Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

 We've spent the last couple weeks or so camped out in the beautiful desert in the southern part of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  It's the largest State Park in California, and encompasses a vast area of diverse mountains and desert.

There are some primitive fee campgrounds in the area, but boondocking is permitted almost everywhere.

Really enjoying being well out of range of any noise from Interstates or the busy railroad.  Bailey seems to be settling in just fine, and learning the ropes of a mobile lifestyle.  And he's growing - fast!

 There was some moderate rains one day - though far less than they got on the California coast, Yuma, or Quartzsite.  This seems to be a bit of a rain shadow area.  But I discovered that a bit of rain greatly improves the the bikeability of the sand trails and washes, before it dries out and trucks and jeeps get it all dug up again.  So, I was able to get out and explore a lot of area not usually that accessible on two wheels!

There were only a couple areas that were still a bit muddy or wet.  I was able to make a couple circle routes, and returning along the S2 highway.

Took the truck out for a spin as well, and ended up doing a rather long loop as well, combining portions of the Great Southern Overland Stage route, Vallecito Ck, and Sin Nombre Canyon.  I did find a few deep sand areas that also held standing water, so avoided those areas.

I took a side trip up Arroyo Tapiado to the Wind Caves area.  That wash got a bit rough with the washboard, so I unloaded the bike and rode it the last few kms.  That was Christmas day, so there were a few more vehicles out exploring than usual.

The rains likely brought out a few leaves on the Ocotillo cactus.

On one hike up a remote side canyon, I found this old sandal - with some sort of foam attached to the bottom - a technique used by some undocumented aliens or smugglers to disguise their tracks.

Lots of sharp stuff in the desert!

Back in camp area, I discovered that this pair of foxes had their den nearby.  They would often sit outside in the sun in the late afternoon or early morning.  Presumably, they spend their nights hunting.  They saw Bailey, but did not seem interested.  And he is close to the same size as them.
 

Even though they did not seem very shy or alarmed to see me watching them, it was a good excuse to get out my rarely used mirrored photo blind that I have been carrying around for years - just in case!

 

Fire pans are required in the park, so I put mine inside the large existing fire ring!

 

Most of our time there was spent fairly close to camp, but last year I discovered Agua Caliente County Park not too far away.  It has a very nice little campground, with rental units as well, and it has a huge indoor hot pool, and two outdoor swimming pools that you can enjoy for $3.  On a typically hot sunny day there were only a couple people in the huge hot pool.  But when I went on the rainy day, it was busy with 25-30 people.  It is so big that even that was not that crowded.  They also have pay showers.

There is lots of very interesting geology in the area ...

I had a few neighbours in the time I was there, but often the nearest rig was miles away.

Bailey - the high climber!