Gem-O-Rama....Is it Worth It?

by Stacey Kuhns

 

For those interested in minerals and gems, this may be the trip for you. Just be forewarned, it is hot, physical, dirty work, but can be very rewarding if you plan accordingly.

Approximately a year ago, my boyfriend and I decided we wanted to attend the annual Gem-O-Rama in Trona, California; a place I had never heard of (population 18). We began planning the trip, which basically was just finding a place to stay (there is no place to stay in Trona.

The nearest town is Ridgecrest, approximately 30 minutes away), and gathering the necessary tools and clothing needed for the trip. No tickets are sold ahead of time for the Field Trips. We planned for four days in the area, as it is approximately a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Ridgecrest from San Diego.

We stayed at the China Lake Naval Base in their guest lodging as my boyfriend is retired Navy, but there are a few nice looking hotels in the nearby town of Ridgecrest. Or, if you have an RV, there seems to be a number of camping areas you can stay in.

Being disabled and not a fan of the heat, I was apprehensive about this trip. I figured since it was in October in the desert, it would be cool enough for me to enjoy the Field Trips. The Gem-O-Rama is put on annually by the Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society. The Field Trips take place in the mining town of Trona, which is a very depressed area. There are three Field Trips over the Saturday-Sunday program. Two on Saturday, a morning and afternoon dig, and one on Sunday, a morning dig.

You need to plan to do all three digs, as they are completely different from each other and different minerals are found at each dig. I recommend getting there very early to line your car up in the parking areas. You can then leave your vehicle to go purchase tickets for all three digs. They begin selling tickets at 7:30 a.m., but it is first come, first serve for spots at the dig sites and it goes by the order your vehicle is parked. They have a lead car who starts off and they then direct everyone else to follow in their vehicles. There is no cutting in line or anything like that. Cutting in line will get you banned from the digs.

I would recommend having very old clothing, that can be thrown away if necessary, tall rubber boots, gloves, a geologists pick (rock hammer), bottle brushes, toothbrushes, brine (which can be purchased at the General Store), boxes and buckets to carry your specimens, buckets to wash your specimens, First-Aid supplies, at least a case of water (in a cooler with ice is recommended), small trowel, small gardening shovel, steel tramping and digging bar, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. I would also recommend packing a picnic for Saturday as there is one restaurant in town and I would NOT recommend eating there. It was pretty awful.

There were quite a few families with young children on these digs and the kids loved it! They seemed to outlast the adults.

The first dig was a mud dig. I assumed (never assume) we would just find minerals in the mud (true) and wash them off easily in the brine troughs provided (false). The mud was extremely thick and tough to dig through, like clay. Minerals were easy to find but there were not enough troughs provided for the over 1000 people who showed up and they quickly became so muddy, it was not worth washing your minerals off there. (I recommend buying at least 4-5 bottles of brine the first morning at the General Store and washing the minerals off on your own, either by your car or at your campsite if you have one. The mud minerals need to stay in the wet mud until washed off. If the mud dries, it is like trying to scrub off cement from the minerals. Even with the wet mud, it was extremely difficult and physical trying to wash the minerals collected. (I still have a bucket of unwashed ones in my garage).

Some of our unwashed finds on the mud dig:

Saturday afternoon, was the Blow Hole "dig." There was not much digging necessary as they blow material out of a machine onto the salt flats. In that wet material are many, many crystals and minerals. They are very easy to locate and collect. But, it was approximately 115 degrees that afternoon with the sun beating down on the salt flats. Many people had brought easy-ups, chairs, and umbrellas. We were not in the know, so had none of these things.

Here is just a fraction of our uncleaned haul from the afternoon dig:

The most interesting dig for me, but the most physical for both of us, was the Sunday Halite dig. It was one of the most alien landscapes I had ever seen. It appeared we were digging in rivers of blood. Halite is a crystal formation, formed in brine lakes, that is normally pink in color (but can be white and dark rose). The best crystal formations to find are square ones. It takes a lot of strength and use of a heavy large pole with a blade on the end, to get down into the areas where the crystals are found. The best place to dig (we found out a little too late) is along the banks of the man-made brine lake.

Halite was my favorite mineral to find on the dig as I love the pink colors and the amazing crystal formations. This is also the dig where you may want to just toss your clothes in the trash. The salt dries quickly on clothing, causing it to stiffen and can lead to chafing if you continue to wear it.

These are not propped up by anything except themselves. Many people just leave their clothing propped up out there.

Me, after the dig. Just be prepared. Salt in the car, caked onto my sunglasses, all over my camera, in our skin, our hair, etc.

Would I do the Gem-O-Rama again, now that I know what to expect and what to bring? Nope, not a chance. Am I glad I did it once? Definitely. It was an experience I will never forget. Something I never thought I would do. It was exciting to find our own minerals instead of going to a show and purchasing them. I would recommend it for young families with children who love to be active and learn.

Fossil Falls - A Must Visit

Amazing Place for Adults and Children

by Stacey Kuhns

 

Have you ever heard of Fossil Falls?  I hadn't either, until a few weeks ago. Fossil Falls is located in Olancho, California, in the Coso Range. It is a place of alien landscapes that amazes the senses. It is free to enter the park and you are able to climb all over the lava structures. My boyfriend and I were there on a Monday morning, so we had the place to ourselves.

The drive is approximately 4 hours from San Diego, but there are campsites available and hotels/motels available in the nearby town of Ridgecrest.

The rugged and primitive landscape of Fossil Falls is the product of volcanic activity. As recent as 20,000 years ago, lava from the local volcanic eruptions poured into the Owens River channel. The erosional forces of the Owens River acted upon this volcanic rock, forming the polished and sculptured features you can see at Fossil Falls.

There is a large red cinder cone at the entrance to the park. It is the result of the violent eruption of trapped gasses and molten materials into the air from a vent in the Earth's crust. When exposed to the air, it cools quickly, forming a porous rock known as scoria, which built up around the original vent, forming a cone-shaped hill.

Many people think that Fossil Falls means there is a waterfall. This is not so. There was most likely one thousands of years ago, but it is a feature of lava, that resembles a waterfall and "spills" into an amazing canyon.

I was amazed at the scenery. Even as we drove towards Fossil Falls, it becomes very apparent you are entering a volcanic area. As an adult, I found the landscape thrilling and exciting. I can only imagine what kids would think.

As with all hiking, camping areas, bring plenty of water and some energy snacks. Also, hiking boots are recommended. The trail was fairly easy (as a disabled person, I was able to manage it without too much trouble and with help from my boyfriend), but if you plan to stay for a while and want to hike into the canyon, make sure you are well equipped to do so. (You may want to go to the Fossil Falls website or touch base with a ranger to find out what you will need if you plan to hike into the canyon). There are campgrounds in the Fossil Falls area, but we did not stop there.

There is a nice parking area with bathrooms as well as benches and BBQ areas for a picnic.

It is well worth a trip there. Also in the area are the Trona Pinnacles, located in Trona, California. We did not go into the park (as the road is unpaved and we were not sure about our vehicle), but I was able to get a few pictures from the road.

The Pinnacles average 140 feet in height. The area has over 500 tufa (calcium carbonate) pinnacles rising from the bed of the Searles Dry Lake Basin. These tufa spires were formed 10,000 to 100,000 years ago, underwater. There were declared a National Landmark in 1968. (Just an FYI: Trona is population of about 18. There is nothing in the small mining town as far as hotels. There is one restaurant, which I would definitely NOT recommend). The nearest town is Ridgecrest, about 30 minutes away.

We definitely plan to return to explore these areas more fully.

Training a Service Dog.... My Journey So Far

By Stacey Kuhns

For those who have read my previous blogs, you know that I am disabled. I have several diseases and live with chronic pain 24/7. Because of the progression of my diseases, my career in law enforcement was cut short and I found myself retired and at a loss as to the path my life would take.

There are many days where simple tasks, such as getting dressed and undressed are agony. There are times when the simple task of opening a jar or holding onto something is too much for me. I walk like someone well into their eighties. There are nights when the pain makes it impossible to sleep and tears and depression threaten to overwhelm me. Yet every morning, I get back up and try to live my life to the fullest that I possibly can.

One of my many medical professionals suggested I get a service dog. I was shocked. It never crossed my mind that someone with my condition would need or benefit from a service dog. I am not blind. I am not confined to a wheelchair (although I was for one year). During my research on service dogs, (we are talking about a certified service dog, not an emotional support animal or therapy dog), I discovered that most organizations place only one to two service dogs per year with a qualified disabled person. I applied with several organizations but did not qualify.

I met with some wonderful women at a training facility who answered all of my questions about whether a service dog would be beneficial to me and how I would go about obtaining one. They assisted me with finding a puppy that would hopefully make an excellent service dog candidate and that would meet my physical needs. They assured me that I would be capable of training my own service dog through their program but warned me that it would be a two-year training commitment. And, there are no guarantees the dog will pass certification. They assured me that there are ways to train a service animal even with my physical limitations.

As I have worked with animals much of my life, I had my heart set on rescuing a dog from a shelter that would eventually become my service dog. Well, things did not turn out that way. I had been saving money up for a down payment on a used car (as I lost my car when I lost my job since I could no longer afford to keep it). Retiring nine years earlier than planned greatly affected my income. Well, I still do not have a car, but I have a potential service dog. The money went towards the purchase of a puppy that met the physical and health requirements for my purpose.

I came home with a seven-week-old puppy named Henson. I don't think I realized what I was getting myself into. Yes, there are ways to train a puppy/dog that work with my disabilities but taking care of a puppy 24 hours a day was a different matter. I questioned my decision every day. I slept less, cried more, and my pain levels increased, but I was determined not to give up and to see this through.

One big benefit to training your own service dog is that there is a very tight bond right from the start (which can also result in a dog with severe separation anxiety). Henson pretty much goes everywhere with me. When I cannot take him with me to certain places, such as my volunteer job, he has a meltdown (we are working on this). He is smart and his training is progressing well. It is A LOT of work and sometimes is difficult physically and mentally for me, but I am not one to give up on Henson or myself.

Henson is now seven months old and 61 pounds. He has another year of growing so is going to be a very big boy, which is what I wanted. But he is also very strong, so training is crucial. Henson is currently in his third training class. Recently, he has become terrified of a number of different things and many loud noises. Some of them understandable, and some fears that don't seem rational.

We will be working with the trainers on this, of course, but there is always my fear that he may not work out as a service dog. I often ask myself how I would feel about this. It's a tough one. I have invested a lot of time and money into Henson with the goal that he will be able to assist me and alleviate some of the struggles I go through daily. But, Henson is my buddy and my constant companion. As with most all dogs, he loves me unconditionally and I love him. He is family. A well-trained dog is invaluable to me as well as everyone Henson or I come into contact with, so there really is no loss if he does not get certified. Well, the loss is I won't have him to assist me in places where I need help, so I will continue to use my cane and wheelchair.

I know many people purchase service dog vests online. This is illegal. Many people have told me to do this and I refuse. I know there are so many dogs out there who have little to no service dog training yet their owners pose them as "service dogs." Shame on them is all I have to say. This is a difficult road and something I take very seriously. Henson and I are in this together and we will take our time and do it correctly. 

None of this is easy. Henson and I are a short way into our training journey. While the outcome is unknown, it is certainly a great learning experience for us both and quite an adventure.

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2. Dog Friendly Areas in North County San Diego
3. A Struggle with a Light at the End of the Tunnel
4. Slave to My Future Service Dog
5. Reflecting on this Mother's Day
6. A New Journey Begins

Palomar Mountain and Lake Henshaw

Including a Tasty Stop at The Round Up BBQ Grill

 

Looking for Something to Do in San Diego on the Weekend? How about Palomar Mountain and Lake Henshaw?

On Sunday morning, my boyfriend Ed and I were deciding what we could do for the day. Decisions are somewhat difficult as we have Henson, my six-month-old pup with us. Ed looked on a website that talked about 50 dog friendly places to go, and one of them was the Palomar Mountain Observatory, home of the 200-inch Hale Telescope. Decision made!

We packed what we would need for the dog and ourselves and off we went. We took the curvy scenic route up the mountain, which was about 16 miles from Escondido area. There are plenty of pullout spots on the ride up to enjoy the scenery or to get out of the way of some very crazy motorcyclist. Ed and I ride, but safely. On Sunday, there were hundreds of speed bikers screaming down those curves and it was frightening, not going to lie. First time that has happened though. We have ridden up to Palomar numerous times and it is always peaceful and pleasant. This time, we were in a car since we had the dog.

If you do pull off to the side of the road, just keep an eye out for poison ivy as it is very abundant in places. We stopped once to enjoy the view, the trees, and to watch a group of three hawks circling and calling overhead. 

The observatory is easy to find. Just keep following the signs. There is a large parking lot (but keep in mind, there are no gas stations on the mountain). The observatory area closes around 4 p.m. so be sure and check times and weather conditions prior to making the drive. There is a small museum and gift shop right near the parking lot entrance, as well as a large picnic ground. Everything is clean and the path to the observatory is paved. The fall colors were emerging on the plants and it was lovely. There was also a wonderful breeze in the area.

There are some shaded benches near the observatory with pretty views over the hills and mountains.

Once you get to the observatory (a fairly short flat walk), be prepared for steps up to the entrance and 70 steps inside up to the actual telescope mirror and the information area. There is an entrance around the back for the mobility impaired but it was not attended when we were there and there was no bell to ring or anything. So I enjoyed myself outside, sitting on a bench looking at the beautiful views around me while Ed explored inside.

We then left Palomar and instead of turning back down the twisty grade, we veered left towards Lake Henshaw. An easier ride and also very picturesque. (Signs leading the way to Lake Henshaw out of Palomar are easy to spot and follow.) Also a note, there are no dog friendly restaurants or much of anything in the way of places to eat on the mountain.

There are two main paved lookouts with parking lots on the way down to Lake Henshaw. The first one is partway down Palomar Mountain and provides a wide-sweeping view of the area. Lake Henshaw can be seen in the distance (which is easier in the winter as there is more water).

The second viewing area is practically on top of Lake Henshaw and overlooks the entire area. It is gorgeous in winter but not bad in summer either.

We then went for a lunch/dinner at one of our favorite places. Yes, it is out of the way and from the outside, does not look like much, but the chef is amazing. We have never had a bad meal or bad service there. And they have the best appetizer wings, hands down, which come in a variety of flavors. Everything is delicious and we were allowed to come in with the dog in their front enclosed patio seating area which overlooks Lake Henshaw.

Fried pickles with a spicy sauce. So good!

Mushroom Swiss burger.

Roasted tomato flatbread. So wonderful. Flavors from the roasted tomatoes and light homemade tomato sauce just burst in your mouth.

The Round Up BBQ Grill  is located at 26439 CA-76, Santa Ysabel, 92070. They are open from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7a.m. to 7p.m. Friday through Sunday. There is a store attached to the restaurant where you can pay for access to Lake Henshaw, which we will plan for next time. There is always something cool and interesting to do in San Diego County.