Carrizo Stage Station - by accident

[BrandonTJ]

My wife finally agreed to come out today in the Jeep. We planned to head up to Julian and get some pie and shopping in, then go have a look at some of the campgrounds along S2. Well Julian was packed and I got sick of driving in circles looking for parking so we bailed on that idea and headed out to the desert. I took her to Blair valley, where a bunch of us camped back in October, and to Agua Caliente. She wasn't very impressed with either. 'Too many rocks. I don't like rocks.'

Ok, so heading down S2 just south of Agua Caliente we see a dirt road that looks interesting. I could tell she was interested because she rolled her eyes and asked me if I was kidding. Logan liked it too. (He sticks his tounge out when he likes something.) 'Argh. Fine. Just don't get us lost.'

We wandered around and came across a bunch of stuff that looked really familiar to me. We got dirty, then muddy, and then dirty again. 'Are we lost?' 'Nope, we're exploring.' Eventually we stumbled accross an old corral. After marking the site - yes all three of us (a first for her). We kept going until we found what turned out to be the old Carrizo Stage Station. I snapped some pics and looked around. Leaving there, we found a sign that informed us that unexploded ordinance was nearby. 'Bombs?' 'Well maybe a few.'

So we started back. We did the dirty/muddy/dirty thing again and coming back, we found the sign for Arroyo Del Diablo. I made the mistake of saying 'I've been here before.' 'You've been here before? Then why come out here and get us lost?' 'We're not lost, we're exploring.' 'If you've been here before, then you're not really exploring.' (She had a point with that one.)

Later we stopped at the Hollywood and Vine sign. She didn't care much for it and demanded to know who put it there. I told her I wasn't sure. 'Whatever, take me to Red Lobster.'

Anyway, took some pics and did some reading when I got home. That site (and the whole Butterfield line) is really interesting. Think I need to go 'explore' there some more.

[BrandonTJ]

Oh! Almost forgot. Anyone know what this is?
It's there at the stage stop.

[Metal Twister]

Looks like a good time, and red lobster to boot. Lost? Not Brandon...

[Mikegyver1]

  My girl isn't much into wheeling either. I figure I'd let her drive, to give her a thrill. Then she can take me to Red Lobster. 
Did you have any pictures?

[BrandonTJ]

Didn't take many, but they're in the original post.

[Mikegyver1]

Didn't take many, but they're in the original post.

Uhhh? I know my eyes aren't what they use to be, but.... I don't sees any pics.

[StvDiego]

Why is it so difficult to grasp the clear but subtle difference between lost and exploring?

If you're not in a Jeep and you don't know where you are, you're lost.

If you're in a Jeep you're exploring, no matter where you are, even if you've been there before. Simple.

btw, the Hollywood and Vine sign is a relic of the Old Immigrant Trail, they were placed along the Overland stage route pointing out the route and nearby water sources. Almost all of the are gone. There is a story about that particular sign and a tribute to a group of sailors...

There were actually three different stage routes that crossed that area of the desert

[BorregoWrangler]

Nice little trip you had there. I really enjoy that area, especially after a good rain and the creek is really flowing. Carrizo Creek was the first place I ever got stuck at.