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!

Searles Lake has Borax. For that matter most of the area and its history are essentially the tale…read moreof Borax and other minerals that folks far more heartier than myself came to this area (as well as Death Valley) and braved Dante's Inferno like conditions. The only town, Trona, has a few places to stop and 2 gas stations now and while the prices are high befitting its remote location it's an essential stop. Death Valley is not just a name. It can be brutal for the unprepared so I always stop here and fill up for added safety margin. There are some things to do like the Trona Pinacles etc. Beyond that its JAHM or Just Another Historical Marker

Very nice community center for Veteran event. Space was perfect and suited the needs of the event…read morehosted by the Ridgecrest Veterans Advisory Council. AC was working overtime a bit chilly but better than being hot. Plenty of parking. Clean restrooms.

Thank you for helping after this Historical 4th of July 2019…read moreRidgecrest Rocks! M6.4 M5.4 & M7.1 Couldn't go back to my friends place so we stayed there at the Red Cross Shelter with her pup. You guys really come through.

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

When we first moved to town this was a main hub for us with our 6 month old son. Been over a year…read moreand we love all of the events the library offers. Everyone is amazing and love our library family!

I love this library but hey I love any library! If they dont have the book you want they can have…read moreit shipped from another library for free! The reading possibilities are endless! I also love to use their computers. Sometimes I just go in to escape the summer heat by reading a magazine.

A local treat that is on the left side of Highway 178 as you approach Trona, about 2.2 miles before…read morethe dirt road turn-off to Trona Pinnacles. One of the employees at Esparza's Mexican Restaurant (a good place to eat in Trona) said the Fish Rocks have been here for decades, and at one point when they were either cleaned or painted over, someone repainted the faces, and they've been there ever since. Although I don't condone graffiti, I can't help but love how these look, and as they've been embraced by many in Trona, who am I to argue? They sure look really cool. I am a night photographer and took star trails photos of these Fish Rocks a little while ago, so I'm ever so grateful for this great subject matter.

Between Ridgecrest and Trona, there are the Fish Rocks -- an outcropping of stones painted with…read moreeyes and teeth -- in Poison Canyon, not far from the turn-off for the Trona Pinnacles. Some call them the "Whale Rocks," but they're more commonly the "Fish Rocks" or "Fish Head Rocks." Poison Canyon, officially Salt Wells Canyon, was plagued with graffiti (and still is). The Fish Rocks came about some time in the 1930s or '40s (some claim even earlier, 1928) and became a favored landmark with the locals. When the heads were painted over in colors meant to match the pinks and beiges of the natural stone, along with the rest of the graffiti, the people of Ridgecrest and Trona became infuriated with the loss of their bizarre, though beloved Fish Heads. Someone repainted the eyes and teeth about a year later and this time they stuck and became protected. The Fish Heads can be seen off Highway 178. There are a couple dirt road pull-offs on the western side and you can walk right up to them. Though there is some graffiti on the surrounding rocks (a Mercedes sign I'm sure was meant to be peace, for example), but the Fish Heads are pristine. They're pretty trippy in person. The eyes and teeth are only painted on one side -- you only really see them heading northbound, from Ridgecrest to Trona. My boyfriend's dad was saying his friends used to throw beer bottles at them as they drove back to Ridgecrest from the factory in Trona at the end of the day. Back then the highway went right beside them. A dirt road goes right by them, but is broken up into a wash.

Wow words cannot say how much I appreciate the DMV. I have been to many DMV locations and everyone…read moreto have been the workers appear to not enjoy their jobs. I live in the Inland Empire and due to Covid it has wrecked havoc not just on peoples lives but also personal schedules. My son had a permit that was expiring and he had only two days to take the behind the wheel test. The only choices I had was Blythe or Ridgecrest I choice hating to drive far but it was closer than my other choice. I arrived at the office 1 hour ahead of time and my son was able to take his test. During the test their was an incident and Natalie was his examiner. I have nothing but praise for Natalie and the office manager. This office should be a role model for all DMV in terms of customer service and care. They greet you with a smile and are eager to help you with your concern, not with a frown and discouragement. The office is very orderly small but I get it small town. I telling anyone who is willing to wait the entire day in an DMV office or in the hot sun should rethink it. You can use that time to drive up north and enjoy a welcoming smile and great service. It's people like Natalie who encourages the kids to do their best even though she has her job being the examiner she puts them at ease. The drive up to Ridgecrest maybe a little long but the wait is very short. It's people like Natalie and the Ridgecrest DMV that makes people drive up worth the while. I hope this post doesn't ruin a good thing and send flocks of people up north, what I wanted to do is tell everyone their is a DMV in Ca. that will send you off with a smile and a long but short drive home. It's worth the drive than spending the day at DMV south of there. THANKS Natalie and the Ridgecrest DMV staff!

Based on the location this is the Department of Motor Vehicles…read more I have been to four different California DMV's: Long Beach, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Ridgecrest. That's not counting the Nevada DMV in Las Vegas. The Ridgecrest DMV, hands down, the very best. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes in line. The people working there are friendly, efficient, and actually know what they are doing. Whenever my boss based in Los Angeles had to deal with the DMV, he made an excuse for coming up to Ridgecrest in order to use the Ridgecrest DMV. They are that much better.

The IWV CERT group is the best around! Not only do they step in during an emergency, they assist…read morethe city with local events! All around amazing group of people!