want to be down on the ground.

The desert makes that scale real.

Whenever I travel to Nevada, I always want to set out on foot to climb one of those distant mountains. I want to see both sides at once, as far as I can see. I want to immerse myself in the extremes of the weather, hot or cold.

A couple of Februarys ago was the most recent time I travelled across a snowy Nevada. This time, I drove an aging Westfalia camper by myself. It had no heater, so I bolted a small propane tent heater to the passenger seat. I wore my snow boots and hat, and my new wool mittens.

It was slow going this time around, but I made up for it with persistence. Plugging along at 65MPH, flashing my headlights to tell the truckers when to merge. I crossed the border in the middle of the night, and made it to Lovelock before passing out next to the railroad tracks at the west end of town.

I slept in my clothes, inside two nested sleeping bags. I dreamed that I got up, started the van, and drove. I drove across Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It was one of those realistic, epic, difficult dreams. I woke just as was crossing Iowa, mere hours from my home and the woman I loved. I was still in Nevada, and just barely at that! I felt defeated. I wanted to turn around and go back.

As I pulled out on to the road, tires churning up the slushy mud, my perspective changed: I still had the whole adventure ahead of me.

posted in Desert Rats - 0 replies