Desert Hiking at Anza Borrego

the very different landscape of the desert

The environs only one hour inland from the coast of San Diego is dramatically different.  I  see the high mountains from the coast (some with snow), up to 6000 ft. high.  It's always a treat to escape the traffic/congestion of the spreading western city, and although the desert was not "blooming" (that happens in March) my dearest and oldest friend Steve and I made a plan to go to one of our favorite places; Anza Borrego Springs.  Climbing up winding and twisting roads, past cattle ranches and Big Sky, the jagged peaks were both foreboding and majestic.

looking down onto the desert floor

We ate dates freshly picked off the palm trees, so sweet and soft (Medjool). Steve who has a degree in botany/horticulture/landscape design was rattling off all the latin names of the weird plants that populate the mountains.  I could only imagine them in bloom, but their forms and austerity have their own beauty. (I have been to the desert in bloom in years past)

As we entered Borrego Springs...... there was a new landscape!

Wait a second...... am I in Bali?

echoing the shape of the mountains

An artist had whimsically created this dragon spanning both sides of the road.

STOP THE CAR I WANT TO GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And investigate we did.  Amazing concept and execution.

The execution was brilliant.  The weathering dragon was fierce and dynamic..... you could feel it undulating through the expanse, yet when I tapped it; the lightest of metal echoed.  The drama unfolded under the clarity of a cloudless deep blue sky. A prehistoric possibility????????
(these mountains are Old!)

Hiking the terrain- or rather the Boulders!!!!!

We then took off to hike up to an oasis..... some 4000 ft. +..........                

the variety

 The weather was warm + dry ....and a searing sun.  We climbed over the d#@@)*&^%$ ed boulders (Steve is of the billy goat genus; a real fast scamperer) and I took in the majestic views and plant material . It felt Lunar at times.

 

the barrel cactus with its red tinged spikes

and cupped the rushing water onto my neck

Luckily, we crossed a stream.  Then up ahead the twists and turns was the oasis.

towering and old: 200 years old

Steve said that about 8 years ago there was a flash flood that ripped most of the oasis' palms from the ground  sending them hurling down 4000 feet. The trunks lined the pathway. The oasis is only one third its size now.            Then we scampered over the rocks in the stream (where i promptly fell in!)          

Steve and I were having a ball

and walked into the cool dark cavern of the oasis

that's Steve poking up behind the boulder

the "doorway" leading out to the meditation rocks

ah! water

Where we found a place to be silent in the rushing waters of the desert.

Steve in his usual way, suggested we take the "alternative" route downward where we all Know that's when the accidents happen! (tired!
relaxed! exhausted! and lax in watching exactly where to place feet so as not to fall or break an ankle) Classic Steve.  Up and down ...and down and UP we finally descended (still working on healing that fractured ankle 100%).
We had a great time together.....lots of laughter.




























travelin' woman