Anza Borrego - Loving the Sunsets!

My Ma Cato loved to watch the sunrise and sunset, and I guess I got that gene from her.  I can't get enough of it.  There's just such a feeling of being grounded and of being a sacred part of the ALL that floods my soul during the time of the rising and setting sun.  They are my two favorite times of day.

My Ma Cato and I used to lie on our backs out on Sunset Rock at Sequoia National Park and watch the sunset. Or she'd toss a quilt on the grass and we'd watch the big fluffy clouds passing by. I miss these quiet, introspective times with that wise, open-hearted matriarch. I can only hope that with age, I might also lose my tendency to be judgmental and to inherit her ability to love.

And so, these times when I'm all alone in the quiet evening, watching the sun sink over a mountain, I can just hear her say, "Isn't God's good earth just a miracle, Sis?"

Yes, Ma, it is . . .

Here are some photos I took while camped on a plateau near Borrego Springs this past week. I could look east and see the moon rising, and at the same time turn west to see the sunset.

This is a pano shot showing the moon rising on the left and the sun setting on the right.

Sunrise over the flats

These photos don't do the colors justice. Right now I only have my iPhone for taking photos. If anyone has suggestions for lenses or apps to purchase for the iPhone that will do a better job of capturing color please comment below.

Cornelia White House Palm Springs

While in Palm Springs, I visited the Cornelia White House. This is the second oldest structure in Palm Springs. It was originally a bunglow from Palm Springs' first hotel and later the home of Miss Cornelia White, a New York Native who settled in Palm Springs with her sister, Sr. Florilla White, in 1913.

I loved loved LOVED this little house and would give anything to live in something like this today.  Perfect in every way!  But then, I grew up with all those grandparents and this felt "like home" to me.

Love this kitchen!

Cornelia White about a year before her death

Cutting Back - First Round

Took out one milk crate and the rack. 

My kitchen. 

Yesterday I decided I had about twice as much in the van than I needed. I should have known. I’ve spent 2 months each year, for ten years, walking the Caminos of Spain with only what would fit in a 30L pack. So I’m not sure why I thought I needed 4 pair of jeans and 6 shirts on my van adventure!

At first I thought I’d box it all up and ship it back home to Portland. But then I realized I could drive an hour and a half and leave it at the desert house until I return to Portland in April. So I drove back to desert Hot Springs, and today I cleared out about half of my clothes, food, and other items I really don’t need.

I decided I could live without for things like the ice chest and extra jeans and shirts. I dumped the screen drawer and one of the milk crates. I kept all of my watercolor supplies but got rid of about half of my tools.  In the end I ended up with about 2 feet more space than I had before and I’m really happy with the results.

I visited my evil twin Vicki while I was here. We sat in a hot tub this morning and caught up. It was a nice visit and I really enjoyed the gift she gave me when I left. Thanks Vicki!  I want more!

I struggled with a couple of days of depression this week. There was a combination of sudden changes all at once that pushed me over the edge. I don’t often get depressed but when I do, I usually hit bottom fast and bounce right back. It doesn’t take much for me to remember to count my blessings   I have a wonderful life, 3 beautiful sons, 3 talented grandchildren, and some good old friends who love me. I wake up healthy and alive every morning and I’m very grateful. 

Tomorrow I’m going to the desert museum in Palm Springs and then I’m going to do some hiking up in the canyon. Afterwards, I may camp out at the casino for the night - the following day I’ll head to the Salton Sea for a few days. Then on to Borrego Springs to do some birding and hiking. I need to start slowly training for the spring Camino. My tailbone is still awfully sore from the fall I took on my son’s steps; I’m out of shape and need to get busy. May will be here before I know it. Time to get busy walking!

Looking forward to the next few weeks. 

Love,

Annie

She Has a Nice Rack!

Figuring out "what works for me" is part of the process of deciding to live in a van.  Until you try things, hopefully in your own driveway to begin with, you just don't know. Until you sleep in the space, cook in the space, live in the space, you have no idea of what you really need.  The next few posts show me trying out various ideas, some which worked and some which did not.

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Ok.. sorry to be politically incorrect, but I couldn't help myself.

I went to Goodwill last night, looking for a set of curtains to block the view from the cab to the back of the van, and look what I found!  This VERY cool, VERY lightweight rack with 6 sliding drawers.  The drawers slide in both directions, which make it an excellent storage space for food. If I'm cooking off the tailgate, it's perfect.  If I'm cooking inside, it's perfect.

Also, there is a space of probably 7 inches next to it where I can store a thin water container or some other needful thing.

My van is coming along. Joe helped me put in a plywood floor yesterday and I found this rug in my camping gear.

Here's a peek at where what I've been doing:

Today I'm looking for another curtain and a bedskirt to hide the storage bins under the bed. I'm also going to start on the reflectix window inserts.

She's coming along!