Mountain Ride in Southern California

While in the Joshua Tree National Park area, we took a ride up in the mountains to our west. Our drive took us from an elevation of a few feet below sea level in the valley to 6200 feet. The first part of the loop was on Palms to Palms Scenic Highway, very appropriately named. The western part was on Banning Idyllwild Panoramic Highway.

Looking down at the road we traveled to get to the first scenic overlook.

A great view of the valley.

Snow on the mountaintops in the distance.

Here we were at a higher elevation, looking down at some mountains.

At the same location, looking to higher mountains behind us.

This sign shows our route, starting in Palm Desert.

We are getting closer to the snow.

The dark clouds rolled in and it felt like it might snow.

Birds in the Desert and at the Sea

Whether at our campsite, taking a ride, or going for a walk or hike, we try to be aware of our surroundings for interesting animals. We don't always have the camera ready, but here are a few shots.

A roadrunner taking a slow walk past our campsite.

This beautiful hummingbird was a frequent visitor to our feeder.

Sweet water, what a treat!

Hummingbirds have iridescent colors that glow in the sunshine.

A mom hummingbird sitting in her nest. The nest is about the size of a half cup measure. She doesn't even fit.

An egret at the Salton Sea posing for a photo.

White pelican at the Salton Sea.

This blue heron was looking for lunch along the shore.

Salton Sea and The Slabs

In all our leisure time, we like to explore the area around where we are camped. Right now we are staying near the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park and on this day took a ride to the Salton Sea. It is much larger than we expected. This body of water was created in 1905 when flooding of the Colorado River broke through an irrigation canal and almost all the water flowed into this low area for one and a half years. As the water evaporates, the salinity increases and is now higher than that of the ocean. The source of the water is still the Colorado River which is used for irrigation in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. Runoff from these valleys replenishes about the same volume of water which evaporates each year. (There is no outlet for the sea.) The Colorado River is slightly salty and as the water is used for irrigation it picks up more salt from the soil. We saw many water birds and some nice camping areas along the shore.
Over the years we have heard and read much about the Slabs, so since we were in the area, we went out to see it for ourselves. It is an abandoned military training site and all that remains are the concrete slabs, hence the name. It is a very popular place for people of all types to camp and the motto seems to be, live and let live. It has become a self governing community with many activities.
One of it's residents has created Salvation Mountain. Over the years he has painted his art on a hill there, and people donate paint so he may continue his work.The latest story is that a group wanted it torn down, as they claimed that the paint was contaminating the ground. Samples were taken and it was determined that the soil was not any different than other samples taken in surrounding areas. It has now been named a folk art monument, offering it some protection.

A campsite at the shore of the Salton Sea.

The Range is a stage at the Slabs, where music happens each day at sundown.

Some unusually decorated vehicles we spotted at the Slabs.

The Coachella valley has many agricultural crops. Here are some grapevines we saw.

2009 MCAS Yuma Airshow

We spent a warm sunny day at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma as one of their many guests for the day. This was their 47th annual air show and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the air station. There were many aircraft on display, some amazing aerial acts and a breathtaking ending. The Commemorative Air Force put on "Tora, Tora, Tora" a live re-enactment of the Dec 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. At the end of the show a Marine pushed the plunger that started the record breaking Wall of Fire, at 10,173.8 feet. It was 15 stories high and we could feel the heat from it.

A perfectly restored B-17

A Marine Rescue Helicopter doing a demonstration rescue.

Navy F/A-18 Hornet simulating a landing on an aircraft carrier.

Looks like he's trying to land the Piper Cub on top of the pick-up truck.

Got it on the second try. Not any room for error.

Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier demonstrating it's vertical take off capabilities by hovering like a helicopter.

After posing nicely for the photos, he took off almost straight up and disappeared into the sky above. Traveling to over 13,000 feet in a matter of seconds. Very impressive!

A Super Pitts showing off for the crowd.

KC-130 Hercules tanker plane, refueling 2 Harrier Jets. What precision.

B-1 Bombers doing a fly by.

B-1 with it's wings back doing a fast fly by.

Air Force Heritage Flight with a P-51 Mustang from WWII and F-16 Falcon.

The Wall of Fire with replica Japanese Zeros.

This world record should hold for quite a while, as this was possible here because of their very long flight line, more than 13,000 feet. This is an alternate landing site for the space shuttle.

Ocean Beach, California

This is the day our daughter flew out of San Diego airport to head back home. We spent some time at Ocean Beach as it had been quite a few years since she had been to the Pacific Ocean. We wandered around the shops, took a walk on the long pier, and stayed to watch the sunset.

Looking back at Ocean Beach from the pier.

A nice little bus from Hodad's, a now famous eating establishment.

Our daughter enjoying the sand after a winter of snow.

Back up quick or your jeans will get wet!

The Ocean Beach Pier. The longest concrete pier on the west coast at 1971 feet. It was built in 1966 and is now used by many fishermen and tourists.

A colorful end to a wonderful week with our "favorite" daughter.

Mining History near Yuma

This area has numerous abandoned mines which are fun to visit. Most of the ruins have been vandalized over the years and there's not much left as the pictures of the Tumco Gold Mine area show. A nice surprise was the Castle Dome Mines Museum. It is a re-created ghost town with each building being it's own museum. Unlike most museums, the many artifacts are out for visitors to examine and enjoy. A few items are in locked cases, but that is the exception. Castle Dome mined silver galena starting in 1862.

A few of the two dozen buildings in the town with Castle Dome in the background. Along with the church shown here, you can visit the Sheriff's Office and Jail, the Mercantile, a Dentist's Office (ouch), a dress shop, the 2 story Hotel and more.

Our daughter at the hotel saloon.

Inside the gas station and repair shop. Looks like the owner just went out for lunch and did not return.

A card game at one of the smaller saloons. We noticed there are no numbers on the cards.

A pair of Levi's authenticated by Levi Strauss dating back to 1890.

We happened upon these beautiful desert lilies while out for a ride.

Some ruins at the Tumco Gold Mine.

A lizard enjoying the sun. Hope he remembered to put on sun screen.