Friends ....

 

Our Location: 

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

I know I'm getting to be a real sluggard when it comes to posting a blog. I apologize but oh well, we aren't really doing lots of exciting things but we are putting in every day and enjoying it greatly. 

 

Ken and Kim coming back from Q.

Cabbage has been cut in this field.

Things are still growing in this one.

Friends, Ken and Kim (Journey with Ken and Kim ) have returned, and are once again parked in their previous spot. It is fun to have such a nice couple join our neighbourhood. We all tend to laugh a lot, and along with Deb and Tom ( Celebrating the Dance ), Riley and I seem to be able to pass the time in a very enjoyable manner. 

 

The sands of Tumco.

Ken and Kim inspecting Tumco!

That is hard packed sand, driven by wind and water until it has piled up. 

Light tan colour is the sand of the Imperial Dunes, way off in the distance.

 

We have all journeyed to Los Algodones, Mexico for some shopping, eating and a few adult libations and are considering another trip tomorrow. We enjoyed the sights, sounds and fun that comes with each trip there. I managed to bring home a few little things of interest for some folks back home. 

 

 

Grocery cart in the grocery store in Los Algodones, Mexico

We had drinks and food here at La Prilla.

We enjoyed looking at the stock in the grocery store.

Not like back home but it was interesting.

We did not have a drink at this bar, but at at the one nearby.

The outside area is where we enjoyed a drink.

Some items near our table.

Ken and Shirley ( Seeing America with Ken and Shirley ) arrived for a quick visit on Wed Feb 14, and stayed with us for a few days, enlarging our neighbourhood a little. It is always fun to get together with this wonderfully dear couple. They are warm and generous and we are honoured that they come all this way to spend some time with us. They departed Saturday morning, heading for home as appointments are drawing near. 

 

L to R: Ken W, Kim, Shirley, Ken K, and John

Riley, Keith, Tom and Deb D. Somehow I missed Brenda. Sorry Brenda.

Ken and Shirley pulling in with the Mansion.

Keith also came back for a quick visit, he and Oreo pulled in not long after Ken and Shirley. They stayed only one night but it was a fun visit and we wish Keith and Oreo safe travels as they headed off down the road on Thursday, Feb 15. 

 

Ken and Shirley heading out on Saturday, Feb 17.

But before they left....a many people selfie

They are the sweetest couple!!

 

Gerry and Elva came out for a visit on Friday, Feb 16, it was a couple of hours of laughter, chatting and just good fun but all too soon they too headed off home. Unfortunately I have no pictures to document this visit, but I assure you, it did happen.

 

 

Some pictures from atop a large hill near the power lines.

There is something alluring here for me.

I never tire of the views.

 

A few campfires had us all around the ring, looking at the stars, the moon and the clouds. The laughter just continued seeming not to stop. We were all treated to a few wonderful concerts when Ken pulled out his guitar, and sang to us a number of songs. The man has a great deal of talent and it was a great time listening to him. We look forward to another one or two before we all part company. 

 

The line is in the rock, they are everywhere, wide, narrow, smooth, pointy.

Deb and Tom's Jeep sitting over there.

All of those white lines are a line of rock pressed between two others.

That yellow dot is Tom, he's digging for something.

We discovered Mr. Jenson's Outdoor facilities, they even have a sign in book.

 

John and Brenda ( John and Brenda's Incredible Journey ) have returned from other places to park once again just down the laneway from us. They have been up to visit with us while the neighbourhood was at it's peak. 

 

 

I climbed up those rocks to get a few pictures. It isn't nearly as bad as it looks.

The views are pretty good. Lots of green out there.

Once I would have climbed up there, but not now.

I keep referring to the white lines, you can see this line is not white but pointy and plain.

Far off mountains, dunes and just desert. I love it out here.

Distances are deceptive in the clear desert air.

If you listen closely you can hear them calling me.....

The little stone hut.....with no roof.

The Ocotillos in the wash near Mr Jenson's Outdoor Facilities.

Calls back to the Island have kept us up on the happenings going on there and we can report things are good there, a few bumps but other wise all is well. Some snow, some blizzard like conditions and some cold weather seems to be the topic of this past week. 

 

It's a very soft whisper....can you hear it....

The sun blazes down and without the wind it becomes very hot, stifling at times.

It is very rough in places, but not always impassable.

A vein of quartz, this happens to be a bit pinky.

Looking up from that vein in the above pic.

 

Plans to visit sister in law Janet in Indian Wells has been put on hold as she has a very bad cold.  She was admitted to the hospital last night to undergo a few rounds of IV antibiotics. As of this writing the fever is almost gone and she is hoping to get back home tomorrow.

 

We are happy to hear that our friends Al and Kelly ( The Bayfield Bunch ) are doing well. Al recently had hip surgery and seems to be managing well, and Miss Kelly is of course taking wonderful care of him. Pheebes is watching over both of them.

 

The desert is not flat, but it looks it.

Washes/arroyos riddle the desert floor.

This hillside just sparkles in the sunshine but the camera cannot pick it up.

I would love to climb up there but I will not.

The line again, can you see it in the right side of the pic?

 

Today's pics were taken over the last 10 days. I hope you enjoy them. 

 

Until next time....

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

 

And there was one….

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

The days have been slipping past here on Ogilby Road in a kind of quiet rush that some how doesn’t seem to be in hurry. Do you know what I mean?

An all male chat. Kieth, Ken and Tom.

We had our last happy hour together, Deb and Tom, Ken and Kim, Keith, Riley and I on January 8. Riley and I supplied some goodies, various kinds of Jerky ( Riley is a big fan of jerky), and  Bloody Mary’s. It was a bit on the windy side and so we all moved over on the far side of Journey to get out of the cool wind.

Keith and Oreo pulled out first.

On January 9, our fellow Canucks all left the little neighbourhood, Ken and Kim, Keith and Oreo all headed out to move their homes to Q. We all said our goodbyes, hugs, see ya laters, and they were gone in a cloud of dust! Riley and I enjoyed spending time with all of them and truly look forward to meeting up again in the future! 

Ken and Kim pulling out next.

That left Deb and Tom, Riley and I here on home dirt. We all climbed in to the Baby B ( their new Jeep) and headed off back into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains on Wednesday but we could not find the way through. It was a fun ride anyway and I will show those pics another day.

Kieth in the lead, Ken and then Kim. A mini caravan!

Deb and Tom were supposed to pull out on Thursday, January 11 but with the wind gusts and the massive amount of dust in the air, they stayed put! Deb came over for happy hour, (Tom was resting) and we chatted and laughed the afternoon away. 

It was very dusty as you can see.

Before sunrise on Friday, January 12, the last of our neighbours pulled out. Hugs, see ya again soon, and they were off. I watched them leave as the sun was still coming up and hadn’t yet breached the horizon.  

Riley and I had plans for town and soon after the sun was up, we too climbed into a vehicle and head out, but the rig stayed put, we would be coming back. The Arco, Dollar Tree, Marshalls, Yuma Marketplace, Walmart and we were home. We need to return to Marshalls, and the Marketplace but we will do that next week. It was a very empty looking piece of home dirt but we are happy to be here and it will be like in our early years, just us. We have always enjoyed being in the desert, we feel safe, we like the peace, and since this rig is solar free yet, we have no worries that the generator will annoy anyone. It is small and fairly quiet but it’s still a generator. This will bring back loads of memories, just us!

We couldn’t see the Imperial Dunes for a lot of the day as you can see in the top pic.

I chatted with Dad last night. They have had a major storm a few days ago, buses didn’t run, lots of snow, rain, freezing rain, sleet, etc. I think he said they have around 8-10 inches, and it was staring to snow again with another major storm due to dump about that amount again today into Sunday. A very big dip in the temperature is coming as well. I believe winter is officially under way at the Rock in Lake Huron.

The rest of the neighbours are pulling out.

A side note for me, nephew Jason is back in Revelstoke, BC. The snow is deep and very light, they seem to be doing some better with the ability to get around. Jason took possession of his brand new Polaris upon his arrival on or about Dec 28, 2023. Less than 800 klm/500 miles later his machine has had a major breakdown. The sled needs to be airlifted from the mountain due to a major clutch issue among other things. It will be there two nights on the mountain before that happens.  Jason had to double up with friends to get off the mountain! Polaris has reached out to him, I hope they pay for the air lift! Good luck Jason!

The sun is not yet up! Bye guys, see you again!

A few other little notes, Alicia and Craig Young are proud parents of another little boy, I have no other details! It will be a brother for Tucker, another grandson for Keith and Brenda, and another cousin for Hudson and Lainey. A new nephew for Leah and Jason, Bobby and Maddie. Congratulations to all.

The three spots are empty….

SIL Janet celebrates a birthday tomorrow, January 14. Happy Birthday darlin’. As soon as this cough is gone we will be up to an Indian Wells to visit. We miss you like crazy!   Happy Birthday to cousin Craig, he celebrates on the 20th. He is real go getter and has tried his hand at many things but I think he loves driving as he seems always to end up doing a job that requires it.   Happy Birthday to oldest daughter Courtney as she celebrates another one on the 22nd. She is a vibrant, bubbly, exciting young lady, she is very enthusiastic about all things and loves to explore. We love you, miss you and hope you have a wonderful day sweetheart!

and there was one….

I believe we are caught up. We see warmer weather in our forecast and we are looking forward to it. There are a number of things we hope to do in the next few weeks, I will keep you updated. 

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb