Loop and Olla Wash:

It was time for another adventure to the Anza Borrego Desert.  This time my Bro had some time off, (or so I thought) so we headed into Fish Creek Wash.  We go a bit of a late start and it started to get dark by the time we hit the dirt.  This was his first adventure to ABDSP and his first XTC adventure with his Truck Camper.  

We were going to head into Olla Wash but it got pretty dark so we set up camp in Loop Wash.

It was pretty cool having 2 hard sided shelters as the wind the next day had some pretty strong gusts.

We found a pretty cool cave in the area

I thought this might be some petrified scat :)

My bro thought we had landed on Mars

Rock solid fossils

the high and dry reef

Showing my niece around the place 

Brett leading the group

Crumbling Reef

All of us hanging out flying kites, my bro had his hands full with his 2 and 1 year old!

Next generation of Desert enthusiasts ;)

This was a nice place to stop and use the natural environment to go ahead and clean my solar panels.  It was hard to believe this is the middle of winter in southern california and it was 72 and perfect.

It sucks being so far out and having cell phone reception because my bro got called into work and had to leave the party early :(

We continued on into Olla Wash to explore the peace and solitude of ABDSP

This campsite will do,  Free and WAY out there, just the way we like it.

If you are into geology you will love Olla Wash.

I guess all the ollas are gone, but there are a few Metates around

Did I say it was the middle of winter?  Brett finally figured out the perfect desert attire

He still has a lot of growing up to do

It was nice to see some color on the ocotillos

I love this pic :)

We lost Brett for a while and found him napping in a small alcove

I spy with my little eye

We just can't get enough of this place :)

concretion station

Tile rummy anyone?

Team Sturgeon :  Hope you enjoyed the tour

 

Another Adventure: Arroyo Seco Diablo 12/24/2014

Finally had some time to head back out to the Desert. I wanted to check out the Arroyo Deco Diablo area via Vallecito Creek and Arroyo Tapaido. Was a bit nervous about the road getting in there. It is tight in a few places but I never had any issues. The only issue was my coolant started leaking so I had to cut my trip short. 

Heading up Arroyo Tapaido


Since I am too cheap to buy a go pro camera, I strapped my Iphone to my camper jack for some video fun :)

Arroyo Tapaido Bypass: 4wd Hi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5z6mip1XaM


Arroyo Tapaido Bypass continued 4wd LOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeFFTeQO09o&feature=youtu.be 

Vallecito Creek: 2WD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teNiQVV47ZE


As we drove past the mud caves there was not another soul around. Since our trip in the summer was cut short we decided to make a stop and set up camp. 





checking out Chasm Cave





Hidden Cave












Concrection Canyon has some interesting formations













Continuing on through Arroyo Tapaido bypass road to Arroyo Seco Del Diablo











Some of the petrified wood in the area









Brenna found the needle in the haystack, not sure what size bullet this is or where it was shot from!



Just in case you are curious how concretions form









Concretion Mountain






The kids talked me into taking our new addtion to the family : Riley


.





Set up camp in Arroyo Seco Del Diable and roasted some hot dogs :) The weather couldn't have been better out there and surprisingly no one else around.



Enjoying the desert.




Interesting deceased Ocotillo



Sunsets never get old



another stellar camp site











Arroyo Seco Diablo with Whale peak in the background





Evidence of life long ago


and the uplifting taking place



We headed over to agua caliente to cool off and hit up the Spa. Right now th outdoor kids pool is closed for renovation. This large pool was pretty brisk. 






It was nice to get some fresh desert air :)



Total Mylar Balloons: 2
And a first ever water pool left behind from the recent rains. I guess Mylar balloons are good for something.