DARN NEAR KILLED US……LOL

Sunday, February 8 - We hiked the Lyykens Trail up into the San Jacinto Mountains overlooking Palm Springs, CA, this morning.....ugh! We could either enter the trail from the North where it is rated "moderate" or from the South where it is rated "strenuous." We really didn't make an obvious decision. We simply followed the directions to the trail and found ourselves at the South trailhead, so we decided to head out and turn around if it became too difficult.

The trial is well defined and consists of many, many, many switchbacks leading up the mountain. We gained 1000' in elevation over a distance of about three miles to the top.

We should have known better when we saw this on the map.

Lots of beauty along the trail.

We saw several people running up or down that mountain. We thought them nuts!

The views from the top were fabulous. We overlooked downtown Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley.

The next photo is for our son-in-law, Dave. See all the green down there Dave. It is what they call a golf course. Show us one of these this time of the year in Ohio…lol

Our friends Pam and John always eat lunch at the top of the mountain calling it "lunch with a view."  We are a little earlier risers getting on the trail at about 7 a.m., so we sat at a picnic table (must have been brought up by mules in pieces) and had "breakfast with a view!"

Then, of course, we had to either return the way we came or continue on to the North trailhead and find a way back to our car. We chose to return the way we came. Let us tell you, it's significantly easier going down then up. But still no walk in the park!

We certainly consider this the most strenuous hike we've ever done and are proud of our accomplishment by making it to the top. There was a point near the top that we thought be were going to throw in the towel, but pride won out and we persevered.

1,500’ feet, we still love our Buckeyes.

We had a big surprise yesterday. While Paul was sitting outside, a gentleman with a dog walked up to him. Paul recognized them both instantly. It was Rick and Rylie. We talked nonstop for about an hour. It was a really nice visit. We are getting together with Rick and Paulette on Tuesday for breakfast. Thanks for stopping over Rick and bringing Rylie. He is one well-behaved dog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

Thursday, February 5 - We are in Desert Hot Springs, CA, at Desert Pools RV. We are in Site 165, a full-hookup/50amp site. This seems to be a very nice park. Many winter snowbirds, of course. The streets are paved and the sites are nice level gravel with some plantings between the sites to provide a little privacy.

Looking right.

Looking left.

This Park used to be a Horizon Park, a membership park. It is now open to the public. They do accept Passport America.

They have three mineral pools we'll have to try out soon.

104 degrees; 100 degrees; 98 degrees

Being a snowbird destination park they have plenty of activities, if you wish to take part. There's pickleball, volleyball, horseshoes, bingo, a fitness center, shuffleboard, pool tables, mini-golf, many socializing opportunities and more.

We will be here a week to relax, do some sightseeing, meet up with friends, give our mail a chance to catch-up with us and take a dip in those hot spring pools!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

MAGICAL MENAGERIA…GALLETA MEADOWS

Wednesday, February 4 - We returned to Borrego Springs, CA, this morning to see the many metal sculptures scattered around the desert. These freestanding life-size creatures are the gifts of visionary town benefactor Dennis Avery. The sculptures sit on his private parcels known as Galleta Meadows Estates.

The sculptures are crafted of metal by sculptor Ricardo Breceda of Temecula, CA.  Breceda welds scrap reinforcement bars, wire, and metal together and then adds life-like texture like scales and hair. It is amazing the detail he has added to the metal sculptures.

There are 130 life-size sculptures easily accessible from Borrego Springs Road, north and south. There are maps available at the Visitor's Center and other outlets around town.

Just to give you a perspective of how large these sculptures are.

Of course, Marsha had to take pictures of all 130 sculptures. It seemed to Paul she succeeded, but in reality she came up a little short. Paul liked the Serpent and Jeep the best.

The Serpent is 350-foot serpent and crosses the highway.

Marsha preferred the Grasshopper and Scorpion.

The sculptures are amazing and another not to be missed adventure. If you would like to see more, please click here.

We not only get to experience gorgeous sunsets…

We were able to witness the moon coming up over the mountains.

We really enjoyed our stay in the Borrego Springs/Julian area. Please know that there are many areas that do not have any cellphone service of any kind in this area. Shop before you arrive. There is only a little market in Borrego Springs and Julian. Our WIFI did not work at our campground, but the campground had three separate WIFI connections that we were able to us. If you are looking for a peaceful, gorgeous, relaxing place to spend any time at all, consider the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

The perfect way to end a wonderful stay in the desert.
 

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day.