4 of 4: The Old Mojave Road

Last weekend a crew of us went out to drive the Old Mojave Road.

Our fearless leader, walking on water, who I called "meat hooks" because he has the biggest darn hands EVER. They were the size of my head, I'm sure of it.


We followed wagon routes that seemed impossible - but had clearly been used a lot in the 1800's - grinding wagon wheel grooves into the bedrock (one more prominent to the left, and the other just beneath the boot tip on the right).


We also frequently got "the little engine that could" unstuck from places, trying to not let it lose too many bits and pieces (although, in the end it did). Watch it being pushed out of a wash here. And below, how it earned the new name of "the yellow submarine".





At Indian Hill aka Indian Well aka Indian Spring - a big pile of rocks covered in petroglyphs - we set up camp the first night. I found a nice level spot up in the rocks to spend the night while everyone else went down into the wash below. This was great until 3am when I heard a crew of coyotes shrieking (howling) and sounding like they were just on the top of my hill...


We tasted Joshua Tree fruit. I don't recommend it. Licking it, it sort of tasted like cucumber - that's as far as I went (despite tasting it being my idea) - for some reason almost everyone else actually bit into it, and they were all spitting and gagging and trying to find antidotes in the form of trail mix and gum. It was pretty funny. Well, for me anyway.


We explored an amazingly intact mine, that was run from 1914-1926 for limestone and iron, what appears to be a plank road is the remains of the rail line. It went on forever! We were duly impressed by the size and lack of vandalism at it.


Easily one of my favourite spots was Rock Spring - named for obvious reasons - there was an astounding quantity of fresh water here in this little oasis in the deep desert. The scene was surreal. It was, for one year, a military outpost to protect the US Mail!!!

To see more from my trip click here.

Mojave: 3 of 4

Last field trip of the semester... and a perfect sized group for it. Ahhhh, sweet relief!

Jumping for joy in the lava tube (Aiken Mine Rd.) - beneath the stream of sunlight from a cave-in hole above.

In preparation for the last trip to Mojave this month, I finally had the tow hook installed that the previous owners had given me when I bought the Wrongler from them. Now it is known as Snaggletooth.

After many tasted the brine trench with looks of revulsion on their faces, we finally gathered a group for a snowy-looking photo.

Mojave in April: trip 2 of 4

Cadiz Summit on rte 66 (pit stop?)

The camping crew: K-man, G.O. Joe, me, Bird Nerd (Cadiz Summit)

Why limit s'mores to graham crackers?

The campsite while preparing for dinner.

The campsite in the morning.

Rather old SPAM container from Udsogn Mine site.

Lizard.

Bird Nerd collects souveniers from Danby rail site.

I take quick nap on the Mother Road.

Sands Ghost Town Adventure

Welcome to Afton Canyon, known (believe it or not) as the "Grand Canyon of the Mojave". HH and I took a perilous detour through here on our way to find a ghost town. We drove through the Mojave river, which is a joke on maps being as it runs through a gigantic desert... but up close and personal, it gave the Jeep quite a bath and us quite a shock.


After much rumbling on dirt roads, dry river beds, railroad sidings, washes, etc - we eventually made it to Sands:


Sands was once a ranch, from what we can tell, located on the cusp of "Devil's Playground". The only building that still had a significant portion remaining is the barn. Huge timbers were brought in to build this place and of course many parts seemed to be hand-tooled. It was truly awesome to look at this wood and imagine the hard work that someone put into this many many years ago.




What we couldn't figure out was where the ranch house and windmill went. We saw a picture that showed the barn, with metal windmill in background, in a fairly similar state as we saw it. There were no roof remnants when we got there, unlike the picture, and also unlike the picture, there was NO sign of the windmill. Where did it go? The ranch house was even more of a mystery. The only thing that looked like it could have belonged to it is the post below that might have been part of the frame. We thought that maybe the ranch house was torn down for some reason by the rail company. Bizarre. I intend to find out more.


I rather enjoyed the glass that was probably deposited here in the older days... Below, parts of a classic 7up and I think, Royal Crown Cola. (RC label below seems to be circa 1950s according to inter-web... and it seems as though the orange-back 7up label is from the same vintage)

The Great Cheese Adventure

Given the choice between a) going into work and reading a million poorly written reports on volcanoes or b) driving into Studio City (2hrs) to go taste and buy exciting cheeses at the Artisan Cheese Gallery ... (their website seems to have some fatal issues)

I'm sure it's clear what E-marathoner and I chose to do... They had an incredible assortment of cheeses. Cheeses made from cows, goats, sheep, yaks, water buffalos. There were no giraffe cheeses, I asked. We tasted them all. Yum!




They also had a wide assortment of non-cheeses. My favourite, for no other reason than the obvious, was the "original & genuine purple condiment with grapemust". I'm sure my favourite based on flavours would have been the pickles. But there you go. Does anyone know what the heck this purple is???

Just recently found out about the purple:

"This ancient recipe for Purple Grape Mustard is perpetuated by the House of Denoix founded in 1839. This tradtion of excellence has been handed down through the generations and today Denoix prides itself in using only the finest igredients to produce the authentic taste of this Purple Condiment.

Purple Grape Mustard is made from grape must, mustard seeds, wine, vinegar, water, salt and spices. There is no better condiment for saucisson than French mustard. The earthy tang of this delicious mustard will not only enhance charcuterie but also roast pork, beef and duck. Used in salad vinaigrettes, Purple Grape Mustard will provide a wine-friendly match.

Each jar contains 7 ounces net weight of Purple Grape Mustard Condiment by Maison Denoix from France."

Below is a close-up of "Roaring 40's" blue from Tasmania. It was fabulous. It managed to be sharp and yet also sweet. It managed to be creamy and yet, also crumbly. How does it do it?


And here, HERE is a close-up of a raw sheep's milk cheese from New Jersey. It's called Oldwick, and it's flavourful like you can taste the grass and flowers the sheep ate. Totally cool. And even cooler was that when you first cut into it, it appears pink. Then it fades back to cheese colour. Any ideas on what that is? Some form of oxidation we guessed. The story is that the sheep eat roses and that's why it's pink. E-marathoner and I looked at each other with glaring skepticism when told that.


In true "Gnat" fashion, I insisted on a photo with the cheese crew. Here they are, the most helpful and friendly cheese people around!

Jurassic Park?

In case you didn't quite grasp the enormity of the leaves on my (potted) fig tree that has also decided to bear fruit several months early, here is another photo.

Field Trip Insanity

Yesterday I ran my biggest field trip yet. Last year I thought I maxed out the possible attendance with 57 students (it seemed like more with the broken down limo, lost vehicle, and arrested vehicle) - but lo, yesterday I topped it with nearly 100.

Yup. Nearly 100. That was 28 vehicles in convoy.

Yowza!

Feel free to peruse photos from the day's adventure here.

Again, yowza!

Knitting, knitting, everywhere (part 3)

I finished it. Just in time for it to definitely be too warm to wear. Boy is this snuggly!

fasten nicely...

...or fasten with bugs!

view from over the shoulder...

...and under the armpit!

Knitting, knitting, everywhere (part 2 - final revision!)

The pattern:

I'm pretty sure I've translated the 3 pages of scribbles and numbers into a pattern for Rowan Biggy Print, and (in the size I made for myself): 15mm needles. My guess is that it could easily be made a size bigger or smaller by changing the needle size by 5mm. This yarn seems quite capable of handling 10-25mm needles, despite that it recommends being knit with 20mm.

Seriously... check the size of these needles!!! Kiki and gigantic fig leaf for scale.

Back
Using straight needles, CO 32 sts.
Beg with a RS row, work 2 rows in stockinette st.

Next row [RS]: K2, m1, k to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Work 3 rows in stockinette st.
Repeat these 4 rows twice more. 38sts, work measures 7.5 inches.

Shape Armholes
BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 34sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more. 26sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog k1.
Next Row [WS]: P1 p2 tog p to last 3 sts, p2 tog p1
Repeat these 2 rows 2 times, 18 sts rem

Work one more decrease row as above. 16sts rem.
P 1 row. Place all sts on st holder and break yarn.

Right Front
Using straight needles, CO 4sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 2 [WS]: P to last 2 sts, m1, p2.
Row 3 [RS]: K2, m1, k to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Row 4 [WS]: P to last 2 sts, m1, p2.
Row 5 [RS]: K2, m1, k to end.
Row 6 [WS]: P all sts
Row 7 [RS]: K2, m1, k to end.
Row 8 [WS]: P2, m1, p to last 2 sts, m1, p2.
Row 9[RS]: K2, m1, k to end.
Row 10 [WS]: P to last 2, m1, p2
Row 11 [RS]: K to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Row 12 [WS]: P2, m1, p to end.
Row 13 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 14 [RS]: P2, m1, p to end.
Row 15 [RS]: K all sts. 17 sts rem.

Shape Armhole
Next Row [WS]: BO 2sts, p to end. 15 sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog tbl, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more. 11 sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K to last 3 sts, k2tog tbl, k1
Next Row [WS]: P1 p2 tog p to end
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more, 5 sts rem

Next Row [RS]: K1, k3tog, k1. 3 sts rem.
P 1 row. Place sts on st holder and break yarn.

Left Front
Using straight needles, CO 4sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 2 [WS]: P2, m1, p to end.
Row 3 [RS]: K2, m1, k to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Row 4 [WS]: P2, m1, p to end.
Row 5 [RS]: K to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Row 6 [WS]: P all sts.
Row 7 [RS]: K to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Row 8 [WS]: P2, m1, p to last 2 sts, m1, p2.
Row 9 [RS]: K to last 2 sts, m1, k2.
Row 10 [WS]: P2 m1 p to end
Row 11 [RS]: K2, m1, k to end.
Row 12 [WS]: P to last 2 sts, m1, p2.
Row 13 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 14 [WS]: P to last 2 sts, m1, p2. 17 sts rem

Shape Armhole
Next Row [RS]: BO 2sts, k to end. 15sts rem.
P 1 row.

Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to end.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more. 11sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, k to end.
Next Row [WS]: P to last 3, p2tog, p1
Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more, 5 sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, k3tog, k1. 3 sts rem.
P 1 row. Place sts on st holder and break yarn.

Sleeves (Make 2)
Using straight needles, CO 18sts.
Work 6 rows K1P1 ribbing

Work 6 rows stockinette

Next Row [RS]: K2, m1, work in patt to last 2 sts, m1, k2. 20 sts.
Work 11 rows in patt as set, then work increase row as above once more. 22 sts.

Cont in patt as set until work measures 19 inches or desired length to underarm, ending with a WS row.

Shape Sleeve Cap:
BO 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 18 sts rem.

Next Row [RS]: K1, k2tog, work in patt to last 3 sts, k2tog tbl, k1.
P 1 row.
Repeat these 2 rows 4 times more. 8 sts rem.

Place sts on st holder and break yarn.

FINISHING
Sew fronts and back to sleeves at raglan seams.
Sew sleeve seams and side seams.

Ribbing Edge
Using circular needle, with RS facing and beg at edge of top right shoulder, pick up and k:

• 3 stitches, 3 held right front sts, 8 held right sleeve sts, 16 held back sts, 8 held left sleeve sts, 3 held left front sts, and 3 stitches at left shoulder
  
• K2 tog at beginning and end of next 6 rows (working K1P1 ribbing)
• BO all sts.

Using circular needle, with RS facing and starting at bottom edge of right front, pick up and k:

• 8 stitches along bottom front right edge
• 32 stitches along bottom edge (one for each CO)
• 8 stitches along bottom front left edge (48 sts)
• work 6 rows K1P1 ribbing and at the same time: K2tog at beginning and end of each row
• BO all sts
  

Weave in ends.
Fasten at the front with a brooch.

Knitting, knitting, everywhere (part 1)

While "on strike" over the weekend I left the stack of midterms alone and got out a gigantic pair of needles for therapy.
Inspired by super awesome (and gigantic) yarn (above in my colour of choice): Rowan "biggie print", and a cardigan sweater I got on BEG's behalf before xmas - I got started on knitting up a jacket for myself. At this stage it's almost done, but I need another ball of yarn to finish the edging. So as a teaser, I'm starting with this post, and when I finish the jacket I'll post a photo... and maybe my pattern too!!!

when did we grow up???

Lately I've been noticing that everyone around me seems to have become some sort of "adult" - what with the marrying and the babies and the jobs and such. It's making me wish I'd majored in astro-physics and was working on a time machine so that I could keep recycling the fun years over and over and not deal with stuff like mal-functioning knees, shoulders, and pinched nerves in necks.

And on that note, what I've been doing is trying not to suffocate beneath the scads of midterms I need to not only grade, but also keep stats on the students' comprehension level of the "scientific method". It's bimodal. I'm trying to keep the marking as far from the unpleasant side as possible, so I've set up a little station on my upstairs patio with a garden table, music, fresh air and peanut butter cups (ooh, the barfing sensation is returning).


Meanwhile, this is what Kiki is doing. Stupid cat. He has no idea how lucky he is.

a brief knitting interlude

I was commissioned to do a Darwin fish. Awesomeness. Why did I not write down what I was doing as I was doing it? I should've written up the pattern. Oh well, just shows another reason why I need a personal assistant!

FUGLY!!!!!!!!!

I get flyers in the mail CONSTANTLY, and they always make their trip from my mailbox to the recycling bin - this one happened to be on top, and I HAD to share it. There's so many things wrong with this!!!
Look at the hideousness!
Look at the price!
Look at the hideousness!
Oh, did I say that already?
Ewwwwwwwwww!!!

Great Teachers Seminar

Fairly frequently (once every year or so) the college puts on a "great teachers seminar" weekend where teachers go and share ideas/problems/solutions/techniques. I went this year, and I certainly feel like a learned a lot, even if most of that was along the lines of "you're not alone!!!".



Some of my fave teachers and I went for a hike around Lake Arrowhead, here Astroboy, Fractalady (my roomie) and I return to the conference center after a lengthy discussion on hexagons (yes, really). I bet you can tell what they teach!


I also learned that manzanita trees are great for climbing. I'm feeling an "Eloise" moment here.

my current diet

I wonder (not really) what the nutirional content of these things is? Is there a maximum daily dosage that one should maintain? I'm pretty sure I've gone over it...
I have a feeling that my earlier diet of peanut butter cups might have at least contained a milligram of protein in addition to the sugar, right?
Ugh, I think I need someone to control my food intake. I clearly have no sense of self control!

zzyzx

I took a geology course at the desert studies center that now occupies the old resort at zzyzx springs. I am sad/happy to say that I could've, and about half the time actually did, teach the class.

I've decided that someone should start "swinging photos dot com" where one takes photos of one's feet while swinging, with an interesting background. It's quite tricky to do!

Looking at the dunes across soda lake in the mojave desert through the old window frames surrounding the remains of the pool house at zzyzx.

I collected only one rock - the only thing on the trip that was actually new to me. This is a pretty awesome example of pegmatitic hornblende forming in what appears to be diorite melt pods within a large intrusive body. Melt pods is the scientific language... I swear!

This is a sign near California City on 58, I have meant to photograph it many a time, but never seem to pass by when there is daylight. The more I look at it, the more I read something other than "cafe" - can you see what I see???