California Deserts & Anza NHT - Spring 2015

Before leaving Tucson for our Spring Trip up through the California Deserts and returning following the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (Anza NHT) we visited a few of the of the NHT sites south of Tucson.


Click here for this RTA Library Map

In 1775 Juan Bautista de Anza brought a large group of civilians from Sonora, Mexico through Arizona, across the desert into California to colonize San Francisco. Today there is an auto tour route that closely follows the route they took. Along with numerous historic sites to explore the National Park Service coordinates with sites along the tour route and provides a unique passport stamp at over 30 locations. So before we headed north we took a day trip to visit several of the sites to collect the passport stamps.

Las Lagunas de Anza - Nogales, AZ

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Tumacacori National Historical Park - Tumacacori, AZ
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Historic Hacienda de la Canoa Ranch - Green Valley, AZ
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Monday, March 16, 2015
Start: Tucson, AZ
Finish: W of Gila Bend, AZ

Today was the first day of our month- ong trip which I summarized in the previous posting in this thread. Living in Tucson puts us along the Juan Bautista de Anza NHT with several sites to the south. So we didn't have to backtrack today we visited the sites to the south of us last week.


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Our first stop today was Picacho Peak State Park, a great camping and hiking park. This park has a passport stamp for the Anza NHT, first one north of Tucson. Too warm today to hike. We hiked here about a month ago and enjoyed the dense green ground cover brought by a series of winter rains. The spring wildflowers are popping and Picacho was mentioned in the Tucson paper as a highlight. It was pretty today, but not as dense with wildflowers as we saw along the Pinal Pioneer Parkway, AZ 79, which parallels I-10 to the east. We drove along there this past Friday and enjoyed an abundance of wildflowers.

Picacho Peak - from Visitor Center
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Just north of Picacho we exited I-10 and followed AZ 87 to Coolidge and the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. On a previous visit I had picked up the Junior Ranger booklet and began working on the activities during that visit. A number of the activities could be completed off-site which I had completed at home. Today I finalized a few observations and received my completed certificate and an attractive wooden, enhanced Junior Ranger badge. This site is also part of the Anza NHT. The expedition travelled in the area and turned west here, following the Gila River to the Colorado River.

Casa Grande Ruins - near Coolidge, AZ
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For those interested I write a blog titled "Junior Ranger - Senior Friendly". Since retiring two years ago I have completed quite a few Junior and Senior Ranger programs, mainly at the National Park Service sites. It has been a fun way to explore the parks, even the simple programs have taught me something new. The park staff are very welcoming of seniors completing the Junior Ranger programs. Currently less than twenty sites have Senior Ranger programs, but more are being added.

From Coolidge we turned west and picked up I-8 at Casa Grande. A quick stop at Freeman Road exit to replace a damaged letterbox, planted by my husband several years ago. This is part of the Sonoran Desert National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a very undeveloped area. There is no visitor center, just a few trailheads and beautiful Sonoran desert views.

Letterboxing is an activity we enjoy while traveling. A short description is a treasure hunt using clues from Internet sites which may use a compass. It is not geocaching which is dependent on GPS coordinates. In a letterbox you will find a hand-carved stamp and a logbook, you record the box stamp in your logbook and leave an image of your signature stamp in the box logbook. You will find them along interstates, urban settings, small towns, trails and all around the world. It began in England, at Dartmoor National Park, over 100 years ago.

A quick stop in Gila Bend at the city offices for two more Anza NHT stamps, for the Sonoran Desert NM and the city, itself. Back on I-8 to Painted Rock Road, Exit 108. About ten miles north of the interstate is an great BLM site; Painted Rock campground and Petroglyph site. It has 60 basic sites; picnic table, no water and fire ring with 2 pit toilets. During the winter season there is a campground host. A part of the campground is a mound of rocks covered with petroglyphs, some dating back to 7500 BCE. A short walk around the mound reveals numerous petroglyphs of several periods. In addition three trails came through this area; Anza NHT, Butterfield Stage Line and the Mormon Battalion. Outside of the campground I planted a new letterbox honoring the Anza NHT here at the Petroglyph Site. Camping fee is $8, full fee.
Finished the day with our standard Happy Hour - Gin 'n Tonic, salsa & chips and pistachios.


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Passport Stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail - including last week's stamps
- Las Lagunas de Anza
Tumacacori NHP
Tubac Presido, AZ
Hacienda de la Canoa
Presidio de Tucson
Saguaro NP
Picacho Peak SP
Casa Grande
Sonoran Desert National Monument
Gila Bend, AZ

Casa Grande Ruins NM - Coolidge, AZ

Letterboxes
1 - maintenance
1 - planted

Wildlife Sightings
Red-tailed Hawk
Sparrow
Hummingbird
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
Great-tailed Grackle
Turkey Vulture
Lizard
Great Egret

Memories of home! Or, what was home to me a long time ago (Casa Grande area).

For anyone else -- please be careful in the desert between Casa Grande and Gila Bend, particularly the areas around Freeman Rd and Vekol Rd. In recent years, these areas have been attracting persons that have come across our borders illegally. Most are okay, but a few have tried to spoil it for others by hassling folks who pull off on those exits and stop (usually to get something from their cooler, use a bush because no rest area is handy, etc). This has been news covered in the Phoenix papers.


Donna

Quote:

---

For anyone else -- please be careful in the desert between Casa Grande and Gila Bend, particularly the areas around Freeman Rd and Vekol Rd. Donna

---

Daylight hours recommended. Usually see Border Patrol out and about - saw no one today at 2 PM.
-Pat

Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Start: Painted Rock Petroglyph Site & Campground (BLM)
Finish: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Monday evening sunset
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Very quiet night in camp, and perfect sleeping weather. Left camp at 9 AM returning back to I-8. At the intersection of Painted Rock Rd. and I-8 is a very large solar field, Solana Generating Station. Besides claiming to be the largest of their type, it appeared that ground was being prepared to double the size.


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Along I-8 my husband had several letterboxes to plant. Often as we drive along we remark "that would be a good place to put a letterbox". Sometimes it may be a couple of years before it actually happens, as in this case. One box was to identify the broad- ranging volcanic fields all along I-8 and another at Spot Road. We found 2 boxes along the way into Yuma, one inside a library ( placed with permission).


Flowers are sparse along this section of highway, however I did see the first of Ocotillo blooms, Palo Verde trees in full bloom and Staghorn cholla blossoms.


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In Yuma we got the last of the Anza NHT in Arizona at the Yuma Quartermaster's Depot, part of Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.The area along the river in Yuma has been developed nicely over the years with several linear parks along the Colorado River. Downtown Yuma retains its historic charm. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a corned beef and cabbage plate at Prison Hill Brewery on Main Street. It only opened in 2014, their beer and food has been excellent each time we have visited. We were not disappointed today. As we left the brewery after 1 PM a trio was setting up for live music into the evening. Before leaving town we planted another letterbox along the river.


Prison Hill Brewery beer board
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Yuma & Colorado River
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After a supply stop in El Centro we continued west on I-8 to Ocotillo. From there we headed north into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The ocotillo plants were dense with leaves and blossoms - very pretty. A variety of other flowers were seen on; Staghorn cholla, prickly pear and yuccas. The wind was picking up and stayed strong even after sunset. The temperature had cooled which made it much more comfortable.


Passport stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza NHT
-Yuma Crossing NHA


Letterboxing
Found - 2
Planted - 3


Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
California Quail
Greater Roadrunner
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
House Sparrow
Hummingbird
Say's Phoebe

Pat,

I like the creative photo array displaying the flowers -- very nice!

Mark

Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Start & Finish: Borrego Springs, CA

Began the day with an early morning walk up to the Visitor Center, a nice variety of flowers along the way. An extended morning in camp for breakfast and birdwatching.


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Morning walk flowers
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Morning light
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First stop of the day was at the Visitor Center in the park to get the Anza NHT stamp. From there we headed back south to Box Canyon, along S2 to hike and explore. This was a trail/road established by the Mormon Battalion. Look beyond the sign to see a portion of the historic road.

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Back towards Borrego Springs we drove along the Blair Valley Road a 1/2 mile to the Butterfield Trail Monument. Beyond the monument the trail climbed up to a beautiful overlook.

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After lunch we hiked into Plum Canyon, the flowers were gorgeous! Today was what I was hoping it would be - flowers galore!

Afternoon flowers
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Later we explored a northern portion of the park, up Coyote Canyon. We the drove out S22 up Montezuma Pass Rd to hide a letterbox. During the day we found 2 letterboxes, neither had been found in 5 years!


Passport Stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza NHT- Anza-Borrego Desert SP, CA


Wildlife sightings
Chuckwalla
Side-splotched Lizard

Calliope Hummingbird
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
White-crowned Sparrow
House Finch
Verdin
Cactus Wren
Phainopepla
Mockingbird
Common Raven
Greater Roadrunner
American Kestrel
Western Kingbird

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Start: Borrego Springs, CA
Finish: Black Rock Canyon Campground, Joshua Tree NP, Yucca Valley, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map


We left Anza-Borrego Desert State Park after breakfast in town. The Anza expedition in 1776 made four camps within the park on their way to San Francisco. Here is where we left the Anza NHT until later in the trip, we'll pick up at the northern end on our return south.

Morning walk flowers
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For the next week we'll be enjoying the California Deserts. As we left Borrego Springs we drove through citrus groves that were fragrant with blossoms. As we reached the northeast section of the park we were driving through very scenic and colorful badlands. We drove out on S22 heading east towards the Salton Sea, then turned north on CA86, then east on CA195 at Mecca to cross I-10 and enter Joshua Tree National Park. The drive along CA 125 is also called Box Canyon Road, the geologic features of the mainly sandstone made for an interesting drive. The road was excellent and very scenic.

Mecca Hills Wilderness- Box Canyon Rd/CA125
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We entered Johsua Tree National Park, the second California desert on out itinerary. The weather was much more comfortable than we had expected, the high was predicted to be in the mid-70s. After stopping at the Cottonwood visitor center at the south end of the park to get the park brochures and passport stamp we continued north. We stopped at White Tank campground to walk the Arch Rock Geology nature trail, 1/2 mile loop. The trail takes you through a jumble of rocks to view the natural arch.

Arch Rock
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Our next stop was the Oasis visitor center outside of Twentynine Palms and another unique passport stamp, plus our picnic lunch. Once at the northern edge of the park we drove west to the far end to Black Rock Canyon campground, our camping spot for the next two nights. As we entered the park only 2 campgrounds had any space available. We had made reservations, mainly because of a Friday night stay.

Joshua trees
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We were in camp early enough to catch up on some other computer work and reading for the late afternoon. Pretty clouds and strong enough breeze at times to make pants and long-sleeved shirts comfortable.

Passport Stamps
Joshua Tree National Park
- Cottonwood, CA
Twentynine Palms, CA
Joshua Tree, CA
Black Rock Nature Center

Wildlife Sightings
Scrub Jay
Gambel's Quail
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Mockingbird
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Raven
Cactus Wren

Friday, March 20, 2015

Start & Finish : Black rock Canyon Campground, Yucca Valley, CA

Pretty simple day, after breakfast we hiked from 10:30 until 3 at a preserve just outside Joshua Tree NP. The weather was perfect! Reached mid 70s by 3, a light breeze and mostly clear.

View of San Gorgonio Peak - looking west
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Went into Joshua Tree for a local microbrew from Coachella Valley Brewerry and a quesadilla at a favorite restaurant, Crossroads Cafe. I have had breakfast and lunch there and never been disappointed, always tasty.

Flowers
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Afterwards we did a short drive into the park to enjoy the early evening light. The picture below - look on the right side, below the 3 big boulders and just above the trees. That is where the people are sitting.

People in the cave
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Afternoon view
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When we returned to camp we found a lot more people, Friday night near LA.

Wildlife Sightings

Spiny Lizard
Rock Squirrel
Antelope Ground Squirrel
Cottontail rabbit

Say's Phoebe
Common Raven
Cactus Wren
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
House Sparrow
House Finch

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Start: Black Rock Canyon Campground (NPS), Yucca Valley, CA
Finish: Midhills Campground (NPS), Mojave National Preserve, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Took our time in camp, but not too long. Lots of activity all around in the campground. Stopped in Yucca Valley for supplies, the next few days will be in remote areas. A quick stop at the Indian Cove Ranger Station near Twentynine Palms for the last of the Joshua Tree NP passport stamps.

Left Twentynine Palms on Amboy Road, heading for the third California desert on this trip. We were entering the true Mojave Desert, very stark. Not sure why, but I love this area. Virtually no flowers and limited plants, but the open vistas to ragged, colorful mountains always hold my interest.

Once we reached the town of Amboy we took a short detour west to Amboy Crater. When living in S. CA in the late 70s and exploring this area we drove by the crater many times. Since our last visit the BLM has paved a road leading back to a well-developed day use area; restrooms, picnic ramadas , trails, interpretative signs and an observation area. The most recent eruption was 10,000 years ago. It is 250 ft high and 1500 ft in diameter.

Amboy Crater
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Amboy Crater is not a National Monument- the current sign shows it as a National Natural Landmark.

At this point we were on historic Route 66, National Trails Highway. We continued east and then turned north on Kelbaker Rd. A highlight of the trip has been crossing over I-10 and, today, crossing under I-40. We prefer the 'blue highways', 2-lane roads. We were now in Mojave National Preserve. We drove past the Kelso Dunes to Kelso Depot. We stopped for passport stamps and a picnic lunch. From there we continued east then south on Cedar Canyon Rd and over to Midhills campground. We selected a nice site then traveled to Hole-in-the Wall visitor center. It was the busiest we have seen on previous trips, but not as busy as Joshua Tree NP.

Hole-in-the-Wall visitor center
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We drove a back road, Wild Horse Canyon Rd, to return to our campsite. At the beginning of the road a 'jeep' symbol is shown. The staff at the visitor center assured us it was suitable for 2-wheel drive, and it was. There were several undeveloped camp areas along the road.

Wild Horse Canyon Road - looking back at Hole-in-the Wall
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Elevation has been very diverse along the trip. At Anza-Borrego Desert SP the elevation ranged fro 700-2200 ft. At Joshua Tree NP the elevation range was 3500-4400 ft., we were camped at 4000 ft. At MidHills my elevation app indicated 5500 ft, even though the park paper indicates 4400 ft and Hole-in-the-Wall at 5600 ft. It appears they switched elevation because the drive to Hole-inThe-Wall was downhill and it was warmer there. And as we head into Death Valley NP the elevation will drop, all the way to below sea level.

Flowers along the way
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Passport Stamps
Joshua Tree National Park - Indian Cove
Mojave National Preserve - Kelso, CA
Old Spanish NHT - Mojave National Preserve, CA
Mojave National Preserve - Hole-in-the Wall, CA

Wildlife Sightings
Whip-tailed lizard

Common Raven
House Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Oak Titmouse
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-tailed Hawk & nest
Jay

I didn't know there was an app for elevation! Just went to the App store and got one. Thanks!


Donna

Sunday, March 22, 2015


Start: MidHills campground (NPS), Mohave National Preserve
Finish: Furnace Creek Campground (NPS), Death Valley National Park


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Extremely quiet night and morning in camp. Definitely cooler at the higher elevation, but not too bad. Left camp and drove out through the eastern section of the park. We had planned to hike the loop trail at Rock Springs along the Cedar Canyon Rd, but never saw the sign off the road. Turned north on Ivanpah Rd, which ran along an historic railroad bed from the late 1800s. We followed the grade on both sides of the road. The view of the New York mountains to the northwest was scenic.


Instead of crossing I-15 and continuing north we had to drive I-15 into Baker. We stopped to top off the gas tank and had lunch at a tasty taqueria on the corner of Business 15 and CA 127. We continued north on CA 127 to Shoshone. We drove through Dublin Gulch, an historic mining cemetery and living area for the miners.


Dublin Gulch - Home, Sweet Home
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Just north of Shoshone we turned west on CA 178, the southern route into Death Valley National Park. It had been many years since we had taken this route, and today was the perfect day for this route. Flowers Galore! The slopes up to Salisbury Pass were resplendent with the Spring flowers. Photos could not do justice, but I prevailed. My husband commented that I was like a kid in a candy shop.


Death Valley Flowers
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We continued down into the valley, once below 1200 feet the flowers disappeared, but the light, as always, was beautiful on the mountains.


Death Valley - East side
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Luckily we had made campground reservations at Furnace Creek, even though it was Sunday evening the Full sign was posted as we pulled in. The campground is -196 ft below sea level, and definitely warmer than we had experienced all week, lower 90s. It was overcast with a light breeze which made it very nice.


Passport Stamp
Death Valley National Park - Furnace Creek, CA


Wildlife Sightings
Common Raven
Phainopepla
Great-tailed Grackle
Oak Titmouse
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
Turkey Vulture

Seeing a Desert Five-Spot in bloom is always a treat!

Thanks for the photos.

Mark

Monday, March 23, 2015

Start & Finish: Furnace Creek, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Lazy morning in camp until we ran out of shade. Left Furnace Creek area and traveled to Death Valley Junction, then to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This is an area we have wanted to visit because of the sub-unit of Death Valley NP, Devil's Hole. We learned they had just opened their visitor center one month ago. Great day trip from Death Valley. Our first stop was at the Point of Rocks Boardwalk. Besides seeing the Ash Meadow Amargosa Pupfish ( the name is longer than the fish) in the beautiful aquamarine water we heard an agitated rattlesnake, under the boardwalk. A couple before us saw the snake and described it a fat and large, we waited around for quite a while, but all we got was a rattle directly under the boardwalk.

Ash Meadows NWR - Point of Rocks boardwalk & Pupfish springs
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Further down the road, in the refuge, we walked out to the Devil's Hole. You can look down into the cave, but fencing protects these very endangered fish. The water cave is at least 500 ft deep, no one has reached the bottom.

Devil's Hole
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Further down the road is the brand new visitor center for the refuge. While there we watched the film and learned about the extensive restoration work that has been done since the 1980s.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge visitor center
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From there we continued north to US 95, then to Beatty, NV. After a drive up into the ghost town of Rhyolite we continued back into Death Valley NP. The best flowers were the ones we saw coming across Salisbury Pass on Sunday.

Rhyolite, NV
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We enjoyed a beer and appetizer in the saloon before fixing dinner at camp. The high was 93 at Furnace Creek, much more comfortable up at Ash Meadows which is at 3000 ft. Elevation.

Bonus stamps
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge ( Blue Goose stamp)
-Ash Meadow Sunray, Threatened species
-Ash Meadows Naucorid, Threatened Species


Wildlife Sightings
Bat
Desert Iguana

Greater Roadrunner
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
House Sparrow
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Start: Furnace Creek, CA
Finish: Independence Creek Campground (Inyo Co.), Independence, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

First stop of the day was at Salt Creek Interpretative Trail, north of Furnace Creek. We walked the half-mile trail enjoying the flowing water with lots of active pupfish.

Salt Creek Interpretative Trail
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We continued onto Stovepipe Wells for showers. For $4 per person you receive a fresh towel and access to the pool area, for swimming and/or showers. The shower stalls have dispensers for shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Stovepipe Wells is much more laid back than Furnace Creek, where you can also get showers and use the pool. A few years ago is was $5 per person.

At this point of the trip we have no more reservations and have a week to get up to the Sacramento area. So we looked over the map and decided to try a new route out of Death Valley, heading north through Crankshaft Junction to Big Pine. We drove up to Scotty's Castle for the passport stamp and to check with the Rangers about the Big Pine Road. We were told it was fine for 2-wheeled cars, just a lot of washboard. It takes off from the road out to Ubehebe Crater. The road sign showed 75 miles to Big Pine and 35 mph. Definitely lots of washboard so I don't think we reached 35 mph too often. We made it to Crankshaft Junction - a true roadie experience! And the flowers were almost as good as when we entered at Salisbury Pass.

Crankshaft Junction and the road travelled
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Flowers along the way
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We made it back to civilization, Big Pine, by late afternoon. We continued on US 395 south to Independence and the county park. A great campground about a mile west of the town, well away from the road noise. It is along a creek with nice shade. Picnic tables, fire pits, water, pit toilets and $10 a night. The view is spectacular!

Independence Creek
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Sierra Nevada range - west view
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Panamint Range - east view
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Passport Stamps
Death Valley National Park - Scotty's Castle

Wildlife Sightings
Cottontail Rabbit
Lizard

Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Swallow
House Sparrow
Mourning Dove

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

Seeing a Desert Five-Spot in bloom is always a treat!

Thanks for the photos.

Mark

---

I, too, was pleased to see the Desert Five-spot, but I think I was struck by the luminescence lavender of the Mohave Aster.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1144.jpg

Wednesday, March 25, 2015


Start: Independence, CA
Finish: Red Rock Canyon State Park, Cantil, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

It stayed windy through the night, but not too cold, about 47 degrees in the AM. We had planned to eat breakfast in Independence, however the only cafe that serves breakfast is closed on Wednesday. We continued south on US 395 and stopped briefly at Manzanar National Historic Site. We have been here several times over the years and always come away learning something new about this period of history. A highlight of today's visit was a special art exhibit which was limited, but all were exceptional.


In Lone Pine we enjoyed a full breakfast at the Mt. Whitney Cafe, a place at which we have eaten over the years. A memorable breakfast was in the late 70s when we had to abort our climb of Mt. Whitney due to an early season blizzard. We had camped at 12,000 feet and woke up to howling winds and ice pellets. We hightailed down the mountain in record time to enjoy a meal at the cafe.


We spent several hours in the Lone Pine area letterboxing, including out at the Alabama Hills. The view of Mt. Whitney from there is spectacular.


Mt. Whitney
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After a stop at the Eastern Sierra Inter-agency visitor center on the south edge of Lone Pine for a couple of stamps and t-shirt shopping we continued south on US 395 until we split off onto CA 14. At that point the flowers along the roadside became a carpet of many colors. We stopped for the night at Red Rock Canyon State Park which had plenty of flowers to keep me busy.


Flowers
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Passport stamps
Manzanar National Historic Site - Independence, CA
Bonus
Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association
Ranger District - Lone Pine California

Wildlife Sightings
Collared lizard
Coyote

Common Raven
House Sparrow
Mourning Dove
American Robin
Hooded Oriole
Great-horned Owl
Swallows

Wow, great flowers everywhere. I wish I could leave the office and go hunting myself!

Mark

Thursday, March 26, 2015


Start: Cantil, CA
Finish: KCL campground (BLM), Carrizo Plain National Monument


Click here for this RTA Library Map


An early morning walk around the campground yielded more flowers! After breakfast we walked the mile-long nature trail near the highway. It had more geologic features than in the campground and the flowers were just as spectacular! The Great-horned Owl had roosted in a niche in cliffs above us and greeted the morning, as it did at dusk last night. Always a treat to hear and see.


Nature Trail -Red Rock SP
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We continued on CA 14 to CA 58 and drove up to Tehachapi for the best gas price, $2.89. We paid the least in Tucson at $2.19 and the most in Baker, CA at $3.69.
Just beyond Tehachapi at Keene is the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene. It is a short drive off the highway to what was his headquarters as a farmworker's Union organizer. Inside the building is a display of his office, as it was in use. His office chairs was a rocking lawn chair. Outside is a memorial garden with his grave and a cactus garden plus shaded picnic areas.


Cesar E. Chavez NM
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Instead of a picnic today we had lunch at the Keene Cafe. It looks rough on the outside, but well cared for inside with excellent food. The menu provides quite a bit of history of the area, including explaining that today's Ca 58 was US 466, which was considered a spur of US 66.


Keene Cafe
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We continued west stopping in Arvin for groceries then crossed CA 99 and I-5 to follow CA166 to the town of Maricopa. Crossing the Central Valley of California at this time of year, the air is saturated with citrus blossoms. Finally turned north on Soda Lake Road to take us into Carrizo Plain National Monument (BLM). We stopped for the day at their KCL campground and enjoyed watching and identifying a variety of birds.


Looking across to San Andreas Fault - runs through Carrizo Plain NM
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The night sky at all of our locations has been exceptional, excluding a couple of overcast nights. Most nights we have been able to see the Milky Way along with a multitude of constellations. The moon is just a sliver and high in the sky at dark.




Passport Stamp
Cesar E. Chavez National Monument- Keene, CA


Wildlife Sightings
Great-horned Owl
Northern Mockingbird
American Coot
House Sparrow
Common Raven
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
Brewer's Blackbird
Western Kingbird

Friday, March 27, 2015
Start: Carrizo Plain NM
Finish: Buckeye Flats campground (NPS), Sequoia NP, north of Three Rivers, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map


Great morning in camp birdwatching. Besides seeing the Western Kingbirds again, a pair of very colorful Bullock's Orioles came into the camp area. We left the campground and continued north on Soda Lake Road which became paved in a few miles. Along the way we saw a small herd of Pronghorn grazing.


Pronghorn grazing
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At the visitor center I learned, what I already suspected, the wildflower bloom was early and nothing spectacular this year. We confirmed some of the bird sightings we had seen in the campground and along the way with the ranger. On the road in we saw several Loggerhead Shrikes up close.


Blunt-nosed Lizard at Carrizo Plain NM
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We continued north through the monument then east on CA 58 back into the Central Valley, then north on CA 99 to Tulare and Visalia for a lunch, gas and grocery stop. On the way we stopped at Kern National Wildlife Refuge where we saw several birds unique to that area. Recently there was a report of a rare bird, Long-tailed Duck, which the office person had brought birders from all over. We thought we might have seen it, but not sure.


In Visalia we continued east on CA 168 into Sequoia National Park. Leaving Visalia we drove through Lemon Grove which was very fragrant with citrus blossoms. A wildflower report had stated that the flowers near Three Rivers, heading into the park were with viewing. We did not see much to report today. After a stop at the Foothills Visitor Center we drove up to Buckeye Flats to camp for 2 nights. Not only was the General Highway open through the park, but a loop up at Lodgepole campground was open. The weather report was for a low of 31 degrees up there, at 6700 ft. We opted for milder weather at 2800 ft. The 28 sites were full by 6 PM. We got the campground host site which was a bit more isolated and made for a wonderful site.


Redbud in campground
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Passport Stamp
Sequoia National Park - Three Rivers, CA
Bonus
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Sequoia National Park - Home of the Big Trees


Wildlife Sightings
Ladybugs
San Joaquin Ground Squirrel
Side-blotched Lizard
Pronghorn
Rock Squirrel


Bullock's Oriole - male & female
Western Kingbird
Say's Phoebe
Common Raven
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
California Quail
Loggerhead Shrike
Horned Lark
White-crowned Sparrow
Sage Sparrow
Great-horned Owl- heard
Northern Mockingbird
Little Egret
Flycatcher
Western Meadowlark
Northern Mockingbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Red winged Blackbird
Jay
Woodpecker - heard

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Start & Finish: Buckeye Flats campground, Sequoia National Park


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Very late morning in camp, enjoyable weather and quiet surroundings. Shortly before noon we left camp and drove across Sequoia National Park into Kings Canyon National Park. We stopped at Giant Forest Museum for passport stamp and to walk the Tall Trees trail.

Tall Trees trail at Sequoia National Park
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We stopped for a picnic lunch along the way, much cooler even in the early afternoon. The lack of snow in the Sierras is evident and part of the severe drought throughout the state. We saw a few patches along the road, but nothing significant. Even the high peaks of the Sierras had some snow, but much less than normal for this time of year.

On the way back to camp we stopped for a few flower pictures of flowers I had spotted on the way up.

Flowers of the day
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Back at camp a short trail went up canyon and crossed the Middle Fork Kaweah River. More flowers along the way and a squirrel posed before reaching the rushing water. We heard birds around camp, but the foliage made it difficult to see and identify. We definitely prefer the desert environment for bird watching.

Tree squirrel
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Middle Fork of Kaweah River
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Passport Stamp
Sequoia National Park - Giant Forest, CA
Kings Canyon National Park - Grant Grove, CA

Wildlife sightings
Fox Squirrel
Ground Squirrel
Lizard

Dark-eyed Junco
Common Raven

Sunday Match 29, 2015
Start: Buckeye Flats campground, Sequoia NP
Finish: El Portal, CA

'
Click here for this RTA Library Map

Not as quiet a night and morning in the campground as the night before, as new neighbors were much noisier on Saturday evening. First time ever we had a problem in a campground; when we returned to camp Saturday afternoon the new neighbors had moved in and were setting up camp in our area and had a car parked in our slot. The yellow tag indicating we had paid through Sunday was replaced with their tag. Our lawn chairs and cooking items in the bear box were in place. Luckily when we pulled in and inquired about the car they readily admitted it was theirs and moved everything off our site. We are still not sure what they thought allowed them to occupy our site. This campground is isolated, no host or rangers are nearby and the campground was full. In the future we might take a photo of our tag showing the permit number and dates. We'll also pull out our laminated 'campsite occupied' tag.


After breakfast we headed back down into Visalia and north on CA 99 towards Fresno. Before reaching Fresno, in the small burg of Traver, is a real tourist stop, Bravo Cheese. We walked through the gift shop and into the back patio. Lots of relics laying around, including a good old push mover, which kids were pushing around the yard area. Brought back memories of cutting our lawn with a push mower, my father's idea of honest labor. In another area there were at least 10-15 Tonka trucks out for kids to use. Lots of snack, food and drink choices in a small area. Well worth a stop if traveling CA 99. They have a newer version along I-5. Their sign, I think, is appropriate for many roadside attractions.


Bravo Cheese
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We stopped for gas and lunch before continuing north and eventually heading east on CA 140 towards Yosemite National Park. We knew there were no reservable sites in Yosemite (had checked back several months ago and during the past week for cancellations) and did not want to arrive too late for the 'first come, first served' campgrounds in the park. Most of the Forest Service campgrounds have not opened at this time and we needed showers. We stopped at Indian Flats RV park, just west of El Portal. For $20 we got a shady spot and showers. The drive in along the Merced River is very scenic. This is a route we have seldom used so we enjoyed the 'newness'. It continues to be quite warm, in the upper 80s, but great sleeping weather.


More birds seen outside of Sequoia and at our campsite tonight.


Merced River
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Wildlife Sightings


Rock Squirrel
Lizard
Swallowtail butterfly


Hummingbird
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Western Kingbird
Common Raven
Western Scrub Jay
Black Phoebe
Swallow
American Robin
Common Poorwill - heard

Monday, March 30, 2015
Start: El Portal, CA
Finish: Hodgdon Meadow Campground (NPS), Yosemite NP


Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Start: Hodgdon Meadow Campground (NPS), Yosemite NP
Finish: Placerville, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Monday
Within a few minutes of leaving the campground we had entered Yosemite National Park on CA 140 and as we were approaching the entrance station around 10 AM traffic was backed up, even before you could see the booth. We thought it was due to Spring Break crowds, but after 15 minutes of stop and go we found out an 18 wheeler was stuck in Arch Rock, just beyond the entrance station. Not stuck because of height, but because of length, couldn't make the small angled turn at the end. Rangers were coordinating one -way traffic on the outbound side. Busy in the valley, but not too busy.


Backup at Arch Rock
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After stops at the post office for hand cancellation of postcards and the visitor center for passport stamps and more postcards we headed up to Happy Isles trailhead. I hiked up to the bridge at the base of Vernal Falls. It was predicted to,be 81 degrees in the valley, the warmth was causing rapid snow melt. For the past several days large clouds formed over the top of the Sierras, almost looking like summer storm clouds. We were told the rapid evaporation of the snow was forming these clouds.


Vernal Falls
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Driving along the valley floor the only flowers seen were redbuds and dogwood.
Dogwood
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As all campgrounds were full on the valley floor, as expected, we head up and out the Northern Yosemite Highway, CA 120, to the last campground, Hodgdon Meadow, at the edge of the park. Lots of sites available, mainly for tent campers, but we found one on the outer edge and enjoyed a relaxing evening.


18 wheeler post-script
As we drove up the road out of the valley we came up behind the same 18-wheeler that had been stuck in Arch Rock at the beginning of the day. He was waiting for road construction crews to move pylons from the middle of the 3 tunnels road construction crews had in place for ongoing work. His trailer was too tall to fit in the right lane only. Looks like he would be waiting a while for this next step, we had to drive around him. I think this defines - a bad day at work, and on a Monday!


Tuesday, March 31


Campground squirrel
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We made our hot beverages before leaving camp and stopped at Buck Medows for a tasty breakfast. This was a travel day to our son's place in Placerville on a route we have covered multiple times. At Chinese Camp we turned north on CA 49 and made stops at Columbia State Park, a historic mining district you can walk through ( no fee) and in Jackson for some antiquing. Except for Thursday, when we go into San Francisco to start back in the Anza NHT from the northern terminus, we'll be spending time with family until next Sunday. I'll start posting again, at that time.


Passport Stamps
Yosemite National Park
-125th Anniversary 1890 - 2015
- Yosemite Valley


Bonus
Half Dome pictorial
Columbia State park
- gold panner pictorial


Wildlife Sightings
Mule Deer
Swallowtail butterfly
Rock Squirrel
Fox Squirrel


Common Raven
Black Phoebe
American Robin
Stellar Jay
Turkey Vulture
Wild Turkey
Acorn Woodpecker
House Sparrow

Two thoughts here:

When we were tent-camping, we'd occasionally see people who had a "Campsite Occupied" sign made from the metal of an old election sign, the kind you just stick into the ground. It didn't take up much room in their truck camper at all, and came in very handy when they'd leave for the day. Others would pitch a small tent that they would use to stash their lawn chairs.

Second thought - we'd have loved to have seen a photo of that "stuck 18-wheeler". I read this post aloud to my ex-commercial driver husband, and his comment was, "He's stuck between a rock and a hard place." Then, "didn't he use his trucker atlas? That's not a recommended truck route!"


Donna

April 2, 2015
Start & Finish: Placerville, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

This day had been well planned in advance in order to have our son chauffeur us into San Francisco (SF) and coordinated with the NPS staff at the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail ( Anza NHT) office. In order to get the passport stamp at their office, in the heart of the financial district, you need to contact them in advance, they have limited staffing with multiple responsibilities.


I had rented a smaller car for the few days we were visiting, we were given a Kia Soul, perfect size for our adventures. Our son has lived in San Francisco and did deliveries for a dental office while in college, so he knew the city well. We left Placerville by 6:30 AM and made a couple of pit stops for food & fuel. With 3 of us we were able to make use of the carpool lanes, which require a minimum of 3 as you get closer to the city. Based on the traffic we soared by, it saved us a lot of time. The Bay bridge which connects Oakland to SF is a new bridge with additional lanes, ae nice modern design.


Our first stop was the Anza NHT office at Bush & Market, we arrived by 10 AM. We parked several blocks away in a public garage and enjoyed the walk after the drive into town. We met with Naomi Torres, Anza Trail Superintendent, who greeted us enthusiastically and provided us with lots of resources. While there we got the office stamp and a stamp that travels on the Coast Starlight, an AMTRAK train that is staffed with NPS employees or volunteers and runs from San Jose to Santa Barbara. It was off season at this time, we had planned to take the train for that stretch and will next time we are in the area when it is running. When collecting passport stamps you learn to get the stamps when you can.


Stamping in the office
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Next stop was the Mission Dolores, the oldest continuously inhabited building in SF. Parking was non-existent so our son dropped us off in front while we went into the gift shop for the stamp. This was a site we had visited previously, before a stamp was available. While in the neighborhood we picked up sandwiches to go at the local Bi-Rite Market - very tasty Cuban pork with pickled carrots, jalapeños and cilantro. Our son seems to know ALL of the eating hot spots. The next stop was the Mission USPS for my husband to get a postal cancellation of an envelope with the Dolores Mission passport cancellation. He is creating postal caches of park passport stamps with the closest post office cancellation to the park site. This was another drop and drive around.


Our next stop was the Presidio - a great location across town which was a military installation that has now been turned into multiple uses, both private and public. We have seen the development over the years and love to see the activity all over the area. The barracks building next to the visitor center for the Presidio is a Walt Disney museum. In the center parade grounds a set up was being done for a large public picnic for the upcoming weekend.


We have been to SF many times over the years, but today was the best weather of all visits, 70 degrees and clear!
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Now our travels get a bit more complicated, so I will focus on our stop at the new Golden Gate Bridge pavilion, a visitor center directly next to the toll plaza on the south end of the bridge. It is worth a visit, but I highly recommend you take mass transit; either a commercial hop-on, hop-off or city bus or rental bicycle. It is difficult to drive to and there is very little public parking. Again we had a priceless resource - chauffeur son. While at the pavilion I was fortunate to meet up with NPS Ranger Hale. We had been e-mailing back and forth for several months and he had planned to be at the office when we visited. Today, April 2, was the national kick-off of the NPS's centennial project titled "#find your park". Ranger Hale was at the pavilion to interact with the pubic about this program so we were able to spend some time talking and he had me Skype with a ranger at Grand Teton NP ( where we hope to visit in the late summer).


We made a couple of more stops along the waterfront, including the newly renovated Warming Hut which has an exceptional bookstore and cafe. The last stop was at the Maritime Museum, near Fisherman's Wharf. As this was the week leading up to Easter and many people were enjoying Spring Break, it was very busy.


Our longest traffic delay was getting back onto the Bay Bridge, and we even were using the carpool route. Unbelievable that many people so this commute daily! We stopped at the Peralta Hacienda, another Anza NHT, in Oakland. We then did some touring of Oakland and Berkley to wait out the bulk of the evening rush hour. We enjoyed a great Chinese meal at Ranch Market 99, near the freeway. With a few more stops including evening refreshments in Sacramento we were back in Placerville by 9 PM. A crazy, fun day!


Footnote-
On Friday we went to South Lake Tahoe where the weather was just as spectacular. I couldn't help but contrast the two days!
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Passport Stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza Nat'l Historic Trail
Coast Starlight
AZ-CA
Mission Dolores
Presidio de San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
Peralta Hacienda
Golden Gate Nat'l Rec Area - Presidio of San Francisco, CA
Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary 1927 - 2012 - San Francisco, CA
Golden Gate Nat'l Rec Area Crissy Field - San Francisco, CA
Bonus
Pictorial of Presidio
Pictorial of Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, Ca with bridge in center.

Sunday, April 5, 2015
Start: Placerville, CA
Finish: Pinnacles National Park campground (NPS)


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Today was our first day of rain as we left Placerville and started our trip south. Our first stop was in Martinez, CA at the John Muir National Historic Site, a very favorite stop. We have been here many times before, as we greatly admire John Muir! It was raining pretty hard at this point so we watched the video, and as always happens learned several new things about him and his life.

We left I-680 in San Jose and continued south on US 101, traffic was relatively light and the rain was letting up. We left 101 and drove into San Juan Bautista to visit the state historic park. This was another repeat visit for us. On a previous visit we enjoyed a picnic lunch at a garden in the park and were entertained by a lively flock of chickens. Today the area was very busy as the mission attached to the park is still active, especially on this Easter Sunday.

San Juan Bautista State Historic Park
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Very large Pepper tree
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We continued west on CA 156 to Hollister, the south on CA 25, a beautiful, twisty drive through a valley in which the San Andreas fault runs. We arrived at Pinnacles National Park around 3:30 and found the parking lot packed. It is a very popular destination at this time of year, luckily campsites were available, for at least one night. It had stopped raining, but was forecast to get close to freezing so we got a site with electric. This had previously been a private campground outside the park boundaries, but was added in recent years. There is also a swimming pool which is available seasonally (opened April 1) and includes showers.

It was nice to enjoy the wildlife in the campground. In addition to watching the squirrel family we were able to watch a California Condor soar over the ridge behind us. And as the sun was setting we watched the turkey vultures roost in a nearby pine tree, up to 30 in the same tree.

Pinnacles National Park campground critters
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Passport Stamps
John Muir NHS - Martinez, CA
Juan Bautista de Anza NHT
-John Muir NHS
-San Juan Bautista SHP

Bonus
John Muir quote "the clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness"
3 different pictorial stamps at San Juan Bautista SHP

Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel

Western Scrub Jay
Acorn Woodpecker
Wild Turkey
Great Egret
American Coot
Canada Geese
Turkey Vulture
Common Raven
Brewer's Blackbird
Steller's Jay
Cooper's Hawk
Mourning Dove
California Quail
House Finch
Northern Flicker - Red-shafted
California Condor

Thursday, April 2, 2015


I just received some photos taken by NPS staff while we were in San Francisco.


#find you park Kick -off at Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion - Skype with Grand Teton NP
bottom section - stamping my Anza NHT Junior Ranger certificate
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My husband and I with Ranger Hale at Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1175.jpg
Like I said in the original post - the weather was spectacular!

Monday, April 6, 2015
Start : Pinnacles NP
Finish: Cerro Alto campground (USFS), w of Atascadero, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Very cold morning at Pinnacles NP, frost on the chairs and table we left outside. Toasty inside when we turned on the electric heater an hour before we ventured out. Before leaving the park we drove up the road into the park for a view of the Pinnacles, the morning light added color to the rocks.


Pinnacles NP
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As we left the park we saw a large group of Wild Turkeys, with a number of males in full feathers.


We continued south on CA 25, a beautiful drive through a valley. A side road turned off and headed west into King City. There we crossed over US 101 and followed the Jolon Road up to the San Antonio Mission, another stop along the Anza NHT. The mission was built in 1771 and Anza and his group stopped there on their way north. The grounds surrounding the mission are very well kept with plenty of historical and archaeological signs.


Adobe ruin along Jolon Road
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Mission San Antonio
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As we followed Jolon Rd back south to US 101 at Bradley we spotted a herd of Elk. And we watched a Prairie Falcon hover in the sky, move a bit and then continue to hover. It dove several times, but never came back up with anything. Lots of lupine and some cold poppies in the fields. The sun had been out all morning, but the poppies were still closed up.


Elk herd
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Our next stop was to be in Atascadero for the next Anza NHT, however as we went through Paso Robles, and it was lunch time, we stopped at Firestone-Walker Brewery for a delicious lunch and tasty IPA. Then we stopped in Atascadero at the Atascadero Mutual Water Company, the holders of the Anza NHT passport stamp. Unique place for the stamp, but the staff was pleasant and had the stamp readily available with relevant literature at hand. A section of the trail that the NPS has verified that Anza's expedition took has been developed along the Salinas River by the water company and other local groups. We picked up the trail map and went over to the area for a short hike along this section of trail. Afterwards we stayed in town and found several letterboxers placed by planters we know, but who live out of the area. We really enjoyed our time spent in Atascadero. In the past we have visited the Charles Paddock Zoo which is very well done for a small zoo.


Lizard along the Anza NHT
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North of town my husband checked out Vineyards Antiques while I got caught up on transferring pictures and posting to RTA. We then took CA 41 west, about 8 miles out of town to Cerro Alto campground. We have stayed here before and enjoy the dense coastal mountain canyon it is in, just watch out for the abundant poison oak! Quiet night in camp, waiting for the predicted rain.


Flowers
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1182.jpg

Passport Stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza NHT
-Mission San Antonio
-Atascadero, CA

Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Elk
Mule Deer

Turkey Vulture
Brewer's Blackbird
Steller's Jay
Cooper's Hawk
Wild Turkey
Common Raven
Yellow-billed Magpie
Mourning Dove
Western Kingbird
Western Meadowlark
California Quail
Rock Pigeon
American Coot
Prairie Falcon
Red-tailed Hawk
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco

Hi Pat,

In the past year or so I have really enjoyed reading your trip reports, so I thank you for them. Interesting, educational and very often beautiful.

When I have more time to spare (hopefully in the not so distant future), I would love to travel through many states, but Arizona and a couple of others in particular, at a slow pace.

Your reports certainly keep fuelling that fantasy!

Subman

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Subman

Hi Pat,

In the past year or so I have really enjoyed reading your trip reports, so I thank you for them. Interesting, educational and very often beautiful.

When I have more time to spare (hopefully in the not so distant future), I would love to travel through many states, but Arizona and a couple of others in particular, at a slow pace.

Your reports certainly keep fuelling that fantasy!

Subman

---

I know our slower and off-the-beaten path trips are not the main focus for many of the travellers who use this website, but hopefully our adventures bring some pleasure and help to all who travel.
Thank you for your kinds words. I hope your wish comes true soon!
-Pat

Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Start: Cerro Alto campground, w of Atascadero, CA
Finish: Ventura, CA


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Rain, rain and more rain; all day! Around 3 AM a gentle off and on rain began and stayed mild until 8 AM. On ewe got up and left the campground the rain became steady and hard at times until 4 PM. We were on US 101 all day, heading south. Our first stop after breakfast was at the Mission San Luis Obispo. We had a nice chat with the young man in the gift shop while stamping our books, he was interested in our travels.

We continued south towards Santa Barbara. One of the most scenic areas along the road is Gaviota Pass, northbound is a tunnel and southbound is some of the most rugged rock you will see anywhere. My photo does not do justice to rugged rock.

Gaviota Pass
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While in Santa Barbara we stopped at the Presidio de Santa Barbara for the Anza NHT stamp. The most memorable part of that stop, besides the adobe, in which a member of the Anza expedition resided, was the difficult parking, almost as bad as San Francisco. one parking lot told us they would charge us $20 for our Chevy Cargo van, even for 1 hr of parking. We finally found street parking in the area. The Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center is on the harbor, within the maritime museum building. The view from their 4th floor area is always scenic, not so today.

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum entrance
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Santa Barbara Harbor
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Our final stop was at the Channel Islands National Park visitor center in Ventura Harbor. After viewing the exhibits we walked around their Native Plants garden for a few flower photos. We've taken the day trip out to the Channel Islands in the past, well worth the time and expense, but not on a day like today! The trips leave from the harbor, just south of the visitor center with a private vendor.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../image1186.jpg

McGrath State Beach campground is closed due to flooding in the past, with no scheduled opening. We opted for the local Motel 6, our first night out of our van on this trip.

Passport Stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza NHT
Mission San Luis Obispo
El Presidio de Santa Barbara
Channel Islands NP
Channel Islands National Park
Ventura, CA
Santa Cruz Island
Anacapa Island
Bonus
Outdoor Santa Barbara Visitor Center
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum - 1st Order Fresnel Lens, Pt. Conception Lighthouse

Wildlife Sightings

American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco
Brown Pelican
Turkey Vulture
Common Raven
Seagull
Comorant
Mourning Dove

Wednesday, April 8, 2015


Start: Ventura, CA
Finish: Cottonwood Campground (NPS), Joshua Tree National Park


Click here for this RTA Library Map

Today was the day to finish the Anza NHT- and return to the desert! Goal accomplished by the end of the day, but first we had to conquer LA. My husband was born and raised here, so he knows the area, but does not like the traffic or crowds anymore.


Back on US 101 heading south to Calabasas to stop at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (NPS) to their main visitor center, King Gillette Ranch, a beautiful mission-style ranch house. A trail by the ranch house was closed off while a crew was filming a pilot. This area has been used for many TV shows and movies over the years. We had learned of a new stamp for the NRA had been placed at a nature center at the south end of the park, an area we had not been to previously. Back to 101 and a bit further south, then off on some hilly, curvy roads, past some incredible mansions, to Douglas Canyon and the nature center. The area was wild and undeveloped, yet surrounded by homes. The displays in the Sooky Goldman Nature Center were very interesting; one was of a large mountain lion with lots of information. There were also quite a few displays of fossils from the area, some collected by people my husband knew back in the day.


Our next stop for the second Anza NHT stamp of the day was in Griffith Park and their visitor center. This is another great location with beautiful panels outside depicting the cultural development of the area and animals of the area.


Griffith Park visitor center
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Griffith Park panel
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As we headed to downtown for another stamp we were amazed at the clear LA skies. The rain from the previous day had cleared the skies.


Downtown LA
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Another new stamp for the Anza NHT was at El Pueblo de Los Angeles in an office shared by NPS, state parks and other affiliated groups. When we arrived at the storefront of the Hellman-Quon building, in the middle of the historic area, it was closed. Through the window we could see the stamp! I tried calling a possible contact number, they were trying to be helpful, but had no access to the building. While talking on the phone we saw someone in the back of the office who came to the door. He found out what we wanted then had us wait outside until a ranger came down. Ranger Anthony was most helpful and pleased to hear about our travels. He told us about a recent sighting of a Mountian lion that has been roaming the area below the Hollywood sign. This is a first sighting in many years. With no predators he said there were plenty of mule deer to keep the lion fed.


El Pueblo de Los Angeles Monument
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After getting the stamp we walked over to the closest post office for a cancellation for my husband's collection. There are beautiful murals in the lobby, as seen in many of the post offices around the country. Mainly painted during the Depression of the 1930s by WPA (Works Progress Administration) employees. (WPA was established on April 9, 1935)


Post Office mural
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Tasty lunch at the north end of Olivera Street and then a stop at the Avila Adobe, which includes the visitor center for the state parks section for the Old Spanish NHT.


Olivera Street
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Avila Adobe
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Back on the freeway, which so far had relatively light traffic. A short distance east to Mission San Gabriel which was in existence when Anza travelled through in 1774 to establish the route to San Francisco and in 1776 with the settlers this is a beautiful mission that retains a rustic charm.


Mission San Gabriel - final stamp for our Anza NHT trip
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We were ready to head east and get back to the desert. Traffic and our timing had worked really well all day so we were able to make it to the southern end of Joshua Tree NP by 5:30 PM. We were tired, but very happy to back in the open skies!


Passport Stamps
Juan Bautista de Anza NHT
-Santa Monica Mountains NRA, CA
-Griffith Park
-El Pueblo de Los Angeles
-Mission San Gabriel
Santa Monica Mountains NRA
-Calabasas, CA
-Franklin Canyon Park
Old Spanish NHT - El,Pueblo de Los Angeles National Monument, CA


Bonus
Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge ( Blue Goose stamp)
California Condor pictorial
Pico House pictorial
San Gabriel Mission - www.sangabrielmission.org (pictorial of mission in middle)

Thursday - Sunday, April 9-12, 2015


Joshua Tree NP to Salome, AZ to W of Phoenix to Tucson


Click here for this RTA Library Map


This basically concludes our Desert & Anza NHT trip. For the next few days we will be joining a group of letterboxers on the west side of Phoenix. We enjoyed another full day at Joshua Tree NP before entering Arizona on Friday afternoon. On Friday evening we camped at a La Paz County Park near Salome, AZ. Only $14 for electric and water and lots of quiet. Found a few letterboxes along our route.


I will leave you with a few flower photos I have taken the past couple of days. Sometime next week I plan to post a summary of the trip. Thanks for reading!


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Hedgehog cactus
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Prickley Poppy
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Arizona Sunset
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March 16 - April 13, 2015
29 days


4,088 miles
3 states - AZ, CA, and 30 minutes in NV (day trip from Death Valley NP)
License Plates - all but KY, WV, RI & DC


National Park Service sites - 14
Passport Stamps - 60
Link to scanned images will be posted in the future
Bonus Stamps - 27


Letterboxes found - 93
Letterboxes planted - 3


Expenses
Total - $2060, $515/wk
18% - Lodging; camping, 1 night motel, 5 nights at family
41% - Meals - meals out & groceries
40% - Local Transport; gas, rental car (in SF), parking & tolls
1% - Misc - showers & ice


Flowers found at home upon arrival
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Awesome flower photos! Thanks for sharing this road trip adventure with us!

Been a very nice distraction from the redesign work on RTA that has been keeping us living on near-constant cups of java....

Mark

Anza NHT Junior Ranger post

When I travel and I complete a Junior Ranger program along the way, I write a blog about the experience. This program was a little different than most of the Junior Ranger programs I have done, from start to finish. If you followed this trip report there are no new pictures, just posted in the order of the expedition. Fun to re-live the trip.

https://jrpfmount.wordpress.com/?p=464&preview=true

Junior Ranger - Senior Friendly
Junior Ranger programs are great for all ages! The majority of park staff are just as happy to present a certificate, badge and/or patch to those older than junior. In 2 years I have only had one site refuse to give me a booklet to complete, hopefully that has changed since I was there. A small number of NPS sites offer a Senior Ranger program (check my Senior tab in the blog). Whenever I complete a Junior Ranger program I promote the Senior Ranger program.
I can honestly say I have always learned something new when completing a program, no matter how simple the material.

-Pat

My husband scans and adds to his webpage all of the passport and bonus stamps he collects along our travels. Below are the stamps from this trip.

http://nostalgia.esmartkid.com/2015s...ripstamps.html

A fun way to remember our trip, and it has solved some discussions about when and where we have been over the years!