Caruthers Canyon in the Mojave National Preserve was the perfect spot to pitch my “swag” for the night while traversing the Mojave Road. The swag is extremely popular in Australia and has many devotees now in the U.S. as well.
Links: Hiking in Mojave Preserve
The lava tubes off Aiken Mine Road in the Mojave National Preserve are a great place to explore and are only a short hike from the parking area. Three separate beams of light were shining through from above ground on the day I visited.
Links: Lava tubes
This pic is from a few weeks ago when we were out looking for wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. We had just turned off of the 78 onto Buttes Pass Road that goes to The Slot and Hawk Canyon.
Links: The Slot Hawk Canyon Desert Lily
This pic shows a closeup of a beavertail cactus flower from Desert Garden in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (on the way to Coyote Canyon). Photo credit goes to Jack Springer who was with me on this outing.
Links: previous related post
This past weekend I attended The Adventure Portal’s “Run to the Sun” event at Trona Pinnacles near Ridgecrest. Over 100 groups of overlanding enthusiasts were on hand to make new friends, learn new skills at three excellent training seminars, and explore the interesting topography. This pic shows the area where I was camped as seen through a hole in one of the rock formations known as “the portal”.
Links: The Adventure Portal
An interesting site between the Pumpkin Patch and Arroyo Salado campground in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is 5 Palms. I think they look pretty regal sitting up on the hill.
This beavertail cactus, at Desert Garden in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on the way to Coyote Canyon, was creating quite a stir with photographers lined up to snap a pic. It was pretty spectacular!
Took a quick day trip this week to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to view the wildflower explosion that is the result of all the winter rains that we had this year. The wildflowers were truly outstanding and probably haven’t quite reached their peak yet. The desert lilies were my favorite and this pic shows a beautiful example, which we found on Buttes Pass Road just before the turnoff to The Slot. Click on the links below for wildflower updates.
Links: wildflower updates
This pic shows just one of the obstacles at the RC truck off-road course just to the left of the Discovery Center at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). I’m not sure who was having the most fun, the kids or the adults!!
The Discovery Center at Ocotillo Wells SVRA is a great source of information about what’s available in the park, the applicable regulations, maps of the area, etc. I was impressed by the displays of native animals and most surprised by the badger seen in this pic. I was not aware that badgers lived in the desert! The Center also has a balloon tired wheel chair available for loan so everyone can get out and enjoy the desert.
Links: Ocotillo Wells SVRA
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