The Sculptures of Ricardo Breceda

Borrego Springs is fast becoming known for it’s magical menagerie of freestanding life-size sculptures of creatures that roamed the valley millions of years ago.  The other afternoon we took a drive out to see some of the latest ones we have not seen before.  The following is a collection of the shots I took that afternoon.  They depict either Tyrannosaurus Rex, Utahraptor, Carnotaurus or Spinosaurus.  I couldn’t distinguish between them.  Irregardless, the detail is exquisite.
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Just another day on the desert.

A HIKE UP SOUTH PALM WASH

The South Palm Wash hike is described as a moderate 3.0 mile hike up a narrow slot canyon.  This is an accurate description (emphasis on narrow slot).  On the way to the trail head, we stopped to check out the old earth oven we built here 5 years ago.

  It’s still standing although it’s showing signs of weathering.  I don’t think the people camped here now are using the oven, but it’s nice to see it still standing. 

After a half mile hike up a sandy wash, we entered the slot canyon. One of the first things you come to is a natural bridge.    Then the trail got really tight.

     

And we had to scramble a bit. 

The trail ends with a rather non spectacular blockage that keeps you from reaching the base of a dry waterfall.  Good exercise and a fine morning walk.  Just a regular day here in Borrego Springs.

The View From My Pillow and Other Things

Borrego Springs has been declared a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association.  The IDA defines a Dark Sky Community as “a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through implementation and enforcement of quality codes, dark sky education, and citizen support of dark skies.
For us it means an absolutely clear view of the night skies from our place in the desert.  It also means we can go to bed at night with the shades lifted and the windows open if it’s warm enough.  This results in an unobstructed view of “Indian Head Mountain” from my pillow when I wake up in the morning. 
I love to lay there watching the sun slowly creep down the mountain till the whole valley and the village is lighted. 
 
Some days, like last week the view changes with the weather.
 
Sunday was a sunny day and we took a hike up Palm Canyon with our friends, Jim and Lynn.   
The hike is moderately tough, but the rewards are great.
 
After a quick lunch, down hill hiking and home by 1:00 pm.
 
During our walk to the town center the other day, we stopped a garden art vendor.  The Asian statuaries made me think of our son and his family who are traveling right now in Thailand and Malaysia.
 

How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee on the Desert

Start with a little red Honda 2000 u generator.

  Connect it through a window to

 

a Saeco, Villa, espresso machine using a heavy duty extension cord.  Fill the water tray with good spring fresh water.  Make sure the coffee bean container is filled with fresh home roasted coffee beans.

Go outside in the fresh 45 degree morning sunshine and start the generator.  Then come back inside and push the button.  The beans are ground, the water is injected, and out comes a perfect cup of foaming coffee. 

Some things in life you just can’t do without. 

Borrego Springs Art Institute and Lute Fault Scarp

Last night we attended the grand opening of the Borrego Springs Art Institute.  Hundreds of people attended.  Some from San Diego, others local, and lots of part timers like us.

The wine and food was free and all the art exhibited was for sale. 

 

This eagle, sculpted from wood was done by Paul Jorgenson, a local artist who also also created and sold bowls, spoons, spatulas, and furniture.

 

I met Paul while participating in the “Hawk Watch” project a few years ago.  He loved birds and he love working with wood.  Unfortunately, Paul died last year from a terminal cancer.

Sunday morning we met up with a group of 13 others to hike to the Lute Fault Scarp.  This was an easy 3 mile loop across the desert, gaining about 300 feet. 

 

One of the men was an amateur geologist and gave us a very informed explanation of the this particular fault in relationship to the other more known fault, the San Andreas.