A Return to Simpler Times / Big Brother Turns 60!

We celebrated my brother's 60th birthday with family in Borrego Springs - enjoying the sun, a little golf and our huge, warm swimming pool!  Our time together in Borrego, a place that seems at least 30 years "removed", brought back memories of my brother and my childhood vacations together.  

We grew up in the 60's in the average American family of four with a Teamster Union dad, a stay-at-home mom, one car, a collie named Bingo and a "party" line. 

We didn't have much, but each year we went on a road trip in my dad's big Buick from Seattle to Reno, Nevada.  It was Mom and Dad's pilgrimage to play Keno, but more importantly, an opportunity for my Dad to fill the trunk of the car with cases and cases of cheap Nevada bourbon. 

In fact, my dad bought his cars based on trunk size and the first thing he would do when showing off a new car was pop the trunk.  I can picture my dad studying the trunk dimensions to come up with an arrangement that would allow him to bring home 11 cases of Ten High bourbon rather than 10 cases.

The Reno Motel 6 was our home away from home.  And yes, it cost $6 a night to stay in a Motel 6 in those days.  

To hold costs down further, mom brought the electric fry pan and most of our dinners were prepared and eaten in our room.  Did you know you can prepare a pork chop, baked potato and green bean dinner for four in an electric fry pan?

As soon as we checked in, my brother would dive under the coin operated vibrating Magic Fingers beds to rig a bypass of the coin slots so we received unlimited free vibration during our entire stay.

Spending hours in a Motel 6 swimming pool with mom and dad lounging on the patio was our little piece of heaven.

Spending time in Borrego Springs takes me back to those simpler times.  I love it!

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. -  Frederick Keonig

Beep Beep - I'm a Roadrunner, Baby!

Money, who needs it?
Just to live my life free and easy
Put the toothbrush in my hand
And let me be travelin', man
'Cause I'm a roadrunner, baby

Roadrunners are a part of the Borrego Springs experience.  They're interesting creatures and great neighbors!

Length: 20-24 inches

Height: 10-12 inches

Sexual Maturity: 2-3 yrs

Mating Season: Spring

Incubation: 18-20 days

Number of eggs in a hatch: 2-12

Birth Interval: 1 year

Lifespan: 7 to 8 years

They feed almost exclusively on other animals - insects, scorpions, lizards, snakes, rodents and other birds. Up to 10% of the roadrunner's winter diet might consist of plants due to scarcity of its normal food source.

The roadrunner is one of the few animals that preys upon rattlesnakes. Using its wings like a matador's cape, it snaps up a coiled rattlesnake by the tail and cracks it like a whip.  After the snake is dead, it swallows it whole, but is often unable to swallow the entire length at one time.

This does not stop the roadrunner from its normal routine. It will continue to meander about with its prey dangling from its mouth, consuming another inch or two as the catch slowly digests.

Breeding

In Spring, the male roadrunner, offers food to a female as an inducement to mating. He usually dances around her while she begs for food, then gives her the morsel after breeding briefly.

Both parents collect small sticks used for building a shallow, saucer-like nest, but the female actually constructs the nest in a bush, cactus or small tree.

The female lays 2 to 12 white eggs over a period of three days, so hatching is staggered slightly.  Either parent sits on the eggs.

The first to hatch often crowd out the late-arriving runts, which are sometimes eaten by the parents. Only 3 or 4 young are usually fledged from the nest after about 18 days. These remain near the adults for up to 2 more weeks before venturing out on their own in the surrounding desert.

Full Moon Artichoke Dip - Glorietta Canyon Potluck!





A couple of weeks ago on the day of a a full moon, my husband and I were invited to a potluck at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Glorietta Canyon trailhead.

 

We arrived around 5:00 p.m.  Our hosts had set up a couple of tables for food and beverage, put out the folding chairs and started the campfire, all in anticipation of having an al fresco meal while watching the golden moon rise above our quiet desert.

Another first for us in Borrego Springs.  This is a very special way to spend an evening!

  



Glorietta Meadows is a dependable area to see desert wildflowers.  Here's a map, but the folks at the Anza-Borrego Desert Park headquarters will help point you in the right direction too.



 

We brought warm artichoke dip and tortilla chips to share.  Tweeking a common recipe results in a less gooey, very flavorful "dip" that is full of tangy artichoke hearts. 

Full Moon Artichoke Dip

Ingredients
Two cans water packed artichokes hearts - drained and chopped
One small can chopped mild green chilis
One cup good parmesian cheese
3/4 cup mayonaise (more if you'd like)
Salt and freshly ground pepper 
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1 to 2 tsp.) 

Mix all ingredients.
Place in a baking dish with dip no more than 1-1/2 to 2 inches deep.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Serve warm with tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices.

Desert Dogs

Each year, about mid-October, temperatures drop 10+ degrees in Borrego Springs from previous summer months, and part-time residents start returning to our desert paradise.


When the thermometer starts dropping below 100, my husband makes a road trip from Seattle to Borrego Springs with our two golden retrievers, Yogi and Woody.  The three of them spend their time in Borrego soaking up the sun, walking the golf course, chasing rabbits and taking an occasional dip in the pool.  I pop in and out as my schedule allows and work remotely while in Borrego Springs.

I wondered how the dogs would like living in the dessert.  They LOVE it!  Lots of fresh air, exercise and the warm sun has been good for all of us. 

At fifteen human years, Yogi isn't too interested in swimming considering his back legs arn't what they used to be.  But he loves watching the rest of us swim!


YOGI'S FAVORITE PLACE TO SUN HIMSELF

  On the other hand, Woody (who is three) can't get enough of the pool. 


COME HERE LITTLE TENNIS BALL!

DAILY DRIVE TO THE POST OFFICE AND NEWSPAPER BOX!

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.  ~Josh Billings

Check out this new unique book by Seth Casteel, available on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Dogs-Seth-Casteel/dp/0316227706

Will La Casa Del Zorro Return?

La Casa Del Zorro in Borrego Springs is a distant memory, but locals continue to remember it fondly.  The hotel's early-California feel and lush grounds made it a gem in our small desert town.  

Known as La Casa del Zorro until December 2007, GH Capital bought it from The Copley Press, Inc. and renamed it Borrego Springs Ranch. The resort unfortunately closed in January 2010, putting 70 people out of work.

Rumor around town is that the property is now in escrow (Dec 2012).  Keep your fingers crossed!

THE ORIGINAL POOL

Butterfield Room. La Casa del Zorro's formal (jacket required) dining room featured historic desert paintings and a sophisticated seasonal menu.

 


KIT FOX SALAD!

La Casa Del Zorro Famous Black Bean Soup Recipe:

For Soup:
4 cups black beans

1 gallon water

1 ham hock

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, diced

2 tablespoons oil

1 tablespoon cumin powder

1 tablespoon oregano

1 teaspoon chili powder

Seasoning salt to taste

For Garnish:
8 ounces sour cream

1 bunch chives, chopped

Dry sherry, optional

Wash, sort and soak beans overnight.  Drain. Boil beans in 1 gallon water with ham hock until beans are tender, about 2 hours.

In medium pan, saute the onion and celery in the oil, then add cumin powder, oregano, chili powder and seasoning salt.
Add mixture to beans.

Take out ham hock. remove meat from bone, dice and return to soup.

Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream, fresh chives and 2 tablespoons dry sherry if desired.