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Post by pippsheadache on Jun 15, 2024 15:40:30 GMT -5
That trip along the east side of the Sierra Nevada is one of the great California road journeys. The non-glamorous but nevertheless beautiful part of the state. Funky towns like Lone Pine and Bishop and views of Mount Whitney. I always liked that Humphrey Bogart/George Raft movie "They Drive By Night" part of which takes place on that road. And George Tobias is in there, later to be the beleaguered Abner Kravitz on "Bewitched." I used to occasionally have to go to China Lakes for work, staying in Ridgecrest. That is one lonely desolate place. Los Angeles seemed a million miles away. Stayed overnight in Ridgecrest after a visit to Death Valley..a teeming metropolis compared to the mining "town" of Trona, one of the strangest places I've ever been thru. As you said, Hwy 395 has much to see, including the Western Movie Museum in Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, Manzanar, June & Mono Lakes. Yeah, Trona is dystopian. That area is a bit like Salton Sea, which I was always happy to get out of. Glad you mentioned Death Valley, which I meant to in responding to 55. What an amazing one-of-a-kind place. After Yosemite maybe the next-most-important national park in California. Although I definitely would not go before November or after April. Nothing else like it. On the way to Ridgecrest I would pass through Victorville, which I am sure you know and which used to be the home of the Roy Rogers Museum, where Trigger was stuffed and mounted and which also had a lot of Cincinnati Reds memorabilia that Roy had collected as a Cincinnati boy named Leonard Sly. And of course great Sons Of The Pioneers stuff from Roy's time with them. |
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Post by azbob643 on Jun 15, 2024 15:57:15 GMT -5
Stayed overnight in Ridgecrest after a visit to Death Valley..a teeming metropolis compared to the mining "town" of Trona, one of the strangest places I've ever been thru. As you said, Hwy 395 has much to see, including the Western Movie Museum in Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, Manzanar, June & Mono Lakes. Yeah, Trona is dystopian. That area is a bit like Salton Sea, which I was always happy to get out of. Glad you mentioned Death Valley, which I meant to in responding to 55. What an amazing one-of-a-kind place. After Yosemite maybe the next-most-important national park in California. Although I definitely would not go before November or after April. Nothing else like it. On the way to Ridgecrest I would pass through Victorville, which I am sure you know and which used to be the home of the Roy Rogers Museum, where Trigger was stuffed and mounted and which also had a lot of Cincinnati Reds memorabilia that Roy had collected as a Cincinnati boy named Leonard Sly. And of course great Sons Of The Pioneers stuff from Roy's time with them. Many people think of Death Valley as nothing but a vast desert, but it's a very interesting place. But yeah...don't wanna go there during the times you mentioned. When we went we spent the night in Pahrump, NV before heading into the NP, unaware that it is one of those NV places where prostitution is legal. Believe it is/was home to the infamous Chicken Ranch Brothel. Yeah...very familiar with Victorville/Apple Valley/Barstow. Passed thru there many times on the way to Fort Irwin where I did a lot of my reserve training. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Jun 15, 2024 16:20:05 GMT -5
Yeah, Trona is dystopian. That area is a bit like Salton Sea, which I was always happy to get out of. Glad you mentioned Death Valley, which I meant to in responding to 55. What an amazing one-of-a-kind place. After Yosemite maybe the next-most-important national park in California. Although I definitely would not go before November or after April. Nothing else like it. On the way to Ridgecrest I would pass through Victorville, which I am sure you know and which used to be the home of the Roy Rogers Museum, where Trigger was stuffed and mounted and which also had a lot of Cincinnati Reds memorabilia that Roy had collected as a Cincinnati boy named Leonard Sly. And of course great Sons Of The Pioneers stuff from Roy's time with them. Many people think of Death Valley as nothing but a vast desert, but it's a very interesting place. But yeah...don't wanna go there during the times you mentioned. When we went we spent the night in Pahrump, NV before heading into the NP, unaware that it is one of those NV places where prostitution is legal. Believe it is/was home to the infamous Chicken Ranch Brothel. Yeah...very familiar with Victorville/Apple Valley/Barstow. Passed thru there many times on the way to Fort Irwin where I did a lot of my reserve training. Yep, the Chicken Ranch and before that the Mustang Ranch. Also the home of conspiratorialist and Little Green Men advocate Art Bell. Somewhere between Vegas and Death Valley was some minuscule oasis that held the only habitat of some obscure blowfish. No way I was missing that one. There was (maybe still is) a minor league team near Victorville called the High Desert Mavericks. I remember seeing Gary Matthews Jr. playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a game there. Since you obviously know that area I wonder if you recall the world's tallest thermometer in front of the Bun Boy restaurant off of Interstate 15. I don't think it's there anymore. |
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Post by azbob643 on Jun 15, 2024 16:36:59 GMT -5
Yep, the Chicken Ranch and before that the Mustang Ranch. Also the home of conspiratorialist and Little Green Men advocate Art Bell. Somewhere between Vegas and Death Valley was some minuscule oasis that held the only habitat of some obscure blowfish. No way I was missing that one. There was (maybe still is) a minor league team near Victorville called the High Desert Mavericks. I remember seeing Gary Matthews Jr. playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a game there. Since you obviously know that area I wonder if you recall the world's tallest thermometer in front of the Bun Boy restaurant off of Interstate 15. I don't think it's there anymore. Yes...we visited that little oasis, but I forget its name. It was actually kinda cool. Something about Devils Hole, or something like that. I'll try to find some pics I took. If I can I'll post them. Never saw the High Desert Mavericks, but I believe the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were in the same league as the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Padres MiL team I have seen. I don't recall the thermometer, but that's not to say I didn't see it. We're talking approx. 50 years ago. I have a pretty good memory for most things, but not everything. I did some work with Bob's Big Boy restaurants...was "Bun Boy" one of their franchisees? |
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Post by azbob643 on Jun 15, 2024 16:51:39 GMT -5
Somewhere between Vegas and Death Valley was some minuscule oasis that held the only habitat of some obscure blowfish. No way I was missing that one. Think this might be the oasis we're thinking of...   As I recall, had to take a pretty rough, unpaved road up to the actual "hole" where the pupfish are. Didn't seem worth it...so we passed. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Jun 15, 2024 17:57:00 GMT -5
Yep, the Chicken Ranch and before that the Mustang Ranch. Also the home of conspiratorialist and Little Green Men advocate Art Bell. Somewhere between Vegas and Death Valley was some minuscule oasis that held the only habitat of some obscure blowfish. No way I was missing that one. There was (maybe still is) a minor league team near Victorville called the High Desert Mavericks. I remember seeing Gary Matthews Jr. playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a game there. Since you obviously know that area I wonder if you recall the world's tallest thermometer in front of the Bun Boy restaurant off of Interstate 15. I don't think it's there anymore. Yes...we visited that little oasis, but I forget its name. It was actually kinda cool. Something about Devils Hole, or something like that. I'll try to find some pics I took. If I can I'll post them. Never saw the High Desert Mavericks, but I believe the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were in the same league as the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Padres MiL team I have seen. I don't recall the thermometer, but that's not to say I didn't see it. We're talking approx. 50 years ago. I have a pretty good memory for most things, but not everything. I did some work with Bob's Big Boy restaurants...was "Bun Boy" one of their franchisees? When I was going past it regularly it was the mid to late 90s, so it may not have been there when you were driving by. It would have been impossible to miss it, right alongside I-15 between Barstow and the Nevada Line, dominating like the Eiffel Tower. Not part of the Big Boy chain. We used to visit the original Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. Fun place with car shows every Friday night. Other parts of the country had Shoney's Big Boy and Elby's Big Boy and I am sure others were out there. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Jun 15, 2024 17:58:34 GMT -5
Somewhere between Vegas and Death Valley was some minuscule oasis that held the only habitat of some obscure blowfish. No way I was missing that one. Think this might be the oasis we're thinking of... As I recall, had to take a pretty rough, unpaved road up to the actual "hole" where the pupfish are. Didn't seem worth it...so we passed. Good find Bob. That's it. Yes, the pupfish was the name I was looking for. |
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Post by rizzuto on Jun 15, 2024 19:31:04 GMT -5
Yep, the Chicken Ranch and before that the Mustang Ranch. Also the home of conspiratorialist and Little Green Men advocate Art Bell. Somewhere between Vegas and Death Valley was some minuscule oasis that held the only habitat of some obscure blowfish. No way I was missing that one. There was (maybe still is) a minor league team near Victorville called the High Desert Mavericks. I remember seeing Gary Matthews Jr. playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a game there. Since you obviously know that area I wonder if you recall the world's tallest thermometer in front of the Bun Boy restaurant off of Interstate 15. I don't think it's there anymore. Yes...we visited that little oasis, but I forget its name. It was actually kinda cool. Something about Devils Hole, or something like that. I'll try to find some pics I took. If I can I'll post them. Never saw the High Desert Mavericks, but I believe the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were in the same league as the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Padres MiL team I have seen. I don't recall the thermometer, but that's not to say I didn't see it. We're talking approx. 50 years ago. I have a pretty good memory for most things, but not everything. I did some work with Bob's Big Boy restaurants...was "Bun Boy" one of their franchisees? Rancho Cucamonga and Lake Elsinore were both in the same league as the Visalia Oaks, which Sarah and I had season tickets to the single A ball club for several years. Lots of good players came through there. In the movie "Bull Durham," Crash Davis (Kevin Costner's character) takes off to interview for a job coaching minor league ball in Visalia. Costner was born in Lynwood, CA but he moved around a lot. If I remember correctly, he attend high school at one point at Mount Whitney HS in Visalia. He was only 5'2" when he graduated, growing a foot afterward. |
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Post by azbob643 on Jun 15, 2024 19:49:42 GMT -5
Rancho Cucamonga and Lake Elsinore were both in the same league as the Visalia Oaks, which Sarah and I had season tickets to the single A ball club for several years. Lots of good players came through there. In the movie "Bull Durham," Crash Davis (Kevin Costner's character) takes off to interview for a job coaching minor league ball in Visalia. Costner was born in Lynwood, CA but he moved around a lot. If I remember correctly, he attend high school at one point at Mount Whitney HS in Visalia. He was only 5'2" when he graduated, growing a foot afterward. DJ was born in Visalia... |
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Post by pippsheadache on Jun 16, 2024 8:33:31 GMT -5
Yes...we visited that little oasis, but I forget its name. It was actually kinda cool. Something about Devils Hole, or something like that. I'll try to find some pics I took. If I can I'll post them. Never saw the High Desert Mavericks, but I believe the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were in the same league as the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Padres MiL team I have seen. I don't recall the thermometer, but that's not to say I didn't see it. We're talking approx. 50 years ago. I have a pretty good memory for most things, but not everything. I did some work with Bob's Big Boy restaurants...was "Bun Boy" one of their franchisees? Rancho Cucamonga and Lake Elsinore were both in the same league as the Visalia Oaks, which Sarah and I had season tickets to the single A ball club for several years. Lots of good players came through there. In the movie "Bull Durham," Crash Davis (Kevin Costner's character) takes off to interview for a job coaching minor league ball in Visalia. Costner was born in Lynwood, CA but he moved around a lot. If I remember correctly, he attend high school at one point at Mount Whitney HS in Visalia. He was only 5'2" when he graduated, growing a foot afterward. Thanks for stirring up more memories of that wonderful California League, Rizz. The Quakes were actually the closest professional team to where I lived in the San Gabriel Valley, about a twenty-minute drive. In addition to Matthews Jr. I remember future major league catcher Ben Davis playing there, and Wally Joyner and Steve Finley doing rehabs. It was a Padres Advanced A-level team at that time. I got to all the parks in the South Division, which also included the Lake Elsinore Storm, San Bernardino Stampede, High Desert Mavericks and Lancaster JetHawks. Visalia I recall in the North Division, along with teams from San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield and someplace I'm forgetting. Not Fresno, which had a team in a higher league. I didn't get to any of those parks -- with the Dodgers and the Angels both only about an hour away, most of my baseball time and budget was spent going to Dodger Stadium or The Big A. But Minor League baseball is such fun. I think overall I get a more pleasant experience from a minor league game than a major league game. Remember the old Jack Benny Show shtick (announced by Mel Blanc) -- "Train on Track Five leaving for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga"? There was of course no such train, but Benny and Blanc loved the name. In fact Cucamonga is mentioned in many Looney Tunes cartoons (by Mel Blanc of course, usually as either Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck.) There is a statue of Jack Benny and a Jack Benny Drive in what is now called Rancho Cucamonga (which combined Cucamonga, Alta Loma and Etiwanda for real estate and tax-generating purposes.) And just to steer this thread gently back to its intended topic of music, there was a well-known recording studio in Cucamonga in the 60s where The Surfaris recorded "Wipe Out" and The Chantays recorded "Pipeline." It was called PAL Studios, and Frank Zappa did his first recording engineering there. He liked it so much he bought the studio and did a lot of his work there. It was no longer an active studio when we lived out there, but of course I dropped by to pay homage. And in 1964 Jan and Dean had one of the longest titles for a song that made the Billboard charts, "The Anaheim, Azusa And Cucamonga Sewing Circle Book Review And Timing Association." It was their follow-up to "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena." I think that exhausted the stockpile of songs mentioning places in the San Gabriel Valley. |
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Post by 1955nyyfan on Jun 16, 2024 10:57:50 GMT -5
Rancho Cucamonga and Lake Elsinore were both in the same league as the Visalia Oaks, which Sarah and I had season tickets to the single A ball club for several years. Lots of good players came through there. In the movie "Bull Durham," Crash Davis (Kevin Costner's character) takes off to interview for a job coaching minor league ball in Visalia. Costner was born in Lynwood, CA but he moved around a lot. If I remember correctly, he attend high school at one point at Mount Whitney HS in Visalia. He was only 5'2" when he graduated, growing a foot afterward. Thanks for stirring up more memories of that wonderful California League, Rizz. The Quakes were actually the closest professional team to where I lived in the San Gabriel Valley, about a twenty-minute drive. In addition to Matthews Jr. I remember future major league catcher Ben Davis playing there, and Wally Joyner and Steve Finley doing rehabs. It was a Padres Advanced A-level team at that time. I got to all the parks in the South Division, which also included the Lake Elsinore Storm, San Bernardino Stampede, High Desert Mavericks and Lancaster JetHawks. Visalia I recall in the North Division, along with teams from San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield and someplace I'm forgetting. Not Fresno, which had a team in a higher league. I didn't get to any of those parks -- with the Dodgers and the Angels both only about an hour away, most of my baseball time and budget was spent going to Dodger Stadium or The Big A. But Minor League baseball is such fun. I think overall I get a more pleasant experience from a minor league game than a major league game. Remember the old Jack Benny Show shtick (announced by Mel Blanc) -- "Train on Track Five leaving for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga"? There was of course no such train, but Benny and Blanc loved the name. In fact Cucamonga is mentioned in many Looney Tunes cartoons (by Mel Blanc of course, usually as either Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck.) There is a statue of Jack Benny and a Jack Benny Drive in what is now called Rancho Cucamonga (which combined Cucamonga, Alta Loma and Etiwanda for real estate and tax-generating purposes.) And just to steer this thread gently back to its intended topic of music, there was a well-known recording studio in Cucamonga in the 60s where The Surfaris recorded "Wipe Out" and The Chantays recorded "Pipeline." It was called PAL Studios, and Frank Zappa did his first recording engineering there. He liked it so much he bought the studio and did a lot of his work there. It was no longer an active studio when we lived out there, but of course I dropped by to pay homage. And in 1964 Jan and Dean had one of the longest titles for a song that made the Billboard charts, "The Anaheim, Azusa And Cucamonga Sewing Circle Book Review And Timing Association." It was their follow-up to "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena." I think that exhausted the stockpile of songs mentioning places in the San Gabriel Valley. Pipps, you are one of several board members who I would like to see on Jeopardy! |
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Post by inger on Jun 16, 2024 12:11:25 GMT -5
Thanks for stirring up more memories of that wonderful California League, Rizz. The Quakes were actually the closest professional team to where I lived in the San Gabriel Valley, about a twenty-minute drive. In addition to Matthews Jr. I remember future major league catcher Ben Davis playing there, and Wally Joyner and Steve Finley doing rehabs. It was a Padres Advanced A-level team at that time. I got to all the parks in the South Division, which also included the Lake Elsinore Storm, San Bernardino Stampede, High Desert Mavericks and Lancaster JetHawks. Visalia I recall in the North Division, along with teams from San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield and someplace I'm forgetting. Not Fresno, which had a team in a higher league. I didn't get to any of those parks -- with the Dodgers and the Angels both only about an hour away, most of my baseball time and budget was spent going to Dodger Stadium or The Big A. But Minor League baseball is such fun. I think overall I get a more pleasant experience from a minor league game than a major league game. Remember the old Jack Benny Show shtick (announced by Mel Blanc) -- "Train on Track Five leaving for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga"? There was of course no such train, but Benny and Blanc loved the name. In fact Cucamonga is mentioned in many Looney Tunes cartoons (by Mel Blanc of course, usually as either Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck.) There is a statue of Jack Benny and a Jack Benny Drive in what is now called Rancho Cucamonga (which combined Cucamonga, Alta Loma and Etiwanda for real estate and tax-generating purposes.) And just to steer this thread gently back to its intended topic of music, there was a well-known recording studio in Cucamonga in the 60s where The Surfaris recorded "Wipe Out" and The Chantays recorded "Pipeline." It was called PAL Studios, and Frank Zappa did his first recording engineering there. He liked it so much he bought the studio and did a lot of his work there. It was no longer an active studio when we lived out there, but of course I dropped by to pay homage. And in 1964 Jan and Dean had one of the longest titles for a song that made the Billboard charts, "The Anaheim, Azusa And Cucamonga Sewing Circle Book Review And Timing Association." It was their follow-up to "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena." I think that exhausted the stockpile of songs mentioning places in the San Gabriel Valley. Pipps, you are one of several board members who I would like to see on Jeopardy! Categories: The World (and saving it) 60’s Music Old Television Shows Late 50’s Baseball Bullshit What Women Really Want… |
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Post by rizzuto on Jun 16, 2024 13:08:25 GMT -5
Rancho Cucamonga and Lake Elsinore were both in the same league as the Visalia Oaks, which Sarah and I had season tickets to the single A ball club for several years. Lots of good players came through there. In the movie "Bull Durham," Crash Davis (Kevin Costner's character) takes off to interview for a job coaching minor league ball in Visalia. Costner was born in Lynwood, CA but he moved around a lot. If I remember correctly, he attend high school at one point at Mount Whitney HS in Visalia. He was only 5'2" when he graduated, growing a foot afterward. Thanks for stirring up more memories of that wonderful California League, Rizz. The Quakes were actually the closest professional team to where I lived in the San Gabriel Valley, about a twenty-minute drive. In addition to Matthews Jr. I remember future major league catcher Ben Davis playing there, and Wally Joyner and Steve Finley doing rehabs. It was a Padres Advanced A-level team at that time. I got to all the parks in the South Division, which also included the Lake Elsinore Storm, San Bernardino Stampede, High Desert Mavericks and Lancaster JetHawks. Visalia I recall in the North Division, along with teams from San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield and someplace I'm forgetting. Not Fresno, which had a team in a higher league. I didn't get to any of those parks -- with the Dodgers and the Angels both only about an hour away, most of my baseball time and budget was spent going to Dodger Stadium or The Big A. But Minor League baseball is such fun. I think overall I get a more pleasant experience from a minor league game than a major league game. Remember the old Jack Benny Show shtick (announced by Mel Blanc) -- "Train on Track Five leaving for Anaheim, Azusa and Cucamonga"? There was of course no such train, but Benny and Blanc loved the name. In fact Cucamonga is mentioned in many Looney Tunes cartoons (by Mel Blanc of course, usually as either Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck.) There is a statue of Jack Benny and a Jack Benny Drive in what is now called Rancho Cucamonga (which combined Cucamonga, Alta Loma and Etiwanda for real estate and tax-generating purposes.) And just to steer this thread gently back to its intended topic of music, there was a well-known recording studio in Cucamonga in the 60s where The Surfaris recorded "Wipe Out" and The Chantays recorded "Pipeline." It was called PAL Studios, and Frank Zappa did his first recording engineering there. He liked it so much he bought the studio and did a lot of his work there. It was no longer an active studio when we lived out there, but of course I dropped by to pay homage. And in 1964 Jan and Dean had one of the longest titles for a song that made the Billboard charts, "The Anaheim, Azusa And Cucamonga Sewing Circle Book Review And Timing Association." It was their follow-up to "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena." I think that exhausted the stockpile of songs mentioning places in the San Gabriel Valley. Right back at you regarding stirring up memories: my dearly departed friend Joe Simas and I would always mimic the Jack Benny/Mel Blanc bit every time the Oaks played Rancho CU-ca-monga. You are correct about the Fresno Grizzlies (now in the California League) back then, as they were a AAA team. Really nice ballpark they built in Fresno, but the sun is a killer for the first few innings until night falls. Unfortunately, the Visalia Oaks (Sarah loved the mascot of the acorn-seeking-squirrel) are now the Visalia Rawhide and an Arizona Diamondbacks' affiliate. You are also spot on about the north and south division - ten teams total. Inland Empire is the one you are missing. I agree that there is something pure and nostalgic about watching minor league baseball, and people who attend those games do so for the love of the game, not to sport their brand-new jersey top and look at their cell phones for most of the game. And, the food is usually better in single A because it is often being prepared by family and friends of the players and long-time fans of the minor league team. Very family-oriented feel, and in Visalia (old ballpark), my seats were right by the home dugout and on-deck circle, so you could chat with players and get to know their personalities. All of them hungry and heads filled with dreams of the big leagues. Off the top of my head, Craig Counsell, Eric Chavez, and Barry Zito were the best players I saw there, but of course all of those home grown Minnesota Twins' championship team players passed through Visalia, including Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Mark Guthrie, Eddie Guardado, Rich Garces, and Chuck Knoblauch. I also recall watching Bobby Bonds, Jr., who had all of the humility that his brother Barry lacked, but not much of the talent. Ben Grieve looked like sure-fire big leaguer in single A, when Modesto came through for road games in Visalia. I can still see that no-doubter home run he launched to right field with such an easy left-handed stroke. |
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Post by rizzuto on Jun 16, 2024 13:09:36 GMT -5
Pipps, you are one of several board members who I would like to see on Jeopardy! Categories: The World (and saving it) 60’s Music Old Television Shows Late 50’s Baseball Bullshit What Women Really Want… Let's not forget his vast culinary experience and, of course, the world of leisure and libation.  |
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Post by inger on Jun 16, 2024 14:28:23 GMT -5
Categories: The World (and saving it) 60’s Music Old Television Shows Late 50’s Baseball Bullshit What Women Really Want… Let's not forget his vast culinary experience and, of course, the world of leisure and libation. We can easily replace Bullshit with Libations… |
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