We wanted to expand our horizons and headed out onto State Route 79. We were on a mission to get some delicious farm grown naval oranges and a berry pie- both essential items we just had to have. I'm sharing our day in three different posts, as not to overwhelm. I hope you enjoy the ride.

After only 16.2 miles from leaving home, we were awed by the creatures lurking along the roadside. A loud, "Stop the car!" ensued. What a find.
We became fans of Ricardo Breceda's while we were in Borrego and had no idea his Gallery was here and so welcoming.
An artist for all ages, Ricardo has opened his vision and artwork to all who wish to enjoy it. His transformative art mesmerizes.




Originating with a metal Tyrannosaurus Rex for his daughter’s birthday many years ago, Ricardo’s work has grown in both skill and complexity. With a craving for an art experience, meandering in this garden of creativity is exactly what we needed. Wow.







Physical distancing was easy to do in this sprawling setting. Next time, we want to bring a picnic lunch and stay longer.

I appreciate Ricardo's nod to the historical road we were on- The Butterfield Overland Mail Route. It is here that a stagecoach service operated from 1858 to 1861. It carried passengers and U.S. Mail from two eastern termini, Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, right along where SR 79 is today. So dang cool.. Art in History!
Remember me saying this place was welcoming? I thought this request was more than fair for the amount of artistic enjoyment we received. What a delight.

History is found everywhere.

I am drawn to National Monuments. This one has to be one of the more unique. It honors Peg Leg Smith, a "mountain man, prospector, and spinner of tall tales," who lived from 1801 to 1866. A Kentuckian who staggered West and never returned, Smith claimed he found pure gold nuggets in the Borrego Springs area. Peg Leg would tell anyone who'd listen about the fabulous wealth hidden in the hills. It was hidden because Peg Leg couldn't exactly remember where the mine was. He's a legend in this town and a relic from the mining days.
One of the most famous places to visit is Galleta Meadows Estate, a privately owned desert estate land that features over 130 large metal art sculptures, created by artist Ricardo Breceda. This menagerie of metal masterpieces was commissioned by the Estate owner Dennis Avery (heir to the Avery label fortune).
Galleta Meadows is unfenced and open to the public for visitation, including hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, photography, and bicycling every day of the year. And it is just plain awesome! A fabulous place to meander and be impressed.




I enjoyed the whimsy but I was really impressed by the historical depictions Mr. Breceda created. As we drove around the valley, we saw evidence of once vibrant vineyards.
We learned that in 1945, outside electrical service finally reached the valley through the efforts of Joseph DiGiorgio, a prominent Central California grape grower who needed power before beginning large-scale ranching here. In 1946, the DiGiorgio Fruit Corporation planted two thousand acres of vines in the valley and within a few years was shipping “early” grapes across the United States.
Perhaps this is Mr. DiGiorgio working his vines.
The newest installation was by Nery Gabriel Lemus. This temporary public monument was centered on individual stories of migration drawn from the residents of Borrego Springs, many of whom have close ties to Mexico. Working with students in the local school district, Lemus incorporated their personal stories into a ceramic-based sculpture that is meant to provide an expanded perspective on Borrego Springs and its stories. We were invited "in" to learn the tales. It was an interesting lesson found in the expanse of the desert. A surprise.


We were delighted by this ambitious fantasy, a 350-foot-long serpent arcing across the playa. He couldn't be missed.

Our younger son's family has never experienced Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. With daytime temps in the low 80s, now was the time to go.

We began at the Park Visitors Center which houses award-winning exhibits on the paleontology, archaeology, geology, and wildlife of this desert region. Its informational film, A Year in the Desert, gave us a wonderful overview of what we were to discover.
One of our goals is always to discover wildflowers. After reading this announcement, "Rain since July 1 ZERO inches" we knew what to expect. While blooms were scarce, a burst of color was glimpsed every now and then.





After learning as much as we could about the natural history here, and before the temperatures reached their max, we went on an art explore.
We visited the numerous Galleta Meadows locations to view the art and metal sculptures dispersed throughout the Borrego Valley. Some of these sculptures depict mammoths, gomphotheres, and other animals that once lived here. Scattered around the town of Borrego Springs, these meadows are privately owned desert estate land which features over 130 large metal art sculptures, created by artist Ricardo Breceda. This menagerie of metal masterpieces was commissioned by the estate owner, Dennis Avery (heir to the Avery label fortune).



Elephants, raptors, sloths, and saber-toothed tigers prowl the desert just waiting to be discovered. From ground-hugging desert tortoises to rearing horses, each rust-colored sculpture is filled with intricate detail–from the curling eyelashes of 10-foot high elephants to the shaved metal fur of the equally imposing sloths.