Here are a few pics of the last few weekends from Truckhaven...
The infamous Hydrant Hill geocache
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
Photo taken from the geocache/fire hydrant. This is looking east, as you have to hike the last 100 yards to the cache. It is a memorial placed by North County Yamaha in honor of the Ocotillo Wells Fire Department. The drive to this cache is a series of tight serpentine trails that can be a real challenge for the longer wheel based Xterras.
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
In my 30+ years of desert travels, I have only witnessed two rattlesnakes. This is number two...and he was a sneaky little fella. He was curled up cooling off in the shadow of the fire hydrant. We arrived, posed for pictures on the opposite side of the hydrant (several shots with Matt's son Mathias just inches away), and as we walked away to grab the geocache he began his signature rattling/buzzing. We all walked back and took a few photos, realizing just how fortunate we were that he had not struck while we were closer.
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
Close up.
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
Before the trip out to Hydrant Hill, Daphne and I had a surprise meeting with Matt, Jim, Mathias, and Grant. We were helping a group of Canadian tourists in a Jeep air down for the trip out to Calcite Mine, when who should drive up? Jim and Matt!! We all trooped out the Calcite Mine trail together, spotting our new Canadian friends over a couple of obstacles, and then taking a few photos at the trail terminus.
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
After we left the Canadians safely aired down, we left Calcite Mine and headed out to the Hydrant Hill geocache with Jim and Matt in tow. We talked on the ham radios until mine crapped out (
?) and had a great time wheeling together. After the rattlesnake excitement and body carnage, we headed back to Matt and Jim's campsite where Matt's son Mathias entertained us with his version of "101 uses for a trash can lid." A couple of cold beverages and some laughs later, Daphne and I departed and left the boys to what was sure to be a great night under the desert moon.
TRUCK HAVEN - April 6, 2013 **IT'S BAAAACK**
We headed to Carlee's in Borrego Springs for a quick bite to eat, aired up at The Blue Hose, and had a nice casual drive back to San Diego, serenaded by Chris Cornell and the boys from Soundgarden. All in all, a great day in the desert.
