It's About the (RV) Journey....: Exploring Anza Borrego..........

Another 95 degree day on tap (air temperature-without the sun beating down-so even HOTTER!). We got in the car again, this time to check out the roads to get over the mountains later in the week when we head to San Diego. We talked with some other campers last night ~~while stuffing my face with s'mores~~ at the resort's group campfire. There were mixed reviews on the roads, so we decided to check it out ourselves.

enjoying the view from the overlook

lots of curves and guardrails

oh wait....that's just the START of the winding roads going up??

that fifth-wheel is going!

hhmmm

oh boy, what is the grade here?

the environment is totally different...so GREEN

Not a good road for a big rig

The environment changed totally during the drive. It seemed we were suddenly out of the desert! Everything was green and lots of flowers were blooming here as well. We were also advised by our camping friends to stop in Julian for apple pie. Okay...fine with me:)

Julian was a cute little town, with lots of tourists and motorcycles, and lots of different places for apple pie. There must be orchards in the immediate area, but we didn't see any. Oh, and the temperatures were 20 degrees cooler than Borrego Springs! Nice!

a tourist in Julian

okay....this place was highly recommended

can't go wrong, can ya?

apple pie and ice cream for lunch???

baking mini pies

We took another route back, and that was scenic as well. But hey...its all about the hills and switchbacks and curvy roads when you are driving a big rig. Let's just say, we found the lesser of two evils, but it may still be a bit of a white-knuckler.

continuing to check out the roads

are they doing deep breathing exercises to get a grip after that part of the drive?

never a good sign

won't be fun in a big rig

my favorite in the big rig...steep grade with winding roads

this part would be good

Right before we headed back into the park, we had to stop at a border patrol. It seemed like it was a pop-up check station....nothing permanent. I guess they saw our two gray heads and the NJ plates on our car-they just waved us on. Anyway, the park scenery was really beautiful and we enjoyed the colorful flowers in the desert. We saw so much without even getting out of the car, but we were itching to hike!

so pretty!

a picture

desert scene

first I've seen an agave in bloom (big yellow flower)

the stalks grow 8 inches a day!

great color along the roadside

close up

the road into Borrego Springs

The next day we got up very early (before the heat set in) and headed out to do "the slot", a hike requiring driving down a dirt road to the parking lot. The ranger said no problem for us getting down that road in a car...but I have to say that it was a little dicey! There were a lot of really soft spots and big potholes. We were hoping we wouldn't get stuck in the middle of the desert. The directions were very clear, which was helpful.

the sign for the dirt road (easily missed)

okay...here we go!

lots of soft sand! and ditches! hope we don't get stuck

was this a big mistake?

signs are good! (don't want to go on a 4WD only "road")

the parking lot (no one is here but us-sweet!)

When we were speaking with the ranger, I told him of my issues with heights, and he said no worries. When you see the 'No Dogs' sign, go up the hill and then down to the left. The trail was even marked! Perfect!! I was a little concerned because of all the reviews on Yelp....most of those ~~young~~ hikers just got out of the car and walked down the steep embankment, which is about 50 feet. If you follow footsteps, that is the way you would most likely go. But....there were also lots of footsteps a little further at the sign:)

the ranger said go up the hill by the "no dogs" sign

a look at the canyon from above

here we go.....up

another look at the canyon from above

okay....this is where we make the left and go down into the canyon....well marked sign!

heading down gently...

not too bad

not bad at all

now we know where to go back up....look for this rock pile!

Our adventure began, and we were the only ones there. How lucky! It really pays to get an early start at some of these kinds of places. You don't want to be passing people in the slot if you don't have to. Hahah.

entering the canyon

nice and shady

my kind of weather

moving right along

It started out pretty wide but soon the slot narrowed and the walls grew higher. We did have to take our backpacks off at a few spots. The walls felt like cement and it was easy to scrape your arms and legs here. Just sayin'. We had the early morning light in the slot canyon, and our pictures weren't too dramatic. Nothing like Antelope Canyon! We had a fun time on this hike, and were really happy we were there early. Afterwards, we walked around the area on top of the slot.

so cool that we have the place to ourselves!

i knew I shouldn't have eaten that pie!

oohhh, never mind :)

nice and wide here

lots of twists and turns

the walls are getting taller

nice color variations inside

need to take off the backpacks!

some tight spots here and there

are you stuck there Susie?

I'm good

heading back out

hope I don't get wedged in there...ahhahah

and by the way, the walls are sandstone and can scrape you up pretty good

slim jim

no back packs here either

the colors of the walls are looking pretty here

heading back out

exploring a bit in the other direction, past our "turnoff"

look at the view down there

this was fun!

heading back

the path to the parking lot-not bad at all-no need to go down the really steep section near the parking lot

The views from above were amazing as well. Love the colors! And the earth....it went nuts here. Besides the view, there were also blooms to admire. Even though it was still early in the morning, the temperature was starting to shoot up. Ugh!

we were down there

beautiful view

the canyon

all of a sudden we heard the birds...didn't see them coming though

there's a view of the canyon

very cool

what an adventure we are on Susie!

exploring a bit farther down the path

stop right there!

sweet

still the only ones here!

look at the detail

lovely

looks like a painting

so vibrant

oh hello

cool

views as we drive back down the dirt road from the trailhead

so pretty

another picture

close up

i really like those ocotillos!

I'll admit...we are usually too busy to just go to the pool and float for the afternoon....but this was one day when it was high on the list! Thankfully, the water was cool!! One of these days, I may even get Tom to join me in the water!