Days Sixty-Three through Sixty-Five

Kudzu and I haven't seen rain for almost six weeks, but as soon as her Mom arrives from Tennessee the forecast turns sour. We awoke at daylight Tuesday to a downpour and within minutes our campsite was under six inches of water and everything we had was soaked. From here on out, we may have to refer to Kudzu's Mom as the Rain Queen! I'm just kidding of course, but it is kind of a strange coincidence since I understand that after she left Tennessee it got warm and sunny there.

A break in the rain

We stuck the wet tent in a big plastic bag and said the heck with the beach. Thinking that it never rains in the desert, we headed for Anza-Borrego to dry out making a stop at the Julian Pie Company in the quaint mountain town of Julian for a warm slice of pie and some hot coffee. Unfortunately it DOES rain in the desert and we arrived to find the largest downpour Borrego Springs has had in fourteen years. We quickly abandoned the idea of camping and checked in to the very nice Borrego Valley Inn, a small adobe style luxury inn on the outskirts of Borrego Springs. If you want to experience the desert in style and don't mind splurging a little, this is the place to stay. The rooms open onto a desert courtyard and each have a private patio, tile floors, kitchenette, and a very luxurious bathroom. After drying off and changing to dry clothes, we had an excellent meal at the Krazy Coyote Restaurant and came back to the Inn to enjoy the gas fireplace safe from the continuing downpour.

Anza-Borrego Sky

Since the Borrego Valley Inn had availability for one night only, we moved first to the less than luxurious Whispering Sands Resort on Wednesday taking advantage of a break in the rain to dry our things and then moved to the Palm Canyon Campground Thursday to enjoy a clear night in the desert serenaded by the many coyotes that call the Park home.

Desert surrounding Borrego Springs

Kudzu enjoying a break at Borrego Valley Inn

Kudzu enjoying the sun at Palm Canyon Campground

Kudzu's Mom enjoying the Borrego Valley Inn

Our camp

Palm Canyon Campground at sunset