In case your ready to try something a little different,....and a little more adventurous, than the normal family gathering at home,...try enjoying part or all of the Thanksgiving holiday at Ocotillo Wells. This is nothing new mind you. Each year around 100,000 people descend upon the 85,000 acres of Ocotillo Wells to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. There is an endless parade of campers and off road toys that cascade the vast landscape, all in the quest for extreme fun and food in the desert. It's wide open, it's free, and it's lots of fun! Each year, we seem to attract about 20 campers, and it's always great to visit the highlights of this vast desert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ4Azg76IlI
The Free Riders and other participants will be encamped near the corner of Main St and Highway 78 from November 21st to the 26th (Mon - Sun). The coordinates are: 33°09'10.1"N 116°08'57.6"W.All it takes is a tent, or RV of some sort, to camp overnight. Come for a day, a few days, or the entire week. No fees, no rules, just fun. Bring food, and sand toys if you have some.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvKhZXRI-k
There is much to see and explore at this place. Here are some hotspots worthy of exploration:
• Sandstone Canyon
• Slot Canyon
• Blow Sand Hill
• Gas Domes
• Devils Slide
• Pumpkin Patch
• Shell Reef
• B29 airplane yard
• Mudcaves, many caves, up to 1000' long
• Wind caves
• Font's Point, the California version of the Grand Canyon.
• Truck Haven, man made 4x4 playground.
• Huge BLM shooting range, 10 minutes from the Camp site
• Restaurants, grocery stores and tennis courts in Borrego Springs
All are accessible by car, 4x4 or ATV. At our campsite on Main St., there is running water, public showers and bathrooms, two general stores up the road, a restaurant on Highway 78, and a trash disposal area close by. The nights are clear, the planets are visible and there is usually an Astronomy Show during the weekend, all free, with hot chocolate, courtesy of the Rangers. The town of Brawley is just to the south, and features everything including a super Walmart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PS0rogVgto
We can all indulge in cooking turkeys, and all the trimmings on Thursday (23rd). We can set up tables, chairs, and enjoy this day, well into the night, by campfire.
I will be bringing two 4x4's and 6 quads, and there is an ATV rental place across the street (Highway 78) if we need more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_DQea3iR0c&t=23s
If you've never tried a "quad", you can try mine. They throttle, brake and shift just like your motorcycle.
Location:
Near the intersection of Highway 78 and Main St. (33.151300, -116.149690). This is about a mile east of "Ranger Station Road". Call my cellphone number to locate me, if you don't see the camp (951 591 2368)
Accommodations:
If you don't own and RV, but would like to try one, rentals are available at RV Share, in Temecula CA (https://rvshare.com/rv-rental/temecula/ca). There are also lots of RV's for rent on Craigslist. Many folks rent one, to try this out, and eventually purchase an RV once they find out how much fun this can be. Many campers use a tent at Ocotillo Wells too. There are also hotels in the area. Camp for a few days or all week!
This is a great family, and couples adventure, so invite all your good friends!
