After the usual long, stressful days working, off for a day. Early this morning went on a hike in mtns close to home. 3 - 4 miles with wife (who is avid hiker) and her friend and maybe about 1500' elevation gain. They are yacking away the whole time. How do women do that?
Me, I hang back a little with my best friend. Doesn't talk, gripe and is always happy to be with me. Maddie is great!!
After hike I take a ride around the Salton Sea. Have posted about it before, created in 1905 with overflow of CO River. More salinity than the Pacific Ocean, major resting stop on the Pacific Flyway with over 400 species of birds.
I headed down the east side of the Sea, all desert and stopped at a place I have wanted to see for a while, Salvation Mtn. A colorful art project a few miles from the Salton Sea. This strange guy Leonard Knight has been painting and repainting his bright Biblical messages on the sides of Salvation Mountain since 1985. Knight lives full-time at the site in a small cabin mounted on the rear of a 1930s-vintage Chevrolet two-ton truck. He estimates that more than 100,000 US gallons (380,000 L) of paint have gone into the creation of the mountain and that every California-based paint manufacturer has donated paint to the project.
This is really in isolated desert area featured in the 2007 film
Into the Wild, about the guy who died in Alaska after living in a bus in Denali Nat Park. I liked the film.
Now I am not religious AT ALL but interesting to see the place and the weird guy living there.
His Home with a couple of cycles.
And "the Man" himself. I gave him a few dollars for letting me take his pic. There were about 5 - 6 people there talking to him and taking pics when I was there.
From there on down the east side of Salton Sea to a little town, Calipatria. At an elevation of 184 feet (56 m) below sea level, Calipatria is the lowest city in the western hemisphere. They have a flagpole that extends up above the level of the Salton Sea, but do not believe their claim about being the tallest pole.
Then around the southern edge of the Sea and back up the west side home. Long, long line at the Border Patrol check point going north but I just rode up a mile or so on the pavement to the side of the road and they waved me right through. Got home as the sun was going down over the mountains.
So, about 200 miles, great way to relax. Oh and by the way for you northern riders, about 74* during the ride. Perfect with short sleeve shirt and mesh jacket.
