After hrefueling in Calexico and getting blasted by an oil hungry CBP diesel truck , I set west through the open expanse of land toward the distant mountains in search of cover. The southern crosswind blew my bike all over the lane and tendrills of sand slithered across the asphalt. I was happy to be wearing my hi-viz vest as night closed in and I rode toward the darkening stormy horizon. The highway ends at the interstate and I'm forced to ride 8 miles climbing 3000 feet along I-10 on the shoulder into the blackness. Bands of vehicles come in waves but I slowly make progress up the hill at 15 mph cresting near the desert observatory and turning onto the old highway. Wind driven rain begins to fall when I coast into Jacumba Hot Springs and I'm not energetic enough to set up camp. The library has a front porcheck awning where I park the bike and lay out my bag beside it. The strong line of storms rages eastward and I smile at my fortunate dry location. A sign in the parking lot says I'm being watched by cameras but the Customs and Border Patrol SUV's that idle past don't seem to notice me right out in the open. It's a bit tough to sleep though beneath a row of fluorescent lights.
Arroyo Salado Campground
The following morning was foggy and cold cresting the 4500ft mountain but I was happy to be back in California
On the north side of Borrego Springs stands a public art display with hundreds of metal sculptures dotting the landscape. The unpainted metal has oxodized in the desert and slowly begins to take on a copper hue. Below is an elephant which dwarfs La Tortuga.
Metal sculptures Borrego Springs
As the sun began to set, a rainbow materialized behind me over camp leading to a most impressive natural spectacle. Nearly every visitor in Arroyo Salado was standing on hilltops admiring the unusual low angle light and stormy clouds.
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