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XIGUST 1964
6 UNUSUAL TRIPS
SERPENT CAVE OF BAJA
DESERT SURVIVING AND DRIVING
'
'
'•y •
•. *
AUGUST
PHOTO
CONTEST
WINNERS
. • - • . &•*$*,* 1*
MAIN STREET
Tom Myers CACTUS WREN HOME
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA Henry D. Teft, Jr.
To capture the feeling of the California ghost DENVER, COLORADO
town of Bodie, Tom Myers used infrared film Caught at just the right time, the sun highlights
and a wide angle lens for this exceptional photo- this home of a Cactus Wren, giving it the
graph. Data: Leica 35mm, infrared film with appearance of an unruly coiffure. Data: Rollei-
deep red filter at noon, 21mm wide-angle lens, flex, 122 at l/30th, Panatomic X, £3.5 Xenar lens.
f8 at l/3Oth.
Second Prize
Veppemm . . . . ty #ack
Back in the "good old days" a prospector lived alone 25 miles
from a small desert community and came into town only once a month
for supplies. One day two other prospectors made camp five miles
from the original old sourdough. The following day he appeared
CONTENTS in town with all of his belongings on the back of his mule. Asked
where he was going, he replied: "I'm gettin' away from all this crowded
land. Why the population out my way has increased 200 percent
Volume 27 Number 8 overnight!"
For better or worse, the fact remains that the population of the
August, 1964 western deserts is increasing, and will continue to increase along with
the "western population tilt." Gone are the days when the desert
This Month's Cover belonged to "just us desert rats and God." This trend cannot be stopped
Bristlecone Pine by John W. Kettl or ignored. The majority of the new people are learning to love and
respect the desert as do the pioneers. DESERT MAGAZINE plays an
4 Books for Desert Readers important role in showing newcomers how to appreciate the desert
and, most important, how to
8 Surviving and Driving in the respect our areas and pre-
Desert serve their natural state. We
By VINCENT ROTH
are constantly warning read-
ers not to desecrate and de-
11 Land of Wandering Waters stroy, but to marvel; not to
By DOROTHY ROBERTSON
mar, but to enjoy; to share
and not to spoil and, above
14 Me and the Santa Ana all, not to leave trash and
litter. Yet there are crimi-
By JOY CAPUTO
nals—and they are guilty of
15 Buried Treasure Man Can't Dig crimes since they are violat-
ing legal laws—who, with no
By RALPH PROUTY
regard for their fellow man,
spill trash and litter across
17 I'll Take the Long Way
the desert, who throw tin
By ARTHUR ROULEAU
cans into springs and who
evidently derive a sadistic pleasure in the destruction of plants and
19 Submarines in the Desert wild life. These people, along with the egotistical perverts who deface
By MARIE VALORE
pre-historic Indian writings and scratch their names and love markings
on rocks and cliffs, are not only criminals, but sub-standard humans
20 The Santa Rosas with perverted minds.
By ROYCE ROLLINS
Officers of the law and rangers cannot possibly cover all desert
22 Bewitched by Baja areas. We who love and respect the desert should help by reporting
By CHORAL PEPPEIR violators and disposing of trash when we find it left by these insane
desecraters. DESERT MAGAZINE will help in any way possible and
26 America's Cameleers welcomes suggestions as to how we can keep our desert areas safe
By JACK BRYSON and clean.
30 Alibates—the Prehistoric Treasure AUGUST CALENDAR. Nevada continues to celebrate its 100th Anni-
By SAM ED SPENCE versary with too many events to list. For times and places write to
Nevada Centennial Commission, State Building, Reno, Nevada. Smoki
33 Scorpions Indian Ceremonials and Snake Dance, Prescott, Ariz., August 1. Old
By JOHN GOODMAN Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Calif., August 12-15. 43rd Annual
Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, "Today's Greatest Living Tribute to
34 Profile of Time the American Indian", Gallup, New Mexico, August 13-16. Hopi Snake
By LEON CALLAWAY Dance, on Hopi Reservation near Winslow, Arizona, last 10 days of
August. (Editor's Note: If you want events listed they must be in two
37 Ghost Town months in advance of date.)
By LAMBERT FLORIN
DESERT is published monthly by Desert Magazine, Palm Desert, Calif. Second Class Postage paid at Palm Desert, Calif., and at additional mailing
offices under Act of March 3, 1879. Title registered No. 358865 in U. S. Potent Office, and contents copyrighted 1964 by Desert Magazine, Un-
38 Desert Dispensary solicited manuscripts and photographs cannot be returned or icknowfedged unless fuil return postage is enclosed Permission to reproduce contents
must be secured from the editor in writing. SUBSCRIPTION PRiCE: $4.50 per year (12 issues) in the U.S.; $5 elsewhere. Allow five weeks for change
of address, and be sure to send the old as well as new address.
By SAM HICKS
Written from notes and reminiscences over THE DINOSAUR HUNTERS rectly retort that native horses had in-
many years of living and wandering in
Nevada. Relates experiences in Gerlach, Rhy- By Robert Plate deed existed in America long ago and
olite, Silver Peak, Jarbidge and other out-of- had become extinct only recently.
the-way Nevada places. A truly unique book A fascinating book, this dual bio- Most of the dinosaur bones that
with all hand-lettered text and 38 full page graphy recounts the lives of two sworn add importance to our museums to-
drawings by the author. Official Nevada
Centennial Year edition. Paper cover. Auto-
foes who probably had more in com- day were discovered, uncovered, and
graphed. $3.00. mon than any other two men of their reconstructed under the direction of
time. one of these two men. That they
Write for complete western book list.
Othneil C. Marsh, America's first hated each other while working to-
Postage prepaid if payment enclosed with professor of paleontology, was a pro- ward the same end is sometimes amus-
order. In Calif, add 4% sales tax. duct of poor parents with a rich rela- ing, sometimes pathetic. Nevertheless,
tive. His uncle, the celebrated bache- it spurred them to heights as well
PINON BOOK STORE lor who endowed Yale's Peabody Mu- as depths and, because of it, these
seum, believed only in helping those dinosaur hunters were as colorful and
206 North Main St. Bishop. California
In the Heart of the Eastern High Sierras
who proved themselves worthy. After human as they were coldly scientific.
a retarded start, O. C. Marsh set about Published by David McKay Com-
proving his worthiness by winning pany,
acclaim as a scholar. Because Yale book isInc., this hardcover 281-page
available for $4.95 and may
offered a professorship for a paleon- be ordered from the DESERT Maga-
tologist, Marsh focused his energies zine Book Department.
AUTHORS!
If you have completed a book-length manu-
in that direction.
Edward D. Cope, the violent Marsh
antagonist, was reared by a doting
script, you may be interested in our special THE OREGON DESERT
publishing plan, Under this program, many and rich father who encouraged in-
lawyers, executives, teachers, scholars and
even housewives have seen their work pub- tellectual activity. This young genius By E. R. Jackman and R. A. Long
lished, promoted and marketed on a digni- was recognized in a number of scien-
fied, professional basis. All subjects con- There is no other book about the
sidered — non-fiction, notion, poetry, etc.
Send for our free 40-page illustrated bro-
tific fields and had had papers pub- Oregon desert, even though desert.
chure today. Ask for Booklet, D. lished by the Academy of Natural comprises a good 25% of the state.
VANTAGE PRESS. INC. Sciences of Philadelphia by the time But this book is more than just a
120 W. 31st St., New York 1. N.Y. he was 18 years old. Unlike Marsh, good one about deserts (covering
In Calif.: 6253 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. his early struggle was not one of sub- Idaho, Utah and Nevada as well as
In Wash., D.C.: 1010 Vermont Ave., N.W. sistence, but rather, one of morality. Oregon). Its chief talking point is
Darwin's theory of evolution chal- it's ability to portray Western back-
lenged his intense religious beliefs country life—human and animal, wild
and precipitated a climatic inner frus- and restrained.
Order a tration he found hard to compromise.
FREE One of its authors, Reub Long, is
Author Plate brings to his readers a lifelong cowboy who thinks like
Desert-Southwest Book Catalog a lively account of these two scholars a scientist and the other, E. R. Jack-
More than 75 Southwestern titles. His- in a determined fight by each to win man of Oregon State University, is a
tory, lost mines, Indian lore, adventure, first place in a race for scientific scientist who thinks like a cowboy.
gunmen, nature subjects, art of the area, recognition. Much of their warfare They write of wild horses, cattle
guide books, travel, ghost towns, desert
legends. took place on Western plains where drives, desert animals, geological pro-
their fossil hunts were plagued not cesses, desert people and desert lore,
For your free Desert-Southwest Book only by each other, but by Indians, and both are dedicated conservation-
Catalog, send your name and address to:
stomping Buffalo, conniving guides, ists.
Desert-Southwest Book Store weather and fatigue. Jackman recounts an incident that
P.O. Box 757 Palm Desert, California
One incident that surprised Marsh took place at a Grange meeting held
was the stir his work created in! to solve a problem created by a poor
Salt Lake City. Whereas most religi- clover seed crop. One practical bach-
ous groups stormed in protest at this elor blamed the poor crop upon the
fossil hunter whose discoveries of pre- large number of old maids. "They
ATTENTION WRITERS! historic horses in North America bol- all keep cats," he said, "the cats keep
Book Manuscripts wanted. All subjects con- stered Huxley's theory of evolution, mice in the fields cleared out; the
sidered. Free report. Brigham Young embraced him. After skunks, unable to find enough mice
detailed questioning on the part of to eat, turn to bumblebees for food;
Your book can be published and promoted the Mormons, Marsh finally discover- the bees pollenize the clover, hence,
by a successful, reliable! company, noted for ed the answer. It seems the Book of if we bachelors want good clover seed
its prompt, personal service. Mormon had been challenged for crops, we've got to marry these old
alluding to horses in America during maids."
Submit your manuscript to: the prehistory era when everyone who Reub Long's humor is much like
GREENWICH BOOK PUBLISHERS, INC. knew anything, knew that horses were that of the late Will Rogers' and he
Dept. DM introduced by the Spanish. Now, has a knack for reducing a lofty
282 Seventh Avenue, New York 1, N.Y. thanks to Marsh, Mormons could cor- phrase to a practical application.
NEW BOOK ORDER DEPARTMENT
The books listed below and those which will be added in future issues of
y moral yepper DESERT MAGAZINE have been selected as outstanding volumes which we
feel will be of interest to our readers. In establishing the DESERT MAGA-
About statistics, he says: If you get ZINE BOOK ORDER DEPARTMENT we have selected books for quality
to be 80 years old, you needn't worry and interest rather than mass volume. All of the books offered have been
because statistics show that a very reviewed in "New Books For DESERT Readers" or read by the editors of
low percentage of men die after 80. DESERT MAGAZINE.
On thinking: Conversation is cheap;
ideas are dear. They are seldom found Since prices prohibit billing expense please include a check or money
in the same place. On self-pity: If you order with all orders which will be filled immediately. California resi-
must be sorry for yourself, make it dents must add 4 percent sales tax.
short. Regrets: Have no regrets if
you've done your best, even if you ON DESERT TRAILS by Randall Henderson, foun- THE NORTH AMERICAN DESERTS by Edmund C.
der and publisher of Desert Magazine for 23 Jaeger. A long-time authority on all phases of
failed. years. One of the first good writers to reveal desert areas and life, Dr. Jaeger's book on the
the beauty of the mysterious desert areas. Hen- North American Deserts should be carried
Published by Caxton Printers, Ltd. wherever you travel. It not only describes each
derson's experiences, combined with his com-
this hardcover 406-page book is beau- ments on the desert of yesterday and today, of the individual desert areas, but has illus-
tifully illustrated with both color makes this a MUST for those who really want trated sections on desert insects, reptiles, birds,
photos and black and white. It com- to understand the desert. 375 pages, illustrated. mammals and plants. 315 pages, illustrated
pares in quality with much more ex- Hard Cover. $5.00. photographs, line drawings and maps. Hard
Cover. $5.95.
pensive books, but is priced at $4.95. CORTES, By Francisco Lopez de Gomara, secre-
May be ordered from DESERT Maga- tary to the famous conqueror of Mexico. A vivid JEEP TRAILS TO COLORADO GHOST TOWNS by
Robert L. Brown. An illus*rated, detailed, infor-
zine Book Order Department. narration of the exploits of Herman Cortes who
mal history of life in the mining camps deep in
combined diplomacy, cunning and military might
to overcome his adversaries. 480 pages, illus- the almost inaccessible mountain fastness of the
trated. Hard cover. $8.50. Colorado Rockies. Fifty-eight towns are included
as examples of the vigorous struggle for exist-
GHOSTS OF THE ADOBE WALLS by Nell Mur- ence in the mining camps of the West. 239
ALL ABOUT CALIFORNIA barger, the well known "roving reporter of the pages, illustrated, end sheet map. Hard Cover.
By Thomas B. Lesure desert." The author's just-published book is an $5.50.
intimate chronicle of Arizona's once-booming ALL ABOUT CALIFORNIA By Thomas B. Lesure.
Retiring to California has almost mining towns, stage stations, army posts, mar-
The author has compiled a factual report on
become a national habit, according auding Indians and fantastic human characters.
the attractions, cities and communities of Cali-
to author Lesure. More people in 380 pages, illustrated. Hard Cover. $7.50.
fornia designed for "an auto trip or a vacation
the retirement age bracket have set- LOWER CALIFORNIA GUIDE BOOK by Gerhard
and for assistance to find a home or low-cost
tled permanently in California than retirement in pleasant surroundings." It also
and Gulick. The authors have revised the third
includes a section on "Business Opportunities
in any other state. edition to bring it up to date. Veteran travelers
and Job Outlook." 104 pages, 8 ' / 4 x l l , durable
in Baja California would not venture south of
paperback. $2.00.
Some of the better known com- the border without this authoritative volume. It
munities Mr. Lesure recommends for combines the fascinating history of every loca- THE DINOSAUR HUNTERS, Othneil C. Marsh
tion, whether it be a town, mission or aban- and Edward D. Cope, By Robert Plate. A dual
retired living at a low cost with a doned ranch, with detailed mileage maps and biography of the first dinosaur hunters whose
favorable climate are Avalon, Car- locations of gasoline supplies, water and other bitter rivalry split the scientific world for about
mel, Laguna Beach, Monterey, Palo needed information on Baja. 243 pages with 25 years but whose exploits of the 1870s and
Alto, San Luis Obispo, Santa Monica three-color folding map, 16 detailed route maps, 1880s excited the public imagination and made
4 city maps, 22 illustrations. Hard cover. $6.50.
and Santa Barbara. Among the lesser dinosaurs a household word. Easy reading, the
book is packed with action resulting from the
known places, he recommends Costa THE HIDDEN HEART OF BAJA by Erie Stanley intense feud between Marsh and Cope, both
Mesa, Dunsmuir, Escondido, Gilroy, Gardner. The noted creator of the best-selling wealthy men who exhausted their fortunes in
Hemet, Kern City, Los Gatos, Napa, mysteries of our time has written several books the arduous hunt for the creatures of the past.
on Baja California and the desert areas of the
Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz and Santa West. With his talent of combining adventure
281 pages. Hard Cover. $4.95.
Rosa. The authors favorite appears and mystery with facts, the author takes you PUEBLO GODS AND MYTHS by Hamilton A.
to be Avalon, a town on Catalina with him as he probes the mysteries of "The Tyler. In this book the author draws interesting
Island off the Southern California Hidden Heart of Baja" and tells how he dis- analogies between Greek and mythological gods,
covered an archeological find of major impor- not to show that one developed from the other,
coast. There no auto is needed and tance thus opening up a new concept regarding but to better explain the development and in-
the harbor is colorful with small cave paintings. 256 pages, illustrated with color tention of Pueblo mythology. Then, like con-
boats and yachts. photos of Indian paintings. Hard cover. $7.50. structing the House That Jack Built, he goes on
to illustrate associated ideas which gave birth
THE DESERT IS YOURS by Erie Stanley Gardner.
For inland coverage, the book lists In his latest book on the desert areas of the
to the gods. The fascinating final chapter re-
lates Pueblo cosmology to contemporary West-
Palm Springs, among many others, but West, the author again takes his reader with ern thought. 313 pages, Hard Cover. $5.95.
neglects Palm Desert, Morongo Valley, him as he uses every means of transportation to
Idyllwild, Temecula and some of the explore the wilderness areas and sift the facts
DEATH VALLEY BOOKS
and rumors about such famous legends as the
lesser known areas that retirees find Lost Arch, Lost Dutchman and Lost Dutch Oven Published by the Death Valley '49ers these
desirable. Nevertheless, the author's mines. 256 pages, illustrated. Hard cover. $7.50. four volumes have been selected by '49ers
compilation was an ambitious project THE OREGON DESERT by E. R. Jackman and
as outstanding works on the history of Death
Valley. All are durable paperback on slick
and well done. In addition to infor- R. A. Long. This book is a hard one to define. stock.
mation concerning job possibilities, A single paragraph may be a mixture of geo-
A NATURALIST'S DEATH VALLEY (Revised
housing, and recreational activities, logy, history, biography and rich desert lore.
The only complete book about the Oregon desert, Edition) By Edmund C. Jaeger, ScD. _.__$1.50
he suggests overnight accommoda- the material applies equally well to other des- MANLY AND DEATH VALLEY. Symbols of
tions, trailer parks, eating places and erts of the West. The humor and fascinating Destiny, by Ardis Manly Walker $1.25
fishing and hunting areas. The anecdotes coupled with factual background and GOODBYE, DEATH VALLEY! the Story of the
prime purpose of the large, 105-page unusual photos, including color, make it excel- Jayhawker Party, by L Burr Belden $1.25
lent reading material even for those who may
paperback is to ennumerate pleasant never visit Oregon. 407 pages, illustrated. Hard
CAMELS AND SURVEYORS IN DEATH VAL-
LEY by Arthur Woodward _ $2.00
retirement locations, but it also serves Cover. $4.95.
Lowest Photo Print Prices SPICE YDUR
Highest Quality SPANISH WITH
Dev. & print 8 Jumbo prints DICHDS
from Kodacolor film _ $1.78
By Ricardo Castillo
Dev. & print 12 Jumbo prints as an exceptional California guide-
from Kodacolor film - $2.42
book. Historical and current local in- "Dichos" are the pungent Spanish
Dev. & print 12 Jumbo prints and
new roll of Kodacolor film $3.30
formation appears accurate, but din- proverbs which add so much color
Reprints from Kodacolor negs $ .16
ing and lodging recommendations are and logic to the conversation and
questionable. In one instance he refers thinking of our Mexican neighbors.
to a notoriuosly over-priced night
Send for price sheets
club as a dining room with moderate "Quien todo lo quiere, todo lo
and envelopes
prices. Another time he suggests a
All other private club for overnight accommo- pierde."
Photo prices are dations which is open to the public He who wants all, loses all.
comparably low only upon recommendation of a "Ser mas holgazan que la mandi-
member. Even so, we highly recom- bulo de arriba"
MARKET BASKET PHOTO CO. mend this book for newcomers and
P. O. Box 370, Yuma, Arizona or travelers in California. Published by To be lazier than the upper jaw—
P. O. Box 2830, San Diego, California Harian Publications, $2.00. May be meaning that the lower jaw is the
ordered from DESERT Magazine one that does all the work.
Book Department. "Dime con quien andas y re dire
HANG YOUR LANTERN
quien eres."
FROM A
Tell me who you run around with
sky MARINE MOLLUSCAN GENERA and I'll tell you what you are.
OF WESTERN AMERICA
liook By A. Myra Keen "Bienvenidos los huespedes, ( por
Put light where el gustoque dan cuando se van."
Incorporating the author's pre-
you want it! viously published keys to the Gastro- Welcome your guests for the plea-
pod and Pelecypod genera, this book sure they give you when they go
Telescopes 4 to 7 feet
Assembles in seconds
also includes keys for three other away.
Light rustproof aluminum
classes of marine mollusks. Particu- "Cuando seas el yunque resiste,
Stainless steel mirror
larly appreciated will be the illustra- cuando seas el mazo golpea."
Stores easily in car or trunk
tions of the chitons, as there were When you are the anvil, endure.
none previously available to students. When you are the hammer, strike.
GREAT FOR AFTER-DARK PICNICS, Compiled with names, descriptive for-
CAMPING, BARBECUING, BOATING mulae and detailed illustrations, this
hardcover 125-page book is organized
in such a manner that it will serve
Dealer Inquiries
experienced malacologists as well as DESERT BINDERS
Order from amateur collectors in accurately iden-
THE CAMPCO COMPANY tifying specimen shells. Keep your Desert Magazines for
222 S. GILBERT, HEMET, CALIF. years as a reference and guide to
This is an adult book. Published future trips. Special 12-issue bind-
by Stanford University Press, the price ers only $3.50 (inc. tax & postage)
is $4.50 and it may be ordered from
the DESERT Magazine Book Order DESERT MAGAZINE
Department. Palm Desert, Calif. 92260
FREE!!
This can be your own new subscription, an extension of your own subscription or a gift to another person.
Get together and gang up on us! This way six subscriptions, including the free one, would
cost only $3.75 each, instead of the regular $4.50 each! A savings of 75c each! Ends Oct. 1.
The many people in your area who have not yet discovered DESERT MAGAZINE and the many
who borrow their friends' copies are all potential subscribers. And those who buy DESERT Magazine
on the newsstcmd will save money by subscribing. Use the postpaid envelope in this issue to mail in
the names of new subscribers.
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URVIVAL ON THE desert is de- produces enough heat to bring regions. It can make the hot days
S pendent solely upon water. Hun-
ger plays an insignificant part by
a quart of ice water to boil in
an hour.
more livable and keep up your effi-
ciency when you are not surrounded
comparison. It is possible to die of This heat must be lost or body by refrigeration.
thirst before one even becomes hun- temperature will rise to dangerous
gry. In only a few hours of 110°-115° Desert Driving Is Easy.
weather, a person without a canteen levels. If You Don't Get Stuck
can expire. People have left their High temperatures or heavy exer- An experienced driver can drive
broken down vehicles to hike 15 miles tions will cause the flow of more per- almost anywhere on the desert with
or more for help not knowing that spiration and a more rapid flow of only a few modifications to his ve-
5.10 miles is the most one can cover blood. If this perspiration is stopped hicle.
on a hot day without extra water. the body temperature will rise abrupt-
Some have reached help, others have ly, and death will follow. Before starting desert travel, inform
died. With a little knowledge of des- a responsible person of your destina-
As man dehydrates, his blood be- tion, route, and the time you will
ert survival they might have lived The comes more viscous or thickened and
following notes are written with the return, then adhere to the schedule,
the heart is placed under a strain to so if you become lost or stranded,
hope that they can help some "deser- circulate blood to the cooling surfaces.
teers" in trouble. searchers will look in the right area.
This strain can only be stopped by Make certain the radiator is full of
It is first necessary to understand water, plenty of it All people remain water, preferably changed just prior
the need for water before we can dis- more or less dehydrated while on to the trip so that, in case of emer-
cuss saving it. When the body heats the desert even though they drink gency, it can be used as drinking
up due to an outside temperature or when thirsty. However, they usually water. A "bug" screen in front of the
exertion some means must be made to make up their deficiency at meal radiator is almost a necessity to keep
cool it. The only natural means is times. For the best efficiency on the leaves, flower-heads and brush from
through evaporation of water (per- desert it is best to drink often, even clogging the radiators if off-highway
spiration) . When our body tempera- when not thirsty—you need it. driving is anticipated.
ture rises above 98.6T. the heart Water is saved only by preventing Fill the gas tank with high octane
pumps more blood to the skin surface the accumulation of heat. This is gasoline, or be prepared to retard the
for cooling. At the same time, mois- accomplished by: spark on your engine. Once the en-
ture (perspiration) is excreted gine is overloaded and begins to over-
through thousands of pores on our Wearing loose, light colored clothes
and a broad-brimmed hat. This can heat, it will also begin to knock and
body. This moisture cools the skin lose power. High octane gasoline can
and blood just like a water bag cools effect a 20% saving in water over
wearing shorts. prevent this knocking and subsequent
water. loss of power. Regular gasoline is
Remaining out of direct or reflect- usually adequate for most cars, but
On the desert the body accumulates ed sunlight from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00
heat in four ways: performs poorest at high tempera-
p.m. during the warmer h o u r s . tures, low humidities or at low alti-
Conduction—Contact with hot ob- This can effect a 40% saving of tude, all of which are found on the
jects, such as leaning against water. desert.
hot rocks. Eating little or nothing requiring Check your tires for tread. While
Convection—The flow of hot air additional moisture for digestion. "bald" tires are considered best for
over the body. This does cool driving on sand because they do not
Soaking the clothes or body with "dig," they are more susceptible to
but it takes moisture for cool- water. In extreme emergencies un-
ing. damage. Nylon 4-ply tubed or tube-
palatable or contaminated water less tires are considered best where
Radiation—By direct or reflected from salt lakes or automobile radi- one is driving for long periods with
sunlight. ators can be used. soft tires. The tubeless tires do not
Metabolism—Through normal body Some of this information can be lose air when driven with low pres-
functions. The body at rest used for everyday living in desert sures. The tubeless tires on the
in the Desert •
author's convertible and pick-up have rocking the truck when in sand. Ex- apply power slowly. The addition of
been driven for many miles, includ- perience with any of the three is abso- a path of brush in the tire tracks will
ing one trip of over 100 miles, with lutely necessary and undoubtedly aid in giving the wheels traction. If
12 pounds of air pressure in them, more depends upon the driver than the rear wheels bounce excessively,
without trouble. on the type of transmission. Which- have someone stand on the rear bum-
The amount of water necessary to ever is used, the power should be per or place some weight over the
take on a desert trip varies with the applied to the wheels slowly and rear wheels.
season, but it is advisable to have evenly to prevent spinning. Some- If a car is bogged down to the dif-
more than enough in several con- times it is necessary to allow the ferential, jack up the wheels and fill
tainers as a single container may de- clutch to slip where a combination of in under the tire, using sand and
velop a leak, break or turn over. A power and slow speed is required. brush, until the underparts of the
map is valuable, but use it with cau- Make all turns gradual and with vehicle are clear of the ground. An
tion because maps of the desert are as much speed as practical. In soft under-axle type of jack may be ap-
often inaccurate. It is good practice sand a sharp turn of the wheels will plied directly to the rim of the wheel
to take along a notebook to include cause them to push into the sand when it is impossible to place it un-
mileage, turn-offs, and interesting fea- rather than turn, while the rear der the axle. After the wheels have
tures regarding the roads you travel. wheels will begin to slip and dig as been jacked out of the sand, add
In case you find it necessary to the car loses momentum. brush, rocks, grass or debris in front
walk out of an area, you can locate of the wheels for as far as necessary
your positions by referring to your Once the vehicle has lost momen- to pick up speed. After leaving the
maps and notes. However, if you tum or the rear wheels begin to jump sandy area, pump up the tires to the
have trouble, it's best to remain where excessively, STOP! When first stuck recommended pressure.
you are until help arrives. most inexperienced drivers become
frantic, step on the gas and rapidly For the serious desert driver, a sand
Extra food, blankets and matches dig the rear wheels down until the buggy or a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is
are insurance for those who intend to differential rests on the sand and the the best kind of transportation. How-
take a one-day trip, but get bogged car cannot be moved except by tow- ever, for those without this specialized
down and remain for two or more. ing, winching, or jacking it out of the equipment, there are a number of re-
An ax, shovel and gloves are standard sand. Relax and spend a little time latively inexpensive modifications pos-
items for handling brush and digging determining why your car stopped. It sible to make a standard car or a pick-
in sand. might be that the front wheel dropped up "desert worthy." The first change
Before entering a sandy stretch of into a gopher hole, or the front is to larger tires. The largest size
road, reduce the tire air pressure to wheels are in excessively soft sand. It commonly used is a 8:20x15, which is
10 to 15 pounds, enough to allow the might be best to back up, in this case. quite satisfactory for desert driving,
side walls to bow outwards slightly. If you are determined to go ahead, but the large size makes steering more
Then drive through the sand with straighten the front wheels, remove difficult on paved roads. As a com-
adequate speed, retaining momentum the sand from in front of all wheels promise, 7:60x15 tires for the front
through excessively sandy areas, espe- and let air out of the tires till they and larger tires on the rear have
cially those with high centers. In the bulge outward, but not so they are proven satisfactory.
sandiest areas drive as fast as you flat. Usually by this time it is possible A method used to widen the tires,
safely can, keeping alert for any rocks to drive out of the hole you are in,
applying power slowly to keep the usually used in conjunction with the
or obstructions. There is much dis- large tires, is to have the rims split
agreement over the best type of trans- rear wheels from slipping. If you
cannot drive out, try rocking the car. and widened with the addition of a
mission for driving through sand. band of steel. In this manner, the
Actually all have their advantages, the Let the clutch out in low gear until
the car starts to move ahead and rims which are normally about five
automatic transmission is best for inches wide can be increased up to
pulling in sand without slipping the then allow it to roll back, repeating
this action till the car is rocking back 11 inches. An eight or nine inch
rear wheels and the 4-speed trans- width appears to be the most satisfac-
mission is good for the same reason. and forth. When at the back end of
The 3-speed transmission is best for a roll, shove the gears in low and tory, since some drivers have had tire
trouble with the larger widths. The
the sand is soft. Watch for ground
squirrel or gopher activity. Their
holes and tunnels will cave in easily,
dropping your wheels 8 to 12 inches
in the sand. This is especially bad if
this occurs when one is almost stop-
ped. Learn beforehand what size
rocks your car can clear and pass over
them slowly. Once a rock is hit, it
often will tip on end and cause dam-
age. In the event your oil pan is
punctured, it is possible to plug the
hole by applying a "compress" con-
sisting of a folded handkerchief ap-
plied to the hole and tied with a rope
to provide pressure. Don't drive over
woody plants, as your tires may be
punctured by bits of dry wood. Creo-
sote is especially bad in this respect.
Dead batteries caused by leaving the
radio, lights or ignition on can and do
occur, and are a serious matter where
one cannot get a push because of
addition of these wider rims on the rope is' light, but must be handled rough or sandy country. The en-
front wheels will cause additional carefully since it is easily frayed or gine can be started (except in cars
spindle wear, so some drivers use cut. with automatic transmissions) by
standard tires and wheels in town, jacking up one wheel and wrapping
With "sand panels" it is possible to a rope two turns about the periphery
switching to their wider wheels only build your own road across the softest of the wheel. Block the front wheels
when driving on desert roads. sand. A set consists of six panels about so they cannot move forward or
A non-slip differential, optional onsix feet long and 12" to 15" wide. back, shift to high gear, turn on igni-
some cars and trucks, is quite useful Lay them on the road and as you tion and pull the rope. It takes a
for desert driving. It is simply a set drive forward, move the exposed ones powerful pull on the rope for one
of gears which transfer the power to at the rear to the front. Three people person, but two can easily spin the
the wheel still having traction. On can move a car across sand quite engine over. Do not wrap the rope
most cars, if one wheel spins, the rapidly by this method. The panels around your hand in case the rope
other stops, or at least loses power. are most easily made from chain catches on the wheel once the engine
link fencing. starts.
A heavy-duty radiator is valuable
for desert driving and should be or- Never follow tire tracks blindly. Desert courtesy should be practiced
dered when purchasing a new car or Often a car can travel over a sandy by everyone, if only with the hope
pick-up. Overload springs are almost area when it is damp, but will bog that you might benefit from someone
a necessity if any equipment is being down seriously when the same area else some time. Refill holes after you
carried to raise and support the rear is dry. Salt flats should also be avoid- have dug out your car, stop for any-
end of your vehicle so that it doesn't ed until one is certain the flats are one who has car trouble and drive
hang up when crossing washes. Safety solid. Often the surface is dry and slowly when passing parked or camp-
belts provide safety and comfort when hard, but below this layer is soft, ed groups. And last, to preserve our
driving on rough roads and enable the almost bottomless mud. deserts for future enjoyment, travel
driver to keep control of his vehicle. Never stop in a depression where on roads whenever possible to prevent
A block and tackle with 100 feet of an uphill run has to be made to unnecessary damage to desert flora.
nylon rope is useful. Nylon towing get out. It is extremely difficult if ///
The unique hydraulic mechanism which raises The Alaskan Camper is quickly transformed ience of a weathertight, high ceiling, home away
the camper top can be safely operated even by from its compact low silhouette on the road to from home complete with three burner stove,
a small child. Locks prevent accidental lower- roomy walk-in living quarters. Drive safely at sink, cabinets, ice box, beds, and many other
ing. The top is lowered quickly by the simple any speed with minimum drag and sway. l u x u r y f e a t u r e s . EVERY N E W A L A S K A N
turn of a valve. Moments later, enjoy the comfort and conven- CAMPER CARRIES A WARRANTY.
Write today to the factory nearest you for free folder describing the most advanced camper on the road.
R. D. HALL MFG., INC., 9847 Glenoaks Blvd., SUn Valley (San Fernando Valley), MOBILE LIVING PRODUCTS (B.C.) LTD., P.O. Box 548, Red Deer, Alberta, Dept. D
Calif., Dept. D MOBILE LIVING PRODUCTS (B.C.) LTD., 500—20th St., New Westminster, B.C., Dept. D
R. D. HALL MFG., INC., Texas Division 5761 Cullen Blvd., Houston, Texas, Dept. D
CAMPERS, INC., 6410 South 143rd Street, (TukwOa), Seattle, Washington, Dept. D FORT LUPTON CAMPERS, 420 Denver Ave., Fort Lupton, Colorado, Dept. D
PENNACAMP, INC., 401 West End Ave., Manheim, Penna., Dept. D
CANADIAN CAMPERS, 77 Pel ham Ave., Toronto 9, Ontario, Canada, Dept. D U. S. PATENT NO. 2B791O3
Waiefis
The Inyo Crest unfolds into the distant Panamints and Death Valley's
threatening peaks.
\m v
£
PAGE, ARIZONA
HOME AND HEADQUARTERS
FOR THE NEWEST AND MOST
SPECTACULAR VACATION
AREA IN THE WEST.
J
RECREATION ENTERPRISE When air expands, it cools, and arise! Cast off the shackles of the
P.O. BOX218 when it compresses, it heats. This Santa Ana. It's time we got a little
WHITERIVER, ARIZONA simple law of nature is alone respon- foehn out of life!" ///
BY RALPH PROUTV
ORTY-ODD MILES east of Flag- be heard in front, as it traveled ten will not go near it, nor will they
F staff there is an enormous cavity to twenty miles per second, much handle a piece of iron they know to
in the Arizona desert. This stu- faster than sound."
pendous scar in the earth's skin is
be from it.
Since the natives would not have While the Indians had known
located in Coconino County. It is been able to hear the sound of the about the crater for hundreds of
roughly a mile in diameter and 600 meteor, would they have tried to years, its existence was first revealed
feet in depth. flee? Dr. Nininger answers thus: to the white man in 1871, when some
This vast pit marks the spot where "These inhabitants undoubtedly were army scouts visited it. Mexican
between 25 to 50 thousand years ago seeing their last sight. When the sheep herders in the vicinity gave iron
a meteor collided with the earth. Its giant meteor struck, the resultant fragments from it to the first rail-
meteoric metal would yield $50.00 a concussion extinguished all life with- road contractors to come through.
ton—a fortune beyond belief. And in at least fifty miles. A wall of in- Some of these fragments were sent
yet, science has not yet figured out a tenseley heated air rolled out in all East in 1886 and were for the first
way to get it. directions, scorching the earth's sur- time identified as meteoric material.
face and burning everything com-
What happened when the meteor bustible." Once the white man knew what
struck? Dr. Harvey H. Nininger, cur- had caused the great holes in the
ator of the Denver Museum and a Indians of the region still relate desert, he was not slow to think about
noted authority on meteorites, says: legends of a wicked god who was turning it into money. Scientists
"The human inhabitants of the re- thrown out of heaven. Falling to estimated that the meteor weighed
gion, if any such existed, probably the earth in flames, he landed so hard somewhere between one million and
noticed a brilliant light in the north- that he bored a hole deep into the ten million tons. That quantity of
ern sky, if the meteor appeared at earth. Meteor Crater, the legend goes high-grade ore would be worth several
night. If the fall was in the daytime, on, marks the place where he fell. fortunes. The mystery is that no one
such a large meteor would be visible. The Indians have many superstitions has ever made so much as a nickel
The sound of its passage would not about the crater. To this day they from mining the meteor. Why?
The first interest in mining the
crater was displayed by an engineer,
Donald M. Barrington, who filed a
claim shortly after 1900. Actual
efforts to locate the meteor itself be-
gan in 1905. The first test holes, sent
down from the crater's center, showed
absolutely nothing. This develop-
ment puzzled everyone until a scien-
tist figured that the meteor had
struck at an angle and therefore
would most likely be found at one
side of the depression.
by Arthur Rouleau
Bickers, in a newspaper interview, ering firewood tor camp, noticed a
was quoted as follows, "On Sunday, pile of white rocks containing yellow
the 20th (February, 1870), wishing to specks. He took a chunk of the rock
New Improved be alone, I started for a walk. About to his father and asked if it was gold.
200 yards from the camp I saw a Eureka! It was.
METAL track which I took to be that of a
Another story is that the first quartz
bear. After following some distance,
claim in what became the Julian
DETECTOR I turned back toward camp and dis-
district was filed by Drury D. Bailey
covered a bunch of quartz rocks about
six inches in diameter and lying near in February, 1870. It turned out to
Finger tip knob control . . . low cost this, a rock weighing some four be a pocket claim and was abandoned.
operation . . . greater sensitivity . . .
pounds. I picked it up and found free Five days later H. C. Bickers recorded
battery checker . . . easy to operate
gold on it." the discovery of the George Washing-
. . . depth: 6 ft. . . .
ton Mine, the first real producer.
Model 27 (DeLuxe) photo above $119.95
MODEL 711 $149.00
They had prospected first in sou-
RAYTRON'S MODEL 990 $165.00 thern Utah, then following the pro-
Completely transistorized, with long mise of richer areas elsewhere, worked
durable life . . easy to operate . . maxi-
mum sensitivity and performance up across the mountains and deserts en
to 28 ft. depth. route to San Diego. A shortage of
supplies, while in the Temecula area,
prompted them to send James to Old
Triple Beam
Town (Old San Diego) for the need-
Balance ed provisions. Returning, he camped
by Ahaus for a night with a man named Harrall
Complete with
specific gravity
who suggested that they prospect in
attachment, and the mountains in which he lived. This
cover $41.25 they did and thereby hangs our tale.
A prospector named Fred Coleman
Also Lapidary Equipment, Gems and found placer gold near the confluence
Minerals, Books, Jewelry, Tools.
For Information Write of the Julian and Wyanola creeks in
1869, but it was the discovery of gold
Comfiton <Sh.oh. in hard rock that started the Julian
gold rush.
1405 S. Long Beach Blvd., Compton, Calif.
Telephone: 632-9096 The most frequently repeated story
is that 13-year-old Billy Gorman, gath-
KITS MODELS S
CUSTOM U
BUILT Julian, with its pine-scented air
All campers made with steel tubing framework and heavy aluminum, yet lighter than wood. and unlimited horizons, offers a
Send for Our FREE Brochure or Stop By and See Our Models spring, summer or fall paradise for
MACDONALD CAMPER COMPANY, 11015 E. Rush, El Monte, Calif. hot desert dwellers. And for city
Just off the San Bernardino Freeway. Call GI 25301 or CU 35201 people it's a good place to avoid
traffic and crowds. ///
Carefree
COOLING
SUMMER AFTER SUMMER
BY MARIE VALORE
T WAS MID-SUMMER in 1923 rooms as much as 15 to 20 degrees
I when my father came to Coachella
Valley. The fronds of the giant
Washingtonia Palms along the mud
cooler. As the water evaporates, it
absorbs the heat inside."
"Impossible," my father retorted,
foothills of Chocolate Mountain hung but in his misery he was willing to
brittle and dry. Clumps of devil try anything. Paying the man 50c in
grass popped from the sun-baked advance, he moved in while the owner
sand. proceeded to wet down the outer bur-
The inhabitants of this lower des- lap walls with a hose. Soon the room
ert region of Southern California suf- was, indeed, cooler.
fered miserably. Temperatures often Grateful for the marvelous ingenu-
rose to 120 degrees in the shade, and ity of man, my father continued his
there wasn't much of that. journey, but before leaving Indio re-
My father pulled his creaking solved that someday he'd return and
jalopy into Indio and, almost in make it his home.
panic, requested escape from the sear- The first submarines were built by YOURS WITH AN
ing heat. He was directed to a hotel Pop Boomer in 1921 to house the
near the railroad tracks. Or, at least, Southern Pacific Railroad workers.
it was called a hotel. In reality it Air-cooled rooms then rented for $25
consisted of only a small group of per month. Pop Boomer probably
one-room, oddly-shaped houses. These, conceived this revolutionary idea
with their rounded roofs, resembled from studying the food coolers of
small New England barns. Their early settlers, which in turn, were pat-
walls were made of tin and a hard terned after the wet, clay ollas used
liber and their roofs were covered by desert Indians. The coolers con-
with burlap or palm fronds overhung sisted of burlap covered boxes with a
by a sort of trellis. can poked full of holes resting on top.
When asked why the houses were Water, poured into the can, slowly SERIES AIR COOLER
so constructed, the proprietor ex- dripped down its sides to keep the
plained that they were called "sub- burlap moist. Perhaps Bob Boomer You can relax in cool comfort,
marines" and were the only arti- had dreamed of curling up in a cooler even on the hottest days, when
ficially cooled houses in America. when he was struck with his brilliant your home is cooled by an Arctic
idea.
"How do they work?" my father Circle V-Series Air Cooler—And
Today one has only to flip a switch you can be sure of carefree cool-
asked, "and why submarines?" to cool his home, but this might ing, summer after summer, be-
"We call them submarines because never have happened had it not been cause of the advanced design and
they're usually under water," the for ingenious desert pioneers like) rugged construction of these cool-
owner answered. "When the tops are Pop Boomer, who introduced sub-
ers. Ask your Arctic Circle dealer
wet down, it makes the inside of the marines to the desert. ///
for a demonstration! He is listed
in the Yellow Pages.
"SINCE 1931"
TZoUuti.
"cloudhouse," must be the envy of Here on top of the Santa Rosas, pine which, according to legend, produced
every boy who sees it—and it makes trees appear to grow from the top precious jewels to fill the coffers of
every man who visits it feel like a down, their heavy limbs clutching central Mexico during ancient times.
boy. the earth in a determined effort to It was marked by a great rock in the
Paul had left his car at the Stump prevent their enemy, the wind, from shape of a wolf's head atop a cliff.
Spring Campground and followed the uprooting them. The late Marshall South wrote that
trail among pine and underbrush to Surrounded on three sides by des- he had found the head of the wolf
the tip of Toro by crossing along ert, but more than 7000 feet above its (DESERT, Dec. '48) but an earth-
the spine between it and Santa Rosa floor, the air is always dry and cool. quake had toppled it to the bottom
Peak. We were shivering and wished Part of the area belongs to the Santa of a gully and he was unable to lo-
we'd brought sweaters, but after his Rosa Indian reservation, but it is un- cate the legendary mine. He did find
long hike, Paul welcomed the cool likely that it will ever be developed a small emerald, however.
breeze that rustled the pines. further because its few springs do not More recent "legends" tell of gold
The log cabin, as sturdily con- provide enough water to serve a pockets in the Santa Rosas which pro-
structed as the tree house, was built population.' In his article written 26 duced several rich findings, but were
by Ragsdale some 30 years ago. It years ago, Randall Henderson stated lost when their discoverers were forced
was he, Desert Steve they call him, that it was possible to reach the sum- to leave the "holes" for various rea-
who painted poems in all the burned mit in an easy hour-and-a-half hike sons and unable to find them again.
out stumps along the road to his from the end of the road of the Toro
hideaway. An outspoken protector of ridge. Today this road, maintained Indian trails are liable to be a clue
wildlife, his ENJOY BUT DON'T by the U. S. Forestry Service, is bar- to the emerald treasure, as trails
DESTROY signs are posted every- racaded with chains a few miles above usually lead to something. After lunch
where. Doors hung agape from his the Ragsdale cabin cut-off, so it is we hiked along some that still criss-
abandoned cabin, but its walls and better for hikers to follow the ridge cross the mountain. Deer are plen-
roof remained tight and the wall- between the two peaks, along Paul tiful here and among the pinon,
sized stone fireplace spoke of many Ricci's trail. It is an ambitious hike, oak, agave and cacti at decreasing
a cozy evening when wind howled but rewarding—in spite of the Indian levels early Indians, as well as wild-
through trees and snow piled on the taboo. life, found a prolific source for food.
ground. Outside in the sunlight I This taboo has never been put into Indian ruins have been found on the
sat on a rock upholstered with pine words, so its curse remains as great slope of the Santa Rosas, but the
needles and listened to a pair of blue a mystery as the location of the fam- mountains provided a summer refuge
jays squawk from two stunted trees. ous emerald mine in the Santa Rosas for those desert Indians, rather than
a year-round home. Today's visitors
should not intrude upon the part of
the forest that belongs to the reserva-
tion, but there is still plenty of room
in the cool Santa Rosas to provide a
wondrous retreat for desert dwellers.
And, surprisingly, the area is little
changed since the Indians first found
it.
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T/ie Serpent Cave of Baja
A lady and pet pig beside a lazy San Ignacio street. We slept under a farmyard veranda.
ALIBAUS-
FLOWSHEETS
hammerstones were used to fashion double rows of vertically placed ROCKS UNLIMITED
410 W. 15th, Amarillo, Texas
the flint into the blanks for easier stones, the inner - space filled with
transport. The blanks were later rubble and adobe; atop these were
flaked into fine points and tools by placed horizontal layers of rock with
utilizing dry bones and antler tips as adobe binding the insulation feature. ALL NEW!
chipping devices.
Evidence of air-conditioning was Dawson Camper Lift
The Alibates quarries p a s s e d crude, but quite effective. A ventila- 10 Minutes . . .
through the hands of many prehistoric tion corridor about 12 feet long ex-
cultures and then, about 900 A.D., an Is all it takes for one person to load or un-
tended into the main room of each load your camper from your pickup. At-
Indian tribe of Puebloan origin apartment. At the opening of each tached to your camper it is always ready
moved into the Texas Panhandle. tunnel was a rock slab which served for use. Fits all campers, easy to install.
The abundance of the fine quality as a deflector, operating on the same
flint was surely the controlling factor Shipping weight 150 lbs.
principle as a chimney flue.
in the growth of thse unusual people- Write for free Brochure
unusual because their dwellings rep- Besides their activities in the flint DAWSON ENTERPRISES
resented a unique features in plains quarries, these early Indians develop- 2874 Unaweep, Grand Junction, Colorado
archaeology. ed agriculture and grew corn. Then
somewhere between 1200 and 1400
Designated the Texas Panhandle A.D., they disappeared. What would
Pueblo Culture, these Indians devel- cause these ingenious people to va-
oped limestone-slab apartment houses cate their precious flint quarries, Give an interesting gift
with air-conditioning and insulation. farms and homes can only be specu-
These ruins have been referred to as lation. The most likely theory is that
the highest development of ancient a prolonged drouth spoiled the corn
civilization confined solely to thecrops and they migrated west, where
state of Texas. they built the still more remarkable
It was a portion of this Indian pueblos which Coronado found in only $4.50 a year
civilization that young Floyd Studer New Mexico and Arizona. But, with
discovered as "The Buried City." In these people went the secret of the
the 1930's a WPA crew excavated a Alibates enterprise. Later tribes
60-room ruin of the Pueblo culture used the flint, but never again were
(a 100-room ruin is being worked on the fruitful quarries mined. Thus
at present), that yielded 16,000 iden- was broken the chain of one of man's LAND ROVERS
tifiable artifacts, 11,000 of them not longest operations—a mining business Priced with the Lowest
native to this region. It was evident that had been a going concern for
that the Indians had exploited their over 11,000 years. 4-Wheel Drives
valuable flint treasure to the hilt; NEW — USED
they had traded the stone far and Plans are now under way for put- Sales — Parts — Service
wide for materials not available in ting the Alibates Flint Quarries back
their own locale. into operation, this time in the form
of a National Monument. It is hoped
Hall Motors
Cypress and Van Buren
The Indian's apartment houses— that Congress will pass a bill to pre- Riverside — Arlington
raasonry-type pueblos—were marvels serve this landmark for the study and
of construction. Walls were built of enjoyment of future generations. / / / Phone 68-98440
by John Goodman
W HATEVER THE o c c a s i o n ,
your first encounter with a
scorpion is usually a sobering
experience. The hiker and camper in
tenderness at the puncture site for
many weeks.
These two instances are in sharp
Left to right: Hadrurus hirsutus, not
deadly; Vejovis spinigeris, not deadly;
Centrurides sculpturatus, deadly.
the Southwest is a potential victim, if contrast to what may happen if a would not spray properly. Fortunate-
the wrong kind of scorpion crawls small child is stung. Although most ly, on none of these occasions was
across his bedroll or climbs into his stings are received by older children the situation serious enough to cause
gear. Scorpion stings lead the list and adults, who generally recover, a concern.
child under five who is stung is in
as a cause of death from lethal stings Identity of the highly dangerous
serious condition. Immediate symp-
or bites from animals in the state of toms, though varied, include increased Centruroides is fairly easy, even for
Arizona and in Mexico. Other South- salivation, tightness of throat and the non-specialist. Centruroides is the
west states and Baja California are tongue muscles, restless behavior to only deadly scorpion encountered in
apparently spared the venomous Cen- extreme agitation, sometimes convul- the Southwest and Mexico, so only
truroides, although they have plenty sions—all reactions produced by the its peculiar features need be remem-
of the harmless scorpions which, like toxic action of the venom on the cen- bered. It is small compared to the
the Hadrurus, could almost frighten tral nervous system. What is needed others. It is light tan or yellow in
you to death on sight. is an antitoxin to neutralize the color, often called the straw-colored
venom. This is available but is sel- scorpion. Characteristic is its tail,
The one consolation is that your which is long and slender and almost
chances for being sturig by a veno- dom on hand when needed.
round in cross-section. Its claws are
mous scorpion are remote, even in long, slender and delicately curved,
areas where they abound. During the Dr. H. L. Stahnke of Arizona State
University, has strongly recommend- with a rather small bulbous portion
past 15 years, we've camped often and there is a barely perceptible notch
where they occur and even, on occa- ed the use of a technique now widely
publicized and probably familiar to at the base of the curved spine at the
sion, found one pressed under our tail tip. This latter feature may be
sleeping bag between the tarp and most readers of DESERT. This in-
cludes tying off, then immersion of shared by other non-venomous scor-
the ground. We have never been pions, but is not present in the other
stung. the area of the sting in ice water, or
surrounding it with ice packs as soon two commonly encountered on the
Yet, it is often the chance encounter as possible and keeping it cold until desert— Vejovis and Hadrurus, both
that proves dangerous. A person we a physician may be reached. This re- larger and with bulkier tails and
know reached into a Kleenex box and tards the absorption of the venom thicker, shorter claws. Hadrurus is
received a sting on her finger. She felt from the immediate area into the light in color like Centruroides, but,
a numbness and tingling sensation for general circulation. Care must be except for its young, is many times
months afterward in the affected exercised not to freeze or frost-bite the the size of the venomous Centruroides
hand. This was in addition, of course, local area immersed in the ice water and has a liberal sprinkling of visible
to the immediate symptoms, which or other trouble will result. Just hairs here and there over the body.
will be mentioned. Another friend where one gets ice when camped for Vejovis can be identified at a glance
received a sting on the finger when weeks in the desert has never been because it is of a darker shade of tan,
he picked up a board in his yard. fully explained to me. In the past I or reddish-brown. It occurs in dam-
Immediately feeling faint, he went used to carry small ethyl chloride per areas and higher in the moun-
into the house and drank a cup of atomizers in the car and in the field, tains. Vejovis and Hadrurus are
coffee. Whether this did him any good but on the few occasion when they harmless. Their stings approximate
isn't known, but he recovered suffi- were needed, they proved useless. that of a bee sting, causing only a
ciently in a few hours to get back to Either the fluid had leaked out or transitory local pain and irritation,
work. However, he too felt pain and the pressure had gone so that they unless allergies exist. ///
LAKE POWELL
FERRY SERVICE, I N C
Operating on Lake Powell from Hall's Cross-
ing in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Under concessionary contract with the Na-
tional Park Service.
A 4600-year-old monarch
REGULAR BOAT TOURS
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CARS TESTED
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•= \}\Pft<uiTIVE '"?/ V "" ^^-3=
'—J .-
°CROOKEDCREEK"
LABORATORY •
dendrochronologist for the Univer- wood, which composes the largest part fC
JVIONO C0_
sity of Arizona, in 1953. Their dis- of the trees, has been sandblasted to "TNYO C"6.
covery was made more by chance than a beautiful whitish color by sand and
by design when Dr. Schulman took gravel during the violent windstorms \foajh:' «Vm<>>!~,
a side trip into the White Mountains common to the area.
to check out a report about another Laws
species of pine. The extraordinary longevity of } ''•'•"
these trees is attributed to their abil-
The oldest Bristlecones are found ity to stop growing during protracted ^Bishop":
on the steep slopes of canyons in periods of drought. During the fre-
desolate regions of the White Moun- quent droughts that plague this area, o H
tains at an average elevation of 10,- young branches wither and die first,
000 feet. The tallest, stoutest, and then the older ones. If the dry spell •7-
healthiest trees are not the oldest, persitsts 25 years or more the main
but rather, the short, grotesquely trunks may wither and die until only
twisted derelicts growing on the high one lone branch remains with enough
arid slopes attain the greatest age. greenery to sustain photosynthesis and
Seventeen of them are at least 4,000 life. Its slow rate of growth is illus- \ i. o
years old, and one has passed the trated in the exhibit case at Schul-
4,600-year mark. These trees were man Grove. Whereas most trees ex-
)Big Pine
saplings when the Babylonian Empire hibit neat series of growth rings, the
was at its zenith, and already ancient Bristlecone shows none to the naked
when Odysseus and his Homeric host eye. TO LO^E PINE E.RANOSBURG ( I. W
besieged the citadel of Troy in 1200
B.C. When rains finally do come, these Bristlecones germinate and grow just
patient patriarchs begin to grow the same as seed from young, vigorous
Most of the "Ancients" are now in again, adding minute new rings and trees. If only science could isolate
a state of prolonged mortification. new growth. It is as if these long- the cause!
Their life is sustained by a narrow suffering things experience a biolo- The route to the Bristlecone Pine
strip of live bark, a life-line, as it gical Renaissance, for with the new Forest, situated within the confines
were, that is slowly but steadily de- growth come life-producing cones and of the Inyo National Forest, begins
creasing in size. In a few 100 years, pollen pods. Thus, through the with a turn east onto Westgard Road
these trees will be nothing more than cycles of suspended animation and off of U. S. 395 at the north end of
twisted and dried remnants that en- growth these trees fulfill their primary Big Pine, California. Westgard Road
dured more than four milleniums of function here on earth—the propaga- is narrow and winding, but still a
great droughts, devastating fires, land- tion of their species. Surprisingly, good asphalt-topped thoroughfare. It
slides, and earthquakes. The dead- seed from the cones of the oldest climbs steeply through a narrow can-
yon for about two miles, then levels
Campground near site of Bristlecones. off at the canyon's upper reaches.
From here it passes through pictur-
esque Pinon Pine country. Approxi-
mately 10 miles from Big Pine there
is a large National Parks Service sign
directing the park visitor to turn
left onto a dirt road. This can be
traversed in a standard passenger
automobile, but until it has been fully
improved, I do not recommend pull-
ing a trailer unless it is attached to a
rather stout-hearted pick-up.
A camera is recommended. Pano-
ramas east to Nevada, west to the
Owen's Valley below and the majestic
Sierra Nevadas towering above the
valley are breathtaking.
The automobile trip ends at Schul-
man Grove, then the tour begins
afoot and follows Methuseleh Walk.
Wandering along this trail among
aged Bristlecone, a visitor with imagi-
nation feels himself entering into the
Eye of Time. ///
SIERRA HIKE
(Continued from Page 13)
our heads. The last lap of the loop,
Whitney's jagged pinnacle dared us
to think we could assault it with im-
punity. Timberline Lake was the OUTDOOR WEAR
last wood-camp. After the jewel-like FOR LEISURE LIVING
setting of Guitar Lake, the country's Top values in Western inspired apparel
PIPCO SPRINKLER SYSTEM
physical aspect changed. Patches of and accessories. Comfortable yet rugged
Insert heads in plastic hose, connect to gar-
den faucet. Low pressure penetration, mini-
snow hugged the north and east sides . . . and always good looking. Buy by
mum run-off. Proven by 12 years of agricul- of the glaciated peaks. Bushy-tailed mail and save. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Write for your free catalog today.
tural usage, ideal for slopes, problem areas, golden marmots lumbered sluggishly
in mobile home gardens. 4 Head Kit for use toward rocky dens. From Mt. Whit- The WRANGLER • Dept. CE-120
with your 25-foot hose $4.95, includes all 4 P.O. Box 930, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
half heads, stakes, tool and hose cap. Order ney's bare talus slopes, we counted
ppd. PIPCO SPRINKLERS, Box 609, Dept. D, ten rock-bound blue tarns shimmering
MONROVIA, CALIF., brochures or the dealers in the sunlight. The silence enfold-
name in your area. (Add 4 % tax in Calif.) ing these heights was unbeliveable.
UTAH
Below us, we saw fellow hikers,
Custom Made Auto Sun Shades dwarfed by the immensity of the sur- Mountain Land
roundings, clinging like human flies Wonderful for summer homes, up
to the precipitous switchback ascent. higher in the pines and aspens.
Yet the Sierra Crest above us ap-
peared to retreat as we climbed, a sky- Available in sizes from Vz acre
borne eyrie. At several points we felt to 2000 acres. Write for complete
"Take the sizzle out of the Sun." Your car up we were hanging in mid-air. A horse information.
to 15 degrees cooler. Blocks the sun's rays and rider hove into view. The ani-
yet gives excellent visibility and ventilation. D. W. CORRY REAL ESTATE CO.
Ideal for campers, travelers, and every day
mal's rump hung over nothingness as Box 903 Cedar City. Utah
driving. Greatly improves air conditioning
it negotiated a sharp turn. I pressed
efficiency. Custom made for cars 1955 against the mountain and shut my
through 1964. Easy to install with enclosed eyes. A Perfect Gift
simple instructions. Write for Free catalog
and prices. Give make of station wagon,
At last, atop Trail Crest, we stop-
sedan or hardtop, 2 or 4 door. Prompt ship- ped to view the full-circle panorama.
ment. SIDLES MFG. CO., Box 3537D, Temple, On Mt. Whitney's mighty spine, 14,- ~J)tAtAjL Magazine
Texas. OOO-feet high, we were treading on ONLY $4.50 A YEAR
clouds. East of us the Inyo and Pana-
mint Ranges glowed in pink and You'll be Remembered
gold afternoon splendor. Owens Val- 12 Times a Year.
METAL & MINERAL ley fell into a blue haze. Directly be-
low us on the east side of the Sierra,
Send In Coupon
On Page 41
LOCATORS by . icy blue-black lakes nestled amid beds
of snow-ice. Oh, how worthwhile this
trip had been!
Descending the 108 steep switch- Metal Detectors
EO backs was easier, but we were still 11.5 BOUGHT - SOLD - TRADED
HINDER miles from pine-dotted Whitney Por-
tal. Now the pot of pre-cooked chili
Dealer For
ALWAYS BETTER ALL WAYS beans came in handy. We were starv- Detectron, Fisher, Goldak,
ing, and still above the timberline. Raytron, GeoFinder, Metrotech
'LITERATURE Camping in a sheltered place among Repair Service
BOX 6035, LAKEWOOD, CALIFORNIA
the rocks, we called it a day. Tomor- WRITE FOR F R E E 24-PAGE BOOKLET
ON DETECTORS, BOOKS AND MAPS.
row we would be down in Lone Pine.
This 80-mile loop trip over the BILL'S SERVICE CENTER
top of the Sierra through an enchant- 15502 So. Paramount Blvd.
A New Way to See S.E. Utah! Paramount California
ing wilderness had opened up an en-
Tag-A-Long Tours tirely new world. Indeed, every able-
bodied American should experience
Offers you two ways to see spectacular at least one backpack trip in his San Juan
Southeastern Utah. Drive your own 4- lifetime—although ours is going to
wheeler or ride with us in comfortable Jeep
station wagons. You'll love our chuck include more. Next year we will re- TRADING POST
wagon chow cooked over an open camp- turn again to this land of wandering . . . your headquarters for a
fire. Let us show our our beautiful wild waters. /// Southern Utah vacation
land of Moki ruins, Indian writings, arches, ON PAVED HWY. 47
deep canyons, spires and rock in every MEXICAN HAT, UTAH
form imaginable. For a NEW experience CHANGING ADDRESS?
write today to: New postal regulations make it important
22 Modern Motel Units . . . Guided Scenic
Tours to Monument Valley and Fabulous San
MITCH WILLIAMS that you send your change-of-address notice Juan County . . . Curio Shop, Navajo Rugs,
to us promptly. And please remember to list Indian Jewelry . . . Cafe . . . Film, Camping
Supplies . . . Service Station . . . Licensed
TAG-A-LONG TOURS your old address as well as your new and Hunting Guides . . . Accommodations For
156 North First West your Zip Code. Hunters During Deer Season.
Moab, Utah 84532 Phone 253-4346 DESERT Magazine-Palm Desert, Calif. 92260 Phone: 42, Mexican Hat, Utah
SILVER CITY
IDAHO
BY LAMBERT FLORIN
W AR EAGLE MOUNTAIN in
1863 was the scene of a bitter
rivalry that could end only in
the death of one of the combatants.
away from the street at Ruby. The
new site had to match, or the struc-
ture wouldn't fit.
buildings strung along the stream and
on several cross streets in the burgeon-
ing city. Near the Masonic Hall was
a structure housing the O w y h e e
The peak, situated among Idaho's Mines in the area around War Eagle Avalanche, a newspaper that swayed
Owyhee Mountains, spawned a creek Mountain were more than ordinarily the political and social life of Silver
called Jordan, and all along its steep spectacular. Gold and silver ores City for 67 years. There was an under-
canyon walls were spectacular veins from the Poorman Mine assayed taker's establishment which up until
of rich silver. Two frontier mining $4,000 to $5,000 to the ton. At depths a few years ago still held a number of
towns, Idaho City and Ruby City, of 100 feet or so, one mass of solid coffins. There were two drug stores,
had sprung up along the stream only ruby-silver crystals was found. It and the emporiums specializing in
a few miles apart. They were too weighed a quarter of a ton. snake-bite medicine numbered in the
close together to live as friendly It became a regular thing to see dozens. There were large schools and
neighbors. Every inhabitant of each three-foot stacks of silver bars piled even a library to fill cultural needs.
town understood from the beginning outside the Wells Fargo building, On a hilltop in rather a lonely situa-
that one would destroy the other. awaiting shipment to Umatilla by tion stood an attractive church. It
stage. Each bar was strapped in lea- was built in 1896 by the Episcopal-
As mines were developed and addi- ther containers and the stage had to ians and sold in 1933 to the Catholics.
tional lodes discovered, it became be reinforced to withstand the heavy Congregations and parishioners found
clear that most of the richest silver load. The road down the mountain no set path up the hill as the rocky
deposits were nearer Silver City. Not was steep and composed mostly of soil offered access in all directions as
only that, some of the force of brutal hair-pin curves. Stages didn't last long as the scant brush covering was
storm winds which raked both was long, reinforced or not. From Uma- avoided.
shunted by encircling sage clad peaks. tilla the bullion went down the Col-
Stores closed their doors in Ruby City, umbia to Portland and thence to San In one six-year period Silver City
reopening in the triumphant camp Francisco. produced $2,756,128 from just one
higher on Jordan Creek. Indeed, mine, the Oro Fine, and there were
some business buildings were moved The Masonic Hall was one of the 30 others like it on War Eagle Moun-
bodily or in sections hauled by teams first in Idaho. It straddled the creek tain. But this sort of production
of oxen. Most important of these am- and a standing, if corny, joke among couldn't continue for ever. In 1942
bulatory structures was the immense the miners who entered by the front the last mine closed and the once
Idaho Hotel. Selection of a proper door and emerged at the rear was that bustling city breathed its last. Today
new location wasn't easy. The hotel they had "crossed over the Jordan." it stands as one of the best preserved
had stood on a slope dropping steeply There were plenty of other impressive ghost towns in the country. ///
In this month's column Sam Hicks
tells how the Mexicans make candy
from the purple hedgehog cactus.
DtSBRT
DISPENSARY
by Sam Hicks
H m
5c ^^pfK%j2*$L
$495 Full
Price
The original Thumler's Tumbler polishes
rocks to a fine, gleaming finish. Produced by
the largest manufacturer of small tumblers in
Central American import
. . . the cooling, and
energy cereal . . . of
Park your Trailer, the country. Guaranteed for one year.
Build a Home or
Down COMPLETE POLISHER only $19.95
value in fatigue and ex-
Hold for Investment Month Motor, barrels and all as illustrated. PREPAID haustion. This type seed
2 SETS OF 3 ABRASIVES _ $2.40 unavoidably requires final cleaning by user,
NO INTEREST
(1 set for each 1 qt. barrel) which takes 1 minute with simple method
WRITE FOR FREE PICTURES AND MAPS Rubber tumbler liners, pair .89 supplied with perfected recipes for use. New
Victor's Tumbling Manual $2.00
low price: I V i lbs., $4:00. Mailed postpaid.
ELMER L BUTLER Cash, Check or Money Order only
BOX 486, KINGMAN, ARIZONA THUMLER'S TUMBLER POLLEN-CHIA COMMERCE
P. O. Box 609
Also Highway 66 Business Frontage Monrovia, California
854 9th St., Santa Monica, California
COOKERY
FOR INFORMATION on desert acreage and par- FINEST TRANSISTOR metal locators, $34.95 to
<» M I N I N G $275. Find coins, souvenirs, treasure. Informa-
cels for sale in or near Twentynine Palms,
PROSPECTING EQUIPMENT. New 44-page cata- please write to or visit: Silas S. Stanley, Realtor, tive folder, "Metal Locating Kinks," 25c.
log of UV lamps, scintillators, berylometers, 73644 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twenty- IGWTD, Williamsburg, New Mexico.
metal locators, mineral identification supplies, nine Palms, California.
heavy liquid sets, pumps, pans, picks, mor- POWERFUL METROTECH locators detect gold, sil-
tars, field equipment, books on prospecting, ROGUE RIVER Valley, Oregon ranch sites near ver, coins, relics. Moneyback guarantee. Terms,
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Catalog 50c; refundable. Miners & Prospectors as $99 down and $29 monthly. Free catalog. Dept. 3A, Box 793, Menlo Park, California.
Supply, 1345E Firestone, Goleta, California. Cal-Ore Ranches, 1054-DX South Riverside,
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sample. Reed Engineering, 620-R So. Ingle-
wood Ave., Inglewood, California. NEW—FLUORESCENT mineral detector that de- SUPERSENSITIVE TRANSISTOR treasure, coin
tects boron, fluorine, lithium, molybdenum, detectors. Important new features. $19.95 up.
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» MISCELLANEOUS and other minerals. Cigarette pack size, day- 10563, Houston 18, Texas.
light operation, requires no batteries. Price
FROM YOUR favorite color slide or print, let
$12.50. Free brochure. Essington Products &
me do a beautiful oil painting for your home. • WESTERN MERCHANDISE
Engineering, Box 4174, Coronado Station, Santa
Desert, mountains, canyons, or lakes. Any
Fe, New Mexico.
size. Guaranteed to please. Reasonable. Write: DESERT SUN-COLORED: 10 bottles, all different,
Box 325, Clearfield, Utah. FIND GOLD, precious gemstones, minerals in $5. Purple pressed glass dishes. List. The
streams and rivers, with the Explorer Portable Glass Bottle, Box 576, Lomita, Calif. 90717.
l» OLD COINS^STAMPS Sluice Box $14.95. Free brochure and valuable
information. Johnson, Box 657-C, Lynwood, GHOST TOWN items: Sun-colored glass, amethyst
UNCIRCULATED SILVER dollars, 1878-79-80-81-82 California. to royal purple; ghost railroads materials,
S mint or 1883-84-85 O mint $2.50 each. 1878 tickets; limited odd items from camps of the
CC mint VF $7.50. New 100-page catalog 50c. GEO-FINDER METAL and mineral detectors, super- '60s. Write your interest—Box 64-D, Smith,
Shultz, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. sensitive with power to spare. Detects gold, Nevada.
silver, coins, relics. Free literature. The Geo-
Finder Co., Box 6035, Lakewood, California. FOR SALE: Collections of beautiful Indian arti-
l> PHOTO SUPPLIES facts and purple glass and bottles. Max Cardo,
EXCITING ADVENTURE locating hidden loot, 1141 Cedar Street, Gridley, California.
RAPID, CONVENIENT mail service for quality treasures, relics, etc., with powerful, electron-
black-white or color film finishing. Write for ic M-Scope locator, lightweight, guaranteed, HORSE THIEF, Train Robber, Dancer, Bartender,
our free bargain brochure. The complete pho- very easy terms. Send for free booklet, inter- Stops Drinking Extra, Rodeo, names printed:
tographic store since 1932: Morgan Camera esting customer reports. Fisher Research, 4 for $2. Wanted Posters, Box 726, Twenty-
Shop, 6262 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 28, Calif. Dept. JY, Palo Alto, Calif. nine Palms, California.
By Mel Young
photo by Ruth Brown
¥
During the hot summer months man's fancy turns to the cool, cool waters of the West. Even
if you are not a boating enthusiast the lakes, rivers and streams and the surrounding scenic
areas offer ideal places to just relax and forget the cares of the world. The below back
issues of DESERT MAGAZINE, which also contain many other exciting articles, tell about
some of the cool, cool waters of the West.
These issues are complete and in good condition. Orders promptly filled, and mailed postage paid to
any U.S. address, but supplies are limited and we reserve the right to make appropriate substitutions.
Personal check or postal order must accompany all orders. Be sure to include your complete mailing address.