Why I Give By Todd Linke

You and I may have something in common: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park feels very special to me, and I have a strong connection to this place. Although I'm sure our stories are unique, we all have that moment, that day, that trip, when the desert first captured our attention. And once it did, there was no turning back. Here's my story.

My first trip to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was during the infamous super bloom of spring 2017. To be specific, it was Saturday, March 17, and yes, there was a lot of traffic in town. My hiking buddy Craig decided to divert south to State Route 78, where we found some relatively unpopulated trails. In recalling this day, I couldn't remember which trails he chose because Craig was using "Afoot and Afield" and navigating. Despite my fuzzy memory, I could still remember a few things like yesterday. My most vivid memories were seeing yellow-painted mountainsides as we descended Montezuma Grade, an abundance of trailside flowers I had never seen, and my first rattlesnake sighting. This place seemed distant and peculiar- I had never been to a desert before -- but I knew it was someplace that was both exciting and comforting. We visited three trails that day: Plum Canyon, Mine wash, and Narrows Earth Trail. Predictably, there were flowers everywhere. And the usual ubiquitous desert plants, like cholla, ocotillo, and barrel cactus. And, of course, every photo was colored by sun-soaked blue skies and beautiful mountain ranges. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, except for the higher-than-average quantity of flowers. But there was something special about that day, and it planted a seed that would sprout several years later.

Fast forward to February 2021, after I acquired my first 4x4 off-road capable vehicle and was ready to explore the desert. I had been back to Borrego Springs a few times since that first trip, but only on the well-traveled routes and to the easily accessible places. My husband Javier and I visited Galleta Meadows for all the silly dinosaur pictures, and we hiked the Slot in 100°F weather. Mom and I visited the visitor center to enjoy their short nature trail, and then we went to the Palms Hotel for a soda with a view.

All were fabulous places, but not necessarily ambitious.

This time was different. Equipped with a few paper maps printed off the internet, some handwritten notes, and my memories of hours of YouTube videos about "how to off-road," Javier and I headed down Buttes Pass Road, into Hawk Canyon, then to San Felipe Wash. I had the big idea that we would drive up Hills of the Moon Wash directly into the Badlands. Quite an aggressive route for newbies! Needless to say, I never found the wash and didn't even realize that the Badlands were right in front of us. The whole thing was a healthy combination of excitement and fun mixed with a dash of frustration and confusion. We still laugh about it to this day. But we eventually made it back up Blow Sand Canyon, across Goat Trail, and safely to the Slot parking lot We enjoyed a fun hike through the Slot and played on the Honeycomb Rocks. Afterward, we returned to town, bundled up for the chilly evening, and enjoyed an epic sunset with the dinosaurs. Can we all agree that that was a pretty epic first day of desert exploring?! We were hooked!

So that's my story of how we first connected with the Park. I can't say it happened all at once there was a four-year span between hikes but when I got hooked, I really got hooked. I wanted to be in the desert all the time. I thought about it. I planned for it. And I would look forward to returning visits with the excitement of a child anticipating their birthday party. At one point, we were going nearly every weekend. The two-hour one-way drive from San Diego still seems like a mere formality and all part of the day's fun. I estimate I've been back to the Park over 100 times. It has become a part of my life and a part of my soul. Every memory becomes a story of its own, with enough pages to fill a book. Everyone I've brought or interacted with becomes a character in this book. It's not a dramatization to say that this desert changed who I am.

There are many characters, including Javier, family members, and friends who have shared countless hikes and campouts, pleasant weather and wild weather, rainbows and wildflowers, and stiff necks from hours of staring up at the sky and sleeping in somewhat awkward positions. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe the nighttime windstorms! One major player is my desert friend Shelley, who worked in the Anza-Borrego Foundation store at the time. I went in for some quick advice and left with a half-hour conversation worth of fresh new ideas and the anticipation of exploring the vast desert. That one chance meeting changed everything! I've returned to the store and the visitor center many times, making friendships and continuing to learn more about the Park. The ABF and Park staff are passionate about the Park, and their love of this place shines through like the bright desert sun.

That's how I got involved with the ABF. Once I became a member, I started learning about their educational and adventure programs. I knew I was up for a hiking challenge, and this challenge was met by adventure hike leaders Mark and Sicco's challenging hikes. I've crab crawled to the top of Travelers Peak, hiked to Whale Peak in the snow, returned from Villager Peak in the dark, arrived at the Hellhole Canyon oasis from the "backside," and rock scrambled down an unnamed ravine from Pinyon Ridge. These hikes were memorable and exciting, but they didn't happen casually. I saw the time, effort, and passion invested by many ABF members and staff, which inspired me to become a monthly donor. This might be a cliché, but it's true: I wanted to give back to the organization that was giving so much to all of us. I've seen ABF grow and expand its reach throughout the last few years, from member and adventure hikes to the return of off-road drives and night hikes. Last year, I became aware of another new initiative called FamCamp and volunteered in two campouts. FamCamp is an all-inclusive experience designed for people who wouldn't otherwise go camping to immerse themselves in the desert. FamCamp leader Annie is a master at managing small and large groups, making them feel at home, keeping them well-fed, and showing them an excellent desert experience. I'll never forget my second trip with 40 students and chaperones from Orange Glen High School in Escondido. Being a lifelong camper and adventurer, as well as a 25-year educator, I knew the powerful positive impact that being in the outdoors can have on teenagers and adults alike, especially those without previous experience or the means to do it on their own. I didn't necessarily realize it then, but that campout was another game-changer.

That impactful weekend inspired me to give back even more. I saw students doing a lot of firsts that weekend: setting up a tent, hiking in the desert, eating s'mores, going on a night hike, gazing up at the moon and constellations, and interacting with each other with conversation and laughter. Not all students loved it equally, but I can guess they all had stories to tell, and these memories will live on for many years. The memories may have been free for the participants. Still, FamCamp is not and must be partially funded through ABF member contributions and grants.

I approached my friend Jaime, an ABF staff member, about a matching fundraiser. She and her coworker Samantha enthusiastically supported the idea of matching fundraisers to support FamCamp. I'm happy to say that the matching fundraiser exceeded expectations, raising over $1,400 for FamCamp and $1000 for land conservation. It feels really good to give back to the Park, knowing that I'll leave an impression on this place and the students these donations help bring there.

I want people to know that the ABF is much more than land conservation. At the same time, this is important to preserve the biological, geological, and archaeological treasures that lie within the Park the ABF does so much more. It brings educational and adventure programming to visitors of all ages, outdoor abilities, and financial means. What's more, the ABF staff has increased in number and energy to create a slew of new ways to explore the Park. There will be dozens of new opportunities this upcoming desert season. I have been increasing my volunteer efforts, and this coming season will be my best ever. I'm leading or supporting several hikes and off-road adventures, and believe me, it feels like a dream come true! I hope you take advantage of some of those opportunities, which you can read more about on their website.

My wish for the Park is that it continues to serve as a retreat for anyone who yearns to experience its magic. While we all come to the Park for different reasons fun, adventure, beauty, and serenity, to name a few my hope for you is that you find your reason and keep coming back. Hopefully, one day soon, like me, you'll be hooked, too if you're not already!