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

It’s going to be a windy day…..

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

Well we are comfortably into the new year now. Although I will admit it’s pretty much business as usual here on home dirt.

Deb D purchased new glasses in this alley at a shop called Norwest.

Riley and I had a visit with friends from back home a few days ago. Willie and Rick came by the Igloo for a couple of hours and after we all headed into Yuma for dinner and more visiting. I didn’t take a single pic. I can’t believe I forgot. It was a fabulous visit and we enjoyed it greatly.

Taken last year in Mexico. Willie and Rick.

Deb, Tom, Riley and I ventured to Mexico for a few hours and enjoyed lunch out. We met up with Kim, Ken and Keith and chatted for a few minutes before they headed off home.

Lunch in Mexico.

Happy Birthday today to Sheila. I hope you have a fantastic day. Sheila is my cousin, we spent a lot of time together as kids. Also a birthday wish to my niece Amber, she celebrates on the 9th. She is my sister’s oldest child, and has 3 of her own. 

Sorry for the glare in the next three pics. Taken in the Jeep coming from Mexico.

The canal is just behind the weeds.

It looks like Jason and his pals are having a great time on the Canada-America border at Stewart, BC. They can stage/offload in Alaska and sled back over the mountains to Canada. It appears they are exploring some interesting places. Have fun, stay safe guys!

A better shot of the canal.

Riley’s cough is now gone and mine is almost gone. We hope to be cough free and visit SIL/Aunt Janet soon. The forecast is for rain and wind today, we’ve tucked away the chairs and things as the winds will be getting up to the 20 mile mark. There have been a few drops of rain already as have been writing this post. An inside day I think.

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

Happy New Year……

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

A quiet few days here in the desert. A bit of a flare in my hip so I’ve been doing very little.  However I do hope to get back to doing something in the next day or two.

Yesterday’s happy hour crowd included Brenda, Ken, John, Keith

Back on our Little Rock in Lake Huron the weather is definitely not winter like, much more dreary, damp, and depressing for a number of days now. The temperatures are mild for this time of the year with mostly above or at the freezing mark. I think they would enjoy some sun.

Deb D, Oreo,and Tom. Kim somehow slipped away.

Nephew Jason has arrived safely in the area of Revelstoke, BC for the next month or so. His new sled looks pretty fancy after he dressed it up. I do believe he’s had a break down already but I’m sure it hasn’t slowed him down much. Jason celebrates a birthday on Jan 2. He is a wonderful young man and I enjoy every chat I have with him. He is always busy, he always has a smile and is a hard working guy. He has opened his own business while still holding down a full time job elsewhere. His lovely bride Leah and two children Hudson and Lainey make him a very lucky man! Happy Birthday Jason!

Sunset, Dec 30.

Goodnight from Ogilby Road.

Riley and I would like to wish everyone a very safe and Happy New Year. May the new year bring us all peace, happiness and good living. Forgive those that need it, love those that want it, and realize we can’t change those that don’t wish it. Thank you all for brightening our world, giving us the gift of friendship and laughter. I hope the new year brings you some of what you wish for!

Until next time….

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

A quick walk……

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

I trust everyone had a good day yesterday and survived Christmas! We had a good day here on home dirt. We all met at some point, except Keith, who was off doing something on his own, to enjoy Mimosas. It was relaxing, as well as entertaining. At some point John dropped by for a bit. 

Christmas Eve happy hour.

Christmas Dinner.

Back inside I completed most of my calls, I chatted with daughters Bradey and Courtney, Dad, sister Jan, SIL Janet, and I left a message on brother Rick’s machine.

Water and wind has caused some cracks in the sand.

The sand is hard, like cement.

The sand in driven by water and wind until it is jammed tight.

Layer upon layer upon layer, so thin.

The outside layer is a different colour than that below.

Somewhere between 2 - 3 pm we all gathered for our Christmas dinner. Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, 2 kinds of stuffing, turnip/rutabaga, gravy, turkey and 2 kinds of apple pie. I think we all left feeling full. Thanks to Deb and Tom, and Ken and Kim for all the hard work and Keith for joining us and adding to the entertainment.

Calls this morning to brother Rick’s place had me chatting with his lovely wife Barb, and later a chat with my friend Linda as well rounded out my calling list.

Yes, that is the Imperial Dunes over there.

Riley and I took a little ride on our own today ending up at Tumco. A short walk and a couple of dozen pics before we headed back to the Igloo.

Until next time……

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

A new arrival….

 

Our Location:

Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

A quiet day except for a new arrival on our home dirt spot. Ken and Kim’s friend, fellow Canadian and in fact fellow Ontarian, Keith and his trusted side kick Oreo arrived yesterday. They will be here for a little while before moving on to spend some time with other folks.

Sunrise, Dec 14.

A walk down to Dogpound Anywhere yesterday morning had me visiting with John and Brenda longer than my original plan. Oh well, it was enjoyable, and they didn’t seem to mind me popping by.

Water left over, but it was soon gone.

We being, Deb and Tom, Ken and Kim, Keith and I all sat around for a bit of a happy hour yesterday afternoon. A bit coolish but still nice in the sunshine. Riley stayed inside as she often does.

The view from a walk to John and Brenda’s.

Today, Christmas Eve we will all get together for happy hour and I believe John and Brenda will be joining us as well. We plan on sharing some goodies, and tomorrow our plan is to meet again for Christmas dinner. It promises to be lively and fun!

A chat with a few folks back home, it seems they will have a green Christmas this year, the temps a little above the freezing mark! Not fun for anyone getting snow toys!

New neighbour, Keith.

A special happy birthday to Miss Isabell. She turns 10 today. A beautiful young lady with a quick smile, a soft voice and a twinkle in her eye. She is my brother Rick’s oldest grandchild, being the oldest child of his oldest child, Nicole.

Also a happy birthday to cousin Barry. He celebrates tomorrow. Barry is a friendly fella, a helpful and easy going guy.  He makes his home in The Slash on Manitoulin Island. His home is on his grandfather’s farm, his grandfather being my great grandfather.

A send off for nephew Jason as he once again prepares for his cross country drive and a month spent dancing, flipping and fixing his sled out in the BC area of Revelstoke. He meets a number of friends there and they spend their days sledding in the area. Have fun, stay safe!

From our Igloo to your home, Riley and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May you be surrounded by family, friends, good will, peace, love and joy! 

Until next time….

Take care, stay safe,

Deb