Wednesday, January 28 logging in from the Motel 6 in Yuma.  Yesterday we left Quartzsite at 6:00 am and arrived Los Algodonas Mexico at 7:50 am.  We wanted to be first in line at the dentist's office.  It was way too early as the office didn't open until 9:00 am.  Both Gordon and Jeanne are getting dental work done.  As a result we had to leave for an hour and then come back and didn't leave the dentist's office for the day until 2:30.  From there we went to get new glasses.  Jeanne got a new pair and then new lenses in her old pair.  They needed her glasses and she is lost without them, so they rushed the order thru.  It took them 1 1/2 hours to grind the lenses, as they closed at 4:30 and wanted to make sure Jeanne had her glasses.  What excellent service we received.

We just park in the parking lot on the US side of the border and walk into Mexico...we and a million others.  It took us 1 3/4 hours to get from the end of the line to the customs desk.  There were at least 4 people deep in the line.  It was windy and very cold after standing out in the wind.  Because it was so late when we got back to Yuma we decided to stay in Yuma until Friday as we have dental appointments on Thursday and Friday.  We stopped at the Golden Corral for supper and going in we met a couple from Salmon Arm, BC and we shared a table.  We had an enjoyable visit but will never go to the Golden Corral for supper again because the price was a lot higher than lunch and so many of the trays were empty.  It wasn't worth it.

Back at the motel we both had a long hot soak in the tub.  Tried to find something on the idiot box but all we could find was the weather channel.

Today we slept in a bit, went to Denny's for breakfast and then got an oil change in the truck.  Took it to the car wash and almost didn't recognize it when it was washed, it had been sooooo dirty.  Walmart got a visit from us, lucky them!  We drove around a couple of RV consignment lots looking for a short 5th Wheel but couldn't find anything we could pull.

Went to see the Whitfield's around 3:00 pm.  They joined us at the Casino for supper.  They left to go back to RV because Gordon wanted to blow $20, which he did in no time flat.  Spent an hour at the mall and then returned to motel.

It was sunny but the wind was very cool again today.  It does beat what is back home though!

Here it is, the end of another day in Paradise.  Today was much cooler, only +61 but with a cold wind.  The day passed quickly.  Gordon was sitting Chauncey again today as his family went to Mexico for the day.  We found out he is a very expensive dog so had to be real careful with him.  Defrosted the fridge this morning, then went to the market for a three legged stool for Gordon to use when out walking.  We are going to Mexico tomorrow for some dental work and eye glasses and have been told the line ups out of Algodonos are about 2 hours long, so needed to have something to assist Gordon. 

 Bonnie and Clyde baked a "dump cake" and invited us to share it, along with a couple of games of "Up Word"  That took until 3:30 pm.  We made supper - BBQ steak, potatoes, beans and salad then went to Ed and Norma's to play Rumoli.

When we returned to the trailer our neighbor was using our firepit so Gord sat out with them for a short time.  He then went to LeRoy & Norma's (Chauncey's family) .  She wanted to know what time we were leaving in the morning, as she wanted to make us breakfast.  Dog sitting could mean the end of our cooking, as after last week's sitting she brought over pancakes for breakfast, and then Saturday evening they invited us to a weiner roast.  Gordon didn't work at the QIA on Friday or Saturday evenings as it was just too hard on his knees so Jeanne had to work extra hard to make up for his absence.  Was very glad when 7:00 pm Saturday came.  

We  have been having a difficult time adding pictures, but will keep trying to get them up.

It worked - these are pictures of our trip thru the Box Canyon on Monday.

Good evening to you out in the far reaches of winter.  It was nearly 80 F today.  The Gem & Rock show is on in Q at the moment.  Gordon and Jeanne volunteered to help out in the salad making department at the QIA during the Gem & Rock show, so have been working from 3-7 pm since Tuesday.  Tour of duty is over at 7:00 pm Saturday.  It can't come too soon for either of us.  Working . . . well, that is something we had almost forgotten how to do . . . is not what we want to do down here.

All our friends are out having fun and we have to work!!!!!  We do get fed for our work.  The food is good farmer type food, so that is a plus.

Gordon just found out that his Uncle Joe passed away on Tuesday.  Just about two weeks after Jeanne's Aunt Phyllis died.  We are still surviving in this little trailer.  It is much better now that it has warmed up, but we don't think we will try this again in it.  Need something BIGGER!

Norma, one of our very near neighbors from Utah came over tonight bearing two plates of carrot cake.  She came in and visited with us then asked if we would look after Chauncey tomorrow while they go to Yuma.  Chauncey is a spaniel of some kind.  Truda and Bob are coming to Quartzsite tomorrow morning.  We will visit with them until lunchtime when they have other friends to meet.  Too bad we are working.  I wanted to go to the Big Tent to pick up a thing or two, so maybe we can do that with them.

It was overcast all day today and tonight we are getting a sprinkling of rain.  It would be nice to have a gentle rain during the night to settle the dust.  There is so many people here now and the dust is unreal.   

  Gordon's tire sensor in the Toyota came on showing a soft tire, so we all pulled over and found no soft tire. We decided that was a good place for lunch as there was a well in this spot.  Not that we wanted to drink the water.  It was for the desert animals.  Doug discovered a screw in his rear tire.  Isn't the sensor in the Toyota great - it could pick up a screw in the vehicle it was following!!!!  The screw was left in place, and we traveled on.  We stopped at Fountain of Youth as Glen and April had friends there they wanted to see.  From there we went to Bombay Beach then to the Box Canyon and home.  Once we were on the highway and doing 70 mph the screw in the Jeep's tire was giving them problems.  The four in Glen's truck, Glen, April, Bonnie & Clyde kept on trucking for home.  The four in Gordon's truck, Gordon, Jeanne, Chuck & Maggie stayed with Doug and Phyllis to make sure they got home.  We finally had to stop and change the tire.  Went to Sizzlers in Blythe for supper.  Got home around 8:30.  It was a 275 mile day, but a gorgeous drive but can't imagine taking that trip in a Stage Coach.  There were places we expected John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart to come riding around the corner.

The road for many miles follows the edge of the live bombing area for the US military.  There are signs along the road to this effect and one would be very wise to stay out, because there can be activity at any time.  We met several military vehicles at one point.  We came upon a pile of bomb casings.  April wanted one for a lawn ornament, so she asked Gord if he would load it on their truck.  They were 500 lb. bombs.  Consequently, they all remained where they were.  A little further down the road and on the other side there was a couple that still had the end pieces on them.

Monday, January 19th a group of ten took to 4 wheeling.  We took the Bradshaw Stage Coach trail from Blythe to Fountain of Youth at Salton Sea.  For a great deal of the distance the road is just outside the live bombing area.  We drove into Coon Hollow Camp ground which everyone thought was very nice.  Doug & Phyllis had stayed there a few times and knew some of the people there.  It seems that this country attracts one back year after year.  It was pretty barren, not as green and treed as around Quartzsite.

Sorry, having a bit of trouble on this end.  

Jeanne was visiting with Gracemary on Sunday only to find out her mother is Hazel Workman, sister to Ivan.  She lives on the south of Lethbridge and does know who Zola is.

Hi again!

Boy, have we been busy.  Saturday the 17th, Bonnie & Clyde, Gordon & Jeanne attended the 22nd Annual Blythe Bluegrass Music Festival & Quilt Show.   Jeanne sure wished she'd had Macy's I Spy quilt to enter.

The music was great.  We arrived at 9:00 and left at 3:40.  Jeanne didn't think she could sit and listen to Bluegrass for that long, but there were some very good bands and the day passed quickly.  Jeanne purchased a new hat and that made her happy.  Bonnie and Clyde treated Jeanne & Gord to supper at the Sizzler.  We were a tired lot when we finally got home.

Sunday was Church as usual for Jeanne.  She met a lady, Gracemary Holthe from Lethbridge.  Jeanne told her

Hi, we are back.  It is evening and another busy day doing ......we are not sure what!  Gordon, Doug (on Jeanne's machine), Glen and Chuck went for a ride this morning.  Phyllis and Jeanne walked to the market for a couple of hours while the guys were gone.  Phyllis ran into some four wheeler friends from Montana.  They said they would drop by.   Gordon cut up pallets this afternoon as we were running short for the fire pit.  We then had to go to the bank.  Tuesday morning Gordon discovered his bank card missing so we now have to go to the bank for money.  Bank said 10 - 14 days to get a new card.  Needed gas for quads and water.  We are hauling water in 5 gallon pails.  Also dropped in to McDonald's for their $1 sundae.  We have more new neighbors.  Some of these units just barely pull off the road.  I don't think I would being that close to traffic.  

Phyllis cooked a great supper of hamburgers, and potatoes & veggies done in tin foil.  We finished off the chocolate pie that we began last night. As Jeanne is still under the weather and Doug and Phyllis needed gas for their four-wheeling day tomorrow, we had no fire.  The two of us came in and played a game of Scrabble - with Gordon winning, of course, and then he went to bed at 8:30.  It got up to 72 F today, but the nights are still around 40.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

A bright sunny morning.  Up early as Jeanne had a "chirotractor" appointment in Blythe with Dr. Winters.  Had called Dr. Minogue in Calgary yesterday afternoon as he had told us before we left that he did make housecalls.  Sharon said for us he would.  Told her great, we were south of Quartzsite and I would like to see him at 10:00 Wednesday.  She replied that Wednesday would be impossible but maybe in two or three days.  

Dr. Winters and his wife/receptionist, Marilyn, are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints originally from Utah.  Have lived in Blythe for thirty odd years, and stay year around.  He adjusts very much like Dr. M for that Jeanne was very grateful.  It will be wonderful to feel warm again, as am always cold when out of alignment.  We then stopped at Dekens, the Arctic Cat dealer and talked tires and things, then went to Albertson's for groceries.  Just as we were pulling in the parking lot the phone rang.  It was Doug and Phyllis from Millerville telling us they were in Parker and would be in Quartzsite in a hour or so.  We stopped for a load of pallets then hurried home.  They arrived just after we did and are parked right next to us.  The move-ins today were unreal.  Seemed like every 2 minutes a new rig or two moved in.  To the south of us had been this hippie bus. He left day before yesterday and yesterday two rigs pulled into that spot.  It is getting busy!

Maggie brought over a 3" apple pie she had baked in her cardboard oven.  It was very good.  We did a stir-fry for supper and Doug and Phyllis joined us.  I quickly made a chocolate pie.  After supper we had a fire.  Jeanne sat around the fire, but really shouldn't have as she has the QUARTZSITE SCRUD.  There is a lot of that going around after the terrible winds we had last week.  We don't know how long it usually lasts but it is like a very bad cold.

Tuesday, January 13 was the Canadian Pot Luck dinner.  Gord and Jeanne helped Tom and Lucille sell 50-50 tickets.  Gord worked with Lucille and Tom and Jeanne paired up and there was a bit of a competition to see who could sell the most tickets.  Tom and Jeanne won hands down.  We all had fun doing it, and we collected a total of $300.00.  The lucky winner got half, and half stayed with the association to pay for the meat.  Sonja and her hubby cooked 5 electric roasters of beef.  There was a good variety of salads, and hot dishes and desserts.  Alberta had best attendance with 51.  Nova Scotia 1.  There was no representation from  Newfoundland,  New Brunswick  and NWT.  There were two couples from the Yukon.  There were several door prizes, the first one was won by our friend April.

Spent some time this afternoon at Bonnie & Clyde's then came home, made popcorn for supper and watched the movie "Alone in the Winderness" the true story of Richard Proenneke, and filmed by him with the aid of a tripod, as he went to Alaska to live in the pristine land with only nature to keep him company.  He went there at age 51 and stayed until age 83.  It was really enjoyable.

Again, the end of another day in paradise.

Monday, January 12 was spent making potato salad for the Canadian Pot Luck on Tuesday.  Had to purchase potatoes and eggs and celery, and were able to do so at the fresh produce market in Q.  We have been in there other times and "fresh" would have been a week ago, so were surprised and glad to find it was really "fresh".  We do like to support the local businesses as much as we can.

Monday, January 12

The Saturday Jam at Red's Music Hall was really good.  Some very good pickers and good singers.  We had never been there before so were glad of the invite.

Sunday was warm and sunny.  Jeanne went to Church.  It was the first week of split meetings, but by the size of the congregation in the morning there wouldn't be much of a one at the 1:pm meetings.  Relief Society completely filled the Chapel seats and there must have been 20 sitting in the Choir seats.  Gord was the good "gnome" (he didn't like being called a fairy) as he took the skill saw and went to a couple of campsites to cut up firewood.  (Sites of friends) He then visited with Geri and Roger whom we haven't seen much of in the last few weeks.  After Church Jeanne visited with them until around 3 we then went to Norma & Ed's for a few hands of Rumoli.  At 4:15 moved to April & Glen's for happy hour.

We had just arrived back home and began making supper when LeRoy, a new neighbor, came for a visit.  Supper was BBQ pork chops, potatoes in tinfoil, steamed broccoli & zucchini.

Played a game of scrabble, read for a bit then to bed.  The end of another day in Paradise.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Another beautiful day, a bit breezy in the early afternoon, but nothing like the gale we had on Friday.  We had to do some repairs to the bottom of the porta-privy as the fabric has worn away from sitting on the gravel.  We spent Friday evening and this morning stitching it up and later we went to the market and purchased a plastic RV mat.  That should work really well when we shower as the water just runs right off it.  It is big enough to give us some standing room in front so our feet don't get dirty following the shower.  Before it was just desert sand we would walk through.  We walked back to see the Cougar 5th Wheel, but it was sold.  Guess we were not meant to have that one.

We had an early, 3:30ish, supper of left-over chili then Gordon had a nap.  We had walked too far in the market so his knees were very sore.  At 5:45 we are meeting some folks from Oklahoma, Sandi & Steve, and are going to a jam with them.

Friday the group, Glen, April, Chuck, Gordon, and the doublers, Bonnie & Clyde (Kathy) went quadding.  Jeanne didn't think it wise to go as she is in desperate need of a chiropractor, so Maggie couldn't go as Jeanne doubles her.  Jeanne did the laundry while they were gone.  In the early afternoon the wind began to blow and sand was traveling across the desert and through the trailer pushed by fierce winds.  It didn't stop for anything.  Oh yes, some of it did stop, on top of the table and on the fridge and floors.  I can see why, on our way to California in certain areas the roads are closed in a dust storm.  As soon as Gordon arrived home we took the screens and awning down.  The wind was flattening the porta privy so it came down also and we took the opportunity to mend it.

We have more and more move-ins.  When Jeanne came home from the market yesterday an old school bus was parked about 150' away.  Now as we sit at the table we have that sight in our window.  Hopefully he will be gone after the big tent.  The rule in BLM land is no closer than 15'.  Heaven forbid.  I wouldn't want my best friends to be that close!

We went to a jam at JR's RV Park last evening.  Tom & Lucille invited us over to their home after for cake and coffee.  We visited there until 10:45.  

Wednesday, January 7th

The days do fly by quickly.  Monday Gordon tried out his cardboard oven. We made some lemon bars. However, we didn't pay close enough attention to them while they were baking, we were more interested in watching the temperature gauge, and they got grossly overcooked.  (Down right burned)  Chuck came while we were cooking them, then Maggie dropped by so we had witnesses to our failed attempt at cardboard box baking.  Maggie was really impressed and said she was going to try it also, as she doesn't have an oven.

Tuesday Gordon, Glen, Chuck and Roger (riding Jeanne's machine) went for a 38 mile ride.  While they were gone Jeanne just vegged. She has had some rather bad nights lately and it is most likely that she needs a visit to the, as Dex says, "chirotractor".  He told us before leaving home that he would make housecalls.  We are tempted to call him.  Jeanne has missed a couple of fires as she was so cold and just couldn't get warm, although the heater in the trailer works just fine.  She enjoyed the day, visiting with April and  doing little.  She was watching a movie on the computer when Gordon returned from his ride.  Supper was easy, soup and sandwiches.  Gordon went to bed around 7:30 pm - he was a very tired puppy. 

It is warming up.  Thank goodness.  This morning bright and early we went to the laundromat and had a good long hot shower.  Sure felt great.  Cost $6.00 each but was well worth it.  Come home and made toast and tomatoes for breakfast.  Before  we got our breakfast Roger came to see if Gordon would like to go for a bicycle ride, Bonnie and Clyde dropped by to tell us Maggie had made an oven and cooked the lemon bars and today was making a pie, Steve and Sandi came over to let us know they were going to Yuma and asked if we needed anything from Sams or Wal-mart, then Maggie dropped by to tell us of her oven and invite us to sample pie around 3:00 pm today.  

After breakfast we went to the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Association) and signed up to help in the kitchen during the six days of Pow Wow.  We will be working from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm filling small dishes with salads.  Sounds exciting!

Walked around some more vendors as this morning was really quite warm.  Once the wind came up it cooled things down a bit, but it is still nice.  Got up to +68F.  We stopped at another RV lot and found a 5th Wheel which is made to tow with a 1/2 ton.  There are things about it I just don't like - especially the price as it is new.  We also saw a used 27' tongue tow trailer which was quite nice, but Gordon would rather pull a 5th wheel.  This was the first time we saw anything remotely close to what we are looking for.

January 4, 2009

A sunny but chilly Sunday. +53F at 4:00 pm.  Was very cloudy both yesterday and earlier this morning with a 30% chance of rain today.  Thank goodness we didn't get the rain, but the wind is strong which makes it rather unpleasant to be out.

This morning while Jeanne was at Church, Gord and Glen made a table for Glen out of some pallets.  They then went for a quad ride.  Jeanne was wishing she had brought some warmer church clothes. Next week the branch will be divided into two meetings, 9:00 am & 1:00 pm as there are too many of us to fit into the Chapel and Cultural Hall.

Yesterday we spent the day by ourselves.  We did some of the vendors, looked at three 5th Wheels but all were too big and heavy for us to pull.  There was a 29' which we both really liked the layout, but is just too big.  Looked at LED lights to replace some in trailer but didn't purchase them as they were quite expensive.  Picked up water and some ground beef and headed back home to make supper.  Glen & April dropped in. Visited with them for 3/4 hour then made supper.  Each day more and more units are coming in.  There is a new couple from Edmonton just across the wash from us.

Gord had a nap after supper then at 7:30 we went to Glen & April's to see their pictures & have "tea".  Home around 10:30.

We really are busy all the time, but we don't seem to be accomplishing much.  Wishing you all a great day. 

What a glorious day January 1st was.  The weather was perfect, with the sun giving lots of heat as we all sat around munching on pizza and salads.  The Black Forest Soda cake went over well, as there was only one spoonful left.  We visited until 5:00 pm.  Later in the evening we finished off our pizza and then watched Broken Trail with Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church which Glen had lent us.  It was quite good.  Didn't retire until 10:45 pm.  Two late nights for the Desert Rats make for cranky rats in the morning.

January 2 was chilly in the morning but that didn't stop seven of us getting up and heading out to  Rainbow Acres (about 10 minutes from Quatzsite) to their yard sales.  We then all went to La Casa del Rancho for breakfast.  Gordon wanted everyone to see the Domani 5th Wheel which he liked, so we then headed to LaMesa RV Sales and did a tour of the Domani and then several other 5th wheels and trailers.  Met Tom & Lucille and her sister & Brother-in-law.  They had come for the free lunch but it had been postponed until Monday.  LaMesa is supposed to have free breakfasts as well....anything to get people in to look at the RV's and maybe see something they just can't leave without.

Holiday RV Sales has a motorhome with 6 slides.  Yes, six!  We all stopped there on our way home and spent some time in that motorhome and then viewsed several more.  Maggie wants a Road Trek and they had four for viewing.  I shuddered when I walked into them.  There is far too much stuff crammed in such a small space, but for a single person with a small dog maybe it is enough. 

Returned home around 1:30 pm and spent the remainder of the afternoon reading, sleeping or generally resting.  Just sitting in the sun was wonderful.  Gord made a shrimp & chicken stir-fry for supper and then we went to JR's RV Park for a jam.  We haven't been to a jam for quite some time as we have had a fire lots of nights.

It is now 6:05 am on January 3rd.  The temperature is +11C.  Wishing you all a great day from the Arizona desert.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!

Yesterday was work day for the Arizona Desert Rats.  While Jeanne did the laundry Gord stayed at camp and made a cardboard oven.  He put briquets in it to see how hot he could get it, and after experimenting a bit he thinks it will work.  Didn't have time to try it out on baking anything.  

Jeanne spent some time visiting with the folks around as she was inviting them to join the fire this evening for a New Year's celebration.  Royce, Linda, Jeri & Roger decided they would rather go to the Grubstake and get "pissy eyed" (their words not mine)  Jeanne invited a new couple that moved in a short distance away from Oklahoma, Sandi & Steve.  They came and were a good addition.  There were twelve of us and every one brought some snacks, so we ended up with enough food for an army.  The last people left at 11:45 and it took a while to get things put away.  At midnight we heard fireworks so sat at the table and watched.  It was a nice display for so small of a community.

It has been many years since we say a New Year in!

Didn't get up until after 8:00 am, the sun is shining and it is +7C.  We are having a pizza party at Bonnie & Clyde's at noon.  We are ordering from Silly Al's as we didn't know how the oven would be to cook in, and besides, we have heard they do pizzas well.  Gord is making a dutch oven Black Forest Soda cake for dessert.

We still haven't found out where the time goes, but each day goes so quickly.  We make a list of the things we want or need to do and may get one or two done before nightfall.  We haven't been to a jam since we returned from Palm Springs.

We wish you a very Happy,  Healthy and prosperous New Year!  Spring will be here before we know it and we will be heading home.  Love to you all.