Borrego Springs - tau Herculids Meteor Shower

The night of Memorial Day was moonless and with the possibility of a meteor storm, I loaded up and for an overnight to Borrego Springs.

As typical I stopped a Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel for a Baja sandwich that will make two meals.

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I miss-timed my arrival to Christmas Circle

to attend the complete Veterans Memorial Service, provided by the local American Legion Post 853.  But did catch the bugler playing Taps and the honor guard providing a 21 gun salute.

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This Scout Car was used by General Patton while training in Anza Borrego was on display

From Christmas Circle I stopped to top off the truck.  If cost is any indication of quality, Borrego must have some real quality fuel!

gas 6.89;6.99;7.09 - diesel 6.89

The road up to Font’s Point required 4x4.  That’s not usually the case, but the sand and ruts were pretty deep.

At mid-day I was the only one there for about half hour.  It was a nice visit with dad.

After Font’s Point I drove over to the American Legion

with the idea of taking a picture of the Missing Man Table that is always there.  I think all of Borrego was there!  Burgers and war stories for some 500 guests.  Here's a picture from the web of a Missing Man Table.

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After the flag raising, I left in search of cactus that might still be in bloom.  What rain that does fall in this area will drain into the Texas Dip.  Nope nothing there.

I headed over to Ocotillo Wells, with the idea to set up my camp there at one of the provided shelters.  Free camping, with showers available kinda appealed to me.  Altho not crowded, the activity was hectic and the sites near the showers taken by two large groups, so moving on.

Slowjamastan is just a bit further east on CA78.  Unlike my last visit there has been noticeable progress.

The boundary fence marks the territorial boarder with the US.

Altho I got a good chuckle out of this warning sign, I did not test it for accuracy

With the population now around 200 Slowjamastanies, I was not surprised to see property signs going up.  This lot belongs to the Palmer family.

I returned to Borrego Springs with the thought the ocotillo garden in Coyote Canyon might have some color left to photograph.

I’ve never encountered such deep sand in Coyote Canyon, again I’d advise 4x4.

A surprising number of ocotillo have suffered from the drought.

Some have succumbed

The ocotillo is drought deciduous, dropping it’s leaves when water is not available.  This one is waiting for better times ahead.

None had any leaves and  Coyote Creek was dry.

I set up camp on the east side of Peg Leg Smith, which is just a short drive way.

The meteor shower radiant should be directly overhead near Arcturus.

I’m the only one here!  Despite a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event it’s just me.

Unfortunately, not only did the meteor storm not occur, the wind was Biblical!  I did see several small slow moving particles that went ‘poof’ in a bright burst.  And several ‘streakers’, that started dim, become bright streaks, before fading away.  There some meteors, just not the anticipated 'storm'.

Although the tau Herculids were just a mediocre performance, I enjoyed the day in Borrego Springs.

Fiesta del Sol - Solana Beach

Fiesta del Sol is the Kickoff To Summer held annually at Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach.

I again parked near the arches marking the Solana Beach section of the Coastal Rail Trail.

If you have the chance to walk or bike the Solana Beach section of the Coastal Rail Trail, don't miss the arches.

This history of Solana Beach is displayed via their inlays.  The railroad joined Solana Beach in 1882.

Coastal Rail Trail arch is just inside the Solana Beach arch.

Over a century after the railroad arrived Solana Beach incorporated as a city in 1986.

And today there’s surfing at Fletcher Cove, which is my destination today.

The trail is very well manicured, with its landscaping was in full Spring bloom.  Here's a few pictures I stopped to take of the flowers..

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And the elusive desert five spot.  Well it’s a bit elusive in the desert (I’ve only seen a couple), but pretty common in landscaping as a maintained ornamental.

I parked my bike near the entrance to Fletcher Cove, next to a dog friendly drinking fountain.

And the landscaping marking the entrance.

So very many vendors along the main street.  Most were locals offering art, but some offering commercial products.  I suspect this mask vendor would do better at an event closer to Halloween.

The stuffed animal keychains are whimsical and imported from Thailand.

I’m sure Fran would say I have more than enough Hawaiian shirts.  But there were a few nice ones in that collection I thought of taking home.

Of course there were lots of food options.  Thai dishes are usually pretty good.

But they do not compare to a good taco IHMO.

I actually considered that cauliflower taco!  But resisted …

I could hear Mexican music coming from the main stage.  There were a dozen young gals in their folkloric best dancing.

And their older classmates.

I wandered down toward the ocean, where there was a kids play area with various games, including cornhole.  But the kids were tossing the bean bags at each other!  It was kinda fun but they were to quick for a picture, but the rock wall climber was pretty slow.

About this time a band took over the main stage.  I didn’t care for their loud unfamiliar music.  So moved further down the beach.  Just a few surfers out there waiting for the next perfect wave.

For $12,000 I could have driven a street legal golf cart over to the Farmers Market that began at noon.

But I rode my bike over instead.  It's in the high rent area of Cedros Avenue, the Design District of Solana Beach.  Didn’t see any Cedar Trees, guess somebody liked the sound of word cedar in Spanish.

This is a nice market.  It’s not big, but has various offerings from the local backyard growers.

Flowers

Carrots and lots of vegetables

A Persian booth offering Carrot Jam, new to me

A Chez Christophe booth.  French bakery items, with salads and sandwiches.  Well this is Solana Beach, no hot dogs or philly cheese here.

So where did I end up for lunch? Subway!  Foot long turkey breast with all the entire garden (including peppers) and no dressing.  Half for lunch and half for dinner.  I seem to collect fast food gift cards.  I still have a Carl's Jr, this Subway and TWO for Rubio's fish tacos - one is two years old!  I need to get out more :)

Even under the May Gray skies it was a pretty darn good day.  Trust yours was too.