Remembering George, birthdays, another lazy day...

Our Location: Truckhaven BLM, Salton City, CA

 

 

The passing of George Yates yesterday has touched many in the RV and blogger community. I started reading George & Suzie's blog Our Awesome Travels many years ago and decided I wanted very much to do what they were doing. Now I do just that, live the dream and enjoy each day as it comes. We first meet George and Suzie at Quail Ridge RV in Hauchuca City, AZ in late November, 2017. We had followed a few days behind them for a long while and finally we pulled into a site just two or three down the way from them. George was standing out there watching us pull in and I mentioned to Riley that is was George standing over there with a big smile. We dropped by later in the day for a quick hello and a chat with him and Suzie. 

 

We will each remember him for various reasons and in various ways. Always happy to chat, offer ideas and information, a multi pocketed vest, a large straw hat, knobby knees, bright white teeth and a smile that never failed to brighten the day.  A warm and fantastically positive man with a wonderful out look on life and it's many adventures and challenges. This is how I will remember George.  Suzie, I hope you and the family find peace and comfort in the days, weeks and months ahead. Comfort in each other, comfort in knowing you all made his last days brighter, easier, more enjoyable.  Loss is never easy but some times it's a blessing in it's own way. George has left you all something very dear and precious, something that can never be taken away. Memories. He is forever with you in those memories, any time you need him simply call him to you with a memory and feel the love and comfort of him. As long as you hold those memories he is never far way. I am truly sorry for your loss and your heartache. George, I have no doubt you will always 'Keep Smiling'.

George & Suzie Yates, Nov 2017.

A lazy day here in Salton City. My walk this morning had me trying to work out the kinks and hitches in various places and I can say that except for a couple of stubborn spots that require a different kind of aid, I'm getting back to a more 'user friendly' state of being.  Some time sitting in the sun today helped to warm everything up and I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll be back to being able to function well.  I've learned my lesson and will be very careful in the future when it comes to off roading and wash riding. 

 Water has made its way down here bringing with it large stones, small stones, sand, gravel and many other kinds of debris.

 It is not snow but sand. Don't you love the curve in the wall?

 Not very high here but definitely interesting banks.

 

Doug & Yuma stopped by shortly before noon for a chat. Well Doug stopped by then, Yuma had been by a few times nosing around for some attention before taking off home only to come back again for some more but would head home when I stopped petting him. I think he was annoyed. Yuma, not Doug.  Doug offered to take us on another jeep ride but we both declined and while I really wanted to go, I was smart enough to know it was a really bad idea. Thanks for the offer Doug.

 We followed this wash and turned before we hit that wall. Amazing colours for sure. 

 Worn by time and the elements but still holding on.

 I wonder how many cowboys, outlaws and Natives stopped and rested right here in this spot?

 

Today's photos are more from our ride to Split Mountain. I hope you enjoy them.  

 This is the slot canyon we hiked along for a while.

 Amazing lines in the wall.

 Water and wind has a way of wearing things down.

 Now I wonder how those various colours came to be only in that one spot. 

 We felt very small and oddly enough, slightly tilted.

 Can you understand our feeling very small?

 Looking up wasn't always easy. It was way, way, way up.

  I love that layer of reddish brown that runs through this wall.

 We drove along here and at times it felt like a bit of a squeeze but it wasn't really.

 Okay, well maybe in a few places it was a bit tighter...

 Sometimes we had to make choices, which side to pick.

 And sometimes we just followed the path.

 Lots of growth on the top and that is Teddy Bear Cholla (Choy-a), the jumping cactus and it's dropping little babies down on the sand at the bottom of the wash. Yuma of course found numerous clumps.

 I think we started walking just before this photo.

 I'm sure we could have driven on this but it was past some really, really rough looking spots and so I was happy we were walking.

 The colours were so stark and unique in some places. 

 Amazing the different textures of the walls.

 It just keeps going and going and going and going..

 I thought they looked like sea shells.

 A tad skinny, don't cha think?

 A few obstacles to climb.

Some easy going here.

 Water wears a groove here. 

A birthday wish to my friend Ian, who celebrates today. He's up in the cold north where yesterday it was -41C/ -41.8F.  A wee bit too cold for me. Happy Birthday my friend, stay warm and keep safe. 

 

 Also an early birthday wish to son in law Matt, who celebrates tomorrow. Matt is a research doctor at York University in Toronto. Happy Birthday Matt. 

 Heading home along the wash...

 Now isn't that nice fit? 

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the last of the photos from our day in Split Mountain and Sandstone Canyon.

 Right in the middle is the 'split' in where we are once again back into Split Mountain and motoring back toward the highway at Ocotillo Wells. 

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

Deb