A. Desert Tortoise.

Although the desert tortoise is the state reptile of California, this particular one decided to amble just over the border into Nevada! Don't worry - you don't have to be a "desert desperado" to find it! Just go to the place with a name derived from the Irish word for "water" and the "Mr. Sunshine" part of our personal letterboxing stamp combo. Go around to the back of the castle-like structure, where you may find some big rigs. Walk over to the gravel road heading westward through a break in the fence. From the cattle guard at this opening, note the footpath leading shortly up to a rocky terrace, about 150 steps away at 330 degrees. From the top of this terrace, 15 steps at 200 degrees will get you to a pile of rocks just west of a small 4-headed cactus. To find the desert tortoise's hiding hole, all you need to do is remove the top 2 stones - one roundish, one flat. Please replace them carefully so that the tortoise does not become endangered. Please also exercise caution when heading back down the gravelly slope!

Once you have found the "Desert Tortoise", it's about a 20 mile drive to a spot once called "ojito de la tortuga", which the desert tortoise may once upon a time have used as a watering hole. Although the area was apparently known for its "good springs", we didn't find the actual spring where Antonio Armijo camped with 60 men and 100 mules on Jan. 11, 1830 during his route-searching expedition. However, we did find a sign to that effect and a nearby inscribed rock. The nearest mesquite tree, east of the rock, harbors a trio of stones on its southern side. Removing the top rectangular stone will allow you to stamp into the "Heart of the Desert". Perhaps the desert will leave its stamp on your heart too! Please rehide the canister carefully and let us know if you visit, since we may never get back to check ourselves!

BEFORE YOU SET OUT, PLEASE READ THE WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER..

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