BORREGO

It's Monday, our 19th day in Borrego, and our last day in the State Park.  We move tomorrow to Springs of Borrego RV Resort for 6-9 days.  It's only about 3 miles away, but still need to "pack it all up" to move.  It's been nice not to have to do all that because we were here in one spot for so long.  Sad to leave "our" State Park.  But, moving on!

Today we got an early start and hiked a 6 mile round-trip up "Hell Hole Canyon".  Not nearly as difficult as described in the park brochure, but a nice exercise for us anyway.  Some pictures from the hike follow as well as a few from days ago I finally downloaded from my phone.

But first, looking at the Weather Channel, we can only say "we are so happy to be here"!

Our view

The French Corner

Downtown Borrego Springs

Start of our hike today up "Hell Hole" Canyon

Looking back at Borrego Springs as we hiked up the trail

First sighting of palms about one hour up the trail

 Incredible sights found up in the desert canyons

 The effects of the current "terrible" weather across the country as we see it

 The last campfire here in the Park

Borrego Springs - Our 18th day here

18th day in Borrego Springs and our 39th day into our winter trip.  The last post said we haven't seen a cloud here yet.
Today, Sunday, we got some clouds and a little "spitting" rain beginning around 2:00pm.  Now 6:00pm and the "spitting" has stopped.  Still could rain a little more tonight, but tomorrow is back to sunshine and warm (although turning a bit cooler the next few days).

Ellen was treating us to brunch today so we went to a nearby "resort" just outside the campground that we had a great experience with last year. Not so today.  We sat at a nice poolside table (this was before the rain) and after 15 minutes still had not even been recognized by anyone - we got up and left.  Ended up going to a little French restaurant in town we have enjoyed in the past and were welcomed as soon as we walked in the door.  They got our business and we got a great lunch.

We are enjoying ourselves but without changing locations have no pictures to share.  Tomorrow is our last night in the state park campgound, but we are only moving two miles away to the Springs at Borrego Resort.  We really don't want to leave the State Park but it's time to move on.  We'll be at the "Springs" through the 9th of Feb then off to ???  Our next reservation is not until Feb 24th at Carpinteria State Beach where we spend 8 nights on the ocean.

Thanks for checking up on us.

Day 16 at Borrego

Here is just a little comentary and pictures from the last few days.

Unfortunately, we see this almost everywhere, so the girls stay behind in the air-conditioned RV while we hike

Short "overlook" trail accessable from the campground.  Campground is in the distance.

Another view a little higher up of our "home"

The trail "Boss"

Campground at Borrego from still higher up

Trail "Dude"

The area had a great amount of rain before we arrived and some flowers are starting to bloom

Visited a local country club several days ago just to have a look at the restaurant menu.  This is the view from the dining room!

As you can see  - why leave this area?

Yesterday (Thursday) we drove "off-road" to what is called The Slot.  An eroded canyon here in the desert that has carved itself deep into the desert floor.  Roads are not well marked (there are 600 miles of them here in the State Park) and we turned off the highway on what we hoped was the right road.  We trecked off from a parking lot on a hike up the mountain following a guide book instructions.  Got way off course and thought we missed The Slot after hiking for two hours.  Made it back to the car and went off in search of the trail we were looking for.  Turned out we were at the right place to begin with but went the wrong way!  The Slot Canyon was right there just a few hundred feet from where we parked.  We still had a good time and may go back to see the "Slot" - just not do the hike.

But here are pictures from our day -

We were due out of here on Monday but we signed up for yet another day without changing sites.

Then, instead of leaving the area, we are simply moving a few miles away to the Springs of Borrego RV Resort.  We were not able to get into a regular "full hook-up" site because they are all booked up for the season,, but did manage to book 6-9 days in what they call "the campground" - an area normally used for campground help.  It's half the normal daily fee yet we have full resort ammenities  - pool, hot tubs, fitness center, golf course, etc.  No sewer connection at site, but we have water and electricity.  And there is a free RV wash area and even more - like a dog walk area with "golf course" quality grass.  And we still have access to all of Anza-Borrego State Park and the town of Borrego Springs.

Why leave?  Have not seen a cloud in three weeks!