Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Dry side

Where we are headed (look closely at the buildings on top of the ridge)

Looking back down to where we took the previous picture

We had another boo west today, partially to seek out campsites, and partly just to hang out in some green; it’s been a long while in the desert.  We went another valley further west than yesterday, and went into Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.  It actually has a lake, you guessed it Cuyamaca Lake, which is a small reservoir lake, with not much water in it, considering it is spring, but is stocked with fish.  Paso Picacho campground was green and lovely (albeit at 5,000 feet), but too tight for the Bigfoot. Green Valley campground was closed.  (Saw an Acorn Woodpecker! - Nancy)

Ditch Daffodils in Julian, CA

Back north we went and and discovered Julian, a small green town with Daffodils blooming along the roadsides.  There were many blooming wild shrubberies, unidentified, but beautiful.  We poked around and found our way into William Heise County Park.  Off the beaten path, so very quiet, green, nice sites with power in the RV section, good washrooms and showers, but despite it being near empty, there were almost no open sites. (saw an Oregon Junco! - Nancy)

 William Heise County Park

From the County Park back to Borrego Springs was only 30 Km. as the crow flies. However, Julian at 4,200 feet, receives 26 inches of rain per year.  61 Km. by road, and one hour 10 minutes driving time away (did I mention the road is somewhat convoluted?), Borrego Springs, at 3,500 feet gets 5.8 inches of rain per year, and has 4 months where the average high is in excess of 100 F. (37.8 C for the youth in the crowd).

So, back to Borrego Springs for the afternoon usual.  Today is our last day in Borrego Springs, we’re on the road tomorrow. Slight issue in that we don’t know exactly where we’re going as yet.  Middle to northern California is wet, cool and has weather warnings.  Spring Break should be just about over, so San Felipe, MX is theoretically in the running.  Wickenburg, AZ is warm enough, and there’s a nature conservancy run birding spot there.  (Anything north is higher/cooler/close to freezing at night) Organ Pipe should be in full bloom by now, and Nancy wanted to see the Saguaro’s in bloom.  Or we may just completely melt down and make a five day run for the lower Rio Grande Valley, AKA Brownsville. Or maybe we just stay put.

¿Quién sabe?