Into Palm Canyon
Posted by: Rich in Notes from Gadget, On the road, Photo of the Day, airstream
Ah yes, another early wakeup……but 4:30 Arizona time is 3:30 California time you know. So, I made myself go back to sleep. No worries, not too much effort this morning……I’m still catching up from the cold and the excitement of returning to Palm Canyon.
The next time I woke it was thanks to my IBook’s alarm going off, playing “Bare Naked Ladies” song, “Pinch Me”.
We got up and started getting ready for a 6 a.m. hike up Palm Canyon with Bill. The plan was to get a jump on the day and see if we could find ourselves some big horn sheep.
Palm Canyon is an interesting walk. Rock walls on either side, a dry desert floor, and this year, an abundance of small desert wild flowers. Nice!
Bill was ready at 6 sharp, and I’d just wrapped up a few sunrise photos. It’s always fun to get a sunrise with desert palms in it. The silhouettes are amazing!
We made our way up slowly into the canyon. Stops happened often. I swapped from a video camera to the 30D, and later back to the video camera. Remember, the hike up Palm Canyon won out as a future podcast, so I had to take the time to shoot a little.
The hike was a little different this year. In the distance at all times I could hear water flowing. One year ago the canyon was dry! Bone dry. And it lacked any type of blooming wild flower. This year the canyon is alive, and it even sounded alive! What a nice change!!! 
As we approached the oasis I began hearing frogs. We crossed a small stream several times, and came across lush green patches growing along the water and in the water.
Finally we rounded a bend and I could see the palm stands in the distance. The entire hike we went past downed palm after downed palm. Years ago a major storm dumped water into the canyon, and the bulk of the palms got washed down toward the camprgound. We walked through the wreckage today, and I could only imagine what it must have looked like before the palms were washed out.
What remains in the canyon is still stunning. A true desert oasis in the middle of some fairly barren land. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop in and walk up the canyon. It’s worth the trip.
By the way, I know I never give great detail on the history of the sites I visit. Sorry about that. But I figure that just like me, readers have Google, and they can quickly find some great historical information about spots I’ve traveled to. Rather than pop up what someone else wrote about the area, I like relaying what the visit was like for me. :) I say all of this because Anaza-Borrego, Borrego Springs, Julian, Ghost Mountain, and the rest of my favorite spots have some really interesting stories behind them, and they’re worth a read. So, use that Google Bar…… and plan a trip for yourself! It’s worth it.
After the hike in we took a while near the oasis. Everyone kicked back, snacked, and enjoyed sitting riverside while looking for Big Horn Sheep. Did any make an appearance for us? Nope. Sorry to say. But there are still a few more days left in this trip, so you never know.
With time spent in the canyon we began making out way back. As an added bonus to the trip, Sadira’s father and sister were coming out to say hi. She hasn’t seen either of them in a few years, and they live in San Diego. So, quick trip for them to come and have a little reunion. Since they were coming in early we had to cut our time in the canyon to get back. But we’ll be going up again soon for sure.
There’s the wrap for this post. Later this evening more might go up, but I’m going to take a break from the blog, sort more photos, and get ready for another dinner with the guys at site 28.
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