Mid-March Desert Ride

Hi everyone, been awhile again since I have done a blog insert but as usual, we have been busy with friends and company. The weather has also been so fantastic that we are never in the house and by the time we do come in, it is time for bed! As a result, my blog suffers. I am going to try to get my blog updated as we are heading back to Campbell River April 18th which is only 4 days from now!
These pictures were taken just after our friends Pam and Rich left and we went for or usual ride with any from our group who were ready and willing. We decided to just go out back of the RV park and explore some of the trails we have never taken before. I decided to take everyone back to see the owl's nest I had found when out ATVing with Pam & Rich. I was hoping the babies might have hatched and we would get to see them. No such luck. Mom was still sitting on them and giving us the evil eye. We also found another owl's nest so are watching that nest also.

 Great Horned Owl. They can lay 1 - 5 eggs but 2 is the usual number so we are anxious to see the babies and how many there are.

 We got the hint that she wanted us out of there!

 The strawberry hedgehog cacti are all in bloom and they are so beautiful. They come in many shades of pink through burgundy depending on the soil composition.

 Close up view of the flower

 These are the Miniature Woolly Star flower. They are so darn cute!

 We just started taking trails to see where they lead. Many were dead ends but still enjoyable to see new country.

 Another dead end as we came to a rancher's fence

 The desert marigolds are all in bloom

 Desert Hackleberry bush. This bush has a lovely white flower in February and the bees love it. Now it is covered in these red berries that are so striking in the brown and green desert!

 Sharon, Sharon & Ann glaring at the fellows below

Sharon & Bill coming down the hill watching carefully for rattlesnakes. They are out and about now as it has been so warm.

 Ann & I still up the hill looking for petrified wood and cacti while the others are waiting for us to return!

 We finally arrive back down the hill!

 A close up look at the hackle-berries. The birds love them. They get so big they almost look like cherry tomatoes!

 It was so hot on that ride that it took us awhile to find enough shade for the 8 of us to all be able to sit under to eat our lunch. There was no way we could have sat out in the sun!

 We took everyone to see an old saloon way out in the desert. It has been closed for a long time but interesting to explore

 We came for a dring but they wouldn't serve us! I guess we looked to "rough and tough"

 A better look at the whole building

Craig, Doug & Ann out and about as we stop for a leg stretch

That was our last ATV trip with Craig, Ann and Bill before they left for home back east.