esspete: Just tryin' to figure you out (and just who is hiding behind the internet?) I'm a woman who lived through the 70's, and I can tell you that I have never liked it when men who don't know me stare, ogle, or make intimate comments. I'm also the one who brought up the subject. No one here said anything about not wanting single men to show up at the springs, but you seem to have taken offeby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi everybody Guess who I found today? He's here now and wants to say hello: Hello! Naked Man is BACK! And am I glad to be here, too. I ran into Sycamore and Paul on my way up to the Springs this morning and they kidnapped me and made me say Hello. You guys won't recognize me, tho; my hair is now short and I've put on 25 pounds and lost my tan. Paul calledme a SLUG ... Sun Lover Under Gloomby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Congratulations, Brother Bear. That is, indeed, news worth sharing.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi Celtfire, Thanks for the update. Sounds like you had a pretty good time at the springs regardless of Scott. Thanks for handing out brpchures and talking with people about DCV and our goals. Word-of-mouth education and outreach goes a long way towards keeping the springs clean, pleasant, and open. I really appreciate what you said about finding women at the springs. So true! I'm glad tby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Only hearsay and nothing definite. I heard he was issued multiple tickets the day they evicted him, for glass among other things. Don't know what else specifically, but if they gave him a separate citation for each rule he was breaking, that would be a few. Then, AZ Mike reported that he was issued an adventure pass ticket after parking at the head of the "freedom" trail. Guess he wby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sorry for jumping in, AZ, but I can answer this question definitely yes. I don't know if it was Brad Burns, but Ranger Hoffman spoke with AZ and I about Scott prior to their hike, and he did know quite a bit about him. Not surprising, either. Considering all the people involved in evicting him from the springs, I would think the word about it would spread pretty quickly through the ranks.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I'll take "boring" any day over listening to his complaints, worrying about who he's going to fight with, observing large amounts of trash, carrying out large amounts of trash that he either generated or collected, worrying about his "toilet" too close to the stream, and worrying that he will be burning trash. To hear him brag about his background, it is surprising that his gby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I'll be heading down to the springs again in a day or two. Hope "the merchant's" activities have not led to too much trash again. I'll let you know how it looks.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The flyer doesn't advertise anything except the "freedom trail." It has a map, and lots of nice words about how the efforts of good people keep the springs clean and open. There is a picture of his dog on the flyer, and it is written as though the dog wrote it, saying that "his human" knows first aid.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I went to the hot springs yesterday. It was just about as perfect a day as anyone could ask for. Scott was not there, and there were no "community trash bags" hanging in the trees. Some hikers on the PCT were enjoying their first visit to the springs, and expressed great appreciation to all the wonderful people who help to keep it clean. The few other visitors were mostly of the &by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Our meeting this month was not a long one, and in my opinion we are reaching agreement on agenda items rather quickly. Attendence at our meetings is still lower than I would like, but at least those of us who are present seem to be developing more and more commonality, and I see that as a plus! After the meeting, we discussed the large pile of large bags of trash collected by the rangers who evby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Item #4) Future events: We discuss a fall cleanup, possibly focusing on Family Canyon. We set a date for the last Saturday in September for this event, and will decide on and announce a focus area shortly before the event. Suggestions are welcome. Sycamore and AZ Mike will work on a flyer for the event. We discuss the possibility of registering as a 501(c)3 non-profit group. Ron will pursuby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Here are the minutes...sorry for the delay. Item #1) Membership/funding changes: We have had three new members since January 04, and our current total is 26. Our funds are currently $271.00. We now have a bank account with a non-profit tax I.D. number. Ron is currently the only member who can sign checks, and since the bank is closest to his residence, he will most likely be the only one sigby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi Sam D. Scott may be bitter, but he has no reason to blame DCV. I was told by a USFS official that a complaint was made about him by a PCT hiker. Scott lived at the springs and openly engaged in his "merchant" activities, even putting up signs. He has no one to blame for his eviction and tickets but himself!! I tried to warn him that the USFS would be evicting him, but he insisby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I'm not so sure that the guy was hogtied, but stories do change in the retelling. "The merchant" told me about wishing he had some zip ties when the crazy with the knife was there, and finding some the day after the police got the guy out. I think he siad he helped capture the guy, but the first I heard about him hog-tying him was in Katrina's report of the incident. Maybe their &quoby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Katrina, you say: "Since we have to share our public lands with all user groups, I think you will get alot farther if you work cooperatively with these user groups. I believe that your confrontational style actually resulted in an increase of OHV damage probably just to spite you." To whom are you addressing this? Friends of Juniper Flats? On what do you base your belief in a "cby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Add Family Canyon to potential focus areas for DCV's next meeting. We haven't done an official cleanup there yet, and I think it is overdue!! Wizard and Laughing Bear, I think you are both right about the reason(s) for increased OHV use near the springs. Lack of enforcement, anger that some people are encouraging enforcement and discouraging open trails through sensitive cultural and riparianby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sam D.: We were asked to remove the brochure box because of some objection to the "clothing optional" information. The USFS has indicated that they are in favor of our brochure, but cannot have the brochure box on their post any longer, and suggested placing it on private property. Great news from Wizard that Mike Castro has allowed our box. Thanks, Mike! We should have it up againby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the report, Sam D. DCV has had minimal opportunities to do any extensive clean-up lately, but we should be kicking into higher gear for the summer months. We have lots of possible items for our attention at our next meeting on Saturday: candle wax upstream cleanup downstream cleanup graffiti removal Anything remaining from "the merchant." Handing out lots of brochures and hby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for that report, Wizard. We had another recent report of three bikes on the "trail of least resistance" who turned onto the goat trail heading away from the springs. I'll add your report to the next FOJF activity report to go in to the BLM, and will also note it for the USFS. If possible, a description of the bikes/riders would be helpful. Photos are also always great. The mby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for that great report! Glad to hear that you and your family had such a good time, and that you found good people to share the day with. Even though we get our share of "nitwits," like any place, the good always seem to me to outweigh the bad. I'm not sure if I can make it down there this weekend, but if so I hope I get to meet you. Ask around for Sycamore. Peaceby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In another thread, now closed, Katrina mistakenly asserts that closure of the J1299 trail would prevent horseback riders from using it. This is not the case. Closing the trail would only mean that motorized vehicles could not use it. This would be in keeping with previous work in the ACEC to eradicate a road that went down to the riparian area. A parking area was established to give the publiby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sorry I missed your post until after your trip, but I hope it was enjoyable. Please do post back and let us know how it went! Many of us love to hear feedback from first-time visitors.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Katrina: Sounds as though you are saying that the archaeological studies conducted by Dr. Alcorn are not correct in finding a burial site with an intact skeleton... Are you challenging these findings? On what grounds?by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It was probably about 3 months ago or more when I had a discussion with Mr. Castro about FOJF. He stated then that some of his friends in the OHV community were worried that we (FOJF) would booby-trap trails with nails. I laughed at the idea and assured Mr. Castro that none of us were out to hurt anyone. I guess they got tired of waiting for us to do something so stupid and irresponsible. Iby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I remember 1992...but that was before I started coming to Deep Creek and the beautiful area here. To what are you referring, Rick? Was it a great year for flowers or something that just went right over my head? Wildflowers...YES!! Amsinckia are everywhere, and also forget-me-nots and a few kinds of daisy...white tidy-tips and some yellow ones (they are mostly what causes the yellow patches inby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Katrina, you are right that Mojave Green hauled and pounded the majority of posts for the BLM "wing" fence project, but you have two different fences confused in your post. Glad you used the word "apparently" in refering to that. Maybe you should visit the area once in a while to gain a better perspective! Once again, I join others in asking "What is your point"??by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for that timely reminder, Gary. I do not like seeing this forum return to former ways. Like Rick above, I just want to understand just what point is being made here. Most of this area's residents are united in wanting OHV use in the area to be restricted to legal routes that are enforcable, and not to allow a motorcycle path through an area (the ACEC) that is designated as "not forby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
"Confidential informant" is a fancy way of saying "hearsay." I will admit to engaging in some of that myself, but at least I identified it as such. What is hilarious, though, is that Katrina Island seems to be on the side of Mike Castro and the BLM on this issue. Or is it just long-held animosity towards Laughing Bear and Mojave Green that leads to these posts? What is youby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It is easy to see why this area had such abundant use by natives. During the altithermal period the temperatures were hotter than they are today. This is when the great pluvial lakes of the desert dried up and the unbearable heat and lack of water drove native peoples into the hills for water, food, and shelter. The Cottonwood Spring area, within the ACEC, was home to at least three permanentby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California