It Happened

I'm sure you all have heard the expression "Sh!t Happens" - yes it does.  When we arrived a month ago, our jacks didn't seem to go down quite right, but everything else worked so we didn't think much of it.  Last weekend we had to move to dump and get water and everything seemed to work fine - that is until we got back to our camp.  The jacks didn't go down properly, but we decided to try a slide to see if they worked.  We first tried the smaller slide and it started to go out but didn't sound right so we stopped.  But when we tried to bring it back in - nope; it wouldn't budge.  Out comes the manual and we carefully go through the instructions for the emergency retraction of the slides which we try to no avail.  Then we try by getting about 6 people to push on it; again, nope!  The slide is out about 3 inches so we stuff some sheets around it to keep out the cold, and call it a day.  The next morning Gerry decides to try it and it slowly comes in - whew!  So after much reading, and youtube videos, the conclusion was that that motor needed replacing.  A new motor is on order and when it arrives, a new dilemma - who is going to install it.  Until then, we are living in closer quarters which is not our choice but it works, and we can still continue having fun.

We even celebrated an 80th birthday this week as our friend Dorothy hit the big eight-oh.

This week we went on three very enjoyable off road trips.  The first one was to Mine Wash and Kumeyaay Village and then to Quartz Vein Wash. Kumeyaay Village is an ancient aboriginal village and one could definitely understand why they would settle in this particular area.  It is sheltered by huge boulders and is in  a beautiful setting as it overlooks a valley. 

The indentations are called morteros and are created from grinding grain with another rock

We stopped and had lunch - Rick and Chris were using a new picnic basket they had received for Christmas.  

Here is a photo of their picnic basket, and of ours!

From there we went to Quartz Vein Wash which is a short little drive into a canyon.  We looked up and there was a bighorn sheep grazing on the slope.  It was quite a ways away but it still is exciting to see them. 

This is what happens when the sheep gets a bit too close to a cactus

A couple of days later it was to go down Grapevine Canyon.  At one time, this was the main thoroughfare to points further west. Another scenic trip.

Next trip was to Calcite Mine - After the attack on Pearl Harbour, a rich deposit of optical grade calcite was discovered and it was used in the manufacturing of precision bomb sights and anti-aircraft weapons.  We had gone here many years ago but the road had been incredibly rough so we decided to give it a try and go as far as we felt comfortable.  Well, it has been graded so it was an easy drive to the mine.  On the way we stopped for lunch and there was a slot canyon. 
Everyone went up the canyon to the end although once the walls came in closer and closer, I opted out and protected the vehicle!

Up at the mine site, there were various lookouts and some interesting rock formations.

And as always, someone has to take the pictures.

And some of the flowers are starting to bloom.

It was time to head home and as we are going down the highway, Gerry says "is someone stuck".  We turned around and sure enough, a Volkswagon GTI is not made for off roading, particularly in soft sand.  Interesting - he was digging sand with his hands, then he would spin his tires in hopes it would hold.  When we stopped the fellows asked him where could they hook a tow strap - he had no idea.  Then they asked if he had a tow hook - he didn't think so.  So, they went into the back as his car (which was filled with camping gear) found the hook, showed him how to put it on and towed him out.  Note the direction of his from wheels as Gerry was getting him out of the sand.

And it can't be said that we have no excitement.  Someone had taken a nasty fall (I heard it was from the back of his truck, and I also heard it was off a ladder.  Both reports were by folks who said they had seen it happen).  Regardless, he ended up with a dislocated knee and a sprained ankle.  It wasn't anyone we knew but we do we wish him well.

It has been a week of highs and lows, but the highs won.  I hope you all have a good week.

 

Might Have to Slow Down!

With our current pace I thought we might have to slow down but then I took another look at our activities and realized that there is no "slow down".  We are going almost as slow as one can without standing absolutely still.  It seems that in comparison to past years, we have been pretty docile!!

We started the week with going on a little drive to watch an off-road event but not much was happening so we decided to tour Salton City (on the Salton Sea).  We had seen this before but the beach was lined with hay bales and we had speculated the purpose of them. 

The conclusion was that it was likely some sort of racetrack - wrong.  The bales are placed there to stop erosion of the soil in the wind.  A brochure also said that they had planted some sort of vegetation but did not irrigate after the plants started to grow.  There was no evidence of anything being planted but I wouldn't expect much would grow in that soil without some sort of moisture, but who knows.

One day we drove up the mountain with Rick and Chris to Julian (about an hour away).  Julian is a little historic town which is known for apples and apple pie.  Of course we bought a pie to bring home - and it was supper.

We had lunch at this cute little diner which had some interesting decor as well as a candy store.

The trip back was beautiful as everything is nice and green because of recent rains. 

In one of the meadows we saw a flock of turkeys that were busy eating but they soon scattered when we stopped to take a photo. 

There were also a couple of old turkeys in the front seat but they didn't seem to mind being photographed.  Perhaps they didn't know.

We decided that maybe we should take a little off-road trip so we went to Inspiration Point which is an overlook for the Anza Borrego Badlands.  We decided to go in the back way which was quite scenic.

Another week has come to an end and who knows what next week will bring.  Hopefully everyone will have a great week and take care.

Mid January on the Desert

It is mid January on the desert which often means pleasant days and fairly chilly nights.  This year things are a wee bit reversed - the days are often quite pleasant but the nights have not been chilly.  We are surprised when often we haven't needed any heat in the evening - unheard of in this RV, but very pleased.  We have had a fair bit of cloud with periods of rain.  While that is not the kind of weather we want, it is definitely a plus for the desert which has been suffering from drought (other than regular dry desert) the past few years.  Bonus is that this weather will likely create a spectacular wild flower bloom once again - the start of this is already starting to show.

Agave plant - known as a Century Plant

Devil's Trumpet  - similar to Angel's Trumpet at home

We made a trip up Coyote Canyon - a trip that terrified me the first time we went.  While I don't have a photo of the rocks in the early days, I do have one of the water crossings.  As many things have changed, so has th the trail.  I have included a before and after of the third water crossing.

2009

2023

This past week we headed out on a circular drive around the Salton Sea - first stop - Salvation Mountain, and then onto Slab City.  We haven't been here for quite a number of years and Salvation Mountain has been preserved and maintained quite nicely; however, Slab City, on the most part, it has not aged gracefully.

Salvation Mountain is a hillside vision created by a man by the name of Leonard Knight who spent 28 years creating his vision.  It's upkeep and continuance is done through donations and the dedication of various artists.

Slab City is an area a bit past Salvation Army which is the remnants of an old, abandoned WW2 military site. Apparently people can live here without any encumbrances and it is known as "the last free place in America". That may be a dream for some folks but let me say "this is no paradise", at least in my opinion.

Other than a lot of dilapidated old trailers and RVs, this is what you see!

There is an area called East Jesus which is a community, within Slab City, which was founded in 2006.  This is an area for artists, and nothing is thrown away - it is reused, recycled, or repurposed.  There are many pieces and forms of artwork, I am the first to admit that sometimes it's beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

A use for TVs

Then it is off to Bombay Beach on the Salton Sea, which at one time was a thriving little resort town.  Now it is derelict little community with the beach holding a number of "art" exhibits - again,  beauty is in the eye of beholder.  Some are rather interesting while some require a bit of imagination - unique, yes.

Another use for TVs

Or you can live here

Behind us are the  Santa  Rosa mountains and there are many trails up and over and around.  In one area is another "art" display - all created by the placement of rocks and some are really quite creative.  It's a bit of a hike which must be made at least once a year so this week, it was time.  There have been some additions - some interesting, some not.  It is a nice hike and an enjoyable one.

And us!!

And throughout the winter, we meet many different folks with many different types of RVs.  Here is a Canadian couple who full-time, with their cat, with very  basic accommodations, and seem to be very happy with their travel equipment.  They can certainly move in a moment's notice if they so wish.

The little tent is simply for some shelter during the day is is taken down each evening.

I have often ended with a photo of a sunset but today, I will end with the start of a day and the end of a day.  As the song goes

"Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days"

Sunrise

Sunset

And with that, I hope everyone has a great week!!