More California
I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all. I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore. I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.
“California’s been good to me. Hope it don’t fall into the sea.” …..Tom Petty
Cabazon - Dinosaurs! - California
If you’ve ever taken the 10 out to Palm Springs, or Arizona or anywhere past the Morongo Casino over the last 50 years, you’ve probably seen the giant Brontosaurus watching you as you sped past at 90 mph. And then, he was joined by another favorite dino - the Tyranosaurus Rex.
The Bench People - Knott’s Berry Farm - California
You’ve seen them, sitting there on those benches all day long, watching, ever watching the people go by. Always patient, never complaining about all the guests taking selfies with them, or getting “handsy” with them.
Olancha - Sleeping Beauty - Hwy 395 - California
Where does the name “Olancha” come from, or what does it mean? Seems that there’s no positive answer, but two likely options….
Red Hill Cinder Cone - It’s a Volcano! - California
If you’ve driven along the 395, you’ve most likely passed this volcano and didn’t realize the immense danger you were in.
The Horseshoe Joshua Tree - Hwy 395 - California
From a distance, Skip Gorman’s Horseshoe Joshua Tree can fool you into thinking it’s a real Joshua Tree. As you get closer, you stop. “Wait a minute, there’s something different about that tree,” you may say to yourself.
Pearsonville - Hub Cap Capitol of the World - California
Have you ever driven north on Pearson Road? Or perhaps ventured to the west side of 395, to explore Sterling Road? There are treasures on both sides of the highway for history seekers and those who enjoy finding the odd and quirky “Roadside Attractions” of years past.
Tip Top Gold Mine - Eastern Sierra - California
It was a beautiful day for a hike, to a place none of us had ever been. I’d read of the Cardinal Mine a few years back, and as chance would have it, our group was spending the week in the area. “Let’s hike to a gold mine,” I said. So we did.
Krblin Jihn Kabin - pCalifornia - Kcymaerica
Oh my, where to start. With a picture. Yes, that would be best. Keep in mind whilst reading and viewing this post, that there are a lot of art installations sprinkled across the desert surrounding Joshua Tree National Park.
Them thar Hills - Fullerton - California
One of the last large, open-space areas in north Orange County is less than five minutes from where I live. Hundreds of acres, touching four different cities, trails criss-cross the expansive foothills….
Buried Homes - Newberry Springs - California
Method #3 on my tried and true list of how to find unique places to explor: See a picture of an intesting place, spend hours online tracking down its location, go there. Which is how I came to this bleak spot in the Mojave desert.
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns - Death Valley - California
What are these crazy dome things out in the wilderness of Death Valley?
PC - Greetings from Death Valley
I like old postcards. Especially the “Greetings From” style.
Owens Lake - California
And the answer is: Once a 110-square-mile lake, estimated at being over 1,000,000 years old.
Swansea - California
So much to see along 395, shame on those who claim everything’s dead in the desert….
Old Homestead - Lucerne Valley - California
This place literally screamed to me to take its picture. What could I do?
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - California
High atop the White Mountains of the Inyo National Forest is where I was heading. I was looking for the oldest trees in the world,
Route 58 Stone Ruins - California
I was driving west on Route 58, out of Barstow, heading to I-395 and points north….
Crowley Lake - California
Crowley Lake is located about 15 miles south of Mammoth Lakes. There’s a nice viewpoint right alongside Hwy 395, I stopped to stretch my legs and take a couple photos.
The Trona Pinnacles - California
After close to five miles of bouncing and rat-a-tat-tat-tating over a hardpacked, washboard dirt road, the strange landscape seen from a distance was now up close and personal.
Kearsarge Station - California
Citrus changed to Kearsarge Station in 1913. During the busy years, there was also a residence for the section boss and a bunkhouse for the workers near the depot. Even though the depot was torn down in 1955 and there isn’t much left to explore, I still found it an interesting place to visit.