The O'blogitory of DeRanger Steve

2011-12-11T19:02:00.001-08:00

Culture Shock Retro

A reminder to those who would venture far from the desert for an extended period. Don't do it. A warning to those who would see continued growth in the desert. Don't let it happen. Nine months of living in the SF bay area has taught me much, or at least now reminds me of past experiences. I've lived in cities before London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Antonio and visited many others, Paris, Amssterdam, Saigon, Bangkok and Hong Kong. They are a major reason I live in the desert. They are also the major reason to watch the growth of our desert cities.

Now it is time to return to the desert. This time to Chandler, Az which is south of Phoenix. Having received an education in branta canadensis or the Canada goose it's time to put that and my dog to work and see if there really is money to be made chasing wild geeseSo following the winter migration pattern brings us back to the warm desert climate where the geese nest for the winter while invading parks and golf courses. Is there work. In this economy, who knows?

As for the city by the bay? There is no heart in San Francisco, it's been replaced by the greed of Wall Street and Occupiers who lack direction and movement. You can have it. I prefer the silence, cold clear nights and bright blue days. With Sedona not far from here who knows perhaps I can even venture back into the tour business part time.

As for my obsession with the America's Cup; I've been following it on the internet and will return to the city by the bay in 2013 for the race itself. Only I have to keep reminding myself that according to some, the Mayans have predicted the end of the world in Dec 2012. Actually what happened to the Mayans is they died out by laughing themselves to death at the results of the 2012 election.

Motivational speakers.

2011-11-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Life, lessons and coffee.
Recently I read a post about someone who did well at a motivational lecture. Now I have no idea what a motivational lecture is about, on the other hand my brother seems to be quite an expert on the subject as he has a Life Coach and attends motivational lectures. For a number of years I've gotten snippets of this wisdom and what he's learned. For example he says 10 affirmations when he gets up in the morning, positive thoughts about himself and what he's going to accomplish. I get Lectures about how successful he is and that he's the #2 man in the office. From there on, it's on and on, about what I can do to help myself. Then come the lessons on life. How to be a success and make a great deal of money, how to win friends and influence people (Andrew Carnegie wasn't it?). Then I ask him, "Are you prepared for a major earthquake in your front yard?" Considering he lives right on top of a major fault where oil has been pumped out of the ground for over a hundred years there has definitely been a change to the geologic structure of the fault zone where he lives. Come on Bro' WTF you gonna do when the Inglewood Fault rips? His response is the insurance company will take care of it. Puzzled I tried to explain to him that his insurance company isn't going to be there during the quake and asked what was he going to do in the immediate aftermath. I still have no answer. Nonetheless Bro goes on with life lessons that really have no meaning now that he refuses to accept the possibility of a major quake in his living room.
While living in the SF bay area I also met a lot of people who attended these uplifting motivational lectures on life the universe and everything. And like my bro most of them are eager to pass on what they've learned and show off the success it has brought. None of them will accept the fact that an 8ft tsunami entering San Francisco Bay at mean high tide would cover all except the very center of the island they live on.
Living on the San Andreas Fault, playing on the edge in the desert I too have learned life lessons. From the practical I've learned how to make a fire with only the materials at hand and how to extract water from plants (a waste of time). I too have a life coach she is a bit different than my brothers, Mother Nature. She has taught me the most important life lesson of all which is to know what to do when Mother walks up to you and and goes, "Tag! You're it!"

To my brother and those who would give life lessons. You only need one affirmation. "The world is magic." But there is no magic without coffee.

2011-11-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

Interesting how a simple post generates interest. While there are no comments, there are emails asking questions. WTF are you doing in San Francisco? How could you leave the desert? Disabled? I didn't know you were disabled.

I shall endeavor to answer these questions although normally I would not.

WTF are you doing in San Francisco?
I'm not in San Francisco. I'm living on an island in SF bay, not Alcatraz. According to local citi-zens at the pub we are essentially "...surrounded by a moat protected by a police department imported from South Africa." Part of the EOCs emergency plans are to raise the drawbridges to isolate the island in case of terrorism and to evacuate or supply the island by sea. I kid you not. Did I say Oakland was on the other side of the drawbridge?

How could you leave the desert?
This link for one. I've been a sailor since the age of ten even in the desert. Owned and raced sailboats from 8-58 ft. That also included racing 16ft Hobie Cats. It will be interesting to see the worlds oldest sporting trophy won by the worlds fastest boats here in the (on the?) bay, in my front yard. Still there is much more to the answer.

There is no work in the desert. An incident covered by the Sun Runner Magazine years ago helped put me there. While "Character Matters" it is reputation that pays the bills and reputations are as fragile as a bubble. Yet like a Phoenix (the bird, not the city) I shall rise again only this time with the assistance of a very clever dog.

Blue Djinn, a border collie

I've written about him before and will do so again. Gone through a lot because of and with him. He'll turn three in December and has been trained to work as my service dog; hence the black tie. He has also been trained to chase Canada Geese.

Very physical work that requires discipline to work in a marsh and wetlands; hence black mud. The place to learn about chasing Canada geese is the SF Bay area where they are an ecological disaster. The East Bay Regional Park District is no longer making an attempt to control the geese mostly due to the cost and amount of paperwork involved to get permits for goose control and removal. Enter dogs, the only cost effective method to controlling Canada Geese. As far as I've been able to to determine, permits are not required to use dogs as they are the only "safe and humane" method to control Canada Geese. Jin is perfect for this. His sheepdog stare, same as a wolf on the hunt, is normally enough to spook geese without having to send him on the run in.

Disabled? I didn't know you were disabled.
Does that make a difference? A few of my old climbing team mates seem to think so and I really didn't have a choice in the matter. Okay so I can't climb Joshua Tree rock or hike the miles and miles to Pine City in empty desert anymore. I can still get out and hike until I get back to the car, belay your overweight ass on the rock as long as the pain killers work and keep you from trouble. Injuries that would make most people cringe have accrued over a lifetime and finally caught up to me. My advice to those younger than I; if your not willing to pay for it in pain when you get older, don't do it.

What about "DeRanger" Steve?
After years of being called "Ranger" Steve the name was given to me by the Sun Runner magazine after the Joshua Tree park rangers got a bug up their ass over someone else who they couldn't prosecute. So the rangers decided to involve me since I contracted with the Hummer tour guys who they were really after. Like I said reputations are as fragile as a bubble and apparently, character doesn't matter. I shall say a number of years ago Chief Ranger Cheryl and Ranger Sam at San Jacinto State park both said to me that I was the only real ranger left. It was the same day I aided a 12 year old boy in severe heat stress at the Tram's Mountain station where there were no rangers or anyone else to assist. Finally what about "DeRanger" Steve? I'll keep posting here. New articles, same thoughts and you can follow us on Facebook at "The Adventures of Ranger and Jin"(c).

BTW for the national park service and the state or whoever else decides to take issue. That title is copyright 2011 and it is literary. The name "Ranger" is the fictionalized name of a real person and is protected by the 1st amendment.

2011-10-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

Culture Shock Redux.

Written for the next issue of Sunrunner Magazine is an article on the Old West and how it is still rooted deep in our minds. For over 15 years tourists have asked me the same rounds of questions about the desert it's lore and the Old West as we walk, ride and drive about. Some of the more common ones questions are: Where are all the birds? Are there snakes here? Do you carry a gun? Why do people live here; what do they do? The second part of the question is easy to answer, the first part not so.

To answer that I in a manner citi-zens will understand I have moved to the San Francisco Bay area with my dog Jin. It's a lesson from my youth; to properly answer a question you have to know why it is being asked; "Why do we live here (in the desert)?" The Sun Runner Magazine article answers part of of the question and I could continue with a list going on for several volumes. Still there is one answer that stands out, the cacophony of the city. It doesn't exist in the desert, not even in Palm Springs during biker weekend or spring break, it just doesn't exist. To visitors and tourists the lack of dissonance is so tangible that they comment on it when they talk about how the silence of the desert.

So wherever you are, right now while reading this, pause. Stop and open a window; better yet, step outside and listen. If it's daytime you'll here the sounds associated with work and the local traffic. Perhaps people, kids, dogs all in the distance, in the background.

Listen even more carefully you'll hear planes flying at high altitude, cafes, in general life as it goes on around us rarely intruding and then it's usually when a fire truck comes rushing down the street or a band of motorcycles engines is shattering the relative silence. At night there is less and take a walk into the desert it is complete, even in mid-day. So peaceful that a quiet voice can be heard 1/2 a mile away.

It is not so in the city. It is always in your face. Even on this peaceful relatively quiet island in the bay I can here ships, trains, BART, traffic, sirens, aircraft and more 24/7. More you can't get away from it even on a trip deep into a regional park. It is quite plainly still there, ceaseless and certainly not in the background. For the past two weeks the dominant note of discord has been helicopters patrolling the skies over the city where Occupy Oakland is encamped two miles in a straight line from my flat; and very plainly in my face.

2011-09-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

We all have major life changes. Some people cope, others fall apart and still others recover with time. In my case it is a disability that now prevents me from doing the physical work of of an eco-tour and adventure guide: climbing, hiking and herding tourists through the desert. The incident that disabled me had other effects as well so for the past few years I've been learning how to be a disabled person. To see me on a trail today or on the street you might have a hard time be able to tell with the exception of one small addition. My ever present dog now wears a vest that says "Service Dog - On Duty." Jin has also been specially trained to help mitigate my disability. FYI, the basic legal definition of a disability is "... persons who actually have physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities. For example you can no longer work and make an income in your chosen profession. That's what happened to me. How did it happen? Doesn't matter really and it's poor etiquette to ask. Suffice to say I'm not going to be doing any long strenuous hikes anymore.

What then? There is outdoor work I can do. Using my dog, a border collie, we are going to learn how to control Canada geese and keep greensward's, parks and golf courses clear. This is actually an education in itself. There is law to learn, the International Migratory Bird Treaty of 1918, the methods to control wild geese in a safe and humane manner. A few new things for the blog along like how to turn your canine companion into a Canine Good Citizen. And as always being safe when outdoors to exploreing places like Yosemite NP, the Sierra Nevada Mountains along with the entire north coast. Thee are even a few rocks I can climb within reason.

Sadly the first article on my return also has to include an admonishment to those who rent cars for a trip into the desert. In August the bodies of a dutch couple were found on Black Eagle Mine Road not far from a rented sedan. According to what I read it wasn't even a hot day (<103). This is not the first time a sedan has been found broken down off road. I've seen and rescued plenty of them. If you are going to go for a drive in our desert then rent a 4x4. Augustinus Van Hoveand his girlfriend, Helena Nuellett would be alive today if they had been in a sport ute.

Nuff Said

Chasing wild gees for profit.

2011-05-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Actually there are none. I could go on and on about going on and on but it wouldn't make a difference. Time to move forwards and and bring everyone up to date.

If you must know it all started in the future 5 years ago when {insert a made up fantastic story involving aliens and old man Van Tassel builder of the Integratron who came forwards in time to...} and that's how we did it.

Okay enough fairy tales. No longer doing tours I'm spending the summer in the SF Bay area to learn the art of Wild Goose Chasing. Not only is it an art, you can get paid for it.

Few know that my constant companions for the past 40 years have been border collies. They have worked beside me from engineering and industry to the trail. I've talked about Jin previously in the O'blogatory and most people know them as the smartest dogs in the world.

Border collies need to work. they are perfect for use in the removal of Canada Geese and wildfowl chasing dogs are in huge demand in the northern U.S and Canada where they have a problem with migratory Canada Geese. The same problem now exists in the low desert golf courses where the population of permanent geese is growing and migratory geese are ruining golf courses,park and greensward.

Like the border collie I need work too. Making a deal with a local golf course I started training Jin to remove geese in a safe, humane and acceptable manner. Plainly put it seems to be the only really effective method of getting rid of geese.

Of course we aren't always in training and I need to keep fit but there's not a lot of rock in the island I live on. In fact the closets rocks are climbing walls in some of the nearby communities so I've started to visit them.

And that brings me back to the original bent of this blog. Keeping your ass out of trouble when playing in the desert. Yet it doesn't just apply to the desert it also applies to the mountains, plains and cities. For example those of you who are rock climbers know how stringent our procedures and checks are. Hips and clips, right and tight then yank and tank. Translated, make sure your partners harness is on correctly and the rope is properly tied in. Gear inspection is just as important. We look for wear and tear on cam teeth and galling on 'biner gates and locks. Then if in doubt, throw it out.

It seems that our city cousins are a bit more complacent in these things. There is a definite lack of interest in survival or even in staying basically safe. People who work and play on the various rock walls in the area seem to be a complacent. Gear that passes the inspections of climbing wall staffer would certainly fail on real rock. Perhaps this comes from playing on an artificial rock wall and its being is deemed safer. Certainly it's not in my book. A fall from any height, wall or rock, is going to hurt if a piece of gear fails.

The point of all this BS? Simple, check your gear. Inspect everything and ask will it fail? If in doubt, throw it out. Then lets head for the rock.

Curtains for Windows

2010-02-05T11:51:00.000-08:00

For years I've suffered with the expense and headache that is Microscum Windows. Constant upgrades, bugs, crashes, viruses, malware, etc. The cost alone to upgrade from one Windows version to the next plus the cost of MS Office and other software upgrades, etc. Not to mention the hardware upgrades just so you can run the damn thing. For years I've said the only thing Windows does is get in the way of productivity. I spend an awful lot of time maintaining Windows in order to keep the system running at optimum. I spent a lot of money doing the same thing. Win 3.11 required a HD upgrade, Win95 memory, WinME video and a bigger drive, WinXP needed even more memory and Vista??? forget it, that needed a whole new computer. Now there's Win7, really after 17 years when are you going to get it right?

So two the weekends ago I switched to Linux. Specifically it's called: Ubuntu Karmic Koala. The last version was called Ubuntu Jaunty Jackrabbit. See no version numbers, already I feel better. I find that there are versions of Linux that will run on my old DOS 386 with 640K of ram. That's all I need to run a standalone server.

Ubuntu is free. Sun Micro's Open Office software suite is free, accounting software is free, utilities are free, med record tracking is free, the games are free, graphics and multimedia are free and thousands of other apps are free. In fact in setting up Ubuntu from scratch the only cost I have incurred is labor, about an hour for the basic install, compared to a couple of days to set up a Windows environment enough so that I can work.

Here's some of what I did not have to set up in Ubuntu.
Office software (it's included)
Graphics and photo editing software (included)
Internet security and anti virus, not needed
Networking (automatic)
Internal security (already secure)

Add-on Internet Security (InSec) like Symantec or McAffee alone can take up as much as 1/3 or more of your Windows systems resources and it requires constant updating. That's 1/3 of your memory and processing power for example just to keep your computer safe from hackers. The equivalent amount of system resources for Ubuntu to do this same task is ZERO! nada, nothing. I like that since it's another annual expense I don't have anymore.

Of course I shall have to keep Windows around since I do have a couple of legacy apps I need. However I'll run it as a task inside Ubuntu and not by itself. It shall also have no access to the Internet. As far as my main computer is concerned I'm a happy camper. Eventually I shall convert the entire network to Ubuntu for a total cost of $0.00 and in doing so I shall extend the life of my computers of which only one is capable of running Vista or Win7

Goodbye Windows it's curtains for you. Goodbye Bill Gates and all the money I wasted being frustrated with the pile of crap that is Windows. You won't be getting anymore.

Where the Fugarwi?

2010-02-03T07:25:00.000-08:00

OK so here is a list of excuses as to why I haven't been updating the O'blogitory (insert your list here). That out of the way let's talk about this paradox.

Water is the chief cause of death by stupidity in the desert. You either have too much or not enough. On the other hand here is no such thing as enough water in the desert.

Too much water means you don't cross fast deep water when it's raining. Not enough water means you always have at least a half case in your car. Nuff said.

I really came here to talk about GPS. The miracle device of the 21st century. Every new car seems to have one. Most people who go hiking have one. My preference is the Earthmate PN-20; It's an all purpose GPS which means marine charts, aircraft sectionals, specialty maps and digital imagery can be downloaded into it along with the standard street and topo maps. Some hand-held GPS units can even be tracked like the Garmin Rino series. Automotive GPS is usually built around a street navigation system. As a rule the GPSs in your car does not have a topo map although it is available as an extra in some (usually just downloaded from a DVD). Handheld GPS units can also be hooked to a laptop for route planning, realtime tracking and a few other things.

That brings us to the next issue of Sun Runner Magazine which is the annual Desert Travel issue. For that I've written an article about driving in the desert. After it was sent in and therefore to late to change it I ran across several articles about GPS in your car and realized something. They don't always work. Don't get me wrong I love my GPS with all of it['s features it's a great gadget however it has it's shortcomings. The first being it is not a replacement for a map and compass and knowing how to read and use them. The second is batteries die. In a car it's easy enough to carry extras for a portable GPS but on a long hike you could go through a set of batteries easily in a day. Lastly a GPS can lead you astray and really get you into deep doo doo.

This came home to me recently months after I had the experience. A group of us in two cars with two-way radios got separated on a trip together. I followed the route I mapped in a laptop and downloaded to an Earthmate GPS while my son-in-law followed the route presented to him by the GPS built into his car. About halfway into the trip his GPS took him off the main highway and into the mountains adding time and distance to his trip. Checking the map showed a place where the mountain road eventually came back to the main highway so we arranged a meeting place with the two-way radios. He was lucky. It was not so for people all over the U.S. and Canada as they blindly followed their GPSs. In one incident it cause a couple and their baby to spend several days trapped in the snow in Oregon and in August 2009 it lead a woman into Death Valley, Calif where it cost the life of her son. The only reason she survived was because a ranger saw her car tracks and followed them. The point is don't just blindly accept what the GPS presents you. When planning a route in the laptop I can always find a better, faster and cheaper way or a way that will take me by something I want t see than what is presented to me. Use paper or Google Maps to plan your route, print it out then enter that into your GPS. Sure it takes some time but that's better than being lead astray and it gives you a paper reference to look at in a scale that's easier on the eyes. We have come to blindly accept technology and we expect it to work. The problem is technology doesn't always do that.

There is no such thing as enough water.

2009-08-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Back in 1992 the Riverside County Sheriff was asked how many bodies he thought lay undiscovered in the desert. His response was, "If they all stood up together there would be a forest".

It seems that the forest is growing larger with the discovery of a more than a few bodies in the desert between San Bernadino, Riverside and Imperial counties. Near Palm Springs 2 hikers lost their lives hiking in extreme temperatures. Another was lost then found caught in a crevasse up in the Painted Hills in Mecca, Ca. probably at the end of Box Canyon. Going further north to Death Valley a woman, her son and dog went out for an overnight camping trip in Death Valley and found tradgedy when their jeep got stuck. He first mistake was continuing into Death Valley after changing a flat tire. Her second mistake was thinking a a case of half liters bottles of water was enough. When found by the park rangers she was barely able to wave them down. Her 11 year old son was found dead in the car, the dog survived. That could have been avoided. If fact all of that could have been avoided if people would just excercise a little thought before going out for the day. We are well into August, the monsoon season. This is actually one of the worst times of year to go out for some playtime. The higher humidity levels work against you a lot harder than when the humidity is 12% or less. Easier to dehydrate and to become heat stressed since the body has to work harder to remain cool.

Never forget that there is no such thing as enough water in the desert.

Ja~ne

In memory of Bear. 1994-2009

2009-08-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Bear passed away last week. A 15 year old German Shepherd of exceptional note he was the best friend of my best friend who we call Bulldog. Going back more than 25 years our dogs have been friends and companions not only to ourselves but to each other. Simon and I have been caught in the desert in a broken down truck with our dogs awaiting rescue on a day with temps in the mid-one teens the dogs got the priority for cooling while we sweated out the arrival of a spare tire.

Two weeks ago we took Bear and my dogs Jin and Abby to the local river for some playtime then to the pub for a pint. That was the last time I saw Bear. He had a good time good time that day. Pass easy over the Rainbow Bridge Bear.

This was also taken the same day.

Who let the dogs out?

2009-07-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

We all do perhaps a couple of times a day. If our dogs are really lucky they may go for an adventure, somewhere other than the park or greensward. Yet there are things we may not be aware of. For example heat stress can affect dogs more severely than people, hot pavement can burn sensitive feet and the pads on the bottom of their feet can be torn or lacerated as happened to one of my dogs recently when she stepped on a piece of glass. We dont usually think these things can happen however if you take your dogs on a hike or away from the park these things can happen. In the case of Abby who stepped on a piece of glass. A lot of blood and without a first aid kit and treatment it could have been really bad. "Wait a minute", Sez you, "First aid for a dog?" Why not you bandage your kids when they get hurt. If necessary you take them to the doctor to get patched up. Animals are no different. The methods and techniques are the same and you should learn where a dogs pressure points are. However the most common injuries are to the feet and thanks to the good people at Bordercollie.org here is what to do to dress a foot injury.

What you need: Scissors, fabric sports tape, Krazy glue, (other types of Super glue do not work as well) & corn starch.

Clean and dry the area thoroughly, cut a round patch, slightly bigger than the wound, make sure that you don't leave any square corners.

Apply a very thin layer of Krazy glue to the wound, the size of your patch. Apply the patch. Let it dry. Now apply another thin layer of glue on top of your entire patch, making sure to go outside of the edges. Immediately apply the corn starch (the corn starch is the key). Let it dry. If you would like you can apply another layer of glue and cornstarch but it must be very thin and overlap the previous layer. If any of the layers are too thick the patch will not hold. This will give you a patch that, depending on outside conditions, will stay on up to 5 days. It will fall off on its own as the pad heals. It will also give you a corn starched, glued finger that will annoy you for two days or until you figure out that acetone removes Krazy glue.

Good Luck!

2009-05-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

A woman posted the following on an online forum:

We all know how deadly a parked car can be even on a mildly warm day. However, I have been known to leave the car running AND LOCKED with the AC on for The Dog. Makes me laugh when I come back to the car and he’s sitting there so proud and easy with his fur flying back from the fan blowing full blast.

As long as I have lived in the desert I've had dogs with me whether it's running errands, going to work or out to play. A dog's there. I have also learned that living in the desert presents special problems for dogs on the ground and in cars. So about a year ago I ran this experiment to find out what the interior temps of a car could get up to.

On April 19, 2009 at 10:32 AM I placed a Fluke K type thermocouple and digital thermometer in my car with the sensor element suspended in the air in the center of the passenger compartment. Opened all of the windows and the sunroof and let it sit until the temps equalized inside and out.

Time 10:15: Starting temp 85F inside and out.
Closed the car, all windows and the sunroof. Put up the window shades in the front window and closed the shade for the sunroof. Car now dark inside. Wait fifteen minutes. Time: 10:32am Check temp with shades in place. Outside air temp still 85F. It was 105F inside the car.
Step 2: Removed windows shades. Let the temps equalize and run a second test for 15 mins. Close car at 10:35. Next check time 10:51. The outside temp was no 86F. INside the car it was 111 without the shades. Those temps can kill not only a dog but a child as well. Add to that there are laws about l leaving dogs and people in cars. If you thinks it's difficult to breath on a still day when it's 110F outside think about what it's like in a car with no ventilation.

Desert rules for dogs in cars.
Rule 1: Do not leave your dog in the car. If you're not in the car your dog should be either; open windows or not.

Since that probably won't be heeded here are some more good rules.

Rule 2: Run the A/C set at max A/C vents pointed to the roof.
Rule 3: There is no rule 3.
Rule 4: To keep your car from overheating open the hood all the way. This allows heat to escape.
Rule 5: Always park in the shade with the back of the car pointing to the sun or where it will be.
Rule 6: Use a sunshade in the front window, cover sunroof with towel and leave it open 2".
Rule 7: Leave windows open a few inches.
Rule 8: Leave a large bowl of water.
Rule 9: Use terry towels or seat covers on leather seats.
Rule 10: Leave your dogs home on hot days because it's still against the law to leave them in the car A/C or not.

"But I want to have my dog in the car."

To be totally redundant; during the spring and summer anyone person or dog left in a closed car can die within half an hour. The only way I would ever leave a dog in a car is with a police K-9 A/C setup. Even then you run a risk if something goes wrong with the system. It is against the law to leave a person or pet in a car when the temps are elevated, about 80F maybe a bit more.

To prepare your car for dogs in summer (that would be a good name for a band) have your A/C and cooling system completely and thoroughly overhauled and serviced. Inspect all hoses replacing those that are marginal and the radiator flushed and rodded if necessary. Note that some K-9 cars I've seen have a thermostatically controlled door relay installed. If the temps in the car go over a preset level the doors automatically open allowing the dogs out and fresh air in. Considering the technology today that's something that should be fairly easy to find or make.

The thing is despite warnings on radio and TV people still leave there pets and children in the car when it's hot out. If I see it whether your A/C is running or not I call the cops or animal control. Last word. If the temps are over 80-85 and you can't take the dogs out of the car when you park...

LEAVE THEM HOME!!

Why can't we share?

2009-04-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

Today in Yucca Valley, Ca we celebrated Earthday. On several occasions, one in particular, I was taken to task by friendly and non-friendly Desert Do-gooders. "I thought you were for protecting the environment", says one. "Why do you espouse giving 4x4s a place to play? They only destroy the planet", says another. There are several reasons. For one they live here just like you do, like it or not they are our neighbors. Next, they already exist and there is no way you're going to get rid of them. So the next best thing is to keep them under control in places where the damage can be minimized. Still the Do-gooders say, "NO! there is no place for off road vehicles in the desert." Then let me ask, where do they go? What do we do about an entire section of the economy; a major one at that? Just kiss it off and tell the people who have spent millions of dollars on off road toys to just chuck it? Does that mean I have to do the same thing with my jeep and boat and stop fishing? How about rock climbing, that damages the environment and hiking? All those feet contribute to erosion on our trails. The Do-gooders continue about how RVs, SUVs, ATVs and powered rollerskates aren't earth friendly not listening to the argument that if all had been left as it was then the areas the Do-gooders are now screaming about would not have been damaged. I do have to be fair however, the Baja Sand Bunnies do have a response to the D0-gooders. It's horsepower used go further into the raw desert or to sneak into places that are protected but not monitored. I do want the desert protected but it's not going to be done by closing areas A,B,C and D. It can be done however by closing areas A, B, C and letting the Sand Bunnies have area D. Unfortunately the Desert Do-gooders won't hear of anything like that screaming about how earth unfriendly I am because I drive a jeep while they drive earth unfriendly cars and wipe their bottoms with earth unfriendly toilet paper. To the Do-gooders it is all or nothing. Sorry guys, you can't have it all. You have to share it and you have to share it with the Sand Bunnies.

All about city-zens,

2009-04-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

Jack a member of an online forum I belong to asked me: Just curious, "DeRanger" Steve, what is your beef with folks who live in the city? You know, quite a few of us have advanced degrees in science, live in cities, and are actually fairly intelligent. Please do enlighten me as to the animal-related health scams that I might be ignorant enough to fall for.

I don't have a beef with people who live in the city. I have a beef with city-zens, a particular type of people who live in the city. Degrees, intelligence, whether you belong to Mensa or the bowling team have nothing to do with being a City-zen. Neither does being artsy-fartsy or biscuits and beer. Simply put a city-zen is someone who moves to the desert and brings with them all of those things we ask them not to. The list is long and starts with 'A' for attitude and goes to 'Z' for zoology. City-zens bring uncontrolled growth and major changes to the environment and ecology in an area with limited resources (water) and a very delicate ecology. They build unwanted gated developments then complain that the desert is disappearing. It is disappearing because you are building gated developments. Buying a new home here they see xerescape (desert landscaping) not grass and missing suburbia's vast green lawns they plant grass not realizing that they are wasting our most precious resource, water, and creating allergies in a place where that was once known as a health resort because of it's clean air. City-zens bring driving habits compatible and acceptable where they live but not here and they refuse to change. e.g. We have surface street speed limits of 60mph. That is no place to be doing 40mph. Left turns are made from the left lane, not the right, there is a thing called a turn signal and pedestrians have the right of way. City-zens have taken what was once a laid back and relaxed environment with a very close knit community and turned it into Los Angeles. That is not something natives of the desert and long time residents want. We ask people who move to the desert to adapt, to teach their children a more relaxed lifestyle. All they do is bring that lifestyle with them and create more stress and rage. It's seen on our streets everyday.

Right now a developer wants to build 2500 homes at the entrance of a national park. He says he is doing it for "Our community" including himself in "Our community". He lives in Philadelphia what the hell does he know about "Our community" or the desert? We aren't resisting change and growth here. We are resisting the way the city-zens are doing it.

Worst city-zen we ever had here was Sonny Bono - Mayor of Palm Springs. He killed spring break, drove the tourists away and made a nice place for city-zens to live while killing the economy. "I got you babe".

We encourage people to move here. Just leave your city behind. This is the feeling of many desert communities including mine. I live in a an area that was surrounded by open desert and I could walk into the mountains. Now I have lots of neighbors and there's a fence to keep me out of the mountains. Locals didn't do that.

So you see Jack, it's not the people who live in the city. It's what they do when they move here.

The Desert is closed - Redux.

2009-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

I figured I'm just gonna take the dogs out for a walk in Willis Palms, part of the Coachella Preserve. When I get there I find a sign that says No Dogs. I go look for another place, Pushawalla Oasis, No Dogs. Fine" sez I more than a little miffed. So I drive over behind the high school to an open piece of desert where I've taken the dogs before but now there's a sign that says "No Access, Federally Owned Land." followed by a list of what's not allowed including of course dogs. I could take them downtown for coffee and a brioche, the city is dog gone friendly and welcomes dogs. I could take them to the dog park. No thanks, dog parks are a haven for diseases like Parvo, Heart worm and Canine Distemper. I've had my experience there so no more dog parks. Finally I remember a canyon I haven't been to in years where there's water, cottonwood trees and nice place to play. Best of all there are no signs prohibiting dogs. They say welcome, come visit, beware of lions, and tigers and bears, Oh My! (there are no tigers in the desert but there are snakes).

I guess it started in the 1970s when the Indians closed Tahquitz

Canyon. Too many people getting hurt. That was followed by the closing of the Whitewater River by Windy Point then the Ponds where we went windsurfing. "Too many people getting hurt", said one group. "Protect the desert", said another over a hundred square feet of plant that grew over several acres in a protected area only a few miles away. Most recently is was too much noise from off road vehicles. With a typical lack of thought and foresight the Riverside County board of Supervisors closed all of Riverside County to off road driving with a few exceptions at the east end of the county. Now the desert is being closed to dogs our faithful companions for thousands of years. That one actually started in the (at that time proposed) San Jacinto Santa/Rosa National Monument with the voluntary closure of prime hiking areas and trails to dogs during the best time of the year to hike. This was done to prevent dogs from disturbing the endangered Big Horn Sheep. I've lived at the base of the monument for over 25 years and remember Big Horns in my front yard (before the sheep fence) eating my wife flowers. I remember dogs barking at the Big Horns and I remember Big Horns ignoring the dogs while they continued to eat the landscaping such as it was. The only dogs that chase sheep are sheepdogs.

My point is that as we continue to close places that are now open to the public including our dogs what is going to be left and for whom? I travel with my dogs, gone to forests, national and state parks, the beach, hiking, camping both along trails and in the wilderness. They've stayed in tents, RV's, hotels and the homes of unwilling relatives never bothering anyone. There is no reason in the world why areas like preserves, monuments and parks should be closed to our closest companions. There is no reason to prevent our four footed friends from enjoying the outdoors either. The reasons for closing these areas to the canine set is filled with faulty logic. The fact is people who travel with dogs have well behaved ones that have been trained and they clean up after them. I've never had another dog lunge at mine on a trail or in a campground. It's always a friendly greeting, sniff the butt and let's play. Yet I go downtown and there are dogs towing their owners down the street growling and barking at every dog that walks by. Or worse jumping out from a cafe table. If your dog pulls on the leash while walking and barks on the street leave it home. Better yet take an obedience class because well trained dogs are a joy to everyone and always welcome. At 16wks old Jin my Border Collie is well trained to go out in public, a friendly tail wagging dog. He sits quietly at cafes and poses for pictures. I don't need the guy being hauled by a Pit Bull, German Shepard or whatever whose barely in control to come out of the crowed and start being aggressive toward a defenseless puppy. Unfortunately they are always there.

Did I ever say take water?

2009-03-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

It's not even summer yet and I'm already running into people in distress because they forgot one simple item. Water!! I think this summer I'm going to sell my water instead of giving it away. After all; you're in the desert without any water. Lesee, events and venues get as much as $2.50 for 1/2l bottle I think I could get $5.00 for 3/4 of a liter. Whaddya thunk?
As long as I'm on the subject what else have you forgotten? A knife, whistle or cell phone, lighter? These are the four most important items you can have yet is seems the only thing you carry is a cell phone and when it doesn't work I get blamed for it. Cell phones still don't work everywhere.
I digress. Last year more than a few people bit the dust in the desert including a couple of famous ones. Evan Tanner UFC Champion died because he ran out of water and tried to walk out. Turn back when your water is half gone. No one is really sure what happened to Steve Fosset the intrepid aviator other than he crashed into the mountains. However in the search for him eight other planes missing for years turned up. Even Fosset himself took a year to be found and then it was by accident. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to get back. Let's see if we can beat the desert this summer with no deaths in the local deserts.

The Blue Djinn is home again now a healthy puppy ready to resume his life and training. As part of a discussion I was having the subject of what do we do for our pets during an emergency, disaster or survival situation. Over the next several weeks I'm going to include what you can do for our furry friends. Startng with an essentials list we'll look at the problems and how animals react to disaster and what you can do to keep them comfortable and calm. Your input is welcomed.

Critter warning. Don't forget California is in a drought. Critters of all shapes and sizes are going to be coming out of the mountains and washes to backyards and swimming pools this summer to look for water, shelter and Fluffy who makes a nice meal. Last year a number of small cats and dogs were taken by larger birds of prey. Keep y0u yard secure and don't leave any food out.

Jin on the mend

2009-03-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

Fans of the Blue Djinn know he has had a very rough week battling Canine Parvovirus. Untreated Parvo has a 91% fatality rate among puppies. Fortunately we caught it in time. Jin is still at the vets and getting better. We hope to have him home by the end of the week and up and around for the Earthday Conservation Fair at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum in Yucca Valley, Ca. on Saturday April 18, 2009. Come out and meet Jin, myself and the staff of The Sunrunner Magazine.

Of course the vets bill is going to be horrendously expensive. We even have a guessing game going on the Border Collie forum as to how much it shall be. The closest guess gets a Desert Bandanna. Nonetheless whatever the bill is it shall be well worth it considering that Jin is mt friend will eventually become a service dog. In order to pay for his medical we ask that everyone dropping buy the O'blogitory buy a Desert Bandanna with all the proceeds currently going to pay for Jin's medical bill. Of course you can always make a non-deductable charitable donation to Jin through PayPal. Receive a a Desert Bandanna with any donation over $20.00. Be sure to leave your email address.

Click to help Jin.

Jin is in the hospital with Parvo

2009-03-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

I know how emotionally involved I am with Jin a Border Collie.. Totally. I have spent the last several hours crying because Jin has Parvo. I took him out for his run at the dog park and everything was all right. Then he sort of collapsed. I thought it was just him being tired but when I got him home he wouldn't get out of the car nor would he eat an ice cube. He was not Jin and he fell asleep on the floor. I went shopping for my sons birthday dinner, tonight Kyle is 24, and when I got back Jin barely greeted me then he came in and crashed, asleep again. I thought something might be wrong so I tried the acid test. He tuned up his nose at his fav treat and would not drink any water. I called the vet and took him over there where he tested positive for Parvo. Doctor Teri wasn't happy with the result of the first test due to an anomoly and did a second. Again positive. At this point I totally broke down. When I introduced Jin to my therapist it took an hour to show and explain to her what he means to me and how close the bond is. Dominique told me at the end of the session that if I had not bought him in she would never have understood.

My Border collie owning friends Sue, Sue, John, Eileen and everyone else understand. I am totally devastated right now. I'm praying for Jin's life to be spared. I want to bring him home, I must bring him home because I am too emotionally tied to a puppy I was given on Valentines Day.

Please dear God let him live.

Together we, Ranger and Jin.

I love my puppy.

Snake season approacheth

2009-03-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

It's Spring. With evening temps going above 70 it's time to concern ourselves with wildlife in our yards. This year's heavy, Mr. Longfellow... the Snake.

Generally speaking you shall find that snakes are not aggressive with a few exceptions like the Coachwhip a non-poisonous species. I have, hiking about, stepped on and kicked more snakes than I care to count with the result of the snake just being scared and wanting to get out of the way. Snakes are not going to stalk and hunt you down nor will they chase, bite and fill you with the worlds most toxic venom and have dinner. Plain simple fact is if given a chance most snakes, even a startled one, will leave the area. The best way to get bit by a snake is to antagonize one. That's the reason for most snake bites. Statistically these bites usually occur on the hand and are received by young stupid men between the ages of 15 and 30 who have been drinking. What does that say? Don't pick them up. If you encounter a snake in the wild the best thing to do is take a picture then walk around or away from the snake giving him plenty of distance. If you find one in the back yard call animal control but don't expect them to show up. If your worried about how close a snake is just remember that the distance a rattlesnake can strike is about half a body length. The average snake is less than 5ft. So distance is your best defense. If you do get too close a walking stick is useful for fending off snakes since they primarily sense prey through heat and they won't sense your walking stick. As for you and your dog, the two of you are large heat signatures and they want nothing to do with that. Even if you are struck by a startled snake it may not inject venom there's about a 50/50 chance of that happening; it's called a dry strike. Additionally snakebites are very survivable even for a 50lb dog if treatment is received as soon as possible. Never try to kill a snake. It's tough trick and all you do is piss 'em when you try. don't run over snakes; it seems that some people get a perverse pleasure out of running over snakes in their cars sometimes stopping and backing over them again. That seems to be a rather cruel thing to do do when the snake hasn't run you over. Treatment for snake bite is simple. Transport to a hospital ASAP. don't cut, suck or anything else. Just transport.

I was asked about snake avoidance training for dogs on the Border Collie forum I belong to. If you are interested here are a couple of links I found in a Google search, SoCal and Arizona. This is not an endorsement of either of these companies. I know nothing about them. I suggest you call and study what they say before making a choice. Because of our drought I do expect to see more snakes than usual this year so use care when out and about.

Climber falls to death from the Desert Sun

A man fell to his death and another was injured while rock climbing at Joshua Tree National National Park in Twentynine Palms on Sunday Mar.15 2009.

Curtis Woodrow Stark II, 67, of Riverside was climbing the Great Burrito rock about a 150 to 200 feet tall rock formation near the Hidden Valley Nature Trail about 4:40 p.m. when he fell about 100 feet, according to Joseph Zarki, a National Park Service spokesman.

Stark, an experienced climber, was not wearing a helmet and died of head injuries, Zarki said. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5 p.m., according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office. His climbing companion, Alfred Kuok, 44, of Claremont, was taken Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs with back pain, broken ribs and possibly internal injuries, Zarki said.

According to the National Park Service, Stark was the lead climber. He became dehydrated, started losing strength and began to descend. “During the descent he lost his grip and fell,” Zarki said. In the fall, Stark knocked Kuok off the rock. Some of the hardware protection they put into the rock — bolts and clips fastened into rock crevices — did not hold causing Stark to fall to the ground", Zarki said. Kuok didn’t fall because other hardware protection held.

Two firemen from the Joshua Tree area who had been climbing nearby helped rescue Kuok. Four park rangers and nine Joshua Tree Search and Rescue volunteers also responded. A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department helicopter airlifted Kuok to the hospital. Because it’s an inherently dangerous activity, safe climbing techniques and proper safety gear, including helmets, should be used when climbing the rocks, Zarki said.

I have a dog.

2009-03-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Not the usual fare for this blog but I was given a Border Collie puppy by my daughter on Valentines Day. His name is Jin and as of 5 Mar he is 3 months old. The thing is Border Collies (BC's) are veryintellegent with the IQ of a 5 yr old and much smarter than a fifth grader. The question is what to do with him. He can't become a SAR dog for at least a year and a half. On the other hand there are dog sports like frisbee, flyball , agility and freestyle.

Tremendous fun we welcome Jin to our home.

The Desert is Closed.

2009-02-20T08:05:00.000-08:00

From my article in theApr/May issue of the Sunrunner Magazine. (article online in full after the Apr/May issue comes out).

“You can’t play here anymore”. That is basically the decision of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors who in their wisdom have determined that the noise made by OHVs and their ilk are such that there shall be no off roading on any publicly, federal or county, owned land in Riverside County anymore unless it is on a designated trail.~

The subject today is not the actual closing of the desert despite the fact it's been on going on for years but where do we go? Here is the very short list of where we can now legally play off road in the lo-desert. None of them in Riverside County.

Ocotillo Wells OHV Imperial County. area is located between Anza Borrego State Park on the west and the Salton Sea on the east. From Palm Springs, south on 86 to Highway 78 then west to Ocotillo Wells.

Johnson Valley. Hi-desert actually. Enter off of Highway 247 at Old Woman Springs Road or Camp Rock Road between Barstow (55mi) and Yucca Valley.(15mi).'

Glamis and Imperial Dunes. Imperial County. From Palm Springs, South on Highway 86 sto Highway 78 then east to the Glamis exit.

All other travel off road is limited to these designated trails (BLM map) Of course you can go further out say to El Mirage dry lake or into Arizona butth lo- desert in riverside County is closed off.

Locally that means OHVs and 4x4's are going to start exploring our backyards. Places like Pipes Canyon or up in Black Rock. "But wait" sez you, "Those are protected areas" "Yes, yes, "Sez I, "but the Baja Bunnies (OHVs/4X4) dont' care" The lower parts of Berdoo and Pinkham Canyons have already fallen and the destruction is very apparent. Who knows what will happen if they start driving through the Dale Mining District and into Pinto Basin or they reach upper Pinkham Canyon. The draconian measures put into place by Riverside County are going to have a far reaching negative effect on hi-desert and it's play areas until Riverside County get's it together enough to create a place to play off road in Riverside County and knowing politicians that could take years.

Nothing's permanent except change.

2009-02-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

While President Obama is working on his economic stimulus package I remind everyone we could use a little here as well. So since we need change I've changed the price on the Desert Bandanna to more affordable $12.99US. Unfortunately in expectation of the Post Office raising prices next month we have also had to change the price of 1st class shipping to $3.25US and Priority shipping to $5.75US. For more information visit Desert Bandanna or click on the button below to purchase through PayPal.

Desert Bandanna
1st Class Mail

A few notes and addendums.

2009-02-08T12:41:00.000-08:00

A correction regarding the availability of anything more than Gas in Amboy, Ca. There isn't. I heard yesterday that the only thing in operation there is the gas station. That makes the nearest food, lodging and gas for the Mojave Adventure is in Baker, CaThe distance from Kelso to Baker is ~35 miles up the Kelbaker Road. Don't forget to pack a lunch.

The Mojave Phone Booth Adventure

2009-02-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

Ever been to the Middle of Nowhere? It's location changes you know. For the next couple of months the (unOfficial) Middle of Nowhere can be found at 35° 17' 9.269"N latitude, 115° 41' 4.042" W longitude in the Mojave National Preserve at the location what was once a mining camp along the now deserted Aiken Mine Road. Now what possible reason can I give you to leave the comfort of your home to visit a piece of dirt in the desert in BFN. Lots of 'em the least of which is a chance to do something totally different this weekend. Start in any of the the desert cities like Palm Springs (2hrs) or Barstow (1hr), Ca or from the resort town of Primm , Nv (1/2 hr) and head for the jump off points of either Baker, Ca on the north or Kelso, Ca on the south. Explore along Old Route 66 and stop at places like Amboy, Ca for a burger and gas at the world famous Roy's motel, if it's open. To start your adventure head for DesertBandanna.com's Desert Adventure page where there are some "Clues for City-zens" a reason why to go out there, the story behind the events that occurred along the Aiken Mine Road and a Google map to show you the way.

Depending on how far you decide to go the Mojave Phone Booth Adventure does take you off road. A 4WD SUV with at least half a tank of gas and proper preparation is recommended. What you need to know can be found on the Desert Bandanna website, in this blog and on the bandanna itself. For more information post a question or send me an email.

Guides available. Email for more information steve@deranger.us DesertBandanna.com and DeRanger.us accept no responsibility for the actions taken upon by others wishing to visit and play the desert. Enjoy the outdoor adventure safely. It's your responsibility.

Have an adventure on me.

2009-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

The Sunrunner Magazine is your access guide to the desert for which I write a column on everything from places to visit to surviving those places when Mother (Nature) goes "Tag! You're it". The article in the next issue deals with visiting the desert and shall hopefully lead you to try one of several adventures I shall post about both here and at DesertBandanna.com Two adventures are planned with the first being worked on. Starting here in the virtual world it shall hopefully lead you into the desert to put your feet on the ground.

The Sunrunner Magazine shall be available at the
Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show
February 14 - 15, 2009
Los Angeles Convention Center
Travel Trade: Saturday 8 – 10 am
Public: Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

and online at TheSunrunner.com

A change of name.

2009-01-19T08:40:00.001-08:00

As you can see we have a new name, The O'blogitory so called because because my friends and associates seem the think that blogs are obligatory these days. Hence the name The O'blogitory. That is also the reason I do not write in it often. Yet in light of recent emails (a half a dozen or so) I shall endeavor to update it more often seeing that people now think an virtual presence on the Internet is more important than a physical presence in real life.

On with the show

On the calendar: Sunday March 1st 2009 is the 10th (I believe) annual Hike for Hope Breast Cancer Research Charity hike at Indian Canyons in Palm Springs, Ca. My wife and I have been a part of this for many years and urge you all to attend for a day of hiking in one of the deserts most beautiful settings. Hikes range from easy to strenous.

The Great Calif Shake Out Pt III

2008-11-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

It's over. All that's left now is to tot up the statistics. For my part after this mornings post, written in simulated panic, I was able to contact my wife and affirm she was safe at her place of employment. She stays there until I am ready for her to come home or go to a shelter. Since the house is uninhabitable shelters can be created from several sheets of 9x12ft 2mil plastic painters tarps I have since I'm painting the house. Parking the cars back to back with the tailgates open provides a basis for a 3-4 person shelter. City water works so toilets are in use however I am sticking to the 20+ liters of water that were in the cars for drinking. The dinner fixings I bought this morning before the quake were cooked on a propane BBQ, I think most of us have one and at least we eat well tonight. Tomorrow, we'll see about salvaging the kitchen and the food there. There is still no power. Entertainment is whatever I can play on my laptop or listen to in the car. I also have a couple of books in the car, Rock Climbs of Joshua Tree, a couple of light novels and of course several Desert Bandannas. Light is provided by a Coleman lantern, light sticks, and other battery operated lights. There are extra batteries in the car. Not necessarily for emergencies but because my GPS and handheld radios eat them. Bedding was salvaged from the bedroom, however there are emergency blankets in each car. Using my HAM, FRS/GMRS radios, Radio Shack scannerand listening to broadcast radio I was was able to stay in touch with what was going on around me. I would imagine that if shelter and evac point instructions had been issued I could have availed myself of them. Yet considering the panic at an evac point it's probably better to stay where I am for the moment.

After I saw to my own self and made sure the neighbors were OK I was able to take the time to enter the garage back door and was able to grab out tools, rock climbing gear including several hundred feet of rope and anchors and checked in again with the EOC making myself available for ant Search and Rescue work involving climbing and rigging. There aren't going to be enough of those kinds of people around.

Initial panic is going to be the first problem to deal with this you need to be proactive until your settled in for forst few days. That's the goal. The second problem is dealing with the boredom while waiting for emergency services to wind up to full capacity and for relief to come. That could be anywhere from 2 days to a week or more. That makes the immediate priority food and water. Water is not a problem since I can treat it from my survival gear or with some bleach or chlorine from the pool. Food is another problem, there is only a limited amount. A few days salvaged from the kitchen and maybe 3-5 days worth of whatever in the packs. On the other hand *evil grin* I do have a .22 rifle and could walk over to the wash to hunt small game. Maybe find one of Sarah Palin's moose ;) Just kidding. I borrowed a neighbors chainsaw (mine's electric) and with that an the axe form the jeep tomorrow I'll try to cut into the kitchen to see if I can rescue the food from the 'ol Frigidair. If successful I'll cook what I have smoking some of it to make it last longer. Any ice or cold packs left shall be transfered to a cooler along with everything I can put in there. Need to find more ice.

Does all this seem far fetched? Fiction? Man vs Wild or Survivorman? Beyond the abilities of most people? Not at all. I've had a charcoal smoker and a propane BBQ for years so cooking is not a problem. My existing household kit includes a basic cooking set kept in it's own pack. I am ready for disaster to strike, not prepared, but ready since no one can ever be prepared. As far as I know everything including communications at a basic level this is doable by everyone. Unless your severely injured or dead and as long as there are others nearby it shall work itself out. All you have to do is have a survival kit of some sort and take an active part in your survival. I figure we (three of us) are good to go until relief arrives.

The Great California Shakeout Pt II

2008-11-13T12:50:00.001-08:00

The great California Shakeout on 13 Nov 08 10:00 am is a simulated 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shall strike the Palm Springs area near the Salton Sea about 50 miles from where I live. I let my wife, a writer for the Desert Sun Newspaper, tell me how much destruction there was to the house which includes the media and dining rooms as well as the kitchen. The Bedrooms, bath and garage are accessible although going into the house is risky. That leaves me with what is in the car and whatever I can salvage from the garage, the washing machine? Ready, set, go!

10:00AM the quake struck just as I was returning from morning errands. My shopping included the fixings for tonights dinner. Shock report: SHOCK!!... Make up your own feelings on the very bad scale. I sat in the car for 10 minutes and waited for aftershocks and until I stopped shaking from the adrenalin rush and thought it was safe to get out. There is no house, or kitchen but I do have dinner. Cell phones are down, no electricity, no nothing.

Always step one is to ensure the safety of those immediately around you even if it's a neighbor you don't like. Family at home? OK! Pets? Dogs are scared but the cats don't seem to care at all. Turn off the gas, circuit breakers and water. I have easy access to the the hot water tank so it is drained into as many buckets as I have. That's 50 gals of water right there in addition to the 10 liters in my car. Next is to assess what your going to have to do. For me it's getting into the garage. After inspection from the outside the garage is safe, with no signs of giving way. The problem is it's locked behind a steel roll-up door. Parked out front is my Jeep with it's off-road gear including 2 shovels, an axe, a bill hook, crow bar, jacks, rope etc. Getting into the garage presents no problem and if I don't knock it down getting in I should be safe once inside...

only the jeep keys are in the locked garage. No problem just break into the jeep to get the tools.

I'm not giving thought to food or water since I have both in my car along with my standard day pack. That's enough to keep me in the desert for a week and it's early in the day so I think signals first. I want to find out about She Who is My Wife. There are no cell phones or landlines. So I try her FRS/GMRS radio, the one she has in her car. No luck; it's probably in the car and she'll retrieve it eventually. Next dig out my amateur (HAM) radios. The antennas on the roof have all been knocked down and the radios are covered with years of dust from being in storage. An old antenna called a J-pole is in the pile of junk by the side of the house. Setting it up takes about 20 minutes. Getting the radios online takes the same with a battery from my sons motorcycle for power, plug everything in and dial in the repeater frequencies. Now check in with the Ham radio emergency teams located in various Emergency Operating Centers in the area. Once checked in I can now monitor the radios and find out what's going an. A lot of destruction and damage as I feared. More dead than was thought of. I the mean time the FM radio in my MP3 player had been providing me with news, music and Nathan Baca a local TV journalist. It is now 12:30, there have been hundreds of after shocks. I have comms so now it's time to sit, eat, take medications and contemplate the next step. I have to find out about Judi, my wife, and think about tonight. The radio reports lots of roads damaged between here and her office by the airport and despite the rule of Stay Put!On the other hand I have to find out. It's not really a problem and while my SUV will get me there over the damaged and cliogged roads a better choice is my Jeep, the wall climbing "Dirt Dog", now I can drive over debris, sand damaged roads, even cars if need be to get to Judi's office.

So time to get everything setup. Back in a few hours.

The Great Calif Shakeout Pt 1

2008-11-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, Thurs Nov 13 is the great Calif Shakeout. Purported to be the largest disaster simulation ever run. Locally here in Palm Springs, CA the local TV station KESQ.com has a reporter, Nathan Baca, going through a 3 day simuation living through the aftermath of 7.2 quake. At first I thought about doing nothing then decided to take part in my own way. At the time of the simulated earthquake tomorrow morning wherever I am I shall react andl take the steps I think I would have to in order to ensure the survival and safety of my family. I shall document this effort and blog it here so you can see what I am doing throughout the day.

"Wait!" you scream, how can you do that if you don't have power for electricity and the internet is down. I am an amateur radio operator and have a laptop computer, all kinds of radios most currently packed away in boxes and simulat access to SatPhone for the duration of the simulation. After all if they can simulate an all comms out disaster I can sim Sat Phones since my radio gear will do actually that. So I'll simulate comms using my laptop and Internet connection for that purpose only.

I'm curious as to what I'll do since like a real disaster I don't know what's coming and I don't know how I'll respond when I try to apply a sense of panic to the situation. I suppose that will depend on what I hear as disaster reports when I tune in to what ever's happening on the radio, broadcast or otherwise.

Hiker Hell.

2008-10-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what can happen to the average hiker? Wander over to Hiker Hell a blog given to the mistakes and mis-adventures of hikers around the world. See what can happen when Mother Nature does walk up and go "Tag, you're it!" Some are tragic in their ending others border on the comic like two hikers who had to buy cell phone minutes to finish their rescue call.

Closer to home I do find an outrageous number of people doing the foolish. June 1986: Temperatures are normally between 106F and 111F. One Saturday 3 (one in the car) people drove five miles down an more or less improved dirt road through the Wind Electric Generating facility where I was Director of Operations and out into the desert to be found by Security Chief Robert (white shirt) where they were wandering around half naked, drinking beer and buried in the sand. We assumed they were looking for the settling ponds belonging to the local water agency and drove in the wrong way, a common mistake. The ponds were a popular place to swim, windsurf, sail and play and as a result a lot of other rescues took place in the same general area due to people trying to get to the ponds through various wrong way entrances. Per SOP Robert called me on the radio interrupting my Saturday and I responded with a pick-up truck suitable for the task of yanking them out. During the rescue operation an unusually contrite group of people quietly stood by while the Porsche was pulled free and set back on the road. It was at that point Robert walked up gave me three business cards. These people were the CEO, VP and GM of the wind park, my employers. They had never been out to visit their investment and had decided on a whim to drive out from Thousand Oaks, CA (150+ miles) for a visit unannounced. The moral to this story? Even smart people do stupid things.

Somethng Stupid

2008-10-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

Found New Years Eve 2005 with a broken front end.

I do things even I say don't do, like going into the desert alone. Last week it was a drive out to the Eagle Mining district to look for a few geocaches. My side trip was at the last second, in fact I didn't even know I was going until I turned off the main road onto a dirt track. Out of two-way radio and cell phone range and about 6 miles out into the basin to play. Click for map then zoom in to explore.

I drove as far as a wash I couldn't cross and sat there thinking. What if something went wrong and my car broke down or dug in. Nobody knew where I was and that meant walking out in 104F temps. Doing a six mile easy to moderate hike in the day (the road back) is not too bad, if you are accustomed to it. I've done much harder hikes in higher temps as a both a guide and a tribal ranger. Properly dressed with a couple of liters of water the smooth track to the main road would have taken about a 2 hours to walk. However when you consider the time of day better to wait until 5pm or so to avoid the heat of the day and direct exposure to the sun.

The question is how prepared was I? Despite the fact I had 6 liters of water, a fully equipped 5-day pack along with a jacket and hat, not well enough. Driving into the basin I was wearing a T-shirt, sandals and shorts. A walk out would call for protection, changing into long pants, heavy safari shirt and hiking boots. At least I had the boots. Fortunately Lexus makes a reliable little SUV even if it is 10 years old and the trip was made in air conditioned comfort. [He lies, the windows were open] :)

Yet I did something stupid. Why? I don't know it was just a whim and even though nothing went wrong it could have. The Lexus RX300 isn't my Jeep. It doesn't have any self rescue tools, no shovels, ropes or hi-lift jacks. It is an All-Wheel Drive street SUV with no lo-range gears. So driving into trouble doesn't necessarily mean you can drive out like the Jeep can with it's monstrous power and wall climbing drive train. Proper equipment also means a proper vehicle.

My point is we all tend to do dumb things. You just have to realize you are doing them and hope that you are prepared for them when things really do go wrong and even more that you are prepared for the consequences.

In the above photo this touron was found deep in a canyon 50 miles from rescue with a broken front end. We already had a Ford Bronco in tow and informed him we would call the park rangers when we could. That call was made 3 hours later. I eventually found out his rescue took another 6 hours after that call. Note that your rental car insurance does not cover this kind of tomfoolery. Off road tow charges in Calif are $125.00 per hour plus a drop fee.

2008-09-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

I made some who watch Spike TV and Ultimate Fighting very angry over the death of their hero Evan Tanner (see my last post) . I was at the local pub with a friend for a pint and the discussion turned to Evan Tanner's demise in the Palo Verde Mountain area. I was accused of being cold and heartless with my views towards Mr. Tanners untimely demise in the desert where he could have been easily rescued. Very well, since you demand an apology you shall have it.

I apologize if I upset your attitudes towards fear and death. I apologize if the thought of Evan Tanner answering a challenge and dying for his efforts is more than you can cope with. I am saddened by every death in the desert whether it was done by accident, incident or stupidity. Yet it is the latter, stupidity, that seems to be the cause of most fatalities followed by a lack of common sense and thought. So instead of reviling me for his death take a lesson from it. Be a part of what happens here and never challenge the desert.

Look for the adventure, not the challenge.

The Darwin Award goes to Evan Tanner

2008-09-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

In his blog Utimate Fighting Champion Evan Tanner wrote "I'm hoping that very soon I'll be sitting out in the quiet of the desert beneath a deep blue midnight sky, listening to the calm desert breeze. The idea going into the desert came to me soon after I moved to Oceanside. It was motivated by my friend Sara's talk of treasure hunting and lost gold, and my own insatiable appetite for adventure and exploration. I began to imagine what might be found in the deep reaches of the untracked desert. It became an obsession of sorts".

What he found was death. His obsession became suicide by stupidity. Fox News Article The Imperial County sheriff says his death was by exposure which in their language means dehydration and heat stress. His body was found about 2 miles from his camp where his motorcycle was found with no gas in it. What happened? He probably ran out of water and tried to walk out in 115F temps. After hearing about this I found his blogs learned something about Evan Tanner. A sporting champion he had everything going for him with one exception, at least when it came to the desert; attitude. You can't challenge the desert, nor can you be obsessive. Passionate, yes. Obsessive certainly not. You could say his new found obsession drove him to his death.

It takes me an hour to prepare for a trip into the deep desert, out of cell phone and two-way radio range. Tanner took a month and a half to prepare for the desert by "reading books, studying the land, and researching gear", then presumed he would be all right. He was also in cell phone range. You cannot presume anything in the desert. What went wrong? I'm not going to try to answer that, Tanner fans would only get pissed off and while it's a shame that he died at 37 it's more of a shame that he did it to himself and in that I hope this points out how easy it is for things to go horribly wrong for you. After all Darwin does not reward stupidity and foolishness.

http://www.spike.com/profile/Evan_Tanner

Life is when you make plans.

Survival is when those plans change unexpectedly.

I wonder if a Desert Bandanna would have helped him?

Desert Bandanna eStore now online.

2008-09-24T21:28:00.000-07:00

Blatant Advertising.

The Desert Bandanna is an extra large (26"x26" 66x66cm) nature and survival guide printed in HiDef black on high quality unbleached muslin. Covering everything from Attitude to Zoology it is the knowledge that gives you the edge when things go wrong.

Handmade in the USA Desert Bandannas are machine and river washable for years of use. Buy your's today.

[/End of advertising]

Two years in development and production. The Desert Bandannas are here and we are now open for business. It has been a long time, lot's of people have said they want one. Now we find out.

Riley Coyote says

Leave no trace behind and never feed, touch or disturb wildlife.

It always starts with a challenge.

2008-09-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

After a day of playing in the desert and ensconced over a brew at the now defunct Beatnik Cafe in Joshua Tree, a City-zen who had joined us for the morning asked, "Can you do what the guys on TV can?" "Like what?", I ask. The response; "Eat a raw dead zebra, make water...; and now I know this guys has been watching too much TV. So let's expose Man vs Wild and Survivorman as it has to do with us. Which is??? Nothing; meaning while everything they do is true, eating lizards and bugs, collect water and making shelter it's not a big deal. It is nothing more than proper training from military survival schools, various classes offered for the outdoors or even natural to someone who grew up hunting and fishing. Add to that there are number of excellent books on the subject including one of which was written by yours truly.

Now trying to explain to my new friend that what is manufactured entertainment for TV is not what I'm trying to teach. Start with Man vs Wild out on the African veldt. With a recently (presumably predator) killed zebra our host cuts off a piece, takes a bite then makes a comment while asking whether you would do this or not. Hell no! I'm not going to eat a piece of raw dead zebra or any other type of kill, predator or road. The main reason is there are not going to be a lot of fresh reasonable kills left behind in the desert. Desert predators and scavengers make sure of that in very short order. Another thing, he's got a knife to cut a piece of zebra off. Both of us have knives and are skilled in the outdoors. Shouldn't he be able to make a nice fire to cook that piece of zebra. Why eat raw meat unless you like sushi or steak tartar? That''s my preference BBQ'd snake, lizard or whatever.

Survivorman was even more rigged. He found (placed) himself in the desert where he easily found water and food. It wasn't until the second commercial that I realized he placed himself in the Mojave Desert near the western mountains in winter so he could find food and water. Let's move him to the Black Rock Desert in NV, or put him on top of Black Mesa in AZ during the summer and see how he fares. My point is don't expect to find food, water or shelter most desert environments. You are better being prepared with the proper gear in your car or day pack rather than trying to use a bunch of survival tricks meant for experts.

Myths Exposed: Solar Stills. I've always loved the theory of the solar still. Easy to build and they do work. Dig a pit about 2-3ft across and the same deep keeping the sides as verticle as possible. Fill the bottom 1/3-1/2 of the pit with fresh crushed green brush placing a catch container into the center of the brush. Broad leafed plants are best for this; not something you find in a desert. Cover the pit with a sheet of plastic and put a rock in the center so it is over the cup. As moisture evaporates from the plants it gathers on the plastic then drips down into the cup. Yield: ~4-8oz (120-240Ml) in ~8 hours. Energy expended to get that cup of water? Over a liter and getting heat stressed. The best place to conserve water is in your body. The best place to find water is in your car.

See ya.

2008-09-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

Updated the website today to improve the flow and look of things. The only thing left is to work out the pay pal integration. For those of you who have never messed with web programming let me say that WYSIWYG web page editors aren't and the best way is still to write in old fashion HTML. Wanna see what it looks like. Just right click on most web pages and select View Source.

But this blog is supposed to be about the desert and what happens here. Being in a drought for pretty much the last ten years has brought more and more animals, particularly predators, down from the mountains. Lately in the news there's been lot of talk about "A coyote just came up and ate my Fifi" or "That creature attacked my child" There are two reasons for those attacks. First brother coyote's hungry and has little ones to feed. Fifi being about the size of a large rat makes a nice meal for a critter that usually lives on rodents and anything else he can get. As for attacking your child, most coyote attacks on people come from either a little one wanting to feed the cute doggie a biscuit or people leaving food out where it can be found. Even the raccoons now found in our area are smart enough to come in a dog door and have done so. Never heard of a coyote doing that but raccoons habituate to people easier than "cute doggies do" Nonetheless keeping an eye pets and food inside along with teaching your children not to feed the animals is a key point in preventing animal attacks.

Did you know that owls eat cats? Since owls can't digest fur and bones the spit up what are known as owl pellets. A number of years ago I found more than a few in my backyard where a great horned owl perched from time to time. Breaking one of them open revealed the remains of a cat.

"Never try to kill a snake. It's a tough to do and all you do is piss 'em off". - The Desert Bandanna

Something about shipping

2008-09-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Desert Bandanna Stuff

The final art proof is in my hands and I approved it's printing today. Delivery date I hope before 20 Sept.

You can always check here for the latest information on weird things like actually buying more than one or having it sent overseas or even to Canada or Mexico. This is one of those DIY web sites projects and that also means DIY integrating with Paypal and the post office. Which means learning a lot of stuff I don't know anything about coupled with the inability of Paypal to do what I actually want to do vis-a-vis shipping rates.

Here's how it's supposed to work. Priority mail 2-3 day delivery for a flat rate. Off the top of my head, $4.80US, $9.85US Canada, Mexico, and ~$13.00US everywhere else. Add in 40.65US for tracking. This covers a 4lb(<2kg) If you're confused or have any questions please feel free to email me and we can arrange something with payment through Paypal.

FAQ I suppose these shall be the first ones answered.

How well does the printing hold up; does it wash off? There are Desert Bandannas ten years old that are still readable.

How do I care for my bandanna? The Desert Bandanna is machine and river washable.

Is it Bandanna or Bandana. The Merriam-Webster (US) and the Concise Oxford (UK) dictionaries say both spellings are correct.

RANT: I remember as a teen all of the popular SciFi depicting two kinds of worlds. One where no one had any pockets in their clothes. No way to carry stuff. Everything was clean, neat, pretty and at their command, sort of like Star Trek. I guess this represented the 21st Century as seen from the early sixties. The other world is one seen frm the 70's. One of pockets and dirt where everything you need is carried with you. In the pulp fiction of the that time this included rayguns and light sabers, an assortment of futuristic tools,and credit crystals which are akin to todays swipe and gripe cards and the ever present and required ID card. This is more reminicesnt of a utilitarian world like Star Wars or Blade Runner. A place where we have to be prepared for whatever. A place where if you don't wear a badge saying who you are then you are nobody. In the late 70s there was a saying, "If you don't get an education you'll wind up wearing your name on badge at McDonalds" In buying new uniforms for the upcoming tour season I found my self with a pair of pants having ten pockets and a shirt having five along with a place for my name badge. What does that say? Do we all now work at McDonalds?

Uncorrected. That means I didn't spell check or grammar check it.

Promises to keep

2008-08-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since the last post and there is no guarantee there will be another post at least until the end of Sept.

So what news Desert Rats and City-zens. Here we go.

In last couple of posts I asked about what you might carry with you. There are after all Ten Basic Essentials that all hikers should carr. They are. Water, knives, whistle, matches, compass and map/GPS, food, first aid kit, ponchos, solar blanket and rope. Ten items that can spell the difference between life and death. No BS. So what do you do with those items, those Ten Basic Essentials. You add an Eleventh Essential.

DesertBandanna.com

The Desert Bandanna - Third Edition.

First introduced ten years ago it is a very large survival bandanna with a lot of tips and tricks to help you out when you get into trouble. This year is the 10th anniversary so here is the Third Edition. Hugely expanded to give you the edge with the knowledge you need to get through the one time when things go wrong.

The Desert Bandanna is basic nature and survival guide printed on an extra large 26"x26" (66x66cm) high quality muslin in HiDef Black, whatever HiDef black is. The release date is in late September.

The web site is there. At least enough to give you a preview yet still needs to be finished and fine tuned. As of today most links are turned off until I sort out error pages, paypal buttons, security and the rest. You can reach us at iwantone@desertbandanna.com for preorders and bulk sales.

As for mt experience designing a website. Go daddy says it's easy using their Website tonight. It's a big help but I still have to code a lot of this for myself and that's something I could live with out.

Ja~ne

2008-06-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

Did you ever figure out what those four items were? Water, a cell phone, knife and a lighter. If you're hiking I would suggest a whistle instead of a cell phone.

"OK", sez you, "but why do I need water in the city"? You ever go to work without a latte or its equivalent? I sure don't. Latte's are made with water and that most life saving of all elixers, coffee.

Last weekend a few of us went to Mt San Jancinto State Park. I met Ranger Cher and we spoke of training and response for the people who get into trouble. It occurred to me that all too often in the past 25 years I've been the first responder in many instances. True to form less than an hour after leaving the ranger station I responded to an incident with a heat stressed boy whose father pushed him up the steep trail to Mtn Station and then allowed his son to drink a fair amount of cold water. As a result the boy vomited and collapsed. Of the 8-10 people standing around no one had any idea what to do. Despite first aid training my friends couldn't handle a retching puking boy who needed help while Dad and co just stood there trying to macho the kid to his feet. With no one doing anything I just did my job, one I don't even get paid for anymore.

Later I was asked, "How did I know it was heat stress"? Easy enough. The boys head was very hot, so was his neck by the carotid artery. The answer is simple cool him down. A wet bandanna around the neck on the artery, a strip of cool water down the middle of his back and on his head. Get him into the shade and wait for him to cool down, naturally in this case. These people didn't wait. The hustled him into the Tram car headed to the bottom of the mountain 6,000 ft below. A sick kid in a hot tram car. I'm thinking that good 'ol dad there had a very sick kid on his hands for awhile there.

If you, the guy or gal reading this, ever have to respond you should know that the area is going to be covered in blood, puke and only the lord knows what else. You are going to have to go in there and get dirty. One of my friends tried to help that boy but told me the smell drove him away. He asked me how I did it. I dunno, I just do. What about you; how will you respond when the time comes?

Tonights post written because I was bored while watching a silent movie starring Lon Chaney.

2008-04-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

Who am I. An engineer in the past, a guide with a short time spent as a Tribal Ranger. Today I do eco-tours and adventure day trips in the Mojave and Sonora deserts. "A guide, huh; what can you do"? Drop me into the desert in summer. Allow me my pack and only the water in my car and I'll ~~walk out~~ sit down and wait for rescue. I'll also practice what I preach, that is what I wrote in the "Quick and Alive Tourist Guide to the Desert - Survival and you" out of print, new version soon.

What is this blog about. I dunno really. It's here at the request of a few friends and people who email wanting to know more about the desert and the "fascinating" a quote by others not me DeRanger" Steve.

To which I respond, "Okaaay!!!!"

So after thinking it over between the last paragraph and this one (about 2 weeks) I've decided to do at least the following:

Write about the desert in general, history, geology, and some of my favorite true stories.
Post old magazine articles starting with #1 as soon as I figure out how to do it.
Pass on the lessons that have kept me alive when things went terribly wrong. Which they have more than once.
Try to sell you "DeRanger" Steve certified stuff we'll get to that another time. That is the crap I use that works under extreme duress.
And a healthy dose of opinion "occasionally even based in fact" as said by Bulldog.

So who knows what shall come of this, we'll find out over time.

OK, put your books away it's time for a quiz.

There are Ten Essential items to survival whether in the the desert or elsewhere. Kept in a day pack there are as many different mixes to this list as there are grains of sand. Only one provides the best protection from the desert. Of these Ten Essentials 4 are a must have wherever you go, from your desk at work to BFN; you do know where that is don't you?

Question 1. In order of importance what are those first four items?

Question 2. What are the remaining 6 items. specific list with no particular order

Question 3. Where are these items kept when not in use.

Bonus question. (T/F) This is stupid and I don't really need to pay attention to survival info.

No cheating, no using Google to search for an answer because *pointing* out there, there are no books** or search engines.

**Except one, The Desert Bandanna coming soon.

Je~ne {see ya}