I always look forward to winter. Not to the snow - though a day swishing down the slopes is always enjoyable - or for the cozy afternoons enjoying popcorn and a movie, but because they mean that it is time - once again - to explore the desert.
Having wrapped up the last of the work on the Tacoma - a new 5th gear and some major repair work to the bed - while it was housed at home, the end of October meant that it was time for the long drive south to escape the cold, wet weather of the Pacific Northwest and revel in the relative warmth of the Mojave Desert for the first time this season.
This time, we'd be doing more than just exploring. We'd be meeting up with Mike @mk5 to help with the ongoing reforestation around Cima Dome, planting Joshua Trees to replace those that were burned in the 2020 Dome Fire. And, with the trip encompassing Halloween, we'd be scaring ourselves shitless by spending that spooky night at the creepiest place in the Preserve - the Goldome Mine.
But now, I'm getting ahead of myself. First, we had to get there.
Cowhole Mountain and the Creepiest Halloween | Return to the Desert #1 - I always look forward to winter. Not to the snow - though a day swishing down the slopes is always enjoyable - or for the cozy afternoons enjoying popcorn and a movie, but because they mean that it is time - once again - to explore the desert. Having wrapped up the last of the work on the Tacoma - a new 5th gear and some major repair work to the bed - while it was housed at home, the end of October meant that it was time for the long drive south to escape the cold, wet weather of…
The Second Best Site | Return to the Desert #2 - Just as with the Dewey Mine, there's been a rock art site in the heart of the Mojave Preserve that I've known about for several years but have never visited. So, when Mike @mk5 and I were coordinating a couple days of Joshua Tree planting, I was thrilled when - along with all the meals he wanted to cook for @mrs.turbodb and me - he piped up with: Another thing that didn't occur to me until now... but given your interest in historic rock vandalism, perhaps we could track some down up there, as part of a planting hike? m(never-seen-rock-art)k5…