Not my usual type of post..

 

Our Location: 

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

A few things have transpired in the last few days and weeks that have my mind wandering down memory lane. Some good, some not so good. My good friend Deb mentioned that I often talk of Richard but there are no photos of him. Richard of course was my late husband. He is on my mind a great deal the last while and I do miss him a lot even though he has been gone for 17 years. I hear his laughter, see his smile and the twinkle in his eye. I wonder what he would he think of the things that are happening now, in the family and just in general. Would he like the views, the sunsets and sunrises, would he enjoy the taste of dust in the wind, meeting these crazy folks that we meet and how would he feel about leaving his grandsons behind for months on end. I would like to think I know the answers but the truth is, I don't but I can guess. Time does not heal all wounds but it does help soothe them on most days. 

 

My late husband Richard!  He was gone at 56.

Richard and his sister Janet were very alike but very different. They enjoyed a good argument but never parted angry. He was punctual and Janet is not. They both enjoyed golf, hockey and were competitive in many ways.They were good friends and often talked even though we lived hours apart. They enjoyed the same sense of humour and the laughter was always near the surface. Richard would have  been 74 this October and Janet just turned 65 a few weeks ago. I don't see Janet as often as I would like, time just doesn't seem to be on our side for that.   Janet, of course is the Janet I speak of visiting in Indian Wells, California. She and hubby Dennis own Buttercup Ridge in Ontario where Riley and I spend a few weeks coming from and going to the desert. 

Riley and her Aunt Janet., Richard's baby sister.

Life is short, we should live it to the fullest and just enjoy being! Enjoy your moments and don’t wish them away, too soon all that is left is memories, so make them while you can.

 

Thanks for stopping by. 

 

Until next time...

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

A visit with family.....

 

Our Location: 

Ocotillo Wells BLM, Salton Sea, California

 

This morning we had plans and so up early, a quick coffee and we were out the door. A $75.00 pump at the local fuel spot had us with only a quarter of a tank more than when I started to squeeze the handle. I guess $5.99 per gallon will do that. 

 

 

We were through Indio and into Indian Wells, California knocking on Janet's door by 10 AM PST. She looks wonderful and we haven't seen her for a long while. We've missed her but we do stay in touch via phone and text messages. We visited at their home for a long while and we even picked some fresh grapefruit from her tree. We finally headed off to Mexicali's, an authentic Mexican restaurant in Indio. Can you believe I didn't take a photo of Janet or the restaurant? Well, I didn't! We had a great visit and hopefully will see her again back in Ontario before fall. 

 

Riley and I were back home around 3 pm PST and have just kind of been resting and I've been editing photos for tonight's blog. Please forgive the dirty windshield in any of the photos, we just can't seem to keep it clean. 

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you've had a good day. 

 

Until next time...

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

Merry Christmas Eve......

 

 

 Our Location: 

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

Merry Christmas Eve to one and all. And of course Merry Christmas to one and all as well. Riley and I hope this post finds you all warm, healthy and happy, where you want to be, with whom it is you wish to be with and enjoying the love of family and good friends. 

Borrego Springs, California - Christmas 2018

Appropriately named Christmas Circle.

I didn't take any photos today so I thought I'd share some from past Christmas posts. I didn't delve too deeply, locations include here on Ogilby Road, Borrego Springs, California, Tonopah, Arizona and Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. 

Saddle Mountain, Tonopah, Arizona - Christmas 2017

Saddle Mountain, Tonopah, Arizona, Christmas 2017

I spoke with my dad last night, my uncle Don and his lovely wife Joan, as well as my sister this morning. They all voiced the same news, snow, snow, snow and wind, wind, wind, and did they mention snow? Did they mention wind? Heavy wet snow, very hard to move without big equipment. The total as of this morning sounded like 16 - 20 inches/40.6 - 50 centimeters of snow.  That's a lot of snow. Glad I'm not there and having to move it. Normally I would sarcastically offer my sympathies for their situation but today I truly am sorry this is happening at this time of the year, the holiday season when so many people need to travel to see their loved ones. Dangerous times to be doing such a thing. We hope everyone remains safe, warm and well fed. 

Near here, Ogibly Road, Winterhaven, California - Christmas 2019

Same as above. My friend Jerry took me on a jeep ride a few days before Christmas to the Colorado River.

Today I didn't do much, chatted with Deb & Tom, and Riley. Later with Doug. I even helped Doug put this Mr. Buddy heater back together. It was a two person chore to be sure. However it's back together and it works. I'm finished. Walked a bit today and other than that Riley and I didn't do much of anything. 

Ward's General Store, Tehkummah, Ontario, Canada - Christmas 2020

The little stone cottage/house, Tehkummah, Ontario, Canada - Christmas 2020

 

A birthday wish to Isabella, granddaughter of my brother Rick and wife Barb, Izzy turns 9 today!!!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed today's photos, they've all appeared before in previous posts. 

The Igloo near our summer spot, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada - Christmas 2021

Our summer spot view during the winter - 2021

Merry Christmas from our Igloo to your home!! 

Until next time...

Take care, be safe, 

Deb

Buttercup Ridge in Ontario, Canada

Our Location: Buttercup Ridge, Roseneath, Ontario, Canada

 

 

A long time since my last update but I've been busy, stressed and tired at day's end and so I decided I needed to do the things which causes me the least stress and blogging didn't make the necessary cut. 

 

 The sun playing shadow games on the mountains as we are leaving the Huachuca City, AZ area on March 19, 2020.

 Anyone travelling this area knows the Texas Canyon Rest area in AZ.

We left Arizona in the rear view and rolled into New Mexico on March 19, 2020.

 

We left Quail Ridge RV resort in Huachuca City, AZ on Thursday, March 19th travelled to Socorro, New Mexico. Friday, March 20th we travelled to Elk City, Oklahoma and the following day (Saturday, March 21) we continued on to Eureka, Missouri. Leaving Eureka we bumped our way through St. Louis, and across the mighty Mississippi River on Sunday, March 22 in a light rain travelling east to New Paris, Ohio (just 3 miles inside the Ohio from Richmond, Indiana). At this point (Monday, March 23) we had to lay over a day to do some repairs to both Igloo and Dogsled. Thanks to Pardo Towing, Wetzel Chevy Dealership in Richmond and to Guy Reid Towing for their assistance as well. You made a very bad day seem hopeful and in the end not too terribly bad after all. A mention of Greens Alignment Shop that also offered us some wonderful information which lead us to the helpful folks we encountered.  We were once again on our way Tuesday, March 24 and crossed into Ontario at Detroit before 2:30 pm. An overnight stop in Hamilton at Eastgate Square and on to Buttercup Ridge (our current home for 3 or 4 weeks) home of sister-in-law/aunt Janet and her wonderful hubby Dennis. 

 

 New Mexico is a beautiful state without doubt. 

 That is snow on those mountain tops in the distance and clouds behind the mountains. New Mexico has some very high elevations and we were happy to be travelling at lower than those holding the snow. The highest we topped was just over 6500 feet. 

 Sure is pretty to see.

 

Of course at each day's end I called my dad to ensure he didn't worry any more than necessary. Upon crossing we sent numerous texts to family and friends so they would know we arrived back in Ontario. 

 

 More snow on those New Mexico mountain tops.

 Sun and clouds playing shadow games again. 

Off in the distance the sun beams were looking interesting. 

 

  

A few photos to share that Riley snapped on our drive home, forgive the spotty windshield but at least you get the idea of what we were witnessing out our windows. I'll share more in the next post or two.

 

 For anyone that has travelled HWY 60 in New Mexico, this may look familiar.

 This route took us to elevations over 6500 feet. 

Some beautiful views even if we were motoring along. 

 

We hope all of our friends and family are safe, sound and healthy where ever they may be. I'll update with a bit  more detail in the days ahead. Thanks for all the concern, and the thoughtfulness of everyone. 

 

 

New Mexico is definitely enchanted. 
 

We hope to return in the fall of 2020!

 

Until next time... take care, stay safe and healthy. 

 

Deb

Visiting, walking and talking....

Our Location: Truckhaven BLM, Salton City, CA

Another twofer, two posts in one today, or maybe it's three. I'm losing track. 

 Throughout this post you will see photos of the sun/shade on this mountain. Watch how different the mountain looks each time. 

 

A walk from a few days ago netted me the photos for tonight's post. I walked back into the badlands and through a couple of washes, up some hills, down some hills, you know, my usual stuff.  It ended up being just over 3 miles return. It just seemed much longer. 

Yesterday (Jan 17) Riley and I headed back to Janet's for another visit. The three of us had dinner together, while Dennis was flying to Calgary for the next day or two. Much nicer weather here than there is there. Yeah us. 

 That is the Salton Sea you can see way over there with the Chocolate Mountains on the other side.

 Lots of ways to go if you can get into them.

Today Riley and I went to Coachella, our first visit to the actual town. Some groceries, some fuel, and back to Salton City for some water and to drop some garbage. After that it was home by 2 pm and we spent the rest of the time sitting outside. Doug & Yuma from Miss Adventure Travels dropped by for a while to chat about the day and future plans. I chatted with my friend Linda and my dad this afternoon as well. Snow, warm, snow, lots of blowing stuff. You know the way it is back there either from personal experience or from hearing about it from others. So I won't bore you with any more details. 

                          No shadows on the mountain at this moment.

You all know that some day I'd like to follow that path to see where it goes.

Lots of rigs in the area, more off roaders around. I think this may be a long weekend here and folks are taking advantage of the extra day to enjoy the area. Lots of fun watching them and I think they're having a lot of fun scampering on past. They look pretty happy! 

 A last shot of the mountain for this post.

So that's how we've been spending the last few days. I hope you enjoy the photos. 

Until next time.. take care, be safe, 

Deb