Are You a Bloomin' Ijiot? Anza Boreggo's Just the Thing

For many snowbirds, Quartzsite is a jumping off point to other adventures. Mexico lies an hour and a half to the south, with the lure of (ah!) shrimp tacos. Others come to roam the desert on foot or ATV, prowling for missed gold and other minerals. But there’s always a cadre desert enthusiasts how hang out in Arizona until the call comes from California: The bloom has begun!

The country’s largest desert state park, Anza Borrego, which lies just west of the Salton Sea, holds 600,000 acres of fabulous landscape. Visitors come year-around, sweltering in summer, hiking in winter, but late winter and early spring brings those following the spring bloom. Huge tracts of desert "light up" with wildflowers of an assortment to rival your grandmother’s salt shaker collection.

Well, that’s generally how it goes. Sadly, since last July, the park has received barely a piddling quarter inch of precipitation, and the bloom? Well, the bloom isn’t quite as spectacular as some years. Nevertheless, if you really want to see an Ocotillo ("Oke-oh-tee-oh") put on it’s flame- ressemblent bloom, hitch up your gitalong. Same too for that wonderful wonderful purple desert lavender, and the mysterious brittle bush. Maybe these guys will work for shorter wages, but whatever the reason, park rangers say they’ll be putting on a show--and immediately if not sooner.

Visit the park’s website, or call the 24-hour "Bloom Hotline" at (760) 767-4684 for more information.