Phainopepla
Our April 2008 activities and events include:
- ABDNHA Desert Lecture Series
Cary Ranch and Historic La Puerta, Reena Deutsch Apr.
18
- Birding
Borrego Birders Apr. 7, Weekly Beginning Bird Walks
Apr. 3, Apr. 10, Apr. 17, Apr. 24.
- Cooking Class
Solar Cooking Apr. 12
- Hikes, Walks, and Tours
Garnet Peak Apr. 5, Wiley Wells Apr.
12-13, 17 Palms to Pumpkin Patch 4WD Apr. 13, Earthquake
Valley Apr. 16, Cary Ranch Apr.
19
- Desert Photography
Joan Busta Desert Slide Show Apr. 12
- Sunrise Powerlink
Last Day to Write Apr. 11
- Meeting
Borrego Rock & Gem Apr. 26
Apr. 3, Thurs., 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
Leader: David Lasley
Join leader David Lasley on this weekly Thursday morning bird walk. Learn
to identify desert birds and about bird behavior and nesting habits.
Meet at Club Circle Resort, at the south end of Marker south of Tilting T.
Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes, and dress for outdoors.
No charge.
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Blue Dicks
Apr. 5, Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hike: Garnet Peak
Leader: Volunteer Naturalist Linda King
Hike to the top of Garnet Peak for spectacular views of the desert and the
Laguna Mountains. On a clear day, the Salton Sea may be visible.
The trail starts in Jeffrey pines and climbs through high chaparral. Wildflowers
may be abundant if rainfall is good this winter.
Round trip is approximately 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of about 500
feet. Overall hike is moderate, with a bit of strenuous climbing as we approach
the top of the peak. Bring water and lunch/snacks. Call for reservations and
meeting place. NM $18; M $15; V $13
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Apr. 11, Fri.
Sunrise Powerlink
Last day for mailing written comments to:
Billie Blanchard, CPUC / Lynda Kastoll, BLM
c/o Aspen Environmental Group
235 Montgomery St., Suite 935
San Francisco, CA 94104-3002
Comments may also be faxed to (866) 711-3106, or emailed to sunrise@aspeneg.com.
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Stromatolite from Pebble Terrace in the Wiley Wells area
Apr. 12-13, Sat. - Sun.
Borrego Rock & Gem Club
Overnight Field Trip for BRAG members to the Wiley Wells area
Final plans to be confirmed at the March 29 meeting. Contact club president,
Jim Havens, if you need information, or see the BRAG Club Web
page.
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Apr. 12, Sat., 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Solar Cooking Class
Instructor: Eleanor Shimeall, Solar Cookbook Author
Learn how to take advantage of a free and readily abundant resource, the
sun, and apply its energy for cooking and baking. An age old method of cooking
that can be used today to help you reduce your energy costs. Expert Eleanor
Shimeall will teach you all you need to know to get started. Information will
be provided on solar cooking devices, and there will be cooking demonstrated
in the class.
Held at ABDNHA Library. Call the Nature Center for reservations. NM $12;
M $10; V $8
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Apr. 12, Sat., 7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Slide Show: From the Door to the Desert
Presenter: Joan Busta, Freelance, award-winning, nature photographer
Don't miss this outstanding presentation of a botanical and pictorial observation
of the effect precipitation has on two diverse areas - a seasonal tour of
Door County, Wisconsin, then a comparison exploration of winter/spring in
the lush Anza-Borrego Desert. Experience the beauty that abounds in both areas.
Held at the ABDNHA Library. Call the Nature Center for reservations. NM $12;
M $10; V $8
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Apr. 13, Sun., 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
4WD to Seventeen Palms, a Desert Post Office, and Pumpkin Patch
Leader: Joan Malone, ABDNHA Education Program Director
Spend a morning 4WD exploring Arroyo Salado Wash, stopping at Seventeen Palms,
and a Desert Post Office started by early travelers. We will continue down
Tule Wash to stop at Five Palms and then onto the Pumpkin Patch, a field of
concretions of varied shapes. Ensure you have ample gas, bring water and a
snack.
Meet at the Nature Center from where we can carpool and caravan. No charge;
space is limited, call the Nature Center to reserve.
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Apr. 16, Wed., 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hike: Earthquake Valley Panorama
Leader: Volunteer Naturalists Mary Ekelund and Paul Larson
This moderate 4-mile hike up Plum Canyon leads to an overlook high over Earthquake
Valley. Discover interesting plants and geological features along the way.
Meet at the entrance to Plum Canyon off Highway 78, west of S-3. Bring water,
snacks, and hat, and wear hiking shoes. No charge; call to reserve.
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Morteros, Cary Ranch
Apr. 18, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
ABDNHA DESERT LECTURE SERIES
Cary Ranch and Historic La Puerta
Speaker: Reena Deutsch
The 160-acre, privately owned Cary ranch, at the top of Coyote Canyon outside
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in the Terwilliger Valley in Anza, is of interest
for at least three reasons.
Originally, this was the site of the Cahuilla Indian village of Pauki. Left
behind is much evidence of Cahuilla culture, including many morteros and slicks,
sherds of scattered pottery, and cave paintings depicting, among other elements,
men on horseback.
In the 1770s, the property was the passageway out of the desert for Juan
Bautista de Anza, who called the nearby pass El Puerto Real de San Carlos.
The Anza expeditions camped here before moving on to eventually colonize the
city of San Francisco.
Later in 1891, pioneer rancher Fred Clark purchased the site from a Cahuilla
native. Local cowboys called it La Puerta, referring to it as a “door”
to the desert below. La Puerta remained as the Clark residence until 1938
when it was sold to Art and Violet Cary. Art Cary continued the ranching tradition
by raising horses. Cary heirs today retain ownership of part of the property.
A California Historical Landmark here commemorates the historic Anza expeditions
and nearby campsites.
This evening, Reena Deutsch, a co-founder and current board member of La
Puerta Foundation, a nonprofit organization to help protect and interpret
the historic area, takes us through its history as she presents a lively slide
show illustrating the ranch's remarkable historic, cultural, archaeological,
and natural resources. An update on the accomplishments and plans of La Puerta
Foundation will also be presented. A mixture of cultural interface, old-fashioned
true grit, family ties, and tenacious perseverance and creativity, this is
a classic story of Southern California.
No charge to ABDNHA Members. For nonmembers, there is a $5 fee at the door,
which may be applied to a new membership in ABDNHA. At the Borrego Springs
Performing Arts Center. Seating is limited and on a first-come basis. For
more information, call (760) 767-3098. Refreshments served following the program.
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Barley Farm, Cary Ranch
Apr. 19, Sat., 9:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Tour Historic Cary Ranch (La Puerta)
Coordinator: Reena Deutsch
Following the lecture of the previous evening, our guide today is Dick Cary,
the son of Art and Violet Cary. Dick will show us evidence of the ranch's
Native-American past. We will see what may have been Anza's route and the
remains of Fred Clark's original adobe home, including the stabilizing work
recently done by La Puerta Foundation. Dick is sure to fill our day with spirited
stories about what it was like to grow up in this hallowed piece of old California.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for standing and walking no more than one
mile on uneven, sometimes rocky, terrain. Visiting the rock art requires ascending
some moderately steep boulders for a very short distance. Wear or bring layered
clothing, including a jacket and rain gear, as the weather in Anza is unpredictable
at this higher elevation (4000’). All vehicles are OK. Bring water,
snacks, and a lunch. You may leave your lunch in your vehicle during the morning.
Limited to 20 people.
Meet at the Cahuilla Creek Casino (CCC) parking lot nearest the lot entrance
at 9:15 AM. From Borrego Springs, drive up Montezuma Grade (S22), turn right
at S2, and then turn right at Route 79. In Aguanga, turn right onto Route
371. The CCC lot is approximately 11 miles further on the south side of Route
371. Call the Nature Center to reserve. NM $30; M $25; V $23.
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Apr. 26, Sat., 10 a.m.
Borrego Rock & Gem (BRAG) Club
Members and those interested in joining are encouraged to attend.
Find out about the, educational programs, and activities, for the 2008 season.
Jim Havens, president. Meet at the Borrego Desert Nature Center.
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