This peak is called San Gregorio or Old Grayback and is the highest peak in Southern California. Nearby is the town of Big Bear were the locals go in winter to ski and in the summer to cool off.

 

Water in the Desert. Roy and I walked the Barker Dam trail and for the first time ever, for me, we had to follow little rivers of water and even wade thru in spots. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was there as I am envisioning the wildflowers that will bloom in the spring.

 

Barker Dam, not full by any means, but more water than I have ever seen

 

Barker Dam

 

Saw this Black Phoebe at the Moronge Basin Wildlife Refuge. There was also a huge hawk high up in a cottonwood, but that was about all the birds I saw that day.

 

My little neighbors. Caught them in the back yard.

So what's next. I think I want to go to the Salton Sea in winter. I have been there when the thermometer hits the triple digits and I think it would be nice to go in winter. I'm thinking maybe MLK holiday. Next weekend I'm going back to JT and hike Barker Dam again. There is a petroglyph in the area that I found once, so may I'll try again. I also want to go to Antelope Valley to see the California Poppys. I understand they put on quite a show in March/April timeframe.

DH and I are going to head out in May 2011 but not sure where. I'm thinking Utah and New Mexico.

 
So today I made a second attempt to get to Cottonwood and this time I made it without any accidents or even any traffic. The parking lot is right at Cottonwood and then there is a 3 mile trail to another oasis. I did about half that, but then turned around as I had refilled my water bottle at the Visitors Center and that water tasted nasty. I mean, if I had to drink it I would have, but I didn't have to.

 

Native Americans spent a lot of time in Joshua Tree. These are grinding holes made by the women to grind grains.

 

 

 

One thing about Joshua Tree is there is miles and miles of desert and this scene is in every direction. Not one sign of civilization in any direction

 

Sky was blue but I should have had the filter on. Live and learn

 

There is a lot of color in the winter desert.

 

This trail was out of the joshua tree elevation but there were these beautiful ocotilla's. I'm coming back in Spring to see them in flower

 

Not sure who this young man is but he was way up there.

 

 

 
I love these gray old narly branches of the creasote bush. Do you know they are one of the oldest plants in the world.

 

Decided to drive down to Cottonwood today, it's at the south end of Joshua Tree and there is a short hike to a oasis which I have never taken. Unfortunately, a wreck (see below) and a rock interupted my plans, so I will go tomorrow morning.
This is Belle Rock at the entrance to a campground with the same name. It was a glorious day today, over 70 with just a sweet little cooling breeze. I think I am going to become a snowbird and spend my winters down here.

 

After sitting in the car waiting for the road to clear, decided I wouldn't make it to Cottonwood today, turned around and took some awesome picture of JT. Tomarrow I will leave earlier

 

On my way to Cottonwood, came upon this scene. A young motorcyclist took a corner to quickly and the bike fell on his leg and broke it, really broke it. I wonder how much this ride is going to cost him.

 

This is someone's homemade RV. Pretty Cool huj

 

I'm thinking flicker here

 

This was the first guy I saw when I went to the Cibola. I thought I was being so smart and used my GPS for directions. OMG what a mistake that was, I passed a sign that pointed to the Cibola but GPS knows best so I kept going. Told me to turn on this dirt road, GPS knows best. Drove about 8 miles into the middle of nowhere and there's this big sign, Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, but it wasn't where I was suppose to be. There was nothing there except dirt.

Now I have a map sitting right next to me. Do I look at it, no, I reset the GPS for the town of Cibola and followed it right back to Blythe and I10. I didn't want I-10. I looked at my map and with it, drove right to the Wildlife headquarters. ( I told the Ranger what had happened and he said another couple had the same thing happen to them. )

Rule one, don't use your GPS to get to the Cibola.

When I am finally on the right road and about to cross the Colorado River, I come to a sign. Dangerous Bridge - cross at your own risk. Okay, I've driven around, lost for an hour and now I have this bridge, Its a one laner and I'm seriously thinking about turning around when a motorhome comes and crosses. Ok, it made it, I'll make it. And I did.

I've got to go back as it was wonderful. There are about 8 places to stop and birdwatch but I took the Goose Auto tour first. Its right behind the headquarters and about a 3rd of the way around, there is a Nature Tail you can take to a blind. It was nice, heard lots of birds but didn't seem much. Driving around was were the action was.

The Sand Cranes were so cool and off in the distance there were tons of Snow Geese, both winter residents. Bluebirds and quail and even roadrunners. Kestrals were there by the dozens and hawks.

Yeah, I've got to go back and check out the rest but I found another road, and another bridge without a warning sign. I think I'll go that way

 

I haven't a clue, my trip to the Cibola was laced with lots of "dont have a clue" birds

Later: Okay my friends came through and said this guy is an Egyptian Goose. Not even listed as a rare siteing at the Cibola. Cool huh