I lower the solar panel which signals the crew.
We’re going somewhere! The last few days Bridget, Spike and I have stayed at the campsite, mainly due to the wind. Wind in the desert means airborne dust and sand, of course. Not good for taking photos. The places I go are determined by whether or not the crew can go there. And now I have to be able to take photos for my blog. If I can’t photograph what I see for the blog, I don’t want to go! The blog is taking over our lives!
This morning the wind dies down, so we leave camp to look around.
Henderson Canyon Road takes us past two groups of boondockers in the Peg Leg dispersed camping area near Borrego Springs, California.
One group of boondockers
Although these RVers are obviously happy with their campsites (or they would’ve moved), I wonder if all that bare ground provides dust and sand for the wind to play with. There’s something to be said for the humble creosote bush around a campsite, especially in large numbers.
Another group of boondockers
Henderson Canyon Road is a scenic drive through large groves of citrus trees.
The citrus groves and stands of palm trees remind me of my years living in Florida.
Although I don’t remember any mountains like those!
Hmm . . . what’s THAT over there?
An elephant runs across the desert!
I drive toward it. Dust swirls over the bare ground. The wind has moved over here! The elephant is one of the metal sculptures for which Borrego Springs is famous. More creatures come into view. Darn wind! We’ll have to come back another time to take photos for the blog.
We’re on Borrego Springs Road which leads into town.
I drive around the mall. Fudge. There are probably people in there eating fudge. Or maybe they’re buying a big chunk of it to take home. Sigh . . .
Once parked, I let out the crew. We walk along the oleander in bloom at the edge of the parking lot. Spike lifts his leg on the recycling bin. The walk done, back in the PTV they go so I can get the groceries.
On the way into the store, I notice a water dispenser.
Yes! Funny how a source of inexpensive water can brighten this boondocker’s day.
I rarely buy doggie treats for Spike and Bridget.
I’d rather let them have some of my food, like the rotisserie chicken I bring back to the PTV. Spike goes nuts, per usual, jumping up and down next to me, while Bridget sits expectantly on the bench seat like the little, well-mannered lady that she is.
We gobble down the chicken. I put the leftover chicken inside a small cooler, having learned my lesson not to leave Spike alone with any food he loves. Next I swing the PTV around to the water dispenser and fill up six one-gallon jugs ($1.50).
It’s a pretty day, this second day of December.
I walk around the mall looking in the shops. People gather to enter the Performing Arts Center. I come across The Frugal Coyote. That’s unusual. A thrift store in a mall. It’s closed on Sunday. I’ll come back sometime during the week.
On the drive across the desert toward home, I stop to take a photo during a lull in the wind.
I position the PTV so her rear end is close to the hitch in order to allow the solar power wire to be connected. I also make sure her solar panel is at the best angle toward the sun.
The first thing I do after letting out the crew is climb up my stepladder to put up the panel. The panel immediately starts to sing. I linger on the stepladder, listening and gazing out across the desert. I look over my home with its new Wilson antenna sticking up in the air which reminds me of a flag in a full force gale.
“Full Force Gale” by Van Morrison
Like a full force gale
I was lifted up again
I was lifted up again by the Lord
And no matter where I roam
I will find my way back home
I will always return to the Lord
Later, as night falls . . .
I capture this scene of our home beneath pink clouds.
rvsue
Canine Corner: “I can’t stop laughing” by Spike and Bridget
“What is so funny, Spike? You’ve had that silly grin on your face all morning.”
“I can’t help it! I keep thinkin’ about yesterday and you guys running around the desert like jackrabbits, looking for me. Ha-ha-ha.”
“That’s not funny, Spike. We were worried.”
“Aw, c’mon, Bridge. Not even a little funny?”
“You know, Spike? You can be very irritating.”
rvsue and her canine crew 