Back in Palm Springs I was looking for something to do one day while waiting for my motorcycle to be repaired so I walked several blocks to the local Koffi shop. Right in front was the free trolley so I hopped on and did the complete circuit. Talked to some nice people and enjoyed the ride. So a few days later I decided to hike Tahquitz canyon. So I walked to the trolley stop and after waiting for about 20 minutes I decided to read the sign. It did not run that day so I started walking. I walked all the way to Mesquite road and up the hill to the canyon. At the visitors entrance it costs $12.00 to do the 1.8 mile hike. As I was making my decision my phone rang and it was my friend Cathie from Fleet Brake and she came and picked me up and we went for lunch at Smoking Burgers in Smoke Tree Plaza. What a great visit. The next day was Dec 30 and the rally started in Agua Caliente the next day. I finally got my motorcycle back. $329.00US and they replaced 5 clamps, Did an oil change and added coolant. Did not even diagnose the fact that my water pump needs replacing. Even though they came recommended to me. I will not be passing it on. So Thursday morning with tent and gear loaded up I headed south to the campout.
On the way to Tahquitz canyon.
How do you like my new trendsetting look? Pretty scary all right. Trying to make a fashion statement. Tent is up and I am ready for New Years Eve. Sun is shining bright but it is really rather chill and that night went down to 34F or about 1C. But I had my rock and kept toasty all night.
My friend Phil from Chubbock Idaho.
Sitting around the fire ring. Phil, Tim, Paul and Reid. You can see my tent way behind but that will soon be filled in as more arrive. New Years Eve. Hard to believe. This is the fifth year I have celebrated here. The next day I grabbed my swimming suit and a towel and headed the long way round to the hot pool. I had never hiked the canyon in the 4 previous years. Most do it at night. I really don't know how. I started out and then remembered there had been a cougar sighting and there I was doing this all alone. It took me several hours . It was very challenging and there were places I was unsure where the trail went.
I found myself perusing the rocks and crevices keeping an eye out for cougar.
Where did the trail go? If you look closely you will see giant steps chiseled out of the rock.
Looking back from whence I had come. As you can see the shadows are lengthening.
Where I was going. Sun has disappeared.
Was fascinated with how the cholla cactus grew all in a line like they were planted that way. Anyway I made it back to the hot pool and was shaking the whole time I was putting my bathing suit on it. BUT I MADE IT. Yeah. Jan 1 and I met one of my goals. Not that I made any resolutions. Nobody likes a sober, skinny bitch anyway.
The next day I decided to ride into Borrego Springs for lunch. I knew Turk was not around as he went to Vancouver Island for Christmas and New Years. So I just took in the sights and then rode back to the campout.
Scorpion.
Borrego Springs is known for its metal sculptures. On the way in are giant mammoths and herds of metal horses. I did not stop but went to this garden centre in the middle of town. On Christmas Circle.
And of course Kokopelli.
I had lunch at the Taco shop. There were lots of corvettes and motorcycles who had obviously made
their destination Borrego Springs that day. I went back to the campsite and enjoyed dinner there and good company around the campfire. We all regale stories of our many trips, roads we liked, great eating places and people we meet.
The next morning I crawled out of my tent to this glorious sunrise. Life is good.
And of course our Agua Caliente First and Last Chance Rendevous would not be complete without our chair sculpture. Done by the chair fairies after everyone has turned in for the night.
Packed up my tent and headed for Yuma. My friend Trish was expecting me.
The big blue tent was my friends Doug and Darien from Billings Montana. They spend their winters in Yuma and ironically were right around the corner from my friend Trish so we had a great visit a few days later. Will finish journey in my next episode.
No comments:
Post a Comment