CALLING IT HOME

Annette and Shug strolling at waters edge

Rugged rock walls covered in pinyon pine, Utah juniper, and big sagebrush  cradle the deep blue water of Eagle Valley Reservoir, the main attraction in Spring Valley State Park. This  park offers a beautiful setting for camping, hiking, biking and kayaking and we take full advantage.

Bobbing with birds

After our morning hike with Shug, Annette and I throw the kayaks in the truck and head to the water. As we paddle along, little pods of birds float and bob on the water with us. Before long, we realize we're paddling in a bird extravaganza. The late-morning sun illuminates brilliant reds and blues, satiny blacks and whites -- colors so vivid  they don't seem real. A six-pack of eared-grebes paddle past us wearing rusty orange and yellow plummage like Mardi Gras masks around intensely red eyes. We spot the baby blue bills of the ruddy duck, unmistakable even from a good distance across the water. They scoot their ruddy brown bodies over to a grassy edge, their stiff, spikey tail feathers raised above the water. We focus our binoculars on a flash of white chest to our left and see a northern shoveler. His green head plows the water with his spatula-shaped bill searching for food.

Ruddy Duck

As we paddle further towards the north end of the reservoir, we notice the distinctive black and white markings of the ring-necked​ ducks floating in the distance, holding their black heads high while peering through bright yellow eyes. But wait, what's​ that splash of red in the mix? Looks like a redhead duck making his presence known. We know we're seeing something spectacular and we're glad to be floating​ beside these beauties.

Just cruising

We ditch the kayaks, eat lunch, jump on our mountain bikes, and follow the dirt road north of the reservoir to explore several stone cabins built by Morman settlers in the 19th century. We take in the beauty of these old buildings and admire the  craftmanship involved. Settlers cut blocks from the pinkish-white volcanic tuff from the surrounding cliffs to build their cabins. A root cellar, dug underground and against the cliff wall is tucked away behind the cabin. We peek in at old dusty shelves, tools, and jars through the doorway imagining lives lived 150 years ago.

Stone cabin

Root cellar

Valley overlook

Besides kayaking and biking, we also explore the area on foot. We stroll along the dirt road which cuts through the valley floor and offers great views of volcanic tuff walls rising up and  outlining the lush green meadows. A  meandering stream, dotted with geese, parts the meadow and winds its way emptying into the Reservoir.

Beautiful meadow

Our final morning, we hike the Ranch Camp Trail starting at the stone cabin and finishing at the Ranch Campground for two and a half miles of beauty. The trail leads us over the pinkish-white volcanic cliffs and down through green meadows. A pair of geese flying overhead honk their sharp clear call and it echos through the canyon as they disappear from view.

Volcanic tuff ridges wear their erosion well.

As we approach the end of our four day stint and ready ourselves to move on, we reminisce about our time spent in this beautiful park. How lucky are we to be so close to the natural world and all who live here. The beautiful sights, the fresh air, the clarity of sound, and the excitement of being connected to the wildness of ourselves and our world......and calling it home.

Shug lovin'

Shug, on the other hand, gives this park a 3 paw rating due to the MILLIONS of goat head stickers covering the ground at our camp site!! Wait. Did I say millions? Shug says billions.

#enjoyandvotetoprotectourpubliclands #getoutside

Sweet camp spot

Walk on down a country road

Ain't no valley low enough

CATHEDRAL GORGE STATE PARK, NV

Annette and Shug Eagle point lookout

Cathedral Gorge State Park, once home to the Fremont and Southern Paiutes, became one of Nevada's first four state parks in 1935.

Volcanoes, earthquakes, and water erosion created a landscape of spires and canyons in the buff-colored cliffs. Today, erosion continues to sculpt the tufa rock creating new canyon crevices and towers.

Home

Surrounded by these beautiful formations, the small campground sits in the middle of the gorge amongst covered picnic tables and trees that make a shady retreat. Although the campground is small, we find several large pull-through sites to choose from. #1 at the edge of the campground looks good and we park and start our set-up routine. Meanwhile, Shug stares out across the sage brush focusing on the big blacktail jack rabbits bounding about.

Annette in the ant farm

After a quick 20-minute set-up, with Shug napping in the trailer, Annette and I head out to explore the slot canyons and caves cut deep into the tufa cliffs. The narrow maze of crevices make us feel like ants scurrying through tunnels in one of those ant farms from our childhood. We squeeze through narrow crevices that open into larger chambers, grooved top to bottom by the dripping mud. Looking at the ribbon of sky high above our heads keeps us from getting claustrophobic. On our way back to camp we pass an old stone water tower and ristra-covered picnic area built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 30's. Those CCC guys did beautiful work.

Annette and Shug Juniper Loop Trail

While at Cathedral Gorge, we check out all the trails--a canyon hike to Miller Point lookouts, a fun mountain bike ridgeline trail with views stretching across the green fields of Panaca's agricultural area, and a walking loop around the canyon floor to see all the rock formations. When we need fresh food Annette and I jump on our road bikes and catch the three mile bike path at the visitor center through the small town of Panaca and stop at the little market to load our bike bags with groceries before heading back to camp. It's so much fun to be able to resupply via bicycle. We both agree that the world needs more bike paths.

Cool formations

We spent sweet time in this little park. Shug gives it a 3 paw rating due to the leash rule keeping her from chasing the blacktail jack rabbits.

Water tower built by the CCC

Exploring the cathedral caves

Playing

Big cave

Kristy and Shug

#enjoyandvotetoprotectourpubliclands #getoutside

KERSHAW-RYAN STATE PARK, NV

Annette and Shug/Loop Hike

Kershaw-Ryan State Park sits in a narrow canyon several miles south of the small town of Caliente, NV. Situated below colorful cliff walls, the campground offers twenty spacious, gravel sites. Up canyon, 1\2 mile past the campground, the road dead ends at a day use area that offers covered picnic tables, a wading pond, a playground, lush lawns with beautiful gardens, and several hiking trails. Wild grapevines climb the cliff walls while oaks, elms,  and cottonwood trees provide a shady cover.

Kristy and Shug/canyon hike

We spend a few pleasant days hiking the trails and washes within the canyon, soaking in the spring green trees popping with color against the backdrop of the tawny canyon walls. A quick bike ride from camp along a back road leads us past a ranch with baby hogs rooting and playing in their pen, and fields shared by horses and cows with their spring babies.

Historic Train Depot

The road continues on to the historic spanish style railroad depot which now houses the library and city offices. The quaint little Caliente Museum, inside an old train car, gives a glimpse of Caliente's past. Once in town, we follow a 3-mile bike path that winds us through the heart of Caliente and circles us back to the depot. A train horn blares and a train rattles  by as we make a quick stop at the library to connect with WiFi before returning to camp.

Annette and Shug

Annette hanging off the side of the train museum

Easter breakfast... Pumpkin pancakes

Wash hike

Nature's landscape

Campsite at sunset

HITTING THE JACKPOT IN NEVADA?

Shug daydreaming about marmots

Stretched out in the backseat of the truck, one eye open, I listen to my moms bark about being done with the desert and craving mountain air and adventures. I completely agree with this analysis and start daydreaming about  the smell of pine trees in sunshine, clear mountain streams, and whistling marmots diving into their holes in the alpine meadows. I, too, am done with the desert and all of the prickly things that grow here. I've been speared by yuccas, pricked by mesquite trees, and suffered the pains of having cactus spines pulled from my paws. Give me a good old dirt trail that leads to an aspen meadow.

Boulder Beach camp

As we round the corner near the edge of Boulder City, NV, we head towards our campsite at Boulder Beach campground in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. My moms start howling about "winning the recreation jackpot". Sure, I see the great bike trails like the historic railway trail that winds along a stone ledge above Lake Mead and leads riders through five carved-rock tunnels on the way to Hoover Dam. And my moms go all waggy about the River Mountains Loop Trail, 34 miles of non-motorized paved bike path climbing up and down through desert beauty, connecting Boulder City, Henderson, the Las Vegas valley, and Lake Mead NRA--it passes right through our campground.

Historic Railway Trail

As if the bicycling trails were not enough, the blue green waters of Lake Mead beckon just a short walk down the road. My moms start dancing and turning circles about kayaking on these calm and windless days. Oh, it's been such a long time, and oh the water looks so inviting. Sigh.

Shug working on her cycling skills

So what do I think of Lake Mead NRA? The early morning walks are pleasant, but I have to be on a leash, a common practice in populated areas like campgrounds, but demeaning nonetheless. All I do is plod along and observe the rabbits hopping and lizards skittering under bushes...boring! I spend time working on my cycling skills and ride around the campground in my bike trailer, but it's not that comfortable and not that challenging​. On one occasion I fell out onto my hip and nearly got run over by my own mom. I tried not to make a big deal of it, but I was a little embarrassed, mostly for her.

Kayaking bliss

Here's the real deal: While my moms are out biking and kayaking and having a great time, I am left alone in the trailer listening to the same CD over and over. I prefer listening to NPR on the radio, but, and I hate to sound overly negative, the radio reception here sucks and plays all static all the time. I drag myself up onto the bed and mope myself to sleep. On a more positive note, I am racking up some serious guilt hugs and treats when they finally make their way back home. Who knows how many more days I'll have to suffer like this.

Suffering

Start of Railway Trail

Tunnel on Railway Trail

Historic bridge behind us.

Hoover Dam

Big bike/mountain bike area

River Mountains Loop Trail

Bonkered

River Mountains Loop Trail

Annette kayaking/Lake Mead

Shug enjoying the ride

What a dog

Anza Borrego



Rock House Road Camp Spot

After spending two weeks at Annette’s sister’s house in Banning, CA installing solar panels, we headed down to the Anza Borrego Desert. We found a great boondocking spot off Rockhouse Road and ended up staying in the area for a month. This is the desert and the camping area sits in full sun so the solar panels worked great keeping us charged even given the low arc of the winter sun across the sky, falling to about 95% by evening and then back up to 100% after just a few hours of sunlight in the morning. Solar power and boondocking have a relationship similar to soup and sandwich—better when enjoyed together. Another housekeeping item, we learned that if we conserve like crazy we can go about two weeks before having to dump the tanks. In Anza Borrego area, one hitches up and drives to Anza Borrego State Park and pays $8 fee to use the dump and fresh water fill station. While inside the state park, it makes sense to take advantage of the pay showers which make us happy.


Filling up bike bags with fresh citrus

Finding good ways to exercise is easy in the Anza Borrego Desert area. From camp every morning we walked down a dirt road to the mud flats dry lake where Shug would run her joy loops and we would admire the sunrise and get in a good 2 hour hike before the day warmed up.  Outings on the bikes from camp into town or along the backroads made for a not too strenuous afternoon. We rode past citrus groves and toured the outdoor art displays on lightly trafficked roads. We stopped at the fruit stands and sampled juicy grapefruit and sweet tangerines. On the way back to camp we bought bags of fruit and lugged them home in our bike bags. Some days we explored slot canyons and others we hiked to a beautiful oasis or shady fern cave. Our day trips included birding at the Salton Sea, hanging out at Dog Beach in San Diego, and hiking a small segment of the Pacific Crest Trail.  


Kristy and Linda planking in the slot canyon

The layout of the Rockhouse site lends itself to meeting new people. We met a lovely, joyful couple from Saskatchewan, Canada and we sat around the fire sharing bits and pieces of our collective travels. They decided to watch the Super Bowl with us at Carlees, a little restaurant/bar in town, and they cheered for the Broncos right alongside us. Some of the other boondockers included a giant class A roundup of an RV club, some Airstreamers, and several solo women campers. Weekenders flowed in on Friday afternoons, but it never really got too crowded and quiet returned onSunday evenings.


Annette and Lynn, Christmas Circle Park

It would be hard not to love the little town of Borrego Springs. We visited the Friday farmer’s market, buying fresh hummus and bread and picking fresh vegetables from the produce displays. The green-grassed Christmas Circle Park in the middle of town has free Wi-Fi as well as picnic tables and electrical outlets at the base of the shade trees for relaxing and recharging phones and laptops.  Green grass is an exotic treat after days out in the dry desert so we loved hanging out and playing some do or die smash ball. During our town visits we tried out several of the other restaurants (all good), both grocery stores, the thrift shop, and the sweet Borrego Springs Library that offers free Wi-Fi, a $5 library card so one can check stuff out, and a comfortable, shady place to sit.

Dragon art