Swimming Pools, Dinosaurs and Bicycles - Day 2

In this post: Bicycling, Borrego Springs, Ricardo Breceda sculptures, Pablitos 

Map 

Weather 

The flower bloom this year, lacked the volume and intensity of some of the really spectacular years, but even in an ordinary year like this one, the road side flower displays are diverse and beautiful and so were the saber tooth tigers, elephants and horses.  What?  Saber tooth tigers, elephants and horses in the desert?   That's what we were wondering.

The desert has a long history of attracting eccentric folks with a dream.  Apparently the tradition is not dead yet.  Ricardo Breceda  is a man with a dream... and a sponsor to boot (Dennis Avery).  This collaboration has resulted in an amazing proliferation of life sized metal sculptures of "the original inhabitants of Borrego Springs" being randomly scattered throughout the Borrego Valley.  The sculptures are quite good and the random, unexpected appearance of one of them in an otherwise undisturbed natural setting is magical.  One of the best, most creative and original art displays I have ever experienced.

A good sign

Today, our bike ride took us through an area where we could see maybe 15 or 20 of the sculptures spread out over several acres.  Some were close to the road, but others were way off in the distance - which is a long way in the desert.

Just as impressive / shocking / stunning were signs on the privately owned land (aka Galleta Meadows) granting permission to anyone and everyone to picnic, hike, horseback ride or camp on the unfenced property.  When I read these signs, I thought for sure the desert heat must be boiling my brain, so we headed back to our room hoping we could make it before I went completely delirious.  Unfortunately, I think we were too late... or maybe it was the margaritas we had with lunch at Pablitos.

Pablitos

Polar Fitness Stats

Ages: 53 - 56

Activity: Bicycling

Time: 2 hrs 22 min

Distance: 20.2
Elevation: 500' - 700'
Calories: 600 - 800

Average Heart Rate: 83 - 122 

Max Heart Rate: 151

Comment: We dilly-dallied a lot today
Challenge: Ride further & faster