This Week Is R and R Week Victoria is in the Desert,(in case you didn't notice)

Today a trip to Borrego Springs. To tell you the truth it is all a blur to me, My husband's idea of an excursion is get there as fast as you can ,see what you want to see and get back as fast as you can. There was some really beautiful scenery on the way but couldn't coax my husband to stop for foto's.

scenic little church on the edge of town

mural in the town mall

there's about 11 stores in the mall

guess this was a hideout in the early days, no wonder,tho beautiful very desolate

rugged terrain on the way

more rugged terrain

Salton Sea about 25 mi. from Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs is a very sleepy little town very close to the Mexican border. I was all excited to find an antique shop there but alas it is only open on weekends.I had a nice talk with a couple of people there and was inquisitive as to how these businesses stay open. I was informed that the major portion of the population arrives  in October from Montana,Oregon and Washington. I was also told that at that time the millionaire per ca pita was probably highest of any city. It seems they like to come there for the anonymity it offers...Sorry millioniares,your secret is out.

THESE GUESTS MADE MY DAY

I've been trying to get a closeup of the resident ducks. Today was my day. I had spent many days trying to get a closeup of one the colorful drakes in the water by our condo. This morning as I was out on the patio searching for an opportunity 2 female ducks came waddling right up to the patio!Had God answered my prayers? And then miracle of miracles the drake came flying right up next to the 2 others. It was then I noticed chips being showered down from the balcony above, they were feeding the ducks.This is a no no but I was certainly going to take advantage of this opportunity! I guess that makes me an accomplice.

Lunch at The River,Rancho Mirage

IN THE MIDST OF THE DESERT A PLACE OF REFRESHING. AMALL WITH A RIVER AND FOUNTAINS THROUGHOUT.vERY PLEASANT

IN THE MIDST OF THE DESERT A

HAVEN'T STOPPED HERE YET BUT WILL BE

Highly recommended,great dining inside or out.Beautiful ambiance compared to home this area is very economical!
"Piero's Aqua Pazza"

A Few Welcome Visitors



mom and dad duck out for morning stroll

very surprised to see this fellow

these fellowa have plenty of munchies around here and nobody bothers them. I have a few at my house that I would like to transplant

He is a majestic fellow even though his brother ate all the fish out of my pond

I don't think anyone can see me

We were Not Without Our Visitors

More Desert #3 views of our condo

Ho Hum a Week in the Desert #2

looks like an old master painting, not southern ca. desert

r view from our "villa"

view from our "villa"

Whopps did we make a wrong turn and end up in Hawaii?!!. This little fella was on our curtain when we entered the room.

This Victorian doesn't have an extensive staff or a preponderance of money to spend a whole summer or winter someplace. I just rounded up my mom and hubby ,we packed tons of food from Costco piled into the Camry and drove two and a half hours to our desert destination.
My husband had made reservations ,so I had no idea where we were headed. What a pleasant surprise!
The Resort was grandly bedecked with waterfalls and impeccable landscaping. I never realized the desert plants could be so beautiful. I have a new appreciation for the bee balm bush. It is very striking against it's native environment.

sunset and ribs on the patio

grandma's private patio

just a dreamy view!

At any rate we were greeted graciously by the clerks at the registration desk and handed our key to our "villa". And what a villa it was...2 bedrooms,2 full baths, a kitchenette in mom's bedroom and a full kitchen ,dining room,and living room, and not to be ignored 3 flat screen TVs.To top this all off we had a great water view and mountain view plus golf court view. We were surrounded by breathtaking beauty.Desert #3 will have more pictures.