Just when you thought you had seen everything there was that was beautiful, we entered Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located in southern California. Wow. We camped at the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, in the sites that have no facilities (no water or electric). Clearly these sites are the prettiest (and most private) in the campground. Views (360 degrees) from our campsite are breathtaking. Almost literally upon our arrival at our campsite we made reservations to extend our stay by two additional days; just that nice.

The desert continues to amaze us in its beauty. When you hike trails in the desert and get up close and personal, the richness, variety, colors and textures are just amazing. In one hike into Palm Canyon you end up in a palm oasis, with a running stream and lush vegetation – just about everything you wouldn’t expect to find in a desert canyon.

One of our goals on this trip was to finally see some of the Bighorned Sheep (borrego – park’s namesake) that are endangered and typically hard to actually see in the wild. On the descent from a hike, I was fortunate enough to come upon a half dozen rams and ewes grazing in a pasture. They are gorgeous creatures, but endangered due to loss of habitat and being hunted by mountain lions. While it would have been cool to get a picture of a mountain lion, I can tell you I am pleased I didn’t actually come upon one. In all our hikes we have not seen any snakes either – this time of year they are in hibernation. Good for both of us – all I have to say.

As of right now we are getting rain, really unusual for a place that gets on average three inches of rain – per year! Just glad to be off the trails and snug inside our trailer!