A very windy, sleepy, dusty desert day……

 

Our Location:

BLM Ogilby Rd, Winterhaven, California 

The dust is obscuring pretty much everything here even though we have no wind advisories. We cannot see the Dunes, the Ogilby Hills or the Cargo Muchacho mountains which normally surrounds us with their magically ever changing views. The air closer to the ground  is a different hue of grey/brown that changes gradually as one raises the eye upwards to the beautiful blue sky that seems to rest atop of the wall of grey/brown. The air smells of dust, and tastes of dust if one is outside at all. In fact just looking out the window makes me think I can almost taste it anyway. The wind is relentless, seeking to make every little moveable thing on a rig squeak, whistle, groan or flap. It finds crevices that the eye can’t see, it pushes dust through the slightest hint of any opening, it blows dust past our windows much like Old Man Winter batters the snow back home in Ontario. Much like back home the bushes and trees here are leafless right now but they too add to the music, creaking and rubbing against each other and the ground. The sun high above us is a constant and we are thankful for its cheerful presence. Winter in the desert is as varied as winter in Ontario, it is never boring!

Riley and I had breakfast at Cracker Barrel 

Lots of picking going on near Yuma.

So a quick catchup, no pictures to prove what I say but you will have to take my word for it. When last I posted, friends Kim and Ken had left, they have since returned, following the arrival first of friends Deb and Tom, and new to us friends, Joan and Dave, from our home province of Ontario. Joan and Dave have just left for a week but promise to return. Deb, Tom, Riley and I have ventured to Los Algodones and once just Deb, Tom and I made the trip to Los Algodones, Riley opted out due to recovering from the dreaded Crud Cold! She is much better. No, I didn’t leave her here all by herself while I was away, Joan and Dave were parked across the yard on the off chance she needed something, which she didn’t.

This would be Ken and Kim returning to the yard.

Sunset Jan 25.

Calls to dad nightly keeps me informed of all the goings on up there. Snow, wind, snow, wind, 5 minutes of what they think might be sunshine, but as yet no confirmation on that, followed by snow and wind. I think you must be getting the idea by now, it’s definitely winter in Northern Ontario. Chats with my sister, both her and her other half have the Crud Cold as well. It seems to be everywhere.  Brother Rick and SIL Barb are doing well, and keeping busy.

Can you see the 3 aircraft?

The Ocotillos have a smidge of green.

A few things of note:

Belated birthday wishes to Robert, celebrated on the 7th. I have no doubt you had a great day.

Birthday wishes to Hudson, as today is the actual day, but the party was this past Saturday! I know everyone had a grand time skating, sledding, roasting things over the pit bonfire and the afternoon festivities were followed by a huge spaghetti dinner! Happy Birthday Buddy!

Condolences to Lori, Tim, Steve and Paul on the passing of their sister Audrey just two days ago. Audrey and I were pretty close for a some years but sadly we drifted apart as the years passed. Her smile and laughter were infectious, a huge heart and wicked sense of humour will forever be my memories of her. Taken too soon at 62 years of age. RIP Cuz!

A festive courtyard in Los Algodones.

Two casserole dishes I purchased.

I have chatted with SIL Janet here in California, and due to her health it appears we may not get to visit this winter. We had trouble contacting her due to the theft of her phone while on the way to a doctors appointment. We have managed to connect via round about methods. It is amazing how crippled our communication gets when we no longer actually know the phone numbers of those important people we need to contact. 

A fountain in the courtyard near the dentist office.

Looking the opposite way as the fountain.

So I suppose that is enough catching up for today. I must apologize to all of you but I am truly struggling to read, write and comment on blogs. I just can’t seem to get back into that groove. In fact I take very few photos anymore. I just don’t seem to have any interest. I anticipate very few posts from me in the future.

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

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

Friends return.....

 

 

Our Location: 

BLM, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

A lot of nice warm days and a few very nice nights as well, windows and vents all open. Such a nice change from the colder weather we had earlier. Although it's going to swing back to that colder weather again, not quite as cold but still colder than we like. Yes I know I'm whining, but it's my blog and I want to whine. However it is NOT THIS COLD here and so we are fortunate. I shall whine no more today!

 

Snow close to my Dad's house.

Bottom pic taken thru Dad's kitchen window screen, brother Rick's house next door.

It's kind of ironic that in my last post on Jan 23, we had experienced a fair amount of rain and today we are expecting rain with more next week. However the desert is already greening up from the rain mentioned in my last post. Some grass is showing under the branches of some Palo Verde trees, the Ocotillo's are leafed and plumes are showing at the top, the Prickly Pear are getting the hints of buds and the sage bushes are fluffing up and some new ones are popping up. The Barrel Cactus are still their vibrant deep reds but I think soon we will see little hints of buds coming along. 

 

Sunset in reverse order thanks to Blogger, Jan 24

This was the first pic but blogger put them in backwards.

 

Riley and I  headed north to Q, on Jan 25th to visit with our friends there. As I'm sure most of you know Doug Laning from Miss Adventure Travels travelled down from Mesa, AZ for a visit. You can read about Doug's happenings by clicking the link above. We haven't seen Doug and his faithful sidekick Yuma since last year and it looks as if we  may not be seeing him any more this year and so we wanted to at least get a quick visit with him. It was nice to spend a little time with him and all of our friends there of course. It was a little over an hour and half drive to get to Road Runner BLM, very close to the spot we stayed at earlier this year. We found them easily among all of the rigs, and there were many, many rigs due to the Big Tent Event. The Stinger B is always a good beacon! We arrived to find Deb and Tom  holding down the fort. The four of us headed out for breakfast and to catch up since we'd last visited. We returned to Road Runner BLM and soon were hugging Ken and Kim along with Keith and giving Oreo a scratch or two behind the ear. It was nice to catch up with them all. Before long a little silver streak came tearing along the road way and in a cloud of dust it whips around the dying sagauro and comes to a screeching halt. Door flies open and out pops Doug and Yuma. Hugs, smiles and a few laughs, we all sit down again and chatter along. Before long a big black Ford pulls in and the doors open spewing out Nancy Kissack, Bill Richards, Patsy Richards, and Gibbs their happy little pooch. It was an excellent, but short visit! Riley and I headed home around 3:30 pm. I don't like to drive in the dark. 

 

All the gang: Riley, Tom, Deb, Doug, Yuma, Patsy, Bill, Nancy, Ken, Kim, Keith.

Nancy taking a picture of me taking a picture, Doug, Deb, Riley.

We have ventured into Yuma a few times for a number of mundane things, laundry, groceries, fuel, water. You know all those non exciting things we all need. We  also headed into Yuma on Jan 29 to meet up with our good friends Elva and Gerry Shannon. Elva suggested we meet at a spot called The Landing. An excellent choice, the food was wonderful but the company was, as always, spectacular. We always enjoy chatting with these wonderful folks. The time passed very quickly as it does when you are with people you enjoy and soon we were headed home. 

 

At The Landing, Riley, Elva, Deb

Elva, Gerry and Riley.

We would like to offer our condolences to the Lockyer Family and the many friends in the passing of Brian on Jan 28. Brian was only 66 and passed in his sleep. He was a fun loving sort of fella. Always a quick smile. There is no doubt he will be greatly missed. 

 

The Ocotillos are green.

The Prickly Pear is showing hints of blooms coming...

The desert is showing signs of grass in places.

 

Also condolences to Kathy and the family of Terry Hill. He also passed on Jan 28. I did not know Terry but recall that he was often present at the Little Red Schoolhouse Museum in South Baymouth. He graciously told us tales of my mother and father's families when the girls and I ventured in one day. 

 

Last year we pushed a woman out of this sand, it was over the tail pipe deep.

I think the desert will bloom this year!

A Staghorn Cactus, I think.

On a happier note, Riley celebrated a birthday on January 28th. She has achieved a great deal in our travels and keeps pushing forward, although this year more slowly than last but the progress is always forward! I'm very proud of her!

Sage brush.

Sharp and pointy.

Barrel Cactus.

Also birthday wishes to Sally Smith, Bob Kay, and Ruth Kay McFarlane. They all celebrated on January 29. Sally is my grandfather's half sister. Although I haven't seen her for years, I remember her as being a bubbly, happy, quick to smile lady. My cousins Bob and Ruth are siblings, oldest and youngest of a large family. Bob married and stayed on the Island, Ruth also married, but moved to New Brunswick. I haven't seen either of them for a while either. 

That's us over there.

That's us too from a different vantage point. 

We love the spot.

Yesterday, January 30, Deb and Tom returned to our little spot on Ogilby Road. After a very trying day they arrived just as the sun was getting read to set. The three of us sat outside for a bit enjoying the wonderfully warm desert air and the company. Catching up is always fun! 

The plumes on the Ocotillo's are vibrant and wispy.

A good story teller could give you a very interesting tale of this bucket buried in the wash beside us.

Sunrise this morning...Feb 1

Sunrise over the Igloo 2.0. See the Ogilby Hills reflection in the windows?

The Stinger B, and the Baby B in the morning sunrise.

Over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains

There is something spectacular about this morning's sunrise.

I chat with my Dad and my sister Jan quite often, I hear all the local news and gossip, some tall tales and of course some short ones too. All is well on the Rock in Lake Huron. Snow is coming and going, melting and falling, blowing and drifting, wet and heavy, light and fluffy. Dad was the photographer of the first  snow pictures in today's post. It depends on the moment. Dad is in the middle of a couple of repairs, some gaskets on his truck and some form of clutch repair on his quad. He has also been out snow shoeing with a friend! He regaled me with a tale of a broken snow shoe binding, falling over and needing help to get back up. He is quite the fella! 

I hope you  have enjoyed the catch up. The photos are randomly selected from those I've taken over the last 10 or 12 days. They are in no particular order. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Until next time...

Take care, stay safe, 

Deb