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Blues Traveler
10-22-2006, 04:42 PM
Had to get away for just one night by myself. Had a need to test out my new cooking platform. Weather was looking GREAT! for a trip out to Agua Caliente in the desert of San Deigo County. Left home around 10:00 am Friday morning for the short 97 miles to Agua Caliente. Nice leisurely pace out 79 through Warner Springs. Left turn up S2 out to Sissor Crossing Were S2 meets up with the 78. A right turn up 78 then about 200 feet later a left turn onto The Old Butterfield Stagecoach Hwy.

Bike was running Great as I sped along the desert floor. The road goes up through some small passes twisting and turning as you head down the otherside into Agua Caliente.

Not a problem getting a tent sight early on a Friday. Even asked for something with shade. The ranger replied 117 is empty, you'll have plenty of shade there.

$14 for one night, such a deal. Got to my campsite after a slow ride through the park. Looks like i'll have the place to myself. At least until this evening when the weekend crowd will start to roll in.

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One of the special things about this place is the indoor pool fed by an underground natural mineral hot spring. I had the place all to myself and enjoyed the 102? pool for about an hour. The showers are free and have all the hot water you want.

Enjoyed a fish dinner with baked potato with some steamed adamame and a bottle of wine. Did some walking around the park and stopped to check in at home with the pay phone at the front gate. There is no service with my cell phone here.

Temps. were perfect. 82? during the day with a low of 59? during the evening and just a gental breeze during the afternoon. Up at 6:00 I made some espresso and a great omlette. Packed it in and was headed back down the road by 10:00 am.
Home wasn't my destination as of yet. North County BMW in Escondido was having there October Fest open house. Funny how my bike drew a crowd at this event. Was the only GS all loaded down for camping and everyone had a question. Eventually I was able to partake in the free fish taco lunch that was offered up for the event. Afterwords I headed home and was back in the garage by 2:30 that afternoon.

My new cooking platform worked out Great! will be nice to have along on future trips.

STeveGray
10-22-2006, 07:04 PM
That really sounds great, Keith. I've never camped there. Really sounds and looks great. Gotta put it on my list of places to try.

And, of course, I'm always amazed at what a farkling genius like you can do. Thanks for posting this.

ChipSTer
10-22-2006, 07:42 PM
Where did you get that cooking platform? That's cool... I really like the idea of moving the heat around instead of the pots/pans... :confused:
:cool:

Blues Traveler
10-23-2006, 10:48 AM
:) The cooking platform I made myself.:) A friend of mine (Brian) gave me the idea with something he was using and decided to make one of my own. Made one something like his only updated it some which worked just fine except for being a little on the small side. The new model is twice the size and doesn't feel like it will ever tip over. It breaks/folds down small and flat for transport. The Stainless steel tube grill on top is actually two backpacking grills. Found and bought them from the Aerostich cataloge. They were $30 each and come with a cool nylon sleeve keeping everything around them clean when packed away. Everything unfolds and settup is less then 1 minute. Not only can you move the heat around you can get 2 stoves under there making it a two burner settup.

So this cooking platform cost me $60 to make. All the aluminum which is .063" 6061 aluminum and the .063" G10 composite used for the wind deflector was scrap material from work.

mongo
10-23-2006, 03:51 PM
Nice setup Keith. Feels good to get out solo occaisionally, doesn't it!