Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Lichen Unto Us - Gold Butte Full Of It

How many of us ever stop to look at Lichen? I do, but I have to confess it's pretty much just in passing - even on Gold Butte.

We mostly think of the tiny, colorful stuff in relation to wet, damp, cool places; but, I'm here to tell you it's all over the desert as well. Naturally, I don't have to convince riders in Utah, Colorado, California, Wyoming or Arizona that their rides are full of rocks with lichen attached.  But, Nevada… well… that's an equine of a different wavelength.

For them I present — DATA! Look at the photo of Ladybug Rock in Cottonwood Wash to the right. Ignore the ladybug if you can and look at the rock. I can see at least three kinds of lichen. Can you?

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

CRITICAL - The Fiends of Gold Butte Are At It Again

Better late than never, the Mesquite City Council has placed their previous misguided "resolution #649" on their upcoming agenda for additional public discussion and comment. They are calling it a "Work Session," and what that means to them I don't have a clue. [I've just realized that it probably means they want to talk about it BEFORE everybody gets home from work and can attend the 3pm meeting!]

You remember, that was the idiocy which gave support for the legislative designation of Gold Butte (and much of Bunkerville Flats) as a WILDERNESS AREA!

Nancy Hall, the paid lobbyist (and lead "fiend"), has emailed all her croney's asking for them to attend this afternoon's meeting in masse, and to call the mayor's answering line [702-346-5295] to leave a message.  Nancy claims that us "opponents" are putting pressure on the Council to rescind the stupid thing.  YOU BET WE ARE NANCY!

Doesn't the US Government "OWN" too much of Nevada land already!  Utah has realized, almost too late, that their previous placidity with the government has been only to their detriment.  THE ACEC DESIGNATION IS COMPLETELY ADEQUATE FOR THE AREA.  There is absolutely NO need to prohibit multi-use in the area - AND, contrary to what Nancy and her buds say, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO URGENCY IN THE MATTER!

The meeting seemed to "spring up" on us - apparently Nancy knew about it soon enough to get the word out to "her people."  I just called the number she gave and you should too. It's painless, quick and easy. You need to listen to the telephone tree and press the buttons first for the "mayor and council" and then to "leave a message."

Additionally, you need to also send an email message to the council members. I KNOW... many of you think that you've already said your piece; BUT, that was then and now is now. They expect you to KEEP JUMPING THROUGH THE HOOPS again and again.  Councilwoman Fairchild has informed me that many emails are coming in from the "fiends" - undoubtedly nearly all from elsewhere besides Mesquite.

It will be very enlightening to keep track of exactly which of the six members want us to VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE this next round.  The mentioned resolution was passed unanimously by them; but, you all saw as well as I did how, at the last public meeting, not one of them stood up to be counted for their handiwork.  It was as though the resolution had passed itself!

I've researched all the emails and will list them below for your convenience. Just click on each one and send a quick email stating "I am requesting that you RESCIND the Mesquite City's resolution (#649) which supports creation of wilderness areas" — that's all there is too it.

I'm going to do it myself (I've already called the mayor's message line) as soon as I finish typing!

"Ence, Randy" rence@mesquitenv.gov ; "Donna Fairchild" dfairchild@mesquitenv.gov ; "Gustavenson, Karl" kgustaveson@mesquitenv.gov ; "Mayor Susan Holecheck" sholecheck@mesquitenv.gov ; "Bennett, David" dbennett@mesquitenv.gov ; "Withelder, Geno" gwithelder@mesquitenv.gov .

Monday, April 26, 2010

"Megalithic Portal" Website

Recently I was told about a webpage entitled: "Megalithic Portal Meets Google Earth" so for grins I took a look to see if by chance they had something in the area.

It turns out they actually did — at least a few. Additionally, it seems the site is based in England and was set up (at least probably initially) by persons selling information about Stonehendge, hence the grandiose name.  [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Megalithic Portal Sites]

I guess people had difficulty distinquishing between "lith" (meaning 'stone') and "glyph" (writing) because eventually their database began including "ancient" sites of all types and from all over the world.

I have extracted from their database, those sites which are found in the western US and put them into the Google Earth file linked above.

From perusing the sites they list in the area's I know well, it seems like their database is quite limited, and I cannot acertain its accuracy. However, as there are a couple near snowbird headquarters which I have not heard of, I thought you would like to see them too.

You should take a quick peek at the file, if for no other reason than to just see how many "ancient" sites people have submitted from around the world.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Ride Index: 2009-10 Riding Season: Gold Butte-Mesquite Area

The 2009-10 offroading season being nearly over for the Mesquite - Gold Butte riding areas, it's probably a good time to post an index of the rides, something I've been meaning to do for some time.

As you know, shortly after the season, I begin transfering the season's ride tracks over to the "Master Map" files under more descriptive names in order to make them easier to find.

There are two ways to find an Offroading Home trail: One — Look at the over-all master map with all the trails turned on and see where you would like to go; and, Two — search for your destination using the "search" box on the blog.

The master maps allow…

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Ride 31: More of Whitney

Lake Mead from Cabin Springs trail
You know, I'll bet that not 1 in 25 or maybe even 50 visitors to Whitney Junction/Pockets know who "Whitney" is/was. I'm not sure even now I understand the whole genealogy thing, but I have it on good authority it goes something like this:

George Burton Whitney settled in Bunkerville in the late 1880's as a farmer and school teacher. He moved to St. Thomas Nevada, taught school and fathered 12…

Monday, April 5, 2010

Ride 30: Petro's and Cistern

After all the rain during the past couple of weeks (no complaint) dad and I decided to run down to the natural cistern near the 21 Goats Petroglyphs to check on reports that it was full to overflowing.   [For a free Google Earth file of this 10 mile route see: Ride 30: Petro's and Cistern] (500 ft elevation change)

We didn't feel up to too long…

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Ride 29: Doing "Whitney"

Pretty much everything on the Gold Butte can begin at Whitney Pockets (Junction). For one thing, it's at the end of the pavement! For another, roads go in all directions. And… it's a great place for a picnic.   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Ride 29: Picnic at Whitney]

Actually, if you want to be a purist (and who doesn't) the pavement ends at…