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Creatures of the Desert, part 3, May 2019
Borrego Springs Beasts: A Photographic Log
21 May 2019, 16 miles
Part 3 continues my bicycle safari among the wild and unpredictable creatures inhabiting the desert around Borrego Springs.
"Serpent," according to the information on the map.
Maybe part serpent, part dragon, and part sandworm.
Multiple arching loops of the serpent emerge from the sand, stretching back about a hundred yards.
The road passes between two of the loops.
Portrait of the beast.
He doesn't look pleased to see me.
Here's one of the serpent's loops.
Spiny dorsal tentacles atop the loop.
Another portrait.
I should move along before I antagonize the malevolent monster any further.
Leaving the serpent behind, I soon came across a pair of pachyderms.
Here's the short one.
And here's the tall one.
Next, "bighorn sheep."
A herd of them.
Borregos, I am informed, is the Spanish word for sheep, and this area is named for the local bighorns.
"Indian Head"
This piece doesn't quite fit the pattern we've seen so far.
Looking more closely at the face and feathered headdress.
Another giant desert tortoise.
"Gold miner and saguaro"
The last few pieces in this area look a little different.
The saguaro, by the way, has been knocked down flat on the ground and isn't visible here.
Looks like maybe the sculptor used Old Grumble-Face for his model.
Here's what the prospector has in his pan.
His horse is carrying even more gear than the Ogre.
"1946 Willys Jeep"
Why use a horse, mule, burro, or Ogre when you can drive a Jeep through the desert?
That's one rugged vehicle.
Note it's stamped with "Galleta Meadows," the company that owns the sculptures.
If that's the nearby prospector who's driving, he shaved his beard and traded his cowboy hat for a baseball cap.
"Spanish Padre"
A little farther out in the sand we see the padre and his faithful canine companion.
Here's hoping the padre doesn't whack Old Grumble-Face on the head with the cross.
Back into town.
The wind has been blowing at 20-25 miles per hour, and gusts keep knocking over the Ogre, so I might need to catch a ride in the stagecoach.
Anyway, some of the largest and most dramatic creatures remain to be investigated tomorrow after I pedal up to Fonts Point in the morning.
Summary
Date: 21 May 2019
Time: 10:30 - 2:30
Weather: 70° F, partly cloudy, very windy
Route: Among the sculptures north of Borrego Springs
Distance: 16 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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