We are still here….

 

Our location:

BLM Ogilby Rd, Winterhaven, California 

We are still tucked away in Southern California enjoying the winter adventure. The days are mostly balmy with some chilly winds tossed in occasionally to remind us it is now winter time. We are of course sympathetic to those that can’t be here and will just suffer through for everyone with no complaining. Yes we are that generous!

Some times the night sky is on fire. 
Dec 22

We are no longer solo as most or at least some of you know, our friends Ken and Kim have been here since Nov 18,  they too are suffering the reminder of winter right along with us, they are not complaining either. Happy hours are more on the quiet side but fun, informative and some times even educational. We are truly enjoying their company. 

Kim and Ken have taken a spot in the front yard.

I told you it was breezy, sand in the chairs.

We, meaning the four of us, Kim, Ken, Riley and I met up with Bill, Patsy, Duncan and Patty on Nov 19 at the entrance gate to Los Algodones, Mexico for a fun filled day. It was our first time meeting Duncan and Patty, who also are from Ontario, Canada, and in fact are from Northern Ontario just as Riley and I are. We had a fabulous time, enjoyed some laughs, some good food and drinks, managed a few hugs and handshakes from some folks that remembered us, we even managed to spend some money, after all ,”Its almost free.”. It was so surprising when we turned the corner to start for the line at US customs, 2:00 pm and no one was in line! We all enjoyed that a great deal.

L-R
Riley, Deb, Duncan, Patty, Patsy, Bill, Ken, Kim

We shared Christmas Dinner in our rig with the two K’s, they supplied half, we supplied half, we were all full by the end! You will have to take my word for it as we don’t have a single pic! Thanks Kim and Ken, it was delicious and the company fantastic!

Christmas Eve

We FaceTimed with my grandsons on Christmas Eve for a bit, but chatted with everyone back home and here in California on Christmas Morning. SIL Janet and hubby Dennis are once again in Indian Wells, California.

Not spectacular but nice.

Nightly chats with Dad, has us wondering if they will get any more snow, it has rained now for a couple of days, their snow is mostly gone, but there are serious patches of ice in some places. 

Happy belated birthday wishes to Isabel, my great niece. She celebrated on Christmas Eve. I believe Miss Issy is 11. Also happy birthday to cousin Barry, a Christmas Day baby. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

The past few days….

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona 

I found my stamps and I went to the post office to get more! Isn’t that a surprise? The post office window closes at 12 pm. Yeah, I read the sign. I was there at 4:30 pm. Oh well, maybe I will make it back before we head to Ogilby Road. 

We were to meet at 5 pm, and we are never late, 
But I thought I would longer at the post office.

Tuesday evening, after the PO stop, we headed to Mountain Quail Cafe to meet up with Bill and Patsy  We enjoyed our visit a great deal, lots of laughter and smiles. We never had a pause in the chatter.  Mr. Gibbs was working of course, guarding their home while we were out having a great time. 

Deb, Riley, Bill and Patsy.

Our plan was to leave Friday but the Yuma area is calling for some pretty gusty winds on that day, so we are delaying our departure by a day or two. I will keep all informed.

My sister gave me a Sister blanket.

Things are quiet back on our Rock in Lake Huron. Manitoulin Island has said good bye to the summer folks but are welcoming the hunters with many Fall Fowl Suppers being advertised. These meals would be of the same table groaning nature as American Thanksgiving. I can almost hear the buzz of the folks working in the kitchens already, the chatter and clanging of pots, pans, dishes, silverware and that tell tale crash of something meeting its death upon contact with floor after dropping a couple of feet, and then that 5 seconds of absolute silence before everyone takes a breath and chatters again. 

I think my sister is from the out side of the fence
near my garden!

A birthday wish goes out to my Brother in Law, Dennis. He turns 80 in a few days. Dennis and Janet are the folks we visit in Indian Wells, CA every year. It is their beautiful farm, Buttercup Ridge that we often visit coming and going on our winter journey.

Also happy birthday to sister’s partner Rick. He turns 65 today. We hope you have a fantastic day Rick!

I’ve been chatting with dad every night, he and brother Rick are working on the DB tractor, replacing the entire steering assembly. This  particular tractor had a steering assembly that was only manufactured for one year and there are just no parts to be found. They are taking the entire assembly from an old scrap tractor, putting it on the DB. Dad’s other tractor is too light for working in the bush, so the DB needs to be ready for the freeze after Christmas, when the wood cutting starts. The ‘little’ tractor has the cab and blower and is patiently waiting for the white stuff to come. Otherwise it is very quiet there.

A few morning coffees with my sister, keeps me caught up on other news from the Rock in Lake Huron. Of course since she is only 15 minutes from dad, the news is pretty much the same!

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time,

Take care, be safe,

Deb

A catch up post…….

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona 

We are settled in the desert with good friends and enjoying time spent together. Friends Lorne and Sue (A place called away) have joined us here in our little desert spot and we are enjoying getting to know them. Of course Deb & Tom (Celebrating the Dance ) we know well and always enjoy their company.

A group of saguaros in various states of life and death.

Old Yuma Road on my morning stroll.

That is a massive fire ring!

The Stinger Bee and the Igloo resting in the morning light.

Lorne and Sue are looking for a place to park.

We have also enjoyed time with Bill (On our way) and Patsy (Chillin’ with Patsy) , a happy hour and a visit to Silly Al’s with the entire gang had us enjoying lots of laughter and chatter.

Waiting for this morning’s sunrise…

The sky is changing quickly now….

The saguaros greet their old friend Sun this morning as it pops over the Kofa Mountains.

It is very early for Lorne on the roof over there…

Chatting with Dad back home, not much news except brother Rick is a few days away from officially retiring. Congrats brother dearest, we wish all the best as you start a new chapter in your life!

The Igloo under the pink sunset sky..

A pretty sunset tonight.

Isn’t that pretty?

The sky is fading now….goodnight.

Todays photos were a mix of things on my phone. Enjoy.

Until next time….

Take care, be safe,

Deb

An awesome happy hour….

Our Location:

 Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona

 

A very good night, I slept well and didn't wake up until 4 am. It was dark, peaceful and warm. Overall a very good night. 

A couple of interesting looking saguaros.

 

I spent a little time on the phone this morning, chatted with  my sister, then made a few more phone calls regarding full timers insurance. I have found a solution but before I go in that direction I want to give a few more days to those outstanding/unreturned phone calls and emails asking that all important question. 

 

 

We headed outside and joined the neighbours, Deb and Tom (Celebrating the Dance)for coffee time. We spent time chatting and just enjoying the company. We always find something to chat about! We parted ways for a few hours and met again at 2:30 pm to head out for Happy Hour at Bill (On our way) and Patsy's (Chillin' with Patsy) place. We arrived to hugs and smiles, chatted and laughed picking up right where we left off last spring! It wasn't long before a little yellow streak came tearing up the roadway with dust clouds swirling behind, suddenly amid squealing tires and the dust clouds catching up it came to screeching halt, doors flew open the roof popped off and out jumped Lorne and Sue (A place called away....). Hugs, smiles, nice to meet ya's and nice to see ya's again and we all settled in for some more laughter, lots of chatter with a busy little Mr Gibbs mading the rounds over and over. Archie wasn't with us today, we'll meet him another day. 

 

Patsy, Riley, Deb D...

It was wonderful to see our Canadian friends again, and meet new Canadian friends. It seems that Riley and I have always just missed meeting up with Lorne and Sue for a number of years now, but today the stars, moons and planets all aligned making it possible. It was a wonderful meeting. Finally darkness falling sent us all home with promises to meet up again soon. We are looking forward to it. 

 

Sue....

 

 

Home again, a chat with dad, catching up on the news back home as they have had yet another snowfall, this time some accumulation was measured. It appears winter may be barreling their way. 

 

Lorne, Tom and Bill.

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the visit. 

 

Until next time....

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

 

We've moved east into Arizona.....

 

 

Our Location: 

Quail Ridge Rv Resort, Hauchuca City, Arizona

 

We left Ogilby Road on Sunday morning at 7:30 am.  We drove approximately 320 miles, used 29 gallons of fuel and arrived here at around 1:30 pm MST. So a mere 6 hours after leaving Ogilby Road. The trip was uneventful and passed by quickly. Just a note to myself, I pulled at a faster rate of speed, 60 mph instead of my usual 55 mph. We had a bit of a head wind as well, plus a full fresh water tank, which we normally don't carry when towing. I have no complaints with the Dogsled. I drive in tow and on cruise, so it's always consistent.

 

Someone used this as a marker to their camping spot.

The twists in the wood is eye catching.

 

We pulled into our site at # 138 and can see the Stinger Bee with our very good friends Deb and Tom  just down the way, The Suites housing some of our Canadian friends  Bill and Patsy  (and of course Gibbs) are a few rows away but not far. We all had an enjoyable happy hour, and I didn't take one single photo yesterday, so you will have to visit Chillin' with Patsy  if you want to see proof. Lots of laughter filled the air and the hours slipped past quickly.  We are looking forward to spending some time with these fine folks while we are all here for a few days. 

 

Even in death there is beauty in the desert.

Some times it's harder to see than at other times.

 

  This morning all three of us headed off to different dealerships, Bill to Ford, Tom to Jeep, and me to Chev. Tom was our driver and after some confusion we all managed to reconnect and where home before 9:30 am. Only the Jeep came back. 

 

The tire has been here a very long time.

An interesting place, there is a stone seat on the right by the old chair.

It is the year for mechanical issues it seems. The Dogsled had surgery to replace some heater hoses in Yuma before we left and is now having a biopsy for a check engine light. Hopefully the surgery is quick and painless. We will hopefully know by the day's end. 

 

Can you see the dog sitting across the wash?

Not the best pic but you get the idea.

 

A catch up of our last few days at Ogilby Road, California.  Jerry and Elva Shannon treated Riley and I to dinner at Da Boyz Italian Restaurant. A wonderful visit and a very generous gesture. Thanks again you folks. We waved as we passed by Wellton we hope to see you again in the fall!!!

 

For Deb, the Ocotillo are blooming out on Ogilby Road.

And this grand old fella is passing!

 

 

The prickly pear are still blooming too.

These pics are left over from Ogilby Road, I hope you enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

Until next time...

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

Visiting with Canadian friends....

 

 

Our Location:

 Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona

 

This morning dawned chilly but sunny. The day heated up nicely as it went along. It was a day spent doing a number of little things around the Igloo and the Dogsled, a nice walk this morning and some time on line doing some research. 

A few saguaro photos from Road Runner BLM.

At least three top knots on this guy.

He's the interesting looking fella with the three top knots in the first pic. .

A few photos are of this guy and the debris at his feet.

 

Shortly after 3:30 pm we all climbed into the Dogsled and headed off to La Posa South for another visit with fellow Canadians, Dave and his lovely charming bride Cheryl (from Alberta) and Bill and his lovely wife Patsy , who hail from our home province of Ontario. We had a lot of laughs, and the time slipped past very quickly.  Bill and Patsy left first and we departed quite a while later. It was nice to meet Dave and Cheryl this year, we hope our paths cross again in the future. 

 

You can see the ribs are full of some kind of pulp.

It look like flaky paper thin hide, but it's tough and still holding together even in death.

 

 

 

The spines are still sharp, and you can see the ribs of the Saguaro.

Left from the rain.

Thanks for following along, I hope you enjoyed the visit. 

 

L to R: Cheryl, Deb D, Riley, Bill, Patsy, Tom and Dave.

 

Until next time.....

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb