Roaming Map, Right.....

Monday, April 18, 2016

Red Rock Canyon Mar 2016


(just north or Mojave, CA)


This was a fun trip to meet up with the "Boys in da Hood" that I grew up with.  I haven't seen Bill for about some 20+ years and time before that in '67 SEA where the before photo was taken, so it was good to catch up on  everyone including the "Goon Squad" which was our High School days nickname for the group.  Funny to note, that it appears that many "found Gawd"... hmmm... might say something about our teen years.. dunno, don't care... whatever works...

Before:  Bien Hoa, VN (SEA) cira: 1967-68?



After:  Red Rock Canyon, CA Mar 2016


(I don't really notice any difference at all..  button down shirts vs T-shirts... about the only difference I see.. hehe Gawd, sigh getting old sucks big time)

Bill and Ted L have those VW Busses, but they have the special 4x4 "Syncro" ones and unfortunately to me that simply means they pretty much go anywhere off road.



We were originally going to meet at the Jumbo Rocks in Twentynine Palms.  As I was driving out of Las Vegas, a phone call changed it all to Red Rock Canyon dud to the 'Spring Breakers' taking up space, aka packed... Damn Students anyway.  It was an annual group ride and for the VW class busses and apx 12-15 showed up.
 
I've often driven by Red Rock Canyon but never really stopped to check it out.  Great cliff formations made out of something, clueless on what, looks like clay, tastes like clay too... so if it looks like a duck.......?

 

Camping, leveling was a little hard to do at their location so, chose a site right be low.  It was "Dry Camping" and Calif sure "Loves" there spots at $25 a night for dry.  Sorry, I hate Calif... heheh.



The game plan was just to explore the area and do  a campout.  While Bill and Ted were the only ones I saw that went out on the trails, the rest had a good time just 'Putzing' around, Tortoise Racing, seminar and  a hike to the top of the cliffs...  Apparently a few movies have been filmed at the canyon.  I can see why with the cliff formations.



It also has an extensive ORV area, sigh Ole Nellie/Nel , trail system and a free camping spot, Dove Springs? Whatever,  where you see the pics  of the VWs going up the sand banks.  Free camping, it would have been my choice, but with it goes the ORV crowd which isn't known for peace and quiet, so mixed benefits.




Dinners and then a campfire were the schedule for afternoons.  It was just nice sitting out in the warm arr, clear skies and catching up.


I was able to go along on several, aka the 'Only rides', and the 2nd one was to the top of some mountain, along with the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail.  I had always wanted to do PCT, but couldn't find any "reliable'" shipping sources to mail the 2 week supply packages.  It's always been on the list... heheh, and the fact that most started on Apr 1st is not missed on this 'Phool'... Coincidence? Perhaps... Maybe... but??? just say'n...heheh..



All in all, the trip was a good one and especially good to meet up with member's of the "Goon Squad" again and catch up on all the others.  The riding was fun, but as we all know... driving it is  "Mo'Funner"...  It would have been fun in "Li'l Nel"



Next stop is on the way to the coast.  heading towards Reno, NV for a stop at the VA there for Meds and then on to the Coast to start working my way up the coast.  I miss my Trees & Ocean.
One day at a time eh??
cheers..

 

Gallery Pics Here.

Valley Of Fire, NV Mar 2016

While on my way from NM, Ice Cave enroute to Jumbo Rock, Twentynine Palms, CA, I figure I will stay here until everyone meets up.



It was a surprise as out in the middle of No-Mann's land, these Red Rocks appear.



Immediate first thought was Wheeeerrrrssss Freddy and Wilma... and kept looking for Dino? (heheh, I sorta missed the whole Fred Flinstone dealy).



It was a great stop, looking at the rocks.  The wind kept following me around and caught up to me here.



Since no Buggy to get around and explore, I was able to just walk the local area.


Campsites back in the rocks are kinda kewl, would be a fun place for a small group.



No hook ups at this site, 1 of 2, but the other one did have hook ups,but not quite as nice and for $10+ a night, so passed.  No cell/Wifi connections, seems to be the norm now.  You can walk across the road a bit for a maybe? 1-bar connection



Anyway, nice place to stop for a a day or three, but wouldn't want to live there.



Onward and upward to Jumbo Rocks, but..... plans changed midway... Just outside of Las Vegas.

Gallery Pics Here..



Ice Caves & Volcano Cone - Mar 2016


Ok, so after the "Bat Caves" headed out for the Ice Caves in the upper NW corner of New Mexico enroute to Valley of Fire NV.  i skipped the Grand Canyone and Vermillion rocks, whatever they're called, as camping sites were booked full through Apr.
This is one of those things you pas on the highways and wonder just what's there.  Not quite like the "Mystery Houses" where water runs uphill, but not as grand at the "Grand Canyon" I suppose... nice to see.

Off the beaten path to the little cabin resort?.  Small fee of around $8 to help keep it going which I'll happily pay as these are the unique stops that make it all interesting and Kudos to those that try to keep'er going.  It's sad when drivng though little towns with the boarded up buildings and thinking those were the "Hopes and Dreams" of someone and finally lost.  Makes me sad driving through those places... Almost Ghost Towns.


Inside the cabin there are various rocks/relics etc.


Outside the cabin, to the north is the path to the volcano rim.  Easy to walk up even for me.  Once there, you can look down to the bottom now filled with a tree or two.  Along the way you can see the volcanic lava flows and apparently this one has the longest, 13-mil in the US.. Somehow I thought the Ape Caves in WA were longer, but? I fergit.....


Coming back to the cabin, you take the "South Trail" to the Ice Cave, just one.  Along the easy trail, you'll see  the volcanic lava flows.


Inside the little holes you'll see "Ice Patches".  Apparently the Lava is an excellent insulator and the tribes used them to keep food fresh... well, fresher..


They also used the small caves, niches, to keep warm in the winter, you'll see some walls in front of them. Interesting...


I kept seeing some familiar trees and made a note to ask, when there was a sign, 'Ponderosa Pine' which answered the question.
Once at the cave, a fairly steep walk/step down.


The blue ice just looked like the floor...  What  a great place for an ice skating rink, small one, but??? Ok, what a great beer cooler... a big one but... ?? Hmmm, how kewl is that..


It was a good stop, fun to see and yes, I'm sure there are bigger/better/colder ones, but this was nice.  As I may have mentioned before, whenever I mention a kewl place/site/location It's always commented by others,
"Well, you should see.... blah-blah-blah..." heheh, so there's allways something bigger/faster/better, nicer, and I'll make note of it, but did appreciated what I actually saw...
Fun, Next stop, Valley of Fire, Nevada for a few days...
Cheers..