This was our third time ending and starting the year on a small patch of barren land in the southern California desert just outside the tiny town of Borrego Springs, CA. The first year we hung out with one other Airstreaming couple we had recently met. We had dinner and barely stayed up until midnight. The next year we joined a medium sized group of nomads for a rocking party around a fire complete music and giant sparklers. Last year we were in Florida and missed what was quickly becoming an annual gathering of mostly working-age nomads for the desert New Year’s Eve celebration. This year we made it back west in time to join a massive group of nomads for what turned out to be a pretty epic New Year’s Eve party — desert style.
We arrived on the 26th to find about a dozen RVs already in place, and we quickly secured a nice spot on the corner of the group.

Desert living at its finest
Over the next week the rigs keep rolling in, and by New Year’s Eve, the group had grown to around 40 RVs, including 22 Airstreams and at least half a dozen full-time families. Here’s a great drone shot of the group taken by a fellow traveler. Can you spot us? (Hint, look for the orange kayaks on the truck.)

Photo credit: instagram/gm3sf
A few people have asked how this gathering came together. The short answer is social media. The longer answer is that most of us either knew each other in person or followed each other on Instagram. A Facebook event was created and everyone invited people who they thought would be interested. A few people learned about the gathering after photos started getting posted online, and a few more just happened to be in the area and stopped by.

A whole lotta shine
I think it’s worth noting that this large group of around 80+ people came together without the aid of an organized rally or the benefit of us all belonging to the same RV club or group. It’s also worth noting that out of the 22 Airstreams in attendance only 2 had those iconic red numbers (indicating that they are part of the WBCCI). While I have nothing specific against RV clubs, I do wonder where their future lies when the majority of younger full-time RVers are not joining them simply because we have found easier ways to meet up and communicate. Anyway, that’s a subject for another time.

The whole crew – photo credit: Aluminarium
Throughout the week there were many casually organized events including group hikes, potlucks, a beer tasting, 4×4 adventures, and of course, multiple nights around the fire. Despite a bit of grumbling about the group being too large (it was impossible to connect with everyone), some manufactured drama (every group needs a drama queen or two), and an internet connection so slow it was nearly worthless, the week was a success and we came away feeling like we had reconnected with old friends and made a whole bunch of new ones! I was an extreme slacker when it came to taking photos, but here are a few that I took along with a few more from others.

Group hike to see rock art (and make our own) + a trip to the palm canyon

Beer tasting – free stuff pile – farmers market

Our 4×4 adventure to the wind cave and beyond – bottom photos courtesy of Drive, Dive, Devour

The sacrificial Borrego (big horn sheep) all ready to burn at midnight

Our large oval fire ring – karaoke in the desert is a real thing – Leigh capturing the moment – New Year’s Eve in full swing

New Year’s Eve shenanigans – top right photo via instagram/meantforadventure – bottom left photo via instagram/hereforthebeer

First sunset of the new year
Looking for more?
Visit Instagram.com and search for borregonewyear2016 (all one word) to see close to 200 photos posted by various members of the group
Ringing in the New Year – Borrego Springs, CA via Finding Marshall
Happy 2016! via Aluminarium
Our past posts from Borrego Springs:
Metal Art and a Palm Oasis in Borrego Springs
Two Airstreams Meet in the Desert…
More of the Same
Boondocking Cuisine
Adventures in Anza-Borrego
Wrapping it up
New Year in Anza Borrego – take 2
Good Times in Anza Borrego
Pumpkins, Palms, Pals & Produce
6 comments
You’re such a good blogger. Well covered! :)
Looks like a truly unique gathering! Thanks for taking me there vicariously… ;-)
Looks like a mini-Burning Man! :-) It really does look like you guys had a blast. Always fun to ring in the New Year with friends, old and new.
Thanks for linking to my post! I can’t believe I posted before you. ;)
Looks like you guys all had a total blast!! I wish we could have joined, but it was equally fun to see all the blogger round ups from there.
Nina
You can call that your Burning Ram ceremony. Get it…. burning man…burning ram… get it….
oh well. Happy travels in 2016.