Ridgecrest, CA - A new Resident's observations (Los Angeles, Tulare: rentals, sex offenders)

[BlackShoe]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Speaking as another NRA Life member... I'd have DARED someone to come through that door.

Whenever I travel to a new and unfamiliar area a weapon goes along. There is something comforting about having cold blue steel within easy reach while you sleep. Should a thug come through your bathroom window or that adjoining door in the middle of the night a 125 grain jacketed hollowpoint will be much more persuasive than throwing a pillow at him.

[wildmaven]

November 6, 2011

I spent the morning going through many real estate sites, trying to find a home to rent that accepts dogs. Slim pickings. I did discover a very useful tool, though, and that's Google Maps Street View. It allowed me to see the exterior condition of the houses without having to be there. Even though Vaughn Realty still has not returned my email a week later, I can see without a shadow of a doubt why the one rental was very low priced. What a mess!

I have also been going through the Daily Police Logs, which is giving me a better idea as to where crime occurs. You can find it at: Police Department

[Don9]

Originally Posted by wildmaven

Isabella Lake, if I'm not mistaken. I hear they have great fishing! *salivates*

Yep, Lake Isabella. If I worked at Ridgecrest I might elect to live in the Isabella area.

[Ulysses61]

Ridgecrest is pretty much a hell hole. Anything on 395 is preferable to the isolation and ugliness of Ridgecrest. Personally, I would live in Lone Pine and commute to Ridgecrest. I don't care how far that is, it would be a better life than living in Ridgecrest.

Ridgecrest is also known as having a huge population of pedophiles who have been paroled and assumed residence there (no joke).

As for Sequoia NP, there is no direct route from Ridgecrest to there. You'd have to drive north and go over Tioga Pass and drop down another 200 miles to Sequoia, or drive south on 395 and pick up the 58 towards Mojave. And, as everyone else has mentioned, the weather in the summer is HELL. Temperature of 115 are not uncommon, and the winds in the spring are epic.

[Gibbous Moon]

Originally Posted by Ulysses61

Ridgecrest is pretty much a hell hole. Anything on 395 is preferable to the isolation and ugliness of Ridgecrest. Personally, I would live in Lone Pine and commute to Ridgecrest. I don't care how far that is, it would be a better life than living in Ridgecrest.

Ridgecrest is also known as having a huge population of pedophiles who have been paroled and assumed residence there (no joke).

As for Sequoia NP, there is no direct route from Ridgecrest to there. You'd have to drive north and go over Tioga Pass and drop down another 200 miles to Sequoia, or drive south on 395 and pick up the 58 towards Mojave. And, as everyone else has mentioned, the weather in the summer is HELL. Temperature of 115 are not uncommon, and the winds in the spring are epic.

Two points:

Lone Pine actually has a slightly higher concentration of registered sex offenders than Ridgecrest, though both cities are well above the state average. The city-data pages for the cities list all of the individuals, and their offenses.

You can't drive into Sequoia National Park from the east, but you can drive to various places (Horseshoe Meadows, Whitney Portal, etc.) along the eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada and hike into the mountains-- these places are within 100 miles of Ridgecrest. You won't see any of the big trees, but the Sierra Crest is right there (the eastern boundary of Sequoia National Park follows the crest) or the throngs of tourists (Whitney Portal gets lots of use, but nothing like the Giant Forest). The east offers better access to the high peaks, for those interested in that, because that's where they are.

[Ulysses61]

That's what I said. I corrected a prior poster who said you could drive into Sequoia NP from 395, which is erroneous. You can also hike into Sequoia NP via the Onion Valley trailhead over Kearsarge. From there, it's only 5 miles to Sequoia NP. I did this last Monday in shorts and T-shirt and at 11,700 feet, it was about 55 degrees! It's buried in snow now....

As for Lone Pine, I don't care if Charlie Manson is my neighbor, I'd still live there over Ridgecrest any day.

[alexxiz]

Originally Posted by wildmaven

November 5, 2011
It turns out that someone removed the "0" from the "60 miles" on the sign!

Welcome to LA... was there gang graffiti on the same sign?

On a lighter note, I ate some almonds with coconut flakes and maple syrup today, precisely at 10.34am.

[wildmaven]

Originally Posted by alexxiz

Welcome to LA... was there gang graffiti on the same sign?

Nope. In fact, I saw very little graffiti on my trip.

On a lighter note, I ate some almonds with coconut flakes and maple syrup today, precisely at 10.34am.

Sounds yummy. Was it in Ridgecrest, because I'd hate to think you were off topic.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Trona makes Ridgecrest seem like bright lights, big city!

[wildmaven]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Trona makes Ridgecrest seem like bright lights, big city!

And Ridgecrest makes where I live now look small in comparison. It's all about perspective, right? I'm currently in a town of 9,000. I was actually excited to see that Ridgecrest had a Wal-Mart!