Merry Christmas

 I hope everyone had a truly wonderful Christmas.  We spent our Christmas here in Yuma with a small group on Christmas Eve.  This year our food theme was potluck finger food

and Marleen and I decided to try some creative skills. 

We did get accomplish this by making some roses from deli meats.  We did have to stop at just the one creation as we did not have enough time for more.  We rounded the evening off with some exciting games of bingo.

Christmas day was celebrated with another potluck but this time it was around a campfire.  In spite of a forecast for rain, the weather was absolutely perfect once again.

We keep going for our daily walks and we still come cross some interesting things.  One day it may be some iron sculptures in a front yard;

a fairly large pig which was joined by a dachshund;

a water and coffee station for whomever needs a drink;

a wood carving; 

a pathway from one place to the next (personally I think a gate would be better);

or a cute sign. 

It sure does keep the walks interesting.

For many years, a particular street decorated based on "The Night Before Christmas".  All the homes had lights and decorations - some small, and some large and elaborate.  This year is different.  Many homes did not participate, and the traffic driving by has greatly reduced.  That; however, is indicative of the greatly reduced traffic everywhere, as well as the increased number of places for sale.  There were some homes that still had some great displays.

We are just around the corner for another new year.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday and may mother nature be pleasant again with some nicer weather for many of you!!

It's Hard to Believe

We have been coming south for at least part of the winter for a good number of years.  The weather has always been pleasant but this year, it is beyond pleasant - it has been terrific.  We arrived in the southern USA  just over two weeks ago and every day has been sunny, 25-26C, and no wind.

Of course with this weather, one tends to just enjoy the weather without much else happening - most days.

This week, we had a bit of a celebration with our friends.  Gerry completed another trip around the sun so we spent an evening having pizza, cake, and singing our wishes to him.

Of course, there is a shopping trip weekly.  We went to a Del Sol IGA which had just opened up recently.  Generally, a grocery  store is a grocery store with items that are typical from one to another.  Well this one had some items that one doesn't usually see on a shopping trip.

Beef Tongue

Tripe (beef stomach)

Beef Lips

What a variety of olive oils

With Christmas just around the corner, we attended a local parade - mainly of decorated ATVs.  There were 100+ vehicles - some with quite elaborate decorations, some with just a few lights.  I have included a couple of photos we took but good quality photos are just not possible for moving night shots.

There is also the dressing up with santa hats.

This lady was so cute.  She is a hospice nurse and off to cheer up folks

This donkey is the cutest

Today, I was surprised at how the doves seemed to like to perch on top of flag poles rather than in the trees

Another week has come to an end.  I hope anyone who is travelling has a safe trip as many roads have been so treacherous.  Have a very Merry Christmas - may all your wishes come true, and we would like to wish everyone peace, love, and joy - not just for the season, but all year round.

The Reason for Leaving

Sometime, when the trip down is extra long, or seems extra long, a person wonders why we do this year after year.  Well, when the temperatures at home are -28c (-18F) with windchills of -41c (-41F) and you are sitting in +25c (77F), you know the reason.  We have been very fortunate so far this year as we have had clear skies, little or no wind, and warm temperatures.  How long will it last - who knows but we will sure enjoy it while we can!

We try to go in different directions for our daily walk and one never is sure what we might see.  Here is someone who has converted a cargo trailer into a camper and has outfitted himself with solar.  He has yet to learn that in order to work, solar must be in the full sun.

We drove into the small town of Ajo, AZ in search of some mexican food (or something other than tacos).  A particular one that we liked in the  past was closed.  Well it wasn't going to happen as all we found was a taco bar (which we didn't want) or a number of them where the main fare was burgers.  We did go into the local grocery store (IGA) and there was a large fridge outside where you could buy craft beer, set up just like buying ice.

The next day we went in to a smaller town as there was a restaurant that advertised mexican food.  We ate, it was delicious, but come supper time, there wasn't any room for much.  We did have some prepared packages (tuna and beans) and decided to try it.  I know it doesn't look very good, but the small amount we shared was plenty, because it wasn't very good either.

In past years, Gerry often said that he wished he had a little chainsaw to cut up branches and stuff to build a fire.  Well this year, he got his wish.  He found a small, inexpensive chainsaw which was perfect for the few times he would be using it. 

Last night here was a perfect night for a fire.

We have a game camera and since we heard coyotes most nights we decided to put it out to see what was in the area.  In order to entice them we put out a pan full of water and each morning it was half gone.  It is a bit tricky to line up the camera so you can get a decent photo and we only took five nights but we got the photo we wanted.  It sounded like several animals were in the area, but it seemed only one showed up to get his photo taken.

It was time to head into Yuma and spend some time, and Christmas, with our friends, Gary and Marleen, and Gene and Janice.  Some of this trip is a very pretty drive.

Out for our daily walk we came across some free grapefruit.  While there were quite small, the sign said they were very sweet - we will see.

The flags here were trying to determine which direction the wind was from.  Each side of the street was different.  It really didn't seem to be windy while walking.

I see that Mr. Weatherman is promising us continuing mild temps this coming week.  I hope that is the same for all of you.  Thanks for joining me as I share our week with you.  I hope you all have a great week!

Escape from the Cold

Monday morning, first of the month, we decided that we were not very keen on this frigid weather.  Since our storage  does not open until 8:30, we were up bright and early, did all the prep in order to leave and decided to wait at their gates until someone arrived.  As luck would have it, there was someone just waiting in his car at 8:10 so he let us in.  The temps were -18c so the next question was "wonder if it will start".  We started the generator as the batteries were not too responsive and we desperately needed to turn the furnace on, then we boosted with the jeep to give some extra battery power.  Well, after about four tries, it sputtered, and sputtered, and it started.  We were starting to get some heat from the furnace, Gerry hooked up the jeep, and half hour later, we were down the road.

Other than being cold it was great driving.  The border crossing was the same as in the past, quick and easy.  It was almost as if someone had drawn a line - the road was covered in packed snow, much had chunks broken out so it also was very rough. 

After about three hours, the roads were clear and it was smooth sailing.

When going straight south, our first stop is usually Gillette, WY, and this was out plan.  It was an easy drive except it was almost dusk and there were deer everywhere - in the fields, in the ditches; although we did not see any on the roads - fortunately.

Sorry - a bit blurry 

By the time we got to Gillette, the weather had warmed considerably so we stayed at Walmart, went and got a few groceries, and had a great sleep.  But morning seemed to come mighty early - as in 3:00 a.m.  Well, we hit the road by 4 which would put us through Denver in mid morning and hopefully when the traffic was perhaps the lightest, plus a storm was coming in and we definitely wanted to get ahead of it.  It was great driving and all of a sudden there was a warning sign - our plans were scuttled. 

It was de je vu of 2003 - same trip. same scenario.  We pulled into Wheatland and decided to wait out the wind.  After an hour and a half, we didn't know how long it would last, the snow was still in the forecast so we chose to head east to try to skirt around it.  We did have to backtrack some but it was a case of going north to go south, and going east to go west.  It was a several hundred mile detour, but no wind, and no snow - success!

While this all meant an extra day on the road, it meant a decent drive, and maybe an extra tank of fuel! 

After a couple more days on the road, we settled in at Why, AZ for a few days to enjoy some sunshine and warmer weather. 

A pretty site as you drive down the highway

Fog down in the valley - looked heavy but wasn't

And it was time for some cleanup from the summer and the trip.  But first we had to fix a bay door. 

The hinge on our bay doors is a strip of rubber.  Well in time, the rubber deteriorates (particularly in the sun),  and when you go to open the bay door, it comes off in your hands.  That was as soon as we got here.  It wasn't a huge surprise as it has happened several times in the past.  This time, it was just the two of us to get it replaced (and we do have spare hinge). 

It actually went surprisingly well. 

The motorhome got washed yesterday, windows today - well some of them because we went to the local flea market and had lunch and later had a great visit with Emily and Leo.

Here we are - plugged into a cactus!!

Tomorrow will be another cleanup day.  I hope you all had a great week, in spite of the full moon.  I'll be back next week!!  Take care!

The Time Has Come

 As with every trip, it comes the time to go home and this past week was the time.

We had a nice spot not far from the Valley of Fire State Park.  On a clear day (of which we had some), you could see the mountains in the distance.  The reason I refer to a clear day, it is not always the way near Vegas. 

The smog can hang in the valley but we were fortunate most of the time.

We were parked just north of Las Vegas enjoying the lovely weather but knew that we had only a couple of weeks before we had to head home.  Most of our trip home is through the mountains and of course, the weather can sometimes be somewhat unpredictable.  Our theory to to keep an eye on the forecast and if it looks like we have about a three day window, we are on our way!

On our last day, our neighbour invited us for supper.  He is a retired police officer from Chicago, and since he is of Puerto Rico heritage, he cooked us a traditional meal.  We had a great time visiting, enjoyed a most delicious meal, and hope to meet up again one day!

Our trip home was almost picture perfect. The temperatures were mostly 21c during the day, nights around 9c, pretty well no wind and whenever there was some, it was always a tailwind, and clear skies.  As we were closer to the border, the temps dropped (to about 6c) and it became cloudy but still a great travelling day.  

Through the last part of Nevada

Through Salt Lake City about 4 pm

Here are several photos mostly while travelling through Utah!

The border crossing - about the same as in past years.  The agent we had was pleasant, and they asked very few questions.  I take that it means that we have very innocent looking faces!

It has been another wonderful trip but all good things must come to an end.  Thanks for following our winter - I hope you were able to enjoy our trip with us.  Until then, stay healthy, stay safe, and until our next trip, take care of yourselves and of those you love!!