Re: Re: desert Antelope Valley

[Guest guest]

We lived outside Victorville and in the Apple Valley area. That was over 20 years ago. We went down to look around about 5 years ago and it was so overgrown with people we did not recognize anyone. The road where my son used to ride his bike had about 4 houses on it when we lived there...in a 5 mile stretch. Now it is the middle of town!

We used to find roads out there and just drive out to see where they would go. We discovered so many intriguing things! I love the sunrises and sunsets also. We used to put our mattress out on the ground and sleep out. The air was so clear and we would watch the little bats swooping in the twilight.

The flowers were beautiful on the spring. And the sage. There were birds of all kinds and I could always count on seeing a rabbit or two. There were smells of all kinds and sounds of things moving in the sand.

The desert has its own life and it just takes a while to see it.

Jane

[Guest guest]

I used to live in the Antelope Valley, from about 1982 - 1991. I'm a

New Englander and never thought I'd live in a desert. At the time I

was into photography and that got me out taking pictures. The poppies

are truly beautiful. It's amazing to see a hill colored orange from 5

miles away. I poked around, taking pictures of the desert plants,

Indian Museum and visited the hills/mountains to the south. There's a

wonderful ski area not too far away and the mountains are lovely.

There's a feline breeding compound in nearby mond that is neat.

I learned to appreciate many things, like the sunrise/sunset. I

worked a midnight shift once a week in an isolated building that had

lots of windows. The summer nights are soft and lovely, esp after the

heat/glare of the day. You can see millions of stars. There's an

interesting phenomena, due to temperature inversions on some nights,

when buildings in the distance appear to double and triple in height.

It looked like the little town of Mojave had skyscrapers, lol. In the

east just before sunrise one sees mirages that looked like battleships

slowly cruising along the horizon. This is thought to be caused by

the sun, while still below the horizon, shining on rock

formations/hills that are also beyond the horizon.

Plus Los Angeles isn't too far away, about 60 miles. When I lived

there, the highway to LA was empty and it was an easy ride but that is

no longer true. Now it's jammed pack with traffic during the commute

hours. I enjoyed classes at UCLA extension and there are many more

movies shown in LA than anywhere else that I know of, with the

possible exception of NYC. I enjoyed visiting LA to do things and I

enjoyed returning to the desert that was less crowded and less humid.

I'm glad not to live there now because the area has been built up,

it's more crowded and I understand there's more crime. It used to be

fairly safe.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Jane, there's a place I never thought about sleeping outside, lol. The snakes! I personally never saw a snake while I lived there. When I did go out into the desert, I always stomped my feet and made a lot of noise but I never got the idea anything was around anyway. But I know people did find them, esp when whole housing tracks were built where they lived.

I forgot the coyotes. I'd see them where I worked. During the day they could be seen in the distance. At night when there were few people around, they came closer to the buildings but they were scared of people and ran away if anyone came around. They would howl a lot and sometimes so many would begin yipping and howling at the same time. We used to say, the coyotes are having a party tonight. I also saw the bats and sometimes an owl. I love seeing wildlife and the herds of sheep (did you have them in Victorville?). You were closer to wood, too. I liked visiting there and I still have a friend who lives there.

Elaine

We lived outside Victorville and in the Apple Valley area. That was over 20 years ago. We went down to look around about 5 years ago and it was so overgrown with people we did not recognize anyone. The road where my son used to ride his bike had about 4 houses on it when we lived there...in a 5 mile stretch. Now it is the middle of town!

We used to find roads out there and just drive out to see where they would go. We discovered so many intriguing things! I love the sunrises and sunsets also. We used to put our mattress out on the ground and sleep out. The air was so clear and we would watch the little bats swooping in the twilight.

The flowers were beautiful on the spring. And the sage. There were birds of all kinds and I could always count on seeing a rabbit or two. There were smells of all kinds and sounds of things moving in the sand.

The desert has its own life and it just takes a while to see it.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Hi Leena: I don't really know as I have NEVER been to a desert - but actually it sounds like it could be a beautiful place.

I have a friend that lives in Arizona and he subscribed me to a magazine called Arizona Highways and it has some BEAUTIFUL pictures of the desert in it.

It sounds like a different way of life but it sounds like it could be a peaceful one.

How do you do your shopping with NO CAR? How do you get your groceries? I don't know if you could grow enough in a garden (in the desert) to live on. I would love to hear more about it. It sounds intriguing to me.

When I was a young girl we had no car - we went to town with a horse and wagon and they are good memories. Sometimes after we had gone into town to visit with my grandmother we would leave for home after dark. I remember riding home in the wagon at night with the stars and moon overhead. You don't get that peacefulness in a car.

Tell us more about where you are living - Shirley from Southern Illinois

Wow you really went to it didnt you? lol Anyhow, horses are pretty much way up from us, about 60 miles. As for divers, ni clue where anyone aroung here could dive.Where I live kind of reminds me of the old ghost towns, only picture them with a few stores, some beige and tan buildings and houses. That's us. Since we have no car we don't get to go anywhere.I live in an area called Quartz Hill. It is just out of the city Lancaster and Palmdale. We are like the country part of the desert. heehee You would not believe the prices to live here or rent. For a small 3 bedroom house it is $1700 a month.Anyhow, thank you all for your help. As I said I am leartning to appreciate it a bit more. Leena

spamthekat wrote:

Ok so i was curious about where you lived and looked up the following

websites.

looks like the favorite excercise of people in the area is horses &

diving!

http://www.avdesertriders.com/ (riders)

http://www.avdesertdivers.org/ (divers)

http://digital-desert.com/antelope-valley/ (places to visit, pictures

& reference info)

here's a list of attractions to visit

Ripley Desert Woodland

Poppy Reserve

Tropico Gold Mine

Vasquez Rocks

Saddleback State Park

Devil's Punch Bowl (Natural Arches)

Little Rock Reservoir

Lake

Socialist Colony Ruins

sounds like a lot of history, interested in being a history buff?

http://www.terragalleria.com/california/california.antelope-valley.html

nice pictures!

http://www.highdesertrunners.org/ (maybe these guys have some great

areas to go see)

http://www.rut.com/mjalbert/AntelopeValley/03.html

(history)

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627 (antelope valley poppy reserve)

http://www.citlink.net/~muroc/ a page about mond (dont know where

that is) look quickly, they are taking down the page on July 1st.

may the fun of exploring, outweigh the loss of your favorite habitat.

laurie

[Guest guest]

Toni, I used to live in Quartz Hill. There are two sets of two long apartment buildings. When I lived there one was grey and another yellow and they were near the main intersection. I can't remember the street right now. May have been L-4. I lived in the yellow one. I also lived in Lancaster near the college and in Palmdale as well.

a friend of mine used to live in Lancaster and she may have belonged to that dive club. I think they had a couple trips to Catalina and maybe around Oxnard. Mostly she lived for the day when they could take a vacation to someplace that had clear water. She began diving when they lived in Florida.

I always miss New England. I moved from there in 1979. I think most people miss where they grew up and it doesn't ever leave.

Geez, no car. That must be tough. What brought you to the area? What do you and your husband do?

Elaine

Wow you really went to it didnt you? lol Anyhow, horses are pretty much way up from us, about 60 miles. As for divers, ni clue where anyone aroung here could dive.Where I live kind of reminds me of the old ghost towns, only picture them with a few stores, some beige and tan buildings and houses. That's us. Since we have no car we don't get to go anywhere.I live in an area called Quartz Hill. It is just out of the city Lancaster and Palmdale. We are like the country part of the desert. heehee You would not believe the prices to live here or rent. For a small 3 bedroom house it is $1700 a month.Anyhow, thank you all for your help. As I said I am leartning to appreciate it a bit more. Leena

[Guest guest]

Well, to get frocies there is a store a few blocks away.Other than that we are out of luck. Occasionally my sister can give me a ride to Walmart which is a few miles away.(about 6) And she takes me to my doctors appointments. Hate asking for much with the high price of gas.As for the desert, I guess I am just a mountain girl at heart. I am learning to like some things here; However, my heart still cries out for the wooded ares of the mountains. Leenasbrown857@... wrote: Hi

Leena: I don't really know as I have NEVER been to a desert - but actually it sounds like it could be a beautiful place. I have a friend that lives in Arizona and he subscribed me to a magazine called Arizona Highways and it has some BEAUTIFUL pictures of the desert in it. It sounds like a different way of life but it sounds like it could be a peaceful one. How do you do your shopping with NO CAR? How do you get your groceries? I don't know if you could grow enough in a garden (in the desert) to live on. I would love to hear more about it. It sounds intriguing to me.When I was a young girl we had no car - we went to town with a horse and wagon and they are good memories. Sometimes after we had gone into town to visit with my grandmother we would leave for home after dark. I remember riding home in the wagon at night with the stars and moon overhead. You don't get that peacefulness in

a car.Tell us more about where you are living - Shirley from Southern Illinois Wow you really went to it didnt you? lol Anyhow, horses are pretty much way up from us, about 60 miles. As for divers, ni clue where anyone aroung here could dive.Where I live kind of reminds me of the old ghost towns, only picture them with a few stores, some beige and tan buildings and houses. That's us. Since we have no car we don't get to go anywhere.I live in an area called Quartz Hill. It is just out of the city Lancaster and Palmdale. We are like the country part of the desert. heehee You would not believe the prices to live here or rent. For a small 3 bedroom house it is $1700 a month.Anyhow, thank you all for your help. As I said I am leartning to appreciate it a bit more.

Leenaspamthekat wrote: Ok so i was curious about where you lived and looked up the followingwebsites. looks like the favorite excercise of people in the area is horses & diving!http://www.avdesertriders.com/ (riders)http://www.avdesertdivers.org/ (divers)http://digital-desert.com/antelope-valley/ (places to visit, pictures & reference info)here's a list of attractions to visit Ripley Desert WoodlandPoppy ReserveTropico Gold MineVasquez RocksSaddleback State ParkDevil's Punch Bowl (Natural Arches)Little Rock ReservoirLake Socialist Colony Ruinssounds like a lot of history, interested in being a

history buff?http://www.terragalleria.com/california/california.antelope-valley.htmlnice pictures!http://www.highdesertrunners.org/ (maybe these guys have some greatareas to go see)http://www.rut.com/mjalbert/AntelopeValley/03.html(history)http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627 (antelope valley poppy reserve)http://www.citlink.net/~muroc/ a page about mond (dont know wherethat is) look quickly, they are taking down the page on July 1st.may the fun of exploring, outweigh the loss of your favorite habitat.laurie

[Guest guest]

I am on disability right now, and my ex is out of the picture. yippee Gosh you mean people are from here? lol I came here to be near my Mom when I had my firsy baby, and am still here. LeenaElaine wrote: Toni, I used to live in Quartz Hill. There are two sets of two long apartment buildings. When I lived there one was grey and another yellow and they were near the main intersection. I can't remember the street right now. May have been L-4. I lived in the yellow one. I also lived in Lancaster near

the college and in Palmdale as well. a friend of mine used to live in Lancaster and she may have belonged to that dive club. I think they had a couple trips to Catalina and maybe around Oxnard. Mostly she lived for the day when they could take a vacation to someplace that had clear water. She began diving when they lived in Florida. I always miss New England. I moved from there in 1979. I think most people miss where they grew up and it doesn't ever leave. Geez, no car. That must be tough. What brought you to the area? What do you and your husband do? Elaine Wow you really went to it didnt you? lol Anyhow, horses are pretty much way up from us, about 60 miles. As for divers, ni clue where anyone aroung here could dive.Where I live kind of reminds me of the old ghost towns, only picture them with a few stores, some beige and tan buildings and houses. That's us. Since we have no car we don't get to go anywhere.I live in an area called Quartz Hill. It is just out of the city Lancaster and Palmdale. We are like the country part of the desert. heehee You would not believe the prices to live here or rent. For a small 3 bedroom house it is $1700 a month.Anyhow, thank you all for your help. As I said I am leartning to appreciate it a bit more. Leena

[Guest guest]

I'm from New England but I lived there for a while. Perhaps you can talk your sister into taking you up to wood for a day. You'll love being in the mountains for the day and it's not so far.

I moved there for a job that I really wanted at the time. I didn't even know where Palmdale was but I assumed it was near Twentynine Palms. I was so glad to be wrong on that as the higher desert is so much better. I joined a few clubs after moving there and made some lifelong friends.

I can't imagine being stuck without a car. It's not like they have a decent bus system or anywhere to take the bus to.

elaine

I am on disability right now, and my ex is out of the picture. yippee Gosh you mean people are from here? lol I came here to be near my Mom when I had my firsy baby, and am still here. Leena

[Guest guest]

What a breathtaking place. I am using that picture for my computer wallpaper for

this week. A new destination on my list of " Have to See Before I Die " places.

Have to lose weight and get fit so I can live a long, healthy time and get to

these beautiful places.

W.

Re: desert Antelope Valley

Leena, here is a destination for you.

http://www.tarol.com/poppyreserve.html

Maybe you should make a goal of walking there next spring! I have

never been there and need to go, too.

Alice

[Guest guest]

I have been there and it is quite lovelyEvery year when the poppies bloom they

have a Poppy festival, with various booths.As I said there are a few pretty

things just not like a moutain forest. Thany you for the picture thoiugh, was

very pretty. Leena

Alice wrote: Leena, here is a destination for

you.

http://www.tarol.com/poppyreserve.html

Maybe you should make a goal of walking there next spring! I have

never been there and need to go, too.

Alice