One of the best activities you can do in the United States is to go on a road trip. There are a lot of attractions that you can discover when you head out into the open road. However, if you happen to be driving through Borrego Springs, you may be surprised to see a long Chinese Sand Dragon, a T-Rex, or a giant ant by the side of the road. Do not worry. You did not enter the Twilight Zone or a new dimension. Instead, you have the entered Galleta Meadows Estate.
The Galleta Meadows is private land which is divided into several plots located within Borrego Springs, California. Dennis Avery owns Galleta Meadows. What is unique about Galleta Meadows is the abundance of sculptures that Ricardo Breceda created. These sculptures have different themes ranging from enlarged insects such as scorpions, bugs, and ants, to giant metal sculptures of prehistoric animals.
If you happen to be visiting Borrego Springs, do not miss out on seeing the more than 130 metal sculptures spread out over the Galleta Meadows Estate. Although the Estate is privately-owned, visitors can roam the land, view and take pictures with the sculptures.
The History of the Sculptures of Galleta Meadows
The collection of free-standing sculptures started when Dennis Avery, the owner of Galleta Meadows Estate, decided to accentuate his massive desert estate with animal sculptures. The first metal sculptures appeared in Galleta Meadows in April 2008. Commuters passing the area may have been initially surprised by the sudden appearance of natural and mythical creatures by the roadside. The collection later grew. As of this writing, there are now more than 130 metal sculptures in the area.
The Serpent is probably the most eye-catching of the sculptures.
The Best Sculptures in Galleta Meadows
Each of the metal sculptures is created with intricate details, and each one is a marvel on its own. However, there are a few sculptures that stand out among the rest. Here are some of the sculptures to look for.
The Serpent or Sand Dragon. The Serpent is probably the most eye-catching of the sculptures because of its size and intricate details. The sculpture looks like a serpent swimming in a sea of sand. When looking at it, you may wonder if the sculpture is a single large artwork with parts buried in the sand or it is made up of individual parts arranged to look like parts of its body emerging from the sand.
The Gold Miner. The Gold Miner features a prospector panning for gold. Behind the miner is his mule loaded with all the mining equipment. The detail given to the prospector is very intricate. The Gold Miner is a testament to the gold rush era that brought settlers to the Californian region.
If you plan to visit Galleta Meadows, you may ask for a map that pinpoints exactly where the sculptures are located. It is advisable to drive around the area since some sculptures are located very far from each other.
