I've a bit of the wanderlust running through me, and it's getting stronger with each day passing…read more To try and negate some of this growing restlessness, I thought perhaps reviewing one of my past adventures would help to calm the stormy seas inside of me before I go insane. I have a dirty past. Quite literally. I am one of very few chicks that dug dirt and rocks from a very tender age (mind the bad pun). And they continue to excite me even after a decade away from school. There's hardly anything more exciting than hiking to gods know where for some geologic/paleontologic mindjob. Was that TMI? Oops, my bad. But, please, don't go anywhere! Allow me to share one of my fondest geology trips with you. I loved my majour in college. What's not to love about a study that allows you to spend more than half of your collegiate time outdoors, rain or shine? I was never much one for classroom settings. Don't let the geeky exterior fool you. I'm the type to bring a laptop out into the wild unknown to play my video games. ^_- Whoever said you can't have it all? All that's missing is a wonderful companion to share it all with. My Spring Fieldtrip assignment was to map Rainbow Basin, outside of Barstow, California. I believe the area we had to map was about 3 square miles, up and down peaks and in and out of valleys. 9 glorious days did we spend out there. Rainbow Basin is a gorgeous stretch of land. If you haven't been there yet, promise me you will. If only for a day. The best part is during sunset in the main valley. There's a specific point in the valley where you crest a rise and just sit there, waiting for the magickal moment where the sun dips just low enough in the sky to light up the cliff face where there's a huge syncline composed of various oxidized layers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_Basin.JPG). These layers, composed of various different minerals, oxidized over time to produce different shades of colours - red, purple, yellow, green, blue... The beauty is when the sun lights up these different layers to give you the most amazing display of coloured rock ever. Hence, the name of the basin itself. I'm thinking of a road trip back there this summer to view this phenomenom once more; only this time, I'll be bringing a camera to document my memories. Will you join me? Bring your sleeping bag, but forget the tent. We'll snuggle under the summer stars together.

Beautiful place. Love the colors and formations. Geology is wonderful. Enjoyed the scenic drives as…read morethe valley walls get closer and closer as your car wanders through the basin. The road Is nicely graded that goes through a wash. Very epic, scenic panoramic views. Highly recommend spring, fall or winter times to visit as it can get hot!! We went in February, Not too far of a drive from Barstow or on the dirt road. We also hiked among the Mojave desert vegetation and enjoyed the Joshua trees. Think we got a glimpse of the lakebed with Goldstone. Great picture taking opportunities!

Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake is lacking a better word the Groom lake of the US Navy…read more It is where the Navy and USMC (also US Allies test here) test weapons systems and do research. The base is massive at just over 19,000 square miles. It is also quite restricted and unless you have official business on the base you cannot roam around at will. In addition because of its size and location there is not really a lot to see and do even from its more remote perimeters. Having been to the northern and southern boundaries unless desert scrub is you thing there are better ways to spend your time. However, it is host to two of the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine and Thirty One. The aircraft of VX-9 "The Vampires" and VX-31 "The Dust Devils" can be spotted out and about in the R-2508 Complex aka 'Sidewinder Low Level" as well as Pt. Mugu.

Taught a Linux+ Certification class there. The training rooms are very nice. There are…read moreprojectors, screens, whiteboards, and markers that work. The staff there is very helpful and accommodating. They prepared my badge ahead of time so I didn't have to wait at the check in office.

Ballarat Outpost is a cool little stop if you find yourself out in the Ballarat ghost town area. It…read moreis a small store, but it has a few souvenirs and even a couple of sodas if you need one, which honestly can hit pretty well once you are that far out. That said, if you have made it all the way out there and still do not have the provisions you need for camping in that area, you definitely messed up. This is not the place to rely on for supplies. Make sure you hit the stores in town before you get that far, because once you are out there, you are really out there. We had to about 30 miles to get to some food.

So the 5 stars are for the outpost and the owner. The Ghost Town its self is at best 3 stars…read more The Ballarat Store and Outpost are located in the Panamint Valley. Its fairly close to the town of Trona and about 30 miles from Panamint Springs. There is no gas so it is advised that you gas up at either location. You don't mess around int he desert. It is a general store with lots of odds and ins and importantly cold beverages. It also makes an ideal stopping spot if you are taking advantage of the many off highway trails to get a cold one, air down, or up as the case maybe and secure everything because the roads get pretty rough from here. The owner is friendly and personable. The Ghost Town has a few buildings and an interesting story coupled with a old derelict Dodge power wagon that is claimed to have been owned by Charles Manson. Not much else aside from wild donkeys who seem used to humans and some come right to you are so be careful

Robbers Roost (unincorporated Kern County, California, also known as Robber's Roost and Bandit…read moreRock) is a rock formation in the foothills of the Scodie Mountains portion of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the North Mojave Desert. The formation overlooks the southern portion of the Indian Wells Valley. The nearest municipality is Ridgecrest, California. The Los Angeles Aqueduct is within several hundred yards of the formation. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Robbers Roost lies west of Freeman Junction, which is approximately at the intersection of California highways 178 and 14. In the 19th century, outlaws were known to use Robbers Roost to spot stagecoaches moving south towards Los Angeles through the Antelope Valley from the Owens Valley or west through Walker Pass towards the San Joaquin Valley. Modern day Walker Pass is State Route 178. Stagecoaches in this area often carried gold and other valuable gems from the local mines. The jagged rocks were a hideout for Kern County's most notorious bandit gang, led by Tiburcio Vásquez. If your in the area, check it out.

Fun displays for all ages and many interests! We went with…read moreour young kids and had a great time. The petroglyph exhibit is really detailed, and there are a lot of natural history exhibits, also. There's a small but lovely desert garden outside, and a lot even saw a rabbit enjoying the shade from the hot afternoon sun!

Packed full of interesting exhibits and extensive info on nearby petroglyphs, this small museum…read morerecently enlarged its gift shop. Other new additions include a garden area as well as a sculpture garden. During the Petroglyph festival this November, an arrowhead maker was on hand. The museum also sponsors docent led hikes on China Lake Naval base to see an extensive collection of ancient petroglyphs spread along Little petroglyph trail, 1.5 miles of non stop native American rock art down a dry creek bed. You need to be in pretty good shape to manage the rocky trail and go through a fairly extensive security check to gain access and early sign up is required, but we all agreed the hike was worth it. The docents at the museum are very helpful and run a movie on the petroglyphs on request.

This place was so amazing great place to get close to ostrich. The own himself gave my family a…read moreprivate tour it was so informative and all the details he gave us have me so amazed. The location it self it's beautiful near mountains. They also have restrooms and playground for kids. They also have little shop they sell ostrich eggs which are huge and they even have home made honey. Amazing place would definitely be going back!!

Such a great little place! We did a tour in the morning with five kids under 7, and the gentleman…read moregiving the tour was so accommodating to antsy little bodies needing to move around. I'm so sorry I didn't catch his name, but he was very knowledgeable and so kind. I'll absolutely be recommending Quail Run Ranch to every one!

Beautiful new facility with helpful staff. Doug was able to find a place to fill our RV water…read moretanks. ( At the fairgrounds) They have lots of great maps for free and cool postcards for sale.

Very friendly. We were able to get free maps and brochures for the area. If you have interest in…read morefinding out what there is to do in the area, go take a visit! The ladies there are well involved in the community. The last time I went we chatted about a local photographer and some of the more famous spots in town for restaurants.

What crap! Grayhound does not run from Ridgecrest!!!! Tried to get information from their web site…read more"its garbage" call Jackass on the phone was rude and usless and acted like I was interrupting his dinner break ( sounded like he was eating while he wasn't helping me)