Merry Christmas

We hope that each and every one of you had a very Merry Christmas.  We celebrated Christmas with friends starting with Christmas Eve and an evening full of food and friendships.  Then there was Christmas Day - a repeat of the evening before.

We took a walk during the past week and love to go by a home which is large and unusual (for a desert landscape).  The owners were out and after chatting for a while, we were invited in.  Tucked in behind some shrubs was a nice sized swimming pool.  A fish pond was home for some sea turtles as well as some well-fed koi and wandering throughout the yard is a large desert turtle.
Throughout were various flowering shrubs - a definite treat to visit!

 

But one never knows what you might see on your walks.

Boxing day started with rain which at times was quite heavy.  There were flood warnings issued but it wasn't enough to create water levels high enough to stop traffic, but it did run over the roadway.

It was time to move to a different spot so off we went to Borrego Springs - a favourite spot.   On the way we pass the sand dunes which generally are teeming with various vehicles used for playing in the sand.  There were just a few vehicles out which was likely due to the rainfall from the day before.

Partway along the road, there were large numbers of bale stacks.  It must have been a great growing season.

We arrived at Borrego Springs and one of our plans is to attend a 4x4 rally.  Off we went to see the some of the folks who arrived early.  Lo and behold, one of the motorhomes found some very soft sand and managed get himself very stuck.  After a day of digging and towing (with vehicles), for some six or so hours, he was out.  While there are some really soft spots, the rain seemed to increase the problem.

We took a little drive to see how the oranges were and they have started to harvest them.  They gave us a few to sample but the trees are loaded.  As well, the palm trees have a fair number of dates on them.

A self serve fruit stand

The bags cover the dates to protect them

And this is the price of fuel - sure hope we don't need to buy any!!

This has been our past week - thanks for stopping by.  We hope you all have a great week and may you all have a Happy New Year!!

Week Before Christmas

Twas the week before Christmas and it was full of preparation for the coming holidays.  Well, it was just kind of full of preparation - mostly just having fun.  The weather has been fairly nice although the nights have been quite cool.

We took a drive out around some of the  places where we used to camp, or could camp.  Mittry Lake was always a favourite spot so it was time to check it out as we have not been there for several years.  They have even put in a designated camping area down by the water which is just a gravel parking area with specific spots marked out.

This little drive also gave us a chance to see some vegetable harvesting.  As always we marvel at the field workers and the incredibly hard tasks they do each and every day.  These workers are mainly, and perhaps all, Mexican workers. 

Around some of the fields they have these interesting bird houses which we understand to be owl houses.  These are to attract the owls which will keep away some of the other birds such as the doves which tend to be somewhat troublesome.

Then we stopped at a date farm so we could enjoy a date shake.  If you have never had one, they are thick, sweet, and delicious.

The area where we are staying always has an annual light  parade.  While we were not able to get any quality photos, it was quite a parade.  Most of the vehicles were ATV's although there were also Jeeps, golf carts, old cars, trailers - you name it.  There were even a couple of electric bikes.  Each and every one of them had a variety of lights, and showed many unique ways to decorate their vehicle.  We estimated that there were a hundred or so vehicles as it really was quite long.  An enjoyable parade which was accompanied by good company with all of us enjoying pizza.

The week was an enjoyable week which, unfortunately, it ended on a sad note.  Our daughter's family pet very suddenly crossed the rainbow bridge leaving a very empty spot in everyone's heart.  Roman was a special dog who came into their home as a rescue and had a wonderful personality.  He will never be forgotten - RIP Roman.

Next week we will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of jolly old St. Nick.  Thanks for stopping by - may each and every one of you have a very Merry Christmas.

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Yup, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  This week I finally got the tree out and got the motorhome decorated (as much as I do) which sure helped to get into the Christmas spirit.  Today I did a bit of baking to start!

We've gone over to Mexico  a few times this past week - a couple of times our friend Gary drove us in and a couple of times we parked on the United States side and walked over.  Actually the reason he drove us over is a couple of things: 1) he has insurance coverage on his vehicle, 2) we were all going to have lunch as there is a little restaurant that has killer Chile Rellenos, and 3) he doesn't want to walk!!  The wait going back is really quite long, especially if you drive but it can also be rather interesting.

A side street in Algodones, Mexico

A Guatamalian migrant looking for money to avoid deportation.  I have blurred her face for privacy reasons

This past week was full moon.  Here in Yuma they have "Howling at the Moon" at every full moon which includes vendors and live music.  We had full intentions of going but it just didn't work  out this time.

The area is always interesting to walk around and it is often surprising what one sees.  It is great that there isn't a lot of traffic so it's easy to gawk around.

An interesting lawn ornament

Look at those incredibly long pods on this tree

This tree is loaded with grapefruit.  Picking is this week and we have been invited to stop back to get some.

Thanks for stopping by my short little story this week.  Have a great week, stay warm if you are in the north, and have a great week.

Week Two in Yuma

Here we are - still in Yuma and having a great time.  In order to keep busy, I have been going to exercise three times a week.  While the program is not particularly strenuous, it makes me feel great, especially when exercising with a fun group.

In between, I spent part of the week shampooing the carpet in the motorhome - another job done for, hopefully, quite a long time!  That was my project for this past week.

I went for lunch with some friends and one of the gal's late husband was a sub mariner.  He was instrumental in creating a replica submarine which is often in local parades.

We decided that we should take a trip into Algodones, Mexico, where there is an abundance of dentists, opticians, and pharmacies as well a liquor stores and other services.  On the menu was to get a hair cut, visit a dentist, pick up some creams from the pharmacy, and last, but not least - visit the liquor store.

First was a hair cut and one can really get their money's worth - $8.00 for a ladies cut and I must say it is worth every penny.  The cut was great although it is a bit shorter than I would have preferred but the bright side - it is easy to look after, and in five or six weeks or so, I will be looking for another haircut.

Then it was off to the dentist where again, the price is simply a fraction of what it would have been at home.  As it turned out, one can get a whole new denture for the cost of repairing one at home.  There certainly is a huge choice of dentists.

A sample of the variety of dentists just in one short block

Off to lunch at our favourite sidewalk café - the menu is very varied so it is easy to order your favourite Mexican dish.

Finally, the liquor store - you don't want to have to carry around bottles of liquor for too long.  There were three of us so we were able to get three bottles of Macadamia liquer.  I have only found it here in Mexico and in a limited number of stores.  It is one of the smoothest, tastiest drinks around.

We also attended the "Welcome Back" party held by the business in Algodones welcoming the snowbirds.  There was entertainment, free food, free margaritas and/or beer as well as some product samples.  

Gerry trying to win a prize - no luck

We thoroughly enjoyed the festivities except it started to rain and everyone decided on heading home at the same time - that meant a two and a half hour wait in the line to cross the border.

A lovely house along the street

In Yuma there are a lot of advertisements for Algodones.  Here is one in Algodones for Yuma!!

We got home just before another rainfall - almost half inch last night.  If this keeps up, it will be another spring with great wildflowers.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope each and every one of you have a great week!!

Off to Yuma

Sorry I am running a little late.  One would think that it has been a super busy week but; it hasn't been busy but it has been enjoyable.

We arrived in Yuma at the beginning of the week and are now parked on our friend's lot.  This week, on Thursday, our American friends and neighbours celebrated their Thanksgiving.  We were fortunate to be invited to a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner.  I thought it would be great to take some photos of our feast but instead of taking my camera I decided that I would use my phone instead.  But the phone stayed in my purse so of course, no photos.

There was, however, quite a rain and wind storm - so glad that we finally got our leak found and fixed.  I had hoped to get some photos of how a rainstorm can turn into flooding waters.  Since it all happened at night - no photos.

Black Friday was a day of numerous sales.  We did make a visit to one store which confirmed the great crowds that were out stopping.  While we did get some bargains, we did have to wait in line for about half an hour.  Fortunately, we are not that busy so the wait was not a problem.  In fact we even made another trip today and the crowds were definitely less.

Yuma is a great place to visit and is quite pretty and have attached a couple of photos.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope everyone has a great week!!

  

A Change in Weather

A tough week!!  The sunshine left, we had wind and rain, and the lovely temperatures we’ve been having are gone although the sun is back and it certainly is a bit nicer.  As a result, we have stuck pretty close to home.  It was really nice to see a couple of rainbows after the rainstorms.

I got some sewing done so we now have new wheel covers for the motorhome.  We have been looking for some for a while now and were having trouble trying to find the correct size.  Well, I got all four done and was very pleased with myself on the finished  product.

There is quite a lot of controversy regarding the wall being built along the Mexican border so of course we had to take a drive to see it.  There are several sections, some long and some shorter, not very far from where we are.  This wall is about thirty feet high and is being built in sections.  I have included several photos – I will let you be the judge of how it looks.  There is also a lot of controversy about this wall regarding the usefulness, the effectiveness, and the cost – some say yea and some say nay, and often the comments are not that subtle.

We go for a daily walk and you never know what you might see – here is an interesting cactus that makes you wonder why it became so gnarly.

I have noticed, particularly in the southern part of Arizona, there are quite a number of shrines.  I believe that these are in honour of someone who have been killed in an accident at that particular spot.  Some are quite simple, and some are very elaborate,

An as usual, I can’t miss including another amazing sunset!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Down to Ajo

This week was moving week as we had spent our allowed time of two weeks near Tucson.  So we drove a few hours west to an area just south of Why, AZ which is about thirty miles just north of the Mexican border.


Just before we parked, we had to dump our sewer and fill with fresh water.  In the midst of a parking lot that at one time was a service station is a water tap.  I tasted it and the water tasted great so we filled up.  As we were filling, a large motorhome, towing a car, came off the highway onto the lot.  For some reason, he chose to leave the highway far faster than we would have – that motorhome bounced and rocked across the lot – I imagine a cupboard or two got re-arranged.  That all done, we drove out to the area and were able to park in quite a nice spot.

A desert woodpecker on a tall cactus

And you never know when you might have to lend a helping hand.  The washes, while not necessarily very deep, they usually have some pretty soft sand.  Here is where we got to use the Jeep as a tow vehicle.

As usual, we went for our daily walk, and as usual, we often stop to chat with other folks who are parked along our walk.  We stopped to chat with a couple that were true believers in extraterrestrial beings.  They shared a number of things – there were subs and cruise ships in outer space and anti-gravity devices are used.  They speak to the “beings” on numerous occasions.


The weather has been absolutely wonderful.  This gave me the opportunity to refinish a stand that I felt would just perk it up.  I brought it out, set it up, sanded it and started to varnish it  - oops – the varnish slipped out of my hand.  It is unbelievable how a small amount can spatter.  In my rush to get it off of my glasses, and to wash my shirt, I forgot that it may have spattered on to my hair.  Well, it did, and after it dries, there is no washing it out.


It was time to go into a larger town which is only ten miles away, Ajo, AZ, to get some groceries.   With it being Saturday, there were markets and a festival at a church. 

The church where the festival was held

There was a Mexican band that were very good and they did a great rendition of The Orange Blossom Special.  They also had a group of young girls dancing.  It was a real joy.

The town has a large artist’s school, complete with dormitories,  which is evident with all the murals in town.  There is even an alley called Artist’s Alley.

This is a great idea for the kids

One of the areas had a lot of old and different things.  I came across  this small poster which I thought was so incredibly true.

From 1916 to 1985, there was a huge copper mining operation in town.  While it is no longer operational, there is a view point at the top of the mine.  It is one and a half miles across and twelve hundred feet deep at which has quite a deep lake at the bottom which is spring fed.  There was a couple at the information centre who were incredibly knowledgeable.  The man worked at the mine for 40 years so he and/or his wife, know pretty well everything about this mine.  When you consider that the mine closed almost 35 years ago, he worked there for 40 years – well you can do the math on his approximate age.

 From there we visited the museum  - the curator was very informative.

Mid-week, some folks we had met while at Tucson, came and camped near us.  It is great fun to get together for our evening happy hour.


Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to next week.  I hope you all have a great week!