2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 122

Day 122, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - Borrego Springs Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, CA, Day 2 - 0 Miles, 3,826.7 Miles for the Trip.

47°F overnight, 55°F for my morning walk, 61°F by noon and the high for the day was 66°F.

The wind died down although more is predicted for this afternoon. There was still a bit of off & on rain overnight. Partly clouded skies for my morning walk and most of the rest of the morning.

While I checked out the showers, I didn't use them. Unheated & a $1.00 token for each 2 minutes. I still have a token from the last time I was here in my shaving bag, but I guess it will stay there. 

While a few folks left this morning, the park is still fairly full. Everything from 40' motorhomes to half shells, including an Escape 5.0TA. 

I made a trip to check out some new (at least to me) metal sculptures along Borrego Springs Road and on the way back stopped at the Central Market. I picked up a strawberry shortcake that looked better than it tasted, but on the other hand, I found a box of Tabatchnick Creamed Spinach, my favorite and one that disappeared from the Oswego shelves.

I also added a couple more photos of me that Paula took while watching the fireworks & lighting the evening fire.

Back at the trailer I'm doing more reading. I'm currently listening to James Lee Burke's The Hadacol Boogie, taking a break from The President is Missing because Burke's audio book was one I've been waiting a few weeks for. I'll restart The President is Missing once I'm done with The Hadacol Boogie. I'm currently reading another of Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series Breakup.

Dinner was a Blake's Country Fried Chicken plate.

Until Next Time -

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 121

Day 121, Monday, February 16, 2026 - Borrego Springs Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, CA - 250.3 Miles, 3,826.7 Miles for the Trip.

56°F overnight, 57°F by noon and the high for the day was 59°F.

Last night's fireworks were somewhat lame compared to Friday & Saturday, but I took some photos:

More at today's LakeshoreImages page.

I skipped my morning walk since I had a long drive today. On the other hand, arriving at Borrego Springs Desert State Park before the 2:00 check in time (even a minute before) doesn't work. They won't let you in. Most of the drive after the first 80 was on 4 lane roads, including 45 miles on I 10. I made a stop for gas at the casino ($3.84 per gallon) along CA 86 which runs on the west side of the Salton Sea. While on a "reservation", not quite the deal as Running Man in Parker where I filled up for $2.76 per gallon.

Rain off & on for the last 75 miles of the trip. I arrived at the park at 2:17 and there was a line of about 5 RVs waiting to get in. Heavy rain that was nice enough to stop while I set up, After setting up the rain started off & on. It stopped again around 4:00 and a rainbow formed in the distance. As that went away the wind picked up enough to shake the trailer even with the stabilizers down. Now, at 5:00 both the wind and the rain are back to off & on. I was planning to do my "morning" walk here, but no way!

The batteries were at 90% when I arrived and the converter was drawing 15 amps putting 34 amps into them after I hooked up. I'm in site 34, a full hookup pull through on asphalt with a picnic table & fire ring for $45.75 per night for 3 nights. Other than the asphalt strip, all else is on sand. 

Site 34

I checked both Verizon & AT&T - Verizon was 53.23Mbps down & 30.08Mbps up, while AT&T showed 65.18Mbps down & 15.45Mbps up. While there are a few palm trees so the north is clear enough for the Starlink Mini, I suspect that if I put it out the tripod would blow over.

Dinner was an Amy's Enchilada with Rice & Beans bowl.

Until Next Time -

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 120

Day 120, Sunday, February 15, 2026 - Sara Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 7 - 0 Miles, 3,576.4 Miles for the Trip

55°F overnight, 60°F for my morning walk, 67°F by noon and the high for the day was 74°F.

Another show last night. They didn't include a drone display, but lots of fireworks.

Paula took a photo of us watching & photographing the fireworks:

Cathy, Me, and Mike

As usual, many more photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

I watched Mike & Cathy pack up & head out. They offered their slot next to Paula's Escape 21, but I think I'll stay here. A mix of clear sky & clouds with a steady wind & gusts to 30MPH. I sat outside reading for most of the afternoon.

Around 3:00 I headed to the showers. Paula packed up her trailer and headed out around 3:30, planning to drive about 1/2 way home to save a 9 hour drive tomorrow. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing more sitting outside reading.

I was planning o eat at the food truck, but it was closed. On the other hand, Scoops Ice Cream was open. Unfortunately, they were out of Cappuccino Crunch, the wonderful flavor I had yesterday, so I had to settle for strawberry. Good, but not as good as Cappuccino Crunch. Of course that meant eating dinner backwards with dessert first, but I'm an adult and allowed.

Dinner was a Lean Cuisine Orange Chicken Bowl.

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 119

Day 119, Saturday, February 14, 2026 - Sara Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 6 - 0 Miles, 3,576.4 Miles for the Trip

49°F overnight, 55°F for my morning walk, 65°F by noon and the high for the day was 72°F.

Last night's fireworks included a couple of full shows. A beautiful evening sky, and they started individual rounds before dark. I split up the images by aspect ratio to make them fit better. They did a fancy drone display that I caught the end of.  Many more photos on today's LakeshoreImages page.

While there was plenty of sun for the morning walk, it was still a bit cool. I wore a long sleeve shirt & my vest, although by the time I finished, I didn't need the vest.

Most of the day was spent outside reading. 

Dinner was the barbecue which was not worth the $22.00 it cost. On the other hand, the Scoops Ice Cream Truck, while it had a long & slow line, had great ice cream.

Until Next Time -

2025-26 Trip to the Southwest, Day 118

Day 118, Friday, February 13, 2026 - Sara Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 5 - 0 Miles, 3,576.4 Miles for the Trip

56°F overnight, 60°F for my morning walk, 67°F by noon and the high for the day was 73°F.

Heavy clouds this morning so that even at 60°F, it felt cool for my walk. 

I took some photos of last night's demo fireworks while sitting around Paula's campfire. More photos on today's LakeshoreImages page.

Today was another day spent in the trailer. While it made it up to 67°F by noon with the wind and clouds sitting outside was not all that comfortable. The batteries started off at 72% this morning, and were only up to 73% by noon.

It did warm up enough that I sat outside for some of the late afternoon. The batteries were up to 80% by the end of the day.

I finished Though Not Dead by Dana Stabenow and started her #6 Kate Shugak book, Blood Will Tell.

Dinner was a turkey sandwich & chips.

Until Next Time -