Happy New Year!!

It’s time to say good-bye to 2016 and to look forward to 2017.  As we look back, we are thankful for many things – our family who are always a source of pride and joy;  our friends with whom we  enjoy visiting; our own good health which has allowed us to have new adventures and to enjoy life as we prefer.

Afternoon coffee Christmas day

We just celebrated Christmas with friends in Yuma.  The day was pleasant – sunny and mild, the meal was delicious, and the friendship was fantastic.  It is almost the perfect combination.  Throw in some family and the grandkids and one couldn’t wish for anything more.

Fresh roasted coffee beans

 

One of the gifts we got was some hand roasted coffee.  While the entire process takes a while and probably takes more care and time than I would like, it makes a  marvelous cup of coffee and  the smell of the ground coffee is unbelievable.

 Our plans were to head out to Borrego Springs mid-week but that ended up being delayed.  A bit of a glitch held us back a few days as we had to wait for some parts.  Once they arrived and were installed we were on our way.  An early morning windstorm was a bit threatening  but it quickly lessened, the wind changed direction so we now had a tail wind which is the ultimate conditions when driving an RV.  There was some rain for about two-thirds of the way – more like a drizzle but enough to make an awful mess of everything so both Jeep and motorhome received another wash.

We passed a field of lettuce being harvested and I can’t imagine having to make a living as a vegetable field worker.  Every single head of lettuce is hand picked and wrapped in plastic before placing it on a conveyor belt only to be taken by hand and put in a box to go to the distribution centre.

 Then we pass the Algodones sand dunes.  With it being New Year’s weekend, they are full of all sorts of vehicles as enthusiasts race up and down the dunes.  They are also quite spectacular to see with miles of huge mounds of pure sand.

 At Borrego Springs we meet up with some folks and we will do a bit of off-roading.  Today we went up Grapevine Canyon – an easy trail up to the top of the mountains.  The view is every-changing, and beautiful – definitely one of my favourites in this area.  Tonight we celebrate New Years Eve –likely watch TV and see the ball drop in Times Square in New York – that is only 9 pm here so the timing is perfect.

 

I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy 2017.  Happy New Year to all!!!