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
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.
Benton Hot Springs - California
Established in the early 1860s, Benton was born with the discovery of silver in the nearby Blind Springs Hills and White Mountains. Also known as Benton Hot Springs, the town thrived for a few short years.
Covered Wagon Camp - Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm has always been one of my favorite places to visit in Southern California, and heck, I’ve lived within 20 miles of it most of my life (that’s a lot of years).
Little Lakes Valley Trail
The sky looked a bit ominous Thursday morning when we set out to the Little Lakes Valley trailhead. Our goal was to see each of the five main lakes, from the trailhead to Gem Lakes, a roundtrip of eight miles with an elevation gain of approximately 1200 feet.
Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine - California
The best laid plans are often subject to the weather. I had planned on hiking the one-mile loop trail to Heart Lake in Mammoth, and also to wander around the remaining buildings of the Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine which are right near by.
T Cross K Ranch - Mission Creek Preserve - California
If you lived in Southern California during the 1930s and were looking for a get-a-way retreat where you could be “just plain lazy,” The T Cross K Guest Ranch would have been perfect. Especially if you enjoyed home cooking and BBQ. Rates were reasonable, $5 per day or $30 per week, per person. Throw in horseback riding, hunting, pack trips, tennis, dancing and hiking….I would have so been there.
Ballarat - California
My plan was to stop at Ballarat and then continue north, connecting with CSR 190 and thence to Lone Pine to spend the night. I made it as far as Ballarat. Most plans don’t survive contact with the elements.
Eastern Sierra Nevada Fall Colors - California
October in Northern California, along I-395. What could be better?
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns - Death Valley - California
What are these crazy dome things out in the wilderness of Death Valley?
Zabriskie Point - Death Valley - California
Spread out before me was a maze of wildly eroded and multi-colored badlands. I was home.
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….
Grave of the Unknown Prospector - California
I imagine there are probably hundreds of unmarked graves in the Mojave Desert, the final resting places of prospectors and others who traveled across the sands in search of their golden dreams.
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.
Convict Lake - California
I’d seen the sign for Convict Lake numerous times while driving by on Hwy 395, but this trip was the time I would turn off the highway and check it out.
Lester Dale Mine - California
I’m not sure what attracts me to places like this, but I’m certainly glad they are still around to find and explore.