Have you Seen the Sun??

We started the week with a final show of the weekend of fireworks at Lake Havasu.  While this last night’s show was rather anti-climactic because it certainly didn’t compare to the two previous nights; it still was quite a display.  The weekend get-together had, sadly, come to an end.  To end it in style, Gerry and a couple of other fellows took a hike down to the lake – round trip of 5 miles.  Although the weather was cool, it was sunny and it wasn’t long before the extra layer of jackets came off.

The following week was cold and while that term is relative, for this area and for this time of the year, it is cold.  It also rained off and on for a couple of days which covered the surrounding mountains in a nice layer of that white, cold fluff.  In fact, several highways were closed just north and east of us as well as the highway south of Las Vegas.

It is time to head a bit south, do some more visiting, and hopefully, have a bit milder weather.  We stopped at Quartzsite and spent a couple of days visiting friends who are slowly making their way north.  This also means a visit  into town to see what vendors are still around.  There aren’t very many of the vendors left but we did see and visit a few.  Some of the best parts is seeing some of the displays out in front of the vendors, or even some of the vendors themselves.

Sorry, but we didn't get a chance to go in!!

Every day seems to be getting a bit warmer, and with the nice clear blue skies, the sun is so inviting and pleasant.

This week has been a quiet week without much happening.   A twisted back means lots of time being a couch potato.  It also means that we just soak up those rays!!  Hopefully, for those of you up north, those rays will bring you lots of sunshine and some welcomed warmth.  Have a great week.

What a Show

What a show we saw the past couple of days. 

We came out to Lake Havasu City early so we could save some spots for the other four couples that were going to join us.  Fortunately, a couple of them came a bit earlier as the area was filling up very quickly.  A couple more couples came on Thursday amidst the pouring rain but hardy souls they were as they sloshed through the mud and got set up.  Now we are parked in the middle of an abandoned gravel pit so the top layer was fine although under that, it was a tad mucky.  And since it was Valentine's, a thoughtful couple gave everyone a gift bag - delicious.

Since we were the first ones here, I got to cook for the group the first night (only six of us that night).  Each night someone took a turn – it was terrific – no cooking for five more nights but great meals every evening.  You can’t beat that.  Plus, it was great to visit with everyone especially around our nightly fire;

however, on occasion, some did not find the company all that interesting!!!

We are surrounded by hills so daily, we would take a stroll up into the hills.  What magnificent views from on top.

Then was the annual Pyrotechnics show.  Nightly the fireworks show would start about 7:30 although there were many shot from 5:30 on.  The show was to end at 10:00 but some nights it continued until 10:30.  We attempted to go to the grandstand for the show last night as this show was to have been the biggest and best.  Tickets went on sale at 5:00 so we arrived at 4:30 – guess what – the parking was all full.   So up into the hills we went and finally found a spot (same area as the night before) to watch the show.  Well, the hills were packed!  Actually, when we went into town at 4:30, there were folks set up with picnic baskets and lawn chairs in the hills waiting for the 7:30 show to begin – crazy, I know.  But the show on Friday night was terrific, the one last night was amazing.  Never have we seen such a display of fireworks.

I have included a short video - hopefully it will work, but no guarantees!!

And the weather – it has been very cool (on the edge of cold in fact), lots of cloud, and a fair bit of rain.  This is so unusual for what we have experienced in the past.  Is it going to warm up before we head back home – we  hope so but who knows for sure.  The upside is that it’s not below freezing, no winter boots, and no shovels are needed.

Until next week, I hope everyone has a great week!!!

Moving Week

This week was moving week.  While we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Borrego Springs, it was time to move on.  Maybe we are just looking for sunshine and typically warmer temperatures.  The temperatures have definitely been cooler than we have experienced in past years, and the constant sunshine has been elusive.  But we must realize that this is February, and fortunately, we are not having to endure the brutally cold temperatures that has been in the north.

Since there has been a fair amount of rain the past few weeks, there were several rainbows but here is one first thing in the morning that was particularly beautiful.

Around Borrego Springs, there is always a trail to drive or a trail to hike.  A very popular one is slot canyon which is a narrow canyon only wide enough to walk down.  We started down but fortunately, the folks we were meeting were on their way up so I didn't have to try to fit through the very narrow spots.

  From there we went to see some morteros and pictographs which were created by the native Kumeyaay.  The morteros are the deep indentations created when the Kumeyaay women ground seeds.

With the additional rain, one must go looking at the wildflowers.  We stopped at the Ocotillo Wells ranger station as they had a great path with many desert plants and flowers labelled. 

Then it was off to see the flowers.  While the blooms have just started there are many to be seen - sand verbena, primrose, and my favourite, the desert lily.

As we were heading past Palm Springs, there was fresh snow on the mountains.

Now it was time to head off to Lake Havasu City.  There is a casino across the lake on the California side.  While the casino is small, the boat ride is the attraction (in our opinion).  We went over with another couple, had lunch, and came back.

On the way to the casino

On the way back

  As we were waiting for the boat, we came across an area where there were remote control boat races.  Do those little boats go!!

We finished the week off by going to a show - Garth Brooks tribute.  The show was quite good, with great music.  They also had a small tribute to Trisha Yearwood, and the gal that sang really did a terrific job.

This brings the week to a close.  Thanks for stopping by and stay warm!!

Just Hanging Around

It's been a rather quiet week.  We started the week by going for a bit of a drive to see if there were any flowers starting to bloom - yes they are!  There has been quite a bit of rain in this area over the past several months so the prediction is that there will be quite a display of wildflowers - and it has started.

With the weather rather pleasant, we took a hike up Palm Canyon in the state park.  We had done this hike a number of years ago, and from what I remember, it hasn't become any easier.  Of course, the first thing I want to do is take a photo - crap, the battery is dead.  Fortunately, we still had phones and they were charged.  But it is a lovely hike, the scenery is terrific, and if one is lucky, there are a fair number of big horn sheep in the canyon (there is usually water running).  The hike is 1.5 miles each way, uphill both ways!!   At the top of the hike, there is a group of palm trees where we enjoyed our lunch.  Actually coming back we decided to take the alternate route back.  Well, there sure was a lot of uphill to come down; however, this is also where we saw a number of big horn sheep.  There were some rams who were obviously trying to determine who was the "boss" (it is mating season); and there were also some young ones so it was amazing to see all of these fairly close up!  In all, my pedometer said it was 5.5 miles, my body just said "enough""!!  Here are a few of the photos we took.

Looking down the canyon

Notice how this rock is balanced on a log - it happened during a big flood of 2004

A view of the trail

Lunch

And some of the sheep.  Notice how well they blend in.  Often, if they are not moving, we can't spot them.

We also took a drive to Font's Point.   This is an overlook with a great view of the area badlands and, on a clear day, you can see out to the Salton Sea - a distance of about 20 miles.  The road is marked as a 4-wheel drive road but not necessarily so although since it is in a wash, it is quite rough and washboard, and they may be soft sand so one has to drive carefully.

The weather has been cool, and there has been a bit a rain this week.   And generally, the sky is clear all the time but not so this year.  There really has been more cloud than I remember.  We will not complain - the night lows dip down to about +10C which is great for sleeping.  The coyotes have been particularly active as some nights, you can hear them off in the distance at almost any time during the night.

Late one afternoon, there was an interesting contrail - one we hadn't seen before - a sharp angle.  It was unusual.

 

If you are not in a warmer clime - stay warm out there.  I see the temps are very cold and with the wind - yikes.  Have a great week!!