Cabazon Residents Ignore Mandatory Evacuations - www.kmir6.com
Fires in So. Cal
Some of the Indians in the Pass got big heads.
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Sunday, December 23, 2012
A Loved Lover
Those once called students of Natural History are now occasionally call Environmentalists. A natural historian was interested in the study of man, his origins, his nature, and his environment. He and she was interested in the whole natural world, from the sub-microscopic to the universe at large.
Mary Austin, authoress of a little book entitled The Land of Little Rain, may be called a naturalist. I call here a love and a lover; a land lover, a language lover, and a lover of humanity. I've called her a damned good observe and a fine words smith.
Her 'little book' is about what I sometimes call my land. If you can read it and don't, you may consider yourself a damned fool.
Mary Austin, authoress of a little book entitled The Land of Little Rain, may be called a naturalist. I call here a love and a lover; a land lover, a language lover, and a lover of humanity. I've called her a damned good observe and a fine words smith.
Her 'little book' is about what I sometimes call my land. If you can read it and don't, you may consider yourself a damned fool.
Friday, October 12, 2012
A Brief Introduction to California
My little house on the desert is in California on the west coast of the United States.
A brief introduction to the state: It has more that one desert; it has mountains including two major ranges; it has valleys broad and narrow; it has a variety of lakes including high and crystalline and low and salty; and it has a long Pacific Ocean coastline.
~ population is just under 34 million
~ area is just under 159 thousand square miles
~ it's the 3rd largest state of the Union
~ the capital, Sacramento, is eastish of San Francisco
~ the lowest point is Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level
A time-line with some historic points high in the consciousness of many Californians
1769 - 1823 Catholic fathers Junipero Serra and Lasuen led the building of 21 missions extending from San Diego to Sonoma. Earlier missions had been built i Baja California. Mission building north of Sonoma was stopped by Russian interests.
1848 James Marshall discovered gold a Sutter's Mill; the following year fortune seekers rushed into California.
1850 California became the 31st State.
1890 Yosemite National Park was established
1906 Earthquake and resulting fire destroyed the city of San Francisco
1945 Representatives of 51 countries met in San Francisco to sign the charter forming the United Nations
1962 California became the most populous state in the Nation
1989 A 7.1 magnitude earthquake centered 51 miles south of San Francisco caused $6 billion in property damage
1992 An acquittal verdict in the Rodney King beating trial sparked riots in Los
Angeles
1994 an earthquake centered 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles left 22,000 persons homeless
2003 Facing a fiscal crisis, voters recalled Governor Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger as his replacement.
A brief introduction to the state: It has more that one desert; it has mountains including two major ranges; it has valleys broad and narrow; it has a variety of lakes including high and crystalline and low and salty; and it has a long Pacific Ocean coastline.
~ population is just under 34 million
~ area is just under 159 thousand square miles
~ it's the 3rd largest state of the Union
~ the capital, Sacramento, is eastish of San Francisco
~ the lowest point is Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level
A time-line with some historic points high in the consciousness of many Californians
1769 - 1823 Catholic fathers Junipero Serra and Lasuen led the building of 21 missions extending from San Diego to Sonoma. Earlier missions had been built i Baja California. Mission building north of Sonoma was stopped by Russian interests.
1848 James Marshall discovered gold a Sutter's Mill; the following year fortune seekers rushed into California.
1850 California became the 31st State.
1890 Yosemite National Park was established
1906 Earthquake and resulting fire destroyed the city of San Francisco
1945 Representatives of 51 countries met in San Francisco to sign the charter forming the United Nations
1962 California became the most populous state in the Nation
1989 A 7.1 magnitude earthquake centered 51 miles south of San Francisco caused $6 billion in property damage
1992 An acquittal verdict in the Rodney King beating trial sparked riots in Los
Angeles
1994 an earthquake centered 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles left 22,000 persons homeless
2003 Facing a fiscal crisis, voters recalled Governor Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger as his replacement.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Dirty Air
Yes dirty air. On a recent little driving trip I drove across the the south of Arizona and New Mexico. The visibility was worse than I remember it to have ever been. The air looked smoggy and often felt smoggy in my eyes, nose, and throat.
It can be windy in the area and some describe the air as dusty. Perhaps to some degree it is truly dusty and a campaign like the "Break the dust, raise the dust." one carried out in the last building boom would be in order.
Also in recent years there have been more wild fires. I used to suggest that in forest area that firewood gathering be allowed and small, frequent, natural fires be allowed to take their course. Now with drought and a warming climate I'm not sure what to suggest.
On an earlier recent trip I drove from Los Angeles, California to Carson City, Nevada and found the air to be opaquely polluted from LA into the Low Desert, up into the High Desert through Las Vegas and about forty miles to the north before the air began to clear.
The air in Carson City was good even with the product of my little Subaru added to it.
On the Arizona/New Mexico trip I talked with an older trucker who has been driving the rout for only about a decade and he claimed to have noted a deterioration of the air quality during that time even though he had been driving the rout weekly. He called the air smoggy.
So, much of southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico can be, and often is, smoggy. West Texas is still pretty good, but recent oil drilling activity has begun to change that. Most cities are doing plenty to cause their share of air pollution. Someone is kicking up a lot of old fashion dust just across the boarder from El Paso.
The really high country not far from Las Cruces still has air that looks and breaths like relatively pure atmosphere.
You can act to keep dirty air from causing the degeneration of humanity.
It can be windy in the area and some describe the air as dusty. Perhaps to some degree it is truly dusty and a campaign like the "Break the dust, raise the dust." one carried out in the last building boom would be in order.
Also in recent years there have been more wild fires. I used to suggest that in forest area that firewood gathering be allowed and small, frequent, natural fires be allowed to take their course. Now with drought and a warming climate I'm not sure what to suggest.
On an earlier recent trip I drove from Los Angeles, California to Carson City, Nevada and found the air to be opaquely polluted from LA into the Low Desert, up into the High Desert through Las Vegas and about forty miles to the north before the air began to clear.
The air in Carson City was good even with the product of my little Subaru added to it.
On the Arizona/New Mexico trip I talked with an older trucker who has been driving the rout for only about a decade and he claimed to have noted a deterioration of the air quality during that time even though he had been driving the rout weekly. He called the air smoggy.
So, much of southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico can be, and often is, smoggy. West Texas is still pretty good, but recent oil drilling activity has begun to change that. Most cities are doing plenty to cause their share of air pollution. Someone is kicking up a lot of old fashion dust just across the boarder from El Paso.
The really high country not far from Las Cruces still has air that looks and breaths like relatively pure atmosphere.
You can act to keep dirty air from causing the degeneration of humanity.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Mining Mag Ad
An advertisement like this might be found in an mining or engineering magazine of about, say, 1900. We who know the game remember that the 'cyanide process' was a profitable way of extracting gold from the tailings of earlier operations. Even today you might see a large pile of crushed rock being sprinkled with a whirlybird. Don't drink that water!
Monday, February 6, 2012
California
California on the far western Pacific coast of the US is more than desert. It has snowy mountains. It has valleys broad an narrow. It has lakes from high and crystal clear to low and saltier than the sea. It has a beautiful long and varied coastline. It may be the greatest agricultural in the Union.
~ population is just under 34 million
~ area is just under 159 thousand square miles
~ it's the third largest state in the Union
~ the capital is Sacrament located eastish of the Golden Gate city of San Francisco
~ the highest point is the peak of Mount Whitney at about 14500 ft.
~ the lowest point is in Death Valley, 282 ft. below sea level
What else would you like to know?
~ population is just under 34 million
~ area is just under 159 thousand square miles
~ it's the third largest state in the Union
~ the capital is Sacrament located eastish of the Golden Gate city of San Francisco
~ the highest point is the peak of Mount Whitney at about 14500 ft.
~ the lowest point is in Death Valley, 282 ft. below sea level
What else would you like to know?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Dates and Notes Related to Early Spanish Contacts with Native Americans
1501 AD: The Spanish Inquisition intensified again. An argument might be made blaming America Indians for this intensification, at least in part. In case I didn't mention it earlier, the purpose of the Inquisition was to make sure that persons called Christian were good Christians and in now way weakened Christendom. You may remember that the "Conquistadores" were generally accompanied by priests who proposed to save Native souls and to encourage Native peoples to call themselves Christian.
1511: The Toltec Empire of Mexico ended about this date. I have forgotten, for the moment, who to blame, but the Spanish were around as were Toltec and others.
1513: Balboa sighted the Pacific Ocean. Indians showed it to him. I don't think that he believed them when they first told him about that great water. I wonder which Indians did the showing. I think that Indians helped Balboa cross the isthmus where Panama is now. I wonder if those Indians were called Panamanians. Who will tell us more about Balboa and the Indians he contacted.
1515: Juan Ponce de Leon landed on the Florida peninsula. There 'John Lion Belly' was impressed by an Indian queen who ran an impressive queendom. Some of his entourage, without the same appetites as Juan, were impressed by well laid-out real estate developments. The impressive developments included neat and efficient canals used for transportation and communication as well as productive raised gardens and other earthworks. Juan, I understand, was disappointed at not finding immortality and at finding very little gold. I believe that some of his party were pleased to be taking home some nice baskets full of pearls.
1515 - 1582: Marks the lifespan of Saint Teresa of Avila who, for an important part of that span, did a pretty good job, I understand, of keeping the Christian home fires burning.
1519: Cortez invaded the Aztec Empire. A version of this story can be found in your kids school books. As you might guess Cortez was a Spaniard and the Aztec Empire was made up of American Indians. If you ask, your kids might tell you that Hernan Cortez seized control of Mexico from the Aztec Emperor Montezuma. They might not tell you that "Montezuma" is not a very true rendering of that 'emperors' name. While your talking with those kids of your, you might ask them if they know the song that contains as part of its lyrics, "from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli." Did they know that 'Mexico,' at that time, referred only to the valley that Mexico City is in today? Were the US Marines with Cortez?
1520: Panfilo de Navaez was sent by Diego Velasquez de Cuellar, governor of Cuba, to force Hernando Cortes into submission to authorities in Spain. He was captured by Cortez. I have hear that his loss to Cortez may have been due in part, to mistaking firefly lights for musket matches of Cortez' troops. I've also hear that diseases among Narvaez troops captured by Cortes spread epidemic death among the Indians of Vera Cruz and beyond.
1526: In about this year there were Spaniards in Zuni villages. They were looking for gold. Spaniards of the time were very much into gold and also pretty serious about adventuring. A few of them were interested in saving souls. At first some Zuni may have considered some Spaniards as a kind of demigod. Later some of them probably agreed that most of the Spaniards were witches.
1531: Pizarro marched on the Inca.
1533: Baja California discovered by Spanish. Indian traders and fishermen saw them. Some say that the sea level was then about 20 feet higher than it is today.
1534: St. Ignatius Loyola found the Jesuit Order. The Spanish Crown and the Vatican charged priests with the care of the souls of the Indians in the New world. Seems their souls were good dead or alive.
The same year the German 'conquistadores' George Hohermuth, Niclaus Federmann, and Philip von Hutton searched for gold and crossed the Colombian and Venezuelan 'Llanos'(plains). If I haven't mentioned the Llanos, I am pretty sure that I have already posted on Federmann.
1536: Mendoza founded Buenos Aires in what is now
Argentina. Many of the Indians there were, in some ways, similar to the plains Indians of North America.
1539: Esteban, of theFriar Marcos de Niza expedition was killed by inhabitants of "Cibola." Those Spaniards got around. Estevan may have been the first 'black man' killed in the 'Four corners' region of what is now the U.S.
1540: The Colorado River delta was explored by the M. Diaz expedition from the mouth of the river to 20 to 40 miles up the river. I don't remember hearing that they made a lot of friends.
1541: Napo Chi led Mani against the Spanish and won. This isn't the first major battle won by Native American Indians against European invaders, but it is one of the fairly well publicized ones. I heard that it made news in Rome and Madrid. We're talking about Yucatan Maya. Bishop Diego de Landa knew the people of Mani.
1542: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed under the Spanish flag into what is now known as the Bay of San Pedro, California. I have heard that along the curve of that bay at that time was an Indian settlement called, by some, Pubugna.
In that same year Cabrillo landed on the the Santa Barbara Islands off the California coast. The Chumash saw him. Yes, the same Chumash whose holy men were respected by the great Cahuilla people. Cabrillo was probably a Portuguese hired by Spaniards for his ability as a navigator. Almost for got, Cabrillo and his crew saw Chumash in their fine boats along what is now the coast of Ventura county.
1550 -1580: Indians in the south of Mexico engaged in ongoing violent struggle against the Spaniards entering their lands. It was easier to fight the Spaniards than to fight the diseases of the Spaniards.
1562: Bishop Diego de Landa helped bring the Inquisition to Mexico. The Bishop and men of Mexico, Madrid, and Rome seemed surprised and concerned by the strong reaction of the Maya to the workings of that institution. Check your history book or on-line for the "auto de fe" of Mani or for Bishop Diego de Landa. The Bishop may get a worse rap than he deserves.
1564: Fray Diego de Landa is recalled to face charges that he had overstepped his authority in the investigation and torture of native 'lords' and 'commoners.' Men of Mexico, Madrid, and Rome feared that Fray Diego would stir Maya to bloody rebellion. Diego brought some of the notes of what would become his "Account of the Affairs of Yucatan" to help in pleading his case before men of the Court and Church.
In this same year Xui Mayas and Spanish defeated other Maya in eastern Yucatan so that they ruled there.
1566: Santa Elena, the sixteenth-century capital of Spanish Florida was founded. It was founded by Pedro Menedez de Aviles on what is now Parris Island off the coast of South Carolina. The Spaniards had found the mainland densely populated by Native Indian peoples.
1571: Inquisition Offices were opened in Mexico. Maybe Fray Diego had convinced powerful Europeans that Indians and others in the New world needed help in keeping Christian.
1511: The Toltec Empire of Mexico ended about this date. I have forgotten, for the moment, who to blame, but the Spanish were around as were Toltec and others.
1513: Balboa sighted the Pacific Ocean. Indians showed it to him. I don't think that he believed them when they first told him about that great water. I wonder which Indians did the showing. I think that Indians helped Balboa cross the isthmus where Panama is now. I wonder if those Indians were called Panamanians. Who will tell us more about Balboa and the Indians he contacted.
1515: Juan Ponce de Leon landed on the Florida peninsula. There 'John Lion Belly' was impressed by an Indian queen who ran an impressive queendom. Some of his entourage, without the same appetites as Juan, were impressed by well laid-out real estate developments. The impressive developments included neat and efficient canals used for transportation and communication as well as productive raised gardens and other earthworks. Juan, I understand, was disappointed at not finding immortality and at finding very little gold. I believe that some of his party were pleased to be taking home some nice baskets full of pearls.
1515 - 1582: Marks the lifespan of Saint Teresa of Avila who, for an important part of that span, did a pretty good job, I understand, of keeping the Christian home fires burning.
1519: Cortez invaded the Aztec Empire. A version of this story can be found in your kids school books. As you might guess Cortez was a Spaniard and the Aztec Empire was made up of American Indians. If you ask, your kids might tell you that Hernan Cortez seized control of Mexico from the Aztec Emperor Montezuma. They might not tell you that "Montezuma" is not a very true rendering of that 'emperors' name. While your talking with those kids of your, you might ask them if they know the song that contains as part of its lyrics, "from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli." Did they know that 'Mexico,' at that time, referred only to the valley that Mexico City is in today? Were the US Marines with Cortez?
1520: Panfilo de Navaez was sent by Diego Velasquez de Cuellar, governor of Cuba, to force Hernando Cortes into submission to authorities in Spain. He was captured by Cortez. I have hear that his loss to Cortez may have been due in part, to mistaking firefly lights for musket matches of Cortez' troops. I've also hear that diseases among Narvaez troops captured by Cortes spread epidemic death among the Indians of Vera Cruz and beyond.
1526: In about this year there were Spaniards in Zuni villages. They were looking for gold. Spaniards of the time were very much into gold and also pretty serious about adventuring. A few of them were interested in saving souls. At first some Zuni may have considered some Spaniards as a kind of demigod. Later some of them probably agreed that most of the Spaniards were witches.
1531: Pizarro marched on the Inca.
1533: Baja California discovered by Spanish. Indian traders and fishermen saw them. Some say that the sea level was then about 20 feet higher than it is today.
1534: St. Ignatius Loyola found the Jesuit Order. The Spanish Crown and the Vatican charged priests with the care of the souls of the Indians in the New world. Seems their souls were good dead or alive.
The same year the German 'conquistadores' George Hohermuth, Niclaus Federmann, and Philip von Hutton searched for gold and crossed the Colombian and Venezuelan 'Llanos'(plains). If I haven't mentioned the Llanos, I am pretty sure that I have already posted on Federmann.
1536: Mendoza founded Buenos Aires in what is now
Argentina. Many of the Indians there were, in some ways, similar to the plains Indians of North America.
1539: Esteban, of theFriar Marcos de Niza expedition was killed by inhabitants of "Cibola." Those Spaniards got around. Estevan may have been the first 'black man' killed in the 'Four corners' region of what is now the U.S.
1540: The Colorado River delta was explored by the M. Diaz expedition from the mouth of the river to 20 to 40 miles up the river. I don't remember hearing that they made a lot of friends.
1541: Napo Chi led Mani against the Spanish and won. This isn't the first major battle won by Native American Indians against European invaders, but it is one of the fairly well publicized ones. I heard that it made news in Rome and Madrid. We're talking about Yucatan Maya. Bishop Diego de Landa knew the people of Mani.
1542: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed under the Spanish flag into what is now known as the Bay of San Pedro, California. I have heard that along the curve of that bay at that time was an Indian settlement called, by some, Pubugna.
In that same year Cabrillo landed on the the Santa Barbara Islands off the California coast. The Chumash saw him. Yes, the same Chumash whose holy men were respected by the great Cahuilla people. Cabrillo was probably a Portuguese hired by Spaniards for his ability as a navigator. Almost for got, Cabrillo and his crew saw Chumash in their fine boats along what is now the coast of Ventura county.
1550 -1580: Indians in the south of Mexico engaged in ongoing violent struggle against the Spaniards entering their lands. It was easier to fight the Spaniards than to fight the diseases of the Spaniards.
1562: Bishop Diego de Landa helped bring the Inquisition to Mexico. The Bishop and men of Mexico, Madrid, and Rome seemed surprised and concerned by the strong reaction of the Maya to the workings of that institution. Check your history book or on-line for the "auto de fe" of Mani or for Bishop Diego de Landa. The Bishop may get a worse rap than he deserves.
1564: Fray Diego de Landa is recalled to face charges that he had overstepped his authority in the investigation and torture of native 'lords' and 'commoners.' Men of Mexico, Madrid, and Rome feared that Fray Diego would stir Maya to bloody rebellion. Diego brought some of the notes of what would become his "Account of the Affairs of Yucatan" to help in pleading his case before men of the Court and Church.
In this same year Xui Mayas and Spanish defeated other Maya in eastern Yucatan so that they ruled there.
1566: Santa Elena, the sixteenth-century capital of Spanish Florida was founded. It was founded by Pedro Menedez de Aviles on what is now Parris Island off the coast of South Carolina. The Spaniards had found the mainland densely populated by Native Indian peoples.
1571: Inquisition Offices were opened in Mexico. Maybe Fray Diego had convinced powerful Europeans that Indians and others in the New world needed help in keeping Christian.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Mojave Desert conservation, information and education - Mojave Desert Land Trust a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Mojave Desert conservation, information and education - Mojave Desert Land Trust a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
If you are interested in the So Cal desert, you may find this sight interesting.
There are volunteer opportunities.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Me
This photo was probably taken while I was living in Desert Hot Springs, California around 1949 or '48. I would have been in the 4th or 5th grade.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Franklin Hotsprings a Paso Robles Hotspring
Franklin Hotsprings a Paso Robles Hotspring
Another hot spring to check out. It runs about 100 degrees so might be called a warm springs.
It is a quirky and healthy place to get into mildly sulfur mineral water.
I believe I posted about it earlier as Sulfur Pond.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
"Biological Warfare"
We are not the only generations to participate in biological warfare.
Hittite texts from 1500 BC to 1200 BC spoke of plague victims being driven into enemy lands. They had more sophisticated, if not more impractical technology available.
Many Armies, through medieval times, had launched blood and feces at the enemy.
Around 1763 a documented case of alleged germ warfare involved British Commander Jeffery Amherst and Swiss-British officer Henry Bouquet whose correspondence mentions the idea of giving smallpox infested blankets to Indians during the Pontiac Rebellion which included the seizing of Fort Pitt late in the French and Indian War.
There is much more to the story even before we get to our life-long and extensive part in the activity.
Bring us up to date. Tell us more.
Someone mentioned Hawthorn, California.
Hittite texts from 1500 BC to 1200 BC spoke of plague victims being driven into enemy lands. They had more sophisticated, if not more impractical technology available.
Many Armies, through medieval times, had launched blood and feces at the enemy.
Around 1763 a documented case of alleged germ warfare involved British Commander Jeffery Amherst and Swiss-British officer Henry Bouquet whose correspondence mentions the idea of giving smallpox infested blankets to Indians during the Pontiac Rebellion which included the seizing of Fort Pitt late in the French and Indian War.
There is much more to the story even before we get to our life-long and extensive part in the activity.
Bring us up to date. Tell us more.
Someone mentioned Hawthorn, California.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
"Peak Experience" Four
These "Peak Experience" posts have been about a recent little road trip.
I the "Peak Experience" post just before this one I had parted from my niece and was, more or less, headed toward California Hot Springs.
Sulfur pond and pool near Atascatero is one of thousands of place we have to get into hot water at the favor of the oil industry. Members of our greatest industry go options for exploratory drilling all over California, The United States, North America and the world. Many of these exploratory drillings struck no oil, but did hit hot water. Now, many of those drilling sites are providing hot water bathing. Some of them have become comfortable spas.
California Hot Springs is not one of these 'gifts' from the oil industry. It is a natural hot water spring in the higher foothills of the Sierra. California Hot Springs is somewhat unusual as a hot springs. Most hot springs are more highly mineralized than cold springs. The water of California Hot Springs, however, seems to spring form the granite distilled or purer than high mountain snow melt.My problem was that I had forgotten just where in the foothills the Springs were located. I fact, I could not even see the foothills.
The word I did not remember was Sequoia. At one time I had confused Sequoia with Yosemite as I had Confused N.Y. with California. I did believe that the Springs were between Bakersfield and the entrance to Yosemite.
For perhaps four or five hours I crisscrossed back and forth, up and down in the smog of the Valley without catching a glimpse of the Great Sierra Nevada mountain range or the considerable Coastal Range. I time I came to a sign with an arrow pointing toward Yosemite. We must live in gratitude. I drove in the direction that arrow pointed and in time came within sight of what proved to be the lower reaches of the Sierra.
I had stopped to ask for directions to ask for California Hot Springs. Many seem to recall hearing the name, but did not recall its place. I had received conflicting directions. I stopped to ask again. It was a lonesome gas station within sight of the hills. Everyone there spoke Spanish as a first language except for the station manager, who spoke no known language.
I the "Peak Experience" post just before this one I had parted from my niece and was, more or less, headed toward California Hot Springs.
Sulfur pond and pool near Atascatero is one of thousands of place we have to get into hot water at the favor of the oil industry. Members of our greatest industry go options for exploratory drilling all over California, The United States, North America and the world. Many of these exploratory drillings struck no oil, but did hit hot water. Now, many of those drilling sites are providing hot water bathing. Some of them have become comfortable spas.
California Hot Springs is not one of these 'gifts' from the oil industry. It is a natural hot water spring in the higher foothills of the Sierra. California Hot Springs is somewhat unusual as a hot springs. Most hot springs are more highly mineralized than cold springs. The water of California Hot Springs, however, seems to spring form the granite distilled or purer than high mountain snow melt.My problem was that I had forgotten just where in the foothills the Springs were located. I fact, I could not even see the foothills.
The word I did not remember was Sequoia. At one time I had confused Sequoia with Yosemite as I had Confused N.Y. with California. I did believe that the Springs were between Bakersfield and the entrance to Yosemite.
For perhaps four or five hours I crisscrossed back and forth, up and down in the smog of the Valley without catching a glimpse of the Great Sierra Nevada mountain range or the considerable Coastal Range. I time I came to a sign with an arrow pointing toward Yosemite. We must live in gratitude. I drove in the direction that arrow pointed and in time came within sight of what proved to be the lower reaches of the Sierra.
I had stopped to ask for directions to ask for California Hot Springs. Many seem to recall hearing the name, but did not recall its place. I had received conflicting directions. I stopped to ask again. It was a lonesome gas station within sight of the hills. Everyone there spoke Spanish as a first language except for the station manager, who spoke no known language.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Peak Experience
I used to demand a peak experience from each trip and very often got it! It was costly, but worth the price to me. It usually meant going one step beyond the step beyond. I'd go beyond a 'reasonable' time limit, beyond the last dollar, beyond 'appropriate' energy and health limits, beyond cultural limits I could imagine; you get the idea.
I just returned from a little trip that was good without a peak experience. The weather was good. The change of pace and point of view was good. In general it was pleasing and interesting. Not all was perfect. I hit traffic heavier and more long lasting than I had ever seen. It extended from Lancaster to Ventura! I accidentally got on to the 210 freeway which took me into the dreaded hell of L.A. county. At one point I took a road paralleling the freeway and saw what thought was a 'park and ride' parking lot, but it was the freeway.
When I reached Ventura County I felt some home of seeing my long time friend, Lady B. I stopped and dialed her number on my new, but falling apart cell phone. I now know how to call out, but still don't know how to receive a call. I believe I got voice mail and left a brief message. I drove on and then stopped and dialed again and left another brief message.
Getting into the traffic was my fault; it was my own fault. Not contacting Lady B was my fault, mu own fault. I had made no real arrangements to meet her except for a casual email which contained no dates or times.
I drove on to the town of Santa Maria. There was a lot of traffic on the way, but it was moving. When I got there I didn't recognize the place. I remember eating good barbecue there in the distant past. I also remembered that in the far distant past I had met a remarkable cat by the name of Piston there. Among certain Spanish speakers in California 'piston' means, if not 'drunkard,' then 'great drinker of alcohol.' This cat had no tail, but it was a real cat. It would sit on its square bottom, retract its claws, so that its little paws looked like it had on boxing gloves. Then, if one fought fairly, it would box with you.
I was tired and pulled into the first motel easy to reach from the road. The managers seemed to be from the Middle East, but not Arab. There were no hooks or coat hangers, so rather than throw my clothes on the floor, I put them on a chair. I went to bed and slept well
I just returned from a little trip that was good without a peak experience. The weather was good. The change of pace and point of view was good. In general it was pleasing and interesting. Not all was perfect. I hit traffic heavier and more long lasting than I had ever seen. It extended from Lancaster to Ventura! I accidentally got on to the 210 freeway which took me into the dreaded hell of L.A. county. At one point I took a road paralleling the freeway and saw what thought was a 'park and ride' parking lot, but it was the freeway.
When I reached Ventura County I felt some home of seeing my long time friend, Lady B. I stopped and dialed her number on my new, but falling apart cell phone. I now know how to call out, but still don't know how to receive a call. I believe I got voice mail and left a brief message. I drove on and then stopped and dialed again and left another brief message.
Getting into the traffic was my fault; it was my own fault. Not contacting Lady B was my fault, mu own fault. I had made no real arrangements to meet her except for a casual email which contained no dates or times.
I drove on to the town of Santa Maria. There was a lot of traffic on the way, but it was moving. When I got there I didn't recognize the place. I remember eating good barbecue there in the distant past. I also remembered that in the far distant past I had met a remarkable cat by the name of Piston there. Among certain Spanish speakers in California 'piston' means, if not 'drunkard,' then 'great drinker of alcohol.' This cat had no tail, but it was a real cat. It would sit on its square bottom, retract its claws, so that its little paws looked like it had on boxing gloves. Then, if one fought fairly, it would box with you.
I was tired and pulled into the first motel easy to reach from the road. The managers seemed to be from the Middle East, but not Arab. There were no hooks or coat hangers, so rather than throw my clothes on the floor, I put them on a chair. I went to bed and slept well
Monday, August 1, 2011
Former Desert Hot Springs police officer gets probation in Taser case | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com
Former Desert Hot Springs police officer gets probation in Taser case | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com
Desert People are not always serene.
There were signs here that read "You don't have to by crazy to live here, but it helps."
Knowing that there are very many more of us now works on the imagination.
Desert People are not always serene.
There were signs here that read "You don't have to by crazy to live here, but it helps."
Knowing that there are very many more of us now works on the imagination.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Antonio Garra
Antonio Garra Sr. was a Native American Indian patriot. The "Daily Alta California" of December 18, 1851 stated that Garra was a Quechan by birth and was taken to Mission San Luis Rey at a young age. He became famous, infamous to some, for attempting to organize Southern California tribes, "to drive out all the whites" These may have been his words, but probably were not. He did have plenty of words. I believe that he spoke five Indian languages as well as Spanish and English.
He was know for being energetic, determined, and courageous. He is quoted as being against Indians being taxed without representation.
He was part of a coalition of California Indian groups which included in its leadership Juan Antonio, Cabezon, Juan Bautista, and himself. The purpose of the coalition was to gain an maintain certain political and economic rights for Indians of the regions.
He may have been betrayed by certain Californios.
Please add to this post, or question it, in your comment. Click on the word "Comments" below. You may comment anonymously if you wish. Thank you.
He was know for being energetic, determined, and courageous. He is quoted as being against Indians being taxed without representation.
He was part of a coalition of California Indian groups which included in its leadership Juan Antonio, Cabezon, Juan Bautista, and himself. The purpose of the coalition was to gain an maintain certain political and economic rights for Indians of the regions.
He may have been betrayed by certain Californios.
Please add to this post, or question it, in your comment. Click on the word "Comments" below. You may comment anonymously if you wish. Thank you.
Drug Run to Mexico
Made another drug run to Mexico yesterday.
Forgot to bring my new little cellphone with me. I don't even know where it is now. I probably ought to keep it in the Suzuki.
I did remember to take my passport with me ... and to bring it back.
Paid about $49 for drugs. Here, the could have cost me about $700 the last time I checked! Gas cost me about $50 in my new little gas saver. The drive, one way, is farther than the run from Yucca Valley to Yuma.
I bought:
Amlodipino 5mg 100 comprimidos
Enlalopril 20 mg 400
Terazosina 2mg 100
Metoprolol 50mg 100
I don't have a doctor. After 40 years of taking my own blood pressure, I no longer do so. I have begun to forget to take my medication or to take too much.
I have probably made this particular run over three dozen times. I have probably taken as many different routs doing so.
Over the years more and more people have been going to Algodones to get drugs, glasses, and teeth. However yesterday there seen to be no one in the stores or offices. There were no lines of cars or pietones at the linea. There were few cars in the Indian parking lot.
If I keep making this trip much longer, I may have to find someone to help me get into and out of the car.
Forgot to bring my new little cellphone with me. I don't even know where it is now. I probably ought to keep it in the Suzuki.
I did remember to take my passport with me ... and to bring it back.
Paid about $49 for drugs. Here, the could have cost me about $700 the last time I checked! Gas cost me about $50 in my new little gas saver. The drive, one way, is farther than the run from Yucca Valley to Yuma.
I bought:
Amlodipino 5mg 100 comprimidos
Enlalopril 20 mg 400
Terazosina 2mg 100
Metoprolol 50mg 100
I don't have a doctor. After 40 years of taking my own blood pressure, I no longer do so. I have begun to forget to take my medication or to take too much.
I have probably made this particular run over three dozen times. I have probably taken as many different routs doing so.
Over the years more and more people have been going to Algodones to get drugs, glasses, and teeth. However yesterday there seen to be no one in the stores or offices. There were no lines of cars or pietones at the linea. There were few cars in the Indian parking lot.
If I keep making this trip much longer, I may have to find someone to help me get into and out of the car.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Penalties Against Educators
"The current Social Security system includes little-known penalties that reduce and often eliminate Social Security benefits for retired teachers in California and 14 other States. CalRTA supports solutions to the long-term financing of Social Security, including repeal of these penalties which discourage people from becoming teachers."
Earned Social Security Benefits
If an educator worked for 20 years in the private sector, earned Social Security credits and then entered teaching in California and taught for 20 years, that educator could lose more than half of his/her earned Social Security benefits.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
San Andres Fault
A small section of the San Andres earthquake fault on the Carrizo Plains of central California.
U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program
U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program
See What is shaking in California. Click on the link above.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)