A last minute decision to "get outta town" yesterday and upon arriving at the Hideout, found another vehicle and campsite, but nobody home. They were all out riding the Calliente foothills, but upon their return I remembered them from last year as the family that has been camping here for the past 15 years.
Thanks for dinner and a wonderful campfire, Jorge and crew! Fun to learn that Jorge's Tia is a wonderful lady that we know from the boys elementary school days here in SB. It is such a small world sometimes.
II was not planning on staying the night, but after exploring Wells Ranch, etc. was too tired to head back home and with the campfire still going (Jorge and family left), I decided to take advantage of a warmer winter night and the luxury of a forced air furnace in the Spartan and awoke to a wonderful Carrizo sunrise.

Great article about Carrizo in the Ventura County Reporter.
http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/?id=13703
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Thanks Nancy! These, of course are my favorites, but love to see this historical collection.
I can't wait to see our Palo Verde's grow to this size.
I have wondered why there does not seem to be much cactus in Carrizo. Wonder if there ever was?

I never know what I will find when I head out to the hideout.
A last minute trip out New Years Day and found a couple families camping out just adjacent to the trailer as I pulled in. I recognized them from last year as a group that has been enjoying this campsite for the past 15 years. These are the same folks that led me to the '51 Spartan. They invited me to their campfire and allowed me to take some pics of the motocross riding that they so enjoy. I do miss riding motocross bikes, but am afraid of the bodily damage I will inevitably suffer if I get another one at the ripe old age of 53.
Bailey and I hiked up one of the Caliente foothills last evening just before the sunset and enjoyed some wonderful views of the Temblor range and could even see Soda Lake off in the hazy distance.
It is so cold there now and the pond was completely frozen over yesterday and again early this morning. Last evening we did see a flock of doves enjoying some water before turning in for the night.