Happy New Year

 

Happy New Year Everyone

Another year has come to a close and a new one has begun.  Reflecting back it has been quite a year – one with challenges and one with blessings.  The pandemic has created a lot of havoc in a lot of  lives – some have lost loved ones, some have lost their jobs, some have suffered illness, many have experienced mental stress.  However, at the end of the year we feel we have been blessed – we have been healthy (well as healthy as one can be in their mature years), we have family near by, and we have been able to live our lives in relative peace and harmony.  We are so fortunate.

This week we moved to Borrego Springs which is an old favourite of ours.  It is a large Off Road area although where we stay is not in an off road area.  It is very quiet here – fewer people and RV’s than we have ever seen this time of year.  They may still be coming but so far, it is good for us.  We met some folks from Ontario who we have known for quite a few years and it was certainly great to see them again.  We do expect a few others over the coming couple of weeks although the numbers will be few.

Before we left Yuma I had to have some routine bloodwork done.  Interesting enough, if you don’t have a doctor’s requisition, you can order whatever tests you like.  The waiting room had chairs properly distanced along the walls; however, the chairs in the centre of the room certainly were not.  When you go in, you check in on a kiosk and are then called when it is your turn – kind of neat.

This week we went on a hike – first to Cactus Loop Trail and then to Cool Canyon, and let me tell you, it wasn’t at all cool, it was cold. 

A barrel cactus on Cactus Loop Trail

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Up we go

Our sunny skies clouded over, and the wind blew, and there were a few drops of rain.  This canyon is very scenic but it is also quite challenging to hike as one must scramble over some pretty big boulders at times.  Of course I found it necessary to slow everyone down as a boulder knocked my feet out from under me.  Although it wasn’t long before we came across one that everyone said “uh-uh”.  I have no idea why because two years ago, we all scrambled over it.  How time tends to bring on new challenges.

Our group in front of the rock that stopped the hike

Succulents growing in the rock

Just before hitting the main street in Borrego Springs, there is a park in the centre of a traffic circle which is called Christmas Circle.  This park is a lovely park and is always nicely kept.  Today there was a concert in the park which was a tribute to Tom Petty.  Some of the entertainers were very good, and some, not so much.  We were very surprised at how few people were in attendance.  It was a great way to spend New Year’s Day – listening to music is a lovely park, with the sun shining. 

The park at Christmas Circle

The downfall – it was only 15 C and a bitter wind.  I will just mention the weather very quickly as I know that at home, there is brutally cold weather and daily extreme weather warnings.  Perhaps that will soon pass.

As we start 2022, we would like to wish everyone a Happy and more importantly, a Healthy New Year.  May the sun shine on your face and may the wind always be on your back.  Have a great week and hope to see you next week.