California Deserts

We decided to brave the big expected storm in southern California and attend the TDS weekend.  We only got 10 rain drops the whole weekend.

This is a Self-Guided off-road tour open to 4X4 vehicles of varying skill levels and vehicle capabilities. 

 

 

 

 Next we moved over to Agua Caliente County Park.  Where we met up with our friends George and Janine for some more Jeeping and relaxing.

 The seismic activity that long ago shaped the Tierra Blanca Mountains to the west and created the fault that runs beneath the park, also enabled water to come to the surface and form the park's natural springs.  Two naturally fed pools provide different ways to enjoying Agua Caliente's hot springs.   A large outdoor pool is kept at its natural 96°, and an indoor pool is heated and outfitted with Jacuzzi jets. The campground has four miles of hiking trails. The area offer plenty to do in the 910-acre park. Surrounding  Agua Caliente is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in the U.S. 

 

 

Indoor Jacuzzi 

 Guess who forgot her bathing suit.  Luckily Janine had an extra one.

 

 Oriflame Canyon

 

Dolimite Mine

 

 Oops

 

 

We returned to Sunbeam Lake in El Centro for some more fun in the sun with the Washington Snowbirds we met last summer.

NAF El Centro is the winter home of the Blue Angels. While we were there they practiced 2 times a day - 2 days a week.  They are getting ready to kick off their season with their first air show, traditionally held at NAF El Centro in March.

Fat Albert

 

 The Painted Gorge, located on the eastern side of the Coyote Mountains, consists of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. Heat and movement over time has created fantastic shapes and colors. Oranges, reds, purples, and mauves mixed with browns and blacks create a palette of color as the sun illuminates and plays shadows upon this geologic wonder.  I used to camp here as a child.  It was funny to revisit and recognize old camp sites.  However some things had changed in the last 42 years.  Part of the area are now closed from January through June to protect the lambing of endangered  Peninsular Bighorn Sheep.
 

 

 Jeeping with the "Snowbirds" from Washington again

 

 

Passing by Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on Highway 62 we saw 6 of the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep butting heads and carrying-on. Very cool!   

 

 

Joshua Tree National Park

 Where two worlds meet.  Two distinct deserts, the Colorado and the Mojave, merge at Joshua Tree National Park.  They differ in elevation, average temperature, and annual rainfall but share about half the plant species and most wildlife species.

Skull Rock

Can you spot the climber half way up?

 Here he is half way down.  He went both up and down without any ropes.

 

After leaving  the Twenty Nine Palms area and Joshua Tree National Park we continued on to Bakersfield for a weekend Square Dance Festival.  While here we also celebrated Dave's birthday.