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 "trianing" 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 "sode-by-sides", Oh My!
So, we are off to Occatio Wells location out by the barren Salton Sea! The destination is a Longitude-Lattitude (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 Robion 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!
Finally after two hours we got out of the car!
Time to eat!
Looking good!
Joe's new sand rail!
He did a magnificent job of restoring this; it was NOT that pretty six months ago!
"Don't worry Dad, you wil be safe!"
Checkout that evil grin!
Retuning home I am holding onto my teeth, several of which are now loose!
I do plan to get a lawyer and file a suit for "Elder Abuse!"
It took all the King's Horses and all the Kings Men to get this carcass out of the buggy!
Does anyone have some WD-40?
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 litle under 2 nanoseconds. There is sand on (and in) my body in places where sand should not be! Counter to aything Joe might tell you, I did NOT screa, like a little girl and my grip onto the sand rail steel tubong 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!
Three generations! Son, Joe with Grandson Zack, and Great Grandson Remington!
Like Grandfather, like Grand-uncle, like father... He has his own machine!
Remy watches his sister!
Lilly screams into camp!
Safari means we are off down the "road" to sites of interest!
Nick is testing it out for the foirst time!
He looks a little worried
Did You Know? - 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.
We visited the Gas Domes
Onn 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!
Our grandsons on either side of their motorcucle friend.
Carmin takes upo the rear to keep and eye on everyone!
The baby dog lovesd the ride!
Carmin gets some goot shots!
"Hey Mom, watch the bumps!"
Back at camp, the sun is dropping and dinner is being discussed;
Time for us to head home!
Mary tells the latest "Paul Story"