It just wasn’t meant to be…. Or maybe it was..

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona 

It has been quiet here, well except the wind. It is a very constant sound some days. I can see how it could drive a person to lose a solid foothold after a while. Don’t worry, we aren’t in danger of that happening. If you have never been to the desert to hear this wind, perhaps the tick, tick, tick of a clock in an otherwise silent room, or the steady drip, drip, drip of water from a leaky faucet, sounds that never cease but beat a tattoo into the brain so that we hear it even if we step into a silent room that does not have those sounds would give you an idea. Like muscle memory of the brain. The wind in the desert is often like that, steadily humming along, a few gusts here and there changes the sounds on occasion but the steady hum is there. It caresses the thorny growth giving slight movement but no rustling noise, some dust in the air maybe, but just the sound of the wind. It is not everyday, but I wake up listening for the tell tale signs of it every day in the desert. The desert winds sounds nothing like our Island winds back home, there is a lonely, haunting quality to the desert winds, almost like it is softly whispering tales of long ago. The Island winds are different, there is business to them, they move leaves, branches, make the trees creak, it howls through the tree limbs, it causes the water to gently lap the shore, it sends endless waves crashing onto the rocks, sending spray many feet into the air, it tells a story too but not the same kind as the desert winds. How can the wind be so different?

Heading toward Blythe, California 

Albertson’s parking lot.

A few days ago we decided to dump the tanks, fill with water and dump the garbage. Since La Posa south is close by it is where we went.  The office to buy the permit sticker doesn’t open until nine and it was a few minutes before that time. A fella comes from behind the building telling me the office would be late opening, some emergency was holding up the opening, at least an hour he said, but cross the road to Tyson Wash and get a permit from them. Across the road I walked, it took 5 minutes to explain my rig was across the road, I can apply the stickers myself, no I’m not staying in the LTVA, but still want a sticker. Eventually after about 15 minutes, stickers in hand I cross the road to find them selling permits, their hour is much different than mine. We did our business and were home, set up and enjoying the day after only about an hour and a half, from start to finish.

We had few things to accomplish and decided to divide them over two days, Thursday and Friday. Sounds good, right? On Thursday we needed to get rid of garbage, get bread, water, and wanted to fill a propane tank, oh yes, and stamps. We decided we go to Blythe, CA to get bread, have a look around and just enjoy some different views. We dropped the garbage at La Posa south, stopped at Lifestyles for propane, and off to Blythe we went. Bread is really expensive in Blythe, we spent about $100. No it wasn’t just bread, but that is all we needed! We checked out a number of stores before heading back to Q. Remembering we needed drinking water, we popped off at the Riggles Road Exit, filled our jugs, looked at the long lines at the One 9, opted to get fuel on Friday. We completely forgot about stamps but not worry we can get them Friday. So Friday morning we load up the laundry, the gas can and into town we go. First stop is Laundromat on Main Street, not many vehicles in the lot, it has a lot of machines, this will be good right? Not! One whole row (both sides of the partition) is empty, that cuts the available washers down by at least a third, maybe more. It looked like the wait would be long just to get enough washers. So off we headed to the other laundromat, same thing, full, lots of waiting. Back in the Dogsled we headed off for fuel while we discussed if we wanted to wait or not. Back to the One 9, pumps didn’t look very busy, yeah. Looking around I realized all of the diesel pumps are covered, no diesel, but we did fill the gas can for the generator. The big trucks were  stacked up at the truck pumps and we don’t need diesel that badly. A stop back at the big laundromat showed a fuller lot than before and so we just came home. Damn, forgot the stamps again. So we will try again another day to do laundry, get diesel and oh yes, stamps.

I always enjoy these views.

For some reason I forgot to publish this post, so I will add to it. It is Sunday and we have completed the laundry, gotten diesel, some more water, a few items of groceries, but not stamps. Oh well, we will eventually get some and I keep thinking I have some but I haven’t looked for them yet, explains why I haven’t found them, doesn’t it?

They are replacing with new and bigger capacity front loads.

I thought this was interesting, it’s in the laundromat.

I have talked to dad every day, keeping caught up on all the happenings. I have chatted with my sister a few times, as well as my friend Linda. I think we are caught up on the news from back home.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

We nailed ourselves down…

 

Our Location:

Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Az

If the blog looks blurry it’s due to the wind shaking the Igloo. The winds have been relentless for 24 hours and we are looking at another 10 hours at least. The winds are coolish, out of the north, and make it uncomfortable to be outside. It has been partially sunny with temps hovering around 70-72 F/21-22 C during the day, around 50 F/ 10 C over night. 

Three views of this beaten up Saguaro.

On Saturday while we were continuing our resting from the day before, I noticed a very big, shiny black truck pulling into our yard, our friends from Ontario came to visit. Bill, Patsy and Mr. Gibbs all climbed out and visiting commenced. Time slipped by so quickly as it does with friends, we have no idea where the couple of hours went. Soon our guests were climbing  back into BB and heading off. We will visit some more before we leave the area.

Not the best photo but you get to see their happy faces!

Sunday morning we were up and headed off to Parker for groceries and took only cash as we have had so much trouble with the card machines in Walmart there. In fact the couple ahead of us were having trouble trying  to use their card, she held the card with two hands while  he punched in the pin, it was the only way it would work. Cash payment had no issue! 

It is easy to see two of them are related.

Deb D, I looked down and found this ancient being at my feet.

I’ve been in touch with folks back home, Dad, sister, SIL Barb. All is well, rain is in the forecast for a number of days. Jason and Leah’s house is moving right along, it sounds as if a move in date is coming closer. We are excited for them!

Can you see the sleeping Indian?

1- forehead
2- nose
3- chin

The road to Parker is vastly improved with a new surface most of the way. Kuen Street here in Q is also vastly improved but Bill informed me it was fixed last spring, which we didn’t know.

The road to Parker.

We always like to this RR car!

As I typed this I thought I could see a dog running loose but I think it may have been coyote, a black tipped tail was visible and no one was visible in the area.

Taken from inside the Igloo, he is definitely a coyote.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…

Take car, 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

A quiet Sunday….

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

A long night last night and I stay snuggled under the covers until after sunrise.  Riley and I had plans to pick up a few groceries today in Yuma and I had forgotten the U-Haul was open and so we didn’t take our empty propane tank. That will be a chore for another day.

Sunset. 

We all gathered for happy hour today, although it was an abbreviated one and we all headed inside shortly after the sunset. A call to dad after coming inside. All of the snow is gone, the temps are mild for the time of year, the nursing homes are shut down to outside visitors once again.

A very quiet day.

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

A good day…..

 

Our Location:

Olympia Village Rv Park, Waterdown, Ontario

A nice overnight here, quiet and peaceful. We finished half of our laundry last night and will finish it up in the next few days. 

I took no photos today, I was busy doing other things. We spent part of the morning doing those boring things we all do before leaving. We spent some time looking for a replacement cord for one I left at home, changing money, looking for a few little things including some wine. We had an appointment for 1:30 pm that took up the rest of our afternoon. 

We have a firmer leave date now which will have us in the area for approximately a week. We will have some time to visit with Courtney and Bradey, along with David, Auston, and Lincoln.

That’s all for today, hope you all had a great day.

Until next time….

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

Errands and chores today....

 

 

Our Location: 

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

This morning our temperatures were in the more expected range of 52F/11C and later in the day it was warm enough to register 72F/22C and I sat outside in shorts and a t-shirt. It was a wonderfully warm experience. However I'm getting ahead of myself. 

 

The water is not extremely deep here, the sides are pretty sandy and the bottom is a silt that is easily stirred up.

It is very early in the Spring, so there is no new colours yet.

A little colour in the grass, and the water is starting to move here, very shallow in 2021.

Up river from the falls. The salmon come up here to spawn.

 

We loaded up the Dogsled with dirty laundry and headed off to town with a number of things in mind. Laundry took us about 2 1/2 hours for 5 big loads, washed, dried, folded and packed back into the truck. Next we stopped at Harbour Freight where I managed to snag some rope lights and I may go back for more. My original purchase of 3 strings years ago in Mississippi (at least 6) worked so well I wanted more. I have 1 string left from the original 3. I bought 3 more today. From there we headed down to Sports Clips on Pacific for hair cuts. We both came away with a lot less hair. Our final stop was Walmart for a few groceries. After that we headed home and had everything unloaded and completely put away (including all the laundry) by around 2 pm. Lunch was followed by the 'sitting outside' part mentioned above. 

 

Getting closer to the falls.

The cause of the disturbance is salmon steps in the river to help them manage the climb It gives them a place to rest from the current.

The falls isn't very big but the water is fast and the rocks are slippery.

I wonder how long that stayed there.

 

I chatted with my dad tonight for about a half hour. We never really have much to say but we manage to find something. The weather there is very much a yoyo type thing, cold and warm, warm and cold, just depends on the moment. 

 

The water moves very quickly even though it's pretty low.

The trees cause a great deal of shade at the waters edge .

Looking down river the water starts to calm a bit.

I love the water spray, you can see the drops in the air above the falls.

 

I didn't take any photos today, not a single one. I have some left overs from some where but decided I wouldn't use those here. Instead I'm going to post some pics I took on April 14, 2021 back home on Manitoulin Island. It is a place we often visited when I was a young girl. We had many family picnics there with my dad's siblings and their families and us kids would walk along the top of the falls but far enough back that if we fell we wouldn't go over. It was a great spot to just sit and enjoy the cool water.  Some years the water was high and moved very quickly from one bank to the other and other years there was little water and lots of space on both banks that were dry. Of course some years was in the middle of those extremes. The year 2021 the water was low and lots of stepping rocks were available. The spot is called Michaels Bay, the first white settlement on the Island. I hope you enjoy them. 

 

The water moves rapidly and the salmon use the man  made steps to help them get up.

It's calmer up river and the water was very shallow that year.

The bottom is rust coloured and very slippery.

It is a place of my youth, and fond memories abound.

 

Until next time....

 

Take care, stay safe,

 

Deb