Another Trip Done!!

Time just seemed to have quickly passed and I missed my last week’s update so today I will update you on the past two weeks which is the end of our winter sojourn.

We met some friends about an hour west of Phoenix near Tonopah, AZ.  The scenery was beautiful but there seemed to be an incredible number of pesky flies – not biting thank goodness, but super annoying.  While we were there we went into Phoenix a couple of times.  Once we visited an RV salvage in search of some treasures.  Unfortunately it was more of a junkyard and there were no treasures to be had.  We also went in to have supper with our friend’s brother and wife – a truly enjoyable evening.  We also spent a couple of days just driving around touring the countryside.  Since there had been a fair bit of rain in the desert this past winter, the flowers are abundant making some great backdrops.

In some areas must of the land is free range so there are signs warning that there may be cattle.  One highway had numerous cattle guards and before each guard, there was a sign on the highway to watch for cattle.

Not far from where we were camped were some petroglyphs so we drove out to see them.  They obviously tell a story but no one has been able to interpret what they were telling.  We also drove out to see courthouse rock.  I must say that it took a bit of imagination to see the court house as we didn’t have any preconceived notion as to what a court house should look like.

Time moved on and it was time to head home.  We took a less travelled road when we left which was a great choice – no traffic and great scenery.  Once we hit Las Vegas, the less travelled road was no longer and it was interstate time.  The trip home was tiring but uneventful which is what one wants.  The skies were overcast with some light mist and/or drizzle but the temperatures stayed above freezing and there was no wind – just about perfect driving.  Three and a half days on the road and we are home.  Here are some photos of the great scenery.

I hope you enjoyed my weekly (sometimes weakly) updates.  I will now take a break until our next trip which is planned for next fall as we once again hope to head south.  Until then, I hope everyone has good health and a great summer.

Mountains in Arizona

This past week was spent doing some off-roading in the Arizona mountains just east of Phoenix.  It was a week of good news, bad news, good news and of highs and lows. In spite of the weather - some which was rainy, windy, and cold, we saw some incredible scenery.

We spent four days on the trails where we saw beautiful stands of cactus including several crested saguaros.  A crested saguaro has a fan-like shape at the top and is rather rare.  There are several thoughts on why the occasional cactus tends to have a crest but one theory is a genetic mutation.

The first day out resulted in a lost phone; however, with some tracking and a stroke of luck, a couple of days later, I got my phone back and working.

As I noted earlier, we had an elusive leak in one of the slides.  Well - no more!!  We had a day of rain and the leak has been fixed.  Still not sure exactly where it was but Gerry sealed all the screws on the trims and all is now good.

The temperatures got down almost to freezing one night - that is frost on the jeep the next morning.

Last summer we bought a little travel trailer to take up north.  This week it sold which is nice to have gone.  It was a great little trailer but we no longer have a use for it - someone else's turn to enjoy it!

The town of Florence is southeast of Phoenix.  One afternoon we went into this little town.   The visitor centre encouraged visitors with the rocking chairs out front and a checker board.  This town also has an absolutely amazing True Value hardware store. The stock, and variety is second to none.  In fact, Gerry has been looking for a replacement part for a soldering iron for a number of years - he found it in this store.

I haven't posted many photos the past few weeks.  This week I am making up for that as I will post a lot of the amazing scenery we saw - from canyons, to river crossings to mountain highs.  I hope you enjoy them.

We left Florence this morning to an area east of Phoenix.  Driving through Phoenix can sometimes be quite an harrowing experience.  The traffic in our direction was not particularly heavy and we made some good time.  Such was not the case for the traffic going in the opposite direction.  There was a special event being held (I have not idea what it was as I wasn't able to find anything on it) so the traffic was lined up for nearly 25 kms before it thinned out.  So glad that wasn't us.

Now for a week of relaxation before we head north.  I see Mr. Weatherman is predicting some warmer temps so hopefully the snow will be gone.

I hope you enjoy  the photos and may you have a great week!

Another Week - Another Address

Another week of relaxing and taking it easy with some nice temperatures, finally.  The sun was shining and other than one day of wind, the weather was just about perfect – can’t beat that.  An added bonus is that my back is getting better every day and hopefully, I will be like brand new real quickly.  We did get some great visiting in - here are the fellows having a good time!!

We did make a trip to Mexico where we stocked up on a couple of bottles of macadamia liqueur – that is the best, either on ice or with a bit of cream.  Unfortunately, stocking up only means bringing back one bottle each as that is all that we are allowed.  Going into Algodones has certainly changed over the years.

Our friend Gary had had some tests done this past week and one of them was a nuclear stress test.  They gave him a little card in case he went through a screening.  Well, sure enough, he was pulled over and told to go sit in jail (actually a screened in area) while they tested him to verify that the radioactive material was exactly what was listed on his card. 

Then they let him go.

Once again we tried to find the elusive leak in our slide.  We took the topper off and Gerry climbed up and scrubbed the surface.  Then we tried the bubble test – we were able to blow air into  the area while Gerry was on the outside painting the surface with bubble liquid to see if  there were any bubbles – nope.  We used kid’s bubbles as it doesn’t usually need much air to make bubbles.  The idea was great, the outcome wasn’t.  Now our solution is to simply pull in the slide if it rains hard as it doesn’t leak at that time.

We had a great visit with Gary and Marleen but we have to move on.  This week there is a 4x4 rally in Florence, AZ which we are going to attend.  On our way, we stopped at a county park near Casa Grande.  We had parked there many times in the past.  Rumour was that since it was free, they were having trouble with squatters so they closed it down.  It is now open again, $10/night, and once again is a great place to park.  And a beautiful sunset!

A new week will begin with some new roads and some new sights which I will share with  you next week.  Until then, have a great week.

Finally - Great Weather

Gosh, it sure is hard to try to find something interesting to share with you when the week was spent so quietly.  We decided to head a bit south to Yuma where we finally found some great weather which we have been waiting for – for a couple of months.  Now we have warm weather and lots of sunshine – what’s not to love?

Almost a couple of weeks ago I hurt my back .  During the first week it meant very slow movements and mostly hobbling around.  Fortunately, it is finally starting to feel better, although still not great.   I still have to be careful when I move as it is pretty sensitive yet.

One tends to see quite a variety in RV’s and I thought I would include a couple of the more unique ones.  One looks like it is home made – perhaps from a trailer.  It was towed by a big semi truck and looked like it had quite a bit of solar.

Then there are a couple of modified vehicles that become a tiny home for someone.

We got to celebrate a 78^th birthday this week.  Our friend Gary reached milestone so we all went to the Olive Garden for a delicious supper, some laughs, a great time and still home by 9.

I am very short of information but that is what happens after a week of sitting around enjoying the weather.  I see that the folks up north hope to finally have some moderation in the weather and likely not too soon.

Have a great week!!