We moved today….

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona 

This morning was not an encouraging day to be pulling out, the clouds piled up looked pretty sure to dump lots of rain. We did pull out anyway and while Riley and I noticed lots of evidence of a great deal of rain, we didn’t get more than a few drops during our entire drive. The Dogsled and Igloo are just grimy from the water spray coming off the road and passing vehicles. 

We left just before 8 am MST heading for the dump station at the Chevron just down the road. Deb & Tom headed out straight for Q and Doug and Yuma stopped at the dump station not very long after we pulled out of the dump area.

The ride was a wet one but not difficult. It is the first time in all of our years of coming to the area that we have gone north on US/AZ 95. Earlier this season was the first time we had travelled south on this road as we normally leave the Salton Sea area and head east on I-10. We stopped at the Proving Grounds to wait for Doug and a little over a half hour later he pulled in. We chatted for a bit before Riley and I headed off again.

We arrived at the Road Runner BLM before noon and pulled over to wait for Deb and Tom. Before long they arrived, unhooked The Little Black Limo and Deb D with Riley as co-pilot headed off to check out a place for us all to park.  The Igloo and Stinger B were parked and set up before Doug and Yuma followed by Ken and Shirley arrived. A little confusion but soon we were all parked enjoying some lunch and then happy hour. The sun was down before we headed inside for the night. Chatted with dad for about 20 minutes just catching up. 

Sorry I forgot to post this last night so I added this little paragraph before publishing. I didn’t take any pics after we arrived here but I will post some today if weather permits. The winds are already picking up at 4:30 am and we have a wind advisory in effect here today. It may be a stay inside day for us.

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

Until next time….

Take care, stay safe,

Deb 

Moved today, and an amazing sunset....

Our Location: Near Tonopah, Arizona

 

A cold night last night but a nice day again today. A cold start but the day warmed up quickly and we soon were packing ourselves up to make what we thought would be a short move across the wash. 

 

My favourite view is no longer out the door but I can still see it when I step around the front of the Igloo. 

We have a much different view now out the living room window.

 

We pulled out of our spot and headed down the BLM roadway but stopped to chat with a Ranger just before reaching Courthouse Road. He pulled out his trusty map and showed me the BLM land but couldn't really indicate the definite boundaries to me but told me to stay on the south side of Courthouse Road and we would be good. So keeping that in mind we did just that, deciding we would not even attempt the other side of the wash. With possible rain in the forecast next week I feel better not having to worry about the wash.

 

Can you see that area that looks like a possible crease or pass through? I'm going to get myself over there before we leave this spot and see what's back there.

I'm also going to get my feet climbing back there if possible.

 

We travelled a couple of miles before pulling off and getting out to walk around and have a look at a few spots. Sure enough we found a number but we didn't really like them but they would be acceptable and us being us we kept looking for something we would enjoy. We found it, and a short distance from our fellow Canadians from the Winnipeg area. When I say short distance I mean it's a good 3 or 4 minute walk, we can see them but we aren't within shouting distance. We can also see another fellow about a 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile away but cross country. 

 

Now we can see the sunsets.

 

The swirling is amazing to see.

 

We are closer to the busier Courthouse Road but the road noise is not bothersome and we didn't notice it even with the door open for the afternoon. Not as 'road noisy' quiet as the other spot but a much better spot for sure. Very few people, a few Razors and quads going by from time to time as well. We even have spectacular views of the sunsets now. I think we'll like this spot much better than the other. 

 

Some amazing colours.

 

Almost like liquid gold in the sky.

Jack (from around Winnipeg) came up for a walk this evening and a quick chat before leaving us his card and heading off back to his motor home. Jack and Nancy will be back in this area a few times before we actually pull out for points further east but they have a few errands that will have them here and gone a couple of times during our stay. It would be nice to meet up with them again for a chat and a chance to meet Nancy. Jack told us that the 'Friends of Saddle Mountain' club are meeting just down the way in the morning to pick up garbage and I may actually join them if I feel up to it. I do my own little part with each campsite we use but I think it might be nice to offer a bit of a hand for a few hours. We shall see how the morning goes.

 

A wonderful view tonight.

 

Starting to fade now.

 

Jack left as the sun was setting and soon it was time to come inside and construct this post. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a wonderful day where you may be and whatever you may have been doing. 

 

From glowing hot to more darkness around the edges now.

 

The darkness is taking over on the edges now.

Until next time... take care, be safe, 

 

Night has fallen. Goodnight.

 

 

Deb

 

 

 

We moved today.....

Our Location: near Tonopah, Arizona

An okay night’s sleep last night. Too much on my mind to sleep well I guess. Stress is one of those things that keeps me awake long after I don’t want to be awake. Hopefully it passes quickly and things will settle down again.
 

We saw this colourful fella on our way out to Plomosa Road.

 

Leaving Quartzsite in our rear view mirror this morning.

 

 We were up looking at each other saying, “ Well do we just pack up or do we have a drink and catch up with our blogging friends?” Turns out we just packed up and decided we’d head out and find a spot before catching up with folks. The Dogsled followed by the Igloo was heading across  the desert floor shortly after 9 AM and we were on Plomosa Road by 9:15 AM, not a long drive to the road and a much smoother one than I sent our friends on yesterday.

The rest area on I-10 East  about 30 miles from Quartzsite.

 

Do you see the sleeping giant?

 

A quick stop along the way on I-10 EAST but nothing too exciting, just to dump some garbage and a quick leg stretch. It seemed as if we'd just gotten back on the road and before we knew it we’d arrived at our turn off. It wasn’t even 11 AM yet. We did well.  

Last year there  was bales of cotton everywhere, this year it's hay.

 

This area is busier now than it was the other times we were here and so it took a while to find a place we both liked but we managed. I think we’ll enjoy this spot a great deal. It’s close enough for me to hike in the hills without a long walk to get there and the road is straight enough for Riley to find her way around the area. The best of both worlds. 

 

We saw this cute little house on one of many roads we checked out.

 

 After getting set up I called my dad to let him know w’e d arrived but only managed to get his machine. No worries, I just left a message. After that we had some lunch and enjoyed the warmth for a while. We both took a turn with the magnet to collect some tire punchers hopefully before any end up in the rubber of the Igloo or Dogsled.

Love the view out the window.

 

I've walked around that top in the past.

 

Two young fellas on a small quad were tearing past pretty close to the Igloo so when I went outside to ask them to stay on the road, I didn’t get a chance, they knew and headed off immediately. I was shocked to hear to older of the two, maybe 8 or 9 cussing up a storm and dropping the F bomb every other word while they were stuck a few yards from the Igloo. However they worked hard and quickly to get ‘unstuck’  before hurrying off and we didn’t see them any more.

I think we can spend a few weeks in this setting. Tomorrow we'll set up the outside.

 

Another call to Dad just to say hi and I was glad I did because he inadvertently erased the other message. He was pretty sure that it was us and that we had arrived safely but he was going to call to confirm in a bit. I guess I just saved him a phone call. Very cold at his house, lots of snow, supposed to warm up to just below the freezing mark with rain or freezing rain and then plummet back down again next week. For our Ontario readers, I doubt that Wiarton Willie will be able to stick his head out tomorrow, I’ll bet the door is frozen shut. I’m guessing a couple more months of winter for Ontario.  

 

Some signs we noticed today. Can you see the pretty yellow along the roadside?

 

 

We are parked near this Saguaro. Love the face!!

 

No sunset to speak of tonight, but we are enjoying our first evening here and are snuggled in snug like a bug in a rug. We plan on being here for a few weeks and are looking forward to getting some things accomplished while in this area. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit.
 

I just love this view.

 

Until next time…. take care, be safe, 

Goodnight from the Igloo.

 

 Deb