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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

BORREGO WASH


Last year while here in Anza Borrego, I was on an errand and discovered a road we had yet to travel.  I found that it leads to the Borrego landfill.  Wonderful.  

But, right before I reached the landfill, I parked and took a hike there in the desert - away from the landfill.  I discovered the Borrego Wash.  It was deep and wide.  It traveled as far as I could see.  I wanted to explore it, but decided to wait since I did not have water with me.  

Thursday, we were trying to decide where our hike was going to be and John remembered my talking about this wash.  

The Borrego Wash became our destination for the day.                                                        We arrived at the wash. I parked the Miata where I parked it last year. There was not a cloud in the sky and the sun was hot! Off we went with our plentiful water supply for John, Oliver, Oliver and myself. 

This wash is as wide as a two lane highway and, in places, as deep as many underpasses. Oliver and I led the way with Olivia and John bringing up the rear.
  
John walks much slower than I.  I walk ahead then walk back to him.  We chat as we walk then I walk ahead again. We repeat this walking style wherever we go.  He gets his exercise and I get mine.

                                                                    Past storms and the flow of the rain water creates magnificent patterns on the wash floor.  






Trees and Creosote bushes are determined to survive in this harsh environment.  

Look at how far this root goes to find a water source.  Water has exposed the root at some time, then it disappears into the floor of the wash.   

Rodents make their way into the sides of the wash.  

We were carefully watching for any signs of rattlesnakes.  Luckily, we found none.  

You can see the footprints of Oliver next to the root system.  He and Olivia were beginning to show signs of being too hot.  I felt the temperature of the sand and it seemed to be cool enough.  We did not want them to burn the pads of their paws.

John would sit and rest a bit, then we would continue on our hike.  

We stopped for water often.  I did not bring a water bowl for the fur kids assuming Oliver would drink from the lid of their water bottle since he was frightened by the lick / drip method that Olivia uses.  

Oliver seems to think that the bottle is going to attack him!  He would not drink from John's cupped hands either.  

This bottle is great for dogs that are not frightened by it.  



We had been walking quite a long time and finally decided that we did not want a dehydrated dog, so we turned back toward the road and car.  When I checked how long we had been walking, I was surprised to see that we had been in the wash for two hours.  That was long enough for John .... and too long for Oliver. 

End of day two of John's building strength program.  Day three, he needed to rest.  And rest he did.  

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God bless!




20 comments:

  1. That is a long time to be out walking in the heat. Now Jim goes fishing in this weather and is gone for hours and hours. No fish. Oh well. Skittlez would be scared of that bottle also.

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    1. The heat is not bad as long as there is a good breeze Now, sitting in the bod in full sun....makes me hot to think about it.

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  2. That's a nice area & near there is a spot with shifting sand dunes. Did an early morning photo hike with a bunch of folks one time led by a professional photographer. So many things to see & do around Borrego. The slot canyon hike on the way to Ocotillo Wells might be a good one in the heat. It would be cooler & you would be out of the sun.. Also if it gets to hot just head on up to Julian in the nice cool Pine forest.

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    1. I am not sure that we will make the slot canyon this year. Someone turned up the thermostat and it is really, hot now. Like 98* as I write this. Yesterday 101. We have moved to the almost deserted state park campground...When the heat breaks, we will go either to Blair Valley or to the Excapees Park in Temecula to be closer to Jojo.

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  3. Nice that you are both getting the exercise and some fresh air.

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    1. you are right George. The heat has turned on us though and keeping us in the shade and in chairs.

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  4. Sounds like a great hike:) But then isn't any desert hike:) Glad to see everyone had a successful day of exercise,

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    1. I love walking. As a former runner, getting out there and moving is one of the things that brings me joy.

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  5. I certainly understand the walk ahead and then fall back routine. That sounds like Terry and I. I would think it would start getting pretty hot out there.

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    1. OK, now you have gone and done it! lol.....You sent the heat! Now no one is walking. Even the fur kids refuse.

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  6. So glad he is taking it slow building up his strength. Fresh air is great for the body and soul!

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    1. Fresh air truly is. How is the remodeling coming?

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  7. Hi, Nan. The wash looks like an interesting, flat place to walk. Great place to start your exercise regime. You might try Musher's Secret (Amazon) to protect Oliver's paws from hot sand or pavement if you are concerned about him. Sometimes I'd tie a wet rag around Jack's neck, too.

    I was amazed at how deep the washes were when I was out west. I never got to walk in one, though. When I read your post, I wondered why. Then I remembered that it was well over 100 degrees when I was out there. I just googled "easy hikes Borrego Dessert" and there are quite a few. So glad to see John regaining his strength. Loved the pictures.

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    1. The washes are great places to walk. I feel more 'snake safe' there too. The washes are wide open and easy to view the ground. You would fit right in here. Yesterday's temperature report was 101* and right now, is 98. I am so happy that you enjoyed the photos.

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  8. Sand walking is great exercise! We hook a collapsible dog bowl on our belt or camera strap and Tessa drinks lots of water on a hike. It's also great to toss in the glove compartment for road trips in the Jeep.
    http://www.amazon.com/Alfie-Pet-Petoga-Couture-Collapsible

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    1. Thanks for the link Jodee. And your comment.

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  9. I hope he continues to gain strength and drink his water. I'm sure with you to keep him on track he will do well. I hope we will cross paths again. We are planing on goig back to California next week and will be at the Escapee park above Temecula for a few weeks.

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    1. We are back in the state park running the A.C. and doing laundry. Finally got my hair cut and she did a good job.

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  10. We got a collapsing water dish attached to a carabiner to hang on your belt for travel with Winston from Petco. Because it collapses flat, it doesn't take up much room. Maybe you could get one for Oliver so he would drink when you are away from home. It's good to see y'all are out and about enjoying the area. We need to do more of that ourselves.

    Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris. When we get to a Petco or PetSmart, we will be getting one of those bowls.

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