Desert Gazette

PETROGLYPHS 

Two posts in one month!  Rather productive for me.  Anyway, I’m off in a couple hours to visit a place I’ve been wanting to go to for years now–Renegade Canyon at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) near Ridgecrest.  I’ve heard the petroglyphs and canyon are plentiful and very well preserved, and why not?- The U.S. Navy could (and should) nuke vandals if they had a mind to.

I’ve seen too many places that have fallen to ruin because of mindless, souless, thieves that have destroyed and stolen priceless petroglyphs.  I still think they should drag these misfits out, kicking, crying, screaming, and whining and…  Hmmm, I’m limited for time.

UPDATES & NEW STUFF:

Geomorphic Provinces:

This new section defines tectonic activity throughout Callifornia.  I’ve tied it in with an online booklet about the San Andreas Fault.  I plan to list information about the faulting in each area as it applies to my projects- A very long way to go. 

At the same time I’m working in pages describing ecosections and subsections. These pages describe a bit about the general ecology of the areas.  Little by little I’ve been adding links to this information on pages I’ve been updating.  An example can be found at the bottom of the page on the history of Wildrose Kilns.  Auspicious, but you gotta start somewhere.

I’ve been quiet but busy.  Briefly, “some” of the recent updates and additions to the site(s) include;

Plant Adaptations - Ways plants have found their space in the desert.

How the Indians Used Plants - Mostly about using plants as food sources.  I’m hoping to expand this section into some detail.

A Historical Sketch of California Indians - Frankly, until the last 10 years or so, I had no idea. 

The Stamp Mill - Processing Gold Ore.

A Brief History of the Cajon Pass - So close to where I live, I don’t know why I put it off so long

Oasis of Mara - Twentynine Palms.

There’s much more and I’m running late.  Wish I could type faster.

See ya.

I don’t have too much time, then yet I never do. But I just wanted to point out the new section on raptors/birds of prey.

http://digital-desert.com/wildlife/raptors/

The coolest thing (although there are many), is that they have three eyelids.  One movable from the top, one from the bottom and one from the side, a membrane which they use in flight to keep their big ol’ eye moist and protected in the wind.

Got to run, tomorrow I have a class, the Mining History of Joshua Tree National Park, at the Desert Institute.  I have a great time at these and look forward to them.

bye.