We Have Changed Locations

We are now parked out in the Roadrunner BLM near Quartzsite, Arizona. The plan was to arrive on Thursday park out a Dome Rock BLM overnight, we had a morning appointment at RV Lifestyles to have a new Convection/Microwave Oven installed, then make our way out here. The wind had other ideas, basically laughed at our plans, and we did not leave our spot near Ogilby Road in California until first light on Friday. Tom called RV Lifestyles on Thursday about our situation and they said not to worry about being late. Living in an RV is always an adventure and we learned right from the beginning if you cannot go with the flow this is not the lifestyle to be living. Of course, raising two kids we already had plenty of training/experience about going with the flow...LOL

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Today started under beautiful blue skies and we spent part of the morning getting things organized inside our home after arriving the day before. 

The plan for today was a late lunch at Quail Mountain Restaurant in Quartzsite with our friends, Melissa and Lyle. We had not seen them since this past spring so we were looking forward to some hugs and a nice catch up. Both of which happened. A picture would have been nice, I say that a lot, and I did think of it a about half way home. Hopefully next time I will think of it when we are together. Never the less it was a lovely couple of hours and we are looking forward to our next get together.

Arriving home we saw our neighbors outside enjoying a Happy Hour but there was already a chill in the air as the sun was close to taking today's heat with it behind the Dome Rock Mountains. Kim was heading inside but the Ken and Keith were still sitting out so Tom did join them for a short time. I decided Kim had the right idea and stayed inside.

We parked perfectly and I can take pictures of the sunsets and sunrises without leaving the warmth of our home, if I so choose. Sometimes it is the little things in life that make me happy and this is one of them...lol

The sunsetting on our day from our bedroom window.

This guy is out our front window. He is beautiful and
I guarantee you will see more pictures of him.

Ken, Keith, and Tom solving some world problem,
I am sure.

A little after the sun disappeared behind the Dome Rock
Mountains we had a lovely afterglow.

Friday, January 12, 2024

As I mentioned before we were on our way this morning with the first of the morning light. With one final hug with Deb, we had said our see you laters and I had gotten hugs from Riley the night before, we were on our way. First stop was to dump at the Chevron Station near Pilot Knob then back to Ogilby Road to make our way north to Blythe were we merged onto to I-10 heading east towards Quartzsite. It is about a 90 mile drive and we already knew we would probably be about 90 minutes late for our appointment so we made the decision not to hook the Jeep up to the motorhome to save some time. We very seldom make the decision not to hook up but I do not mind driving and sometimes, like today, it just makes more sense for me to do so. 

The sun is slowly making its way up over the 
Cargo Muchacho Mountains
as we make our way to Ogilby Road.

We will miss the green Ocotillos that are out here.

There it is just barely making it over the mountains.

Then I stopped on Ogilby Road to see it coming up again
this time over the Ogilby Hills.

As we figured we arrived at RV Lifestyles about 90 minutes late and after talking with them we went and to get some breakfast at Times 3 Family Restaurant. A few hours later we were on our way out to Roadrunner to join Kim, Ken, and Keith. They had found us a great spot  and we got parked just in time to join everyone for Happy Hour. We will be missing Deb and Riley though we will see them again in a few weeks.  This area is one of our favorite places to park and even though it will be busy and hectic being in this area the last couple of weeks in January we do enjoy it.  We are looking forward to our time here and getting together with friends and some campfires. 

I really like looking out the front window and seeing this Saguaro.  

Our first sunset back at Roadrunner.

Some beautiful color in the sky to end our day.

I do love being parked by the Saguaros.

It was a good travel day and it is really nice to again have a Convection and Microwave Oven. We are living our Retirement Dream and enjoying all the moments!

Thursday, January, 11, 2024

Today, as I mentioned above is the day we were suppose to leave this place near Ogilby Road. We were up and moving early not just because it was a moving day but Tom had a dental appointment in Yuma before we would be heading out. He is finally getting a bridge in the bottom front replaced after a lot of years and today was the day they were taking out what was left of the old one and putting in a temporary one. He will get his permanent new one when we head back this way in a few weeks. While I was in the waiting area I could see the wind picking up; we knew there was going to be some wind today but not quite the strength it ended up being. During the time I was sitting there I heard from both Melissa and Kim about the wind in the Quartzsite Area. This is when I found out they were under a Wind Advisory and this is when I knew we were not going to be traveling today. By the time we got back home we could barely hold the door to get inside the motorhome.

There was definitely dust over the mountains this morning

as you can see in these pictures.

The strange thing is where I am standing taking these

by the motor home there is barely a breeze.

The sun was well up through the dust when I stepped out.

Again out on Ogilby Road we could barely see the 

Imperial Dunes through the dust. Yet there was no sign of
wind or movement in the sand near where we were.

Pilot Knob Peak is behind a wall of dust, also.

This is coming back and there is now a definite wind

as we make our way home on Ogilby Road.

It is hard to see in the pictures but there is dust above the desert.

The wind was with us until about 4 o'clock. I spent a lovely few hours inside the Igloo with Deb and Riley. There was even a delicious Bloody Mary, thanks Deb, to be enjoyed during Happy Hour. Going with the flow and enjoying the day it brings are some of the best days and today was one of those days.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

This morning the four of us, Deb, Riley, Tom and I, went for a ride into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains in search of the way through. There is one we just did not find it, though, we still had a really nice ride. We will try again another day. This blog is already long enough so I will be posting those pictures in another blog.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Today was moving day for part of our neighborhood. Kim, Ken, Keith, along with Oreo are heading back north to park near Quartzsite. We left before them for Tom's dental appointment, his first one to find out what he needed done besides the new bridge and when they could do it. I did hear from Kim later in the day to let me know they had found a spot and where. As I mentioned above we were heading up that way to join them at Roadrunner.

Tonight's sunset.

A beautiful end to another good day in the desert.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

The sun rising above the Kofa Mountains!

A New Day Begins 

What we do with the hours between now and when the day ends

lay ahead of us with all its possibilities. 

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.

Today, Yesterday, and A Few More Days Back in Time

 Friday, February 10, 2023

The wind stopped blowing early this morning and there was very little wind when we got up. We started our day slowly like we do just about every day with our mugs of coffee talking about the day ahead. Tom's plan, not to exciting, was to take care of dumping our black tank. I had a couple of phone calls to make and then placed an order for a new burner for our grill and a couple of other things. We are headed up to Quartzsite and Quiet Times accepts packages for people for a small fee. I then went through pictures from the last five days so I could put this blog together. It is amazing how fast some days go and it was not long after I got the pictures downloaded I finally got outside for the first time today. Tom was already sitting outside and not long after I sat down Deb and then Doug joined us. Sitting and chatting time again slipped by quickly and soon the cool evening air was upon us and it was time to head inside. 

 

The sun coming up on our day.

When I sat down outside this afternoon there were only a few thin clouds above and by the time we said goodnight the sky was covered in clouds.

I just really liked the look of these clouds.

The sun went down behind the clouds tonight.

Then the afterglow looked like fire in the sky.

A quiet day in our life but an enjoyable one just the same.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

This morning we took our coffee and headed outside for our Coffee Hour. We only sat outside of the Stinger "B" for a short time when Doug came over and said the wind was not as bad outside the WL so we took our chairs over and sat outside on his patio. Shirley and Ken were busy packing up as they had an appointment to keep in Yuma. Shirley explains about this in there blog, Seeing America with Ken and Shirley. Soon after saying our "see you laters" they were off in the wind. It was really nice having them come and spend a couple of nights in our neighborhood. Hoping to see them again soon.

Shirley and Ken standing by their "Mansion"
before they headed off.

After Shirley and Ken left we sat outside for a little bit longer until Deb said, she had ate enough dirt for the day. We all quickly agreed and taking our chairs headed home. Yes, the wind was that bad. 

We needed water so around 2 o'clock Tom loaded up our bladder and I joined him for a ride over to the rest area just west of us. Before we stopped for the water we took a ride out past the Plank Road.

We could see the Border Patrol in the distance. 
There is a road along the border wall.

The fenced in area is a section of the plank road.

The black section is the Border Wall.

This area is part of the Imperial Sand Dunes.

Usually there are tracks criss crossing the sand
from the all the ATV's etc,,, riding up and down the hills.

With all the wind the last few days 

the sand has been blown smooth.

I took this picture of the dunes across I-8
while Tom was filling up the water bladder.

Just turning on Ogilby Road home is in the distance.

It is not that close. I had my telephoto lens on the camera.

Some of the Ocotillos are starting to get tiny green leaves.

I had Tom drop me off out on the road so I could take the
above photos of the Ocotillos. Then walking across I took
this of our neighborhood. 

Happy Hour
Not sure if Yuma was just tired from chasing
the birds and wanted a soft spot to sleep.
Or if he was cold and wanted to get warm.

The sun starting to head down for the day.

Shadows in the 

Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

Do you see the guy doing the "Crane Kick"?
A move created for the movie Karate Kid. 
Click on the picture and it will open larger.

The sun is gone for the day but its light is still visible

along with the dust.

Time keeps slowly going by as we enjoy our days parked out here by friends. Life is good and we are content in this time and place.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

This morning I stepped out and chatted with Deb as we watched the sun make its way up over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

Our neighborhood increased by one for two nights.

Today's agenda included a coffee hour, a happy hour, and a campfire. It is not easy being retired but someone has to do it.

Top left: Deb and Shirley....Top right: Ken and Tom
Bottom left: Tom and Riley....Bottom right: Riley and Doug

The campfire guys? 

It was one of those perfect days. Friends to spend time with and the weather cooperated with sunny skies and just enough breeze to keep it pleasant. We ended the day with a campfire that kept us toasty warm in the cool of the desert night under a star filled sky.  

 

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

We were up and moving early this morning. Only one mug of coffee and we were on our way. Tom dropped me off at the sidewalk into Los Algodones then went and put gas into the the "Little Black Limo" while I walked in to pick up something I had ordered and to drop off some glasses I bought last year but need the lenses changed. I picked up some vanilla, then headed back to the border and was back across in less then an hour.

Today's Sunrise

The walkway into Los Algodones and upper right,
The Little Black Limo back to pick me up.

Turning off of Ogilby Road home is back on the right
towards the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

Back home we enjoyed our second cup of coffee and lunch. A little while later we sat outside with Deb, Riley, and Doug to wait for our expected visitors to arrive. Not long after we sat down and in the distance we could see a truck with a camper on top coming in a cloud of dust. When it finally stopped out came Elva and Jerry two of our expected guests. It was not long and we were sitting and chatting. Not to long after they arrived again in the distance we could see a truck coming our way with the "Mansion" following behind. Once Ken parked we all sat down once again to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Somehow we never seem to run out of things to talk about and there always seems to be laughter in the air when we are gathered with friends. We were once again reminded of how true the saying, "Time flies when you are having fun." is when all to soon it was time for Elva and Jerry to head back home. We are looking forward to the next time. 

Elva and Jerry a wonderful couple we
feel lucky to call friends.

Do not remember the exact chain of events but I do know at some point the Mansion was backed into the spot it would call home for the next couple of nights. We certainly spent more time visiting and enjoying the company until the sun had left our day and the coolness of the desert set in. Saying good night see you in the morning we all headed into the warmth of our homes.

Monday, February 6, 2023

Today was windy and the only two pictures I took today are below. I took these when I went into Yuma to pick up a curbside order at Walmart.

I stopped just past where the left turn is to 
merge on to I-8 going East.

Looking out over the Imperial Sand Dunes
there is sand in the air.

We actually had a Happy Hour this evening. The wind was not as bad as out on the road and

the Stinger "B" did provide some protection from the wind. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made and we are up to the task...lol

 

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Today we had a plan and after coffee it was time to get ready to execute it.

The sun just peeking up over the mountains.

Yes, the plan was to spend a few hours in Mexico.
Left to right: Doug, Deb, Me, Riley, and Tom

Tom and I had never been over to Los Algodones on a Sunday.  Deb, Riley and Doug went the week before and mentioned it was a lot quieter. It truly is a more relaxing atmosphere though I do enjoy the weekdays. Not everything is open but still enough venders to spend your money at, the drug stores are open, and some of the eye glass places are, also. Not all the restaurants are open and I do not know about the dentist. I think in the future we will make a point of visiting on at least one Sunday as it truly was an enjoyable day and there was no line back into the US to speak of.  

The sun setting on what

was a lovely

wonderfully

relaxing day.

The sunsets out here never disappoint.

It was another good day as we continue to live our retirement dream!

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.