Thursday, February 1, 2018

Moved to Borrego Springs, California

Thursday, February 1, 2018 - Location:  Clark Dry Lake near Borrego Springs, CA

Yesterday early morning, after sitting outside photographing the moon eclipse, I felt tired, but not so much from getting up early; it was sore muscles from the climb the day before.  

I did manage to get a great moon shot of the moon rising over the Kofa mountains to the east last night.


As I was reading my favorite blogs, I had just finished Tom and Deb's post saying they were going to go see the spiral I had written about and they also were going to scout out this area for their next move towards Yuma.

It wasn't ten minutes later when Yuma started barking.  I looked outside and there was a black Jeep that looked familiar.   Tom and Deb, Celebrating the Dance were debating on stopping in since they didn't see me outside. It wasn't long before I was out there yelling at Yuma to come back.  He was already on his way to greet them.

I pulled out some chairs and we had a great time chatting on the shady side of the MH.  It was already getting quite warm.  They are a very friendly couple that enjoy exciting Jeep rides as much as I do. We swapped a lot of stories before they were on their way back to Quartzsite.  Hope to see them again down the road.

As I look back, I'm glad they stopped by and stopped me from making some crazy decision to go somewhere and wear myself out even more.  After they left, me and Yuma just relaxed for the rest of the day.  Just what I needed.

Couldn't sleep past 6 A.M. this morning.  I think it was my anticipation of the move I was planning for the day.  Yesterday, I called Dolly to chat and she reminded me that the Superbowl is this Sunday and I had best be in a place to pick up the local TV channel.

My plans had been to move to Borrego Springs, but as we talked I convinced myself to go to Saddle Mountain near Phoenix so I could easily pick up their channels with my TV antenna.  

Sounded good, but as I lay awake this morning pondering, I just couldn't accept the idea of going all the way east for four days and then backtracking west to Borrego Springs next week.  Me and backtracking just don't go together.

In the early morning hours I made my decision to head west as I had originally planned.  I had a thought I could stay at the American Legion that Al, Kelly and Pheebs, Travel With The Bayfield Bunch had been staying for a few days.  I'm sure a bunch of vets would be watching the Superbowl on Sunday and I could join in the fun.  So, that's the plan.  Problem solved, I hope.  If not, I can go to a local bar and watch the game.

With my mind made up, we were packed and on our way at 10 o'clock sharp.  We first stopped in Quartzsite to get propane at the 76 station and then made our way over to Loves to fill the MH with gas.  Hopefully, I can get in and out of California without having to buy gas for the MH.

We headed west on I-10 and made one more stop in Blythe, California to dump our tanks.  They didn't have potable water, so will need to get that later.  I still have quite a bit of water left in the tank. 

Off again and this time we made it all the way to Indio, California Walmart Super center to get groceries and one of my meds refilled.  It was a beautiful fairly new store and within an hour we were on our way.  By this time it was 3 o'clock pacific time. 

The drive through the Colarado River Valley and then on through the Chiriaco Pass and down to Indio in the Coachella Valley was pretty but uneventful.



All duties finally done, we drove down hwy 86 to Salton City and turned west on S22 for the last 22 mile pretty drive through the badlands.  

There's the Salton Sea to my left.

Badlands are beautiful to drive through.

Going down into the dry lake area now.  I can see Coyote Mountain so we are close.  It's quite warm and there is a lot of haze in the valley.

Got here around 4:30 and found us a place near Clark Dry Lake off Rockhouse Road.  The place is fairly full, so we aren't out in the middle of nowhere like we were this past ten days,  but, it's okay.  

It's a beautiful area as the sun is setting over the mountains.





That's our day.  Tired from the drive but looking forward to a couple week stay here if all goes well.

See you later.

25 comments:

  1. The moon pics were awesome yesterday! Good to get moving but I but the place you just left was so awesome! Hopefully you can catch the game! Good luck to your Eagles! Take care Dad. Love you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Steve. Had fun taking them. Glad you liked them.

      This place is just as awesome.

      Got the game locked up. Evan and those Patriots are going down. Love you.

      Delete
  2. Beautiful shot of the super moon coming over Kofa Mountain. I'm glad you and Yuma found a sparsely populated place to settle in. Ill bet it's pretty warm there in sunny California. Have a good night! ❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dolly. Warm alright. That was a great picture. Looks great live too. Good night.😍

      Delete
  3. Great shot of the Super Moon rising! How was the road out of Salton City? It used to Gawd Awful with the expansion cracks from the desert heat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jeff. That road has gotten no better. About 15 mph for three miles of it going out of town.

      Delete
  4. Great moon pictures Doug.
    Good you are safe and sound in a great location. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dave. Long day but I'm glad to be in a place I truly enjoy.

      Delete
  5. Great pictures. I love that drive down I-10 into Indio. We shopped at that Walmart a number of times during our stay at JTNP.
    We too are near Rock House Road. We are actually across from the Henderson Canyon Road sign in the parking area there.
    Glad you arrived safely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Deb. I will come for a visit soon.

      That was an ear popping drop out of the high plains.

      Delete
  6. Looks like you’ve found a beautiful spot to watch the sunsets for the next couple weeks. Your moon pictures did not disappoint! They’re fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah. Got a beautiful one tonight. They just keep coming.

      Delete
  7. Nice that you are there and set up enjoy the area, we may get that way this year, have not decided yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Going to be warm but I plan to take it easy and just enjoy the scenery.

      Delete
  8. Hey Doug as I read your post this morning it Looks like we have had ourselves a rather unfortunate piece of bad timing. For us it was our early departure morning out through Ocotillo Wells on highway 78. Although we won't be here our spot should be and it's just ahead of the white truck and casita you will see coming in. There's an indentation in the trees. We may see you east of here somewhere later. Too bad we missed you and Yuma. Had you been one day earlier or we been one later it all would have worked out for a great get together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Al. Had planned to get here earlier in the day, but all the stops slowed me down.

      There will be other times and places. Have a safe trip.

      Delete
  9. Looks like you have settled into another great area. American Legion seems to serve some good inexpensive home cooking type meals. I'll bet they have a fun Super Bowl party too - hope your team wins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Moonfly. This is certainly a beautiful area and I plan to stay for awhile.

      Will check out the legion later today.

      Delete
  10. Beautiful area you're in once again! Your picture of the moon over the Kofa mountains is beautiful! I don't think we've ever been to Borrego Springs but that drive through the badlands is awesome. Hope you find a great place for the Super Bowl. Glad you got to chat with Deb and Tom..such a great couple!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Just left one beautiful area to come to another. You do really need to come here. It's one of those places you'll come back to every year.

      Delete
  11. Looks like a nice spot at Borrego Springs. We like that area as well. Maybe you will meet up with Deb and Riley, they are out there somewhere too.
    Have fun in your adventures there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Patsy. I'll be sure to stop by their place while I'm here.

      I always like it here. Just nice on the eyes.

      Delete
  12. Looks like you found a pretty nice spot with a view. Love your pictures of the mountains.
    We really like that area and hope it is not to crowded when we get there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, what a great shot of the rising moon.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Deb. They come and go so I'm sure there will be room. Plus, the place Deb and Riley are staying across the road from Peglegs has tons of space and it's flat.

      Delete