Notes in a Palm Tree

March 5, 2012
Borega Springs, CA

Today we are exploring Anza Borega State Park.  It is the largest state park in California and completely surrounds the town of Borega Springs.

First night is in the state park.  One night only, then we move because the park is reserved.

Yes, we gotta get outa here!  There are critters crawling around here that could be poisonous!

Our first jeep trip is out to Font's Point.  Amazing view.  I bought a new hat to  match my shirt.  Gotta be stylish while touring the park.

Mark is looking for potential illegals trying to cross into the US.

Our next jeep trail leads us to 5 Palms.  This is the view behind the jeep as we drive up the wash.

This is the view as we go around the last corner and whallah!  There is the 5 Palms oasis.

We were told at the visitors center that Palms need 200 gallons of water a day to survive.  These guys must have really deeeeeeeeeep roots, because as you can see, there is nothing growing around these trees for miles.

This is the jeep sitting at the bottom of the hill.  As Theresa would say, "God-Forsaken Place"!

Then we drive down the road to 12 Palms.  There is a history to this oasis.  Travelers would stop here for water, shade, and rest.  People that had extra water would leave it at the bottom of a palm, sometimes with a note on it for anyone that comes after.  Mark is now on the search for a bottle of water and/or notes.

This hole has water at the bottom of it!

Mark finally found some bottles and notes.  On the ground under this small barrel are a pile of water bottles, each with water.  This barrel was filled with notebooks signed by people that had stopped at the oasis.  We, of course, signed one of the notebooks for posterity.  If you want to know what we said, you will have to visit 12 palms in Anza Borega State Park!