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!!

Just Keep Moving

 We started the week in Lake Havasu City.  We have often spent some time here in the past but don't usually have any high internet demands.  Well this year it was different - one of our granddaughters was in a volleyball tournament and they stream the games.  Our signal wasn't quite strong enough so each time she had a game, we would drive to the top of the nearest hill and voila - we could watch her games.

Sunday is the day of a large swap meet.   We toured through it but didn't see anything that really interested us.  We did, however, see some items for sale that you certainly would not have seen at home. 

Then off we went to lunch and Gerry spotted a car that caught his eye.  The way it looked, it could only be used on some incredibly smooth surfaces athough Gerry thought that perhaps it had air suspension.  Sure would be easy to fall into.

Don't you love this bit of advertising.

Later on in the week we went for a stroll along the lake and the area around London Bridge.  We knew it was spring break so expected it to be quite crowded but it was not to be.  We were absolutely amazed at how few people were around. And the marina - what happened to all the boats. 

We have been here some ten or so years ago and the difference is incredible - where have all the people gone?  It is always a great place to visit.

The week goes by and it is once again time to move on so this time we head north of Las Vegas near the Valley of Fire State Park.  This park is the oldest and largest state park in the state of Nevada.  The rock formations and the colours are beautiful.  We went on a couple of hikes - some were quite easy as most of the walking was on a rock surface but some of it was in soft sand.  Believe me when I said that we got quite a workout.  Shortly after we got into the park, we rounded a corner and we came across a young mountain sheep standing on a rock - perfect timing.

  Here are some photos of our drive through the park.

The Wave

The Arch

Then today we got some company - Darren and JoAnne came to see us on their way through.  They are from Regina but we just don't seem to meet up.  Darren and I worked together many years ago and (not for as many years ago) I worked for him.  What a nice surprise and a great chance to catch up.

The weather is starting to turn pretty warm, at least for this week.  No definite plans for next week so I will be back once again.  Have a great week.

Mostly Quartzsite

 Slowly, the northward trek has started.  We spent most of the week near Quartzsite, AZ.  For those that don't know, Quartzsite, AZ is a boondockers heaven.  There are acres and acres and acres of free dry camping, plus vendors by the dozens in town.  This time of year, however, business is rather slow so most have packed up and carried on to somewhere else.  Here are a couple of views from our motorhome.

We took a drive out to Crystal Hill in search of some crystals.  We chose one of the warmest days so needless to say we didn't spend much time looking for crystals. 

We were a bit surprised to see that there were several small campers out there since it is 20+ km from town over a road that is not particularly maintained.

We chatted with this fellow.  He and his wife travel around the country in this camper

There finally has been some rain in the area.  It has been 209 days since this area has last seen any rain.  It is amazing how quickly it gathers and then how quickly it is gone and it looks as if there never was any rain at all.

A couple of days ago we carried on to Lake Havasu City.  There is an area just south of town that we particularly like - close to town, quiet, but it does have one little drawback - the internet service is not the greatest.  I don't recall it being this slow in past years but perhaps the memory is failing a bit??

Since this is dry camping, most folks are powered by solar but many also have a generator which is mainly use with consecutive days of cloud.  There is a fellow out here that seems to be running his generator non-stop.  He did take great care to put it in a box which is nicely insulated to minimize the noise.  But, he was only concerned with  minimizing it for himself - too bad.  Glad I'm not his neighbour.

We have had some really nice weather but the last couple of days have been less than desirable.  The high temp yesterday was 10c with a cold south wind.  We ran the heater more yesterday than we have the rest of the winter.  Today was much nicer with promises of nicer temps to come.

As I close the week off, I hope everyone has a great week ahead.

Finally Moved

 Today we left our friend's place in Yuma as we start a very slow trek northward. We had planned on leaving a couple of days earlier but wind and blowing dust changed our minds. While we were at Gary Marleen's, we shared many laughs and it was sad to leave but time waits for no one.   The following photo could have a variety of interpretations as to what was happening.

Actually, Marleen is in the process of finishing an old table.  There was a discussion as to how to put the leaf extension down and the only way was to actually have a look at it.

Today we arrived in Quartzsite.  It was an enjoyable trip - a bit of wind but not too bad, clear and sunny skies, and not a whole lot of traffic. We are surprised at how many people are still here.  Wherever we have been, it seems that the traffic is down and so are the RV's but compared to last year, same time, there are quite a few more around.

We decided to go and wander through the few vendors that are still around.  One is a discount store with mostly groceries.  There were some goods that seem to be a tad ominous based on the current situation and the concerns that some folks have.

And then there are some that seem have quite a variety of goods for sale.

But the price of eggs just seem to keep increasing.

We are once again in an area where we see quite a few saguaro cactus.  Often when they die they simply fall over or break off.  Not this one - it makes a lovely arch.

This past week has been a short one since I was a couple of days late with my last blog but I am back on schedule (hopefully).  Everyone, take care and have yourself a great week.