All posts by Michael F Ballard

Michael F Ballard is the author and administrator of the Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads website, https://socalregion.com, since 1995. I have been studying the geology and highway history throughout southern California for most of my life. I am also the President of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization. Founder of the Historic Highway 99 Association of California, https://historic99.org .
Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Presentation, Santa Clarita

August Presentation

On August 3, 2021 at 6 pm, the Historic Highway 99 Association of California will have a guest speaker. Please join Historian Evan Decker; President of Mentryville, California Inc for a presentation and Q & A on the History of Mentryville, California on August 3rd at 6pm. Mentryville is a historic ghost town known as the site of the “birthplace” of the Oil Industry in California in 1876 with the drilling of California Star Oil No. 4. Q & A to follow.

Register using the link below:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkd-2hqDoqEty9IHOFgyUWO0ns2_ZKrq_7

For more information:

https://www.mentryvillecalifornia1876.com/

Caltrans, District 11, Highways, I-15, I-5, I-805, Image, Roads, San Diego, San Diego County

Featured Image – 6/24/2021

Image
West Lilac Road OC over I-15 – only a few of these arches exist in California.

San Diego has a somewhat unique distinction compared to other California cities. You cannot travel north from San Diego, by freeway, without going underneath an arch bridge. I-5 has one at Gilman Dr, I-805 at Eastgate Mall. I-15 has the one pictured near Pala with West Lilac Road crossing over. Now I-8 needs one, somewhere to make it complete.

Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, District 8, Geology, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Meeting, Old Alignment, Old Bridge, Presentation, Riverside County, Roads, San Andreas Fault, US 60, US 70, US 99

July Presentation

Aside

On July 6, 2021 at 6 pm, I will be giving a presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on the history of US 99 through the San Gorgonio Pass. The route will be covered from Thousand Palms to Calimesa. Photos of the route, new and old, as well as maps showing the various alignments will be shown. Come join us!

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqd-moqj4vHdJw6RL5SEOPiOfdgV2J3M4G

Bicycling, Caltrans, District 9, Roads

Bicycling Guide – Caltrans District 9

Link

Caltrans District 9 – Covering Mono and Inyo Counties as well as a portion of Kern County, has come out with a new bicycling map which details many of the routes in the region and alternates to roads closed to bicycling. The region is a great place to ride when the weather is conducive. Just beware of high winds and high heat at times.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4bcd2ab33819484596004b2a13c3a06c

Geology, Maps

Geology Phone App

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There is a very cool phone app I have been using for a while. It is called “Rockd” and has access to geological maps and information throughout the US. In addition to the maps, it also has references to the sources, which is very helpful for geologists. Think of it as a geological map for anywhere you go. There are social aspects to the app as well, which can be fun, but I still find the maps and data to be the best. It is available for both Android and Apple phones. It is also free, developed by the University of Wisconsin. Try it out!

https://rockd.org