"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime"-MARK TWAIN

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Los Algodones and Borrego Springs

 

Just into California from Yuma, there is an exit off I-8 that takes you about three miles South to the Mexican Border, and Los Algodones.  It’s considered a safe location for shopping, and the crowds of people arriving at the huge parking lot on the U. S. side seemed to add validation to that.  We arrived around 10 AM and the line of vehicles arriving was a continuous stream. A typical street scene.  Dentists and Opticians were everywhere.

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Wanda wheeling and dealing. She got him down from $30.00 to $12.00 before walking away.

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After so much hard bargaining we needed refreshment.  This appeared to be a popular place.

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A couple of these put us in the mood for more shopping.

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We purchased a stained glass window for the Casita.  Sorry, that I didn’t get a picture.  Got the girl down from $75 to $50 and made a deal.  Walked a little farther, and stopped to look at another booth with the same windows.  Guy offered me one for $45 right off the bat.  Oh well, that’s how how we roll.

The most popular shop was this one.  Drugs and liquor.  As an example, a 90 day supply of 5 mg. Crestor could be had for $60.00, no prescription needed.  Approximately $700.00 in the US without an insurance plan of some kind.  Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

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And, the self service sampling displays at the end of every aisle were also a hit.

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Our original plans were to leave Yuma on Tuesday and go up to the Kofa wildlife refuge where we stayed last year.  A weather forecast of unusually high winds, and a call from friends headed for Borrego Springs, California changed our minds.  We left Yuma and three hours later found ourselves sitting in the desert off Rockhouse road.

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Rumor had it that a serpent lived in the mountains above our campsite, so I decided to see if I could locate it. I got an early start, and of course the same guy was tagging along.

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We made our way up a nearby mountain and tried to take a picture into the sun of our camping location down below.

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After a hard climb, the creature was spotted.

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Probably a hundred feet long if straightened out.  Some said it was a Texas Rock Snake, but they are considered extinct in California.

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The serpent’s head.

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A couple of other things were also scattered around the site.

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I added my rock to the critter.  That little white one in the center of the photo.

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Having fun in the desert, and there’s more to come….jc

7 comments:

  1. Having fun I see! I pay $100 for a 90 day supply of 10mg Crestor and that's WITH insurance!

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  2. The rock art is a fun find. I'll be looking for it next time we're in the area.

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  3. If you're still here stop by and say hello! You can't miss the three Lazy Daze, and Suzanne's Winnie.

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  4. Doesn't look like Algodones has changed in the many years since I was there. Still hawking teeth, eyes and jewelry. Good place for a margarita, hope you were musically entertained. So many new additions by the rock snake. May get there next month. Or Death Valley, or.... Have fun.

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  5. Sooo...go the self service sampling table, next the dentist, and then get several Margaritas...sounds like a great plan to me...You Two are "navigating" a great Road Trip! BTW thats a "Texas Garter Snake...haha..Safe Travels my Friend...Horst sends

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  6. Sheesh! Must have been too full of gringos to spot you two. I was in Algodones as well. One brand name Rx for $100, or $240 at Walgreens. I'm in Yuma until Thursday, then a couple of days at Dome Rock, then up to North Ranch to prep for a test day at Mayo clinic. Will have to try Borrego Springs one of these days as well.
    Greets,
    Dutchman

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  7. Love your snake picts! Can't wait to see the stained glass!

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Thanks for looking, and comments are welcome.