I retired several years ago. My long term and instant goal was to get "out there". WAY out there. Often. Included in that dream was time with my kids in wild and natural places. I've been able to largely accomplish that goal. Each of my three children have gone with me. But...I hadn't been able to accomplish the one thing I'd been thinking of very often - going with my two boys together. When they were younger we regularly camped at Pismo Beach and other places and they are some of the best memories of my life. For many years as they were growing up we all lived together. However, to my great regret, I spent far too much time away from home while trying to "change the world" and never spent as much time as I wanted to spend with these two young men- who, along with their sister, are simply the greatest joys of my life. What gave me solace was knowing that "some day" after I retired we could finally spend quality time together for an extended period of time. But, my friends, you know how that goes. They grow up and guess who's busy now?! But, HEY! We finally made it happen. Our original plan was to camp at Indian Cove in Joshua Tree National Park, but, thanks to the genius in the White house our reservations were canceled. We quickly made plan B - getting the LAST spot available in the Borrego Palm Canyon campground (the big one) in Anza-Borrego State Park. Anza-Borrego is in the Colorado Desert which becomes the Sonoran Desert as one moves eastward and it changes into something much different. I love Anza-Borrego but it's rarely as green as the Sonoran and has different flora - no saguaros for example. It's more stark and barren. But, after the rain we've had this winter though Anza-Borrego was greener than I've ever seen it. I'm guessing the wildflowers will be spectacular in just a few weeks. It was gem-like. The photo above is taken from the campground on a very windy late afternoon. My son Kevin arrived on Wednesday, on his motorcycle, after driving through some very frigid weather. Check out the sign at the higher elevations near Culp Valley. After Kev arrived we went on the short walk to the Visitor Center. Jordan arrived the next day and I decided to take them to Little Blair Valley and the pictograph trail. Except, well, except, er, I didn't drive to the pictograph trailhead. I took them to the Morteros trailhead. Oops! Dad screwed up. AGAIN! We did have a nice walk though but at some point the trail petered out and we were forced to scramble over and around and between rocks. The old man ripped his pants and knocked the eyepiece off his camera and finally - when we saw the end of the canyon - I knew we'd gone wrong. DUH! We did see ONE pictograph and the Kumeyaay Morteros are pretty cool. This was the end of the line... The next day Jordan and I drove out to the Peg Leg Smith monument and Clark Dry Lake to scout out some potential boon-docking spots. The day was spectacular. We found an old abandoned building with graffiti indicating there was a, "DEAD BODY". I sent Jordan in to check it out. Nope. No dead body. Thanks, Jordo for checking... Here is a panorama of Clark Dry Lake Other photos from our day: I know I have many readers from out of California- if you do happen to make your way out to our overcrowded but wonderful state - please check out Anza-Borrego. You will not be disappointed. If you are from California, what are you waiting for? This spring will be sublime.
So, yep. We had a marvelous time. I don't mind saying that my kids, all 3 of them, are excellent campers. My theory that you learn a lot about a person in 24 hours of camping proves that I am one lucky father! Here's to many more years of camping together. I'll sign off with a gallery of black and white photos, as is my way. Thanks for coming along. See you on the road!
17 Comments
Lupe
2/19/2019 03:32:12 pm
I know you’ve been trying for a long time to plan a trip with the boys, so happy it finally worked out. Great pictures! Poor Jordan, being sent it in to check for the dead body, LOL!
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Jeff
2/21/2019 10:11:54 am
Lupe, he's younger, braver and quicker than me! Haha - it was great! Love you.
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Steve Zeoli
2/19/2019 03:55:39 pm
Great adventure, Doc. It was minus six degrees here in Vermont this morning, so your photos make a nice mental respite from winter. Thanks for sharing.
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Doc
2/21/2019 10:13:26 am
Thanks, Steve! Man, I'm glad you could come along. Every time I think it's cold out here I look at the temps out your way and realize how lucky I am. Spring and baseball and the BoSox are coming!
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Heather
2/19/2019 04:32:20 pm
Breath-taking photos! So glad you guys were able to have this adventure together!
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Tio Jeff
2/21/2019 10:14:01 am
Thanks Heather! We had soooo much fun!
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Holly
2/19/2019 05:57:02 pm
Excellent! Beautiful country that I’ve not seen. Your pictures are wonderful!
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Jeff
2/21/2019 10:15:15 am
Thanks, Holly. Come on out sometime! it's really spectacular country. Appreciate you coming along....
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Susan
2/19/2019 06:28:12 pm
Wow, such beauty and so close to home. We can't wait to explore this area especially when the wildflowers bloom from all the rain. How wonderful that you and the boys got to spend some time away, enjoying nature and each others company!
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Jeff
2/21/2019 10:16:34 am
It was, indeed, a fabulous time. Yes! You should get out there soon - March is going to be sublime.
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Liz
2/19/2019 08:54:20 pm
Thank you for sharing your adventure! I'm so glad the three of you made, and found, the time in the face of all sorts of challenges. Absolutely breathtaking photos!
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Jeff
2/21/2019 10:18:26 am
Thanks, Liz as always... I am so glad we finally were able to do it - now, I just need more TIME with those young men! See you soon!
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2/20/2019 07:38:53 am
Anza Borrego is definitely one of my favorite state parks in the country. Might camp over there again in a couple weeks.
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Jeff
2/21/2019 10:19:02 am
Hope you make it Scott- it's gonna be flat out breathtaking this spring...
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3/5/2019 03:22:43 pm
Oh, this made me laugh. It's so great when your kids choose to spend their time with their parents, isn't it?! Looks like a lot of fun. And no dead bodies, so, you know, bonus.
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