Quiet Times

This past week has been a nice, quiet week after a month of exploring and enjoying all sorts of different places and things.

We spent part of the week near Holtville on some BLM (Bureau of Land Management); otherwise known as just camping out in the desert.  The weather was great and the peace and quiet was unparalleled - it doesn't get better than that.  Since it is still early in the season, there were very few folks around.

There are a couple of flea markets nearby at a town called Calexico, CA which is right across the border from Mexicali, Mexico.  Since this area was very familiar to us in days past, we went the back way.  Oops, there is a detour because of road construction, so we followed the detour signs and turned where we thought we should and oops again.  We are on the road to cross into Mexico, but they planned on people like us so we heed the sign that says "Last turn around before entering Mexico".  Even the GPS was confused as it can't adjust due to construction.  We did eventually determine that we had to go further down the road and we did find our flea markets.  Unfortunately, they don't allow photographs because it is something to see.  Some areas are relatively well organized, while other areas you see piles of stuff lying, usually on tarps, in piles on the ground.  I often wondered how they sold any shoes as I have no idea how you would ever find a pair.  To sum it all up, the majority of items sold were jeans, shoes, or junk.  It was fun though just to watch the folks.  The amazing part is at the end of the day, they pile everything into containers, be it trucks, trailers, barrels, or boxes.

While here we started the ominous tasks of repair - first the microwave which had quit, and the heater core, which also said good-bye.  We got the microwave almost down but the two of us could not lift it high enough to remove from the brackets.  Since it is a combo microwave/convection, it weighs 90 pounds - it has to wait for someone stronger so back up it went.  Then the work on the heater core. 

The dunes

But, Gerry's cousin was now at Mittry Lake, north of Yuma so it's time to move on. This area has long been a favourite spot of ours.  We get here to find that there are only a couple of units which means we have our choice of spots - we get a great one.   The trip is always enjoyable as we pass the Algones Sand Dunes which I find quite fascinating.

The view out our door

The repairs are now really going to begin.  The microwave comes off, check the voltage, turn on a breaker, and voila, microwave is repaired.  Now the heater core - a few more bolts and slowly, all the bolts necessary were removed and then we pondered on how to get it out.  By cutting a couple of holes, we got it done.  Some more colourful and descriptive language, and that is now off.  The next question - can we get it replaced or fixed.  By now it is late Friday so tomorrow, we start the quest.

The weather this week has been unbelievable.  The days are nice and warm, sometimes a bit breezy, and the nights cool off - you can't beat that.  Until next week, I hope you have a good one.