Some Work and Some Play

 We took a drive up the mountain towards Warner Springs.  First stop was St. Francis of Assisi Chapel.  This chapel was built in 1830 to serve the native Cupeno Indians.  It is amazing that this chapel is open all the time to everyone and remains undamaged. 

Then it was on to Lost Valley Road  to Atáxam Mámta’ash Campground, formerly Indian Flats Campground which is a small campground in a small valley just over the top.  A short walk from the campground was a small waterfall (at least there used to be on but with it being so dry, there is just a small trickle at the bottom).  For the guys that felt like young boys, there certainly was the chance to clamour over the rocks.

Notice how that cactus is growing right out of the rock!

The drive, however, is absolutely stunning.

Just after getting back on the highway, we stopped in at the glider port where we took a glider ride a few years back.  As luck would have it, they were just towing a glider up.  No rides this time!

Of course, one should go on a hike since there are so many great ones in the area so we went to Glorieta Canyon which is not very far.  It is considered to be moderately strenuous but actually it wasn't very difficult.  There was just a bit of rock scrambling but it was only 1.25 miles in length with an elevation change of 304 feet.

On afternoon a fellow parked next door to us and started setting up some sort of equipment.  Of course, Gerry soon found out that he was setting up his telescope as the planets are to be quite visible. It was fairly powerful and he came out from San Diego area because this area is a designated dark sky community.

It is also not known as a bargain community as you can tell by the price of fuel in town. 

And some of the groceries tend to follow suit in pricing.  However, they are certainly into the arts and a green environment.  They have built an Art Park which consists of a number of different things particularly recycling.  There is a community recycling depot which is wonderful.  It's hard to believe how much it saves on garbage.  There are also quite a number of plots for some community gardens.  Each of these gardens have chicken wire around them and today we saw why.  Here is a roadrunner and he was definitely looking to see how he could get over the fence.

And we have the occasional campfire and have developed a real system.  Gerry is the official fire starter as he has a special lighter and he starts it for afternoon happy hour.  We sit around the fire and as the fire dies down, we put our supper on the coals and when it's supper time the food is cooked, the coals are pretty well done and are no longer throwing much heat for warmth, we call it another great day.

But it hasn't been all play and no work.  Today we had to pack up as it was time to dump and fill with water. But  now it's back to just living life!

I hope everyone is doing well and may you have a great week.

The Sun and the Wind

 This week started like most weeks - sunny and warm.  Then the Santa Ana winds came in - the same that brought such devastation to the Los Angeles area.  They are strong winds that come from the east,  and provide hot, dry conditions (although I don't describe what we have as hot).  These winds sure do make the motorhome rock.  The wind then shifted direction so we rocked in a different direction.   At least this time we were a little more prepared.  Instead of getting up three or four times through the night to deal with another squeak or a rattle or a bang, we just pulled in the slides and made sure that everything was put away and/or tied down.

We took a short drive out to Vista del Malpais.  This is one of the viewpoints overlooking the Badlands in the Anza Borrego State Park.  While the washes are scenic, everything is so incredibly dry.

Up the mountain behind us is "the snake" and each year we make at least one trip to see what has changed, or has been added.   Some of the rock designs are quite amazing as to what someone can do by just gathering some different coloured rocks. 

On the way up there used to be an old chair on a mini overlook and a small rock wall.  Rock wall is still there but no chair. 

At the top, it's always fun to look down to see where we are parked.

And this week we went on a shopping trip to El Centro with Rick and Chris.  That will tell you what our entertainment is when a shopping trip is exciting.  On our way home we stopped for ice cream.  Rick was driving and it is rather hard to drive a standard when you are also enjoying an ice cream cone.  So this is what is called teamwork!!

Today was volleyball tournament for our granddaughter.  The games were televised and we were so thrilled to be able to watch. 

Technology is amazing!

Another week is over and I am sure that many in the great white north feel likewise.  Maybe that will be the end of the icy roads and the constant wind and everlasting arctic blasts.  Stay safe and stay warm!!

A Couple of Off-road Trips

 Here we are in Borrego Springs and it's time to do some exploring of some of the many backroads in the area.  We started off pretty easy with a trip up Coyote Canyon as we joined with friends, Rick and Chris, and Les and Judy. 

It is particularly easy now as a large portion has been closed due to Hurricane Hilary in August 2023.  Back in 1774, this was the route Juan Batista de Anza passed through on his mission to new Spanish settlements in California.  As we drive it today, one can wonder the difficulties on the trip back then.

Normally, there are three water crossings but as with any large storms, water routes get changed, and debris is moved around. 

Our trip saw a couple of agave plants, also known as a century plant, in blossom.  It is said that they only bloom every 100 years.  Here you can set how incredibly tall the stalks are.

Later on in the week we headed out to make a trip up Grapevine Canyon.  This time we joined with Rick and Chris and with Lars and Lori. 

Before the construction of local highways, this canyon was the main thoroughfare to the Borrego Valley for the horses and wagons as the settlers and miners came through the area.  There are several springs along the route.  We were not able to see any water at Angelina Spring but there is still evidence of there being water as the vegetation is relatively lush, particularly in comparison to the rest of the vegetation in the area.  We also passed Stewart Spring which is still active.  There has been a little cement retaining wall with a spout from the spring.  This is obviously a great spot for the animals .

Further up the trail we turn and go through Hoover Canyon.  Here the terrain seems to become somewhat rockier with huge boulders. 

As we climb on the trail, the views are terrific, although it is impossible to take a photo and have it replicate what we actually see.

The kids went out playing on the boulders as they tried to see who could get to the top!

We saw quite a variety of plants and birds.  This is a manzanita tree which is native to the area.  Notice the dark mahogany coloured tree trunk.

This fellow was just perched up on the rocks.  Fortunately he did not fly away when we stopped to snap his picture.

Here again is an agave plant.  The first photo shows it in bud - notice how the stock reminds one of an asparagus plant

Here, it is just about to be in full bloom.

When we went into town yesterday, we sat and watched this hummingbird flit from bush to bush.  The lipstick plant was in full bloom so this little bird was filling his tummy.

While the weather continues to be fairly mild, we did have quite a windstorm the other night.  Of course anything that can, rattles so you get to go and try to get rid of that rattle several times through the night.  But one night isn't really too bad.

Finally as I say good-bye for this week, I must include a favourite site.  Have a good week and I'll be back next week.

A New Year Has Arrived

 Once again we have been blessed with perfect weather which continues day after day.  This week, 2024 came to a close and of course we had to celebrate.  We started with a campfire  and had a wiener roast with all the trimmings and of course, smores!!

  While this may seem like an unusual New Year's Eve  celebration, you must remember that we no longer see midnight so we just say good-bye to last year a little earlier than most.

On New Year's day, we went all out with tenderloins wrapped with bacon

and again, all the trimmings.  Two days in a row, we had similar meats - they were both round.

Just as we said good-bye to 2024, we  likewise to Yuma as we headed to Borrego Springs.  We normally take the interstate but decided to go across country for some different scenery.  We went through the Glamis Recreation Area and the sand dunes.  There were a lot of folks camped at the dunes although there didn't seem to be a lot of vehicles playing.

  A nice drive, but the roads were not great.

Once at Borrego Springs we met up with our friends, Rick and Chris.  We has spent some time with them earlier in the year but it was great to see them again.

Somehow, a person gets to have the odd little mishap.  Well, here is a photo

of what can happen when something falls behind a slide.  Fortunately, when I heard a crunch, I stopped.  While it was quite a challenge getting it out, we were finally able to retrieve it.  Although it doesn't look too pretty, it still works.

We went into town to see what was new and what changed.  It seems each year, water is withheld from some crop.  Here we noticed that some palm trees were dying out,

but in another area, a new crop was planted. 

It seems that the crops need to be replaced every so often.  Every Friday there is a farmer's market at the Christmas circle so we had to go and check out the vendors.  While it isn't very big, the setting is quite nice and there was quite a variety of vendors.

As the week comes to a closed we would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and may each of you have a happy and healthy 2025.