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Jun | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, Kathy fell off the bed in the motel room in Payson, hitting her head, but with only (apparently) minor injuries to hand, arm & neck. We packed up and drove home this day, going thru Phoenix area on the way. ![]() Sunset this evening On the 2nd, Jef drove to dentist in SD, washed car & did some shopping on the way home. Kathy worked all day on chores at home. On the 3rd, Kathy returned to work a long day. Jef did some chores & worked on pix. On the 4th, Jef worked on NM pix at home while Kathy worked on chores. Both went to see their MDs in town this day. On the 5th, Kathy worked at the office while Jef did chores in town and at home. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
May | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, Kathy had 3 office patients. Jef walked to town & did some shopping. ![]() After getting home - 4 miles to go shopping in town - Daisy was glad I was home On the 2nd, mostly took it easy at home - Jef did paperwork for Kathy's prior day. On the 3rd, Jef drove Kathy to MD in Escondido & stopped at fruit stand and Staters on the way home. ![]() Sunrise this morning ![]() We took puppies on a 2 mile walk this morning to east side of BS Road. Here is an area that is more deserty than normal ![]() Walked by the original house Kathy got when she moved to Borrego. Kathy, btw, whined that it was too HOT this morning(high 80s) ![]() As we reached S-2, Kathy spotted neon orange on west side of San Ysidros - poppies! ![]() ![]() Humid enuff to really bulk up this contrail! ![]() Flowers near Henshaw with poppy-coated mountains in background ![]() Most of foreground flowers are poppies, as well ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Panorama from S-2 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Panorama of Borrego Valley from Crawford Overlook ![]() ![]() Rain shafts over Santa Rosas ![]() ![]() Panorama of clouds after arriving home ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Some sunset colour, but not much - not clear to the coast ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() On the 4th, took it easy at home as heavy winds were predicted all day, but we did get a good(measurable) rain midday! ![]() Rain! ![]() ![]() It also rained during the night On the 5th, Jef drove to opthomologist thru Cuyamaca, encountering some fog & drizzle. Doctor said the fly debris I got in my eye won't go away, but will stay around as 'floaters', but otherwise my eyes are fine. Then drove home, doing some shopping and getting gas along the way. Also had some drizzle on the way home, too. ![]() Stopped in Santee to check on house & talked with Danny - note the weeds doing well & Danny says the banana tree needs to come down ![]() Top of mountain across from gas station obscured by clouds ![]() Top of the grade had a thin fog ![]() Clouds over Borrego ![]() View of valley on mostly cloudy day ![]() Late afternoon in Borrego On the 6th, Kathy had a full day at the office while Jef mostly took it easy at home. ![]() Flies from rodent that died in the garage ![]() Took some pix of our master bathroom ![]() ![]() On the 7th, Jef drove Kathy to dentist in RB. We did some shopping on way home and did a little hike on Upper Tubb Canyon trail - only about a mile or so in almost an hour, as Kathy had to stop frequently due to fatigue (recovering from pneumonia) and her achy-breaky back. ![]() Doggies on my lap ![]() Another beautiful day in Borrego - walking from street after taking out trash ![]() Pulled over to take a few pix on S-2 these are phacelias ![]() Poppies still on San Ysidros ![]() ...but might be fading ![]() With blooming brittlebush along side road, we thought there might be some blooming on trail ![]() Mesquite in bloom ![]() We saw very few flowers ![]() Buckhorn cholla blooming ![]() ![]() Kathy at turnaround point ![]() Borrego Mountain as viewed from portal ![]() Found this mortero - not surprising with Tubb Creek a quarter mile away ![]() Heading back was mostly uphill, so Kathy had more problems with fatigue & back ![]() Heard a big helicopter a long way off - here it is overflying us - probably a Super Stallion On the 8th, Kathy had another full day at work. Jef did chores & mostly took it easy at home. On the 9th, Kathy had a home care. Jef mostly stayed home doing chores. On the 10th, mostly stayed home doing chores. On the 11th, mostly took it easy at home. ![]() Nice clouds at the Mall ![]() Meter still heading south ![]() Clouds taken behind our house ![]() Starting to see more wascally wabbits! ![]() Nice sunset this evening ![]() On the 12th, Jef walked to town, going over the hill & picked up Kym meds at pharmacy, something for Kathy at the store, dropped off & picked up mail before coming home the short way in less than 2 hours. ![]() Cool clouds developing |
![]() Going up wash ![]() Panoramas near high point of hike ![]() ![]() ![]() Heading down to town ![]() Clouds over Santa Rosas looking really cool ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Starship Enterprise? ![]() Moby Cloud? ![]() Cloud dancing (with 2 left feet?) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Later this evening with colour starting to fade ![]() Jef ![]() Other Jef looking at first one? ![]() 1st star I see 2nite! ![]() ![]() Flower moon finally rose, but obscured by clouds On the 13th, Kathy skipped another full day at the office due to nausea. She took meds which made her sleep most of the day. Jef did filing at home. ![]() Nice morning clouds ![]() Clouds over the mountains meant it was windy all day. On the 14th, Kathy went to the local dentist, Dr. Bob, to start process of getting a new tooth. Jef got around to walking doggies around the circle - as they hadn't been out for a while, quite a chore with 2 rambunctious puppies! ![]() Kathy grilled brats this evening ![]() Wispy clouds near sunset ![]() Pool still not ready ![]() Cris-crossing contrails ![]() Panorama On the 15th, Kathy worked at the office while Jef cleaned up a lot of palm fronds that accumulated over the decades(several years worth), burned these and cut down and burned dead branches from the paloverde, spending a couple hours. ![]() The wind at the start blew the fire into a creosote, so I soon trimmed said creosote & threw a branch into the fire ![]() Used this container to bring most of the fuel to the fire ![]() No wind at this point On the 16th, mostly took it easy at home, but we did go out to Ram's Hill as Stacey gave Kathy a gift card for that place. Nice dinner and pleasant weather as we dined outside. They didn't honor the gift card, so we left it with Gabriel, out waitress, to get it straightened out. ![]() At Ram's Hill ![]() ![]() The honoree(mom) ![]() At the left of this panorama was a group of girls in (probably softball) uniforms playing corn hole (black and white uniforms indicate out-of-towners) ![]() A little sunset this evening ![]() Panorama taken by our table ![]() Kathy was not feeling that great and became so out of it that Jef drove home ![]() We were the last to leave just after Borrego midnite, as Kathy is a notoriously slow eater On the 17th, drove Kathy to get a CAT scan in Rancho Mirage - there was emergency vehicles on the Salton Seaway and Kathy noticed one vehicle in the probable collision was a RAZR. We first shopped at Staters and made it to radiology facility over half an hour early... but Kathy found she left her backpack at Staters, so we rushed back to where we left the cart and luckily the lady moving carts was there and Kathy found out she had just turned in the backpack and got it back, so we then rushed back to CAT scan place and being only 10 minutes late got it done. A duststorm was going on during our drive. ![]() Dust kicking up near Font's Point ![]() At the airport ![]() Clouds at mountain tops in Rancho Mirage - not dusty in this area ![]() We went in & out of dust clouded areas ![]() ![]() Final leg heading home on the Salton Seaway ![]() ![]() ![]() Arriving back at West Star On the 18th, mostly took it easy at home. ![]() Our pepper plant still doing well On the 19th, drove Kathy to MD appointment in Rancho Mirage getting gas there, as we were on fumes, did a little more shopping, and returned home, but on the way passed another crash on the Salton Seaway - this time what appeared to be a horrific head-on collision with a motorcycle - the remnant of the motorcycle was in the middle of the road and someone was attending to the victim, who was stirring, but if he did survive would have extreme traumatic injuries. We passed the ambulance a minute later, and heard the road was closed for a while afterwards. ![]() Ambulance heading to crash scene we just past (possible head-on of car vs. motorcycle) ![]() On the 20th, Kathy went back to work for a full day. On the 21st, mostly took it easy at home. On the 22nd, drove Kathy to MD appt in Rancho Mirage & did some shopping. On the 23rd, Kathy worked, as she missed prior day. On the 24th, Jef drove to RB & picked up Julie's B'day cake for expedition to NM the following day. ![]() Jef snapped a few pix on the way to RB ![]() Accidentally took this pic --- big brother watching us? ![]() Nearing Santa Ysabel ![]() We have yet to check out this nature center ![]() After turning the corner and heading west to Ramona ![]() ![]() ![]() Camel ranch ![]() Last pic before enterring cloud cover On the 25th, finished packing car and started expedition to NM, first camping at Lost Dutchman Campground near Apache Junction. ![]() At campground, this "cholla tree" must be about 12' high! ![]() Cholla fruit dangling |
![]() Setting up camp ![]() Panorama of camp ![]() Dove atop a saguaro ![]() Part of Flat Iron Mtn looming above campground ![]() No cooktop brought on this trip, so enjoying a sandwich for dinner ![]() Sunset colour ![]() While walking doggies, checked out a little of trail to Flat Iron Peak ![]() Map of the campground ![]() The 2 of us ![]() Lights might be aircraft heading to Phoenix ![]() Getting dark ![]() Just before hitting the sack On the 26th, broke camp and drove to Julie's house in Socorro where we met her and her boys. We did the birthday thing this day, as Thor had to go back to Albuquerque for work this evening. Julie gave us her room for our visit. ![]() Puppies this morning ![]() After packing up car this morning ![]() VLA from about half a mile before the turn out ![]() ![]() Panorama at VLA showing all the decals left by other travelers ![]() ![]() Must be the 3cm or 1+cm configuration, as all antennae are close to center ![]() VLA turn out ![]() Julie's cake before lighting candles ![]() 7 candles on one side and 3 candles on the other - signifying her age ![]() Of course some were trick candles ![]() After a few breaths, she did succeed in extinguishing the candles ![]() The front of Julie's house ![]() Vino time after cake eating ![]() Logan, Julie & Thor just before Thor drove off ![]() ![]() Sunset as viewed from Julie's living room this evening On the 27th, Julie showed Jef the local UFO monuments on a walk & drive by. Kathy, Jef, Julie & Johnny dined at the Owl Bar for lunch. ![]() Walking onion - we got a couple of these to bring back to CA ![]() Spanish broom ![]() Grandma Johnson had this hanging in her living room - Norman Yackley is a known artist, but not famous ![]() Logan shot this carribou and made this trophy ![]() Dad's old frame for a van Gogh copy ![]() Walking puppies ![]() Julie made a small detour from her normal walk to check out the 1964 landing site with rocks circling the 3 touchdown points (and 2 others along with "UFO" written with rocks) ![]() San Diego sheriffs endorsing Owl burgers??? This was at our booth ![]() After lunch was served ![]() Stopped by to check out the 1964 landing mural(dedicated to the 1st official investigator, Lonnie Zamora) - note M Mtn as an island at the horizon ![]() Panorama at Evelyths - we visited for about an hour this afternoon ![]() In front of Evelyths - Julie explained she had an opportunity to buy it, but Doug rejected it ![]() Menacing clouds viewed from Julie's back yard ![]() ![]() Dog fight in Julie's living room ![]() "Clash of the Titans" ![]() ![]() ![]() Julie & Johnny gave us a concert this evening at Julie's house - part 1 was in back room with Julie on drums ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Concert part 2 was in Julie's living room ![]() Julie on washboard - Kathy & puppies in audience ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Julie only did one song with this bass cajon ![]() On the 28th, ![]() On the 29th, | |||||||||||||||||||||
Apr | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the 1st, mostly took it easy at home. Took Kathy to clinic & waited an hour in the car. ![]() My dog team pulling me around the circle ![]() View from heliport next to the clinic ![]() Mesquite blooms On the 2nd, too windy for Kathy again, so Jef took doggies on a walk. Road maintenance got around to starting to finish resurfacing our road. ![]() Panorama at sunrise after I took out trash ![]() Fresh tar with lots of gravel on our road On the 3rd, walked to town to mail taxes, pick up mail, med from pharmacy, and muffins for Kathy. Otherwise, took it easy at home. ![]() Lillies starting to bloom out front ![]() Meter still heading south, again below 4000 ![]() Panorma of clouds at start of hike ![]() Beavertail blooming at vacation house on Bending Elbow ![]() For some reason they put a 2nd re-surface on Bending Elbow! ![]() They paved over the coldenias that had broken thru prior resurfacing ![]() Panorama at Methodist church ![]() View coming home over the spur ![]() This couple, apparently out-of-towners, was standing on a boulder at the old country club and seemed to be discussing what a different place Borrego is On the 4th, drove to dentist in SD for quick visit, stopped by Santee house, and did some shopping before coming home. ![]() View from new Santa Ysabel gas station - note that it's green everywhere ![]() Panorama of Santee living room ![]() Looking towards hallway ![]() Holley's old room ![]() Guestroom - note the hole in the wall (Rob's laundry chute) ![]() Master bedroom ![]() Master bath ![]() Guest bath ![]() Back yard ![]() Front yard ![]() ![]() Storm clouds near Henshaw - actually got some rain! ![]() Panorama at Crawford Overlook ![]() Very clear, as Salton Sea easily visible ![]() Sunset this evening ![]() Puppies playing ![]() Pepper puppy On the 5th, mostly took it easy at home. ![]() Pepper puppy fetches socks... but doesn't want to part with them On the 6th, mostly took it easy at home. ![]() We took doggies around block with 2 spurs - about a mile On the 7th, mostly took it easy at home and prepared for 5 day trip the following day. ![]() Kathy (for 2nd time) started oven & forgot we had stored some peanuts and thawed out Cornish game hens in the oven ![]() Most of the peanuts and the game hens were salvaged in time, however. On the 8th, Kathy worked most of the day, doing home health. After work we packed and drove to Huntington Park and spent the night with Stella, Alvaro & Holley. ![]() Sunrise this morning ![]() Barrel and amarylis both blooming out front ![]() We made it to LA ![]() Puppies made it too! ![]() On the 9th, Kathy drove all of us to LA County offices in Norwalk & Holly + Alvaro got hitched. We took pix of this process and also got pix of the house Kathy was raised in, as well as her old high skool. ![]() Heading to Holley & Alvaro's appointment ![]() ![]() ![]() Stella & Kathy at the place where it happens ![]() ![]() While paperwork was started, Stacey joined in a video call ![]() ![]() The couple and the "gallery" ![]() The actual event (photos not allowed, but Kathy insisted Jef take one) ![]() Afterwards, we went to the arch where couples get photographed, but Alvaro & Holley were enamered with this... ![]() ... jumping spider on the arch ![]() Holley & Alvaro with the certificate ![]() The couple with the moms ![]() The kiss ![]() Photos on the nearby lawn ![]() Lots of little flowers on the lawn ![]() ![]() ![]() Besides the bigger daisy-like flowers, there were a few non-dandelion little flowers in the lawn ![]() These were the most noticeable flowers ![]() Mother & son ![]() ![]() The entire wedding party ![]() Kathy showing Holley her grandma's house for the first time ![]() Panorama of grandma's old neighborhood ![]() Snapped a pic of Kathy's old high skool ![]() Doggies in back yard ![]() ![]() ![]() Kathy feeding doggies ![]() Doggies in front yard ![]() ![]() On the 10th, Jef & Kathy checked out a few possible venues for Holley's main wedding, should she ever have one. Only 1 pic from first 2, as we were unable to get in to check them out, and they were in nasty congested areas. We then checked out the lodge in Elysian Park. Dropped by Landa St. house on the way to the next venue and wound up getting tour from Jez and Phil - also meeting dad Jimmy, who was busy in new granny hut behind the house doing a remote therapy session. ![]() Bad parking situation at 2nd venue - also Jef had to deal with crazy lady while waiting for Kathy ![]() Kathy had to go, so tracked down a bathroom at a Food 4 Less, where I noticed that portable security trailers are in use in a lot of areas in LA ![]() Poor guy probably thinking "why am I in smell-A?" ![]() This art piece building(intersection of Echo Park and Sunset) was a drug store when I was young, catty corner is still a dry cleaners(was Hollyway Cleaners when I was young), BofA is still there,but the Pioneer Market is gone ![]() Scott Avenue entrance to Dodger Stadium ![]() At bottom of Boylston St. is one of my old school chum's house(Raymond Petty) ![]() Mom's old house completely redone(1610 N Boylston)
![]() Parking area ![]() ![]() ![]() Jef & Kathy ![]() Interior ![]() Connector from main building to outdoor area ![]() Water falling into duck pond ![]() Panorama of outdoor area ![]() Kathy walking from lodge to outdoor area ![]() ![]() Fountain in pond ![]() Dropoff point for guests who don't want to walk uphill from parking area ![]() Looking towards parking area ![]() Arriving at 1964 Landa ![]() Kathy heading up ![]() ![]() The hand rails are gone ![]() Panorama at garage level ![]() Panorama at garage roof level ![]() Now a structure(playhouse?) on the garage roof ![]() ![]() Jes giving us a brief tour - note the missing walls! ![]() The old laundry room now has a breakfast nook! ![]() New kitchen countertop. Phil says nothing has gone to waste & dad's fancy woodwork has been redistributed around the house ![]() Now an open staircase ![]() Living room is now bright with windows open! ![]() Note that dad "signed the house" - this beam had been hidden behind lowered tile ceiling(now removed) ![]() Grandpa Jimmy's work room - he was doing a remote therapy session at the time, explaining why the "on air" light was on outside the granny shack ![]() With windows open, dad's terrace art can be seen from inside the house ![]() Big windows open again ![]() Front door replaced with a glass door for even more light! ![]() ![]() Phil pointing out the missing blackberry vines ![]() No more blackberry vines! ![]() ![]() ![]() Jimmy finished his session & came down to say hi ![]() Kathy talking with Jes & Phil ![]() Heading back to the car ![]() Tex's old house across the street
![]() Kathy walking to the entrance ![]() Main hall for any event ![]() Kathy in main courtyard ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() View of main courtyard from small bar ![]() The small bar ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() Main entrance ![]() We left and came by the next day for a tour ![]() Some parts of the city are pretty dirty ![]() Kathy at home feeding doggies On the 11th, Jef & Kathy checked out a few more possible venues for Holley's main wedding & Kathy determined her favourite. We had to negotiate rush hour traffic to get back home, and we did our last minute shopping for bridal shower the following day. ![]() Back at the LA River Complex: San Fernando Courtyard - some events could be done on this lawn, but this courtyard gets some heavy duty freeway noise ![]() Gina was our tourguide for this venue ![]() The big bar ![]() View of main courtyard from other side - the giant chiminea behind the guy walking is the wood fireplace available to us ![]()
![]() Kathy in the banquet hall ![]() Sample table setting and 15' diagonal LED display - Kathy talking to Gor, our guide ![]() Looking from banquet hall across entry hall to the courtyard ![]() Grand entry hall ![]() Outdoor courtyard panorama ![]() VIP area panorama(oops, mangled Gor and Kathy) ![]() You must take this staircase from courtyard to go up a flight to get to this VIP area ![]() Panorama men's bathroom ![]() Panorama ladie's bathroom ![]() Even fancy overhead lighting in bathrooms ![]() Toilet in ladie's bathroom ![]() VIP section in banquet hall(across from stage) ![]() A more complete example of how all tables appear at the start of festivities ![]() Sample chandelier ![]() Dancing area ![]() Panorama of entire banquet hall ![]() We found parking in residential area a couple blocks away ![]() Cool little houses in this area ![]() We drove off with a lot of flower petals on our car ![]() Kathy getting cards, bridal party gift, and other supplies for big party tomorrow On the 12th, Kathy was too tired to continue checking out wedding venues, and Holley, Alvaro & Stella were too busy prepping for party this afternoon, so declined to participate. We enjoyed a great catered party this evening with about 70 in attendance. ![]() Set up before guests arrived for bridal shower ![]() Ready for guests ![]() ![]() Party starting before everyone arrives ![]() Most people here now ![]() Yan, at left is the neighbor who sat at our table - a Vietnamese chemical engineer who left Vietnam for Japan, working there for 10 years, before coming to US. Couldn't get engineering job here, but lucked into position at the main LA library when it was seeking translators who spoke Vietnamese and Japanese - they got a "2-fer" with Yan! He worked there for 33 years before retiring ![]() Party was catered by Carnicerķa La Potosina ![]() ![]() I estimated around 70 people showed up ![]() ![]() Getting ready for pix with shower gifts nearby ![]() Groom & bride ![]() ![]() ![]() Sun getting low ![]() ![]() ![]() Couple with Holley's proud mother ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Kathy paid for the cake ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The secretary of Belmont Hi Skool & daugter came later and also sat at our table - she had that position for 37 years and was nearing retirement ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Alvaro & Holley later this evening - not cold enuff for a jacket for most of us ![]() ![]() An announcement of fireworks got some of us to go in back ![]() We were in an alley between a big strip mall and some houses ![]() Fireworks were powerful enuff to trip car alarms on the other side of these stores! ![]() Just a little smokey afterwards ![]() About to head back to party ![]() These 2 were both headed for University of CA after this summer - I think one at least was going to UCR ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The couple with the other side of the family (Stella & her beau) ![]() ![]() ![]() Freddy's a bit taller than these 2 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Dancing commencing ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Kathy traditionally dances with Holley at weddings! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() We cleaned up most of the tables after the party was winding down ![]() A more intimate setting ![]() ![]() ![]() Concha ![]() ![]() Modelo levitating in mid air??? ![]() On the 13th, we packed and Jef drove back to Borrego. Kathy was not feeling well, so took medications to prevent car-sickness & pain, so shortly after arriving home, she laid down and slept 12 hours straight. ![]() Gifts were not opened until following morning ![]() On the 14th, Jef drove Kathy to get a PET scan in Indian Wells, had some sushi (as Kathy had missed dinner & couldn't eat prior to PET scan, so was starving afterwards), and then did some shopping before we got home. ![]() Sunrise this morning ![]() ![]() ![]() Snow on Gorgonio from Indian Wells ![]() As Kathy couldn't eat before PET scan, she was starving so afterwards we dined nearby at Dragon Sushi ![]() ![]() ![]() Paloverdes still going full blast in Borrego ![]() At the library ![]() A 5 magniture earthquake had hit when we were driving to Palm Springs area ![]() A picture frame leaning against wall had come down in earthquake, causing destruction of at least one knick-knack - a candleholder given us as a wedding present by Kathy's cousin John - later we found a piece of another important knick-knack On the 15th, Kathy went back to work, working a full day. ![]() Paloverdes still going crazy ![]() On the 16th, Jef drove Kathy to vet surgery place in SD, to get suggestions on what to do with deformed left front leg on Pepper. Vet suggested seeing how she did on our trip up north this summer. If we think it should be fixed, cost is about $6K plus whatever 8 weeks of followup dressing changes would cost. Problems might include Pepper coming down hard and breaking the fix before it is healed. ![]() Saw this huge crane over Clairemont Mesa as we drove off from the vet ![]() Ceanothus blooming at the base of Iron Mtn ![]() With Kathy driving, Jef snapped pix on the way home ![]() Taking Old Julian detour to avoid Ramona rush hour, we drove by a free-range egg ranch ![]() ![]() ![]() Nearing Old Julian Hwy ![]() Fancy houses near Hwy 78 ![]() Starting on Old Julian Hwy ![]() Field of African daisies ![]() ![]() Driving by Camel Ranch ![]() Now on Hwy 78 ![]() Trumpers fruit stand ![]() Windy-windies ![]() By Santa Ysabel Preserve, note the oaks are blooming ![]() Green meadow just before Santa Ysabel ![]() Approaching Dudleys On the 17th, another windy day with Kathy working the whole day. On the 18th, another windy day. Jef walked doggies about 1 mile around the circle & did chores at home. ![]() Pepper is just too enthusiastic when Kathy comes home! ![]() Paloverde at the Mall with clouds by Toro Peak ![]() The library |
![]() Jef drove the truck today On the 19th, Jef made deviled eggs for the next day, Easter. ![]() Easter Bunny about to make an egg-hiding run On the 20th, met John in Glorietta & we had a potluck with about 12. Had an egg hunt, but only Joseph participated as his brother had no interest. Went on 2 mile hike with Dave. ![]() We set up Easter potluck 100 yards downwash from usual spot, as it was occupied ![]() Creosote and ocotillo were blooming ![]() ![]() Joseph playing one-armed golf, as his good arm is in a caste ![]() There were about 9 of us at this point, as Joe and David had not yet arrived ![]() Tied puppies to the ice chest for most of the party ![]() 12 in this pic, means there must have been at least 14 total(Jef & Joseph off-camera) ![]() ![]() ![]() David watching as Joseph finds Easter eggs ![]() ![]() ![]() Joseph finds a basket of chocolate eggs! ![]() ![]() ![]() Another successful desert potluck for John. Lorraine, I suspect, was an agent for the Easter Bunny ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Dave wanted to go on a hike, so we walked up to the pass - about a 2 mile round trip hike ![]() ![]() One of Dave's friends had no idea what an ocotillo was, so one of his tasks on the hike was to get pix of ocotillos ![]() Old guy on the left had to insist Dave slow down going up the steep inclines ![]() Some barrels were also blooming ![]() ![]() Dave about 5 minutes before we hit the end of the road ![]() Back at camp - Joe & friend had already left ![]() John, Terry, Bobby, Lorraine & John ![]() ![]() Puppies spent most of time on short leashes, as they wrapped leashes around chairs ![]() Joseph jumping out of Jeep ![]() Joseph was not an angel - just ask Kathy ![]() ![]() Golfing in Glorietta ![]() John spent the whole time playing with his teency cars ![]() Quick way to cook marshmallows for s'mores ![]() ![]() ![]() Looking towards Salton Sea ![]() ![]() After David left, camp is smaller ![]() Took doggies on a little walk before we left ![]() We were last to leave right behind John(at right) On the 21st, drove Kathy to MD appt. in Rancho Mirage & did a little shopping before driving home. On the 22nd, a full day for Kathy. Jef did chores around the house. On the 23rd, drove Kathy to MD appt. in Palm Desert, got gas and drove straigh home. We both mostly slept the rest of the day. ![]() Mesquite pollen drifts On the 24th, Kathy was not feeling well, but went to work anyway. ![]() Did some trimming of dead paloverde at Sewanee house ![]() Paloverde still going strong at the Mall ![]() Allergic reaction to bandaide adhesive after Kathy got mauled by Pepper puppy ![]() Kathy pushed herself & walked dogs for a mile around the circle ![]() Meter definitely heading south ![]() On the 25th, as Kathy was spending most of the time in bed & we had too much wind for her, Jef decided to go on an ambitious hike from the house to Hellhole Canyon - doing 10 miles in 4 hours - but as he didn't stretch beforehand, he was in pain the last half of the hike. ![]() Headed up the first tributary to main wash behind the old country club ![]() A rugged route with boulders, dry waterfalls & vegetation, but no big problem ![]() A couple bones from a small mammal ![]() Hornblende is one of the kinds of rocks in this wash ![]() As I neared the top, started to see the San Ysidros ![]() One of only 2 plants blooming in the 1/2 mile trek up this wash - this is a windmill (other was a trixis) ![]() Webo Peak became visible ![]() This small barrel cactus had fallen onto my route ![]() Nearing the top of the wash ![]() Reached S-22 ![]() After crossing road, found Surprise Canyon rim trail & followed it ![]() About to drop down to Hellhole trailhead ![]() Hellhole trailhead ![]() "They didn't bring enough water" monument ![]() One of 2 hikers 1 minute ahead of me for the 2 miles I hiked up this trail - Flatcat Canyon is straight ahead ![]() Hikers still just ahead of me as I reached the outskirts of the oasis ![]() Not sure, but this could be a goldeneye bloom ![]() Apricot mallow bloom next to first sycamore ![]() Sycamore with flowers in foreground ![]() Yerba Santa blooms ![]() Turnaround point at elevation 1600' and 4.5 miles into hike (took flatter but longer return route) ![]() ![]() As I went several minutes into the grove before reaching my 2 hour limit, still in the oasis for the first few minutes of my return ![]() Panorma - left is Borrego Valley, right is up canyon ![]() Borrego Valley in distance ![]() The mortero on the trail ![]() Mortero ![]() Last few palms ![]() Back to sycamore signifying the edge of the oasis ![]() Past the oasis ![]() Even 1 cholla flower was blooming ![]() Noticed sandstorm blowing from Rockhouse as I was 20 minutes from home ![]() Paloverde doing great - note palms being blown by the wind - I wasn't the only one ![]() At home - more then 10 miles in just over 4 hours ![]() 1100' elevation gain On the 26th, mostly took it easy at home. ![]() Despite the wind and cold, Kathy persevered and walked the dogs around the circle ![]() While Kathy & Kym worked in back yard, Kym mentioned there was a rainbow - here it is above the house ![]() It had been sprinkling just before this ![]() Rainbow can still be seen faintly on the left On the 27th, mostly took it easy at home again. ![]() The rat that has been terrorizing the house for the past few weeks, apparently, finally ate one of the several poison cubed it had cached, and is here on it's deathbed - threw it in front yard after this ![]() Did some shopping & took this panorama at the Mall ![]() About half an hour after I tossed rat in this area, I went to take a pic, but only a blood trail was here ![]() I think these are raven tracks by the nearly dead rat & blood was caused by rat putting up a little fight before being flown away On the 28th, Jef decided to walk on ridge behind old country club, doing a 4 mile hike. ![]() Meter still heading south ![]() Approximate route of hike after passing old country club ![]() From first pass, much of water tank trail is visible ![]() At 2nd peak, elevation 910' ![]() Near end of route up ridge and S-22 is now visible ![]() Looking towards Hellhole trailhead - this is where the finale of a DiCaprio movie was filmed last year ![]() Turnaround point of hike ![]() Multiply by 2 to get distance for hike ![]() Unusual vantage of grade where part is below and part above. This is a mark of Zorro, and is the "windy-windys" of the grade. ![]() Panorama - left is upper part of ridge and right is lower part ![]() You can see the Surprise Canyon rim trail behind this truck ![]() ![]() As I was about to enter a long flat area, wasn't paying much attention to footing, and slipped & fell on my butt, arm & hand - here's the area of slippage and injury to my thumb ![]() ![]() Enuff flat area on this mesa for a small village! ![]() Crypto-gramic crust ![]() ![]() ![]() This looks like it might be used to have a register(cursory exam found none, so it might no longer) ![]() ![]() Flat areas of this rim have trails - might be old indian trails ![]() Possible sleeping circle on last peak before the old country club ![]() Arriving back to old country club ![]() Summary of hike after reaching home ![]() Elevation history of hike ![]() Kathy harvested these carrots from our raised gardens this afternoon ![]() Night light might have made one of the fiddleleafs scary big! ![]() On the 29th, Kathy went back to work for a fairly short day. We actually had enuff rain to get back patio wet this afternoon! ![]() Paloverde still going strong ![]() Only clouds mid-day these days vs. at sunrise or sunset On the 30th, did some chores around the house. Kathy went to lunch at Red O with Kym. ![]() Possibly a native bee in cactus flower in front patio ![]() Kathy harvesting hot peppers from pots in front patio ![]() Meter still heading south ![]() Looks like dust column in center of pic - perhaps a distant dust devil | |||||||||||||||||||||
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