Very windy....and we've moved....

 

Our Location: 

Ocotillo Wells BLM, Salton Sea, California 

 

The day started right where the night left off, major winds and lots of dust. The slides in and hunkered down we watched out the window all day as the dust obscured the views. Finally just before 4 pm PST the winds dropped significantly and we attached the Dogsled to the Igloo and pulled out. We headed off down the road for about 5 miles and are now parked at the base of the overlook where the White Lion and the Stinger B are keeping watch. A visit from our friends had us chatting until dark. 

 

 

A note for yesterday, I forgot to mention my oldest daughter's birthday. Courtney turned 35 yesterday. We chatted on the phone for a while, getting caught up. Happy Birthday Courtney. 

 

Our neighbour didn't pull in his slides all day.

The Santa Rosa Mountains are becoming visible again.

 

The winds have died down and the dust is still settling but I think we will enjoy this spot more than the other. We will have some protection from the winds here and I'm happy about that. 

 

The ground is tilted but not quite this much (sorry I didn't straighten it), but the Salton Sea isn't visible.

There is no hint of the hills over there.

The dust is starting to settle.

It just kept getting more clear as the day passed.

 

Until next time...

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

Afternoon happy hour was here at the Igloo today...

 

Our Location: 

Truckhaven BLM, California

 

It was a do nothing kind of morning and so we did nothing, or next to nothing. I do have a few things to report however, first, the cookies purchased at Julian, were wonderful but I'm glad we only purchased 6. The pie is also delicious and while I am enjoying it, I think it will be the last one for a long time. 

 

It is all sand, the fine sand at the bottom is from riders spinning and driving over it.

One of the arches we found. Very skinny in here.

Deb & Tom texted to ask about coming to find the sand arch today and I jumped at the opportunity to spend more time with our friends. Doug opted to stay home. 

 

The banks are steep and high, only wide enough for a desert toy.

Someone's home built into the crevice of the sand. Note the different colour and shape of that line. It's sand too.

 

I started walking back to the area we would be travelling since I haven't seen the arch for a few years I thought maybe I could find it first. It wasn't long before I noticed the Little Black Limo coming along the bumpy trail and I still hadn't found it. Oh well, we'll figure it out. Long story short, they parked and we found not one but two arches. Yeah!!! Of course we had just found the second one (which was the original one we were looking for) when I had a text message from Doug saying he was on his way. 

 

Which path shall I take?

So many things contribute to this erosion but the beauty is evident.

The badlands is an interesting place to visit. So many paths to follow and yet it's all sand, hard packed, wind driven, water pounded, driven over sand. I'll let you figure out if you like it from the pics. I hope you enjoy them. 

 

This is the original arch I found years ago.

 

I asked Tom to stand in there to give you an idea of the height. Deb, the other photo didn't show up for some reason.

That little dot on the cliff up there under the arch is Tom.

After our little trek in the lower paths we climbed into the Jeep and headed back to the Igloo. Riley came out and joined us for happy hour. No photos, sorry. Doug &  Yuma left after about 40 minutes but Deb & Tom stayed until the sun was sinking below the horizon. Cooling off and time to head inside. Another good day with good friends! 

 

It is actually sand, but very hard packed and now it's drying out and flaking off in places. Crumbles in your hand.

Even the Dogsled would fit down this one!

 

I seem to chatting with my dad most nights now and so I called him around 5 PST and we chatted for a half hour or so. Not much new up there, a fine misty rain falling, somewhere between almost freezing but not really. Slight build up but so far nothing much. Mild, seems to be the word on all the lips up there. 

 

My friends seen through a small opening I'd climbed into.

A cave like opening, it goes no where. I hope you enjoyed the very edge of the  Badlands.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the trip into the Badlands. 

 

Until next time....

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

 

A visit to Julian, California ......

 

 

 Our Location: 

Truckhaven BLM, California

This morning started off slowly for us, we had no plans until around 9 AM MST. We gathered up our garbage and pointed the Dogsled toward the road and off we went. We stopped at the Ocotillo Wells BLM where we deposited our trash. I chatted with my SIL Janet this morning. We hope to see her on Monday. 

 

I think that might be Big Bear Mountain with the snow covered peak.

Very pretty off in the distance, don't you think?

There is a big variety of cactus on this drive. See the barrel cactus?

Lots of huge rocks out there!!

 

From the BLM land we went up the hill to the rim and stopped between the White Lion and the Stinger B.  A few more rigs had pulled in since we left yesterday but we still managed to park between the two. After morning greetings and pets for Yuma we climbed into the Little Black Limo with our chauffeur Thomas, navigator Deb and followed the Little Silver Streak with Doug and Yuma. We would make our way into Borrego Springs (no photos, sorry) and continued along climbing, climbing, climbing and still climbing to an elevation of a little over 4200 feet where we crested the mountain top and arrived at Julian. Our first stop was the Julian Pie Company where Tom and I purchased an apple pie each, and I managed to snag a few cookies for the bag as well. 

 

Don't you love that view?

There is a house up that hill.

Beam me up Scotty!! For you Star Trek folks.

We bought a pie from there.

 

The sidewalks were getting busier as the minutes went along and so we found our feet taking us to the Miner's Diner. Lunch was descent, Riley and I opted for Bison Burgers, a first for us, I think.  From there we wandered around into this shop and that shop. It was on the coolish side and we were all happy we had worn heavier clothing. We had thought of stopping at the pie company again so Tom and Doug could have a single piece of pie but the line up all the way to the sidewalk changed their minds. Instead we all headed back to our respective rides and began the trek homeward. Winding, twisting, hugging the curves and maybe even catching a little air in places, we finally made it down to the bottom. We all wiped our brows from the hard work!!! A few quick tours here and there in a few spots and soon we all parked back up on the rim relaxing after the hard work of touring all day. 

 

 

Main Street, Julian, California

A very cute little tourist town.

A working model train in the Miner's Diner.

Love the sign.

 

Soon a small white jeep pulled up and out pops a couple of folks that seemed to magically know who we were, Jeff and Fran ( Ruffin it with Rufus ) stopped by to visit. It was nice chatting with them for a few minutes and hearing a few things we didn't know! We were happy they had stopped by! Soon however it was time for Riley and I to head home before dark came. We said our goodbyes and see you laters and off we went. 

Some left over snow in the shady corners.

Yep, snow for real.

I think he wanted to be my friend....

Al, this photo is for you. Borrego Springs down there.

A bit of a closer look.

At home we found we had a few new neighbours. Since they are still hooked up, I assume they will be here for the night before loading up their toys and heading out tomorrow. A call to my dad and we called it a night. 

A very deep gulch here on our way down the mountain side.

Growth on the side of a very rocky and steep side of the road. Directly across from the above photo.

That notch is actually a two lane road that we just came down. It winds down the mountain side.

I think that is a solar far way off over there.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

Yep, I think those blue things down there are solar panels.

A little stone guard rail behind the big metal one but they aren't very high. Borrego Springs in the background.

Fran, Jeff, Riley, Deb D, Yuma, Doug, and Tom.

Until next time...

Take care, stay safe, 

Deb

A slot canyon trek….

 

Our Location:

Truckhaven BLM, California 

Riley and I headed up to the rim to visit for morning coffee and on the way stopped to chat with some folks we noticed in an area of interest to us but laden with signs. To our delight we found the answers to the questions to our likening and will be returning in the future with a much better to place to park. 

I love the colours!

The entrance to the slot canyon.

I fear the arch won't be here much longer, there are signs of deterioration.

Doug offered to give a size reference.

We arrived on the rim for morning coffee with the folks, of course Yuma greeted us as if it had been years since we were last together instead of just yesterday. Deb & Tom ( Celebrating the Dance )and Doug (Miss Adventure Travels ) as well as Riley and I sat around enjoying the company and the moments. We made plans for later and with that Riley and I came back to the Igloo. 

Calcite I believe.

The rocks are embedded in the sand. Yes, that is sand, hard and unyielding.

All of this is made of sand.

A small crevice, too high to climb up into and very skinny.

I returned alone as Riley had a sinus headache. We left Yuma guarding their home dirt and the four of us headed off in the Little Black Limo to the slot canyon Doug had recently visited.  An enjoyable trek for us as we marvelled at the smooth walls and poked our noses in all kinds of places. We met a couple of fellow Canadians on the path, they hail from BC,  but the woman grew up within about a 100 miles of where I did. Although she was across the waters of Lake Huron on the Bruce Peninsula. It truly is a small world.

Tiny rivulets of sand. 

Explorer Tom.

Yep, we went up there.

An expansion joint like line between the layers of sand.

Back at the rim, we visited a bit longer before I headed home. I like to be home before dark and Riley was here alone. It’s been a great day and I truly enjoyed my time with friends. 

I love the wall of sand.

We followed the canyon floor along.

Nancy, it looks like they used that paint here like on your house....white spots.

We didn't go up that way...we thought about it, but didn't do it.

More Calcite.

I had to hold up the wall until the others went past.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Until next time….

Take care, stay safe,

Deb