Rain in the Desert

 Most days I can look out the window and see that we will be enjoying some sun during the day.  This week started the exact opposite.  A rainy day Monday gave us an inch of rain – it truly was a case of water, water, everywhere.  It was a perfect day for laundry but on our way back we did take a bit of a drive to see if the washes were flowing and yup, they were – right over the roads.

  The rushing water brings so much mud and silt and rocks and other debris onto the road, they have graders and front end loaders to clean it up. 

Also, there is a fair bit of work after the weather clears to repair the deep gullies in the ditches and along the highway. One would think that the water would simply soak into the sand but that is not the case.  But often after a rain the sun appears and there is a rainbow.  I often wonder how far it would be to find that pot of gold.

Several days after the rain, we decided to take  a drive to see how everything looked.  We went to an area called “The Arch”

and in the wash, there was a shrine – I expect a tribute to someone who got a fair bit of enjoyment out here in the desert.  Most of the washes were dry although some were still fairly wet.  Here is a section where it was still a bit wet and to me, it looked exactly like a big slab of chocolate.

We were fortunate to have some friends from Victoria pop by for a visit.  We went out for lunch at a resort called Rams Hill.  It is pretty special to be able to enjoy lunch with some great people, in the middle of January, overlooking the lush landscape. 

We then took a trip to an overlook of some badlands.

The mountains around us have different designs and colours on them, depending of the clouds, and the amount of sun, and the time of day.

We do get to enjoy the occasional fire

and what a way to save on cooking fuel - throw in those foil wrapped potatoes and supper is half made!

So you can see, it is not all play and no work!!!

Another week has come to a close.  According to Mr. Weatherman, the temperatures are due to warm up.  It has been very pleasant here but in a week or so, they say it won't be quite so nice.  We will see.  I hope everyone has a great week so until next week, take care.

First Week in Borrego Springs

 

This past week has been next to perfect.  The sun shone, the temps were mild, and the wind rarely blew – all the makings of a perfect day!

We did head out on a couple of off-road trips.  We started with one of my favourites – Grapevine Canyon.  We decided to run it in the opposite direction than our usual trip and what a difference – it was as if we had never been on it before.  To start, we came across a huge coyote melon patch.  We have seen them in the past but always just a few on a vine.  Apparently the flowers are much like that of the pumpkin but they are not edible and the flowers do not have a pleasant smell.

This was quite a display. One big difference is that the road is in much different shape than in years past as much of it has been graded (much to Gerry’s chagrin as there are no longer boulder challenges).  I, on the other hand, tend to enjoy the scenery.

Then we were off to Coyote Canyon and to see the changes.  As a result of previous heavy rains, the trail is blocked about half-way due to water.  We did take a walk and it is amazing to see the power of water.  You can see where water had been running in wide washes, big boulders have been moved, and normally sandy washes have become beds of large and small boulders.  Certainly not somewhere I would want to be during a rainfall.

Then we took a short trip to an overlook of some badlands – Vista Malpais.  The weather was not real co-operative as it was overcast with the odd little drizzle. 

Or course with a bit of a drizzle I wasn’t real anxious to hang around for very long just in case it did start to rain.  But we can always do it another day!!

The evenings have been quite pleasant so we often have a fire.  One evening we decided on impromptu bush pies and smores.  Now that is a meal for kings.  And it was so much fun with our friends, Chris & Rick.  Desert First!!!

Most days we go for a walk and sometimes, we go up the mountain which is just behind us.  There is quite a collection of rock art in some areas.  We met a fellow up there who is paying tribute to his son, Clark, who has passed away. 

The next few days are calling for rain which means it will be time for some indoor chores.  But then again, something else may come up.  As I come to the end, I hope everyone has a great week ahead and hopefully, the dreadfully cold arctic air is in the past.

 

On To Borrego Springs

 

Each week seems to scoot by super quick but every day we are so happy to be enjoying sunny and 18c weather instead of -38c weather that is affecting everyone back home.  This week was moving week as we went  over to our usual spot at Borrego Springs in California.

The week was not just one of rest and relaxation.  I have been wanting to recover our kitchen chairs.  First, I had no fabric, then I had to find some ambition.  Well, this week they got done.  I still have a couple of folding chairs to recover but there isn’t the same urgency to get them done.

On the drive over we go past the Algondones Sand Dunes.  We have been by them numerous times but I still find them fascinating.  Miles of sand where many people go to play although this time, it was pretty quiet.

At home, everyone is familiar with the snow plow as the workers patrol the highways to ensure they are clear.  Down here, it is the same equipment, and the same process as the sand blows much like the snow.  There are sand drifts in the ditches in many places.

One morning the weather forecast was predicting some rain.  Well, we did get some rain but it is referred to as an 8 inch rain – a drop every 8 inches.   While it does make a mess of things, it does produce some amazing sights.  This one is looking out our front window and it looks like the rainbow is coming straight from the sky.

We try and go for a walk every morning, and while we have walked in these areas in years past, one never knows what we might find.  This year, there is a chair.  Our friend Rick decided to have a rest but it doesn’t look to be the most comfortable. 

A little further down the path we came across a group of folks on some sort of training mission.  While we have no idea what they were doing as it looked as if each person had some sort of metal detector, it obviously had something to do with the fire department.  It did seem to be a one day sort of exercise.

Friday is market day in town where there are a variety of vendors selling all sorts of things including vegetables.  We did buy ourselves a treat.  I’m not sure what it is but it they are not only pretty,  they were also delicious.  

Next week we may look for more of the same.

We have had a couple of days of wind advisories but fortunately, they did not amount to much.  There  were a couple of hours of wind but it wasn’t very much.  The rest of the day was mighty pleasant.

I hope the weather turns milder soon and the huge deep freeze will be behind everyone.  Until next week, stay warm and stay safe.

 

 

Time to Repair

 

It has been quite a week.  As I noted last week, we are once again having some issues with our motorhome.  This week started with a quest to find someone, or some company who could put this beast back where it belongs.  As most folks know, getting someone to work on something that is always tough to work on is not very easy.  First thing Tuesday morning, off go Gerry and Gary to see if they have any luck.  The tailpipe and muffler does not have to be removed as here it is, lying on the driveway.

As they went downtown, they saw someone working on a steel fence and thought, a welder – just what we need.  They stopped and talked to the fellow, give him a ride over, he looks at it and says “I can’t do it but my boss, Brenda, sure can”.  Later on in the day, Brenda comes over and says “no problem, we can do that”.  Lucky stroke number 1!!

Between Brenda, and a truck parts store, we gathered all the necessary parts and Saturday morning, Brenda and her crew arrive.  Now, she is one interesting lady.  Brenda is a master welder and owns the company. 

She brought three fellows over and they built a new exhaust system and installed it. 

She and her crew will do whatever needs to be done.  Her crew today are all on parole.  She has an agreement with the parole board to give these fellows a job, teach them a trade, and give them a chance to be able to have a decent life.  It was obvious that they all have the utmost respect for her.  I was very impressed with this lady.  We are back in business.

Most mornings, just after 3 a.m., we can often hear a rooster.  Yesterday, as we were out walking, Gerry says “look, isn’t that a rooster”?  Sure enough, there were 3 roosters and a hen which seem to be living in a wash just down the street.  It sure was tempting not to have a fresh chicken for supper, but there really was no good place to butcher and clean one of these chickens.  And then, who knows how old they are so we decided to just let them carry on.

The folks next door have some family visiting from New York state.  With some nice, cool evenings we had a wiener roast – the first one for 2024.

The temperatures are cool but we have been fortunate in that we have had mostly sun and little or no wind which means very pleasant weather.

Until next week, may everyone have a pleasant week.