Jake Hinton • January 1, 2024

Borrego Springs: A Journey with Tacos Y Motos

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Day 1: Tacos Y Motos Adventure to Anza-Borrego State Park


The latest episode of Tacos Y Motos takes viewers on an exhilarating journey with Isidro Baragan and William Bay. Their adventure starts in San Diego and winds through the stunning landscapes of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, combining the thrill of motorcycle exploration with the quest for the ultimate taco experience.


Culinary Beginnings: Birria Ramen in Santee


The duo's first stop is Bad Hombres - Good Mexican Food in Santee, where they indulge in the unique Birria Ramen, a delicious fusion of Mexican beef stew and Japanese ramen noodles. Their excitement and anticipation set the tone for a journey filled with culinary and cultural fusion.


The Journey to Borrego Springs: A Road Less Traveled


Isidro Baragan and William Bay of Tacos Y Motos embarked on an extraordinary ride from the urban landscapes of San Diego to the serene and untamed beauty of Borrego Springs. This part of their journey was as much about the ride as it was about the destination.


Starting off, the duo traversed the one-way road through Mission Trails Regional Park. This passage was a first for both riders, offering a unique experience as they rode through the natural preserve. The park, known for its rugged hills and valleys, presented a peaceful departure from the bustling cityscape. As they weaved through the park, they were captivated by the tranquility and scenic beauty around them. The calmness of the preserve, with its native plants and wildlife, provided a stark contrast to the noise and pace of city life, setting a tone of adventure and exploration.


From Mission Trails, their route led them through the picturesque back roads of San Diego's East County. They journeyed through the towns of Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Warner Springs, and Ranchita, each offering its own charm and character. These rural landscapes unveiled the lesser-known side of San Diego County, marked by serene country vistas and open skies.


The highlight of their ride was the descent down the Montezuma Grade. This winding stretch of road is a motorcycle enthusiast’s dream, offering challenging twists and turns with spectacular views of the desert below. The excitement was palpable as they navigated the curves, with the vast expanse of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park unfolding before them.

Upon arriving in Borrego Springs, the contrast was clear. From the urban sprawl of San Diego to the open, sprawling desert, this journey encapsulated the diverse landscapes Southern California has to offer.


The transition from the city to the desert was not just a change in scenery but a shift in experience, setting the stage for their adventures in Anza-Borrego. This ride to Borrego Springs wasn’t just a transition from one point to another; it was a journey through varied landscapes, each with its own story and beauty. For Isidro and William, it was a ride that underscored the essence of adventure: the joy found in the journey itself.


Culinary Rewards at Journey's End: Los Jilbertos Taco Shop

Culinary Rewards at Journey's End: Los Jilbertos Taco Shop

After their scenic ride across Southern California's diverse landscapes, Isidro Baragan and William Bay of Tacos Y Motos arrived at their eagerly awaited destination: Los Jilberto's Taco Shop at 655 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004. (A LOCAL FAVORITE! Many call it "Jils"). As the sun set, casting the Anza-Borrego desert in a warm glow, the duo found a welcoming respite in this haven of authentic Mexican cuisine.


Exhausted yet invigorated from their day's ride, they were greeted by the comforting aroma of spices and cooked meats at Los Jilbertos, a modest establishment that promised a much-needed culinary reward. Settling into the vibrant atmosphere, Isidro and William were eager to indulge in the familiar comfort of tacos, a symbol of their shared culinary passion and the perfect culmination of their journey.


Opting for a carne asada quesadilla, Isidro savored each flavorful bite, while William chose a varied plate of a taco and an enchilada, showcasing Los Jilbertos’ mastery of Mexican cooking. Their meal was more than just food; it was a moment of cultural connection and an integral part of their exploration in Borrego Springs.


Day 2: Nature Hike and Mystical Encounters


The second day brought a shift from the culinary to the natural as they ventured on a nature hike in Coyote Canyon. The desert’s unique flora and fauna were on full display, leading up to a comical, yet surreal, 'Lawrence of Arabia' style hallucination after Isidro encounters a 'desert mushroom.' This whimsical twist added a mystical dimension to their adventure. (Humor!)



Starry Nights: The Milky Way in Anza-Borrego


As dusk enveloped the desert, Isidro and William experienced the magic of Anza-Borrego's night sky, renowned for its Dark Sky designation. The clear, unpolluted skies provided a perfect canvas for a breathtaking timelapse of the Milky Way, offering them an unobstructed celestial show. This stargazing moment highlighted the natural splendor of Anza-Borrego, renowned for its commitment to preserving the night sky's pristine beauty.


Day 3: Morning Reflections and Galleta Meadows


The final day in Anza-Borrego began with a peaceful morning, featuring coffee and camp breakdown. The crew then visited Galleta Meadows, renowned for its over 130 striking steel sculptures, including the impressive dragon that spans a nearby road. This artistic haven in the desert provided a fitting conclusion to their journey.


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Conclusion: Reflections on a Memorable Journey


As they conclude their trip and head back home, Isidro and William reflect on their experiences. From the excitement of exploring new trails and savoring unique foods to the peace and beauty of the desert, their adventure in Anza-Borrego epitomizes the spirit of exploration and camaraderie.



From Urban Streets to Desert Beats: Tacos Y Motos' Culinary Adventure Through San Diego to Anza-Borrego


  1. Introduction: Isidro Baragan and William Bay start the episode, planning to explore Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
  2. Santee for Birria Ramen: They visit 'Bad Hombres - Good Mexican Food' in Santee to try Birria Ramen.
  3. Mission Trails Ride: The duo rides through Mission Trails Preserve, a new route for them.
  4. Scenic Route to Anza-Borrego: Their journey includes picturesque areas like Ramona, Santa Isabel, Warner Springs, Ranchita, and the Montezuma Grade.
  5. Camping in Coyote Canyon: They set up camp in Coyote Canyon but struggle to find water and tacos.
  6. Los Jilbertos Taco Shop: After a humorous search, they eat at Los Jilbertos in Borrego Springs.
  7. Second Day at Kendall's Cafe: They start the day with breakfast at Kendall's Cafe.
  8. Nature Hike and Hallucination: A nature hike in Coyote Canyon leads to Isidro's humorous hallucination.
  9. Stargazing: The day ends with a Milky Way timelapse.
  10. Galleta Meadows Visit: On the third day, they visit Galleta Meadows to see the steel sculptures.
  11. Episode Conclusion: They reflect on their adventure, emphasizing the value of friendship and freedom on their motorcycle journeys.




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The Great Summer Triangle | Week of July 19-25, 2026

By Dennis Mammana • July 18, 2026
By Dennis Mammana Week of July 19-25, 2026 We can spend our time under the stars trying to find constellation figures from mythological times, but we'll always have limited success. If we really want to see pictures among the stars, I'm afraid we need to create our own. You may remember from previous articles that constellations are simply areas of the sky, and do not resemble their namesakes. Corvus looks nothing like a crow. Trying to find a bear in Ursa Major? Fuhgetaboutit! And Scorpius, the scorpion ... well, OK, there will always be one exception. No, if you want to see pictures among the stars, you must invent your own. And that's where asterisms come in. An asterism is a group of stars that we connect in our imaginations to look like something. Some of the easiest of these to create are geometrical figures. If you ever took a geometry class, you may recall that a point is the simplest of these — a figure with no length, width or depth. In the sky, every star forms a point; connect any three of these, and you'll create a triangle. One in particular, though, is different. It's larger and brighter, and we can find it midway up in our eastern sky after dark. It's called the Summer Triangle. It's not a constellation but rather an asterism made of three stars from three separate constellations, but that doesn't mean that early storytellers overlooked this prominent star grouping. For example, an ancient Chinese love tale tells that the star Deneb represents a magpie bridge over the Milky Way, which allows the separated lovers Altair and Vega to be reunited on only one summer night each year.  The brightest of the stellar trio — and highest in the sky this week — is Vega, the most prominent star in the constellation of Lyra, the harp. It lies 150 trillion miles from us (about 25 lightyears); in other words, the light arriving tonight from Vega began its journey toward our eyes in 2001. The southeasternmost of the three stars is Altair, the brightest in the constellation of Aquila, the eagle. Its name comes from the Arabic Al Nasr al Tair, meaning in English "the flying eagle." Altair lies about 96 trillion miles (17 lightyears) from us. Not only is Altair one of the nearest stars, it's also one of the most rapidly spinning, completing one rotation in just 6.5 hours! Finally, farthest to the northeast lies Deneb, marking the tail of the great swan Cygnus, more easily recognized as the Northern Cross. It's not certain, but we think that Deneb could lie as far away as 2,600 lightyears from Earth. If it's truly that distant, this star could be one of the most brilliant in our entire galaxy, with a luminosity equivalent to 200,000 suns, and would generate more light in one day than our sun has produced since the days of Marco Polo at the end of the 13th century! With the overwhelmingly bright moonlight this week and next, the brightest stars are about all we'll be able to see, but you can still head outdoors to check out the brightest of the summer — the Summer Triangle. Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com . Learn More About Borrego Springs

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By Dennis Mammana Week of July 5-11, 2026 There's a constellation in our night sky right now that is somewhat unknown to stargazers. Despite being huge — it's the 11th-largest in all the heavens — it has no stars brighter than the North Star, so you won't find it easily without a pretty dark sky. Its name is Ophiuchus (oh-fee-YOU-kuhs), and if you'd like to find it this month, you'll need to get away from the city lights and gaze midway up in the southeast shortly after dark. Ophiuchus (the serpent-bearer) represents Aesculapiu, the ancient Greco-Roman god of medicine, healing and physicians, and its brightest star is named Rasalhague, which is Arabic for "Head of the Snake Charmer." Draped from one side of Ophiuchus to the other lies Serpens — the only two-part constellation in the heavens — with its head on one side (Serpens Caput) and its tail on the other (Serpens Cauda). I admit that it requires quite an imagination to find these star groupings, but once you do, you'll know them forever. In fact, you may even recognize this shape, especially if you've ever searched online for the name of a physician. Quite often, you'll find the image of two serpents wrapped around a vertical staff that appears topped by a round knob and is flanked by wings. It's known as the "caduceus," and since 1902, when the U.S. Army adopted it as the insignia of its Medical Corps, it has been the familiar emblem of the American medical profession. Many medical associations — including the World Health Organization — use what some consider to be the "correct" and traditional symbol of medicine: the staff of Asclepius, with a single serpent encircling a staff. Either way, people have long associated the serpent with medicine. Once you find its stars, you'll see that Ophiuchus lies along some of the thickest star clouds of the Milky Way. If you've managed to get yourself to a rural location with a non-light-polluted sky, you'll have little trouble finding the hazy band of the Milky Way passing near this constellation, along with the bright reddish-orange star Antares (the heart of Scorpius, the scorpion) just to its lower right. Be sure to take binoculars with you so you can scan this celestial region. Here you'll find countless "faint fuzzies" (as amateur astronomers affectionately call deep-sky objects). Many of these are star clusters — collections of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of stars held together by gravitation — and interstellar nebulae, where stars and planetary systems are constantly forming. Now, while you're gazing at the stars of Ophiuchus, here's a little tidbit to wrap your head around: This constellation is not one of the official signs of the zodiac, but it should be. Why, you ask? Because the sun spends three times as many days in front of the stars of Ophiuchus as it does in Scorpius. So why, then, is this constellation missing from the official zodiacal signs in horoscope tables? Your guess is as good as mine. Just remember, if you were born between Nov. 29 and Dec. 17, you're not a "Scorpio" or "Sagittarius," as you might have thought. You're actually an Ophiuchan! Make of that what you will... Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com . Learn More About Borrego Springs

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Summer Has Returned. ... But Why?

By Dennis Mammana • June 27, 2026
By Dennis Mammana Week of June 28 - July 4, 2026 It was bound to happen: The heat of summer has arrived at my desert home. As I write these words, it's 115 F outside, and it's just the beginning of the blistering heat we'll experience for months. This is no surprise, of course. We're all quite familiar with this seasonal pattern; in fact, most of us learned in grade school about the seasons and what causes them, but you'd be surprised how little some people remember of those basic lessons. I was stunned when I first heard of a 1987 video in which filmmakers Matthew H. Schneps and Philip Sadler of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics interviewed recent Harvard University graduates, faculty members and alumni — some with science backgrounds — and asked them a simple question: What causes our seasons? Twenty-one of the 23 people interviewed did not know the answer. This is Harvard, people. Harvard! If you can't believe it, watch it online here. Oh, sure, they offered elaborate explanations and tried to be convincing, but it's obvious they had no clue. The most common reason they cited for the summertime heat was that the Earth lies closest to the sun at that time of year, and the cold of winter is caused by our greater distance from the sun. Sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn't it? But it's wrong. So very wrong. Now it is true that our planet orbits the sun not in a circular path but in an elliptical path, and that our distance from the sun varies throughout the year, but only by about 3%. What seems counterintuitive, however, is that we're closest to the sun not during our Northern Hemisphere summer but during our winter! In 2026, the Earth will reach its farthest point from the sun ("aphelion") on July 6, when we will lie 94,502,961 miles from our star. This occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summer. The Earth's nearest point ("perihelion") won't arrive until Jan. 2, 2027 (during our winter), when we'll be 91,406,556 miles from the sun. Of course, if you happen to live in the Southern Hemisphere, where seasons are reversed from those north of the equator, our planet's perihelion does occur during their summertime. But that's a story for another time. So, if our distance from the sun doesn't cause seasonal temperature changes throughout the year, what does? Well, as we all learned in third grade, it's the tilt of the Earth's axis. Our planet is tipped about 23.4 degrees to the plane of its orbit around the sun. From mid-March to mid-September, the Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, allowing solar rays to beat directly down upon us. During these longer days, heat accumulates in our atmosphere while having little time to escape into space during the much shorter nights. In other words, it's not our changing distance from the sun that causes the buildup of summer heat; it's the tilt of our planet that produces long days and short nights — just as it always has. Unfortunately, few still seem to understand this simple phenomenon, and I suspect if we did this same interview today, we'd see even less informed answers than four decades ago! Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com . Learn More About Borrego Springs
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