Sunday, February 11, 2018

Trip to Q, a few purchases, and what I see when I look up from my chair....



Our Location: Bouse Road near Parker, AZ


A good night's sleep and when I woke up around 6 or at least I think I did, am my knee felt much better, not that puffy stiff feeling.  I decided I'd read a bit before getting up and one of two things happened, either I read more than I thought or I misread the clock, or maybe both I don't know. By the time I realized the correct time the sun was already up and I totally missed it's entrance. Some days I even amaze myself!

 
I wonder when they realized they had left this behind?

Hot drinks and a few discussions of our day ahead had us moving around shortly and ready to face the day. First job was to load all the garbage into the Dogsled and the drinking water jugs as well. We headed the Big Dog down to Quartzsite to check out a few of the lagging behind vendors. 

I love this knot, it's so eye catching...

The landfill was closed, so scratch that idea of putting the trash there. Southward we continued until we arrived at Tyson Wells, found a parking spot in the parking lot as the road frontage was full all ready and only us and a big rig in the parking lot when we left the Dogsled. Not so when we got back though, it was much busier by then.

Don 't you just love this old tree, it's been through some rough times....

We walked around a few of the vendors but not a whole lot that caught our eye in the first few rows. We did however manage to find a few deals as we wandered along further into the area. We managed to grab ourselves some grill mats that we can cut to fit the Weber. Riley found herself a floppy wide brimmed hat. I bought two 'window washing magic cloths', and a nice multi coloured southwestern blanket or table cloth. We priced the sun shades but they were too expensive at $91 USD for our size. The only deal to be had on those was if we paid cash they would discount the sales tax. Thanks but we'll pass. 

Rows of mountains.....

We had about given up on finding one this year at a reasonable price and were about to start heading back to the Dogsled when we wandered into the 'last tent' that we were going to visit today. We found exactly what we wanted but not in a carry bag, for $35 USD cheaper than the other place. Didn't take long to grab it. It's the perfect colour and size. I think we got very lucky. 
 
They just lure a person in to watching them....

Noticing some dumpsters behind the small adobe building we left our trash and headed home. We didn't stop for water as we're heading out tomorrow to get a few things at Walmart and so we'll fill up then. We did however take a drive around the camping area and checked out a few sites that we would certainly remember for next time. We like the one we have but it never hurts to have a back up. 

The many colours of the desert...

Back home we settled in to do a few things. Riley outside in her new hat and me inside making myself a salad for lunch. Once again I propped my leg up and have been off it since coming back home. Wrapped an ice pack around it and it's even better now. I think one more round of anti inflammatories should do it and I'll be back to my regular self. Riley bbq'd lunch, which of course was excellent. We tried our new bbq sauce, a Jack Daniels blend, we both like it. We've had a few JD blends over the years and haven't found one we don't like yet. Our regular fix of Mike's Country Store BBQ sauce (our favourite being Georgia Southern Peach) has run out and we aren't planning a trip to Georgia so we may have to order it via mail. The best stuff I've ever had. 

There is nothing uniform about a mountain.....

Lunch was a salad for me of course, along with grilled fresh veggies (green beans, mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, celery, sweet onions) with freshly ground garlic, add to that grilled Parmesan potato slices, and JD Hickory Smoked Chicken Breast. I can tell you it was delicious. Riley is wearing a number of hats these days, nurse, bbq'er, navigator, and the list goes on. 

Lots of skeleton's in the washes here, they pile up against the roots of healthier, living version of themselves...

After lunch we cleaned up the dishes and tidied the Igloo before heading off to do our own thing. I'm doing some research for a trip to the east coast this summer and Riley, well, I'm not sure what she was doing but I heard some noises in there that had me wondering if she was being invaded by some unknown force and she was defending her room with ninja type movements and noises. It turns out she wasn't doing any such thing, but I'm not sure I believe that at all!! We'll just leave it there. 

The soft white fluff of a creosote bush...

Not as hot here today as it was yesterday. A nice breeze with some cloud cover helped to keep the day cooler than the temperatures we've been experiencing of late. We're too close to a tree to put up the sun shade but the we do put the awning out until it meets the tree. So we'll try it out at our next location. 

 (ALL sunset pictures are posted as taken, no enhancements, you can see the time stamp in the bottom right corner)


Tomorrow we need to some groceries, fuel and get a few little articles I want to make life easier for us here in the Igloo. I'll work on my little project when we get to Saddle Mountain. 


 We didn't do much for the rest of the day. I took a short walk and snapped a few pictures but the sunset tonight was so spectacular I didn't need to get many other shots. I did however have to come inside for surgery before finishing up the sunset pictures. On my little stroll I some how got a sticker in both shoes and they were in the bottom of my feet. Nurse Riley had to get the surgical gear to take them out. She wondered if I wanted to stay awake during the procedure or if I wanted to be put out. Making note of the hammer in the doctor kit I opted to remain awake through the ordeal. I will say she did an excellent job and no stitches were require to close the large holes she made while digging before extraction. She didn't even give me a band aid after!!




The temperature has been perfect here with the nice breeze that kicked up this afternoon. I see some windows left open tonight as the heat is still hanging on even at this hour. 
 


 
I think this location is perhaps the greenest location we've been in for a while. The bushes, shrubs and trees, yes there are numerous trees here are a lush and healthy green. Sitting outside reading my book I will say that upon raising my head I'm amazed at the view I have. Mountains on all sides, a bluish haze in the far distance, not a crisp image but one that towers foreboding in the back ground, looming large and massive. Nearer than those far blue mountains are the crisper images of lofty heights, tiny valleys, rocky bumps and  dark crags, the outlines of washes and ridges showing up in least expected places. The colours some times black, or green, and some times dotted with various colours, but always clearer than those looming behind.  And closer still is the green sea swaying in the breeze as the leaves shimmer and glisten in the sun, waxen surfaces casting the light away.
 
  The amazingly vibrant green Palo Verde trees with their long willow like foliage dancing and swaying with the puffs of wind in perfect time with the creosote bushes. Yet gangly limbs of those bushes flopping gently side to side slightly out of sync with the others near by. The small shrub like mounds of green here and there with each performing to their own beat and while not in perfect time, not totally out of step either. It is difficult to see the other colours, the whites, ivory, along with desert browns, and the stark grayish bones of other trees and shrubs that haven't been able to stay alive due to fast rushing waters, not enough water, and abuse by mankind not just mother nature.
 
 
 
Above all of this is a vast sky that changes colours as well, from brilliant, electric blue to softer shades of blue, so soft it is almost white. Some clouds tossed in for good measure cause streaks or puff balls to decorate the sky haphazardly. The bright fierce yellow of the sun beaming down on all creation watching over it as it picks on the weaker, less strong, weeding them out, making her domain stronger and smarter, better able to survive. I am witness to this beauty, the life and death struggle of the desert. For that I am truly fortunate and blessed. 






 So there you have it folks, my view from the chair outside today. The day has ended and it's time to publish this post. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. Please feel free to drop a comment. I enjoy hearing from you. 


Until next time... take care, be safe, 

Goodnight...

Deb







18 comments:

  1. I am absolutely amazed at your writing skills. The way you describe your surroundings is something that blows me away. You make me want to be in a chair right beside you to see it as you do. And I was disappointed not seeing your sun shade. Riley sounds like she is your rock. What a great help.

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    1. You are too kind, thank you. I just write what I see.

      Hahaha...when we get to Saddle Mountain I'll set up the sunshade and take a picture or two.

      Riley is an amazing help, she's definitely a trooper and I'd be lost without her.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  2. I really like your new header picture. That sunset tonight over Q was impressive and obviously you captured a great one over Bouse Road. I am a fan of tree deformities like knots. You captured some nice ones.
    Sounds like you were a shrewd shopper.

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    1. That was taken on the trip here to Bouse Road along CA 177. It was very long and straight. It made a great picture for sure.

      It was a spectacular sunset last night and I enjoyed it. It was fun snapping pictures.

      I too am drawn to the unique formations around me, be it rock, tree, etc. The trees here are fascinating to see. I often wonder what story they would tell if they could speak to me. I'll bet they've seen some amazing things and the story behind the deformity would be a good one.

      I think we just got lucky but I like your way of thinking much better.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  3. Too Bad you didn't stop in to say hello while you were in the neighbourhood. Nice ti see that Riley is becoming more helpful with each passing day and that you are recoverinng.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Riley is a gem and I wouldn't know what to do without her along. She's an excellent travel companion.

      I'm pretty much recovered and I can see some nice easy walking in the future.

      We were on a mission to check out the vendors and didn't go any further than the Tyson Wells. After that little bit of an excursion we were both ready to go home. It was getting too busy for Riley and my impression of Hop Along Cassidy was getting better and better. Perhaps another time.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  4. Sounds like a great deal on the sunshade, and a grill mat you can cut to size is nice treat for a lot of applications. Now you can enjoy the cooler weather but gonna be a windy today and tomorrow. Your higher elevation there will give you different plants in the area.
    Enjoy you more time there.

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    1. Yeah I think it was a great deal, we'll see when we open it up. However I have no doubt it will be exactly what we wanted.

      The grill mat will be a wonderful addition to the Weber and we're looking forward to checking it out.

      We had a few gusts last night but nothing to speak of really, only lasted for a little while or at least I didn't hear long after I went to bed. It started right around dark and I think was over around 11 pm or so. This morning there has been very little breeze here but all around looks pretty hazy, either dust kicking up or pollution blowing in from somewhere. It's thick enough right now at just before 9 am to be almost obscuring the mountains, we can see the outlines but no detail.

      Our time is drawing to a close here, we're moving on tomorrow morning to Saddle Mountain.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  5. You have descriptive talent Deb. The view of what you see and those beautiful sunset photos are just great. I enjoy reading your blog.

    Glad you finally found the perfect sunscreen and Saddle Mountain is a great place to first use it.

    I was expecting Riley to model her floppy hat! Maybe some day you'll catch her with it on when she isn't looking 😇.

    Safe trip.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them very much. I'm glad you enjoy my little blog and hope it does a bit of justice to what I see and feel while living this adventure we call life. The view is not as stunning as Borrego Springs but there are good things to see every where I look. The sun does all the work with regards to sunsets and rises, I just snap the button on the camera.

      We are looking forward to Saddle Mountain and maybe I'll catch Miss Riley with her floppy hat on there. I'll try to get her and the sunshade at the same time. Hahaha

      Thanks.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  6. Glad your knee is feeling better, but don't do too much too quickly! We were looking for a sun shade too but didn't get one yet. Your pictures of the sunset are awesome! We're adding surgeon to Riley's specialities, what a girl she is! Your writing is incredible I've got to say. Have you thought of writing a book, using your pictures along with your descriptions?! Amazing..

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    1. Thank you, I'll be very careful with it.

      I think they are a must out here, otherwise you're always running around looking for shade and the flip side of the Igloo isn't always convenient as the BBQ is not on that side. I know I could move it but well I'm lazy.

      Riley wears many hats and she wears them well. I'm very proud of her, she's a true gem and I would be lost without her.

      Thanks, the sunsets and sunrises pretty much do the work, I just push the camera button.

      I have written a book (about 5 years ago) but haven't published it. It was more for my own sense of accomplishment. Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them very much.

      I've never thought about a travel book though, that might be fun to do.

      Glad you're enjoying the blog.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  7. I think Lorne said it best about your writing, I couldn't agree more. Maybe you should take up writing books and become a famous author. Take care.

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    1. You are too kind, thanks for the wonderful words. I just write it how I see it. Kind of like taking pictures, I just point and shoot.

      I did write a book a number of years ago but didn't publish it. It was more for my own sense of accomplishment than anything else really.

      Thanks Bill.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  8. Your pictures today where beautiful but the sunset ones fantastic.

    The words you used to describe your surroundings are so wonderful. You bring us all in and if I close my eyes I can see the breeze going through the trees making them sway.

    It sounds like Riley is a wonderful daughter and traveling companion not to mention nurse and cook. Looking forward to seeing a picture of her in that floppy hat.
    Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks Deb. Really I'm just along for the ride, the sun does all the work.

      I'm glad I could bring you along to the chair beside me. It's what I see when I look up.

      Riley is an amazing young woman and a very special daughter. She wears many hats and seems to be fitting into new ones as we travel along. We'll work on the hat picture.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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  9. Lovely pictures as usual, I too was hoping to see Riley in her new hat. Can't wait to see it. She is a real trooper and like your right hand, I'm sure. How great that you both have this opportunity.
    The gnarly trees are so interesting, dead or alive you can see special things of beauty in each one. You have the eyes to see it and the words to describe it. :)
    Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Patsy.

      Riley has certainly become much more confident and a bit more out going on this southwest trip for certain. She is a valuable member of the team and seems to be happy filling in the various roles as required. If too many more people keep saying those things she's going to want a raise for all the different hats. Hahaha...

      Thanks for the kind words. I love the sights I see here just walking around and looking. The stories that could be told would be amazing.

      Take care, be safe,
      Deb

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