Another One Done

 

   To Everyone

Another great trip has come to an end as we were able to pick a couple of good travel days between what seems to be ongoing storms.   We stuck around a couple of extra days until we saw what looked like time to make a beeline.

Before heading out, there was a young fellow and his dog camped across the road to us.  This is when we realize how important the internet has become in our lives as here he is camping in a rather remote area but never far from communication.

We arrived home Wednesday evening after a couple of fairly gruelling days.  Gerry proved to still have the much needed stamina to put in a couple of 700 mile days.  The weather was near perfect for those kind of days - mostly cloud with some intermittent sun, little to no wind, and with the exception of a dozen or so squalls (snow, rain, ice pellets) that we went through, no precipitation to speak of. 

These squalls are pretty common on this road, this time of year but they are usually pretty short lived (like a minute or so and you are out of them).

Just south of the border (south of Swift Current) there was lots of evidence of the storm that kept us back a day or so earlier in the week but all was good now.

We had a great border crossing except we stopped at the border checkpoint - they didn't care how much we bought, just arms, ammunition, cigarettes and alcohol.  Then when we were ready to leave, the agent said "don't forget to stop at the Canadian entry".  We didn't look at the uniform (a uniform is a uniform) to see which country the agent was from.  What we had just gone through was the United States exit station?????  No big deal - just a time waster we thought when we still had a fair number of miles to make.

We got back safe and sound, kids came and we were able to unload like in a hurricane, and now we could relax.

Thanks for following us on our journey.  Until our next trip - have a wonderful summer, enjoy good health, and if in Regina, please stop by!!!

First Step North

 

Time passes by and once again we see some new sights, revisit old sights, and best of all, visit friends that we haven’t seen for quite some time.  This week we spent most of the week north of Phoenix where we were fortunate enough to reconnect with Joe and Melinda, Gord and Adeline, Ed and Sharon, and Dan and Lee.  Some of these folks we haven’t probably ten years or so.  And while I often feel that we haven’t aged, it’s nice to see that they all really haven’t either (at least not much)!!

Last week I mentioned that we had a leak and we certainly had a chance to look for it this past week.  We had rain (sometimes just a quick shower) six out of the last seven days.

  On day four, we thought we had it beat, but along came day five of rain and drip, drip.  So on day five we sealed places that we didn’t think needed sealing.  Along comes day six of rain, and no drips.  I’m not sure that there was enough rain to be sure but so far, so good.  Rain clouds do help to make some lovely sunsets.

Where we were camped is often a path that hot air balloons pass by.  Of course, this often depends on the winds.  Early in our stay, several came by but only one was close enough to be able to get a snapshot.  We did see them most mornings off in the distance but it seemed that the winds were not right as they seem to rise and then go down in much the same area.  Sure glad we caught them at least once.

Throughout the week we would take different roads to where ever we wanted to go.  One day we came across a trail – now this was truly an off-road trail which turned out to be very easy after the first part.

Often you hear reports of burros in the area – yup there are.  We came across this small herd as they were grazing near the road.

While there are not a lot of flowers out as yet, there sure are some interesting looking plants.

And election fever is alive and well – a vendor along the edge of the road.

When the sun is shining, and the air is warm, there is nothing like having a glass of wine after a “hard” day!  But sometimes it just isn’t that easy to get into the bottle.  As you can see, Gerry was up to the challenge and yes, he opened that bottle of wine - the drill did the trick!

As we started north, we took the Joshua Tree Scenic Byway.  That is a pretty drive with some of the largest Joshua trees we have seen.  

The Joshua tree has a special meaning for me.  I remember some forty years ago when we drove south, we came by some of these trees and this country bumpkin thought that she had seen her first cactus tree.  I soon learned that they were not cactus trees.

On our way through Las Vegas, traffic as usual was a bit crazy.  Some person came whipping off a ramp, hit one of these barricade barrels,

and I need not say where it ended up (after a couple of other cars hit it) – we went right over it.  We were afraid to look but fortunately, just a couple of scrapes on front near the bottom – whew!!!

We stopped at a favourite spot – Virgin River Campground.  This is one of the prettiest camping spots and the drive through Virgin River Gorge is incredible.  There are some nice little walking trails so we decided to go for a stroll since it was such a lovely evening.  This critter almost got stepped on – by ME!!!!

 After chatting with several folks last night, we went for a drive.  Some fellows were doing some cliff climbing, and some were rappelling – we saw some going up,

and some coming down.

The campground was full last night with a lot of young folks tenting.  My boy sprout gave a lending hand when a young couple had difficulty getting a fire going.

We took Cedar Pocket Road which is a backroad and what views. 

We are going to stay here for a few days as a series of storms cross north of us.   Today we have had some sun and a few showers but quite a lot of wind.  We now watch the weather.

Have a good week.

 

 

 

Further Down the Road

The time had come for us to move a bit further north.  Our friend, Gary, was nicely recovering so we said good-bye (for this year) and headed north to Quartzsite.  Now Quartzsite is known as the boondocking capital as there are acres and acres and acres covered by RV's that spend some time (and sometimes the winter) in this area.  The local mascot is the camel.  This started in the 1800's when the military decided to use camels to transport materials across the desert.  That project was short-lived but the camel theme stuck.  At each entrance there is a sign of camel silhouettes. 

There are some water tanks that are decorated to look like a camel I think (somehow the ears and water hose make me think of an elephant). 

Even the local transit depicts the camel history.

The week started out quite pleasant and ended with some wind and periods of rain over several days.  In town there was a celebration - the Buck Connor days which pays tribute to the southwestern heritage.  Unfortunately, the rains came in the afternoon which would have put a real "damper" on things.  The mornings were lovely so it wasn't a total washout.  There was a chili cookoff, live bands, and a number of vendors. 

A view of the clouds

There was also metal detecting although I have no idea what they were hoping to find.

There are many vendors set up all over town selling their wares - some new, some old, lots of rocks.  We were checking some of them out when the rain hit  - wow, did it come down.  Since many of the vendors are housed in large tents,

the one we were in was abruptly closing.  I am not sure why - was the owner afraid as to the strength of the roof, or was how 6 inches of water quickly pooled and it was only going to get deeper.  Well, there was nowhere to go except to make a run for it - got wet but we didn't shrink or melt, so all was well.

And with the rain, we made a discovery - a leak so that will be our next task.  We are being promised some nice sunny weather so that may be a bit difficult - at least for now.

From time to time, we see an unusual vehicle or setup.  We are not sure how this works but when we first saw it, a car was coming down the ramp.  When we walked behind it, there was nowhere for the car other than the ramp lifted up and it stuck out the back.  Rather interesting I must say!

Next week should find us somewhere else.  We are being promised some great weather.  I hope everyone has a great week!!

So Exciting

 It's Saturday evening and  I get to tell you of the exciting week we had.  Every day we have a game of cribbage after most meals.  We are nine days into the month of March and so far, I have been skunked three times, and am really on the losing end.  I have decided that I had best hone my card playing skills.

We are still in Yuma as we have been waiting for our friend, Gary, to recover from some health issues.  This week, however, he has had a temporary setback which we all hope will be resolved.

We did go out for a drive to see some of our favourite camping spots in past years and did see some interesting sites.

a heron just watching the world go by

a broccoli field that is going to seed

what an innovative way to disguise a cell tower

Routinely we go for a daily walk and I love some of the creativity that folks have in their landscaping.

moose standing in the shade

folks made from golf balls

I wonder if this eliminates junk mail

And we always enjoy the many varieties of flowers that are blooming.  I don't know the names of them but they all have some real unique characteristics.

And there is even beauty in the skies.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that there was a hen and three roosters living in a wash nearby.  We still hear the roosters daily but we did find the hen today.  Here she is, all alone, looking after four chicks!!

As you can see, our week was pretty low-key.  I hope everyone has a great week and I may have more stories to tell next week.

Yuma Once Again

This week we are back in Yuma visiting (and mooch-docking) on our friend's, Gary and Marleen's, lot.  Some may ask "what is mooch-docking?  Well according to RV Life, Moochdocking means you are boondocking or camping for free on your friends’ or family’s property, most often their driveway.  That is exactly what we are doing!!

While we are here, we are making several visits to the hospital.  It isn't us, but our friend Gary has been hospitalized going on four weeks.  His recovery, while slow and steady, has been quite remarkable.  He did celebrate his birthday this past week so we had a small party for him at the hospital. 

Some of the local flowers are starting to bloom.  I thought that it is rather late but apparently that is not the case.  The flowers are certainly different than what we are used to seeing.

On our way home the other day, we came across a field of carrots being harvested.  I had not seen a carrot harvest in progress.  In fact, I don't remember seeing carrots growing in this particular area.  

Much as it is at home, election fever is growing and politics is alive and well.  

And spring is certainly here as the chicks and ducklings are available for sale.  When buying these little critters, the minimum number you can buy is 4 chickens or 2 ducklings but I have no idea of the cost.  They are definitely cute.

I hope I didn't bore you too much but as time goes on, our activity seems to lessen.  I hope you have a great week!