10am, the sun brightens the desert to almost squinting, warmth, the door open, and my nearest neighbor pulled out. Hope they enjoyed their brief visit as much as I. Time to remove some layers.
Being a ‘shake down’ for the new camper I expected that not everything would be turn key ready. It’s a 1998 that was well cared for but old plastic cracks, batteries need replaced, and who knows what else. It’s household maintenance. You may remember almost two weeks ago, my second night out at The Slabs I had to drain the water tank because it was all running out the back drain-spigot. I hate to waste water and filled every container possible. Been jugging it ever since.
Somebody recommended “Tito’s” for repairs in Borrego Springs only 15 minutes away. I stopped to talk to Tito Christmas Eve and he ordered the new spigot. He removed the broken kitchen faucet and I arranged for a new camper battery all to done the Friday after Christmas. Unfortunately the part didn’t arrive by then and another holiday shortened the work week. Finally the 5th all the stars/parts aligned and I added a needed oil change for the truck which came with free tire rotation. Tito doesn’t have a website and may not need it as he’s lined-up busy. If you’re in the area and need repairs I highly recommend his services and fair prices.
And now the water pump provides hot and cold running water through a new kitchen faucet with (knock on plastic gently) no leaks. The new battery appears to charge under the sunshine and solar panel. Well at least according to the meter reading 12.5 v/2amps which doesn’t seem like much to this non-electrical person. I experimented by plugging the laptop and cell phone into the inverter got about two hours. I really didn’t expect to get a mass amount of power from one solar panel and don’t know anymore about that. 12v lights and water pump work. Most of the rest of my power needs come from the truck’s auxiliary battery. If I boondocked in this unit all the time I’d invest in more solar efficiency. For Now, it all works, and I’m a Happy Camper.
So, what next? Maybe visitors, George & Nancy who I’ve worked with on the North Rim and live in San Diego. Almost time to stock up for another desert retreat. I’m thinking Northwest of Yuma on desert that boondockers talk about off Ogliby Rd. Of course, I could change my mind at any time.
Sometimes it’s the littlest things in life that make me smile. Thanks for the photo Lynda.
RVers can both hide-out and socialize while camping in the desert. We are birds of a feather as we flew here for many of the same reasons, migrating from various northern points of the continent. Yet we don’t usually hover or flock closely together when boondocking except by mutual agreement.
The Anza-Borrego Desert is quiet except for the occasional soft howl of the wind like a coyote in the distance. Or sometimes the trailer rocks and the stove vent hums. But otherwise it’s typically quieter than my mind. I can see RVs around me, but not closer than 100 yards, some groups “circle up” like west bound wagons on a long trail. Yet a silent understanding and respect keeps most from parking almost on top of someone parked alone. It’s a big space and we all keep our distance. But I don’t want you to think we are anti-social because there is no lack of social opportunities.
So many different kinds of RVs, many huge and small 5th-wheels and motor homes, bumper towed trailers and truck campers, and then there’s 
They were fortunate this 1961 GM bus had been originally converted in 1989 and then three years ago they made it there own with a few renovations and added color, turquoise and browns with light walls and ceiling and wood cupboards making this bright and homey. Check out 
After sunset the movie “RV” with Robin Williams would be shown on a sheet hanging on the side of the bus but I didn’t stay that long as the temperature drops quickly when the sun goes down. Because of Raynaud disease, basically poor circulation, if I get cold my fingertips, toes and nose go numb, so I couldn’t have dressed warm enough for the predicted overnight low of 30F. I met a whole lot of people and I can’t remember all their names plus saw some familiar faces as well. And we’re all boondocking out in this marvelous desert.
I truly think we’re all a bunch of introverts, relishing the quiet time of alone even as couples. Many of us want to be connected with our various degrees of technology and fortunately that’s possible here at the foot of the Santa Rosa, Coyote and Vallecito Mountains forming a horseshoe-shape around us. Yet we are human, and need real face-time social connections and even before the internet we networked with people forming friendships that can last over time. Rvers cross paths with others living a mobile lifestyle and conversations pick up as if from yesterday.
A Merry Christmas morning started off mostly clear sky with a tablecloth of cloud rolling off the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west bringing a rainbow gift to the day. Wind gently rocked the camper and rattled something in the stove hood causing an obnoxiously loud hum. Time for a change of scenery.
Left camp at 11:30 headed to Coyote Mountain in search of the giant snake that Al, 
I may have followed a rather circuitous trail to the snake. But the sun felt fine even with the wind in my face and the views were spectacular. Looking northeast towards the Salton Sea, my rig is that tiny spot just above center.
Met some returning hikers with a friendly young pup at a junction of trails and they pointed me in the right direction. Seems this snake was out soaking up the sunny warmth. Over a few more little berms and across the rocky terrain around a corner and low and behold, there lies the giant snake with its head in my direction.
I climbed onto the rocks above it for a bigger view. Then sitting on the rocks, almost out of the wind, I too soaked up the sun.
I eventually approached this giant from the tail end for a close up view and being it wasn’t moving braved the head end as well. Somebody unknown did an awesome and detailed construction, double rows of dark rock with quartz on top to set the pattern. Probably about 30-35 feet long in its undulations across the desert floor.
A couple more small critters have crept into this sheltered little valley. Hard to tell what they are, maybe a turtle (which I forgot to take a photo of) and scorpion, the third I can’t tell. What do you think? They certainly don’t compare to the marvelous work put into the snake.
I spent an hour with the snake observing it from many directions and wondering about the mystery person who created this piece of desert art.
More magnificent views as I looked down to where I’m parked in the middle of flat nowhere plus off to the south the town of Borrego Springs. A delightful loop hike took me three hours and I returned to the camper to start dinner.
Christmas dinner of roast duck with prickly pear cactus jelly, baked potato and cucumber salad. No room for desert. Growing up, duck was always on the menu for holidays so this was an extra special treat.
I bought this half a fresh/frozen duck at the Borrego Springs Farmer’s Market Christmas Eve where I ran into Al and Kelly from