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!!