Borrego Springs, California

The Pumpkin Patch

The Little People

Truckhaven obstacle course

Galleta Meadows features over 130 large metal art sculptures

This spring was named by Captain Juan Bautista de Anza when his overland exploration party camped here on March 14, 1774

San Gregorio

Somewhere in this narrow valley, perhaps on this very spot, the Anza Expeditions of 1774 and 1775 made their camps. Water for the 240 people and over 800 head of stock on the 1775 march was obtained from a series of wells, deeper than the height of a man, dug into the sandy bottom of the wash.

Remains of the water reservoir for the old cotton fields

The Palms at Indian Head

Celebrating with a pre New Year Eve dinner at Coyote Steakhouse located in The Palms.

The Palms at Indian Head is at the site of the Old Hoberg Resort, the first major lodging facility in Borrego Springs. Built in 1947, the 20 acre resort was a favorite getaway for the Hollywood stars in the 1950’s. 

Enjoying the Art gallery

Entrance to The Squeeze

 The Squeeze exit

Now you can see why they call it The Squeeze

Heart Attack Hill

Vallecito Stage Station

Vallecito has been preserved as a 71-acre county park built around a reconstruction of the historic Butterfield Stage Station which was a stop in the overland mail route to California in the second half of the 1800's. James E. Birch got the first contract from the US government to carry mail from San Antonio to San Diego. 

Doing our good deed for the day

Welcome to the newest geologic feature in Ocotillo Wells!

This "baby" gas dome initially appeared in 2002, and like its brethren further along the Gas Dome Trial, it is constantly gurgling water to the surface.

Pooch Canyon

 

Spudding in an Oil Well

Spring of 1929  everyone involved with the creation of the oil derrick came out to witness the start of its operation.  Despite their high hopes, this well was yet another disappointment - never producing.

While the derrick is gone, the well casings and foundations remain

Artesian Well

Per flying over our camp on his Paramotor

Per's view of the Badlands

Ready to do this!  Taking a day off from Jeeping. We Hiked up Whales Peak.

Turned out to be more of a boulder scramble than a hike

Noisy woodpecker

Made it!

Giving our feet a rest at the top