Just for the record folks....there is absolutly no evidence at this time that indicates Ronnie Bates was murdered.by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The spring cleanup was a huge success. The USFS joined up with the Deep Creek Voulenteers and the Deep Creek Flyfishers to make this annual event a real happening. The DCV meeting was attended by Ranger Burns but I missed that part of it. I will let Ron share what was discussed. What was really great was the sby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Well....it goes to show ya that you meet some really great people in and around Deep Creek. It was great to share a soak with you Gary. Thanks for the info on Goldbug hotsprings up in Idaho. We will definatly check that one out.by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Ok....lets review the first post on this thread from the "Widow Bates". It says "Just before Ronnie dissapeared he told me he had met some people at the Bowen Ranch." Im not going to quote the whole post as we can all read it ourselves.It clearly states that Widow Bates was aware of Ronnies destination at the time of his departure.She claims that she tried to stop him from goby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I believe that Katrina admitted posting as "Widow Bates". Add multiple personality disorder to the list........by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Howdy NSX, To answer your questions about snakes I would like to point out that rattlesnakes are non aggressive by nature. When encountered,they will curl up and try to hide. They do not crawl into tents....they dont like the way we smell. Most people who get bit either step on them or (believe it or not) try to pick them up! They are not real common but they are encountered while hiking from tby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Blue skies and sunshine,along with a colorful display of wildflowers are predicted for this weekends spring potluck/cleanup. The hills are green from all of the recent rains as well. We are looking forward to hotpottin with you Gary,see you there!by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
So.....the Sherrif's office was notified Ronnie was missing on Jan 19,1997. What (if any) was their response? Did they follow their protocols for missing hikers? Was the SB county search and rescue mobilized? I would assume that if anyone seriously looked,they would start with the Bowen Ranch parking lot. Did the widow Bates start her search at the Bowen Ranch before going to Mexico and Arkansasby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Its my opinion that the search should have been conducted when Ronnie Bates was reported missing. It was way too late when the connection was made that the abandoned rental car was driven out there by Ronnie Bates. Mike Castro did the right thing and turned in a car that was abandoned. Nothing on the license plate said "This car was rented by Ronnie Bates" And,there was no vandalism doby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Indeed, the rental car is a big question mark. The fact that it sat out there all winter without being vandalized is amazing. If it had been parked at the corner of 3N14 and Bowen Ranch road it wouldnt have lasted one night! I believe that the presence of this car in the area for so long indicates that Mr Bates may have died from natural causes with contributing factors such as drugs or exposuby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Another piece of this puzzle that is missing is when the report of Ronnie's dissapearance was filed on Jan 19,was a search of the area done? This is standard operating procedure whenever a hiker is reported missing. San Bernardino County has a search and rescue team that is highly skilled. Did they look? To imply that Mike Castro is responisible for the delay in the search for Ronnie Bates jusby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Another factor to consider in the Bates case is the date, Jan 19. I do not know what the weather was like at the time but January is seasonably cold in the Deep Creeek area. The normal lows are in the 30s and 20s after sundown. It is possible he died from hypothermia as well. Several years ago,a transient who was staying in the Village was found dead in the wash. This was a coroners case and theby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Katrina's postings here under the heading"the murder of Ronnie Bates" are an example of what I am talking about. How does she know that Mr Bates was murdered? The is no evidence that supports this theory however,this does not stop her from trying to frame Mike Castro. Shame shame shame on you Karrina. What about all of that talk about being a civil rights activist? What about Mr Castroby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
My condolonces go out to Mrs Bates with a heavy heart. I have lost a lot of friends to drugs and alcohol and each and every one died way too young. We really dont know what happened to Ronnie Bates. One thing is probable,speed was a contributing factor in his demise. From what I am told,he was last seen at the hotsprings. The Bowen ranch is two miles away. I was also told that his jawbone was foby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I prefer to keep my boots on as I have run into rattlesnakes while hiking. Enjoy!by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The public has free access to the hotsprings if they choose. There has been an established pattern of harrassment of the owner of Bowen Ranch by the Moss Mill Gang that continues to this day. I see Katrina and friends as aggressive parties in this longrunning fued. Its time for her to end the harrassment and let go of th grudge. A resentment is like a dead skunk......the longer you keep it theby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
What we have today for access to deepcreek is a free choice. Jf3 is a viable route and it does not require a 4wd. Any car can drive it to within a reasonable hiking distance of Deep Creek. There are even variable ways to access JF3. Katrina's argument for a road across private property is unfounded. There is no easement as demonstrated by the current landowners. A title search during escrow prby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
There currently exists a free access to the Deep Creek area via JF3. If anyone wants to avoid Bowen Ranch,this a the way to go. It is my prefered route and its the shotest hike.Nobody is forcing the public to go through Bowen Ranch. I wonder though....what does the above post have to do with squealing? It appears that Katrina is all mad at the BLM because they evicted her friends for an"ilby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
There has been a rat in the woodpile for the last ten years and thats for sure. I think there has been more than one based upon observations of friends who have been living in the Village during this period. The whole thing stinks like rotten cheese. Katrina must eat a lot of waffles for breakfast as she cant seem to stick to any moral principle. Deny it she may,but its my opinion that Katriby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the real deal hotsprings report Mr Wizard. Youre lucky to have such a great boss!by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Here we go again......the old double standard. Its OK for Katrina to be a government informant and all the while she accuses others. There is way too much cheese here for me.by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
well.....how was the soak? It sure was a perfect day weatherwise!by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the fun Mr Wizard........and the added bonus of the baby mindmeldby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Howdy, Springtime is a great time to soak so come on out. The hotsprings are on USFS land and overnight camping is not permitted in the canyon. The owner of the Bowen Ranch does allow people to camp on his land for a small fee. I think its $5 per person. There are no facilities there so bring everything with you including lots of water and a small shovel. Its about a 2 mile walk from the Ranchby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Calm down Katrina.....at the time I dont believe anyone knew that Mr Bates was dead. And...that car was not the first to be abandoned out there. It is true that you can tell a rental car from private vehicle. As long as the car wasnt reported stolen,it was just abandoned. The car did not belong to Mr Bates. It was a rental. When I go hiking,I always let my family know where I am going and whenby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Vehicles parked upon private property can be assessed storage fees. If the fees are not paid,the vehicle can be sold in a lein sale. This seems like a reasonable explanation of Mike's actions regarding Mr Bate's rental car. He is in the car business.This is legal. The erratic behavior of Mr Bates is symptomatic of methamphetamine abuse. I believe it could be a contributing factor in his demise.by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Howdy Craig, The Deep Creek cleanup is happening on Sat,March 29th. Feel free to join us all at the hotsprings and you can meet many of us in person. We may be just a little dysfunctional online,but we seem to get along just fine at the springs. Hope to see ya there.by LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In response to the Ronnie Bates disapearance Wizard, my work has shown me medical history plays big role in an untimley demise. For example, did Mr Bates smoke? Did he have any family history of heart disease? Did he use drugs? Did he have hypertension? Elevated cholesterol? When I worked in an interventional cardiac cath lab,I worked a case involving a 27 year old male who experienced chest pby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The whole mess does raise a few questions. I am very familier with the literature that was being distributed and it was much more than just the newspaper article. What was Ronnie Bates hiding from? As someone with intimate knowlege of the terrain of Deep Creek,it is quite possible Mr Bates died from a combination of drug abuse and physical activity. Drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine are reby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In my opinion there were many interesting things in Katrina's website and it made for good reading Mr Wizard. I was born with a curious and open mind and the site raised a few questions to explore. My curiosity has been raised as Katrina's platform seems to have shifted to this site. I dont believe the $$$ excuse. Katrina and friends accuse Mike Castro of a lot of things and to be honest,I reby LaughingBear - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California