A new location near Borrego Springs........

Our Location: Outside Borrego Springs, California


A fantastic night’s sleep yet again. I was out the door just shortly after 6 am for sunrise pictures. A nice quiet event, perfect for our last day at Joshua Tree. The temperature was the same as the last few days at 58F/14.8C a perfect morning temperature. Reminds me of back home on Snob Hill.

Sunset this morning at Joshua Tree National Park BLM....

Just for my own curiousity I counted the number of non camper type vehicles, meaning vehicles that are not equipped for camping. I counted an even dozen in our little area. That includes vans, cars, and pickup trucks with a cap. I think it was pretty much an even  number of true camping vehicles but I didn’t count them, but if there was any leader it was non camper style. Did you get all that?

A very pretty sky, don't you think?

Back inside I was puttering around doing a few things in my end of the Igloo when Riley voiced her good mornings and the day was starting. We weren’t rushed since there wasn’t much to do except hook up and do the inside of the Igloo. We enjoyed our hot drinks, I read a few blogs and then we started doing our packing up. We were hooked up and pulling out before 9 am.

The moon during sunrise at Joshua Tree National Park BLM....

We headed off through Box Canyon Road for a leisurely drive and enjoyed our last trip through there this season.  We didn’t hurry and managed to get to the Red Earth Casino by 9:40 am. They have RV dump stations (3) there as well as free water. The dump is $8 but you can pay at the station (credit or debit) or inside at the travel center (cash). I went inside to pay cash, she gave me the code. Back outside and had everything ready to go, punched in the code, wait….wait……wait….for 5 minutes I waited. Nothing, it wouldn’t release the lid. Back inside I went, she told me to just try a different station. Hm….okay, back outside, disconnect the hose, move everything back to the last working (?) station. Hook up the hose, have it ready to go, punch in the code, it goes. Yeah…..

The sun is popping quickly....

 
I’ve never used one of these pay stations before and if you have then you won’t have any interest in this paragraph. It states that you should be ready to start dumping BEFORE you pay at the station or push in the code. Meaning they want you to have the hose connected and anything else that you feel you need to do. There is a 1 minute time limit before the lid locks, after that limit it will lock the lid again if you don’t have your hose under it. After 15 minutes with the lid up an alarm will sound. I have no idea what happens but that’s what it states on the little information blurb. There are no hoses on the water valve, you need to supply your own for rinsing the hose and you need a hose as the spigot points into the air and unless you want a rain shower I think you would be best to attach a hose. The water will seep under the lid to drain away, I checked for my own satisfaction. 

These canyons are on the Borrego-Salton Sea Way and we'll go back again for another look and better pictures...

We pulled ahead to the driveway that leads back out to the main drive, they have numerous water spigots  there stating RV/Water. It is complete with a hose. There are at least 3 that I noticed. However there is also one at the air/water station near the end of the gas station pumps, plus the girl told me they have POTABLE water between 14-15 at the back. I am assuming she meant fuel pumps, but I didn’t go around to look. They also have a Glacier Water dispensing machine, fuel, showers, and I think laundry as well. So a one stop shop for those that are interested. Red Earth Casino on US Hwy 86 between Mecca and Salton City. 

It is certainly very scenic out here....taken through the truck windshield, the blue is part of the tinting making it look an odd colour...

Back on the road by 10:38 am, it was an hour well spent. We turned right onto Borrego-Salton Sea Way, we found Rock House Road and Henderson Canyon road but from the road the spots didn’t really appeal to us, but across from the sign indicating Henderson Canyon Road (sign on the right, spot is on the left) is a very large spot with a number of units parked out in the desert. We opted for that area and have found ourselves a nice little spot with a bit shade from a tree. I am not certain what kind of tree but I’ll post a picture and maybe some one can tell us. Since we don’t use too much power I’m not concerned about the shade on the panels, if it is an issue we’ll simply move. However we have a bit of shade, a nice cool breeze and we’re happy. We started getting set up just about noon, and by 12:30 pm I was calling Dad and Riley was making us a big salad for lunch. So it was a good morning.

That's us over there parked in the shade of the tree.....I didn't edit this picture in any way...

Dad wasn’t in and I left a message with Marion. Riley and I  both enjoyed just a large salad for lunch followed by a few oatmeal cookies. We spent the afternoon reading and lazing around. I will admit I spent most of the afternoon laying across my bed reading my book. I found the road extremely rough this morning for some reason and thought that laying down would be better than sitting up. A nice cool breeze coming in  my bedroom window had the temperature just perfect. I didn’t have a nap though, I know you thought that’s where this was headed but you’re mistaken. 

This the tree beside us....No idea what it is, perhaps a pine of some kind...

Shortly after 4 pm I was up and about, we were discussing our plans regarding our stay here. We’re not sure just how long we’ll be here, but at least a week, after that who knows. We have a few errands we want to accomplish in this area before we make any further plans. I’ll keep you posted on those.

Is that a crop circle in the desert? My nephew Jason would appreciate riding his dirt bike here....

I grabbed my book, the camera and my hat before heading outside around 4:50 pm, calling my dad again as I stepped outside. We chatted for about 15 minutes with him telling me they are getting very cold weather for the next week. Well what can I say? Sucks to be there. I called my brother’s house and chatted with Barb for a half hour about a few things. I should call those folks more often but for some reason the time just seems to slip away before I get around to it. I’ll put that on my to do list.

That's a bit closer shot, see the shade on the Igloo from the tree? 

Sunset was occurring while I chatted and I snapped pictures. I’m able to multi task on occasion but I’m not one to push my luck, I know my limits. Two tasks is the limit. A beautiful sunset here in our new location and I must say I have no doubt the sunrise will be spectacular as well. I’ll let you know though. 

And of course the flip side as well....

Outside after the sun had left our presence it wasn’t cold as I was wandering around in short pants and a sleeveless top. It’s dark here now, after 7 pm and we still have the big door open, the vents and a few windows. I’m certain we’ll be sleeping with the windows and vents open while we’re here. We can smell someone’s fire and Riley is recalling our summer nights on Snob Hill with campfires on many nights.

The sun is going down after another glorious day here in sunny California...

Inside editing pictures and writing this post, but I could be outside doing it just as easily as it’s still pretty warm out there. I however tend to feel the cold more than some and I don’t want to temp the fates as my hands have been pretty good since we’ve been out here in the southwest. I wonder if typing out side in the cool night air might make them ache, and I’m not willing to test it out.

That's the Igloo nose you can see in this picture. I left it in so you could see the view we have our the dining/living room windows.

So there you have it, our day travel day here in Southwestern California. Not a long trip, less than a hundred miles. We’re nestled in around the bottom of the mountains and tomorrow I’ll have a better look at those mountains and the surrounding area. Who knows maybe I’ll climb one of ‘em. Wouldn’t that be fun? 

 

Pretty nice reflection on the Igloo.....

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy reading them.

It was much redder in real time but it's not bad even in the picture...

Until next time….. take care, be safe, 

Good night from near Borrego Springs, California

Deb