Tuesday, February 17, 2015
I must have been tired. This morning, I didn’t get up till quarter to seven; after the sun was peeking over the eastern mountains.
Yesterday, after driving west of Mecca to hook up with highway 86, there is a stoplight. I couldn’t believe the traffic. There were lines of RVs trying to get into the gas station on the north corner and RVs lined up from the south.
As I drove south on hwy 86, they continued to stream northward. When I made the turn onto S22 at Truckhaven, there were swarms of RVs. I wished I had gotten a photo of the mess, but I was too busy weaving around all the RVs trying to get past the service area.
I am guessing, because it was Presidents Day weekend, there were tons of people with their ATVs in the desert area east of Anza-Borrego State Park. As I drove through that area on S22, there were hundreds of ATVs running around through the desert.
Now for today
After breakfast, Yuma and I decided to go into Borrego Springs for a short look around. Wanted to find the nearest propane filling station was. I may need a refill before leaving here. Found one about 2 miles east of town that will be perfect when the time comes.
Lots of palm trees line the Palm Canyon Drive as we go directly west into the mountains. Borrego Springs is at the foot of the Laguna Mountains.
As you enter the town, there is a beautiful circle named Christmas Circle, covered in grass and palm trees.
When you go half way round Christmas Circle and continue on Palm Canyon Drive, you are in town. The town is actually on either side of the road and that is it.
This is looking east going back down the road from the base of the mountains.
At Christmas Circle, I took Borrego Springs Road to the north heading out of town. Looking to the west, there is a beautiful subdivision of homes right up against the base of the mountains. How would you like to live there?
As you drive to the north, there are metal sculptures of all sorts in the desert around Borrego Springs. The link above does better justice to the images than I do. There are many more so expect to see more of them.
We laid around camp during the heat of the day. Around 4 pm, Yuma and I headed out to find the rock snake, that I have heard is west of our camp. I know it is there somewhere, because I have seen photos of it on Al’s blog, Travel With The Bayfield Bunch.
We drove to the foot of the hills west of our camp and started climbing. As we neared the top, I took a photo looking back at the BLM land used by RVers. That is my RV to the right of the red X below.
Zoomed in on my camp.
Back to the rock snake hunt. Yuma and I walked over the top of the hill and down below was a beautiful flat, sandy area and there it was.
The sun is now setting and time for me and Yuma to call it a day.
See you later.
I'm glad you found the snake. That was really neat! To think someone took all that time to make those sculptures. I hope you don't have to get in one of those rv lines! I wonder how those vs all needed fuel at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI am glad I found the snake too. Now I can go on to other discoveries around here. Luckily, I already had gas and didn't need to fight the gas traffic there. I do need propane, but I can get that in Borrego Springs later if need be.
DeleteI have really been enjoying your blog this winter and especially love your new dog, Yuma. Wanted to tell you they have a great farmers market with some unique crafts too at Christmas Circle on Friday mornings - Also, the Anza-Borrego Desert is famous for wildflowers and the season has already started. If you google some websites they have daily updates and photos telling you exactly which roads and areas have the best displays each day and when the expected peak blooms will occur. A picture of Yuma in a field of wildflowers would be so cute !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Moonfly. I will google for the flowers around here. Yuma loves to smell everything, and he would love flowers I am sure. Hopefully, I can get that picture for you before I leave.
DeleteSounds like you have been here before. It is a neat place to visit. I checked out the market last winter and will do again this winter too.
Interesting selection of favorite books you have. Worlds apart in subject matter.
Christmas Circle is so pretty! Palm trees seem so unreal to me, I guess bc we don't have them here. They sure are gorgeous! The metal sculptures are cool too. I remember the dragon one from your trip last year! Happy Hump Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah. The grass and palm trees look odd here too. Everywhere else you look there is only desert. I didn't get out of the jeep yesterday. I need to take a moment and take Yuma for a walk on real grass for once. He probably thinks the whole world is nothing but desert.
DeleteAh, Doug, you are making me miss Anza Borrego! We need to get back there before it gets too hot.
ReplyDeleteCheryl Ann
Good morning Cheryl Ann. It must be nice to live so close to places it takes me a week of driving to get to. Sounds like you and your husband do take advantage of this wonderful part of the country, and do travel around.
DeleteI like your photos of Lake Hemet. That is a pretty area. Wish I could go everywhere around here, but unfortunately, I just don't know California well enough to find the nice places to visit.
Pheebe sure enjoyed walking around the grass in town !
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the snake !
It is such a nice little town...
Yuma and I will get out next time we're in town and take a nice walk and maybe even bring a blanket and lay in the grass.
DeleteLast year when Dolly and I were here, we didn't know about the snake, but after reading about it in your blog, I made sure to go and search for it this year. I kind of knew where is it was based on Al's comments in his blog while he was here earlier this year.
The snake is really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hazel. I am sure those greyhounds of yours have sniffed that snake on one of your journeys to this beautiful town.
DeleteOh, yes. I love the denim jacket.
He Doug, me again. My name is Lew and I don't understand the verification process for posting on your blog. The only way I can do it is by selection anonymous. None of the other options work for me.
DeleteSorry about that . . .
Hey Doug I'm envious. We planned on boondocking in the exact spot you're in now last weekend. My wife had a four day weekend (she's a school teacher) and we were planning to head out last Friday morning. Unfortunately, she came down with a bug a couple days prior and by Thursday night she was toast. You're a lucky guy. Have fun!
ReplyDelete