November 26 Friday 2010 Desert hot Springs

Today we go to Big Morango Canyon preserve. It is a beautiful cold morning but we warm up quickly hiking. We do several trails with a total of about 4 miles in a circle. The Morango fault runs through 5 trails systems that interlock the canyon. The San Gorgonio at 11,503 'can be seen. The preserve is between the Mojave and the Sonaran desert. We find an interesting plant- yerba santa. It was used by natives in the treatment of lung conditions, saliva production and to stop bleeding in minor cuts. New leaves were used as chewing gum. Torn leaves smell like bubblegum. It can be dries,mashed,smoked,chewed or turned into a tea. We also see a paperbag plant. Home by noon only to find out we are invaded bt tiny ants. Bill discouvers that they are coming in via the water hose. He makes quick work of them

REMEMBER-When a clock is hungry it goes back for seconds.