Easter Greetings

May Gray began in mid-March and continues with only an occasional sunny afternoon.  But this Easter Sunday is as good as we’ve had.

Fran's Easter Basket

The month started with my brother Marty and his wife Juanita up from Mazatlán.  There he is known as mar-TEEN, and she as juan-EE.  I can't seem to get the hang of that.

For our first out the 4 of us took a few days to enjoy Borrego Springs.  I again camped at the American Legion with full hookups $30.

Marty and Juanita

All 4 of us enjoyed the comforts of Rufus.  I often sleep outside to enjoy the night sky, but not this time!  The wind really picked up. The flags at the Legion were straight out and flapping.

We always make time for a trip and some alone time with dad at Fonts Point.

This would be dad’s forever view. 

And Juanita and Marty sharing the view.

Every year there is more erosion at the point.  Last Days in the Desert was filmed at Fonts Point.  All the information signs were removed for the filming.  After the filming the signs were replaced.  This particular sign was about 5 feet back for the edge and I could safely walk around it.  But I won’t try it now!

We of course enjoyed a Julian Pie.

of course it was Apple Mountain Berry!

We went to Old Town a couple times.  It's close and always interesting.

We walked about with the idea of finding breakfast.  Juanita chose the Livingroom Cafe and Mexican Grill.

This is a new-to-me spot, she said it remindered her of the barrio cafes of home.  The food was pretty good, it pretty much disappeared before I thought to get a picture.

Breakfast burrito served with a lot of fruit and potatoes

Fiesta de Reyes has Mariachi music on Saturday and Folkloric dancing on Sunday.

We were there on a Saturday, which worked out well as Junita knew all the dance moves and words to most of the mariachi music.

Juanita did most of the cooking for breakfast.  I offered to take them to Breakfast Republic in Liberty Station.  It is a chain, but I’d not been to this location.  The entire staff is very bi-lingual!  Juanita loved it!, Marty a bit embarrassed not being able to keep up, after he offered to translate.

Our final outing was a visit to Point Loma, where I expected Juanita could at least be able to see her beloved Mexico.  Heck, we could barely see North Island!

and the lighthouse could of had its fog horn blaring.

But the lighthouse below did not have a fog warning either.

So down we went to the Big Bay side of Point Loma for a walk on the La Playa Trail.

Beautiful there with the fog only clinging to the upper areas.

This is a beautiful level trail that had lots of gardens with blooming flowers.

As we move on toward Kellogg Beach the fog seems to be lifting from Point Loma.

I’m not a big rose fan, they require too much maintenance.  But this beauty stands alone by a fence.

Juanita and Marty on the Point Loma Yacht Club pier.

Agreed it’s not much of a club, but has a decent membership with lots of perks at the neighboring San Diego Yacht Club at a fraction of the fees.

The walk is 2 miles RT, but we only went about halfway before returning.  

They have returned to Tacoma via Tucson.  I did mention El Charro and their carne seca (dried beef) and perhaps how much I liked the carne seca relleno.  I didn’t mention the servings are generous.

Marty's lunch ... Carne seca relleno, enchalada with rice and beans

The enchilada is a bit too much :)

We've met Gay and Joe here a couple times for lunch.  Thanks to them for introducing us to El Charro! and Marty and Juanita thank you too!

While they were in Tucson Fran and I returned to Tijuana for a dental visit.

which gave us a excuse to exit I-5 north at Washington St and stop by El Indio on the way home. 

Fran says their Pollo Asada is the best chicken tostada around.  I switch between carnitas and shredded beef.

Aj has offered to house sit for us while we travel this summer.  So it’s total Spring Cleaning time as we decide where to go and when.

I hope all readers have enjoyed a great Easter day!  We certainly did!

New Years Greetings - Borrego Springs

Fran and I are again in Borrego Springs to celebrate the New Year. We have decided to again spend a couple days at the Legion and join in the New Year's potluck. You may recall the Thanksgiving potluck didn't work out so well, but we'll give them another chance ;)

This year the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) 4-Wheelers are using the Legion as their base camp for a few days of off-road adventures.

With 40 Jeeps wanting to participate they are divided into smaller groups based on the destination of the leader. The group closest is heading to the Calcite Mine, The other two groups are going to either The Squeeze, or the Diablo Drop-off.

All the Jeeps have their suspension fairly well modified, and several are sporting Moab Badges of the trails they conquered there. I wish I had taken pictures of some of those badges as Joe and Gay would certainly know of/or have done those trails.

With the FMCA Jeeps off doing their rides we decided to do our own.  Always stop at Font's Point for a chat with dad and wish him a Happy New Year.

As we moved on up the point another couple stopped by dad's forever home.

We continued east on Short Wash for a bit before returning to S22. We picked up a bag Seley Red Grapefruit, now $6 for 10 pounds. Everybody has a favorite sculpture in the Galleta Meadows, I'm sure most would select the serpent, but I like the park's namesake Borrego sheep.

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There's a small sign, often missed, that offers tribute to Seb Tarabal. Tarabal was a Cochini Indian guide to the de Anza expedition of 1774. Without Tarabal's knowledge and ability to find water the mission may have failed.

With all the Jeeps in town we stopped at the Galleta Meadows 'Uber' sculpture.

I did take a shot of the last sunset of 2024 as we headed back to the Legion.

After cleaning up we took our potluck contribution to the lodge. Only a few minutes late this time and the place was indeed packed!

But I'm sure it was the FMCA folks that made certain there was plenty of munchies!

Up early the next morning for the first sunrise of 2025, as seen from our campsite.

Our first bike ride of 2025 had us looking for Pickleball courts! Yupper pickleball! Fran wants to find the perfect spot to play with her gal-pals. Certainly The Springs would not disappoint.

The Palms at Indian Head is right along our travels. 

Last time we were here they were underway in a major face lift. The Red Ocotillo was still here then. It has since moved near Christmas Circle. Suzi and Dave recommend the Coyote Steakhouse, which opens for dinner at 5pm. The Palms was the first upscale resort in Borrego Springs. A photo wall shows just some of their famous guests.

We had lunch with the kids poolside a long while ago. The pool has been redone since then. Although not the best view the Indian head can be seen in the relief of the background hills.

So I'm laughing that she is not looking for sculptures. After exploring the western neighborhoods with only one pickleball court, it became time for sculptures. I certainly understand why the serpent is a favorite

It's huge and takes up space on both sides of the street.

Fran next asked if I knew where the 'grasshopper' and 'mosquito' were. She was sure they were nearby. Hmmm I did not know the mosquito, but there is a grasshopper and scorpion nearby.

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I've been having a serious issue with congestion this trip and wanted to stop at the Center Market for some relief. With that errand accomplished it was time for some lunch. Pablito was a short walk and so we did.

Not sure I would call it the 'Best Food', maybe not even the best Mexican food in town. But the Margarita!

For our last night we moved over to Ocotillo Wells with all the off-road gang. We're here to be closer to the Salton Sea. The migration is in full swing and I've never seen a Sand Hill Crane. Fran now has my head cold and will sleep in while I head to Sonny Bono Unit 1, where they are said to be.

There were many 100s of shore birds, but alas the Cranes must have already been out forging their breakfast.  The Snow Geese are just getting up.

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I suspect this pair is making future plans

This egret was eating alone this morning.

In the past I've seen the adorable Burrowing Owls here, but with the sea level drop not so much. I've read the lagoon near the prison is now pretty reliable. Another time.

Fran, me, Bentley, Jason, Kami, Kg, Aj

The kids along with Fran and I wish you the best for the coming year.

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