Off We Go!
Back in the 1970s, Paul was a "Desert Rat" and I taught my Son Joe about motorcycles and sand rails. Later we brought Zack to the desert and he learned. Now, after many years I am seeing my "training" paying off as Joe and Zack have out "Desert Ratted" the old man. Their rigs are amazing; 30 foot trailers, dune buggies, quads, motorcycles, and "side-by-sides", Oh My!
What Happened To the Salton Sea? Although large seas have cyclically formed and dried over historic time in the basin due to natural flooding from the Colorado River, the current Salton Sea was formed when Colorado River floodwater breached an irrigation canal being constructed in the Imperial Valley in 1905 and flowed into the Salton Sink.
The Salton Sea has no outlet. Its surface elevation is 227 feet below sea level. The average depth of the Salton Sea is 29.9 feet; its deepest is about 50 feet. The Sea's watershed is 8,000 square miles.
When the 1970s came along, the popularity of the Salton Sea suddenly dropped: With rising salinity, shoreline flooding, and fertilizers overflowing from nearby farms, this man-made lake became utter chaos. As environmental troubles started arising, fewer visitors set out to the lake, making it akin to a ghost town.
So, we are off to Ocatillo Wells location out by the Salton Sea! The destination is a Longitude-Latitude (i,.e., NO street address).
Welcome to Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area!
Approximately 85,000 acres of magnificent desert are open for off-highway exploration and recreation within the boundaries portrayed on the park map are operated by California State Parks, OHMVR Division. Outside the boundaries, to the south and east, large tracts of BLM land (U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management) are also open to off-highway vehicles. The western boundary and part of the northern boundary connect with the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is closed to off-highway recreation, but open to exploration by highway-legal vehicles along established primitive roads.
The rangers and staff of Ocotillo Wells are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable desert riding environment, and to ensuring that a quality experience remains available for future generations.
No fees are collected for camping or day use. Open camping is permitted throughout the unit for up to 30 days per calendar year. Vault toilets, shade ramadas, picnic tables, and fire rings are located in the Quarry, Main Street, and Holmes Camp areas. Water is not available. Vehicle repair shops, telephones, groceries, hotels, motels, RV parks, and restaurants are available in the surrounding communities of Borrego Springs, Ocotillo Wells, and Salton City.
That's us, under the yellow pin!
The weather was perfect!! It got a little cool at night but the rigs all have propane heating and are cozy!
We departed for Corona to pick up Robin and Nick for our adventure. It was about two hours from Corona into the Salton Sea area. We were hungry and did not want to arrive at the camp in that condition, so we stopped in Salton City.
It's an easy drive!
Did You Know? - Salton City is a census-designated place (CDP) in Imperial County, California. It is the largest Imperial County development on the Salton Sea coast. It is part of the El Centro, California Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,763 at the 2010 census, up from 978 in 2000. The reported population for 2020 was 5,155.
Although planned and developed as a large resort community with an extensive road, water, sewer and power grid capable of supporting 40,000 residents on 12,000 residential lots, demand for property in Salton City fell drastically short of the planners' expectations. According to the 2010 census, 81% of the surveyed lots in Salton City remain undeveloped, and 38% of the habitable residences in Salton City are unoccupied.
Despite Salton City's higher population compared to nearby Salton Sea communities such as Bombay Beach and Desert Shores, the eerie, mostly-abandoned appearance of the area has led some to call it a modern ghost town.
Touted ss the best placeto dine in Salton City (YELP)
Finally after two hours we got out of the car!
Time to eat!
Looking good!
We are feeling ready for the desert now!
The following short video tells about the park and its "features".
We found them!!
Joe's new sand rail!
He did a magnificent job of restoring this; it was NOT that pretty six months ago!
It will be easy, I remember doing this...oh dear...fourty years ago!
"Don't worry Dad, you will be safe!"
Checkout that evil grin!
We are going to get Amy a new pair of glasses for Christmas!
Heading out to the boonies! Oh wait, we are in the boonies!
Notice the knuckels turning white?
Off in a cloud of smoke and a hearty Hi-Yo-Silver
Yes, I said "CLOUD OF DUST!"
He went to the top giggling all the way. I was busy praying.
Retuning home I am holding onto my teeth, several of which are now loose!
I am clenching my teeth to keep them from falling to the ground!
Some Vaseline or WD-40 might be necessary!
My son, (now officially ex-son) took the old man on a hair raising ride (I only have one hair to begin with). We went from sea level to 10,000 feet up a 90 degree grade in a little under 2 nanoseconds. There is sand on (and in) my body in places where sand should not be! Counter to anything Joe might tell you, I did NOT scream, like a little girl and my grip onto the sand rail steel tubing did not leave permanent fingernail marks. The passengers seat stains, that I will have to admit too!
Was it a rough ride? No but I can now scratch my knees by reaching under my arm. My bladder has since notified me it is going on strike due to organ abuse!
Time to relive stories of yesteryear when we came out here and chased dinosaurs.
Three generations! Son, Joe with Grandson Zack, and Great Grandson Remington!
Oops, almost forgot Miss Lilly!
OK Lilly, show the boys how it is supposed to be done!
Like Grandfather, like Grand-uncle, like father... He has his own machine!
Remy watches his sister!
Lilly screams into camp!
Remy and Mom take a short ride.
Safari accoring to the dictionary: a journey or expedition, for hunting, exploration, or investigation!
Safari out here means we are off down the "road" to sites of interest!
Nick is testing it out for the first time!
He looks a little worried
Gentlemen, start your engines.
Lead the way young man!
We visited the Gas Domes
Father and Son; The father is on the right!
Son Joe, Amy anmd Grandson Alex
The Gas Domes are yet another unique geologic feature of the Anza-Borrego area. These two small mud pots remind us that Anza-Borrego is still a very geologically active area. Gas Domes is located on Ocotillo Wells SVRA and not in the State Park.
The Earth's crust is particularly thin here and as underground water passes close to the hot magma just under this crust, it percolates up and creates these Gas Domes.
On the top of a little hill!
It makes mud!
Carmin and her husband; we rode in Carmin's jeep!
Mary gets the guys together for a picture.
She pushes the guys around like a military officer; he, she is one!
She said, "It was like herding cats!"
What a crew!!
They turned the camera on us!!
Our grandsons on either side of their motorcycle friend.
Remy, Becca, and Lilly scoping the place out.
After Carmin saw Paul return from the last mini-safari, she offer us a ride in her Jeep! Air conditioning, cabin air filter, GPS, radio, and most important, cushioned seats!
Carmin takes up the rear of the parade to keep and eye on everyone!
The baby dog loves the ride!
Carmin gets some good shots!
"Hey Mom, watch the bumps!"
Beccas side-by-side got a little dirty!
Zack won the dirty car contest!!
Back at camp, the sun is dropping and dinner is being discussed;
A few stories are told before we head out.
Time for us to head home!
Mary tells the latest "Paul Story"
