New Year's Wildflowers

 December 31, 2025

    On December 31, 2025, we found ourselves in California's Anza Borrego Desert State Park. On driving from our boondocking site at the Pegleg Smith Memorial (a primitive site within the park), we were amazed to see wildflowers. 

Wildflowers along Henderson Canyon Road.

   Doug's granddaughter, Sofia, was born December 29, 2025, to daughter Katie and husband Javier, joining 4-year-old big brother Diego.

"Wildflowers for Sofia." 

Recent rains had brought the desert alive with color before the usual spring bloom.

Desert Sand Verbena.

It was raining lightly while we were there. We agreed that the colors were more vibrant than they'd been in sun the previous day.

Marilyn loves taking closeups of flowers, fascinated by the intricacies of leaves & stems; sepals, petals, stamens, & pistils.

Basket Evening Primrose.

 

It's interesting that the blooms become pink as they wither.

Brittlebush.

Desert Thorn Apple.

Brown-eyed Primrose.

Doug filming "Wildflowers for Sofia."

    What a New Year's treat.! More on this trek soon. We just wished to get the news out of our find should anyone wish to venture to the desert. As it rained for over 18 hours after we took the pictures, I cannot imagine what the spring bloom will look like. 

    Hope to see you there.