Marshall South, sculptures, and more.

 

Have you ever planed something for a long period of time, and then have it go haywire on you without even realizing it.  For a number of years I have been a reader of the blog, “The Bayfield Bunch”.  Seems Al has made a pilgrimage each year to an old homestead on what’s called Ghost Mountain, near Borrego Springs, CA.

I always said  if we were ever back in the area, I would make a visit.  That’s what we did on Thursday.  Only problem was as we entered Blair Valley, Wanda asked if I had my camera.  I said sure, it’s right there. Only, it wasn’t.  I had left it sitting on the table outside the door.  Oh, well.  I still have my point and shoot.  With a blinking battery icon, and no charger handy.    The bland pictures are a combination of my phone and the dying point and shoot.

Marshall South was a unique individual.  He brought a wife to the top of a desert mountain in the middle of nowhere, and created a home.  Everything had to be carried by foot or mule up a narrow twisting trail from the desert below. 

There’s not much left today, but a few ruins of the house and the water system.

Cistern.

Cement pond.

Sundial?

To experience the vastness of the wilderness surrounding Ghost Mountain is a mind boggling experience. To see the remains from decades of work slowly returning to dust, dirt, and rust only reminds one how insignificent we are.

We took a different route back to Borrego Springs. We were on a road called Montezuma Valley heading back Eastward when we topped the “hill”.  Oh my, what a view out in front of us.  You could see for miles and miles.  Most of the Salton Sea, over twenty miles away, and beyond.  Too bad I wasn’t able to take a picture, but take my word for it.  If ever in Borrego Springs, it will be worth the drive up the mountain on Montezuma Valley Rd.

After returning to Rockhouse Rd, I decided to hike one of the small canyons.  Climbed and rock hopped for a half mile or so, then decided to climb out.  Actually wound up on one of the highest hills across from our campsite.

 

The following morning we drove around the nearby countryside to view some of the sculptures.  If you were reading this blog three years ago you probably saw many of the same pictures, but it was fun to do it again.

This is my favorite. The gold miner.

I love all the detail on the mule.

Even the coffee pot.

 

As we came back into town, there was a farmers market going on in Christmas Circle.  We stopped, but too late for most of the good stuff.  Unexpectly ran into three of my favorite bloggers.

Gayle, Mark, and Suzanne.  So sorry we didn’t get to visit with them more.

We’re now back in Arizona, getting ready to watch the Superbowl with friends.  Dome rock area again tomorrow or Tuesday.

Quite a week….jc