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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Borrego Star Party and Salton Sea

I have a 4” Celestron grap’n’go Nexstar telescope.  When a ‘Star Party’ is available it’s fun to see what the serious toys are in use.

When Borrego Springs advertised its Community Star Party, I knew we’d be going.

Long time readers may recall the City placed a fire hydrant in our front yard because the power pole where the planner placed it across the street had a power pole that was too far gone to work around.  That blog can be found HERE. 

On the Friday before the Star Party the power to the hood was shut off and the offending pole replaced.

WTH – I’ve never seen such a massive pole as a residential distribution pole for two homes!

But we are off!  We always take a break at Dudley’s and pick up a sandwich or two to split.  This trip we ordered the Club with avocado on the side.

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While waiting for the sandwich Fran was looking for a Greeting Card.  Her response to the selection was “Geez Gay takes better pictures, she should do cards!”

And she’s right! Gay and Joe of Good Times Rollin offer both research and photos that are pretty awesome.  Certainly better than what was offered here ...

We pulled into Peg Leg Smith late Friday afternoon to find our usual space occupied.  Grrr.  But a private spot where George and Suzie stayed was available and we pulled in there.

I met them in February 2019 after hiking in Piedras Grandes.  My blog is HERE.  George blogged that day HERE.  RIP George ... we all miss your smile and humor.

Across from us was this 5er with more solar than anyone could use!  What would Bill <https://bkamericanodyssey.com/> do with the profits from this installation?

We enjoyed wonderful Alpen Glow on the Santa Rosa as the sun set in the west.

I set out our humming bird feeder and grateful hummers within a half hour.

They are the prime pollinators of the drought deciduous ocotillo.  With our extended drought the ocotillo have dropped their flowers, then their leaves and many have died, some will survive.

The above photos were taken in Coyote Canyon.

Under still overcast skies we drove to Christmas Circle via some Golleta Meadows sculptures.

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At Christmas Circle a local art exhibit was taking place.  Nothing really interested us.  But the 3rd rudder in this photo is a Sabot! We sold our Sabot last year.  For just a bit more than the rudder alone :(

There is still no progress on the ‘Borrego Springs Shadeway’.  But there is more seating at Christmas Circle, but still not more shade!

Benches in front of the stage ... block view?

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a few more tables

Salton Sea
Big changes at the Salton Sea!  I have to thank my friend Jeff for keeping me up to date on some of these activities:

Local groups have planted 1700 native trees those that flourish will be again planted.
Lithium mining, a prime component of E-car batteries can be mined, from the the lake bed.
The dropping water level as the Salton Sea evaporates.  Inflow has been limited

Under cloudy skies we decided to check out the water levels on the west side of Salton Sea.

The water at Salton City Marina is barely visible.

The harbor and docks are also beyond view.

At Salton Sea Beach the water was a bit of a hike away.

Our last stop was at Desert Shores.  Where we were warned not to swim … hmm no water anywhere!

Finally the Star Party under a cloudy sky.  The gathering is being held at Old Springs Road.

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There were four members of the astronomy club that came to share their expertise.   The two 6” Celestron telescopes were waiting for a break in the clouds to see the Orion Nebula.  … not happening …

Another had an interesting slide show of the constellations as they rotate

Woody was also there with his SKY TREK” Mobile Observatory and showed off his equipment and how it works.

The Sultan of Slowjamastan has invited me to join him and his new nation on February 6.   He said this in an email: “Thanks for including our glorious nation in your fine blog. You are always welcome here.
Regards,
Sultan‘'

Stay tuned I just might go as my kid brother returns to Tacoma on the 5th. …