We Have Moved to Borrego Springs, CA

February 16, 2018

On Friday we decided it was time to move on. This spot, even though we could see Ogilby Road and hear the trains, was a peaceful place to spend some time. As always we are sad to be leaving while at the same time looking forward to our next adventure just down the road.

The sunrise was behind the clouds this morning and the sun was a ways
up in the sky before it made its appearance.

The clouds did eventually open up and leave the blue of sky show through.

The clouds formed a line of lace scallops across the sky.

Soon with one last look it was time to leave.

Then we were out on Ogilby Road to hook the Jeep up to the Stinger "B".

After I did my part inside the Jeep I took a walk up to this monument, on
the side of the road, to check out what it said.

Some history about the area.
Clicking on the pictures will open them larger.

As I turned to walk back I could see Tom talking to a someone. It was their
first time boondocking in the area and had stopped to ask some questions.
 He was wondering where we had been parked, and would he be able to turn
around in the spot. After giving directions Tom  also mentioned the soft sand.
Patsy and Bill, they were pulling a very familiar looking 5th wheel.

One last picture of our view of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

Tom could see he had pulled in one area short of where we had been parked.
This actually was the spot we had spent one night in last year.

After we finished our checklist and started to pull away
I could see they were parked in the spot we had vacated.
It was a nice feeling to pull away knowing another couple would be
enjoy the views and peacefulness of that wonderful space.

As we headed North, I believe that is the Chocolate Mountains,
we could see in the distance.

Turning onto California 78, not sure why but this gentleman was very
interested in this sign,

we could see the he well remembered "Dips" ahead of us.

Once you have driven this section it is hard to forget the roller coaster ride.

Not much farther and the GFOC Mine is ahead of us.

Then around the corner and the Imperial Dunes can be seen on the horizon.

Getting closer.

A busy place.

Going past the West side it is just as busy.

We passed quite a few of these small toy haulers today as we continued
west past the dunes.

Then there were green fields

and lots of sheep.

We spotted irrigation systems,

 irrigation canals,

along with this large reservoir.

A Border Patrol Checkpoint is ahead of us.

One line slowly making its way to the checkpoint
way up there.

We passed the "sniff test" and were waved through.

Turning we continued on 78 towards today's goal.

A wonderful view to be riding towards.

I have spotted Ocotillo.

Our turn, Borrego Springs Rd is just ahead.

The Texas Dip and the Stinger "B" took it with ease.

Leaving the American Legion after using their dump station
and filling our fresh water tank. Plus, our garbage had
been disposed of. Yes, the front window is dirty again.

We had seriously thought about parking here for a couple of nights but when we pulled in the place was full. While Tom was having "fun" at the dump station another couple came up to talk to us. They asked if we were going to be staying actually they said they hoped we were staying. They said when they got there earlier in the week they had the place to themselves but then this group showed up and it is all men, no couples. We chatted a while and it would have been nice to park by them but there was no way the Stinger "B" was going to fit. In fact, when Tom went in to pay to use the facilities the post's commander said he hoped we were not looking for a parking place as they were full.  (There was a large group parked in the area all wearing red t-shirts with some sort of logo on them. When one stopped I did ask what was going on and he explained that they were a rescue group. Basically a group of veterans that visit different American Legion posts to make sure they have the funds and means to keep going each year. Plus, they help out at different National Monuments and they do this all with their own funds. What a wonderful group this is.)

The Santa Rosa Mountains, our destination is just off to the
right out of the picture. 

One last stop to unhook the Jeep before we ride down Rockhouse Canyon Rd.

February 17, 2018

We are parked out on Rockhouse Canyon Rd. The middle picture is the view of the Santa Rosa Mountains that we are here for. The two top views are the bonus.

The bottom pictures are our neighbors. The group on our right is a square of four Class C Motor homes, three of which are rentals, they arrived after dark on Friday. Getting the motor homes parked and their area set up was a loud project, lots of parking directions, and I am sure doing it in the dark did not help. Once they were set up they entertained our area with music until 11 o'clock.  They are a lively group and there are at least twelve kids of various ages riding bikes, playing games, running around, and generally being kids but not overly noisy. The adults on the other hand believe we all want to hear their music pretty much all day and into the evening. We understand that they are enjoying the weekend and will be gone come Monday so having them close by is not an issue. In someways it has been entertaining and besides most of what they are playing is music we recognize. (They where gone Monday morning.)

Our neighbors on the left are not going any where soon and have two big dogs. Dogs that we have only seen out a couple of times. Mostly they are inside the trailer, you can see in the picture, and do like to bark on and off during the day. Especially when left alone which seems to be most of the time. At least it is not constant barking which would get annoying. Mostly we feel sorry for the dogs.

We thought about moving but we like our spot and are enjoying our views. So for right now we are happy where we are at.


February 18, 2018

It is Sunday and I have no pictures. I did not get up in time for the sunrise and we had a call from our daughter and missed the sunset. This morning as we drank our coffee out on our patio enjoying the view it was actually quiet and the sun was wonderfully warm.  I again sat out and read in the lovely warm afternoon sun. Tom, the good guy he is, went by himself to get some of our laundry done.

As the day progressed so did the wind and every once and awhile the Stinger "B" did some rocking. The next couple of days will be getting cooler and windier but it looks like we will be under sunny skies so no complaints here. We want to take a couple of rides and do some hiking so cooler temperatures will actually make the experience more fun.

That was our Sunday. I could say nothing really special happened. 

Yet, any day you get to spend living your dream is pretty special.

Travel. 

As much as you can.

As far as you can.

As long as you can.

Life's not meant to be lived in one place.

                                                               ~unknown

We are enjoying our time parked out in the desert by Borrego Springs, CA. 

As we drank our morning coffee we were looking at the Santa Rosa Mountains
and wonderful blue skies with the occasional white fluffy cloud floating by.
Not a bad way to spend a morning. Hope you enjoyed yours.

If you would like to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.

Valentine's Day/Ash Wednesday and Another Ride around the Ogilby Hills

February 14, 2018

Today was Valentine's Day and this year it is also Ash Wednesday which for us is a Holy Day and the first day of Lent.  Today's plan was to attend Mass, buy a compressor, shopping, grocery shopping, and out to lunch for Valentine's Day. So we were up early and on our way to Yuma to take care of the list.

In 49 years, counting the year we were engaged, Tom has not missed a
Valentine's Day! There are always flowers.
This year it is a rose bush. Not sure where we are going to put it
but it has a lot of buds so I am going to be seeing more roses very soon.  

On our way to the Home Depot, which was our first stop of the day, I could
see this train slowly moving next to the road. The graffiti I see on the side
of boxcars always fascinates me.

The first stop at Home Depot was not successful. Tom had done some research online about a purchase he wanted to make. After having the one tire go a little soft when we where in Quartzsite and since, we do a lot of boondocking he thought it would be a good idea to purchase a compressor.
He had it narrowed down to two and decided to check out the one at Home Depot first. After asking two people for help, being assured both times someone would be right with him, and after waiting ten minutes both times with no one in sight he decided it was not worth anymore of his time. He told the woman at the desk, he was looking at compressors to purchase for his fleet but since they could not be bothered to help him he would go elsewhere. When he got back in the Jeep and told me this I almost wished I had not waited outside...LOL

Our second stop was Harbor Freight Tools where he was helped
immediately and in no time at all was loading his new compressor in the
back of the Jeep. Success!

Our next stop was at the Lotus Day Spa. I was in search of Aveda sunscreen and they had it so off we went. Second successful stop!
On our way back to the west side of Yuma we stopped at the Walmart to pick up a few things and then we headed over to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for Mass.

On the left , this is outside of the building where there church offices are.
The courtyard and covered entrance into the church.

The altar area had beautiful stain glass above.

One of the Stations of the Cross.
Done in a fiber art. They were quite beautiful and unusual.
I had never seen the stations done this way before. 

After Mass our next stop was lunch and we were looking for a place to have seafood. (Being Catholic today is a day of Abstinence for us which means no meat.) For Tom and I this is not really a sacrifice since we both like seafood. After checking out the restaurants near the Yuma Palms Mall, our next stop after lunch, we decided on Red Lobster. Neither one of us could remember the last time we had been to one but knew there would be something on the menu we liked. We each had a cup of their Lobster Bisque then Tom had the Fish and Chips and I had a Caesar Salad with Shrimp.

I then checked out a couple of the stores in the mall with little success as far as what I was looking for. After that we went to the Fry's and then Sprouts to pick up groceries. Finished shopping we were both more then ready to head back to the Stinger "B" and enjoy a late Happy Hour and then dinner.


February 15, 2018

After our long day in Yuma the day before we had decided that today would be a lazy sort of day as we slowly got things ready for moving the next day. Tom unpacked his compressor and checked out the tires and I put away the few things I had taken out when we parked. After checking our supplies I realized there were a couple of things on our list I had missed. We talked and decided to take a ride back to Yuma to pick them up and on the way we would take a second ride down Sidewinder Rd. This time staying on track, no side roads, checking out a few more parking possibilities for the future.

If the picture looks familiar it is because I posted when I was working on
another catch up post. This was taken on the 15th so I decided to
post it here, also. 

Walking around I found another piece of weathered wood for my collection.
(This collection is pictures only.)
What do you see?

The mountains with the clouds over them always changing always beautiful.
I cannot imagine ever tiring of this view.

The shadows that appear as the sun moves across the sky
add to the never ending show.

Then you see something like this. It isn't even an actual hole just a small
indention on the floor of the desert.  

As I was walking toward the little Ocotillo in the next picture I spotted
this rock on the ground in the shape of a heart.
Seemed totally appropriate since I love the Ocotillo.

We were off the road checking out a possible parking spot when I saw the
larger of these two Ocotillos and then I saw the little green plant in front.
I have never seen one this small before and from a distance I was not
positive it was an Ocotillo but when I got closer...yes, it was.

I have finally seen a Baby Ocotillo growing wild!
All tiny and green but beware there are long thorns even this small.
Patsy, isn't he cute?

We finished our ride on Sidewinder, connected with I-8, and headed East to Yuma. Two stops later, well three with the Dairy Queen, and we were headed back West and home.

When we got back to the American Girl Mine Rd we decided to take a
ride out to the end of the road. Above is as far as you can go on the main road.

Sign next to the gate.

Open mine pit.

Circling around and down a side road, left of the main road,
in the distance you can see the mining equipment.

The end of the road for today.
The sun is starting to set, it is time to go home, and unload our groceries.

The sun making its descent behind a cloud.

Interesting clouds over to the East.

The sun continuing to descend and taking the light of our day with it. 

It is a close race as far as beauty.
The last of the sun's light hitting the mountains is beautiful.

The sun slipping behind the horizon is beautiful.

So I keep looking back and forth.

With a final burst of color the sun is gone.

Leaving behind some fluffy pink clouds hanging out over the Stinger "B"
Our last sunset parked out here on American Girl Mine Rd for this year.
It did not disappoint.

Even though our day started out slowly and lazily it ended up with a ride and shopping. 

Not a bad day but not the lazy day we had planned before moving tomorrow.

A good day just the same. Hope you can say the same.

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.