Borrego Springs, California--Week One

Rain! That is what we had when we left Owl Canyon Campground. It made the washboard road even worse as we made our way to the highway. I drove the CRV behind Bob as we needed to dump tanks before we got on the road to Borrego Springs. After we dumped our tanks at a local plumbing/RV parts store we hooked the CRV to the RV and we were on the road. We retraced our route south to Yucca Valley and then we veered southwest to I-10. Then it was east to Coachella where we decided to spend the night at Spotlight 29 Casino. We decided to stay in the casino lot as we were still an hour away from our destination and it would be dark by 4:30 p.m. Of course, once we parked at the casino, we had to go inside and check out the place. We learned that if you applied for one of their player cards you received $2 off that day's buffet and you received a free buffet within the next month. Bob and I each got a Spotlight Casino card. We didn't get the $2 off buffet--it was prime rib on Thursday, but we saved our  coupon to return within the month. The night in the casino parking lot was okay, but it was noisier (next to I-10) than I  like and much too bright for sleeping with the number of lights in their parking lot

The next day it was on to Borrego Springs and Anza Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California. Bob had researched the area and knew that we wanted to stay outside Borrego Springs near Peg Leg Road. We just had to keep our eyes open for the RVs parked in the desert along County Road S22. We did make a stop at Red Earth Casino to top off the gas tank in the RV and to fill with fresh water. This is another casino that caters to RVers. They had a free dump, free fresh water and free over night camping. From there it was only about 25 miles to our destination. Once we started seeing RVs in the desert, we found a place to pull off the road and we found a place to set up camp. This area is known for its boondocking (camping without hookups or designated sites). First thing we did was check our Internet and cell phone reception--both good! Then it was time to check television reception--only Mexican channels:( Down went the antenna and down it stayed our entire time at Borrego Springs.

Since we arrived early on Friday, we drove into Borrego Springs to explore the town and to visit the state park information center. One place we wanted to visit was the Marshal South homestead on Ghost Mountain. Marshal South was the pen name of an Australian writer who wanted to get away from the hectic life in Oceanside, California in the 1930s. He and his wife Tanya moved to the primitive mountain top of Ghost Mountain. They lived there with their 3 children for 14 years. The state park offered a guided hike to the mountain top on Saturday morning. Bob and I were game for that trip.

After our stop at the park, we drove around town and saw the life-size sculptures. There were quite a few and after we got back to the RV, we found out that some had geocaches near them so we would visit them again!

 Saturday was a cloudy, chilly morning, but we were determined to make it to Ghost Mountain for the hike at 9:30 a.m. It meant we had to leave our campsite by 8:30 to make sure we arrived on time. It was a nice hike with about 10 people in attendance. The group left the parking area and climbed the mountain for one mile. The Marshal South homestead was on top of a very rocky mountain. The cement bowl in the front of this picture was one of the places the family gathered water.

 I am standing in what is left of the doorway to their adobe house.

 We were parked in the valley and were glad to get back to the car to get warm. The wind was howling as we came down the mountain.

 We wanted to geocache, but it was a little too cold so we continued on up the mountain to the town of Julian. Most of the buildings are on the National Register. Julian is famous for its pies. There are at least 4 shops in town that make apple or pear pies. We tried to get an apple dumpling at Mom's Pies, but they were so crowded, we moved across the street to Apple Alley Pies. I got an apple turnover and Bob chose a cinnamon roll. They would be dessert back at the RV. We ate a late lunch at Julian Coffee Shop. The shop was located at the end of town and due to the cold weather, not many people made it that far down the street. After our trip to Julian it was time to head back to the RV. The days are short and since we are in the eastern part of the Pacific Time Zone, sunset was at 4:30 p.m. We didn't want to be on the road after dark.

 Sunday morning we walked around the campground and found some geocaches in the area. Peg Leg Road is named for Peg Leg Smith a famous miner who once lived in the area. I don't know if he was known for his mining or his tall tales.

 But for those who like to believe the stories about his mining success, here is a special sign....

 ...and the pile of rocks people have added to over the years.

 Monday we chose to hike Palm Canyon Trail. The hike led 1.5 miles to a palm oasis. We had to cross the stream twice.

 One thing we have noticed about the fan palms in the west--no one trims them. The old fronds are supposed to protect the trees from insects.

 Here we are looking down on the palms from a rock area not far from the oasis.

 It was a good hike and as you can see, the weather was warm enough for us to go without jackets or windbreakers.

 Later in the afternoon we decided to do some more geocaching. We couldn't find the cache at the park sign.

 But we were able to find the one hidden on this grasshopper. The dog belonged to someone out for a ride and he had to say hello.

 Another cache was found on this site where the plaque lets you know nothing happened.

 Tuesday we decided to drive toward Warner Springs Resort. There was nothing open at the resort, but we were there to geocache. We drove up Indian Flat Road. There were caches every tenth of a mile all the way to the campground about 7 miles up the mountain. This is a view of the road from almost the top of the mountain.

 Once we found the caches, we were hungry, so we went in search of a place to eat. Warner Springs was closed as were the places at Lake Henshaw. Our last resort was Santa Ysabel Casino. As luck would have it, when you applied for their player's card you qualified for a free surf and turf dinner. Yes, Bob and I had surf and turf as our late lunch. By the time we got back to the RV, it was dark.

The next day it was geocaching again. This time we searched on the other side of town near the sculptures. 

 We thought Christopher and DeAnna would like to see these!

Thursday, we went hiking with a new friend we met camping near us. He suggested The Slot. It was a great hike through a slot canyon in the park.

Some of the passageways were pretty narrow.

Once out of the slot we continued on to a different rock formation. The holes in this rock were very smooth. Anza Borrego Desert Park is Butch's favorite park. He took us on some fantastic hikes.

Then it was time to go back through the slot. We all wondered why this rock was still hanging above the slot.It has some serious fractures that go all the way through the rock.

 There are so many hikes and places to see around Borrego Springs that we decided to stay at least two weeks. This is the end of our first week!