This wind has us all worried, but on the lighter side it has just done a better job of grading Bowen Ranch Road then the county usually does! Thanks for sharing the good news, Toast.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It is raining in the Cajon pass right now. Can't think of a better time for rain.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for that update, Wizard. Paul just went up to Bowen Ranch and no fire there. The unincorporated areas south of Tussing Ranch Road were listed as mandatory evacuation, but that was rescinded to voluntary. Paul spoke with a USFS ranger just a few minutes ago and was told not to worry about evacuating just now. Hesperia Lakes is an evacuation center for people from the mountain areas, andby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi Toast, Thought I'd answer you since I just came from Juniper Flats. It is not burning, but Lake Silverwood is, and the winds are heavy and keep switching directions. There is a lot of thick smoke over the mountains and throughout the Victor Valley area. Some of the Juniper Flats residents have evacuated, but an evacuation order has not been given, so we're all safe for the moment. Hope youby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
No violations, Rick, the forest was closed after the meeting.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Meeting began about 1:25 with Matt, Scott, Ron, Wizard, AZ Mike, and Sycamore Laughing in attendence. Visitors included Derek from the Las Vegas Bares, Prema, Tara, and "the munchkins" (Wizard's children). Item #1) Membership: No change since last meeting. We have 24 members. Item #2) Brochure box update: The brochure box is completed. It is a sturdy wooden box which features aby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We patched up a section of Forestry fence that was taken down by some OHV (motorcycle) riders while we were at the meeting yesterday. There is a little leftover barbed wire. Be glad to donate it for wrapping an arsonist. Will everyone please say whatever kind of prayer you believe in for the families who may be losing loved ones or homes to these fires.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It was a holiday weekend...Columbus Day...although that is not a day that everyone considers a holiday. Razor blades (single-edge, of course) work best for removing candle wax. I'm still trying to get the word out to night users to please bring something, like some aluminum foil, to catch the wax when they burn candles. It is not only ugly and hard to remove, but it also creates slippery patby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I went to the springs on Saturday. It was a great day, perfect weather, and as usual met and talked with a number of wonderful people there. We picked up a few bags of trash, scouring the downstream rock area especially. Trash wasn't excessive, but a lot of small things like cigarette butts, wrappers, etc. One thing that concerned me is that there seems to be an increase in the number of peopby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree with you, Brother Bear. I"m not opposed to appropriate OHV use and agree that that is one of the uses that needs to be provided for, but at this time all parties need to sit back down at the table and come up with a plan that includes appropriate OHV use without endangering sensitive areas, causing undue disturbance to area residents, or leaving the public out of the process of apprby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hello Sparks, I will make a point of going to the springs this weekend if you're coming out. If not, the meeting day is a great time to meet some of the members of our group. I used to camp at Bowen Ranch regularly on my visits, but lately have been making only one-day trips and driving home each night. Many of our members do the same, but one or two may camp out at Bowen from time to time.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Good points. I doubt we can cover everything without making the type too small to read. "Mud puppies" should be encouraged to use the shower for a good rinse before entering the pools. Sunscreen is another matter, as the oils are possibly a contaminant to the stream as well as the pools. I doubt that it poses any serious environmental problem, though, since it is not a toxic substanby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
OUCH...how did I neglect AZ Mike's attendence? Sorry, Arizona! Thanks for filling in the missing details, Ron. Lots of upcoming events and activities! I'm looking forward to meeting the Las Vegas Bares, and Claudia and the Camping Bares. I hope that other forum readers will join us for these events as well. Peaceby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I was very pleased with our meeting this month. It was especially nice to have the input and participation of two newer members, Richard and Don, and the return of Scott and Matt. We managed to cover a long agenda without digressions or disagreement, and the break in the middle seemed to refresh everyone. I'm glad that we decided to have a newsletter as well, and I hope that many members willby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In item #2, the Naturist gathering, I missed one detail of the discussion that should have been mentioned: Gender parity is sought by naturists as well as the encouragement of younger members. (this is the reason why I post the number of female members when posting membership changes)by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Item #3: Brochure changes. (cont.) Changes to the brochure will, of course, also have to be approved by the USFS. Ron will submit the revised brochure for approval if there are no objections to the changes. Break: We agreed to take a half-hour break before going on to the rest of our agenda. Item #4: DCV logo. Ron filled the newer members in on the details of our search for a logo to addby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The meeting started at about 1:20 pm with Richard, Scott, Matt, Wizard, Paul, myself, Ron, and one new member, Don in attendence. One visitor joined us for the first half of the meeting. The agenda was lengthy, and the meeting ran long, but was very productive and cordial (in my opinion). Item #1: Membership changes. Our group now has 24 members, 6 of whom are female. Item #2: Naturist gaby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Glad to hear it was a great day at the springs. We had our DCV meeting on Saturday, and did some cleanup, but I think you should thank all the wonderful visitors who have been helping our efforts by packing out all of their trash plus just a little bit more. Sorry to hear about the glass and the bikers. When I see people with glass and they don't seem responsive, I try to get them to put theby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the link, Rick. Didn't seem that the area would be closed to hikers if the bill passes. I'm all for protecting it.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Wow, what a time to come back to check on this old forum! Real issues! Well, let me add my own two cents! If cattle ranching were here long before us, what was here long before cattle? I think the land was healthier then. I like healthy land. I am not a property owner and have never done any cattle ranching. I like cows just fine, but I do understand the degradation that cattle can cause tby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Blue Corn, I didn't see your post until Rick had closed the thread, so I didn't have the chance to say thank you. I was glad that I had the time to spend looking into these matters, and am satisfied that I finally understand the whole picture. I knew it would rile some people (but didn't expect rock stacking to get thrown into the mix!), and felt prepared for that, but I did not do as well as Iby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Yes, it was an especially nice day at the springs! Not much trash, only the nicest and most respectful of people visiting, and very quiet all day long. I got to spend over an hour there all by myself, just watching and listening to all the birds and critters. Then I discovered that I wasn't alone after all, another person was sitting alone enjoying the solitude. AZ Mike came down after tackliby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi Gary, I take your reminder very well, and you are right that things escalate beyond the intentions of at least most of the posters here, if not all. I certainly did not intend to be dragged into mudslinging when I decided to look into the Bowen Ranch ownership issue, although I did know how difficult that can be to avoid. I will admit that I've taken a dig or two at Wizard lately, feelingby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Since you say that Fred Moss lost his house because it is on government land, why do you claim that the same would not apply to the Bowen Ranch house, which was built on Fred Moss land? And how do you expect people to believe that DCHS, Inc. owns buildings which they did not pay for or earn in any way? Rick, please look back over the posts I made regarding the ownership issue. Where am I argby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
1975? Oh, yes, I am sure that is applicable...why not? Why would you even want to own something that you did not pay for or earn in any way? It's a little hard to have pride of ownership that way.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Why are you saying that I said things I did not say? Didn't you read my posts? Why on earth would I do anything to hurt you? I did not intimate that I would involve CPS, in fact I said the opposite. I am not upset with you for not taking my advice, but I am confused about what you have construed it to mean. There was no threat of any kind there, veiled or otherwise. If you want to spreadby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
No, you weren't grinning at me. It may have been what was in your cup. I am one of the people who likes your dogs. I saw you keeping a good eye on your dogs once, and not letting them bother people. Very respectful of you.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
How can I be the "know-it-all" when you are the wizard? Your account of one incident is your story, and if I repeat it you will demand proof of me.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
How in the world do you read that into what I said? Playing with words again? It was friendly advice, and there are no hard feelings if you choose to not consider it. I wish your children well. That should be obvious.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California