Sunday, February 11, 2018

From Borrego Springs to Slab City and beyond

Sunday, February 11, 2018 – Location:  Salton Sea State Campground

This morning Yuma and I were done with all our duties around 9 o’clock and headed out.  Our first task was to drive to Brawley, California to the Walmart and do our shopping.  About a 50 mile drive. 

Got that done and then headed the 20 miles north to Slab City to see Salvation Mountain. Been a few years since I’ve been there.  Was going to stay the night, but the place was a zoo.  Crowded and hot.  Couldn’t find a decent place to stay the night, so we moved on.

As we were driving north on hwy 111 next to the Salton Sea, I was thinking.  I’ve driven all the way around this sea this winter, but never stopped to see it.  Today, we did.  Saw a sign saying, Salton Sea State Campground 1/4 mile ahead and we pulled in.

Tonight, we’re spending the big bucks.  $18 for the night right on the east side of the sea.  Judy, from Canada is our camp host.  Hope to see a nice sunset tonight.  It has been quite hazy all day from yesterday’s wind.  The sand is still high in the air making everything appear to be in a fog.

I took hundreds of photos today, but will save those for tomorrow.  Got to get to our hike through the slot canyon off Sandstone Canyon.

We walked over the boulders and kept following the main wash after I Jeep could go no further.  After the boulders, it was back to drivable conditions, but we weren’t going to drive.  Walk time now.

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Wasn’t long into our hike when I saw this smaller wash coming in from the left.  Hoping this may lead to the top of the mesa quicker, we headed in. 

Come on Dad!  They’re just boulders.

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Yuma keeps coming back to check on slow Dad.  Glad he keeps an eye on me.  Never know when I might fall and can’t get up!

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Starting to see vegetation above us.  Should be able to climb to the top of the mesa soon and get a look around.

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Yuma knows the way to the top.  I’ll just follow him.

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We made it to the top.  The wash just continues on and on up into the mountains, but we’ve hit our limit.  My Fitbit says we have gone over three miles.  That means three miles back!  Hopefully, downhill is easier.

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As I stand here, I can’t help but wonder if anyone has ever stood in this place in all of time.  No reason to be here except to see what is behind that next bend in the wash.  This is certainly desolate country, but beautiful in its own way.

That was our Jeep ride and hiking tour for the day.  Hope you enjoyed the journey.  Tomorrow, I’ll show you Slab City and the wonderful Salvation Mountain.   And maybe, you’ll get the to see the sun setting over the Salton Sea.

See you later.

11 comments:

  1. What a beautiful slot canyon! We're the rocks really blue or just the sunlight on them? Being on top of the mesa must have been inspiring. Enjoy the amazing Salton Sea! Have a good night! ❤

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    1. Tha KS Dolly. I think the blue is from the shadows and the sunlight hitting the sandstone from above giving it a blue hue.

      I was pretty tired from the hike to be too inspired. Darn old age!

      Beautiful here at the Salton Sea. Glad I stopped in.

      Good nightšŸ˜˜

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  2. That was quite a journey. I'm sure it's very peaceful out there! Got great pics, really cool rock formations! Take care Dad. Love you.

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    1. Thanks Steve. It was pretty in a rugged way. No wind so it was quiet. Not even a bird. Love you.

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  3. It'll be nice to see your pics from Slab City, I haven't seen anybody comment or visit it this year. Beautiful pictures again. So cute to see Yuma looking back to make sure you're still coming..one special little dog! Hope you enjoyed your evening after that climb once again! Sure was beautiful gotta say!

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    1. Thanks Shirley. I got lots of them. Unfortunately was not comfortable staying the night there this time around. Little bit rougher and more crowded.

      Yuma is certainly a help on my walks in the desert. So glad to have him a part of my life.

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  4. You and Yuma sure make a great team - watching out for each other and sharing such a great friendship. So glad Yuma came into your life - it would be so lonely without him as your travel companion. Plus, he is the "ice cream on the pie" in some of your best photos !! šŸŒµšŸŒ·šŸ¢šŸ•šŸŒˆšŸ˜

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  5. Thanks Moonfly. As much as you love the Yuma, you'll have to make sure sure you have a favorite pet when you travel next year.

    Yuma is certainly mine!

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  6. Wow, fabulous pictures. I would have truly enjoyed that hike. Such beauty up there. Thanks for sharing.

    I hope you enjoy the Salton Sea Area. It's pretty and the sun on the water would make a wonderful picture. I look forward to seeing that.

    Glad you've had a safe journey.

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    1. Thanks Deb. It was some hike. I don't think my body is back to normal yet. Maybe a few days of rest will help.

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  7. It's always so nice being able to get out and hike along in those washes and canyons. With Kelly's health causing her to tire quickly we didn't get much hiking in this winter. In past years I always enjoyed those rock scrambles so much.

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