One more time around again

March 24 - April 1
Palm Springs Thousand Trails
Joshua Tree NP boondocking

The usual - crowded among palm trees here

It felt great to come back here - almost like coming home even though we'd not likely call this home!  But we had good memories of our time here before (mostly the people) and we know our way around the area now!

The once-in-awhile chore of cleaning solar panels!

But it's getting really hot for us (mid-80's) so there's less motivation for being outside with no shade.  The reason we came back this way was to see Ellen's provider for her hand (the little finger is not recovering well from being in the cast - the broken part feels fine but it's the only finger and part of the hand that is stiff and painful from being immobile in the cast!).  Doc says it's normal and only be concerned in a couple more months if not better.  I wish they could have told me that over the phone when I called to ask if this was normal!

Anza-Borrego State Park wildflowers

While we were in the area, we decided we'd go to Anza Boreggo Desert State Park to see the wildflowers.  We were checking in with our friends from Vancouver who were near Parker AZ and discovered they had planned a couple of days in Indio to go to Anza Boreggo as well so we postponed our Sunday trip and did it Tuesday with them instead!  Probably less crowded than a weekend and a bonus getting to do it with them!

The visitors center was great (and the film on the seasons especially).  Very helpful person at the desk who guided us to sculptures and prime wildflower viewing.

It was so much fun to see what sculpture would be around the next corner.  So cool!  One of my favorites was a simple Saguaro cactus since they are all over in the SW, it made me laugh to see one in silhouette amidst the "natural" desert!

One of many sculptures around Borrego Springs

On our way back "home", we searched for a picnic area to enjoy the lunch we brought to share.  Couldn't find anything so we just drove straight to the Salton Sea to park and overlook the water while we ate lunch.  We then took a walk to the water and oh my what an adventure.  Fish bones everywhere so it was a crunchy walk until it was not...then it was a gooey slimy walk!  It felt so good to leave what would normally be a joy - walking along the water!

Always a pleasure to see dear friends!

We said our goodbyes to our dear friends from home and decided on the spur of the moment to see Beauty and the Beast.  The original animation was one of my most favorite Disney movies and I wasn't sure how I'd like this one especially starring Emma Watson.  Could I watch it without seeing Hermoine?!  I was amazed!  It was so great!  Emma did a beautiful job singing and one of the best parts was how they were able to go more deeply into the characters and add new elements to this well known story.  Really a fun time.  Oh, and by the end of the movie, Hermoine was (mostly!) no more!

Side trip from our boondocking spot - Box Canyon Rd.

Our typical boondocking spot outside Joshua Tree NP

We wanted to connect with the Escapee Boondockers group who were near Joshua Tree NP.  We drove around and didn't recognize anyone nor was there a particularly large group gathered together nor any signs pointing the way.  We tried Facebook and email but didn't get a response.  Disappointed we didn't get to share a campfire with them BUT oh my a major windstorm hit and it was quite a ride (so no campfires anyway!).   Winds were over 30 mph with gusts around 50.  We seemed to weather it (a pun!) just fine though.  We decided to wait one more day before moving on since the winds were still pretty strong.  We drove back through Joshua Tree NP while we were there and hit another spot we had missed before.

Oh, and we changed out of our flannel sheets!  Nights are not so cold any more!

We were ready to move on and "boldly go where no one has gone before", well us anyway!

Highlights:  See friends and visiting Anza Borrego wildflowers and sculptures
Lowlights:  Missing the Boondockers group at Joshua Tree NP

Things we learned:  we can survive 50 mph gusts!  Don't particularly want to know if we can tolerate stronger winds!