Monday, February 16, 2015

Box Canyon, California

Monday, February 16, 2015 – Presidents Day

Yuma and I are on BLM land eight miles east of Borrego Springs, California
Altitude : 519 feet
Latitude : 33.3025N
Longitude : 116.2736W

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Today is move on day.  Somehow, I get attached to most places I stay for more than a day.  Don’t know if it is because of the beauty of the area or I am just too lazy to pack and move on.

After a slow start, I started packing after breakfast.  We were on the road at 10 am.   Drove back out to Twentynine Palms Road and turned left.  Two miles down the road we drove over the I-10 and headed onto Box Canyon Road toward Mecca.

Box Canyon road is about 18 miles long and goes through a very pretty canyon.  That is if you like mud colored canyons.  Luckily, it was all downhill as we headed toward the Coachella Valley.  The Salton Sea is in this valley, so we will be going down to near sea level.

Following are photos as we drove through the 18 mile canyon:

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About half way through, Yuma and I took a break and took a walk.

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We turned a corner and  all of a sudden we are on the valley floor just outside of the town of Mecca.

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I got some gas in Mecca and then we headed south on highway 86 on the west side of the Salton Sea.  Our destination is Truckhaven and then we make a right turn on S22.  We then go 22 miles to our camp for the night.  image

I will cover our drive down highway 86 and S22 in tomorrow’s blog.

See you later.

6 comments:

  1. The sunrise picture looks like a giant spider! Yuma looked so sweet looking up at you. I loved all the canyon pictures! I guess I like mud colored canyon walls, because I thought they were beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Dolly. I think he was getting ready to pounce like a mountain lion.

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  2. Doug, I used to teach at the elementary school there in Mecca. Then, about 12 years ago, I moved to a school in Coachella. I remember all the vineyards around the Mecca school. They were right up to the school's boundary! Gosh, I haven't been on that road for many years now. Guess it is time soon to drive it again. I took our son with me one time when he was in high school (he's 34 now...) WHERE does the time go? Yes, the Salton Sea is another 20 miles or so down the road. My district has a school out there, too, but the teachers all carpool. Just too far to drive alone!
    Cheryl Ann

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    1. Good morning, Cheryl Ann. I was surprised how small Mecca was. Very pretty with vineyards and green grass. I think I could see Coachella from Keys View. Maybe that was you in the blue slacks standing in the school yard.

      Must have been an ATV convention this holiday weekend. Could not believe the number of RVs coming north out of the Borrego Springs area. Gas stations full in Mecca on hwy 86 and the Truckhaven was unbelievable. Like bees swarming a nest. All that to save $10 on dump fees I guess.

      The casino had cheaper gas and no crowds. Glad I got gas there.

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  3. I like your photos, and please tell Yuma that he is beautiful!

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    1. I don't know if I should, Hazel. He already has a big head and likes to pose for pictures. Thank you. I lucked out getting such a perfect dog.

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