Large Boondocking Camp Party in Ocotillo Wells!

Spring brings camping trips, and camping trips mean fun, food and friends!

It's no secret that we love dry camping and boondocking, but we love it even more when we get to share it with friends and fellow camping enthusiasts.

Our church group got together for an "off the beaten path" weekend full of off road adventures, exploring, campfire tales and pot luck (with lots and lots cookies...no seriously, there were a lot of cookies there)!

Near the main turn off, we saw an out of place billboard marking the location of where the 1991 movie "Bugsy" was filmed and we found ourselves on a very long and very rutted out road along the outskirts of Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. After twenty minutes of teeth chattering, we were nicely shaken (not stirred) and we arrived at our dusty destination.

Our home for the weekend consisted of a large circle of class A's, travel trailers, pop-ups, tents and fifth wheels. People of all ages crowded around this large circle and we had fun getting tours of everyone's "home".

By day, we were all explores, although we explored the vast desert in our own ways. Some chose to lounge around the camp, some went off on their quads and dirt bikes, while others (the totally trailer crew), chose to explore deep canyons, wind caves and ancient fossil beds!

By night, we huddled around an all consuming bonfire, swapped stories and ate a lot. There was a hefty line for the potluck which allowed me the opportunity to climb on top of our rig and get some overall shots of the happy campers.

Kids running and playing in dirt, teenagers huddled together having "important teen conversations", adults swapping RV stories and lots of laughter filled the night skies over Ocotillo Wells this weekend.

We met a lot of new people and we feel very blessed to have been a part of this adventure. Life is good, so share it!

Funny sign in the middle of the desert about the filming of the 1991 movie "Bugsy"

 Hubby and new friend, doing "Trailer Talk"

 A portion of our large circle of toys (Totally Trailer is the brightly glowing one with monster flag)

 Somebody got a new laser toy and we all had fun with it around the campfire...made for an awesome pic too! (p.s. those specks in the sky are actual stars..amazing night)

 Campfire Tales in Ocotillo Wells 

 There's always a line at the buffet!

Check out the view I have from up here of the sunsetting over Ocotillo Wells 

And of course, what is a camp site without a flag. In our case, it's a monster Welsh flag!

Hidden Kumeyaay Pictographs and Our New Apartment...shhh.....

This well -kept secret of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park is worth the trip and exploration to find it. There are no roads, no maps, no directions to this Kumeyaay dwelling site. Grab your 4x4, a hiking stick, some water and be sure to bring your best investigative skills to seek out this historical location. 

High above the valley floor, the rocks and boulders look like something out of the old Flintstones cartoons.  The hike takes you back to 1500 AD when the Kumayaay people roamed the land. We imagined walking barefoot along the sharp rocks and vegetation as well as the cruel thought of surviving the harsh weather conditions (extreme heat and cold). Although the site was not too far from where we parked, every rock outcropping looked like it was the rock shelter we were looking for. Exploring the area you can see how these rock outcroppings must have provided a tremendous amount of shade, protection and exceptional viewing over the entire valley for the Kumeyaay people.  

When we finally found the La Rumerosa style pictographs, we were in awe of the simple, yet intricate details and designs. Makes you wonder what they were thinking when they drew that picture and what they all meant. La Rumerosa style is characterized by polychrome rectangular and curvilinear designs using red, black, yellow and white. They used a lot of sunbursts, divided circles, bold lines and simple stick figures. The style is linked to the Kumeyaay Indians around 1500 AD and these pictographs can be seen in the Southern United States and Mexico. The images were well preserved and many people who have visited are doing their part to keep them protected, by never divulging the location. 

Not only were the pictographs themselves interesting, but we found the entire surrounding area fascinating. There were overhangs and hidden entries behind large boulders that must have been rooms and living quarters back in 1500 AD. Smoothed rocks perfectly shaped as chairs (they were actually quite comfortable and perfectly rounded for the gluteus maximus) and smooth long rocks that would have made a perfect bed. Little one and I spent the majority of the afternoon in our new “apartment”. We found it cozy, cool and protected and it took a lot of convincing to get us to leave! If there was a buffet nearby, I think we would have moved in!

Totally Trailer does not recommend accessing these primitive roads with an RV or trailer. There are many RV camp options in Anza Borrego Desert State Park (many are free) as well as RV parks and campgrounds in the surrounding area. Happy Camping and Hiking!

Little one found a bone and poses happily in front of the hidden pictographs

La Rumerosa style Kumeyaay Pictographs from 1500 AD- we like the long armed man!

Our favorite Where's Waldo photo of the area (can you spot hubby?)

It's hard to tell just how high up we were, but this seat was the perfect lookout

Steps up into another hidden opening

Morteros were everywhere 

She looks awfully happy for getting wedged between two giant boulders!

We did not try to fit through this one. However, look how perfectly this is sliced in half and how smooth the cut was made....truly remarkable acts of nature! 

Lounging in our humble abode!

Living off the grid with our solar panels and soaking up the abundant desert sunshine!

Home is where your heart is....our heart is here!

Hubby makes this spot feel nice and cozy with our own light show!