Topic: Looking Back on 2008

[FrankB]

Well, it's the end of another fun year of off road adventures with good friends.  Since we don't have the old threads from the old site available, I thought I would post up some pics from earlier in the year, starting with a little trip out to 17 Palms Oasis and the Arroyo Salado area on this day in December last year.

Looking Back on 2008

Dan decorated his X for X-Mas.

Looking Back on 2008

There were a few more trips out to Anza Borrego at the end of December, lots of great scenery and sunsets.

Looking Back on 2008

Leaving Font's Point after dark.

Looking Back on 2008

Dos Cabezas, an old railroad stop off of S-2.

Looking Back on 2008

In early January, while most of San Diego was watching a football game, Marty and I toured Black Mountain Road, in the hills between Ramona and Mesa Grande, saw the fire damage from Oct 2007, and crossed an old bridge built in 1913.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

On the way home we stopped in Escondido to check out the sculpture garden in Kit Carson Park. At dusk, with all the crows, it looked and sounded like an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Early in 2008 a few of us decided to explore around the Salton Sea. From a distance it actually looks kind of nice.

Looking Back on 2008

When you get a bit closer, though, you realize that the white sand really isn't sand at all, and that somehow, the fish special at the roadside diner might not be the best choice.

Looking Back on 2008

One of our first stops was the old North Shore Yacht Club.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

From there it was on to Bombay Beach, where a portion of the town was flooded in a storm several years ago.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

There are lots of interesting places around the Sea, including this now deserted (at least we think so) compound with a very clever idea for a water tank.

Looking Back on 2008

Salvation Mountain and Slab City were next on our route, and the day ended with a spectacular sunset.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

This year's Xcursion to (Not Really) Joshua Tree was a good one. We explored Pinkham and Thermal Canyons, then camped near the Black Eagle Mine. Bobby's newest creation, the hitch bbq, worked well.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

When springtime came to the desert it was time to go back to Anza Borrego to see the wildflowers. We spent a weekend exploring around out there. 2008 was a particularly good year for flowers, 2009 may be as well.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

The crowds got pretty bad so we headed over to 17 Palms and Font's.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

A few weeks later we ran a trip to Blair Valley, with hikes to the Petroglyphs, Morteros, and the old Marshall South homesite on the top of Ghost Mountain.  Had to make a stop at the Julian Pie Company bakery in Santa Ysabel to pick up some fresh apple pies to go with lunch.

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Looking Back on 2008

Mitch telling the story of Marshall South and his homesite on the top of Ghost Mountain.

Looking Back on 2008

"Can you hear me now?"

Looking Back on 2008

Thanks again to all of my friends (new and old) at SCCX for another great year. Looking forward to more adventures in the years to come.

Looking Back on 2008

[XterracerX]

Man... looking at the pictures, I can honestly say it's been a good run and we had a very good year. Looking forward to 2009! Thanks for posting some of the most beautiful shots from our past Xcursions Frank!

[AV Xterra]

Very nice Frank

[Snoopy]

Great summary of 2008 and what makes SCCX such a great club.

[Paul]

Very very nice pictures!

[SuperSlideStyle]

These are great pictures Frank.  I really wish we could've gone with you guys.  When is the next Xcursion there again?

[FrankB]

. . . . . When is the next Xcursion there again?

Where?  There were about 9 different trips in that collection, including Joshua Tree, the hills of east San Diego County, several to various areas of Anza Borrego, and of course, the Salton Sea. Anza Borrego trips included: 17 Palms and the washes between there and Font's Point (3 different trips); Blair Valley (at least twice); Coyote Canyon (lower part, but we never got to the Rocky Hill of Doom as it was too crowded that day due to the flowers); Dos Cabezas / Mortero Wash and through the BLM land down towards Ocotillo; Orriflame / Chariot Canyons from S-2 up to Banner Store.

I try to get in a few trips out to Anza Borrego each year, usually they are easy 1-day trips with hiking and photo ops, and are in addition to the regular club runs. They are always stock-friendly, often with more time out exploring than driving. I usually put up a post to see if anyone is interested, so keep an eye on the Xcursions forum.  If there is someplace you particularly want to go to let me know and we can set something up, or put up a post and see who would like to join you.

As for the Salton Sea, again, keep an eye on the Xcursions forum, as we should have one pretty soon. That trip is almost all pavement, and could probably best be described as more of a cultural experience than an off-roading trip. But hey, sometimes a foreign culture experience can be a good thing, and for most of us, the Salton Sea is indeed a foreign culture. Just don't drink the water, or eat the tilapia, and you'll be fine.

[Oz]

Movie night on the Mojave Trail

[fleury123]

Movie night on the Mojave Trail

Now the Movie theater was the best. I normally don't like to ring Oz's bell but that was cool. Oh yeah and it was cold.