Fall Photos..

 

Our Location:

Summer Spot

near South Baymouth, Ontario 

Fall always offers lots of photo opportunities. I strolled over the rock to about the half way point from Igloo to Sugar Shack. The day is cloudy, coolish, damp and a soft wind high in the tree tops.

There are lots of maples, some oak, some dead/dying spruce thanks to the spruce bud worm, as well as other varieties.  They make a rich carpet, some times crinkling underfoot, other times silent and sodden, cushioning each step. The spruce offer stark contrast, it is usually a ghostly white haze in the distance, upon getting closer the fallen branches and trees present a tripping hazard if one is not paying attention.

On this stroll everything was spongy and the rocks slick with wetness from last night’s rain. I noticed a new growth of poison ivy in a few places along the path. New growth green not yet relinquished to the brilliant red of fall one normally sees this time of year. I did not take any of the short paths to the bluffs edges, too wet and slippery. The colours do not appear as brilliant nor as varied this year but perhaps sunshine would change that situation.

A big cool down in the temperate from yesterday, about 10 degrees. Can you say brrrrrr ? The sun is trying to fight its way out but I’m not hopeful.

The ladder to nowhere…

Jim can you see it?

Brother Rick’s stand.

I often times think I should explain that Brother Rick is my brother not a Religious Brother. Sister Janet (Jan) is my sister, not a Religious Sister. Sister Jan has a partner named Rick. My late sister in law Janet was Richard’s sister. So the added brother/sister is now cleared up, I hope.

Insect tracks in the wood.

One of new cradles built last fall.

The apple holder is a dead spruce that has broken off,
the bush is full of them.

I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse of my morning stroll, I still have more photos but think this is enough for this post.  To the Canadians reading this we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving (coming this weekend). Always be thankful for what you have for someone always has less. You are blessed if your tables are ladened, if your family is near, and if your friends are dear. To our American readers, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, we are grateful to know you, grateful that you take the time to check in, and grateful to call you friend.

Dead spruce everywhere.

A carpet of many colours.

Sunlight on the Maple Leaf.

Not much wind this morning.

Take care, stay safe….

Deb

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

A nice few days….

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

I trust we all survived the end of 2023 and have now settled into 2024. We passed the evening and the day with good friends Deb and Tom  , Ken and Kim, John and Brenda(they were here for New Year’s Eve only), and Keith. A good time was had by all.

New Year’s Eve happy hour.

Sunset, New Year’s Eve.

We really haven’t done anything exciting or interesting in the past few days. I’ve chatted with everyone back home once or twice, they report a light dusting of snow but colder temps in the future. Nephew Jason and a number of his friends who were in Revelstoke, BC sledding have  moved on to Alaska due to poor snow in the area. It’s nice to be young! Have fun, stay safe guys.

More sunset pics.

We did have a few adult libations.

Cooler weather has us wearing more long pants and looking forward to warmer temps. Tom and Ken left early yesterday (Jan 2) for an adventure of their own. The rest of us managed to amuse ourselves for the day.

Sunrise this morning, Jan 3,2024

And now it’s popped over the hills.

Today our friends Willie and Rick from the Rock in Lake Huron will be in the area and we will be getting together for a visit of some kind! We are excited to see someone from home.

Today’s pics are an accumulation over the past few days.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

2nd post today....

 

 

Our Location: 

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

A much different day today. Rain overnight and some early this morning, very cool and damp today. Possibility of more rain later in the day. I do however see some blue sky peeking out here and there. Hopefully it clears up and things are warmer. 

 

We were riding a ridge top. You can see it's not very smooth in the desert.

You can see the road way over to the right and a bit lower down.

We went over in the direction after a while.

We followed the ridge top for a long way.

Chatted with Janet last night for a while. Things are going well. Chatted with dad as well, seems like colder weather and more snow are on the way for them. Well it is still winter up there on the Rock. 

 

So many layers and colours.

We eventually ended up driving not far from those lighter colours of sand. Long way to get there.

No photo can do this justice.

A bit of a wider view than the pic above.

More photos of my ride with Jerry. I hope you are enjoying the trip. 

 

The roads were rough in places but the views made it all worth while.

Lots of cholla and ocotillos.

Rough country, glad I wasn't walking.

We are heading down that opening in the hills.

 A quick storm rushed through this afternoon, lasted for about 15 minutes. The sky was very dark, the wind picked up quickly and the rain fell for about 30 seconds before it started to hail along with the rain. A few photos for you to see. 

 

The white dots are hail.

You can see hail on the mat.

Lots of water fell in a short period.

You can see the water rushing by, not deep but fast.

Hail by the fire pit.

 

Until next time....

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb