The Imperial Valley

As we drove around the Salton Sea, we saw all the agriculture that takes place in the area. We passed date, citrus, hay and vegetable farms, wineries and trucks hauling produce passed us. The vegetables are started out under plastic. The area is so salty, it looks like snow on the roadside. This area is the Imperial Valley. It was discovered in 1540 by Hernando de Alarcon and further explored by Spanish explorers and Spanish friars. Settlement started in 1858 but no real development took place until water was brought here in 1901. The Colorado River is the east boundary with the Chocolate Mountains extending 60 miles and the Algodones Dunes on the west, one of the largest dune fields in America..

Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge

On the east side of the Salton Sea, we stopped at this center. Created in 1930, this 37,600 acre refuge is a haven for a diverse range of wildlife including 24 types of reptiles and over 20 species of mammals. It is 228 ft. below sea level, one of the lowest places in the U.S. They have recorded 424 species of birds here. You go up onto a large viewing deck where there are 2 telescopes and you look over land and out into the water. There is lots of information in the building with 6 different videos on local inhabitants. This is part of the Pacific flyway and very busy. There are 100 breeding species and the largest breeding colony of double-crested cormorants on the West Coast. Very beautiful spot.

Salvation Mountain

Next to Slab City is Salvation Mountain. This amazing structure is the work of Leonard, who has been building this for 29 years while he has been spreading the Love of the Lord for the same time. He's 79 and greets you and explains his 'car tire tree' which we are standing in front of, and 'truck tire tree' with all the materials what he has found left in the desert and dragged over here. He adds wood and branches and plasters them with mud and water - adobe. Next comes the paint. It is a work in progress, painting every day. To get to the top of the mountain, you follow the yellow brick road. He lives in the painted old fire truck at the bottom.

Slab City

When we were going around the Salton Sea last Friday, we turned left at Nyland and went out to Slab City. Rumor has it that this was an army base or government facility in the past and when it closed down, they cleared out all the buildings, leaving only the concrete slabs. Apparently there are about 100 people living here year round with no power or any services. The middle picture is their 'community center' - an outdoor entertainment area.
Not on our list to stay, but interesting to see.

Happy Valentines Day

We are having beautiful hot sunny weather. Barb and I are at the pool a lot. When we went out this morning, we found that the Valentine Bunny had brought us a present. Thank you.
We had the gang over for a visit in the shade. They leave for Hemet tomorrow.

Opening Ceremonies at the Olympics

We really enjoyed the opening ceremonies last night. We thought it was world class and were proud of what was done. There were many thoughtful choices of flag bearers, torch bearers and the entertainment was great.

The Salton Sea

We circumnavigated the Salton Sea today, a 6 1/2 hour trip. It is California's largest lake, 35 miles long and 15 miles wide - nearly 380 sq. miles. It is said that it used to be part of the Gulf of California from Baja California, Mexico but silt buildup shut that opening a long time ago. In 1905, massive flooding caused the Colorado River to break through an irrigation canal and flow into the Salton Basin for a year and a half. Drainage from 500,000 acres of farmland now sustains the Sea.
We went down the east side and enjoyed walking along the shore where about 15 RV's were boon docking. This side is lovely. The sea looks beautiful in the distance but on the west shore you see many dead fish. They are lying on a bed of white shells and old bones, quite smelly. wouldn't want to own a water-view home here. There is an abundance of Tilapia here, a prolific breeder introduced many years ago from the freshwater areas of Africa. The lake continues to grow more saline daily, due to evaporation and the runoff of agricultural fertilizers into the lake. This has affected fish reproduction and survival. Water temperature is also a concern as high temperatures in the summer reduce the amount of oxygen and fish die offs occur. Conversely, if the water gets under 55 degrees in the winter, the same will occur. There are millions of fish in the water and there were productive fisheries here during WWI and II.
The Sea is called California's Crown Jewel of Avian Biodiversity and It is on the Pacific flyway and an important site for migratory and wintering shorebirds. We saw pelicans, egrets and many more.
Here's Chuck sitting on an old chair abandoned on the shore.