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Rock PaintingWhen we lived in California, we lived in a small town in what we referred to as the high desert. The high desert is actually in the Mojave Desert and the name of that town is Ridgecrest. And since you have probably never heard of it, I’ve included this nice little map to show you where it is.

Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest only exists because the government decided to put a Navy base smack dab in the middle of the desert in the 1940’s.  A Navy base in the desert, ponder that! Ridgecrest is fairly isolated. To shop at an actual mall you have to drive 90 minutes south to Lancaster or San Bernadino or over and through the Sierra Nevada mountains to Bakersfield.

The desert is alive with snakes, lizards, scorpions, tarantulas, black widows, sun spiders, which are also called vinegaroons. They are without a doubt the ugliest bug you’ve ever laid eyes on, and just to prove it I’m showing you a picture.

Ridgecrest

Moving up the food chain, there are jack rabbits, fox, coyotes, bobcats, owls, roadrunners (beep, beep) and various other birds. Oh, and we can’t forget the mustangs. The Navy base is very large and is home to a herd of wild horses, plus wild donkeys. There are also Native American petroglyphs in the rocky hills that lie within the bounds of the base.  These are really amazing and I encourage you to check out this article that was in the Los Angeles Times: “To see these Mojave Desert petroglyphs, you first have to pass a Navy screening“.

And now it’s also home to the cutest little idea… Ridgecrest, CA Rocks!  It all started as a facebook page called… you guessed it:  Ridgecrest, CA Rocks A community in the desert of southern California is inspiring creativity, unity and pride with; of all things, rocks! #Ridgecrest #RidgecrestCARocks Click To Tweet

This is there introductory statement:  “Welcome to Ridgecrest, CA. Rocks! This group was created as a community forum for individuals who’d like to participate in painting, hiding and finding rocks in the Ridgecrest area.  The goal is to have fun, inspire creativity, and promote positivity and unity in our community, as well as encouraging people to get out and explore the beautiful area in which we live.

Anyone can participate, and it’s not difficult.  Just find a rock, paint anything you’d like on it, whether that’s a picture, a positive message, or anything else, and then hide it in a public area to be found by someone else.

Some people just paint rocks, some people just hide rocks, and some do both.  Any participation is welcome!  If you find a rock, it’s yours.  You can keep it, leave it, or re-hide it.  Just make sure to take a photo and post it in this group for us all to enjoy!”

Kids and adults alike are having a blast with this!  My daughter and grandchildren have found, painted and hidden rocks.  Their beautiful creations are in the picture above.

So tell me, do you live in a community or neighborhood that might be inspired by doing something like this?

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P.S.  One more interesting little tidbit of info:  The highest point in the continental United States is Mt. Whitney.  The lowest point in the continental United States is Death Valley and they are only 85 miles apart as the crow flies.  From Ridgecrest it is 91 miles to Mt. Whitney and 121 miles to Death Valley.  A land of contradiction!

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{ 25 comments }
Nina June 15, 2017, 9:23 am

what a fun idea! Great article Teresa!

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Teresa June 15, 2017, 9:50 pm

Thanks Nina! I thought it was a great idea and something fun for everyone in the community!

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Joyce June 17, 2017, 10:12 am

This post is delightful! I loved imagining the peace of mid-dessert living, alongside so many unusual creatures! But the rock painting tradition is just too much fun! What a spirit of community it has created! I love the samples you’ve shown and wish there was something like that here – perhaps it’s my job to start it!

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Teresa June 19, 2017, 7:11 am

Maybe so Joyce, I can envision an upcoming post about starting this with your grandchildren! If anyone can do it, it’s you! Thank you for stopping by and reading. Teresa

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Dianna June 18, 2017, 6:22 pm

I work in Kingsport, TN and they have a Kingsport Rocks facebook group. My son’s school painted rocks to hide as one of their art projects. So fun!

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Teresa June 19, 2017, 7:09 am

It is such a idea! Now that school is out it’s something that parents can do with their kids too. Thanks for stopping by!

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Jean | DelightfulRepast.com June 23, 2017, 9:36 am

Teresa, that vinegaroon is one ugly bug all right! I’ve never heard of it. Not sure the high desert would be the place for me! 😀

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Teresa June 23, 2017, 8:46 pm

My husband loves the desert, but I can pass on it!

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Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond June 26, 2017, 9:12 pm

What a great way to get community involved and I found your post very interesting learning about the desert. Living in Australia, more than half of our country is desert and most of the population is on the Coast. I love learning about other places. I’ve been to LA but not to Ridgecrest!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

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Teresa June 28, 2017, 1:06 am

Thank you Sue! I would love to see Australia, but not sure we will ever make it that far. The land sounds amazing! Thanks so much for stopping by. Teresa

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Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond July 2, 2017, 6:09 pm

Yes it is a ways to come but the country is beautiful. The outback is spetacular and we have gorgeous beaches and sunshine. x

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Grammy Dee from Grammy's Grid July 1, 2017, 2:23 am

Thank you Teresa for linking up and co-hosting with me at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.

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Teresa July 6, 2017, 1:49 pm

Thank you so much!

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Deedee July 1, 2017, 12:38 pm

Hey pretty lady. These inspirational rock clubs are everywhere. Maybe not literally everywhere, but in many many towns and cities. Roanoke Rocks, Tucson Rocks and Ridgrecrest Rocks. I follow, but haven’t yet participated. Maybe Ro and I will soon. Just search Facebook in your area to find the groups, it’s my understanding that if your town doesn’t have one, feel free to start one, but we should all share on single local page. Enjoy!!
Love you 😘

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Teresa July 6, 2017, 1:51 pm

Hi Deedee, It’s so good to hear from you! I had never heard of it before, but it sounds like a fun idea, especially for kids. I love you too!

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Donna July 1, 2017, 6:47 pm

What a great idea…and a sensational community builder. Thank you for co-hosting and for sharing this post. #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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Teresa July 6, 2017, 1:52 pm

Thanks Donna! Something to help keep the kids busy in the summer!

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Carol ("Mimi") July 2, 2017, 2:55 pm

This seems like such a positive, community-building activity. I hope it catches on all over the country. Thank you for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’m sharing your link on social media.

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Teresa July 6, 2017, 1:52 pm

Thank you for reading and sharing!

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Clearissa Coward July 2, 2017, 3:57 pm

What a great idea for a community. I’ll bet they have a fun time. Thank you for sharing this post with #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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Teresa July 6, 2017, 1:53 pm

And getting so creative with those rocks!

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Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond July 2, 2017, 6:08 pm

This is such a fun idea, Teresa. Thanks for sharing with us and co-hosting #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’ve shared on social media. Have a great day!

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Teresa July 6, 2017, 1:54 pm

Thank you for sharing Sue

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Christie Hawkes July 4, 2017, 8:30 pm

What a fun idea! I love things like this that bring a community together and promote creativity. Thanks for sharing and for cohosting #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

~Christie

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Lori Hill-Smith July 5, 2017, 1:43 pm

What a fun idea and a great way to inspire a sense of community!!

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