886 January 27-28, 2023 Another Ferguson Lake Adventure

I had a great 4 mile walk in the park this morning.  There was no wind and the sun was warm.

Tim and I both took a six-mile bike ride to the river and back.

We packed the Jeep for an overnight adventure.

We had to stop at Imperial Date Farm for fresh homemade date nut bread.  We tore off chunks and ate a snack as we traveled down the road.  We took Senator Wash Road to a rough gravel road.  We were surrounded by coffee and cream-colored hills.  It is very rocky and barren.  There is very little vegetation. 

Tim stopped in a wash where he saw a dead and downed tree.  He cut it for firewood and we moved along.

We set up camp overlooking Ferguson Lake.  We have camped here 2 other times before.  The view is spectacular.  It is so still and quiet.  We sat on our perch watching the changing light and looking for burros. 

All at once, we heard a raucous braying.  Tim walked to the edge and saw this burro.

As we sat in the dark by our fire, we heard others braying and then packs of coyotes with howling coming from all around us.  The stars came out and we sat mesmerized by tiny pinpricks of light in the velvety blackness, the flickering flames and the desert noises.

Just us.

We were chilly overnight.  The temperature went down to 37 degrees.  I heard Tim get up and I waited until he had the morning fire going and the coffee hot before I emerged from our cocoon.  There is a 30 degree diurnal variation in the temperatures.  It only gets really cold right before dawn and then the sun rapidly warms us. 

We drove the Jeep down to Ferguson Lake.  There is another really sweet campsite on the water’s edge.  Next time, I want to stay there!

We drove back toward civilization and stopped for breakfast on our way out.

Tim hiked on the rocks. 

I elected to walk down the road.  He followed a while later and picked me up.

We drove through an area on BLM land open to long term campers.  I have heard it said that camping is the great equalizer.  Here in the desert, we saw people of humble means parked next to luxury rigs…coexisting in the same neighborhood.  I’m quite sure that there are people staying here that have nowhere else to go.  If you have the chance, watch the documentary called Nomadland or read the book!

We took the remainder of the day as a rest day…we felt like we needed one!