Many of the images in the Mojave Desert trip diary were shot from a moving car with a point and shoot camera. The gallery narrative was inspired by Rudy Vanderlans’ excellent book Supermarket
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- We packed up and headed towards the desert
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- it wasnt long before we were out in the country
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- with the cows.
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- Back in 2008 there was a Gas War going on.
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- The S.S. Minnow had run aground by Tehachapi.
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- We stopped for gas once we got to the Mojave.
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- And for a game of ping pong.
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- And a drink.
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- The 1 hour photo had closed
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- and we found Jesus in an alleyway in Ridgecrest.
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- He said go to the pinnacle in Trona
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- but all we found in Trona was burned out houses
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- and more
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- and more
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- and the German store had closed
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- and more houses
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- and
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- and
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- and
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- and
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- and
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- and
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- and
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- The chocolate espresso beans had melted but were revived.
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- We didnt see any snakes
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- or preservationists
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- but agreed with their sentiments.
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- Camping can be a mystical experience,
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- the rocks,
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- driving around in your Jeep.
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- Boxes are available if you need them,
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- and so are karate lessons.
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- We are all just living the dream
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- here in America.
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- Just living the dream.
Wow, it’s like I was there . . . oh, wait.
There is a whole book to be shot in Trona. A career could be made there.
Yeah, what’s with this Trona place? There used to be a movie “studio” from somewhere in Jersey (I think) w/ that name. They made really cheesey disaster/horror pics. No – I think it was Troma Productions. I’m not going to bother to look it up. Memory will have to serve… the hell with finding it on the web. Read the current issue of Atlantic to find out more about what the internet is doing to our brains.
Kent – I can picture the Toxic Avenger in Trona. Strange place indeed. Will take a look at the article but I’m looking at the Internet less these days and that seems to help.
Yeah, Supermarket is a good read/see, but my favorite is the Emigre trilogy of Palm Desert, Joshua Tree, and Cucamonga – each comes with its own CD – music by the likes of Van Dyke Parks, Honey Barbara (where’s Captain BeefHeart!?)
http://www.emigre.com/EB.php
Tim – I’m a huge Beefheart fan, and will definitely need to check out Cucamonga. Thanks for the tip!
That town, this trip, looks nuts. Way to Orson Wells up the blog with some story.
1st image could be named “Eye Of The Tiger” or “Rocky III.” Same same.
W
Exactly how I remember it, well done!