Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Anza Borrego, Fall 2011

Last weekend I took a little break from work and we went on a one-nighter trip to Anza Borrego. We had hoped to go to the Alabama Hills but a forecast of 28˙ at night sounded less than enjoyable with a baby. Last time we were in Anza Borrego was about a year and a half ago during the blooming Spring. This time we camped in a different area, and during the bare-brown fall. This time there were no plants and no blooming flowers, but it was still uniquely beautiful...

This trip was truly rugged, in my opinion.

The desert can be brutal with the strong sun and the dry wind. When we got there we all huddled in a small piece of shade. Then later that night it got cold, the wind picked up and didn't stop ALL NIGHT. I was awake for most of the night, and so was JW. He has been sleeping better at home and I had high hopes for him sleeping well on this trip, but the wind made it impossible. We have a really old tall tent that was practically sideways, and it was making violently wiping and flapping sounds all night. JW didn't stand a chance. He woke up at least every hour and because of the noise I just laid there staring at the slanted walls of the tent feeling terrible that I put my baby through a rough camping trip. Bitter sweetly we decided to retire our tent after this trip. I wanted to burn it and leave in the desert, but perhaps I'm too dramatic.

The redeeming part of the desert was our trip to Font's Point. I never knew a mini Grand Canyon existed in Anza Borrego! Justin found directions and we made our way down a four-mile SAND road to get there. The sand was so thick that 4-wheel drive was recommended. The Smiths piled in our Subaru and we flew at a consistent 35mph the whole way without slowing down a pinch to insure we didn't get stuck. Justin drove white knuckled the whole way. ... and I may or may not have been holding my breath the whole way.

The drive was an adventure and completely worth it. When we got to the edge of the bluff and looked down into the badlands we were all in awe.




Anza Borrego
Vest & hat borrowed from little Abel.
 Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

 Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Font's Point:
Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego

Anza Borrego
Oscie is such a sweet soul.

4 comments:

jacqui said...

You guys find the most beautiful places! It keeps my list of places to go someday growing :)

Please Note said...

These photos are absolutely beautiful.

Jasmine said...

Oh my gosh. I really need to head back out there, ASAP. It's pretty nutty to think about how close we are, yet we never go!

bigBANG studio said...

1. Font's makes Zabriskie look like chopped liver; that's an amazing hunk of topography there, lady.

2. THAT DOG.