Weekend in the Desert at Anza Borrego State Park

Southern California is known for its deserts - the three largest being Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert, and Colorado Desert (which is part of the Sonoran Desert). Legends and stories surround the 'Old West' or 'Wild West', full of hopes brought by the settlers of that time. The 'American dream' is also rooted in this era of optimism - every newcomer hoped for an affordable fresh start that wasn't possible in the more heavily populated East. However, this era also represents a dark chapter in history, as the violent displacement of the original Native inhabitants was an accompanying phenomenon of the settlement movement.

After already experiencing desert impressions in Joshua Tree Park and Death Valley, we wanted to see spring in the desert and camp there as well. In March, it's still comfortable in the desert - around 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night. Due to the heavy rain in January and February, there are currently an abundance of wildflowers and even small rivers that will have dried up later in the year.

After a night in San Diego - a cozy city with a great atmosphere - we continued to Anza Borrego State Park. Our first destination was 'The Slot,' a hike through a small canyon. At times, you have to squeeze along the rock walls just to move forward, and then the desert opens up and once again you are confronted with this unimaginable vastness. Flowers are abundant on either side of the trail and even on some of the rocks, along with many caterpillars and even more butterflies - the desert is alive. :)

The original plan for our first USA camping experience was to head to one of the campsites, but due to the spring break holiday, all of the spots were already taken. Off-road camping is allowed in Anza Borrego State Park, so we decided to take on the adventure - go big or go home.

There is a valley that runs through the desert, and this valley is also the route (you can't really call it a road) for traffic. Without an off-road vehicle, you probably won't get very far, and even with a regular SUV, you'll be looked down upon by the pros in their lifted Jeeps with four-wheel drive, roof tents, and various other camping extras.

Along the route, we looked for a possible spot to park - the general rule is that you shouldn't park more than two to three vehicle lengths off the route to prevent unnecessary damage to nature. We chose a spot in a curve. The rocky hill with the 'Wind Caves,' a holey rock formation, rises up behind us, and the desert spreads out in front of us - an indescribable panorama. Also within sight, an RV; these huge campers are really popular here. Somehow, we felt more comfortable with the 'neighbors' - you never know what might happen. ;)

We quickly transformed our car into a bedroom. Two chairs, a camping stove, and a fire pit were converted into a kitchen. Everything worked out great, and we were very well-equipped for our first camping experience. Later, we hiked up to the wind caves and enjoyed the incredible view and one of the most beautiful sunsets.

Once the sun was gone, it noticeably got colder, and I was very glad that I had brought several layers of clothing. The fire also helped, so it was still very cozy in our desert living room. One thing was simply unforgettable - the starry sky so far away from any major source of light. I don't know if I've ever seen so many stars in Europe. It was truly a special feeling! With so many stars, so much vastness, and impressive nature all around, you suddenly feel quite small. Everyday problems have no place in your perception anymore. :)

The next morning, we were awakened by the sun. The silence was gradually interrupted by birds and other sounds, and a kind of euphoria seemed to spread - we survived the night in the desert and are rewarded with even more amazing impressions upon waking up. Out of pure joy, I had to perform a little morning dance - Gregor watched from inside the sleeping bag. I'm not exactly sure if his grin was only because of my contortions or also because of this desert morning spectacle... ;)

After breakfast, we packed everything up to do another hike to a desert oasis. The beautiful thing is - similar to Europe - nature somehow connects people, and you feel like you belong to a close-knit community. On the way back to the paved road, you nod to fellow desert campers in friendship and smile, just as you smile when you've had the privilege of experiencing this magnificent nature so directly.

The 'Borrego Palm Canyon Trail,' a hike to the oasis, was equally breathtaking: After several kilometers through a blooming valley, along a river, you climb up the hill and can already see the palms of the oasis in the distance. Everything is blooming, caterpillars cross your path, and occasionally you hear marmots calling. It's wonderful to rest in the shade of the giant palm trees in the oasis. After catching our breath, we climbed the surrounding rocks, found a small waterfall, and enjoyed the view of the flowering valley. On the way back, we made a stop at the river to refresh ourselves - cold river water on your face is the best in the desert midday heat! When we arrived back at the car, we were very happy but also quite exhausted, and we were looking forward to our shower and our bed at home.