Bridget, Spike and I go on another safari!
[slideshow]
Sculptures by Ricardo Brecedo, displayed at Galleta Meadows Estates, Borrego Springs, California, made possible by the philanthropy of the late Dennis Avery
Brecedo’s Portfolio
rvsue
Meet the canine crew!
Roger (left) and Reggie (right)
What is the BLT?
The BLT is what I consider the Best Little Trailer, a 2011 17-foot Casita Liberty Deluxe which was the full-time home for me and my crew from August 2011 to May 2018.
What is the PTV?
The PTV is the Perfect Tow Vehicle. It's a 2005 Chevy Express Van with a V-8, 5.3 liter engine and equipped with a 200-watt solar panel on the roof and two AGM batteries inside.What is a blogorino?
A blogorino is a reader who opens up the comment section of this blog and writes a message. Blogorinos are kind and friendly and fun to know!-
CATCH UP WITH RVSUE AND THE CREW!!
These sculptures are amazing!!
That’s why I HAD to show so many photos of them.
Since I first posted the slideshow, I’ve added a link to the sculptor’s portfolio at the end of the post.
But I can’t get it to open. I tried going through google and they won’t open through the google page either. Maybe your millions of readers have crashed the website? 🙂
Connie . . . It’s working fine for me . ..
It struck me when I was there and shows in your photos the amount of detail in these metal sculptures.. It wouldn’t seem necessary to convey the impression from a distance, but perhaps that wasn’t the point……
It’s an arresting sight to be driving around and come upon some of these sculptures. This is art that’s fun! You can walk under the trunk of an elephant, see reflections in the eye of a chief, pat the back ends of wild piglets, imagine living with prehistoric creatures… and walk your dogs at the same time! LOL
Wow, “safari” was the right word. Loved the jeep going over a rock and the missionary.
Those are two of my favorites, too . . . and the wild pigs.
Wow! It seems that lots of new ones have been added since last year. We’ve been camping there since 2003 when we first purchased our Casita and a few dinosaurs started popping up first. Then came horses, camels, insects and the latest seem to be people. Thanks for sharing the photos, Sue.
You’re welcome, Chris. These sculptures may have been here when you were here. You have to “go on safari” and really hunt for them, which is part of the fun. I’d think we were done and then I’d find more!
There’s a section I haven’t seen yet, the ones south of Borrego Springs on S3. That’s where the horses are.
These are awesome! I used to live in San Diego and made it out to Anza Borrego a couple times, but I never saw these or ever heard anything about them. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to share something new with you!
Ah-ha! I just read an article that said Breceda was commissioned in 2008 by Avery and they ‘expected completion’ by 2010, so I was long gone from California by then. Now I have reason to go back and visit!
I hope someone with a lot of dollars steps in and commissions some more. Wouldn’t that be great?
Totally amazing Sue and your photos do great justice to these wonderful pieces of art. I hope you go to see the horses as well and post photos. Again thanks for sharing with us!!
I’m not going to miss those horses! I have a feeling I’ve saved the best ’til last.
WoW! This place has been put on my must see list. Who needs to buy a book of what to see and do when we have you Sue. Thanks! Now for an off topic question for you and fellow readers. Do you have to use Rv toilet paper? If you do not, then what is the best brand to use to keep clogging at bay?
Most any brand toilet paper will break up in the holding tank. To not put it in the tank is the best solution. A lidded trash container with a Walmart bag works wonders. You DON”T want a clogged up black water tank.
Thanks for handling that question, BB. It’s recommended to use one-ply paper, if it goes in the tank, that is. Never done a ply study, so what do I know . . .
Yes and no……..RV specific tp is quite expensive….and it does disintegrate IMMEDIATELY when it comes in contact with water. BTDT! (Waukee, Iowa).
Some claim to be septic safe (ability to breakdown)…which Northern claims right on the package..TRUST me it isn’t.
Scott 1000 is the best we found and it’s two ply. The key is to use alot of water so it doesn’t stick to the side of your tank…or you’ll have to use the hose and scrubber. Walmart carries it…$9 for a pack of 16. Thetford RV paper is almost $4-5 for four.
You can try this test with whatever brand you choose. Put one sheet in a tupperware or jar with a lid….fill with a 1 cup of water…..shake it for 5 seconds….if it ends up in pieces…you are good to go!
I’ve got some of the Scott 1-ply. Don’t know what I paid for it. I do remember it was the only game in town, which makes the price unimportant!
I’m sorry it IS one ply….not two.
We loved the slideshow. Thanks for taking the time to show the intricate detail of the sculptures. They are truly amazing.
I’m pleased to see that people enjoyed the slideshow. It was fun taking the photos.
I loved the guys in the Jeep!!! The driver looked like Weird-Al Yancowich 😀 This place is amazing, and the sculptures must have taken forever to make.
I like the way the woman is holding on to the crash bar. It conveys how rough the ride is.
agreed! And your pictures are amazing, makes me wanna go there asap!
Thanks, Zophie.
Wow, there is such joy in these sculptures! And you’ve really captured it with your beautiful photography. Looks like you had a great day!
Sometimes art can come across as very serious… I love the whimsy of these sculptures out in the desert. I imagine it would be great fun to take children to see them.
The sculptures are a treasure hidden out in the desert. Thank you so much for showing them to me. I’ve been reading your blog for months and love it. We have been to many of the same places and I’ve put others on my “to go” list because of your great photos and descriptions.
Marilu, Willits Ca. ( another enthusiastic boondocker.)
If I haven’t welcomed you to my blog, it’s never too late . . . so “Welcome, Marilu!”
How amazing! Thanks for your pics. I can’t wait to see these myself.
You’re welcome, Marcia.
OK, that’s it – Anza Borrego is now on my list of places to visit in our trailer next spring. Thank you for the nudge!
🙂 You’re welcome, Tamara.
Sue – great pictures. What struck me is how evocative of living creatures past and present in that area the theme of this large installation is. The prehistoric and contemporary animal life, with man and wife in the jeep the most current ubiquitous inhabitant. I like how you did close-ups to show the materials and method used to make these sculptures (welded metal) which gives the whole suite a unity in the desert setting. Thanks for providing the artist’s website. This is most engaging public art, and these should last in the environment they are placed in, so people can enjoy them for many years to come. G
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I love that people can experience this art, no matter their financial status which often is not the case with art. The sculptor’s website shows how prolific he is. I’m looking forward to finding the rest of his desert collection.
The price of scrape metal is rising faster than the fed can print more worthless money…I hope these sculptures are protected some how from scrape metal collectors.
No protection at all, Joe. I suspect the horse was knocked over by vandals, the same with the prehistoric creature whose head lies on the ground. It might have been an effort to break the sculptures down into lighter, smaller pieces in order to steal, or simply brainless activity.
Hi Sue. I’m a fan of your blog and I’m actually in Anza Borrego right now, parked at Pegleg dispersed campground on Henderson. I plan on trying to find some of these statues tomorrow. Would be fun to meet you, but I know how you like your privacy. If you see someone in a class C hook and wave to you, if I should see you on the road…it’s me. 🙂
Patty
Hello, Patty!
Do see the metal sculptures! I suggest searching for them entirely without aid like I did (the thrill of the hunt!). Or you can get a map at the galleta meadows website. Be sure to go down the road into Indian Ranch (opposite the chief) if the gate is open. That’s where the piglets are, plus others.
I appreciate your desire to respect my privacy. I’m going to go over that way one of these days to donate and borrow some books at the book exchange. If I see you out and about, I’ll give you a wave (and you can ignore ME if you’d like! 🙂 or we can have a chat.
I can’t see sculptures from S-22 and Henderson, should I be able too? I think they are a lot farther down Henderson. Someone here said they thought RVs could stay up to three days near the statues by the Indian Ranch. Might check that out.
It was super windy last night, had to go out at 2 am to collect my chair and mat that were blowing away. Didn’t get much sleep, so getting a late start today before exploring.
Is the book exchange that mail box I see in front of the pile of rocks people are suppose to throw a rock on if they hunt or find gold? If so, I’ll put a book in there for you called “Solo” and “Gutsy Women” if I finish it today.
I don’t have a tow car, so once I leave here to explore, I’m not sure if I’ll be back. Depends on if I find a better place to boondock.
I’ll still wave if I see you. 🙂
Patty
Yes, that’s the book exchange I was talking about.
Would you like me to pick you up tomorrow morning and give you a tour of the sculptures? 9 o’clock?
What a generous offer, especially since you’ve already seen them…and your such a private person. I’ve already got the RV ready to go exploring today, see the town, and maybe find another spot to park. I’ll be back here if I don’t find a better place to boondock.
I’ll be taking Borrego Springs Rd, the one with the horses, on my way to 78 when I head for home in the next day or so. Have you already been out there yet? We could meet there or here tomorrow at 9:00 am and I’ll give you the books instead of putting them in the mailbox. I have another one, too nice for the mailbox you can have too, about a woman RVer. OR we can meet in town someplace, give you the books and have a short chat. My 8 lb dog would enjoy meeting Spike and Bridget too. 🙂
No pressure. 🙂
Patty
The crew and I will stop by to meet you and your dog on our way to hunt for the horses. See you at 9 in the morning (Fri), Patty! If you find a boondock somewhere else and aren’t at Peg Leg, no problem!
How Cool! You Gals have fun!! I envy you both to be able to do what you’re doing. Keep on truckin….
I’m back at Peg Leg after a day of photographing many of the statues and visiting downtown. See you here in the morning.
Patty
I am blown away by the detail and posturing.
Me, too!
How fun. So, are they scattered over a large area? It looks like it.
Yes, several “city blocks” except they’re country fields. You drive away thinking you’ve seen them all and then more show up in another location. It’s fun! Some sculptures can be see in town, like at an outdoor cafe.
The ones I’ve shown are north of Borrego Springs. There are more on the road going south of town.
Are we having fun now?? Yes we are 🙂 Simply amazing! Thanks for sharing the slideshow, your photos are really great. This is diffently a place not to be missed when we begin our travels.
Hey, where’s my stipend from the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce?
Hi, Penny!
Thank you Sue for these amazing wonderful pictures! I enjoyed them so much. I hope someday I can get to see these myself. The sculptures are outstanding!
You’re welcome, free spirit!
I like it when you’re happy again! The pics are simply amazing. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Susie from Destin
You’re welcome, Susie . . . yes, happy is best!
This place is amazing!!! It is really interesting how they are displayed….not in a line or a concentrated area. They seem to just pop up every where. I haven’t seen any bill boards or plaques describing the place….they are just there!!! Really a great place. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Pauline . . . I think the project started out with a few prehistoric animals that once roamed in this area, so they were put out to ‘roam’ again. Then more were added. The surprise element is part of the art, in a way.
GREAT set of shots. I so love these sculptures!!
Nina
Saw you and Paul biking down by the dry lake this morning. I took the air card on our morning walk… 2 bars at a campsite near the end of the low ridge… no bars in most places near the lake.
A safari complete with the jeep! The details are incredible. Do you have to wander around hunting for them….or are they in a certain area?
You can get a map online, or you can wander around looking for them, which isn’t hard because they are in fields that are laid out in a grid, not far from each other. It would be neat if someone would put the coordinates online for those who like to geocache…. a geoartcache!
I never imagined such wonders were waiting to be discovered out on the road. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Linda.