January 16, Monday, Day 102
January 15, Sunday, Day 101
“The first principle of value that we need to rediscover is this: that all reality hinges on moral foundations. In other words, that this is a moral universe, and that there are moral laws of the universe just as abiding as the physical laws. (from “Rediscovering Lost Values”)”
― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from the Birmingham Jail
Today we returned to Joshua Tree NP to expand our exploration to the NW portions we had not yet seen. The Barbs offered to drive their car, an economical Subaru. We accepted! It was so enjoyable to observe as a passenger instead of as a driver. I took a lot of photos last time (almost 100). This time I tried to view the park without the distraction of the camera though I did shoot a few new attractions.
It became evident to me that mountains have a life cycle. My image of hard and durable granite was challenged by my observation of this amazing scenery. Massive granite mountains stratify into many segments. As the granite decomposes ground water washes the sediment down to the basin below. Eventually, only piles of granite boulders remain as the basin floor ascends. Amazing!
The highlight of the day was Keys View up on the San Bernadino Mountains at 5185′. The view point is about half way between the NW and SW corners of the park looking down into the Coachella Valley, where Palm Springs and Palm Desert are located at 150′. In that valley, the infamous San Andreas Fault line is clearly visible!
We exited the West Gate which is directly west of the East Gate, explaining the nomenclature.
January 14, Saturday, Day 100
It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
January 13, Friday, Day 99
Salton Sea SRA Friday the 13TH!
We are going dark for the weekend by moving to a campsite without hookups. No electric=no computer. Our friends, the Barbs, will be joining us for the three day weekend; in that portion of the park. they can setup their tent in our campsite.
January 12, Thursday, Day 98
“If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.”
― Lyndon B. Johnson
Salton Sea SRA
I spent all day resizing photos, writing and editing posts. Cooler, windy weather has moved in. A good day to hunker down.
Why am I doing these posts? What are my motives? We are so blessed to be exploring this great land and to show you the many islands of pristine beauty that remain. Those of you following our adventures vicariously must sense our alarm regarding the state of affairs. Climate change, habitat loss and the relentless human encroachment around these islands are serious issues that are not prioritized in today’s body politic. Thank God for national, state and regional parks; without them those islands would surely disappear!
We have been spiritually and emotionally affected by the things we have seen. To us, creation is the reflection of a Divine Presence (aka, God. But, “god” is a word that conjures up anthropomorphic images that get in the way). The universe is the physical manifestation of this Being; this planet is teeming with life in many diverse forms. And, it seems life often grows out of death. The DNA coding in the Monarch butterflies we learned about is so amazingly complex; it is a wonder how that might have just happened.
So, we call this Spirit, “Being Itself”, the source of all being. It follows that life must be a product of It. It loves life; life is the love child of Being Itself. Love, then, is modeled in all of creation; consider the maternal instincts of the animal kingdom. Internet videos abound with examples of elephants helping gazelles mired in muddy watering holes, dolphins rescuing humans, and animals searching out humans to help them when injured.
It is also our belief that all the great religions have love, kindness and compassion as their keystones as do most primitive native cultures. Enough theology; we need action!
If, and, or when we pray, we can pray for a big miracle. But, we are all miracles; we are human beings! As sentient beings, we must acknowledge that it is our responsibility to pass on to future generations “a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.” And that all of Mother Earth is sacred; we must treat it with the reverence it deserves!
Let us pray for families to recycle, for communities to organize for the love of the local environment, for entrepreneurs and businesses to innovate affordable renewable resources, for nations to stop fighting and to begin collaborative efforts to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. Then let’s act in our neighborhoods, schools, churches, and clubs to be the change we want to see!
Our walks through the woods and along beaches almost always end at a trash can. We carry a plastic bag to pickup people’s litter and fishermen’s line. It seems a drop in the bucket. But, if everyone mimicked this behavior, much good would result.
It is all about love. Love is all you need! Love, love, love….
January 11, Wednesday, Day 97
Salton Sea SRA Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
It was with great expectation that we headed for Joshua Tree National Park. The irony is we had no idea what to expect! That is precisely what makes for an adventurous day. We did know there would be significant elevation gain and resulting loss today as we made our way north out of Mecca, Ca., through Box Canyon to the south gate of the park. The rock formations on either side of the road inspired the name; the huge vertical slabs of monzogranite gave the impression of passing through a box. Without peripheral vision it was hard to know what to imagine. Obviously we were ascending, that was a fact.
It turns out Box Canyon was a passageway through the Orocopia Mountains. The road broke out into a large valley between us and the mountains of the park. Interstate 10 runs east/west along the north edge of that valley. Crossing the freeway, we entered the park and climbed 8 miles to the Visitor Center at Cottonwood Spring. There were no Cottonwoods, and they were drilling a well just outside! With our Senior Pass, we paid no fee.
As the road climbs upward it is passing through a transition zone between the Colorado desert and the Mojave desert. There plants and animals of both types are represented. Basically, the Colorado desert is below 3,000’ and the Mojave is above.
The best memories we have are of the vast wilderness of the Pinto Basin; it is mind boggling. Next, the Cholla Cactus Garden was a treat, but the plants seemed threatened. Many dead, most of the others exhibit blackened trunks. The wind was picking up there. At White Tank, the wind was howling; I am guessing 50 MPH! The elevation was over 4100’ at the summit of the climb. But, there is a very cool (literally and figuratively) campground there among the sculpted monzogranite boulders. Also, a trail from site 9 leads to the rock arch. Wear good shoes, not flip-flops! It’s not difficult, but you need good traction.
From there you coast downhill for miles, with stunning views of the small communities 1000’ below, outside the park. The Oasis of Mara, at the East Gate (which, oddly, is directly north of the South Gate) Visitor’s Center in Twentynine Palms, is worth the .5 mile stroll after that long drive. We did not see half of the park, so we plan to return in a couple days to travel a different route in the NW quadrant.
It was a long drive west to Yucca Valley, south to I-10, and east to Mecca and the Salton Sea camp. Luckily, I got a power nap in the truck while Penny did some grocery shopping! When we got home, she made chicken vegetable noodle soup while I sorted through nearly 100 new photos. We crashed early after that 173 mile drive.
January 10, Tuesday, Day 96
January 9, Monday, Day 95
Salton Sea State Recreation Area (SRA), 148 mile jump
Bound and determined to make this blog live online, I worked until 12:30AM last night and started again about 6:30 this morning. And I finally pulled the trigger; today is the day. I feel like an expectant dad giving birth to a baby! God, that feels good! I told a few friends and family to test drive the baby carriage and give me feedback. Then, I’ll do an official announcement.
Checkout time was 11AM and we hadn’t a firm destination. Turning from blog work to important stuff like where to sleep tonight, we weighed varied pros and cons. But, basically it was obvious we wanted to be warm, i.e., we had to find a lower elevation. I remembered being attracted to the Sultan Sea because, according to California state parks, it was below sea level and the photos were awesome.
We had tentatively planned to camp at Joshua Tree National Park, but its 3000′. However, it’s just NE of the Salton Sea, so we can day trip it. And, there is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is just SW of here. So, consensus! We have a plan; now let’s see if our plan lines up with the energy force that has the final say.
What a drive! The barren vastness was stunning. The rock formations looked like something out of a Fred Flintstone cartoon. Seriously, it must get super hot here in the summer; there is no grass, no trees, no weeds, nothing. Compare that to the fecundity of the rainforests of the Pacific NW. What a dichotomy!
Portions of the ride felt like a roller coaster ride; we’d climb a steep grade that would quickly become a steep descent, so steep we couldn’t see the road below at the top of the arc. A number of descents had signs warning, “Watch downhill speed!”. When you weigh 7 tons, you don’t want to get going too fast, for sure! In one instance, as we were returning to populated areas, a long 4 mile descent ended at an intersection with a stoplight. Trailer brakes are a must!
Arriving at the Sulton Sea was a real treat. I was tired and crabby; Penny and I had trouble getting the trailer set up. Actually, it took about three tries and two different sites before we got it level and hooked to utilities. But then, we discovered Pelicans and all sorts of sea birds vacationing here. I wasn’t crabby after that! I’ll let the photos show you why:
Penny’s fried chicken legs, steamed carrots and broccoli, and a beer for dinner found us exclaiming our blessings! It is all good in our universe tonight!
January 8, Sunday, Day 94
It was 44F when I headed to the showers after trimming my beard and shaving my neck. The showers were only about 50 yards from the Ship. I dressed minimally as usual: hoodie, gym trunks, flip flops, towel, and wash cloth. I carry soap and shampoo in the hoodie pouch.
As I entered the men’s shower without using my code; the door was jimmied! It wasn’t a recent event. What good is the code? Then I saw three shower stalls. Two were missing shower heads, the goosenecks that hold the shower heads and the faucet to adjust the water temperature. The third stall was lacking only the shower head. I celebrated that, but no matter how long I ran the water or which position I placed the faucet, no hot water appeared! It was then I started cursing loudly. I managed to lather up the wash cloth to hit the important parts and stuck my head under the water long enough to lather and rinse. Worst shower ever!
The staff wasn’t there to admonish. I wanted to get to church on time and pray for these clowns! Later, they blamed thieves and a bad water heater part and weren’t about to admit any culpability. They had our money so we drove away gnashing our teeth! We will post a review on Yelp.
Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church was a gem. Its adobe styled exterior and breezeways allowed views to the distant snow capped mountains across the Apple Valley. Huge walls of stained glass allowed streaming sunlight to illuminate the interior. A large stained glass skylight was an additional attraction. A very diverse congregation ( gringo, latino, black and native) packed the very large house and seemed one big happy family singing boisterously together. Communion!
Later that afternoon, the Barbs payed us a visit to check out our tiny house and share Penny’s black eyed pea stew and fresh made corn bread. More great conversation and laughs made for an intimate evening culminated with a variety of cheesecake treats,
January 7, Saturday, Day 93
Shady Oasis
It was 34F when we woke up; about 45F inside. As per usual, I turned up the thermostat and as the furnace kicked on it made a god awful squealing sound. I was sure glad we bought the electric heater! But, we need the furnace when electricity is not available, so I started looking online for RV dealers in the area. It was only 7AM; the three I found didn’t open until 9. In the meantime, I went to the internet for advice on this problem and there was plenty. It did not indicate the need for replacing the whole fan. The fan may be contacting the housing; this can be remedied by oil and/or adjustment. Exhale!
After it warmed up a bit, I went out side to investigate the problem. It appears to be a big job to pull the entire furnace. The gas line, three ducts and power would all have to be disconnected first; all tight quarters work. Optimistically, it can be done without this drastic maneuver. But, first I needed to pinpoint the source of the noise. Penny turned on the thermostat; the fan spun up to speed with no noise! My theory is the furnace housing in distorting in the cold temps and impeding the fan blades. Let’s see what happens in the next couple of days.
Later, we went over to Barb and Barb’s for lively conversation on a wide ranging series of topics. They prepared homemade buns, crockpot pork, home made BBQ sauce, and coleslaw. We brought artisan ice cream oatmeal cookie sandwiches covered in chocolate for dessert. A good time was had by all!
Matt and Stacia had mailed Christmas presents to the Barbs’ address for her mom and I. Matt made us laminated cutting board. Stacia made us some vanilla extract and sent some great portraits of the grand daughters, Kadie, Alison and Emma.
We also sent a package there when we decided to change out our halogen light bulbs to LED bulbs. We needed 17 indoor and two outdoor, but when we shopped at the RV place in Spokane, each bulb was $17!!! However, when I mentioned that to my brother-in-law, Mike, he did some detective work on the inter web and found 20 bulbs for $16!!! As a result, we replaced all of our bulbs last night and are using only a fraction of the power we were with the other bulbs. This results in longer battery life while primitive camping.
Frankly, primitive camping sounds drastically different from our reality. What we do is a long way from primitive. We roll our trailer from spot to spot and live quite well. It is cold at night, but we have heaters. It rains, but we are not sleeping on the ground and our roof does not leak. We have a refrigerator and a freezer for food storage. We even have a microwave! (which does not work without electrical hookup.)
Same trailer; different park!