We have seven days in this beautiful, most southern part of California. On Saturday, we drove with great anticipation to the Borderfield State Park, Tijuana River Estuary, an area recommended by the birding guide for southern California. We got there and found that, because there had just been significant rainstorm, the area was highly contaminated with sewage from Tijuana, via the Tijuana River, and was closed. They recommended that we go further north to the Tijuana Slough, largest salt marsh in this part of the state. This area is supposed to be good for birding and also allows dogs. We’ve been back there several times. The trail passes a Naval airfield where there are supposed to be burrowing owls. We haven’t seen them yet but we were charmed by western meadowlarks, black phoebes, many assorted sparrows, ... read more

Last night (16 Feb) we stayed at the Tom Sawyer Campground on the Mississippi River across from Memphis. The river is high and the current is ripping. Many trees were floating downstream at an amazing rate of speed. It seemed like a lovely campground with river frontage and many trails. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore and left this morning early. Our camping spot was only 100 meters from the river. Many barges passed going upstream. The current was so strong that you had to use the position of the vessel against the far shore to see that it was moving at all. Downstream barges were flying and there were three barges per tugboat as apposed to upstream vessels with one barge per tugboat. Last night, severe thunderstorms with damaging hail and tornadoes were predicted ... read more

We were delayed on Monday by -25°F wind-chill. Tuesday and today we experienced snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Schools were closed so our road was not plowed! However, we keep discovering things we forgot to do, so it may be for the best. Tomorrow looks good and we are hoping our next entry will be from "on the road."... read more