The Desert Tower 2012.....

This is a San Diego landmark that few San Diegans visit...  It lies on the extreme east part of San Diego County, just off the I-8,  on the edge of a large drop off that tumbles down from the San Diego Mountains to the Imperial Valley.  The Imperial Valley is flat, vast valley of farms.

Passed by thousands of motorists every day, it is visited by a few.  Just outside the grounds of the lookout tower are numerous homesteaders and conspiracy theorists camped out in rusting camping trailers and homes that would be bulldozed by Bob Villa.

Grandma Pam knows the owner "Ben"- and what a character he is.  He makes the Tower a fun place to visit and has a story or two to tell,  all of which appear to have been told time and again to his pack of lazy dogs of questionable heritage which lie about on the steps leading inside and on the couches of his museum.

If you dare view through the kaleidoscope you will see a vision of desert austere, sheeple in minivans, border patrol agents, hippies, aliens of all kinds, tweekers, Native Americans, soaring hawks, and children laughing in the rock garden.  Its windy, a little dusty...it smells like incense and cholla and I feel like I have looked at one of Jimi Hendrix's colorful shirts for too long.....but I know that I will be back again when I need to see the edge.....

Victorius Jackus (a common sight where I live)

Jack celebrates another day of living the good life after his hike at Cottonwood Creek Falls.....

Cottonwood Creek Falls

Wonderful hiking to this series of small falls in a pocket canyon.  The perfect blend of cool running water and giant rocks to picnic on.  A big, bright, beautiful day.....