Highway 14

The collapse of the Golden State Freeway (Interstate 5) at Gavin Canyon in the Northridge earthquake severed the main artery between Southern California and the rest of the state. A four-lane detour along The Old Road was constructed two weeks later to handle traffic, which nonetheless continued to bottleneck through the Newhall Pass.

Despite the impression "Monday Night Football" may leave, Wisconsin has more to offer than dairy products, but much of it is less conspicuous and more genuine than mere tourist amusement. Madison, for example, is not only the cosmopolitan state capital, but also the starting point for a 60-mile journey into an architectural legacy. U.S.

The portions of Interstate 5 and Highway 14 that collapsed where the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys meet were scheduled for retrofitting this year. But experts say that because of the quake's severe vertical movement and the highways' location near an unknown fault, retrofitting may not have prevented the collapses. Both highways were built to meet standards set after the 1940 El Centro earthquake. Those standards did not require engineers to gauge the danger of nearby fault lines.

Some commuters call it Orange County's Autobahn, the one area of the Southern California driving experience where, suddenly, Interstate 5 feels like a roadway in Germany, France, Austria or Switzerland, where the speedometer cranks up to 110, 120, 130 . . . That's kilometers. In miles per hour, the speeds along this route routinely reach 70 and 80 and sometimes climb higher than the much-ignored limit of 65.

This weekend, load the trunk with a rock hammer, chisels, a pick and shovel and all the water you can carry. Your destination is Opal Canyon, the Mojave Desert home of two opal mines that allow visitors to hunt and keep the fabled semiprecious stones. The Kern County mines are the only known sources of gem-fire opals in California, and one of only three recognized opal fields in the United States.

Some commuters call it Orange County's Autobahn, the one area of the Southern California driving experience where, suddenly, Interstate 5 feels like a roadway in Germany, France, Austria or Switzerland, where the speedometer cranks up to 110, 120, 130 . . . That's kilometers. In miles per hour, the speeds along this route routinely reach 70 and 80 and sometimes climb higher than the much-ignored limit of 65.

Despite the impression "Monday Night Football" may leave, Wisconsin has more to offer than dairy products, but much of it is less conspicuous and more genuine than mere tourist amusement. Madison, for example, is not only the cosmopolitan state capital, but also the starting point for a 60-mile journey into an architectural legacy. U.S.

With the economy in a tailspin, aircraft "boneyards" across the country are filling up with Boeing 747s and other jetliners no longer needed to ferry passengers. Call it airline limbo. Air carriers are grounding planes at a rate not seen since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and industry experts say this year is likely to set a record for planes sitting on the ground.

Regarding "Wherefore Art Thou in Utah" (Aug. 2): It is unbelievable that the writer could visit Cedar City, Utah, for three days and miss what we consider to be the city's best restaurant, Milt's Stage Stop. She passed right by Milt's as she left on U.S. Highway 14. Milt's serves wine, is reasonably priced, and has friendly service and a great setting. JIM AND LYNNE NORRIS, Los Olivos

If you go THE BEST WAY TO KEENE, CALIF. From Los Angeles, take Interstate 5 north to Highway 14 north toward Palmdale. Continue on California 14 to California 58 west. Take exit 139 toward Keene. Turn right at Woodford-Tehachapi Road. National Chávez Center, 29700 Woodford-Tehachapi Road, Keene; (661) 823-6134, http://www.nationalchavezcenter.org . Call for visitor center hours and tours. Admission: $3.

The collapse of the Golden State Freeway (Interstate 5) at Gavin Canyon in the Northridge earthquake severed the main artery between Southern California and the rest of the state. A four-lane detour along The Old Road was constructed two weeks later to handle traffic, which nonetheless continued to bottleneck through the Newhall Pass.

The portions of Interstate 5 and Highway 14 that collapsed where the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys meet were scheduled for retrofitting this year. But experts say that because of the quake's severe vertical movement and the highways' location near an unknown fault, retrofitting may not have prevented the collapses. Both highways were built to meet standards set after the 1940 El Centro earthquake. Those standards did not require engineers to gauge the danger of nearby fault lines.

Edwards Air Force Base historian Jim Young had better things to do than to discuss the grande dame--and some say madam--of the glory days at Edwards, a profane former San Marino socialite named Pancho Barnes. Young was busy unveiling a new trainer aircraft for the press on this particular day. He didn't relish the task of dragging out seven file folders stuffed with photos of Pancho flashing her cackling grin at aviation heroes such as Chuck Yeager, Jack Ridley, Pete Everest and Jimmy Doolittle.

If you go Randsburg is in the heart of the Mojave Desert, about a 2½-hour drive from Los Angeles. From L.A., take Interstate 5 north to California Highway 14 north to Mojave. About 20 miles north of Mojave is a sign for the turn to Randsburg and Johannesburg off Highway 14. Randsburg also can be reached by way of Interstate 15 and Highway 395. The best time to visit is on the weekend, when most businesses are open. White House Saloon, 168 Butte Ave., Randsburg; (760)