720 February 2, 2022 Back To Borrego Springs

I went back to the harbor to take my morning walk with the intention of heading down the beach toward the town. 

As I was walking on the docks, I heard sea lions calling to me from across the water. I changed course and went to find them.  This was more than likely a group of males.  They don’t mind hanging out together during the winter and they like marinas.

We spent the morning shopping at Walmart and Sprouts to restock supplies and groceries that we aren’t able to get in Borrego Springs.  As we left the grocery store, the cashier asked where I was from.  I told her that we had come from Borrego Springs to shop.  She said “The road back to Borrego Springs is so pretty, make sure you enjoy the ride!”  I told her that we would…that we do.  She replied “So many people don’t!”

We left Oceanside and took the scenic ride home, Route 76E, another road that we have never been on before!  There is only one way to get back and that involves traveling over the mountains. 

The views were gorgeous. 

We were surprised at the amount of agriculture we encountered.  There were orange and lemon groves, avocado orchards, palm farms, and flower and plant nurseries.  The valleys were green and there was a river that ran parallel to the highway for much of the way.

We tried to visit the Wilderness Gardens Preserve but they are closed on Wednesdays.  We did have our lunch outside the gate.

We tried to stop at the Cleveland National Forest Picnic Area but it was closed for maintenance today.  We tried to go to Lake Henshaw and it was also closed.

After about 2 hours of driving, the landscape became scruffy and rocky and we were back in the desert. 

It took us about an hour to unload and unpack and then we had a restful evening. We really enjoyed our coastal adventure. There is still a lot of the California coast that we have not seen and that will have to be a future trip!