First desert ride

After being at Glamis North KOA for 2 1/2 months, I took my first ride into the desert. This is what most of the guests coming to our KOA come here for. Hundreds of miles of desert trails to ride. I can tell you, it's a little dusty, and tiring. We covered 62 miles today. Clear, bright sky, temp in the 70's, mild+ breeze. Hard to remember that this is still January and most of the nation is locked in the grip of snow, ice, and slush. That's why we are here - and not there.

One of our co-workers loaned me his Honda quad for the ride. Very smooth and stable machine.

In years past there was considerable mining in this part of the desert. Abandoned railways and buildings are still present, though no longer used. The trails are not groomed but rather merely formed by ATV's.

Just east of our KOA is a US Navy bombing range. ATV trails (wisely) go around it.

Our little group taking a break along the way.

Driving into Red Canyon. It's a dead end. During times of heavy rain it's a wash with, sometimes, several feet of water rushing through.

Me with one of the many balanced rocks in Red Canyon.

These rock formations are known as the Pinnacles.

Elevation here is not as high as it looks. The Salton Sea is visible from many of the peaks here, and it is 227 feet below sea level. This trail would have been a challenge to a goat, but we made it.

If you look closely and not be in too much of a hurry you can discover an abundance of wildlife in the desert. In addition to this tiny lizard we saw 4 deer and 1 squirrel. Lots of coyote tracks in the sand.

Meet a local ocotillo, the bush on the right.

Abandoned miner's cabin. About 30 miles from the nearest road.

Desert riders still use the cabin. It's all on the honor system. If you eat any of the food you are expected to replace it. Remarkably, very little damage from vandalism - unless you count bullet holes.

I think you know what this is. Since it never snows, and rarely rains, this works out just fine.

The power of rainwater. This abandoned track has been undermined by running water, leaving the track suspended in air.

The power of a flash flood is unbelievable.

In the foreground is a watering pond for wildlife. The strip of water visible at the top is the Coachella Canal that runs from the Colorado River at the Mexican border into Los Angeles. Cities need water.

That's all for this trip.

Winter in Southern California

Realized yesterday that it's been a month since our last blog post. It's not because we haven't been doing anything or going any place. It's more to being too busy, and having taken a week off to go to Minnesota for my Brother Ted's funeral. So, in the new year I'll try harder to post more often. There's lots to tell, and show.

Here is Pat with her favorite WWII airplane, the Corsair. We're at the Palm Springs Aviation Museum.

The historic aircraft on display are marvelously restored. Some of our Minnesota friends may remember the aviation museum at Flying Cloud Airport near Minneapolis. This is it after relocation to Palm Springs and expansion. Hmmm, Lakers, North Stars, Aviation Museum - all relocated to a warmer climate. Is that sending a message to anyone?

This is a painted mural on one end of the display hangar. Great piece or artwork.

The C-47, or DC3. Workhorse of WWII, and into the 1960's.

Beautifully restored B-17 Flying Fortress.

This is me in a cockpit/simulator of the Grumman Mohawk. It's a 2-engine, side by side, high performance prop-jet aircraft. I flew one during my Army years. Hadn't been in a Mohawk cockpit since 1964, but I could still find all the controls and buttons automatically.

Inside the B-17 showing two of the protective machine guns.

Front entrance to the Palm Springs Aviation Museum.

American Avocets on Salton Sea.

One of the many doves that frequent our yard. Notice that we have no grass to mow.

Pat ready for New Year's Eve.

White-crowned Sparrow - also in our yard.

Gambel's Quail. These delightful birds come into our yard by the dozens, and they always walk in, never fly. In fact, they walk all over the campground.

Seagulls on beach of Salton Sea. Palm Springs mountains, with snow, in distance. Mountains are a lot farther away than they look.

Many RVers dry-camp on Salton Sea. There are no hook-ups and only porta potties are provided. Still, you will find long-term campers parked on the beaches. Palm Springs mountains in distance. Note the solar panels on top of the RV. They keep the house batteries charged.