Blog Update - Road Trip Salton Sea January 12, 2014

It was time for some more exploring so headed West through Joshua Tree to the Salton Sea...had read and heard many stories about the Salton Sea and it's problems over the past 50 years or so and figured it was something worthwhile to explore.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Salton Sea a google will give you a ton of information, but most of it is pretty negative and sadly this has affected the area and caused much of its demise. Back in 1905 the government decided to divert part of the Colorado River into the basin which was a dry lake bed. This valley had actually at one time been connected to the Gulf of California in Mexico and was salt water - when the lake bed dried up all that was left was the salt...the diversion of the Colorado put fresh water into the dry salt bed and turned it into a "Salt Lake"....this happened between 1905 and 1907. In the 1950's the Salton Sea became a huge resort area and was frequented by more tourists than Yosemite National Park. In it's heyday it was a huge success with towns and marinas surrounding it's shoreline.

Then the downward spiral started with back to back Hurricanes in 1976 and 1977. which raised the lake level to flood stage and destroyed all of the marinas, restaurants and facilities. Now it pretty much sits in decay...however I found it very interesting at what has survived - the lake itself is quite beautiful although the water is dirty and filled with algae...the bird life around the lake is tremendous and is the primary source of visitors - bird watchers.

It is another example of trying to fuck with Mother Nature it never works out properly!! When will we learn??

In it's Heyday!



Now!







Nice birds here is a Grebe in it's winter colors!



Here is an Avocet!



Some of the scenery on the return trip! Amazing country!





And finally last nights sunset over Joshua Tree!



BTW - I forgot to mention an interesting fact - Salton Sea is 200 feet below sea level...

Stay tuned for more adventures - I have plenty planned!!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - Back to the Desert Bar! January 11th, 2014

Time to try and meet up with my friends again and this time success. Friends who were in the campground in Haines Alaska this past summer are spending some time near Parker AZ and we tried to meetup last weekend and I was late and missed them, but yesterday everything went perfectly and we got to meet and had a great time talking of our travels from Alaska to the great Southwest! Oh and a beer or two flowed!

Who could ask for more - friends, conversation, music and beer!!









This couple - unknown to me was dancing in the desert above the bar (Grab shot)!



The music was great!!







A great time was had by all, always great to meet RV Friends on the road and catch up!!

Stay tuned for more "Good Times"...



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - January 11, 2014 - Desert Zoo Reserve

Made the drive to the Desert Zoo and had a great time even though many of the animals were taking their afternoon nap. Got a late start and didn't get there until later in the day....next time I think I will try the morning.

I still managed a few decent pictures in the fading light and my trip through the zoo was a quick one chasing the fading sunlight.

One shot that I found the most interesting is the receding mountains in the various shades of light...I have always loved the different shades as the mountains fade away into the distance and have found it hard to capture in digital, seems the painters have it easier....but this one came out pretty good.



This is the second time in two days I have seen these similar metal sculptures - need to find out the significance.



On to the animals!







This bird was fairly cooperative and I managed a few shots of him....











And one more of my friendly bird!! He was quite expressive!



More to come back to the Desert Bar today!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Blog Update - Joshua Tree and some more pictures

Took another trip into Joshua Tree and went on a few walks and managed to snap a few photos. I am on a quest to capture some frame-able art for the park...light wasn't real dramatic yesterday so not real pleased, but a few decent shots.

So on with the pictures!



















I liked this rock sculpture - Mother Nature at her best!!



This area is big on rock climbing and met a couple from Northern California!









The tools of a rock climber!!




Stay tuned for more adventures - Headed to the Desert Zoo today!!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!

Bog Update - Road Trip to the Desert Bar near Parker Arizona!!!

I really love this place mainly because it is one of the most unique bars I have ever been to!

My days plan started with great intentions, but my best efforts were interrupted by a small problem with my truck...something I had been meaning to research further and had quite frankly forgotten about. However, I think I discovered the problem.

A couple weeks ago some people who I had met in Alaska at the RV Park in Haines emailed and said they were going to be in the area and had a trip planned to the Desert Bar which we had discussed in Alaska...the bar is so unique it is a conversation starter, especially since we both had T-Shirts from the bar. So I emailed back and told them I would meet them there yesterday.

So with great anticipation I packed up my cameras and made the plan for the road trip - 120 miles each way! Well, it became time to leave to meet them around noon...went out and the battery was dead in the truck...grabbed my jump pack and lo and behold it was dead also...so plugged it in to charge and patiently waited. Well after about an hour, which was really putting me in jeopardy of making our meeting time I tried again, jump pack still did not have enough juice to start the truck...so a neighbor pulled his truck over, dug out battery cables and got her jumped. Now I have been having this problem for some time, if the truck sits for more than a few days the battery goes dead, somewhere there is a small drain.

So I was bound for Parker, AZ about 1.5 hours late..also forgetting about the time change, so reality is I would have probably been late anyway...well the drive is probably the most boring drive you would ever want to make, but I was determined to try and make up some time...so at about 15 over the speed limit, I headed across the wasteland that separates 29 Palms with just about everywhere....GPS was telling me that the time to arrive seemed awful late, then I remembered the 1 hour time change! Shit! Oh well I had already covered about 75 miles, so no turning back, only hoping that the music would be real good and the beer and drinks nice and cold and my friends would stay longer than they anticipated.

So, I arrived in Parker, AZ about 1:30 my time or 2:30 local time, proceeded out the rough dirt road to the Desert Bar and arrived ready for a beer! Grabbed a beer and did a walk-around of the bar and grounds, friends no where to be found. So another beer and sit tight and watch the music....well I missed my friends, but had a great day at the Desert Bar!

Here are some pics...

Many people don't realize but the small building behind the current facility is the original bar when it opened!











If you are ever in the area of Lake Havasu or Parker AZ...find the Desert Bar and spend an afternoon there. It is only open from October through April and only on Saturdays and Sundays...it is closed during the hot summer months. This place is a DO NOT MISS!!

More information HERE:

The drive home was much more boring than the drive there, partially because of my frustration, but as I got closer to 29 Palms the sun started to set and made for a couple worthwhile stops for photo ops!







Prior to my departure in the morning, I finally managed to get a shot of the Roadrunners that hang around the RV Park! I will be getting more, I am starting to leave some bread out for them...



This was my second trip to the Desert Bar, some of you may recall I went there last year while I was in Kingman AZ for the winter...and I am pretty sure I will go there again, maybe even this winter. It is a fun place!!

Stay tuned for more winter adventures!!



Capt. Jim - "The Gypsy"

Traveling and photographing the Southwest and Alaska!