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.

Contentment

February 11, 2017

Today started with us watching the sunrise. The colors started out really bright when the sun was still behind the mountains but became muted by the time it peeked over.

The mountains in the west caught some nice light as the sun rose a little higher.

Doug and, his dog, Yuma, Miss Adventure Travels, walked over to introduce themselves this morning. We thought it was them parked just past us so I made a comment on his blog mentioning this. When he read it he decided to come over and say hello. Glad we had the opportunity to chat for a bit. Plus, we appreciated his input on a couple of jeep rides he thought we would enjoy. Hope to see them down the road again. 

Waving goodbye as they head off on their next adventure.

We took a short drive to check out the area. In every direction the views
are beautiful. There were mountains and white fluffy clouds all around us.

Pretty sure this is the Texas Dip the sign mentioned a 9% grade ahead.

These mountains look like marshmallow fluff just landed on them.

We attended mass at St. Richard Catholic Church in Borrego Springs. It is a lovely church and the parishioners were very welcoming.
According to the church's history page, fundraising for the mission began in 1952 and construction began in the summer of 1953. It was built largely by volunteers and financial support was provided by the sixteen catholic families living in Borrego and by many others in the community. Originally it was to be called the de Anza Catholic mission, named for Juan Bautista de Anza, the early Spanish explorer who traversed the Borrego Valley in 1774 and 1775. This name was short lived and on April 25, 1954 the Most Reverend Charles F, Buddy, Bishop of the San Diego Diocese, dedicated the new worship space St. Richard Catholic Church.

Behind the crucifix is a stained glass window added in 2001.
The upper right is a memorial created in honor of A.A. Burnand, Jr.,
the"father" of Borrego Springs. It is located in front of the church.
 (He donated the land the church was built on.)
Middle right is a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe inside the church.
Bottom right is shrine honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. A cemetery surrounds
this shrine and cremains of many of the parishioners have been placed there.

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,

but the realization of how much you already have."

~unknown