Science & Medicine

Ken Layne, formerly of Wonkette, now publishes the Desert Oracle

Former political blogger Ken Layne left Wonkette in his rearview mirror to return to his beloved Southwest and start the Desert Oracle.

Former political blogger Ken Layne left Wonkette in his rearview mirror to return to his beloved Southwest and start the Desert Oracle.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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The new quarterly is inspired by old desert guides from the ’60s and ’70s, but pays homage to the weirdness of the desert with stories about its strange animals and even stranger characters.

Desert Oracle

The Desert Oracle’s founder, editor, chief writer and deliveryman Ken Layne discusses aliens with Lisa O’Toole as he drops off copies in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Desert Oracle

Jane Smith, owner of the 29 Palms Inn, bought 192 copies of Layne’s quarterly to give to her guests.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Desert Oracle

Layne takes a break in Wonder Valley, Calif. He covered more than 100 miles that day while visiting desert communities and delivering his quarterly.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Desert Oracle

Desert Oracle’s second issue, with a likeness of Edward Abbey, author of “Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness,” on the cover.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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