A Week of Scenery

This week was moving week once again and as always, saying good-bye is a sad time.  We have been with a group of folks for a couple of weeks - some new friends, and some old friends, but all friends.  Our daily happy hours (or happy two hours) have been greatly enjoyed.

We started the week by taking a drive through Graffiti Hill, or No Name Hill, or Valley of Names - depending on the name you prefer.  This is an area where people have created signs and names out by placing rocks and some of them are very creative while some are quite plain.  These designs go on for miles and are really quite a spectacle.

We have headed north to Quartzsite, Arizona with a friend and did a bit of off-roading.  Some of the trails were a bit rocky, through washes, up and down hills but regardless of the terrain, the views have been amazing.  While we have been in this area many times in the past, we have never been to some of these places.

As the weather warms up, the flowers seem to be showing their beauty on a regular basis  with different ones showing in different areas.

Even flowers line the highway

We took a drive out to Palm Canyon and then hiked up to the end of the trail.  While the trail itself was only 1.3 miles return trip, the change in altitude was just under 500 feet.  Well, after a number of rest stops, I was able to huff and puff up to the end of the trail.  Here there is a small grouping of palm tress growing.

Before taking the hike up to the palms, we took a drive through Kofa Queen Canyon which had some amazing scenery.

A bird nest in a cactus

Some interesting cloud formations

There seems to be a new airport in the town of Quartzsite, or at least I have never seen it there before.  They have some pretty low flying aircraft that one has to watch out for. 

Early this morning it started to rain and at times it rained quite heavy but for short periods of time.  While we didn't have a great deal of rain, it sure looked like we quite a downpour.

I have a hummingbird feeder on a stand.  There is a hummer that sits on the stand and watches and protects his food.  Then he goes and has a good drink and then sits on guard again - even when it rains.  They are sure interesting little critters.

When the sun rises and sets, the mountains tend to have a golden hue.

I hope everyone has a great week.

A Great Week

The week started with some added moisture.  We went into Yuma and had lunch with some friends at the Olive Garden - great meal and a terrific but short visit! We also had some rain although some places got more of a downpour than did others - we were fortunate that where we were camped there was a bit less rain.

We made a couple of off-road runs this past week.  The first was to American Girl mine which we continued to follow trails until we got  back to camp.  There is a large pit from the mining days which we drove down to the bottom of this pit way down there. 

Looking down into the mine

And one never knows what could be found along the way. 

At the bottom of the mine

There were also a few ATV's along the trail.  One of these folks came over to see where we were from - they were from Holdfast, just a short way from home.  While American Girl mine was the main area, there were various  old mines along the way.

A mine entrance

Inside the mine

Throughout our little trek, we did drive along some fairly rocky washes.  I have to give our friend Bonnie kudos for driving this day through some rather challenging areas!

For the past couple of years Gerry has been wanting to paint the roof of the Jeep with some paint to which he had added some insulating beads.  Well, finally, he got it done.  We will see the true effect of this some of the hot summer days.

We take a day or so to just relax or to do some chores, and then it's off to explore.  This next trip we went over to Pichacho State Recreation Area which is over Indian Pass and on the Colorado River.  The scenery is unbelievable. 

Before reaching the recreation area we went through Bear Canyon to Bear Canyon Falls which would be spectacular when there is water running over it.

On the way to bear canyon falls

A rope to climb up the falls

On our way back we drove through a challenging canyon - more challenging for some than for others.

It fit

Coming around the tight corner

Couldn't get through forwards so had to back through - yikes

And of course, there is starting to be quite a spectacular display of flowers.

Brittle Bush

And once again, I have to share one of the beautiful sunsets that we get to see quite regularly.

Thanks for stopping by, and hope you will join us again next week.  Until then, I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Time to Move

We have been at Peg Leg at Borrego Springs for quite some time so it is time to move on.  While we did go on a couple of short off-road trips, most of the week was spent saying good-bye.  Also had to do a last Taco Tuesday, and go to Carlees (restaurant known to have great burgers).  And say good-bye to the humming birds that were always eating - such feisty little fellows.

While the plan was to make the 120 mile trip over two days we did manage to to do it all in one day!!!  We stopped and picked up groceries, and carried on past the sand dunes

and over to a place called Ogilby Road - an area we had camped at numerous times quite a number of years ago.  Here we met with a friend and will meet up with several others over the next couple of days.

We are not surrounded by mountains but have mountains on one side and sand dunes on the other. 

Watching the sun set the other day was much like when we were in Hawaii - one minute it was there and the next minute it was gone.

Since it is quiet here for a day or so, it is time to do a few chores such as get an oil change in the Jeep which was number one!  What a shocker it was for Gerry when everyone wanted 80.00 US$ (translates to about 108.00 C$).  He did find one for $55 which was good.

It sounds like the weather at home has been pretty nice which certainly helps to shorten up the winter.  We have certainly been enjoying the nice nice and medium Goldilocks said "it's just about right". 

 I hope everyone has a great weeek.

Week of Fun

This past week has had wonderful weather - not hot but pleasant and very little wind.  With great weather, one just has to have some fun.  We started by taking a bit of a drive to see the other side of last week's trip.  This was to the other side of "The Squeeze" that I had mentioned last week where we went as far as the Pinyon Drop-Off.  These two areas of not accessible by us so we can only look from the other side.  Some of the road out was a bit rough but certainly doable.

Lunch at Split Rock

From the bottom of an impossible hill (for us)

Things one finds in the desert???

We also took a trip out to Coyote Canyon in search of some flowers.  We had been out there a few weeks back and had seen a couple of blooming Yucca plants (also known as Century plant).  The ones that were there are done blooming and there were no new ones.  However, there are a few flowers that are starting to bloom.

One of the local churches held a garage sale on their parking lot.  Some had found some treasures; however, we went home almost empty handed which is probably a good thing.

Up on the mountain behind us, some creative folks have used their creativity to create some designs.  In the  past I have shown the snake which annually seems to get some additional enhancements.  Most recently is a wave and a surfer.

The Snake

A coyote howling at the moon

The surfer with a big wave

I generally try to get this weekly blog out on Saturday but with preparations for Super Bowl festivities, it is a tad late.  There were fourteen of us sitting outside one of the RV's enjoying some refreshments, a potluck supper, and watching the game.  There has been a real community develop in the area where we are staying  Every day is enjoyed with a  great group of folks.

The evening ended with a beautiful sunset as the clouds became brilliant.

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