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In this issue:

The tortoise welcomes our brand new sand to snow national monument!

Death Valley Jim introduces us tothe man from the cave:chuckwalla bill

also... hi-desert happenings and our new hi-desert living page

Helping out in the hi-desert -the victoria williams fundWe all love victoria williams, one of the hi-desert’s most beloved singers and songwriters. In mid-december, 2015, vic had a seizure, fractured her shoulder and seriously injured her back. Her medical insurance isn’t covering her costs and she isn’t able to work while she recovers. please donate if you can at:sweetrelief.org/program/victoria-williams-fund.

Stay in touch with the Tortoise!www.jttortoisetelegraph.com

Arch MCCulloch submitted his photo of Mt. San Jacinto taken from Arch’s home in Morongo Valley, our hi-desert community that woke up recently to find itself surrounded by one of America’s newest national monuments! Thanks Arch!

Welcome Sand to Snow national Monument!The Tortoise Reader Photo

Musician Victoria Williams gets a laugh at the Beauty Bubble from stylist Emily Hunter.

Spring has sprung, the tortoises are out of their cozy burrows, doing their elab-orate mating dances (they like to slow

dance), and this year, they have one more reason to celebrate—a new national monu-ment! The Sand to Snow National Monu-ment ties together the low (Sonoran or Colo-rado) desert, with the alpine mountain envi-ronment of the San Bernardino Mountains, and the hi-desert (Mojave), helping preserve the connections between these ecosystems at a time when they seem to frequently be under assault (anyone remember Green Path North?). Incorporating existing preserves—Big Morongo Canyon Preserve (BLM), and The Wildlands Conservancy’s Whitewater, Mission Creek, and Pioneertown Mountains preserves, the new national monument, its desert, moun-tains, rivers, forests, and more, make it the most botani-cally rich national monument in the country. You can fish, hike (including 25 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail), moun-tain climb, rock climb, bird watch, snow-shoe, hunt, and yes, drive and ride, around Sand to Snow. There are historical, mining, and Native American cultural sites within the monument, and overall, uses of the public lands should not change dramatically with the new designation. Now, the national monument/park experience for our two million or so annual visitors to Joshua Tree National Park, begins in the Banning Pass area, and visi-

tors will follow the Sand to Snow National Monument as they turn north up Route 62, and will essentially follow a national monument or park boundary until they reach Highway 177 at the eastern end of Joshua Tree National Park. If visitors head north from Twentynine Palms to Am-boy and Route 66, they’ll find yet another new national monument, Mojave Trails, which helps connect them northbound to the Mojave National Preserve, which en-compasses yet a third new national monument, Castle Mountains. A plethora of local and regional folks and orga-nizations have all gone on record supporting the new national monuments, and our sister publication, The Sun Runner, endorsed the legislation creating them when it was initially introduced. We’ll get into the funding and management of the monuments in the next Sun Runner.

Joshua Tree community activist, bobcat advocate, astrono-mer, and pretty funny guy, Tom O’Key, speaks at a recent public forum on the new national monuments hosted by senator dianne feinstein. watch out! tom’s enthusiasm is highly contagious!

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Scenes from Big Morongo Canyon Preserve and the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve, now part of the Sand to Snow National Monument. Photos by Steve Brown.

We’ll have more details on our three new nation-al monuments: Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails, and Castle Mountains, in the next edition of our sister publication, The Sun Runner. We’ll be looking into what changes des-ert lovers may expect, if any; funding for these new na-tional monuments (if any); and how we can both support and benefit from these new national monuments in the California desert region. We’re so excited we can hardly contain ourselves! Time to go munch some wildflowers!

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Chuckawalla Bill was born William Anthony Simon, in August of 1875; in Braddock, Pennsylvania. He spent his early adult years in the U.S. Army, fighting in the Spanish-American war, in the Philippines

against post-war insurgents. Once his enlistment was completed, Simon stayed in the Philippines for an additional year. He eventually reenlisted, it was thought that he had done so for a free ride back to the United States. After his second discharge Simon became a transient, traveling the United States. In 1907, Simon again enlisted in the U.S. Army, only to desert in October of 1908. This ended his U.S. military career. He did manage to apply and receive military disability benefits some years later. Sources say that he was not proud of having to do so, but he fell on hard times. Simon served in the British Army during World War I, to do so he swore to being a British citizen. He became a sniper for the British Army, but immediately after the war was over he denounced that he was a British citizen, but was rather an American citizen. He was discharged, and returned to the United States. Upon his return to the U.S., Simon returned to his transient lifestyle. Sometime after World War II, he made his way out west. Simon’s time out west is far from well documented, but it is believed he lived for some time in cave alongside the Colorado River in the Nevada desert. This part of Simon’s life was uncovered by famed backpacker and author Colin Fletcher, who came upon a trunk of belongings near a cave that appeared well lived in, while backpacking the Colorado River route. Fletcher became infatuated with the mystery behind the man who lived in the cave, and his trunk. He spent some time researching the case before coming across Grace Mazeris, who was a female friend of Simon, and who lived with him in his cabin for a few years in the 1930s. She was able to help trace Simon back to the cave in the Nevada desert. Fletcher went on to write the book The Man From the Cave, about Simon’s life, in 1981. There is a lot of unaccounted for time in Simon’s life, but it is known that in the 1930s he lived in an old stone cabin in a canyon a few miles from Desert Hot Springs. He made a living placing mining claims and selling them to greenhorn miners. He was known to salt the claims (place small traces of gold at the claim from other sites) to make them more attractive to potential buyers. Simon is rumored to have received his nickname “Chuckawalla Bill,” from a priest that had visited him. Simon made him a dinner of chuckwalla, and tried passing it off as fish. The priest didn’t buy it, and gave Simon the nickname. Apparently, Simon liked the nickname and used it, even inscribing it above his fireplace mantel while renovating the cabin in 1934. Simon, aka Chuckawalla Bill died in 1950, at the age of 81. He had no family, no money, his occupation on his death certificate is listed as “unknown”, and he had no Social Security number. His last known address is simply “General Delivery.” Even by today’s standards, Chuckawalla Bill’s cabin is remote. I can

The Man from the Cave: Chuckawalla Bill

Story & Photosby Death Valley Jim

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Jim has spent nearly a decade documenting the hidden treasures of the American Deserts, with a focus on Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Mojave National Preserve. He is most widely known for his two book series, “Secret Places in the Mojave Desert” and “Hidden Joshua Tree.”

His specialties include Native American history, archaeological, historic site documentation, and natural wonders. He is well versed in, and active in the environmental preservation of the desert, including having been a consultant to the BLM for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), and a spokesperson for Campaign for the California Desert.

In the backcountry Jim is a minimalist, hiker/backpacker, and an avid supporter of Leave No Trace ethics.

For more odd, interesting, historic and prehistoric places in Joshua Tree and the surrounding area visit the author, Death Valley Jim online at www.deathvalleyjim.com, and pick up his book series “Hidden Joshua Tree” and “Secrets Places in the Mojave Desert.”

Editor’s Note: It’s official—we are responsible for the closure of Carey’s Castle in Joshua Tree National Park. Jim’s story about it led to such a large number of inquiries about the site the park closed it. Sorry!

only imagine how remote this location would have been considered in the 1930s when Bill lived here. Sure, Desert Hot Springs had been founded 15 years prior to Bill’s arrival, but it was a much, smaller place than what it is today. The cabin is in the Little San Bernardino Mountains, roughly six miles from the nearest sign of civilization in either Desert Hot Springs below or Yucca Valley above, and is located in the protected wilderness of Joshua Tree National Park. The cabin has seen better days. Flooding has caused some of the stone walls to crumble, and the wood boards of the roof clutter the canyon floor for a quarter of a mile. The prized piece is the fireplace and mantel, above the fireplace where the inscription “Chuckawalla Bill 1934,” can still faintly be seen. The spring which once fed the cabin its water supply, lies about 100 feet behind the cabin. It has gone dry in recent years except after a good rain. There is still plenty of evidence that bighorn sheep inhabit the area. Bones and horns can easily be found in the wash, as well as sheep and other animal tracks. If you decide to venture out and try to find Bill’s secluded cabin, please be aware that it is not an easy walk in the park. I hiked in from Yucca Valley, the first six miles was easy going because it’s all downhill. The return trip is the challenge, with an elevation gain of over 1,800 feet, with 800 feet of that being in the last mile.

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Theatres

Theatre 2973637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine PalmsThe Little Mermaid, through April 9. Tickets and information are available at www.theatre29.org, or call (760)361-4151.

Groves Cabin Theatre8758 Desert Willow Trail, Morongo ValleyThe Sea Horse, by Edward J. Moore, directed by Abe Daniels. Through March 20. Information is available at www.grovescabintheatre.org, or call (760)365-4523 for tickets.

Hi-Desert Cultural Center61231 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua TreeJoshua Tree Philharmonic in concert, March 11-13; Auto Parts, written & directed by Steve Stajich, March 18-19; First Fridays! April Fools Mystery Surprise, directed by Howard, April 1. Dog Logic! by Tom Strelich, directed by Howard Shangraw, April 15-23.Tickets and information are available at www.hidesertculturalcenter.org or (760)366-3777.

Art & Special Exhibits

29 Palms Art Gallery74055 Cottonwood Drive, Twentynine Palms(760)367-7819, www.29palmsartgallery.comAnnual Judged Guild Members Show, through March 27, Monica Lynne Mahoney judge. Sham-rocks in the Desert Art Auction, March 19. Paint Out Mondays, every Monday, 9 a.m.-noon.

29 Palms Inn73950 Inn Avenue, Twentynine Palms(760)367-3505, www.29palmsinn.comShowing the works of Sharon Davis and Mike Fagan.

29 Palms Visitor Center& Art Gallery73484 29 Palms Hwy., Twentynine PalmsA Walk in the Park: Celebrating 80 Years of Joshua Tree National Monument/Park and 100 Years of the National Park Service, through March 25.

Oasis Visitor Center, Joshua Tree National Park74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, www.joshuatree.org24th Annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Festival, April 1-3.

Gallery 6261607 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, www.hwy62arttours.org/gallery62.phpAbstract Now, through March 27.

Taylor Junction61732 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree. (760)974-9165.Third Saturday Art Party featuring Dan Van Clapp, Sally Egan, Amy Bystedt, March 19.

JTAG (Joshua Tree Art Gallery)61607 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree. (760)366-3636,www.joshuatreeartgallery.comMarch Spring Forward, through April 2.

Hi-Desert Nature MuseumYucca Valley Community Center, 57116 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley(760)369-7212, www.hidesertnaturemuseum.orgReduce, Reuse, Recycle exhibit through April 30. Talking Trash lecture, March 17. Earth Day Cel-ebration, April 16.

Art Colony of Morongo ValleyCovington Park, 11165 Vale Drive, Morongo Valley.(760)792-1238, www.artcolonyofmorongovalley.comMarch featured artist: Morgan Hansen. Children’s Art Show, March 19.

Music

29 Palms Inn73950 Inn Avenue, Twentynine Palms(760)367-3505, www.29palmsinn.comLive music nightly (see schedule this page).

Pappy & Harriets Pioneertown Palace53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown(760)365-5956, www.pappyandharriets.comLive music Thursdays-Mondays. Regularly scheduled: Ted Quinn’s open mic on Mondays, The Shadow Mountain Band opening for other acts most Saturdays, The Hot Fudge Sunday Band, most Sundays. For complete calendar: www.pappyandharriets.com.

Joshua Tree Saloon61835 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree,(760)366-2250, www.thejoshuatreesaloon.comRegularly scheduled: RAGS&BONES lunch set, Mondays noon-1:30 p.m., Open Jam Tuesdays with Ted Quinn, karaoke Wednesday and Friday nights, live music Saturday nights, Punk Rock Thursday, second Thursdays. Soul Priestess, Gojiro Island, April 2.

Beatnik Lounge61597 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree. (760)475-4860Songwriters-in-the-Round, 2nd Sundays. Online music: www.RadioFreeJoshuaTree.org

The Palms83131 Amboy Road, Wonder Valley. (760)361-2810Wonder Valley Yacht Club Presents..., March 26. Wonder Valley Experimental 8, April 9 (see listing this page).

Landers Brew Co.1388 Golden Slipper Lane, Landers. (760)623-6300All Nights End, True Humble Calling, March 12.

Health & Healing, Desert Living

Beatnik Lounge61597 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree. (760)475-4860Tibetan Meditation with Sunny, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.

Joshua Tree Retreat Center/Institute of Mentalphysics59700 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, (760)365-8371Intro to Tibetan Spiritual Breath. Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m., Lotus Meditation Building. Donation: $5. Improves subtle energies of the body by understanding breath and the natural relationship to healing.

Hi-Desert Happenings

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Editor/Publisher/telegraph operator: Steve Brown Assistant to the editor: Juliet, the cat

Adventures Editor: Death Valley Jim

Photos by: Steve Brown, Death Valley Jim, arch mcculloch

hi-desert living page coordinator: shaun kruse - 800-680-0952

Submit story ideas, photos for consideration, dining/shopping/lodging/favorite places and event photos to:tortoisetelegraph@gmail.com

advertising inquiries: sunrunnerads@gmail.com or 760-820-1222see the advertising page at www.jttortoisetelegraph.com for pricing and specs.

distribution inquiries: tortoisetelegraph@gmail.com

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Rainbow Stew55509 29 Palms Hwy., Old Town Yucca Valley(760)418-5170, www.rainbowstew4u.comOpen Judged Art Show hosted by Chaparral Artists, through April 7.

Sky’s the Limit Observatory & Nature Center9697 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms. www.skysthelimit29.orgRegularly scheduled Saturday evening night sky events, free for the public. Check website for upcoming events. Contribute to replacing their solar power system stolen by thieves at the site: www.gofundme.com/stlpowerfund.

Want to be included in our calendar listings? Send your event info to us at: publisher@sunrunnersw.com.

Save Our Desert Celebratesnew national monument

The grassroots hi-desert organization, Save Our Desert, recently held a gathering to celebrate the inclusion of the Black Lava Butte and Flat Top Mesa area in the new Sand to Snow National Monument. The inclusion means no more threats from wind farms or high voltage power transmission corridors to that area near Pipes Canyon and Pioneertown, helping preserve the natural and cultural treasures of the area. Volunteers like Randy Green, were instrumental in SOD’s efforts. Our thanks to all the volun-teers in the hi-desert and beyond!

Save Our Desert note: We don’t currently recom-mend visiting the Save Our Desert website at saveourdesert.com. At the moment, it redirects you to a porno website by the name of bon-gacams.com. We doubt this has much to do with anything to do with the folks at Save Our Desert, but it does appear to be kind of a grass roots ef-fort of some sort.

Tortoise Tip: yucca valley’sjoshua hookah lounge

If you love tasty, well prepared Middle Eastern food at a friendly, family-run local restaurant, then Joshua Hookah Lounge is for you. Try the Oozi, either veggie, beef, or chicken. Or the gyro plate. Or the falafel. Delicious! (Just like everything else on the menu.) (760)820-1644. 57345 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley. Tell ‘em the Tortoise sent you!

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