California and back today.....

Our Location:  BLM Plomosa Road, Quartzsite, AZ


Wonderful night’s sleep, temps are warmer and the vents are open all night. Nice weather for sleeping and I’m enjoying every night. 

 

 

Two wheels in the center of this trailer with no wheels on an side to side axle. Interesting. We also noted today but didn't get a photo, a tri axle trailer with only two tires on each side, the third hub was empty. He was rolling on down the interstate faster than I was going.

 

We had a bit of a lazy start but eventually got rolling along. A few texts with some friends had us with today open and we took advantage of that to head off to Blythe, CA for some groceries and a bit of a tour around Tom Wells Road near Ehrenburg, AZ. I’ve read about it a few times and so we thought we’d just check it out and see what’s out there. On the south side of the interstate it’s not too bad at all. We chatted with a few folks in the area, no camp host, it seems no one comes around to check on them either. It appears that some folks stay the entire winter. I have no idea where the nearest dump station/water would be but I think Blythe which is just down the road would be a likely spot. The roads on the south were pretty good, all dirt/gravel with some rolling hills but not bad for rough or washboard, holes or cracks. One particular spot has a pretty deep wash with what I call a V bottom. I was worried about that particular spot in the road but we witnessed some longer rigs than ours back there and eventually found a couple of these rigs with folks outside so we stopped to ask them. The trick it seems is to keep to the left of the wash or the east side both coming and going, the grade is different on that side and upon closer inspection on the way out I believe they were right. I think it would be doable but I’d have to give it some more thought first. It looked like there were a number of possibilities there. The north side was less inviting as it appears to be more permanent people with some junky places tossed in the mix. Also the road was terrible. Old Highway 80 but it’s broken pavement, big gouges and holes, long cracks and washboarded terribly. I would avoid this side of the interstate for certain.

Heading toward Blythe, California

Sorry reflection from the window.

 

On into Blythe we shopped first at Smart & Final. Having never shopped in this particular chain of stores, we enjoyed our visit and picked up a few things while there. The store was clean and friendly and for the first time ever I witnessed people DUSTING in a grocery store. In every aisle there was someone dusting the shelves and wiping clean the little ledge where the price sticker sits. It was impressive to say the least. The prices were okay but a few things seemed a bit more expensive than I would like to pay. 

 

 

Can you see the tinge of green?

 

Something on fire over there. That would be the Colorado River you can see in this photo.

 

Our next and final stop was Albertson’s grocery store. We’ve never been in this chain either and so we enjoyed our visit there as well. It too was clean and I thought well laid out. I found a few prices to be well over what I wanted to pay but I found most were okay although a little on the high end. We picked up a few items here too. Before long we were on our way home.
 

 

We crossed into California and then back into Arizona. We time travelled to the future and back to the past again.

 

The drive through the hills on I-10 is always very calming and serene. The hills are tinged with a green hue and it’s a much different view from last year when we travelled through. What a difference a little colour makes.
 

Both trucks in the top picture are from British Columbia. The bottom picture is the agricultural inspection station which didn't matter we were coming back with groceries  taking any in to the state of California.

 

Back home I sent ‘how to find us’ instructions to our friends after checking them carefully on our way home. After that we settled in to wile away the afternoon with lunch, reading and gazing out the window. The big door open most of the afternoon with a nice breeze coming and not too hot in the sunny side of the Igloo either. A quick call to my dad around 2:30 pm (4:30 pm his time) found him just out of the shower after trying to get warm. Dad and brother Rick cleared snow all afternoon and weren’t finished but Dad was cold and came inside calling it a day. My dad has a large semi trailer box that he uses for storage tucked down in the bush and the snow was about 3 feet deep on the top. They used a snow blower to clear it off. That gives you an idea of how much snow they have had in the last few days. Also news from dad, my nephew Jason made it safely back to Chelmsford, Ontario from Kelowna, BC where he spent a  month’s holidays just having fun. His wife Leah travelled out with him but flew back home a couple of weeks ago, while his brother in law Craig flew out the same day Leah flew back to Ontario. However Craig flew out on Saturday and Jason began the long solo drive homeward after dropping Craig at the airport. Jason arrived late in the day Monday. His first day back to work was today. Welcome home Jason!!! I’m glad you made it safely.

 

I would enjoy hiking through here sometime.

 

So that’s it, our day here in the Quartzsite area. Not too exciting to read about but exciting enough for us.  Thanks for stopping by, I hope you had an excellent day where ever you may be!

 

Sunset tonight was pretty with liquid gold in the sky before it turned coal red as it faded.

 

Until next time… take care, be safe,

 

Goodnight from Quartzsite, Arizona

 

 

 

 

Deb