A ride into the edge of the Fortuna Foothills.........

 

Our Location: 

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

This morning the temps were as pleasant as yesterday morning and the day pretty much followed the same heat as yesterday. A beautiful day with no complaints here from us. 

 

Some of the roads looked like this. We are heading back to those hills in the distance.

Some not quite so smooth...

A few little bumps along the way...

The hills are closer now.

 

I headed out this morning, leaving Riley behind as she didn't want to come, around 8:30 am, a garbage run before my drive to Wellton. I arrived at Jerry and Elva's place about 9:45 am. Jerry and I headed off toward the Fortuna Foothills in his toy!! Jerry is an excellent guide and driver, thanks again Elva for the loan. Thanks Jerry for the wonderful day, I appreciate it more than I can tell you. I had a very good time. 

 

Some of the ride was like this, flat views with dust in the offing.

Some folks ahead are creating that dust.

Some of the ride was through this rolling type of landscape.

Some very barren looking spots too.

Back home around 2:30 pm or so, Riley and I  spent the rest of the day just relaxing and enjoying the warmth. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the ride. I'll have enough pics for a few days. 

 

I love the view.

 

There is a beauty here that is hard to describe.

The distances one can see is amazing.

Jerry having a snack!!

  The internet seemed to be having an issue and I couldn't upload the last four photos last night. It seems to be better today. I'll write another post later.

 

Until next time... 

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

 

Friends visit..

 Our Location:

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California 

Tuesday, Feb 7 dawned with winds making the toppers flip and flap. The winds increased in speed until shortly after noon when they slowly started to subside. We had a few gusts later in the evening but the afternoon was pretty good for visiting.

The first grouping is yesterday's photos, the remainder are from today. Sunrise was pretty here in the southern California desert.

Not long after 1 pm yesterday a big truck with a camper was seen speeding toward our neighbourhood and in a cloud of dust it stopped between the Igloo and the Stinger B, the doors flew open and Jerry and Elva popped out. Hugs and handshakes, greetings were traded and before long the world problems were solved. As quickly as that happened another rig could be seen moseying along and before long with very little dust following The Mansion pulled to a stop and Ken and Shirley popped out. More hugs, handshakes and greetings were exchanged and soon we were once again solving problems. A pleasant afternoon that passed quickly and as the sun started sinking Jerry and Elva were heading back home to Welton. It was wonderful to see them again. Maybe the last time for this season. 

Ken and Shirley stayed the night in the front yard and are settled in for a day or two. A chance for us all to visit a bit more and share a few laughs, tell a few tall tales and just enjoy the moments! Coffee time, happy hour and even a fire later in the evening made for a wonderful day. Truly a good day in the desert spent with good friends.

Until next time... 

Take care, stay safe, 

Deb 

Visiting friends, Baker's Tank, and a Jeep ride......

 

Our Location:

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

 

(Yesterday's post)

 

We started with a ride instead of morning coffee in a group. Riley opted to miss today's events as she wasn't feeling up to par, a bit too much sun but she's doing fine today. Doug ( Miss Adventure Travels  ) & Yuma in their Jeep and Deb, Tom (Celebrating the Dance ) and I in their Jeep all headed out around 9 am to Wellton, Arizona to meet up with our friends Elva and Jerry Shannon. 

Tom, Jerry, Deb D, Elva and Doug with Yuma.

The Shannon's place on Sidewinder Trail in Wellton.

Entrance to the Naked Date shop.

Interesting wall, I imagine in helps a bit with the dust.

A quick fuel stop and we reached their place on Sidewinder Trail in about an hour. A very cute spot with some desert flair. It was wonderful to see them again after such a long absence due to the nasty little thing we  know as Covid. Jerry has played tour guide for me a few times when they parked at Pilot knob and this time was no exception. The lovely Elva doesn't ride along but she grants the use of her hubby and her Jeep for outings. Thank you Elva. Jerry is the proud owner of a Can-Am but today we didn't partake of that but there may be a ride in my future. 

 

Some old tractors at the Naked Date. I thought Shirley might like these.

And an old Farmall. Love the colour.

Most of the ride was easy like this, some soft sand, a high levee and some good roads.

The BBQ spot at Baker's Tank.

 

Jerry took us, Deb's in Elva's Jeep, Doug, Tom and Yuma in Doug's Jeep, around and about in the hills of Wellton. The first stop being the Naked Date shake shop. A very quaint family owned/operated shop that grows and sells dates, along with a food bar. The food the others had looked inviting but I passed, deciding on only a shake. It was very thick and creamy, just enough for me. The smell of dates, which I'm  not a fan of, just didn't do much for my appetite. 

 

You can see the rocks have been pounded in in various places.

Water at the bottom of the tank.

The tank is fairly long and I'm sure it has water in the deeper darker parts for some time.

 

Our second major stop (a few for photos in between I think) was Baker Tank. A very interesting little spot, a massive bbq with four little alcoves for cooking, covered by a round cement roof , and a hip high stone wall. Outside were a couple of cement tables, so bring your own chairs. Little stone buildings once used or maybe still used as Mens and Ladies can be seen a wee bit off to the side. I didn't go over to check 'em out. The reddish hue as you get closer to the wash was amazing, it started very suddenly and as you moved closer it became evident that a great many fast flowing gallons of water have raced and pounded over this area. Big rocks have been embedded into the sides from the force of the water and the tank itself is down quite far but with an open end it's easily reachable. Smooth and reddish are the surroundings. You can see in the photos much better than I can describe it. 

 

Tom getting a closer look.

The top is very interesting, smooth but bumpy.

Water in the bottom open end of the tank.

 

Our next stop was what Jerry thinks is the 'test bombing range' although it's lasers now and nothing is destroyed. Four tanks are lined up and easy to see along the desert floor. Also what appear to be fake missile silos with 'guns' pointing skyward can be seen off to the side. No graffiti which I found interesting but it does look like a few people may have been peaking around under the engine hoods. 

 

Those rocks are embedded. It would take a great deal of pressure to do so.

Yuma was checking things out.

Doug, Tom, Deb and Jerry, to give you a bit of size perspective.

 

From there we wandered our way, lost and found to the main road and back to Jerry and Elva's place. We visited a little longer and as the sun started heading down, we knew it was time to head for home. It was a great day, a chance to visit with friends and we all enjoyed our time. 

 

Standing at the open end of the tank.

The BBQ spot, there are three more of these to total 4. Look up, cement roof.

The facilities.

 

Heading home, Deb,Tom and I stopped at Fry's for some groceries but Doug and Yuma headed on home. We reached home at just a minute or two after 6 pm MST, and Riley was happy to see us. Feeling better and all smiles. I think some alone time was good for her. Thanks for the ride Deb & Tom, it was nice just watching out the window. 

 

We didn't have long enough legs to climb up. No stairs.

You can see another one in the back ground.

Love the paint job.

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

 

Easy traveling along here.

Across the desert floor near the tanks. Easy driving and riding.

 

Until next time...

 

Take care, be safe, 

 

Deb

 

A good time .......

Our Location: Near American Girl Mine Road, BLM, CA

 

I was too lazy to blog last night after a lot of hours in the sun and so I decided to do a double blog tonight. Lots of photos, so be warned. 

 

 

 Tom & Jerry, not the cat and mouse, but our chefs for lunch on Sunday. Tom on the left and Jerry of course on the right. 

I asked some nice lady walking by if she would snap a few photos of us all and of course she said yes. Left to right, Tom, Deb D, Riley, Doug, Elva, Deb K, and Jerry. 

 

 

Yesterday (Sunday, Jan 5) Riley and I started the morning with a bit of food prep for later in the day. After that I chatted with a few folks back home, walked down to Ogilby Road to meet Doug Laning (Miss Adventure Travels) to help guide him to the neighbourhood. Yuma was pretty excited! 

Yes we drove up here. 

 We didn't take the washed out road.

 We are heading back into the middle of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

So many different types of rock. The textures, colours and even the feel is so very different. Some welcome, others repel, and some are neither inviting nor threatening. 

 

 

Around 2:30 pm Riley and I loaded a few things into the Dogsled and drove the short distance to the Stinger Bee where Deb & Tom (Celebrating the Dance) are parked.  We sat around chatting for a bit before friends Elva & Jerry Shannon arrived and just after that Doug & Yuma drove up as well. A happy hour lunch/visit enjoyed by all, lasted until after the sun sank behind the western horizon. Lots of laughter, a few stories, maybe a little taller tale here and there but it's true, RV'ers are such wonderful people. Back home I had a quick chat with my dad and decided I was too tired to do a blog. 

 

 

 I love the views, and never tire of them. We took the road you see down there on the left and then it curves out toward the center of the photo. It then drops down into a wash which I show a bit later on in the photos.

 We turned around up here at the top and went back down the same way. We couldn't get out if we had continued down the path and would have had to turn at the bottom anyway.

I thought you might like a nice photo of your Jeep Miss Elva. 

 

 

This morning (Monday, Jan 6) Jerry drove up in Miss Elva's nice silver jeep right around 9 AM and he didn't miss the turn this time. Yeah Jerry!!! Jerry and I headed back past the open pit mine and points further off into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. We visited a few old mines, looked in some holes, climbed some steep banks, splashed through dry washes and dropped down some steep paths. Over rocks, around the corners, up the hills, down the hills, on the road, off the road. We played in the sand for a while and we even enjoyed some water views along the All American Canal. It was a wonderful ride and I enjoyed it very much. 

 A very large gopher made this hole.

 

 

And we know that because a person couldn't even come close to standing up in there.

 

 

 I adjusted this photo so you could see how deep it is but it never gets any taller. Of course we didn't go into this gopher hole but it was interesting to see it.

 

 

Jerry is an excellent driver and a very knowledgeable fella. Thanks for taking me along Jerry, it was a great adventure!! Thanks Miss Elva for the jeep and the driver again. You are a sweetheart!! 

 

 Deep in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

 Can you see the mine entrance over there in the middle right of the photo?

The views are always amazing. I love the colour. 

 

Back home I had some lunch and read my book for a while. I think I may have closed my eyes a time or two but only for a quick peek at my eyelids, and there are no holes, I assure you. 

 We followed that little road for a while.

 Again I adjusted this photo so you can see how deep it is. This is straight down and we couldn't see the bottom. Notice the broken ladder on the right, I couldn't imagine climbing down there.

We traveled that road down there and if you look you will see the stone walls of an old building down there. No roof but the partial walls. I am standing just in front of the large mine shaft in the above photo, turning around I snapped this photo. 

 

 

A quick text or 5 from Deb and we were grabbing our chairs and drinks before walking over to the Stinger Bee for a quick but later happy hour. Doug & Yuma also dropped by to enjoy the chatter. Deb & Tom found us all a spot out of the wind and we talked until after the sun slid, once again behind the horizon. We do enjoy spending time with these folks, lots of laughs and easy chatter. 

 We came down there and made a left.

 So we could go this way...

And it was a bit bumpy. I took a short video of Jerry coming along there but I've never posted a video here and I'm quickly coming to the end of my blogging limit for tonight, so maybe I'll post it another time. 

 

Back home I edited photos and typed this post. I'm tired tonight and I think I'll sleep well, I did last night too. This may be getting to be a habit. 

 

Made it with a little slippin', slidin' and bumpin'. Good job Jerry. 

Do you recognize that mountain over there? I bet you do. It's Picacho Peak.

 We are now all the way thru the Cargo Muchacho Mountains and not far from the Valley of the Names.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you all had a fantastic couple of days. 

 I never tire of the views. 

 I think this view is stunning. The colour difference is so eye catching.

 We played here in the sand for a while.

Again I adjusted this one a bit so you could see the natural hole here. The wind, rain and sun all helped to make this natural hole in a massive sand wall. 

 

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

 

 

                                                            

                                                I thought this was something stuck to the side of the tire.                                                     

 

But it isn't, it moves. 

 

 

Deb