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Meet with Carole Z. on Saturday and possibly on Sunday. |
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Afternoon explore of the washes. |
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Spend the afternoon & night with the Rat Pack. |
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Cook dinner - Steaks and Halibut! |
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Breakfast!!!! |
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Have some quality beer time |
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Imma |
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Joe |
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Michael |
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Preston |
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Gary with pal Helen |
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Karen with pal Chablis |
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Rick & Wendy |
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WINDY |
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Dust storms |
Just as we arrived at Arroyo Salado, the Rat Pack drove by on their way to the Drop Off and other destinations. It was too windy at the arranged meeting spot so they scurried over to Coach Whip Canyon early that morning and acquired a nice protected area where they had breakfast and rearranged some rocks. We waited for Carole and her passengers and they followed me to the Rat Pack campsite. Carole had about an hour before having to be at her campground to meet the rest of her party. So we walked up the canyon a bit and caught up on kid college news. After they left I thought it would be 'easy' to meander down to the Pumpkin Patch and show Imma this unusual desert feature. We got lost but finally got back on track and had a nice drive. Rather uneventful except for spilling my beer once. It was the windiest conditions I have ever experienced and the dry conditions allowed the sand to be blown up and around.
We caught up with the Joe and gang at the hi-way where they were pulling a vehicle out of the sand. With his good deed for the day behind him Joe led us all back to camp to relax, quaff a few and cook. I got both grills going and the cooking commenced. Supper was superb with only a touch of desert pepper (grit). While still windy, it didn't prevent us from hanging out by the fire for quite a few hours, telling stories and jokes. Preston was Master of Ceremonies and provided on the spot critiquing and suggestions. I think it was a volunteer position because none of us asked him. He probably won't be invited back next time!
Gradually, everyone faded away, the wind died down and a desert fox marauded our camp for tidbits and left us some tiny presents in return.
The next morning was sunny and no wind. Which could only lead to ONE thing - BREAKFAST.
The Rat Pack had their morning 4x4 plan, only 1 hour or so Joe said. I told Imma to go with them and we still would try to meet Carole for a picnic lunch. I had meet Imma and her husband on one of Carole's camping trips so thought that would be a nice visit for both of us. So I finished packing, and reading, and sunning, and picture taking, and everything else imaginable. Finally 2 1/2 hours later they straggle in. Imma is now an honorary Rat Pack member - way to go!
Here are some more pictures from over the weekend.
Preston's picture website: (go to page 2 and look at Rat Patrol and Rat patrol Sequel)
http://community.webshots.com/user/knowspix101
Rick's picture website: (four collections)
http://community.webshots.com/user/jekyll_sandiegoPlus a link to some pictures that Rick, Gary or Preston took that I pulled out of their collections without their permission and I cropped, gamma adjusted and otherwise modified for my own evil purposes. But I wasn't able to reduce the size of my butt in the one. It's some sort of optical illusion I'm sure.
(as usual, click the thumbnail to view a larger picture)
(The original image is x2 that if anyone wants one)
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I saw a trail going over a low saddle. Stopping to investigate, |
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1. Go to cooler 2. Retrieve refreshment 3. Return to chair (Professional models, under adult supervision |
Again and as always - thanks everybody for a good time and company!
Pat