We stayed just outside of Joshua Tree NP on Wednesday night so that we could finish up in the morning. There are two distinct desert ecosystems there - the Mojave and the Colorado so we got to see the other side and enjoy the very different scenery. We saw absolutely tons of wildlife - jack rabbits, desert mice and squirrels - virtually all of it was too fast for me to catch on my camera!
We really loved this place - very atmospheric, quiet and peaceful:)
In the afternoon we drove over to see the Salton Sea area. Bombay Beach was once a thriving beach town back in the 60s after Salton Sea (the biggest lake in California) had been created by the accidental breach of the Colorado River into the region. As nature took its course after this man-made disaster, the salinity in the lake climbed to the point that almost all of the fish couldn’t survive. The stench of rotting fish killed the beach towns and they have become abandoned eerie ghost towns today. Urban explorers visit daily and there are dark and mysterious art installations all over the place...
It’s a fascinating post-apocalyptic looking place. Sad, curious and haunting. Totally worth the drive.
Then we went to the Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge since we had heard there were some burrowing owls close by. We saw so many rabbits and dozens of quail when we got there...
It took a while but we managed to find where the burrowing owls live. They are very skittish and pop back into their pipes whenever you get too close. So cute and fun to watch!
Afterwards we drove up to see Salvation Mountain:)
That's me on the right up there!
And Mike!
What an amazing place!
We ended our trip back in San Diego and spent the last day enjoying the sights at Balboa Park...
...and enjoyed our last California evening sunset at the famous Hotel Del Coronado!
It was an exhausting, exhilarating and incredible trip! We will miss you California - can’t wait to come back again soon:)
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