Flying High!

This has been a week of heights!!  We started the week back home and this year, for once, we didn’t have to endure the frigid temperatures as has been the case in years past.  While it was fairly cold for a day or so, it was certainly bearable.  BUT, we left in the nick of time – the next morning it was -30C without the windchill.

The flight home was on time which was nice.  Unfortunately, Gerry had the stomach flu the night before so his flight wasn’t quite as comfortable as mine was.  We arrived in Palm Springs, got groceries, drove for an hour back and by shortly after ten, that bed was so-o-o inviting!

We planned on a day of rest but we saw a large military plane circling around and soon we saw a group of paratroopers across the sky.  Off we go to watch them land – but where are they landing?  We drove around and soon found their landing spot.  Since this spot was quite a ways away, they had all landed and were packing up their chutes.  In chatting with them, they were from the United Kingdom and were here for two weeks on a training mission.  Hopefully we will be able to have a closer look this week.

The Landing spot

Then it was off to a sky sailing school to take a ride on a glider with our friends, Rick and Chris.  Our original plan was for each of us to go up separately which would allow us to actually fly the glider.  It turned out that by doing so, one of us would go up and then the same instructor (pilot) would take the other of us up.  Because that would have someone having to wait for us, we opted to both go in the same glider and just sit back and relax.  It was amazing to be able to see the Salton Sea out one side, and the Pacific Ocean out the other.  I am including a couple of photos taken from the camera attached to one wing.

Before the ride

Still being towed

Down - safe and sound

After the ride we went for a nice lunch at a gold club, and then took a road up into the mountains that we had seen from the air.  It was a marvelous road that led to a campground – unfortunately, the gate was locked before we actually got to the campground itself.  The scenery on the drive up was terrific.

An especially big rock

An unusual acorn!

Up in the mountains just behind us are some great hiking trails.  On one of them is a sort of fort built with a resting area (rock) where you can look over the valley below.  There is also an area where different things are made out of rock – specifically “The Snake”.  Around it are several other things made from different shapes and colours of rock – butterfly, turtle, flowers, etc.  It is quite a unique little area.  It’s about a two mile walk up the mountain.

Since we got back it has been pure sunshine.  While the temperatures have been pleasant, it hasn’t been hot.  Just keep the sunshine coming.  I hope you have a great week and will be back next week!

Back to the Cold

This is comprised of a couple of short weeks – one made up of some hiking, visiting, and warmer temps.  The other is made up of cold weather, snow, and more visiting.

The week started with a trip to Coyote Canyon and we started up the trail to Alcoholic Pass – the opposite side of our attempt from the week before.  On this side, the trail is quite steep.  Needless to say, we did not reach the top although some got a bit closer than others.  While the view is amazing, it definitely is a “huff and puff” trail.

The ocotillo is, here too, very green and most are in full bloom.  This is due to the extra moisture the desert has been receiving which is also evident when driving through some of the water crossings.

Part way through the week it was a cloudy, and drizzly day – generally the skies are clear and blue day after day – not so the case this year.  There have been a number of cloudy and cool days.

This is our week to head home for a visit.  As we were driving to Palm Springs to catch our flight, it was extremely foggy  - another unusual thing.  It mostly cleared by the time we reached Palm Springs but it was still an overcast day!

We had a good trip home although the flight into Regina was a half hour late – made for a later night for our daughter who came to pick us up but it was great not to have to hail a taxi and have a ride in a nice warm car.  When we arrived home – another surprise.  Our other daughter had put in a care package in our fridge consisting of some fruit, sandwich makings, and prepackaged soup mix.  That was on one side of the fridge.  On the other side, was a care package from our neighbor consisting of soup, muffins, sweets and milk for cereal.  A person is sure blessed!!

The weather was cold but continued to get colder as the week progressed.  Sometimes I went outside, sometimes I didn’t.  Actually it isn’t unbearable – dress warmly, and start the car so it is warm, and you are good to go.  But the best is seeing the kids – young and old.   Tonight it is snowing but the temperatures are going to rise somewhat.  It is winter so we expect it to be cold.  We are very fortunate as by mid-week, we will be back south to, hopefully, warm and sunny days.

Thanks for stopping by – hope you come back next weekend.  Have a great week!!

Still in Borrego Springs

This past week was spent at Borrego Springs – some days we went out for a drive, and some days, we just stayed at home and went for a stroll into the mountains right behind us. 

The weather has been somewhat cooler although with the sunshine, it has been most pleasant.  We did get some rain but it has been mainly at night and the moisture is certainly welcome.  With this moisture, there should be a great display of desert flowers come spring.  

When out on a drive, the mountainsides are turning green and the ocotillos (often seen as dry spiny bushes) are green and in full bloom.  In fact one evening after a short shower, it was pretty neat to see the sun shining through the clouds and a short rainbow.

We started the week by going out on a hike to Alcoholic Pass.  I know, you didn’t know that we hiked but the shorter, easier ones are really fun.  I thought Alcoholic Pass was a good one to start with because it sounded like there might be refreshments at the top – but no cigar!! The normal trail for the hike is quite steep and difficult but our friends, Rick and Chris, seem to know an easier route which makes the hike accessible and fun.

Of course Tuesday night is Taco night.  You can’t beat a taco for $1.25 so of course, we all went.  We got to sit out on the patio with a blazing fire near us.  It was so nice and cozy on a cool, crisp evening.

One day we went off to the wind caves.  This is on a trail down a wash through split mountain – a very scenic trail. 

Then the hike up to the wind caves which are sandstone caves and formations created by wind erosion.

As we were going along the trail, I saw something scurry over the edge further up the trail – a group of five mountain sheep were just across a ravine.  In all the years we have been coming down and going out and about, this is the first time we have seen mountain sheep.

Then it was off on another road trip to see Eagle Rock.  On our way out, there on the edge of the highway up the mountain was another group of mountain sheep. 

Normally the hike to Eagle Rock which is an interesting rock formation and is about three miles each way, Rick and Chris know a different access spot – only half mile across the field.

On our way back we stopped at an old mission back from 1830.  It is still in use today and we were able to go inside.

The week ended with a shower in the morning, sunshine most of the day, and a shower in the evening.  This evening there was even a fair amount of thunder which is quite unusual.

As you can see, there are all different sorts of transportation.  I looked out the window and saw these modified recumbent bicycles.

Thanks for stopping by and may you have a great week!

Happy New Year from Borrego Springs

Happy New Year to All!  2018 has gone and we can welcome in 2019.  2018 has certainly been a year of ups and downs but it ended on the up side and we are able to escape the snow and cold!!

We left the big city of Phoenix and headed to Borrego Springs and met with a group of folks to do some off-roading.  They were holding a rally but we did arrive late which is no problem.   One never knows what one might see for "traffic"!

The first day out was New Year’s Eve – the weather was cool and kind of drizzly all day.  The rain stopped in the early evening so there was a big bonfire.  But it was cool, and damp, so I decided that the new year will come even if we stayed inside where it was nice and warm and cozy.

On New Year’s day there was a pot luck brunch.  That morning was cool but clear and sunny and beautiful.  But, when it rains and it gets really cold, it snows and that’s what there was in the mountains around us.  There was a fair bit of snow even a couple of days later as we went for a drive up the mountains.

There apparently has been a fair bit of rain in the area.  This year the ocotillos are green and many are in bloom.

While the new year came in great, Gerry came down with a cold/flu the following day and ended up spending the day in bed. He had a fairly bad cough for a couple of days but it seems to be pretty well gone with just a bit of cough left.  I have been careful not to get too close as I certainly do not want to catch it.

We did get to go on a few off road trips.  We went by Hawk Canyon - it is a great drive, and there were a lot of folks camped out there.  It is true wilderness camping away from all traffic and noise.

The gathering has pretty well come to an end so we moved a bit down the road to a place that is called Peg Leg where we have joined several friends.  We look forward to the coming week and few off-road trips.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope they everyone has a great week!!