Sunday, February 21

It is a windy windy day. +66F but the wind is very strong so it is unpleasant being out of doors. There were 391 people at church today. Today was to the be the last week of double meetings, but the Branch President decided to hold them for one more week.

After lunch Doug and Phyllis came over for a few minutes then they decided it was time to pack up and leave for Yuma, so we took this opportunity to go to Jan & Jim's. Jan had brought two great dishes to different PCP dinners and I wanted the recipes. Got home around 4:15. We spent the rest of the day indoors. Gordon was on the computer and I read. I had brought a pizza mix down with us last year and hauled it back home. Brought it down again this year and promised myself I would not be taking it home. If we didn't use it I would toss it, so we made it up tonight for supper. We were in bed by 9:15.

Saturday, February 20

No walking this morning because we had an 8:30 am appointment for breakfast with Doug & Phyllis. As we were waiting in the LaCasa Ranchero, Bonnie & Kathy came in and joined us. From there we had a 10:00 am coffee date with Ken & Christine Fester (yes, that is correct) from Grande Prairie. We had met them last year at jams. We had a great visit with them until 12:30. Doug & Phyllis came over for a while in the last afternoon. We were just finishing up our supper of grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup when Ron & Gerilyn came over to check out our LED lights. They stayed for a game of Hand and Foot, leaving a 9:30.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Woke to a windy, overcast morning, but we had planned a ride and it wasn't raining. Dressed warm and away we went. Loaded machines on vehicles and drove to Mile 8 on Plomosa Road where we had unloaded the other day. Unloaded and headed north across the Plomosa Road.

First picture: my machine, then Gord's machine, Clint (called him Clyde in last post) That is him in the hat and April is talking to him, then Chuck and the yellow jeep is Doug and Phyllis. Glen leads and I didn't get his machine in this picture.

It was a slow morning. We had travelled only 8 km (5 miles) by noon.

I stopped to capture this poor Saguaro cactus. He is all eaten along the bottom. It is amazing that they can still live like this.

Today we covered 53.4 km (39 miles). Along our trails we found sand dunes, shale, large rocks and relatively easy riding. I found that I didn't like the sand. I don't feel much in control in that loose sand, and always feel like I will roll over or something. Glen laughed at me the first dunes we came to when I said I wouldn't ride on them.

Here is Gordon enjoying the vista from the dunes. After riding most of the day, we returned to and rode across the first dunes we had come to. I just about didn't make it over one hill, as I was spinning out. Rocked it back and forth until I could dig a little deeper to firmer ground and finally got over. Glen said I had probably not had it in 4 wheel drive. Earlier in the day when we came to a steep hill he advised me to put machine into 4wheel drive. He makes me laugh sometimes.

Notice the grass. It has a tiny bit of green coming. It amazes me how something that looks dried up and dead can come alive with moisture. There is lots of greening going on in the desert as we have had a great deal of moisture this year.

Today we spent time looking for trails. It is not usual for Glen to do this, he is very good at getting us to and from without wandering. However, we were unable to find the mines in the area. Maybe next year.

Again I am having trouble keeping things together with my post.

Here is the remains of a Saguaro cactus. The spines make great walking sticks as they are so light.

I am sitting on the top of a rather steep hill watching the others navigate it. It doesn't look like much and one day I will learn how to get perspective in my pictures. It surprised me that the jeep could go anywhere we on the quads did.

Notice the shale here. Just rock with layer upon layer. The ground has been changing a lot on this trip.

In this picture you will notice patches of sand. This is the first sand dunes we have seen in the area we have travelled both this year and last.

It was what I had initially thought the entire desert would be like - sandy with very little vegetation. How wrong I was.

Here is the remains of ironwood trees or mesquite trees. I would like to have one of these in my yard in Calgary, but we couldn't lift either of them, even if we could take them from the desert.

This is just a snap of a mountain in the area. Note the green on the ground. The last picture is of some other rock formations we saw on today's ride.

We were tired and dirty because the wind was blowing and it is usually dusty riding. However, we came home, changed, Doug & Phyllis and Gord and I went to Burger King for the $1.00 Whopper and fries then we went to JR's RV Park to the jam.

We had a FULL day today.

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

How forgetful I am getting. I couldn't remember what we had done on Tuesday, but Tuesday was our Pop Can Party. We had filet mignon, two different Heavenly potatoes, two salads, pickles, with cake, brownies, almond roca squares and ice cream. Thirteen of us sat down for dinner and three left immediately following the meal. Ten of us played POKENO until nearly 5:00 pm, with Jeanne winning the blackout. We were playing for pennies so my winnings were HUGE!

Norma and LeRoy left Wednesday morning for parts unknown.

Today was quite unproductive. This morning Gord & I went for a walk then thought we would come home and have a quick breakfast. It didn't work out quite like we planned. As Gord was doing his morning chores, feeding the birds and watering the garden, Glen dropped in to return our Arizona book, then Doug came over and the three of them sat and visited and discussed our next trip. Phyllis dropped in, but I had promised Kathy I would cut her hair, and so I went there to do my work. When I finished up Phyllis was back at their bus and Doug and Gordon were working on a propane problem Doug was having. Gordon finally got his bowl of cereal at 11:00 am.

At noon we went to LaPaz Valley to a jam. It wrapped up at 3:15. I was ready for a nap, but by the time we got home it was time to think about supper. Gord was helping Doug when Glen & April stopped by. Glen thought the guys had been "mechanicing" all day, because they were at it when he left this morning and at it when he returned this afternoon. They stayed until 4:45, after arranging a ride for the morning.

Tonight we had a fire with six of us, the Lansdells, Wates and Fosters. Great night for a fire.

Great day overall. It was 73F at 4:00 pm. Not quite as warm as yesterday but a gorgeous day nonetheless!

I am adding pictures that I had on my Tuesday blog, because I moved them and can't seem to get them to enlarge when I double click them. Hope you are all well and enjoying where you are and what you are doing.

Wednesday, February 16th, 2010

Doug, Phyllis, Gordon and I went to Sweet Darlene's for breakfast. Ham & Eggs $3.99 Bacon & Eggs $2.99. From there we walked around Rice Ranch until noon. Did nothing much in the afternoon then at 6:30 pm we went to Santa Claus' for an outdoor movie. Tuesday evening as we were sitting around our fire we could see a moving projection on the back of Santa's big red RV. We, along with all of the RVrs in LaPosa West, were invited to watch "Open Range" on Wednesday evening. They have a big screen, a DVD player and an amplifier. There were 14 people who came. It was quite neat, sitting outside on the 16th of February watching a movie.

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Glen, April, Chuck, Clyde, Jeanne & Gordon went for a ride today.

We loaded up, drove the vehicles to Mile 8 on the Plomosa Road, unloaded and headed east. We had been in this area a couple of times last year and once this year, but today we were looking for

the trail over the

mountains to Brenda. We found it and it was a

toughie! Real rough riding in places, and the steepest climb we have made in the desert. We just went right over the top

of the mountain. If you look closely at the second picture you can see the trail down below us. We were at the top of one mountain where we had stopped for lunch. We found this friendly little cactus at the summit where we lunched. Would not like to run into this at any time. (Picture 1) Picture 3 is a view from the summit in an southerly direction. We sure could see a long way

in two directions. It is amazing just how far we could see. As we

were eating our lunch we saw a truck coming along the the trail

we had just come over, and disappeared just where the trail goes out of sight in picture 2. The comment

was made by all that we wouldn't be trying this trip in a pickup.

Well, soon we saw three people walking out the way they came.

There are more Saguaro catci through this part of the desert than we have seen anywhere else. The two cacti embracing are called

the "hugging" cacti. They are just a short distance out of Brenda. The male is standing straight and the female is leaning into him, and he has his arm around her. If you look closely, she

has lost her head. Isn't that just like a woman, to lose her head over a man! There are lots of Ocotillo and Choya and a few other

cactus which we didn't know the names of. It is obvious that this area is not open to camping.

We are so grateful it is open to

quading, as it is so beautiful. There are a large number of side-by-sides here, but I sure wouldn't want to do today's ride in a side-by-side. There were a few dead trees like the one above. Both April and Jeanne wished they could take it home for their yards, but that is a NO NO! The last picture shows a different rock formation. The desert is full of all sorts of interesting rock formations, and colors. What a great day. The weather cooperated and was tipping 80F. We left Mile 8 at 3:30, stopped for drinking water then came home. Gordon filled the water tank in the trailer and while doing so noticed a brown bus driving down the highway. It was Doug and Phyllis Lansdell from Turner Valley. We spoke with them a few weeks ago and they didn't think they would be able to come down this year. It was great to see that they could come, and the weather today was a wonderful welcome to Albertans heading south! Had a fire again tonight. Gordon cooked a roast, mashed potatoes, gravy and peas & carrots for supper last night and Chuck joined us, then Bonnie & Kathy joined the three of us for Date Squares, then we had a fire later.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Gordon and I went for our walk, had breakfast then at 9:30 Chuck and the two of us loaded up and drove to mile 10 on the Plomosa Road where we unloaded our machines and took off about 7 miles west of Bouse. We traveled 27.9 km. This was real different country than that on the other side of the highway. We came across the most magnificent Mesquite tree. The knarls on these trees are gorgeous. We only saw one mine in all our riding today. It was quite flat compared to most of what we have seen this year. April is recovering from a week long cold so she and Glen didn't come with us, and Clyde was late in rising and wasn't prepared to ride, so just the three of us went. It was a good day. We were back home by 3:15. Had a fire in the evening.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Today we got up earlier and left for our walk at 7:30 am. We went to Parker to pick up the filet for our Tuesday Pop Can Party. Why another one so soon you ask! Well Bashas had beef tenderloin on for $4.99 /lb. and it was too good a deal to pass up. Filet Mignon for 13 people for $44.00. Regular price was $105.00, so we got one for the PCP and one for the Fosters. They were all sold out when we got there, but the meat manager was on his way from Lake Havasu with more, so we waited. We were back in Quartzsite by 1:00 pm then had to find room in the fridge and freezer for the meat we had purchased.

Gordon spent some time this afternoon altering the blue boy frame. Tonight we had a bonfire. First time in quite a while, we have been either busy or it has been too cold and windy for a fire. It was a beautiful, clear, calm night and the stars were dancing across the sky. Jim and Jan & Bonnie and Kathy and Chuck were there. Chuck rode over on his bicycle, in the pitch dark, carrying his lawn chair. His friend had lent him a light to put on his head. Jim and Jan are the hosts. She said a couple came in a few days ago with an RV pulling an enclosed trailer wanting to know if there was somewhere further from town they could camp because they were stargazers and had brought their telescope and didn't want any town lights to interfere with their viewing. Tonight would have been a perfect night for stargazing. We forgot to bring the binoculars this year. Back in RV by 9:15 pm. Tomorrow we are riding.

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Yesterday we picked up drinking water, did the laundry, stopped and visited with Tom and Lucille. Gordon went to a jam tonight and I went back to LeRoy and Norma's for apple pie. It was overcast most of the day, and around supper we had a real downpour. It was really pretty, as the sun was shining as the rain was pouring down. The pictures don't show it. Then there was this beautiful rainbow from horizon to horizon. Two fabulous rainbows in a week! How lucky we have been.

Today was our Pop Can Party. It was fried chicken, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy, pie and ice cream. We made the coleslaw, the chicken was purchased at Albertson's grocery and was it wonderful! The potatoes were instant and were they good. There were 13 of us for dinner and it didn't take much time to prepare and all came out of the pop can money. It pays to pick cans.

After dinner nine of us played a game (cards) of Golf then Gord had a nap. All in all it has been a wonderful day.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Got up early and made a chocolate pie, as we are stopping to see the Okies and I just couldn't do it without some home baked goodies. Gordon drove into Yuma to get propane while I finished up the packing. We got a call from Larry telling us that Pat had been ill all night and they were on their way to the hospital. She has pneumonia. We were back to Quartzsite and all set up before our friends got finished at the hospital and back to their RV's. And here we are with a chocolate pie that won't keep very well....we just had to invite a couple of couples to share.

Actually, we went to LeRoy and Norma's RV and took the pie. Gerilyn and Ron were there. We played a game of Hand and Foot then had pie. They were going to ask us to join them for supper at the LaCosa Ranchero, but thought that we would be too tired after just getting back home and set up. Turned out good!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Yesterday we spent some time in Yuma. This morning we are off to the dentist again. Gordon needs to pick up his partial and then we are done. We spent a little over an hour at the dentist, then Jeanne decided she needed a haircut, so that took some time, mostly waiting. What a busy place. There were seven hairdressers and they were busy as bees. A haircut, including shampoo, blow dry and style $7.00 US.

Then we got some more medications and Jeanne purchased two pair of earrings and a necklace. We left Mexico at 3:45 and called the Okies who were in the Yuma area. We met them at Lutes in Yuma for supper then they came out to the Knob and we had tea and store bought cookies. The Okies were the ones that asked when the next cake was being baked, as we were eating one, so I felt really bad that I didn't have anything baked. They left about 9:00 pm. We made arrangements to stop by their camp site as we pass by on our way home tomorrow.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

The Weatherman said 20% chance of rain and we got it. It rained off and on all day, sometimes pouring down. Around 11:30 Ted and Sylvia arrived and we drove to a date farm for a "date" shake. I certainly had better ones last year. I felt bad because Fishers had never had them. We were fortunate in that we purchased 11 lbs of dates for $15.95. In local Quartzsite store 11 lbs of dates are $40.00. We split the box between the two of us. From there we drove into Yuma and toured the old Yuma Prison. We had been there last year, but this year we had a guide which made it much more interesting. I was glad for that because this is the only sight seeing Sylvia has done. She has spent most of her time at the dentist. After the prison we went to the Happy Greek restaurant for an early supper. Then we returned to the RV, watched "The Ultimate Gift" ate Pistachio salad then Fishers went home. It was a really fun day, and was great to spend time with the Fishers.

You can't see the rainbow over the trailer very well. We didn't get the camera soon enough, but it was a beautiful rainbow.

Early to bed.

Friday, February 5th, 2010

After a simple breakfast we drove into Yuma to the big flea market. We were looking for a specific item but couldn't find it. However, we did purchase a mattress pad. The mattresses in the RV 's are not worth much, and it was a needed item. Grabbed a few groceries then hurried back to Pilot Knob as Truda and Bob coming for dinner. Had a good meal and a great visit. They left around 8:00 Arizona time which is 7:00 California. Living so close to two time zones can be confusing. Truda has this stained glass in her home. Gordon wants to try it for the window in the door of the 5th Wheel.

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Went to Algodonas Mexico to the dentist. Were there for three hours. Did no looking, Gordon ate shrimp tacos and we picked up some medications. We sure didn't add to the Mexican economy. When Jeanne's work was done we returned to the RV and called Ted & Sylvia Fisher, friends from Calgary who are in Yuma. They came to visit. Sylvia is having extensive dental work done. Poor girl. This has been no holiday for her. When they left we went to bed. It was a tiring day.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Here are some pictures from the Quad ride on Janaury 26. Jeanne was sick in bed, couldn't even do any sewing she felt too weak, but Gordon enjoyed himself. Lawrence and Kate borrowed Jeanne's machine. Kate rode with Lawrence until the hills got a little steep and then she climbed on with Gordon. He has a storage box on the back of his machine that fits like a back rest and Jeanne's has nothing, so it is hard to ride far on the back of her machine. They rode south of town, to the Texaco station where they all had lunch. Found two graves on their ride. It was quite cool in the morning when they left, but turned into a beautiful day. All is well with the Fosters now.

Thursday, February 4th, 2010 @ 2:50 am

We are now at Pilot Knob on the California side of the border, just north of the Mexican border. We arrived here yesterday afternoon from Quartzsite. It was very windy on the Knob, there are NO trees and very few bushes. I wouldn't want to spend the winter here. We talked with one fellow who said his awning had been ripped off in that storm, and it wasn't even out. We set up camp and then drove into Yuma, about 25 miles, to visit with Bob & Truda. They have a really nice park model, on a lot in a manufactured home park. The lots are quite large. They had just completed a shed in the back of their lot. Their home is bright and cheery and the deck is the full length and about as wide as the trailer itself. Deck is completely covered over. We ate supper on the deck, it was 70 F before we ate and by the time we finished, at 6:30 pm it was down to 66 F. Yuma is about 5 degrees warmer than Quartzsite. We are on California time here, so were home and in bed by 8:15 California time.

Here are pictures of the four Okies and two Colies we met. First picture is Pat and Lloyd from Colorado, next is Pat and George from Oklahoma and Yvonne and Larry also from Oklahoma. They are a scream! We had supper in Yvonne & Larry's motorhome with all of them on a Tuesday night. Then the storm hit and Lloyd and Pat moved to higher ground, then George and Pat followed. George and Pat were back the next day, but Lloyd and Pat stayed on higher ground until they left Quartzsite a few days after the storm. Then the other four went to Laughlin for a few days, leaving the one truck and their 4-wheelers with us. They returned to Quartzsite on Jan 28, but didn't want to pay to stay at LaPosa West where we are, so they moved to Mile 99 to the 14 day free area. The minimum payment is $40.00 and it is good for two weeks, and they were planning on staying only one week. We were down there on Sunday evening for supper, then Monday afternoon we all went to a jam and then went to the Grub Stake for supper.

Tuesday we spent most of the day putting the solar panels down and packing up for our move to Pilot Knob, Gordon was dog sitting a couple of dogs. Glen & April and Bonnie & Kathy came over for an hour or so.

Wednesday morning, the 3rd we went to Sweet Darlene's for a $2.99 bacon & egg breakfast then finished up our packing and pulled out. We left the quads there as Bonnie & Kathy are just to the north of us, and LeRoy (to the south of us) was over and said he would keep an eye on things as well. We had a couple of offers to water the garden. I think everyone around is waiting for fresh lettuce.

Hans & Maria are leaving, and will possibly be at Pilot Knob before we leave, probably Saturday. They are headed to Holtville and then if they have time will do the Tombstone, Bisby, Tuscon loop. They did it about 15 years ago and said one would need at least 2 weeks to see everything. Glen & April we haven't seen much of, they said they have to come to Mexico for her glasses and maybe they would run over to the coast. Gordon wants to get some serious quadding in when we get back to Quartzsite, and I would like to get some serious quilting, but I can't do both.