California April/May 2011
I made a trip to California for a few days at the end of April and
beginning of May, 2011. After arriving in LA, the first order of business
was dinner:
![](tommys_29apr11b.jpg)
Tommy's Hamburgers. In the Valley @ Roscoe X 405. Glad to see it is still
there. It has indoor seating now. Seems to have lost a bit of its charm
and sense of urgency. The Chili Fries are still tasty.
I spent April 30 and May 1 in Ridgecrest; after that I went to a conference
in Anaheim. The weather was unseasonably cool, struggling to reach 70 F
on both days. It was also, for the most part, very windy.
On the first day in Ridgecrest, my dad and I explored
the hills south of town. The old mining towns of Randsburg,
Johannesburg, and Red Mountain are rather timeless. They refuse to die.
I went to school with a couple of kids from Randsburg / Johannesburg,
and one from Garlock...
![](silver-dollar-30apr11b.jpg)
The Silver Dollar Saloon in Red Mountain.
About 25 years ago, a couple of my friends were in a band that played
at this joint. Looks like it's been closed for several years and
the desert sun is taking its toll now...
![](ranch_30apr11b.jpg)
A bit cheesy, but a rattlesnake theme. On the main drag (395) in Johannesburg.
![](church_30apr11b.jpg)
The Santa Barbara Church, in Randsburg. Built in 1904.
This interesting site is out in the middle of nowhere:
![](x15_30apr11_1b.jpg)
A monument erected in memory of Major Michael Adams, USAF.
He was killed in an X-15 crash here on 15 November 1967.
I was fascinated by the X-15 when I was a kid, and had no idea that one
had crashed not far at all from where I grew up.
We'll probably never see an airplane that badass, or test pilots allowed
to take such risks, ever again.
The world air speed record for a manned fixed-wing aircraft,
4,520 mph (Mach 6.7),
was set by Major Pete Knight in an X-15 back in 1967 and still stands.
![](x15_30apr11_2b.jpg)
A closer look at the miniature X-15 on the top of the pole. The flag
swivels on the pole, operating as a weather vane. This feature was much
in evidence on this day.
![](destort_30apr11b.jpg)
Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), as spotted on the side
of a dirt road. Always nice to see these.
![](scenery_30apr11b.jpg)
The Southern Sierras, as seen from high in the El Pasos.
![](uta_30apr11b.jpg)
Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), as found.
![](dad_30apr11b.jpg)
Dad and Laurel Mountain, in the El Pasos.
![](flower_30apr11_1b.jpg)
Mojave Aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia).
![](flower_30apr11_2b.jpg)
A closer look.
The next day, I went for a lengthy hike in the Lava Mountains, which
are located northeast of Randsburg.
![](gopher_01may11_1b.jpg)
A subadult Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola).
![](gopher_01may11_2b.jpg)
A closer look.
![](callisaurus_01may11b.jpg)
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides).
![](hornyliz_01may11_1b.jpg)
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), as found,
trying to get warm.
![](hornyliz_01may11_2b.jpg)
Same animal as above, looking south.
![](hornyliz_01may11_3b.jpg)
Same animal as above, looking north. I like taking in-situ photos when
possible, and this was very willing to sit tight. So I made the most of it.
Both snakes that I came across this day were on the crawl and would not
sit still while I got my camera out.
![](habitat_01may11_1b.jpg)
Cuddeback Dry Lake (in the distance).
![](habitat_01may11_2b.jpg)
A nearby hillside.
![](petroglyph_01may11b.jpg)
Petroglyphs.
![](beavertail_01may11_1b.jpg)
Beavertail Cactus.
![](beavertail_01may11_2b.jpg)
Beavertail Cactus.
![](lichanura_01may11_1b.jpg)
Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata).
![](lichanura_01may11_2b.jpg)
A closer look.
![](lichanura_01may11_3b.jpg)
I was hoping for a better look at the snake in this photo, but it wouldn't
sit still. I found it on a steep hillside about four feet
to the right of where it is in this photo.
![](destort_01may11_1b.jpg)
An old tortoise shell, as found in the bottom of the canyon just below
the Rosy Boa.
![](destort_01may11_2b.jpg)
Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), as spotted in a wash.
That's about it. I wish I could have hung around longer.
Other reptile species seen: Western Whiptails (Aspidoscelis tigris),
a Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister),
a Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii),
a Red Racer (Masticophis flagellum piceus) (DOR),
and a Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) (DOR).
I really do enjoy visiting with my parents and exploring the desert.