The Beginning of a New Year

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

I missed the actual sunrise this morning. By the time I looked out the sun was up over the mountains sending its light out between the clouds. As I write this the clouds have won for the moment and the desert is in the shadow of those clouds. Though, that will change throughout the day and each time there is an opening in the clouds the mountains and desert floor will be in beautiful light enhanced by the darkness of the clouds. It is a beautiful show the sun. the blue sky, and the clouds put on for us each day! 

The sun making its way up through the clouds

and bringing some light to the desert and mountains.

Then about 5 minutes later the sun found a larger opening
in the clouds, thing change quickly,

and the desert 

was in bright sunlight.

After coffee this morning Tom took a ride over to the rest stop just west of us on I-8. Our fresh water tank was getting low and our garbage needed to be gone both of which can be accomplished there. After he finished refilling our fresh water tank we headed into Yuma to take care of some errands. 

Turning onto Ogilby Road and looking over towards the dunes
it looks like rain may be coming our way.

I often take pictures of the beautiful green fields of vegetables
as we are driving along. Today we passed a couple of trucks
hauling those vegetables.
The bottom left is through a very dirty windshield.  

Our first stop was at the Sam's Club to make sure our membership would not automatically renew this year. We have found some good bargains with the membership but living in a motorhome fulltime not that many of the purchases are practical because of the amount of items in a package and usually if it is a single item the size is a factor.  After that was taken care of we made a few purchases before heading to our next stop. We had an order to pick up at an Amazon Locker and several General Delivery Packages at the Post Office. 

Leaving Yuma the clouds in the sky were beautiful and the closer we got to home as the sun was setting the prettier the sky got. 

Middle picture: the sun light reflecting off the wet payment.
Bottom picture: we are parked over by those mountains.

On Ogilby Road the clouds over the mountains

and the sun setting as we make our way home.

We have left Ogilby Road and our making our way 
across the desert to the place we are presently calling home.

The color in the clouds was beautiful.

There a little green leaves on the 
Ocotillos!

We are home and the colors over the mountains to the east

and the last of the sun's light to the west.

It was a good day we accomplished what we wanted to get done and though we did not sit outside for either a Coffee Hour or a Happy Hour with our neighbors we did chat with everyone at some point. There is a plan in place for tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

We were up before the sun this morning and as I write this Ken and Tom have been gone for a couple of hours. They are off to San Diego to tour the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. I am going to just go ahead and say I am sure they will have a great day together and will come back with a few stories about their day. That will be Tom's Blog to write. 

As for me as I write this I am enjoying a mug of coffee that Tom made before he left. Though I did venture out to take some pictures of the sunrise before sitting down with my first mug. (FYI: I did right this Tuesday morning. I just never finished the blog and post it.)

I could see the sun light just at the top of the mountains
and starting to light up the floor of the desert

as it popped up over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

As the sun moves up in the sky all the bushes 

sparkle in the sunlight

and shadows stretch across the desert floor.

The sun is now above the Jeep...lol as I made my way back inside.

Turning around in the doorway it I took this picture of the moon.

Between the sunrise above and the sunset below. We, Deb, Kim, Keith, and I, sat outside during a short coffee hour. Then after lunch Kim and I drove into Yuma to check out Marshalls for any sales or things we just could not do without...lol  Back home we, the same group as above, sat out for Happy Hour. Keith left then Kim while Deb and I sat out until the sun had set before heading inside. Always nice to sit and just enjoy the company of friends.

Sunset on January 2, 2024

It was dark when Ken and Tom pulled back in after their day's adventure. Listening to Tom it sounds like they had a good day. 

Monday, January 1, 2024

We started the New Year sitting out with our neighbors toasting with mimosas. There are no pictures besides the two I posted in my last blog of the sunrise. Later in the day everyone, Deb, Riley, Kim, Ken, and Keith joined us inside the Stinger "B" for dinner. I made meat pies and they added side dishes. It was a lovely evening filled with conversation along with some laughter and the sun had set before everyone left. Looking back as I write this I wish I had taken a couple of pictures yet at the same time I know the memories of this evening will always be in my minds eye whenever I think of this time parked in this beautiful place with special friends. 

(Side Note: Our convection oven has not worked for a while, it is being replaced next week, so the meat pies were cooked inside the Igloo and the Journey.)

A Step Back in Time For Our Memory Book
The Last Day of 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023

We were up and driving into Yuma for 7:30 Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church before the sun was up this morning. Though its light was visible as we drove along the actual sunrise happened after we were in church. 

Top Picture: we have turned on to Ogilby Road
Middle Picture: stopped for a train
Bottom Picture: on I-8 we can see Pilot Knob Peak

Top Picture: on I-8 we caught up to the train

This is a beautiful church filled with stain glass windows of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Their Christmas Decorations were wonderful. They had a lovely Manger placed in the front of the church and there were several decorated trees and wreaths throughout the church along with a lot of poinsettias. They certainly put a lot of time and effort into making everything look beautiful.

The Altar area is filled with poinsettias.
Bottom Pictures: These panels are on the left and right side
of the door which opens up to the center aisle of the church.

Later in the day we gathered for champagne, courtesy of Brenda and John, and snacks during Happy Hour which extended into the darkness around a campfire. 

Top Picture: the champagne and food.
Middle Pictures: Kim, Keith, Ken, and Tom
Bottom Picture: John, Brenda, Riley, and Deb

As the sun was going down the views towards the mountains
was beautiful.

 

Last Sunset of 2023

Then we were treated to a beautiful show of color in the sky. The afterglow tonight was fantastic and as good of a job as the camera on my phone did picking up the color it never quite matches the beauty the eyes see.

There was golden yellow in the clouds
with touches of orange towards the west

and a softer color over the mountains.

Then the clouds began to pick up a deeper golden color with
more touches of orange.

Our neighborhood in the afterglow.

Before fading back to grey the 
orange glowed a deeper color.

Then we moved our chairs around the firepit where our conversations and laughter continued while the inky darkness of the night slowly engulfed us. 

Middle Picture: Keith and Tom working on getting the fire
started while Ken supervised.

As the fire began to die down it was time to say goodnight and wish each other a Happy New Year as we parted ways for our homes. It was somewhat bittersweet as we were also saying, see you down the road to Brenda and John. They are off on a new adventure in the morning. It has been wonderful having them join us for the occasional Happy Hour. When you read someone's blog you get to know a lot about them and when you meet in person it is like you are meeting an old friend. The conversation is easy; it is like you are catching up with that friend you have not seen in awhile. While at the same time you are getting to know them a little better. Then, if you are lucky, that friendship will bring you back together over the years of travel. There are no goodbyes just see you down the road and be safe until we cross paths again. 

Together in the company of friends was a very good way to end 2023 and begin 2024!

We are looking forward to the year ahead of us and the adventures it will bring. We pray for joy, happiness, good health, and peace for all our family, friends, and ourselves as we all venture into the unknown that is 2024.

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