Beautiful Wonder Valley sunrise
It was raining over the Sheephole Mountains on Sunday morning, as the sun rose. It made for a beautiful panorama.
Wonder Valley, California, in the heart of the Mojave Desert, is a rural community of artists, musicians, and other desert dwellers. Visit the Palms Restaurant, the Glass Outhouse Gallery, and the Wonder Valley Community Center. Visit the beautiful Pinto and Bullion mountains. Minutes from Joshua Tree National Park and the Gateway to the Mojave Preserve.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Beautiful sunrise on Sunday
It was raining over the Sheephole Mountains on Sunday morning, as the sun rose. It made for a beautiful panorama.
Where's Heather?
Wonder Valley's own artist, Heather Johnson, is riding her motorcycle to the other end of the Americas. She's made it as far as Playa El Cuco, El Salvador. From Heather:
"To get to Mompox, there is a ferry that runs every odd hour. You pick it up east of Manangue, a town so filled with motorbikes that riding through it feels like participating in a race. There are literally no cars.. only 125cc singles, mostly 2-strokes. The ferry slides lazily down a branch of the Magdalena River and spits its cargo onto a steep sand and gravel embankment, followed by 25 miles of gravel to the well-preserved 16th century town of Santa Cruz de Mompox.
"At the terminal there is a bar, run by a big man with three names who grilled me on my feelings about President Obama (wherein my Spanish conveniently crapped out - partly because I'm not great at talking about politics with strangers). But when I finally parked my bike on the flat ferry barge, I was immediately surrounded by enthusiastic guys with questions about my bike and what the hell I was doing with it, alone. They listened to my every word, sorting out the jumbled Spanish and gently offering corrections. We talked about the night's big football game, and I assured them I'd route for the country I was in now, as opposed to one I'm traveling to (Colombia vs Argentina - Colombia lost by one point after kicking mighty ass to settle up a tie). We took photos of each other, swapping emails, and once again, after striking out into unknown territory, I ended up with new friends."
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| Heather Johnson, In Search of the Frightening and Beautiful |
"At the terminal there is a bar, run by a big man with three names who grilled me on my feelings about President Obama (wherein my Spanish conveniently crapped out - partly because I'm not great at talking about politics with strangers). But when I finally parked my bike on the flat ferry barge, I was immediately surrounded by enthusiastic guys with questions about my bike and what the hell I was doing with it, alone. They listened to my every word, sorting out the jumbled Spanish and gently offering corrections. We talked about the night's big football game, and I assured them I'd route for the country I was in now, as opposed to one I'm traveling to (Colombia vs Argentina - Colombia lost by one point after kicking mighty ass to settle up a tie). We took photos of each other, swapping emails, and once again, after striking out into unknown territory, I ended up with new friends."
Road to Wonder Valley
The Road to Wonder Valley
Profiles local artists Michael Smiley and Bobby Furst
The artists are not from Wonder Valley but the show is titled, "The Road to Wonder Valley." I imagine they will include artists from here in upcoming episodes. I hope so.
View at: https://vimeo.com/channels/550153
Help for Seniors and Disabled
Seniors and disabled persons - do you need help with your house and/or property? Reach Out Morongo is taking applications for 20 homes in need of light repair, painting, light carperntry and other work that does not need a permit.
The work will be done by 1st Tank Batallion and Naval Chiefs from Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in August and September.
Call Schlosser for more information at: 760-361 1410.
The work will be done by 1st Tank Batallion and Naval Chiefs from Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in August and September.
Call Schlosser for more information at: 760-361 1410.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Desert Trail Column, June 25, 2015
DESERT TRAIL COLUMN, JUNE 25, 2015, BY KAREN MEYERS AND DARLENE PARRIS
Jan and Jerry Peek are celebrating 53 years of marriage this week. Happy anniversary, Jerry and Jan!
Karen’s Commentary: Thanks to Sandi Arismendi for the greeting cards to help the kids at St Jude’s Ranch for Children; to Marie for bags of used postage stamps to help save the eagles in Big Bear; to cousin Annie for cards and manufacturers’ coupons to help military families overseas; and to Star Javier for both cards and stamps. All this help with my projects is really wonderful, especially having the coupons already cut out! I have an update to a past handy hint about thinly coating countertops with blue Dawn dishwashing liquid to get rid of ants. It did cause our kitchen counter ant population to go from dozens down to 4 or 5 per day, but I discovered that coating only the countertop where it meets the wall with the cheap dishwashing liquid worked even better! I honestly don’t know why, but we haven’t had a single ant in two days now.
Darlene’s Commentary: I’m finally getting used to using crutches, and I think I have the rhythm down, but the feet do not always cooperate. I’m very careful and take my time when walking, keeping my eyes on the ground, and yesterday I carefully walked into a tree branch that put a good lump on my noggin. I can go grocery shopping by using their electric carts. Stater Brothers has two new and improved carts that are pretty zippy and turn on a dime, and back up as fast as they go forward. I was also being careful when I sideswiped a display of twelve-packs of sodas, and almost caused a head-on collision with a grocery cart full of groceries. Anyway, no harm was done to the merchandise, and the only harm to me was of my pride. Now, if I can make it through the check stand without incident, it will be all good!
The Wonder Valley Thrift Store on Godwin Road, just north of Highway 62, is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 to noon. Come in to find some great bargains! All proceeds from sales go to the Godwin Christian Fellowship Church building fund.
Handy Hint: To peel the skin off fresh garlic, cut off the stem end, then pop them in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds. Remove and let cool. The skin will practically slip off by itself.
Thought for Today: To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
Until next time . . . remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.
Sons of the Pioneers sing Wonder Valley (c. 1941)
Sons Of The Pioneers - Wonder Valley
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| Wonder Valley, c. 1941, Sons of the Pioneers |
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Officials caution those with existing breathing issues
Lake Fire Affecting Air Quality in Joshua Tree National Park
Date: June 19, 2015Contact: George Land, 760-367-5507
Twentynine Palms, CA—The 11,000 acre Lake Fire in San Bernardino National Forest is dropping ash in the park and producing less than healthy air quality, particularly for individuals with respiratory problems. While the park is open to visitors, officials caution anyone with existing breathing issues and discourage strenuous exercise such as hiking, climbing, running or cycling during existing conditions.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and is only 10% contained at this time.
For information on the fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4302/ or call the Fire Center Information line at (909) 383-5688.
For current conditions in the park check: www.nps.gov/jotr.
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