Staying put a little longer, or back to one of our original plans…..

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona 

When we first started making plans for this winter we had a number of ideas for our Q stay. The ideas have flitted to longer and shorter times with the weather playing a big part. Temps and wind being the factors of course. We were planning an early departure due to the coldish temps here but the high winds in the Yuma area have us putting long pants and sweaters on instead. We think Monday or Tuesday is the day but we shall see. Oh, something to share, I believe RR BLM has a camp host this year, it looks as if it is set up for business at least.

A dead saguaro.

Even in death they hold their spines
waiting for flesh to spear.

One of the things on our list was to visit with Bill and Patsy, and we are happy to say we have managed that twice! We enjoyed our visits greatly. Another item on the list was a repair or 2 at Lifestyles but that wasn’t in the cards. Purchasing some jerky from Daniel’s was also on the list, we checked it off yesterday. A few other little things have also been checked off. Overall it has been a great stay.

Ribs from a dead saguaro.

Stamps, post office saga, I have news. Yes, yes, yes, I have stamps. I did however read the sign wrong, the post office is open from 9-12 as per the large sign, but also from 1-4 pm, which I managed to miss somehow. General package pickups are in the afternoon hours only. On a busy Friday morning only one very busy but extremely efficient worker. He must have walked at least 300 steps while I stood in line for 10 minutes.

This Teddy Bear Cactus is struggling to survive.

We also checked out the new DG Market, very clean, but of course it’s very new. DG I am assuming means Dollar General. We didn’t find any bargains other than some Brisk for a buck. Pink lemonade for me and Blood Orange for my side kick.

Ocotillo, also called Devils Walking Stick.

My crafty sister and her equally crafty daughter are at a craft show this morning, and apparently will be at one every week for the next 4 weeks. I wish them success! They are both very talented and I believe that is why I have no craft talent, they have it all. Mother was very crafty as well. 

It is hard to believe this saguaro is hundreds of years old.

Do you think he’s being robbed?

Deer season will be opening soon (gun), so hunters are once again invading the Rock in Lake Huron. SIL Barb is busy cooking for the Fall Fowl Supper tonight in the Senior Centre in the hamlet of Tehkummah (Tac-a-ma). She is an excellent cook, as are the other ladies that work in the kitchen. We wish them a very successful night.

That is us back there.

For Jim, the tractor tear down is about complete now, all of the steering parts from the scrap tractor are off, all hoses, cylinders, the whole steering assembly including the steering wheel have been removed, cleaned up and inspected. Dad has sprayed his DB down with gas a couple of times to get rid of the debris, dirt and grease. I suggested another couple of times with hot soapy water to help with the grease factor.  Since the hunt is on this week, I believe there will be no work on the tractor for a couple of weeks.

So there you have it, all of our news. We have been enjoying the lazy days watching the sun and clouds dance on the mountains around us, we cuddle into our flannel bedsheets at night and leave a window or vent cracked open, wishing in the mornings chilled air that we had closed them, we run an errand here and there but mostly we are just resting. It is a good life, we are very fortunate.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

We nailed ourselves down…

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Az

If the blog looks blurry it’s due to the wind shaking the Igloo. The winds have been relentless for 24 hours and we are looking at another 10 hours at least. The winds are coolish, out of the north, and make it uncomfortable to be outside. It has been partially sunny with temps hovering around 70-72 F/21-22 C during the day, around 50 F/ 10 C over night. 

Three views of this beaten up Saguaro.

On Saturday while we were continuing our resting from the day before, I noticed a very big, shiny black truck pulling into our yard, our friends from Ontario came to visit. Bill, Patsy and Mr. Gibbs all climbed out and visiting commenced. Time slipped by so quickly as it does with friends, we have no idea where the couple of hours went. Soon our guests were climbing  back into BB and heading off. We will visit some more before we leave the area.

Not the best photo but you get to see their happy faces!

Sunday morning we were up and headed off to Parker for groceries and took only cash as we have had so much trouble with the card machines in Walmart there. In fact the couple ahead of us were having trouble trying  to use their card, she held the card with two hands while  he punched in the pin, it was the only way it would work. Cash payment had no issue! 

It is easy to see two of them are related.

Deb D, I looked down and found this ancient being at my feet.

I’ve been in touch with folks back home, Dad, sister, SIL Barb. All is well, rain is in the forecast for a number of days. Jason and Leah’s house is moving right along, it sounds as if a move in date is coming closer. We are excited for them!

Can you see the sleeping Indian?

1- forehead
2- nose
3- chin

The road to Parker is vastly improved with a new surface most of the way. Kuen Street here in Q is also vastly improved but Bill informed me it was fixed last spring, which we didn’t know.

The road to Parker.

We always like to this RR car!

As I typed this I thought I could see a dog running loose but I think it may have been coyote, a black tipped tail was visible and no one was visible in the area.

Taken from inside the Igloo, he is definitely a coyote.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…

Take car, stay safe,

Deb

We are 10 days from leaving our summer spot.....

 

 

Our Location: 

Summer Spot, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada

 

Fall is definitely in the air. Rain, cold, damp and a carpet of leaves rustling and falling in the north/ northwest winds that blows most days now. From time to time we do manage a west wind but it too is cold. I do believe fall has arrived and will likely be here until Old Man Winter settles in. 

 

Two original cabins...

are now one.

 

Leaves carpeting the yard at Dad's. The metal wood shed in the back is now full awaiting winter.

We have been busy getting things cleaned up, gardens, yards, etc. Work is slowing down a great deal this past week or so. We will be attending an end of the busy season staff party tomorrow at the little inn which keeps us busy during our time here. Looking back in time I determined that we have started our 5th year at the little inn this past August. Our first year was only about 6 or 7 weeks before we left. It has been educational, annoying, enriching, and extremely entertaining. I can honestly say that most days I enjoy going to work, the hours are great, the pay is wonderful (our winter groceries), the people are fantastic, and of course, we manage a few laughs, a few sighs, a little blood, a lot of sweat and yes maybe even a few tears on occasion (from laughter most likely). It is a good place to work, and gives us some structure to our time here. 

 

Dixie the Lab is having a bath in the early morning sunshine.

I never tire of this ever changing view.

The morning sun will pop out soon.

 

My personal cleaning jobs are also winding down, one more visit to each before we leave. SIL Barb will take over those two little jobs for me while I'm away for the winter. Thanks Barb, we all appreciate that very much. The two couples I work for are amazing. I always enjoy my time there, they brighten my day and I hope I brighten theirs just a little too. I will miss them all! These two jobs are providing our Mexico spending money this year. Thank you folks!! 

 

 

How can one tire of this?

It's close to the freezing mark on this morning, and the water is much warmer than the air.

Even the deeper water out in the bay is warmer than the air.

 

We are firming our plans a bit more each day. We will be bypassing the farm this year and spending less than our usual 2 weeks in southern Ontario. We are looking at approx 1 week instead. A change in our route has us being able to leave earlier than expected. The quick change in the weather here also has us looking to let the Big Dog run south quicker. The Big Dog has had his check up and all things are good to go! We will be airing up the tires on the Igloo this coming week and putting the last of our things away in the cabin for winter. I will admit I've been wearing my heavy mittens and winter hat, along with a scarf on my early morning treks to Dad's for coffee at the now dark hour of 6:15 am.  Jeans, fleece jacket and my sploggers (due to the early morning wetness) round off the fall clothing necessary not to be shivering by the time I reach the house.  Coming home the sun is up and the flashlight stays in my pocket.  Fall has arrived. 

 

 

The old dock is white with frost this morning.

The frost is starting to melt as the sun comes up.

A very cold bath for any birds brave enough to break the ice.

 

On that note I'm signing off. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the visit. 

 

These logs are covered in frost.

The tree pile in the pit has grown steadily all summer and fall.

The white is frost on the ground at Jason's lake front property.

Until next time....

 

The Ferry Dock is the shiny buildings on the left, the others are just cottages along the shore.

I love the sun on the trees over there.

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

A much nicer day……

 Our Location:

Road Runner BLM , Quartzsite, Arizona 

A cold start to the day but it warmed up nicely and it was shortly after the noon hour that I started feeling the heat, not hot but much warmer than the past number of days.

Borrego Springs Badlands,  California 2018.

More Badlands, same day as above.

Today was a day of reorganization for us. Not labour intensive or things that required a lot of effort but things easily accomplished. The only strenuous event was the vacuuming.

Sunset,  2018.

Sunset 2018

We passed on the outing today as I felt the cold wind and ground would not benefit my already aching and swollen joints. Riley didn’t feel it would help her sinus issues either. So we decided the reorganization mentioned above was a good fit for the day.

I love Barrel Cactus, they are so colourful.

Teddy Bear Cactus, known as the Jumping Cactus.

We did both attend happy hour for a while at least before coming home, closing the door and calling it a day. 

Superstition Mountains in the background, teddy bear cactus in the foreground.

I enjoy these photos with the sharp spines highlighted by the light.

I chatted with SIL Barb and my friend Linda, both back in Ontario.  I will also be chatting with my dad a bit later tonight. A birthday note, my cousin Ron celebrated a birthday recently turning 60. I hope you had a great time at the party!

The fog rolled into the Saddle Mountain area and we could only see the mountain top.

The photos today are some favourites from past posts.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you all had a very wonderful day.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb 

My first few steps into the Cargo Muchacho Mountians....

 

Our Location: 

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

Cooler this morning but still nice. Riley and I decided separate walks would be good this morning and I took the Dogsled back toward the mountains, for the first 3000 steps. How do I know it's that many? Well that's where we walk to and turn around pretty much where I parked and so I know it's about 3000 steps to that point. 

 

Sunset, Nov 30.

I followed this arroyo for a ways this morning.

Then the stones got bigger and the sides got higher.

 

My trusty feet carried me into the very edges of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. I climbed just a little but it was a good start for future efforts. Once again all photos are with my phone! 

 

The mountains are calling, can you hear them?

I love the stark beauty here.

The arroyo got a bit rougher as I moved closer to the mountains.

 

Back home there was a message to come pick up the generator at Liberty Motorsports on Yuma Avenue. So we climbed into the Dogsled and headed off to pick it up. I thought the bill a bit high but with a new plug, filters and oil, it probably wasn't. From there we found some juice for the Big Dog and for the generator as well. Soon we were rolling along back home. 

 

I think this road might lead to a open pit mine back there.

I wonder if those are test holes for gold up there?

Way off is the Imperial Dunes.

 

I'm trying to get my posts finished by 4 pm MST so often times the last half of the day is missing. I'll fill you in on late yesterday's happenings. A call to sister in law Barb (married to brother Rick), had me being caught up on the latest news and gossip. Barb and her sister Connie have booked their winter getaway for the end of January to the DR. We hope they have a fabulous time!!! Brother Rick was standing near an exploding paint bomb and is a bit the worse for wear, but apparently alright. Cousin Bob Blue had a run in with a table saw and came out on the wrong end losing at least 1 finger and possible 2 or 3 before all things are figured out. Bob had a stroke a number of years ago and of course this hand is his good working hand. It's a tough thing for sure.  We hope both Rick and Bob have speedy recoveries and stay out of trouble for a while. 

 

Regulars to the area know this sign.

I followed that ghost of a trail.

Some pretty impressive views from a little higher up.

 

A call from my dad after chatting with Barb made the rest of the evening. Snow, snow squalls, cold north winds and very gusty blasts seemed to be the weather there, and dad thought maybe 3 inches of snow on the deck at the time of our talking. Hopefully the snow ends soon!

 

I like the contrasting colours.

I wonder if I could climb up there?

Those amazing Imperial Dunes way off in the distance.

 

So ends another post. I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

No trip to this area is complete without a picture of the black mound.

That ghost trail I followed was leading me to this. Come back tomorrow for more photos of my walk.

 

Until next time...

 

Take care, be safe, 

 

Deb