The Ranch, Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend meant another campout up at the Ranch. And another chance for adults to behave badly. The weather was dubious, but Sunday morning brought a chance to do "services" blessing the mountains, the forests, and the hungover.

Lots of people showed up, as the following pics embarrass... (click on pics for larger image)










And yet more kids this year... probably to care for drunken adults...



After a few beers, things got weird... faces became misshapen, women got frisky, and trolls were abused... and the inevitable morning after...





Thankfully, there was music to tame the savage beasts... Actually some really great music... Thanks to all who showed up to play... Zombie Jamboree, indeed...



And always a fire for those cold nights and chilly mornings...


Hopefully we can do it again soon...

Desert Flowers

Springtime in the desert often brings out interesting flowers. I can't say this last trip to the San Rafael found the desert in full bloom, but we did run across a little color sticking out of the sand. I don't know the names of any of these that follow... hell, they're plants, they're flowers... enjoy!

(and click on the pics for a larger image)











Found some cactus, but most clumps had just buds, if anything, as below.


But finally, at the end of our hike, we found one, tiny, little cactus plant in it's full glory...

San Rafael, Spring 2010

Above is Window Blind Butte, a distinguishing landmark of the San Rafael desert. Our Cinco de Mayo campout is always enhanced by the beautiful views and features of this desert. Below is another wonderful butte.

(Click on the images for a larger view)


We took a long hike up an unknown canyon, one of zillions. Here's a shot of the entrance, with some cool rock structures.


And a shot of yet another butte from up the canyon.


And a sign of alien presence...


Elephants in the desert?


A view of the desert from an overlook...



And our intrepid hikers, iRod and the Rev...



The next morning, I got a couple nice pics of the San Rafael river that winds along the campground and through the desert.



(more to come)

Cinco de Mayo 2010

The high desert hooker welcomes this year's participants in the annual Cinco de Mayo get together down in the San Rafael area. There was some desire to warn "outsiders" that they enter the camping area at their own risk. The big party was also protected by fierce young warrior maidens...


Soon the campground was filled by those soon to engage their strong tequila lust...


But while the day is young and the campsite setup near complete, a short rest before the sin and degradation would begin.


But the restraint would not last long... Furs and first drinks...


Resulting in the first dead soldier...


And unbridled lust...


And madness... (something about a Hollywood goose...)


Then a tribute to Hell (the late, great, party partner, not the place, we were in heaven...)...


Was it all going to the dogs?


Nope. Things were just getting started. Time for the mai tai party (Cinco de Maui???)... And our hosts...


And the pouring begins...


Which brings out the poseurs and social butterflys...


And queens... and the...



And, and, and...






Soon night would fall. Small young children would be sacrificed on a flaming pyre, although the practice stopped when parents demanded more money. Some campers, fueled by alcohol and drug madness, fled into the night, never to be seen again. Others were trampled by four wheeled agents of the devil. Many just succumbed to consumptive exhaustion. Little was left to the next day, what still survived was swept under the sand by the sassy merry maid of sun and sand... "I own this desert..."


(more to come...)