More Off-Roading

Slot Canyon

This past week has been spent mostly on the trails as well as a move.  We started the week at Borrego Springs where we met some folks from Texas who were eager to go on some trails so that we did.

First trip out was to hike slot canyon which as about two miles round trip.  As soon as we came to a particularly narrow spot, I headed back while everyone else went to the end.  I made sure that the vehicles stayed safe.

Then we went to spot where there was a spring and several palm trees are growing.  It's kind of neat to see this green spot in the middle of the desert.  Then we carried on until we got high centered going over a ridge so the newbies did a rescue.  Unfortunately the day ended on a sad note as one of the fellows slipped going down the hill and broke his hip.  What a long trip it was for him as we were about four miles from the highway and then another fifty miles to the hospital.  Reports say that he is recovering nicely.

Tow Job

Then it was time to move to Quartzsite for some more 4-wheeling. Here we went up over mountain ridges and then down into washes - a number of times I might add.  As well friends from Yuma came up so it was a great few days of visiting and driving.  Then it was time to go to the RV show.  There is a huge tent set up full of vendors selling all sorts of things.  Of course one has to go to see what you just can't live without.

Just a couple of places in Quartzsite

Here are some of the things we see out on the trails

This is a pack rat nest.  They gather up pieces of the cholla cactus and build this nest - protected from predators.

Petroglyphs

Saguaro Moccasin - birds create holes in the cactus and build nests.  The cactus forms scar tissue around the nest.  This is what you find when the cactus dies.

Here is a wildlife watering hole.  A spillway is created from the mountain which goes into a tank.  There are concrete steps down to the water for the wildlife.

Here are a couple of samples of different cactus

This is up, up and over the mountain

Now it is time for a couple of days rest and then some friends are arriving tomorrow so it will be off to the playground again.  We will try and see some new scenery.  Looking forward to the coming week.

It's been a good week, a busy week!!  I hope every one of you had a great week and may the week upcoming be great as well.  Until next week...........

Back to the Desert

We headed back south mid-week after a great trip home.  While the temperatures were mighty frigid at the start of our stay, they certainly warmed up.  Over the years we have flown home for a week partway through the winter.  As always, it is never cold or mild the entire week, it either cold at the beginning or at the end - I guess it is just a reminder of what we are able to avoid.

Flying into Calgary at sunrise

Love to see the snowy mountains (from above)

Solar farms just south of Las Vegas

It was great to have a visit with the kids and attend some of their activities.  Plus a brief visit with friends and neighbours was fit in our week.  Then it was back  to some warmer temps - Palm Springs was 27C - just about perfect.  We picked up some groceries and then back to the motorhome - we arrived just in time for happy hour!!

The first chore was to replace the hinge on our bay door.  Gerry and I had planned on doing it ourself because how hard could it be.  Well, it took five of us two hours and our bay door was back on.  What a job that was - we were certainly thankful for the help of friends and neighbours.

We even had a day to just relax and enjoy  the wonderfully warm temperatures before the winds blew and the temperatures fell.  Since it was too chilly to sit outside and enjoy the sun, we decided to trip out on some backroads with another couple.  Someone mentioned how great it would be to be a kid with the giant boulders.  I guess that they must be in their second childhood as some of them clambered over rocks to reach the top.  Unfortunately, I was designated as the photographer so I was unable to join them.

Up and over, or around?

An usual tree - no idea what kind!

A few more days here around Borrego Springs and then it will be time to move on.  We had a great week ad I hope you all did as well.  And may you have a great week next week!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

This past week has been very varied as we took a brief hiatus from the desert warmth.  We did start the week making a trip up Coyote Canyon.  It is amazing at the difference in the vegetation in the past week to ten days.  The last time we took the drive, there were no signs of any blooming.  On this trip, we were thrilled to see some of the ocotillos blooming and a few agave plants (century plant) are starting to bloom.  The ocotillos appear to be totally dead but there are spears of orangish-red flowers.  And the agave starts out by looking much like an aloe plant with a spear similar to asparagus growing up the centre and is eventually topped by clusters of blossoms.  The best part was seeing some desert melons.  They looked good enough to eat but I was afraid to try them as I wasn't sure if they were edible.

Mid-week, it was time to head back home for a brief visit.  While we arrived to frigid temperatures, we were greeted by some warm hearts.  It was great to see the kids and spend great time visiting with them.  We have always said the it is January but it is never cold the entire time we are home - it is usually warm when we arrive or when we leave.  Well, this year it is definitely when we leave.

The biggest challenge is the freezing rain the day before we came home which created a dangerous, slippery surface.  Unbelievably, the streets are all pretty good - parking lots and driveways - not so much.  We were told to walk like a penguin to try to avoid a fall - so far so good - let's hope it continues.

Our trip is winding to an end and by next week this time, we will be out of the ice and cooler temperatures.  Until then, I hope everyone has a great week, and for those of you who are living with the ice conditions, be careful and stay safe!!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy New Year!!

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and may you be blessed with health and happiness during 2018 and every year following.  I would also like to say "З Різдвом", or Merry Christmas in Ukrainian as today is Christmas Eve in the Gregorian Calendar.

New Year's Eve started with a great sunset and was celebrated around a huge bonfire with friends from the 4x4 community.  As is the tradition out in the desert,  the New Year's eve bonfire is enhanced as folks bring their Christmas trees to add to the fire.  One of the fellows brought out their tree, although quite small, but when added to the fire it produces incredible heat.  I can't imagine the heat when you add dozens of trees as some do.  New Year's day was celebrated with a potluck brunch.  What a great way to bring in 2018 with great food on a perfect day!

We made several trips out onto the backroads and one never knows what you might find.  Sometimes it is street signs and sometimes it is some pictographs and beautiful desert scenery.  One must remember that the street signs likely have nothing to do with indicating your location.

A great showing of hedgehog cactus

A cactus growing in a crevice in a rock

We moved to a different spot about a mile down the road.  We nicely got all set up and decided to check the batteries  As a result, we got to fabricate a bay door as the hinge on the orginal one broke.  As we were deciding on what we should do, I went into the motorhome and found this little fellow. 

Before we could do anything more, Gerry had to deal with a bird - lesson - make sure you close the screen door.  Then it was back to the bay door.  The first one was a prototype (actually was made a bit small) but the second one turned out pretty well.  Last year a fellow had his awning replaced so instead of having them throw it into the garbage, we took the old one - now it has become a flexible bay door!!  

Today, we were taken on a road trip out into the mountains just to the west of us.  What marvelous scenery we got to enjoy after a delicious Mexican lunch in Ramona, CA.  What an enjoyable day.

The road was fairly narrow so this was a safety feature

 A view from the road

While orchards and vineyards were pretty common, this

was quite unusual - cactus garden?? Not sure!

A camel farm - apparently they sell camel milk

Where we are parked, the area is surrounded by mountains.  What a treat to wake up to this view each morning.

I hope you have a great week!!