Day 37, Saturday, 02/02/08

The State Park in Borrego Springs was full so we had to settle for an RV park two nights before the "Resort" on Sunday. This town is a puzzle. It has all the appearance of a desert oasis waiting to happen (and some of it must have happened years ago) but just never totally took off. Several beautiful golf clubs with lush green fairways and greens and beautiful houses lining the courses; but not too many people to be found, and "for sale" signs abound. Not a single decent restaurant! It is a haven for "off road" traveling and open camping (boondocking) is allowed anywhere in the state park - it's thousands of acres in size.

But, the weather is fantastic!

Following is a collection of pictures from the last week.

All Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument pictures until noted otherwise. The stand out thing here is that even though it's a desert, it's alive and surprisingly green.

Teddy Bear Cholla

Ocotillo, Saguaro, and Cholla

Ocotillo (Ellen's favorite)

Jumping Cholla - the tips fall off as seeds. They stick to anything that comes near. Dogs are known to get them on their paws, then chew them off - often swallowing them. This is what we think Gracie got into.

This is an Organ Pipe Cactus. Only know habitat in the US is this National Monument

Saguaro on the left, Organ Pipe on the right

The border crossing into Mexico at Lukeville, AZ. We did not go. We did, however, buy some cheap Crown Royal at the duty free shop and walk it across into Mexico and then immediately back into the US.