It's the journey.......: #17 California, Here We Come.....

We shot across Arizona with only one quick stop outside of Tucson near the Saguaro Desert NP at Gilbert Ray CG. Then it was go-go until Quartzsite and a few days rest in the wide-open, free expanse of the desert where silence and solitude settle on one like a warm wool blanket on cold, frosty night.

Restored and still seeking elusive zones of warmth we drove west into the stark beauty of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. We had visited this area two years ago and remembered the other-worldliness of the landscape. We were intrigued by the forests of those prickly trees contrasting with the eroded, rounded mountains of boulders and the deceivingly soft looking teddy bear Cholla cactus. We decided to visit parts of the Park that we had missed the last time and discovered even more wonderful beauty. We chose to stay in smaller, more remote campgrounds like Bella and Hidden Valley where rock climbers and birds abound.

Barker Dam Hike

Keys View Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree NP

We left the National Park and followed the warmer rays south and west of the Salton Sea area. It is such an oddity there in the greater California desert. Because the sea is drying up so are the resort and fishing towns like Oasis, Desert Shores and Salton City that had grown up around its shoreline. We stopped at couple but frankly they were a lot like the abandoned and ruined areas along the Gulf Coast only without the tanginess of the salt air!

We decided a visit to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park might net us some photos of the desert in bloom. Alas, we were about one week too early, although we did find a few patches along the back roads near the town of Borrego Springs.

We also found an interesting ‘patch’ of something else, entirely! Out south of town in one of those flat, parched, nearly uninteresting areas was an artist’s effort at improving the view – dozens of large, metal animal sculptures; just there, being intriguing and interesting, presenting themselves to spur any passerby’s imagination. We were reminded of the other sculptures we had found in our travels, also in such out of the way places like Regent, North Dakota. Man’s insatiable need to express himself in art and to place that art in natural settings is very odd in a way. Ah well, it always makes for great photography!

We found out from a lovely volunteer at the Visitor’s Center that there were areas outside of town that allowed unlimited free camping. It sure tied in with our new and surprisingly rearranged income and budget! We found a great spot northeast of town and set up the Pod to take advantage of mountain and sunset views. We made the acquaintance of a gentleman and his two dogs that were sort of parked next door. (Next door in these situations is like 100 yards to a ½ mile away!) Now we enjoy all creatures, even really, really odd-looking dogs, but Lilly Belle, the hairless whatever was a rich and rare experience! She was playful, smart, energetic, smart, loving, and did I mention smart? We just knew that our Bo Boy would have loved her despite her lack of canine beauty.

We traveled down State routes 3 and 2 stopping at scenic spots for photo ops. Then it was out of the Park and on to Ocotillo, right turn onto Interstate 8 and west toward San Diego.

Box Canyon