Last weekend I joined a group from Calvary Chapel and went camping up in Anza Borrego State Park in southern California. The park takes its name from the 18th century explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, and the word borrego is the Spanish name for bighorn sheep, which still thrive in the park. After driving up a steep mountain road, we pulled over to catch a glimpse of the vast expanse of desert landscape.
We stopped at the Galleta Meadows Estates where artist Ricardo Breceda has created more than 130 metal sculptures and planted them in the desert sand. This particular section portrays workers in a vineyard, complete with grape vines, baskets of grapes, cowboys and what not. That would be me with the tin man!
The Estate is owned by Denis Avery and he continues to add more and more sculptures to his desert garden; gigantic insects, people, dinosaurs. It's downright crazy!
To get to our first camp we had to drive up a treacherous dirt road for six miles. I nearly died. My little Subaru climbed over rocks, crossed streams and trudged up the mountain while I prayed that her guts wouldn't be yanked out by some random boulder. Our reward was camping next to a beautiful stream in the middle of the desert. It was awesome and wonderfully quiet as we sat by the fire and listened to the water and talked til we couldn't talk any more.
In the morning we loaded all of our gear onto Dave's jeep and started walking along the creek through green tamarisk trees and cool shade.
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongues fail for thirst, I, the Lord, will hear them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them." Isaiah 41:17
As soon as we hit the Sheep Canyon Trail, I stayed towards the back of our group and kept my eyes open for unusual things.
The trail was very hot and dry, even though it was winter. I kept longing for our little campsite by the creek, but instead I was out in the hot sun, fighting a migraine and doing my best to keep a good attitude.
The trail went from sandy to rocky rather quickly as we picked our way up the mountain through a pile of rocks.
Wendy took my picture in front of this spindly Ocotillo. In a few months, these plants will be alive with fiery red blooms but now they just looked like a bunch of sticks. Bill spotted one plant that had two blooms, so I guess that is a sign that spring is on the way.
I always find beauty in strangely shaped dead trees. I kept falling behind as I found interesting things to look at, then had to run in the sand to catch up with the group.
Spiky agave, hardy desert souls that manage to survive out in the intense heat and cold.
If you look closely you can see the little animal tracks embedded in the dry mud. I am not sure what made them, maybe a bobcat?
Bill and me standing by the fire, enjoying a cup of coffee as the sun is setting.
Dave and Wendy in the camp kitchen.
We were fortunate to find this funky camp stove at our campsite. We lit a beautiful fire that lasted throughout the evening. I set up my tiny tent in the background, and chose to leave the rainfly off so I could see the stars...fun at first until about 3am when I began to regret my decision as I scrambled for any available piece of clothing to cover my freezing body.
Ken, Steve, Michelle, Craig and Bill enjoying our chips and salsa before dinner. Craig, the guy standing with the hat, and Dave the guy below, were our fearless leaders for the trip.
Dave and his kitchen; all the modern conveniences out in the middle of the desert. Better than the Ritz! Thank you Dave for cooking up such great meals and doing such an excellent job!
Some of the group; a fun loving bunch who love to laugh.
Gorgeous rugged beauty...
By the time we hiked back to our cars, I was ready for a shower and comfortable bed, but then I realized I had to do the Indiana Jones thing again and shuddered. Lucky for me I followed Craig down that awful dirt road and was able to avoid some of the rough spots. Wendy came in my car and talked me through the panic as I drove through the water, encouraging me through each scary spot. So much for my desert adventure. I am glad to be home, safe and sound with my blue fish.
We were fortunate to find this funky camp stove at our campsite. We lit a beautiful fire that lasted throughout the evening. I set up my tiny tent in the background, and chose to leave the rainfly off so I could see the stars...fun at first until about 3am when I began to regret my decision as I scrambled for any available piece of clothing to cover my freezing body. 
Gorgeous rugged beauty...
