PHEEBS AND I HEAD OUT FOR A JEEP RIDE AND ARE SUDDENLY STARTLED BY A FAST APPROACHING BIG 4 ENGINE AIRPLANE

All's I had to do to see this morning's lunar eclipse was to turn my head slightly to the left and look up through my side window.  I was in my recliner of course and just stayed there before wandering outside a couple minutes before the Moon disappeared over the San Ysidro Mountains and took a few parting shots.

AN EARLY MORNING ORANGE SUNRISE ON THE SAN YSIDRO MOUNTAIINS TAKEN  OUT THE SIDE WINDOW FROM THE SLEEPY COMFORT OF MY RECLINER

I just sometimes kinda go by how Kelly's feeling and if she thinks we should be moving on so if I don't hear any desired change of plans I assume we'll stay put for the day.   And today I assumed right so we're still in Borrego.

Headed off for a morning walk around the Legion property taking a few photos of things along the way.  Neighbors and new friends Shirley and TJ from Texas pulled out this morning heading east over towards the Salton Sea.  Like us they are never to sure either where they are going or when.  Really nice folks these people.

A HUDDLED GROUP OF BOON-DOCKERS ON THE LEGION PROPERTY’S WEST SIDE….THEY MUST ALL BE VERY GOOD FRIENDS D’YA THINK………

THESE ARE A FEW OF THE 30 AMP SITES AT THE LEGION

I’M GUESSING THIS IS A VINTAGE RV SOMETHING OR OTHER

I THINK A FEW OF THOSE RV’S ARE HERE IN STORAGE

THAT’S SHIRLEY AND TJ ON THE LEFT AND US GUYS ON THE RIGHT

BIG PARKING LOT FOR SURE

LEGION BRANCH 853 IS WHEEL CHAIR ACCISSIBLE

SHIRLEY AND TJ ROLL OUT

<<< SPACIOUS FREE SHOWER STALL

Kelly didn't feel too much like going anywhere this morning but I did so Pheebs and I loaded ourselves into the Jeep and off we went.  A stop at Calicos in Borrego Springs netted me a coffee and some doggy treats for Pheebs.  They had yummy muffins there but I didn't get one.  Gotta get this weight of mine under some kind of control while I still have the option.  A beautiful sunny California morning as we cruised through Borrego’s orange and lemon tree orchards in the direction of Henderson Canyon.  A few photos of the metal sculptures along the way that I already have so many of.

ALWAYS LOVE BORREGO SPRINGS QUIET WIDE MAIN STREET

THIS IS A TREE FARM

THERE ARE PLACES ALONG THE ROAD THAT LOOK LIKE A JUNGLE

THERE ARE ACRES AND ACRES OF ORCHARDS HERE ON BORREGO SPRINGS NORTH SIDE

BAGS OF ORANGES TO PICK UP HERE

  

Saw a bunch of cars parked along either side of the road so stopped to see what was going on and it turned out to be a group of painters with their easels and paints all set up.  They appeared to be painting scenes of the tall palm trees along there as well as Coyote Mountain.  Looked like a nice outing for them.

 

Thought we'd go have us a look at a couple favorite spots for boon-dockers in the area.  Noticed a lot more rigs at Peg Leg Smith's than a few days ago but was surprised to see all kinds of room at Rock House Road around the corner and up a bit from Peg Leg's .  Looked to me like folks have spread out a bit more there and as I drove around with lots of old Rock House Road memories in my head I felt like going back and convincing Kelly we should pack things up and move to Road House.  Well that didn't happen of course but I didn't realize until driving around there how much I miss the awe inspiring splendid views of the massive Santa Rosa Mountains.

MORE RV’ERS AT PEG LEG SMITHS THAN A FEW DAYS AGO

NOT AS MANY PEOPLE AT ROCK HOUSE ROAD AS I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE

THIS IS ‘THE OVEN’ SITE WHERE WE HAVE CAMPED 3 OR 4 TIMES OVER THE YEARS…..OVEN IS AT THE RIGHT

From there we headed back towards the Springs but before getting there I turned left onto a road which leads out into the desert towards Borrego's dump.  Stopped at a familiar sandy area to let Pheebs and myself out for a stretch.  Had only been there a few minutes when I happened to turn around looking East.  'HOLY SMOKES’!!!!!  There was a big huge airplane only a few hundred feet off the ground coming in fast and I hadn't even heard it.  Recognizing the plane instantly as the military C1-30 Hercules I made a mad dash for the Jeep to grab my camera.  Yes I can still do mad dashes when I have to.  Cracked off a few quick shots before it flew over me.  I knew exactly why it was so low and where it was going so we piled into the Jeep and made fast tracks for the Borrego airport about half a mile down the road.  The big plane was on final approach about to land. 

THAT IS A VERY ‘BRITISH’ LOOKING INSIGNIA ON THE TAIL AND I AM NOW THINKING THESE MAY NOT BE CANADIANS AFTER ALL BUT BRITISH INSTEAD

The C-130 had  landed and taxied to the west end of the runway and by the time I got there it was parked with it's four engines revving and it kept those revs up for the next 20 minutes while military personnel milled about.  Saw a couple fellas  walk across the tarmac and up the rear ramp.  One chap was wearing a parachute while the other guy had a long bungee cord attached to him.  Okay Okay scrap the bungee cord joke. 

THE PROPELLERS ARE ACTUALLY SPINNING SO FAST YOU CAN’T SEE THEM BUY MY CAMERA’S FAST SHUTTER SPEED STOPPED THE ACTION

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE DOG DAD

THIS IS HOW ALL THE CHUTISTS COME BAILING OUT OF THE PLANE METHINKS

THE FELLOW ON THE LEFT IS THE BUNGEE CORD GUY:))

When I saw that ramp go up I knew they were going to take off so I pulled a U-turn and sped off down the highway to the other end of the runway waiting for it to get airborne.Well the plane came alright but it certainly wasn't taking off.  Realized they were taxing to so a take-off in the opposite direction.  A few quick photos and even a wave from the co-pilot before I was back into the Jeep speeding once again down the highway to the spot I had just left. 

REALIZED THE PLANE WAS TAXIING TO THE EAST END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOT TAKING OFF

AND A BIG FRIENDLY WAVE FROM THE C-130 HERCULES CO-PILOT

Couldn't see the Hercules because of hangers but in in less than a minute I heard the engines wind up and seconds later it was airborne coming up over the hangers.  Oh Geeezzzz, more airplane photos as it went by gaining altitude and banking right.  I watched it for the next 7 or 8 minutes hoping it was going to dis-gorge a whole mass of parachutists but it didn't happen.  The C-130 circled gaining more altitude and was soon out of site heading North.  And with that Pheebs and I headed the couple miles back to our spot at the Legion. 

UP UP AND AWAY AND RIGHT OVER TOP THE MILITARY ‘OUTHOUSES’ TOO

I ACTUALLY HAD A RIDE ON ONE OF THESE BACK IN MY NAVY DAYS WHEN I GOT A ‘FLIP’ FROM CANADA FORCE BASE SHEARWATER IN NOVA SCOTIA TO CFB TRENTON IN ONTARIO

‘WHEELS UP’………. AND NO THAT IS NOT A MACHINE GUN OR CANON STICKING OUT ABOVE THE COCKPIT, IT’S PROBABLY AN ‘AIR SPEED INDICATOR’ AMONGST OTHER THINGS

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU MIGHT NOTICE A SLIGHT SMUDGE ON THE HORIZON RIGHT OF CENTER

I’M WONDERING IF IT’S A CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE

THE C1-30 HEADED OFF UP THAT WAY AND DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT

Sitting outside this afternoon I could here and see the big Hercules coming and going from the airport off to the north and each time I followed it with my binoculars watching for chutes but I was out of luck.  TJ said they dropped a whole bunch of fellas just north of us a couple days ago but I missed that.  But then on the last flight I tracked I finally saw something tumble out of the high flying plane.

A SINGLE PARACHUTE

THE C-130 CIRCLED THE JUMPER ALL THE WAY DOWN

 

A GROUND CREW AWAITS THE CHUTIST’S LANDING AS THE BIG PLANE CIRCLES DIRECTLY OVERHEAD

Even as a small boy i had a fascination with airplanes and that interesting fascination still continues to this day as each time I hear an aircraft of some sort overhead I never fail to instinctively look up to see what it is so you can imagine how I enjoyed my little airplane adventure today.  Now that’s my kind of Happy Hour:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  You might be a redneck if...
- Your wife gets a hunting license so you can tag your second buck.
- You have all the "Dukes of Hazzard" episodes on tape.
- You can give a summary of all the "Dukes of Hazzard" episodes.
- You think that Roe v. Wade is a decision you make when crossing the creek.
- It takes you and 31 others in the same room to show off a full set of teeth.
- You've ever stood outside a K-mart for more than an hour arguing with the manager about the shirt and shoes law.
- You've ever gone Christmas shopping at the dollar store.
- You've ever shoplifted Spam.
- You don't understand why Bo and Luke never tried to get it on with Daisy.
- Your son has ever stolen disected frogs from Biology class so that your family won't go hungry.

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Betsy: I met someone who is so dense, he thinks a football coach has four wheels.
Sally: Well how many wheels does it have then?

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- It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling, too.
- A husband is someone who, after taking the trash out, gives the impression that he just cleaned the whole house.

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