Instead of heading straight to the campground, we headed out to the visitor center for the Anza Borrego State Park. A few miles from the center, Dillen screamed out, "Elephant!" What? Where? Just off the road, were these huge sculptures. We found a track, turned off the highway and drove out to see what they were. The first ones we encountered were huge mammoths. I had barely stopped the truck and Dillen was out the door tearing across the desert.
Off in the distance, we could see the silhouettes of more animals. Back in the truck and over the desert we went. The best sculpture we saw was of a huge bird of prey landing in her nest.
We spent a few more minutes playing in the dirt and then headed down the road to the visitor center. I hadn't been out here in years and it was great to watch the girls. Their curiosity knew no bounds and watching them explore was pretty amazing. Inside the center, Dillen was reading everything for Roxy and Piper. After a few minutes of being there, a ranger came over and invited us in the back to the discovery lab. This was definitely the highlight for the girls.
Inside the lab, the girls got to touch and feel animal pelts, bones and teeth. There was a box of sand where they were able to create animal tracks. A wall in the corner taught the girls about petroglyphs and encouraged them to draw their own.
Outside, we took a short hike around the visitor center. A few quail ran across the path. A red tailed hawk fly by and landed in a tree just in front of the girls. A stink bug made its presence known.
The shadows were getting long and the sun was just beginning its dip behind the mountains. We headed out towards the campground in a race with the sun.
At the campground, we met up with a few people from the board and wandered around. We found an odd patch of something that resembled a pumpkin or squash and then visited with a few of the horse campers. After a few pets it was back to camp to heat up some chili for dinner.
The girls faded pretty quick after dinner so I wandered over to the bon fire to visit with some of the OA folks. Good times around the fire, clear sky and a killer full moon.
The girls were up early as the sun started peeking over the ridge. It's amazing how well they sleep in the tent. Spirits were good and the apple fritters I brought along definitely helped. I started packing up the tent and then it was time for the test. It's been a lot of years since I've had to take a test and I was only slightly worried. There was nothing to worry about and I now have my Technician license. Woohoo!
Loaded the girls into the truck and started heading home. The weekend was summed up in a single sentence by Dillen as we were climbing Banner Grade, "Dad, I love the desert."
More images here
