It was a Two State and One Foreign Country Kind of Day (Plus a Happy Anniversary!)

 Starting at the end and moving backwards over the last three days.

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Today was a day of getting laundry done and starting to store things away that need to be out of harms way when the Stinger "B" is going down the road. After spending a month here at Park Place RV on Saturday it will be time to move on. Not to far but just the same it is a process to get ready to move. We truly have enjoyed out time here and it certainly flew by. We hope to spend more time here in the future. At the same time we are looking forward to being back out in the desert boondocking. Though it will only be for a couple of days before we leave the Stinger "B" to enjoy being parked out by friends while we fly home to Michigan for the Christmas Holidays. She will not be entirely alone though, besides our friends, the Jeep with No Name will be near by.  While we are enjoying time with our grandchildren and their parents in the frozen north; she will be enjoying warm days and cool nights and if we know our friends there will be a couple of campfires. More about that in the future.

Later in the afternoon we sat out for a couple of hours with our friends Patsy, Bill, Kim and Ken for a Happy, Happy Hour. No picture because we were having to much fun. How many times have I said that, I wonder; or left and thought a picture would have been nice? Well tonight Patsy and Bill left first and then Patsy came back to take a picture of the four of us who had yet to stand up, she had remembered in time. Well sort of Bill had already left for the flying field. She also got some nice pictures of the sunset. Click on this link to see them. It seems strange to say but it was the last Happy Hour with this group for 2025. 

I missed the sunset this evening but I did luck out and catch the afterglow.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Today's destination was Los Algodones just across the border from Yuma. I needed new glasses and they are less expensive, okay cheaper, here than in the states without sacrificing the quality. If you are questioning that, my eye doctor back home checks the prescription and it is always right on. 

The goal was to not take to many pictures today, since, we just made this same ride last week.

The sun was just coming up over the mountains
as we left Quartzsite behind us and headed south.
(Picture was taken through a dirty windshield.)

Still my favorite view when heading south on US-95 
between Quartzsite and Yuma.

Bales of Cotton

Farmers in Yuma wrap their bales of cotton in pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness. It is a visible way to raise awareness for the cause and to honor survivors and fighters. Manufacturers of the wrap, such as Tama and Trioworld, often donate a portion of the sales, according to the article I read, from each roll of pink wrap to cancer research foundations and charity organizations.

Looking out as we drive through the Yuma area we
can see fields filled with green in the distance. 

Then this view is in front of us.

As we cross the Colorado River I can see the
St. Thomas Indian Mission up the hill.

We have attended Mass several times at this mission in the past. Walking in the door here we have always been made to feel welcomed. The church is beautiful inside.

Crossing into California

After passing more green fields

there is our exit just ahead.

My glasses have been ordered and we have stopped to enjoy
a cup of coffee and share a Banana Muffin.
This manger scene is in the courtyard where the coffee shop is.

While waiting, the two hours, for my glasses to be ready we did a little walking, browsing, and shopping. It was a quick trip but we will definitely be back at least a couple more times in the next few months. 

I was trying for a picture of both flags
and the breeze did not co-operate.

Back in California

Then we are back in Arizona

We made a few stops, in Yuma, to pick up a few things we needed before heading back home.

Heading towards US-95 on Fortuna Road
we spotted this Paraglider.

Then we could see the Aerostat Balloon over the mountains.

Ocotillos and Saguaros as the sun was setting behind us.

The Kofa Mountains are rugged and the shadows at this time
of the day are beautiful.

That really looks like a shadow or is it a door. 

I did not get a picture of the sunset but I do like how the sky
turned pink over the mountains in the twilight

It was a long but successful day and I do have new glasses.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

No pictures today.

So in my last blog I mentioned I was hoping to add to and not subtract from my penny collection. I was relying on the third time being the charm. How did that work out for me you may ask? The quote below says it all...lol

Tuesday afternoons, here in the park, several ladies get together to play Po-Ke-No. Honestly, it is a fun couple of hours filled with lots of laughter. I have really enjoyed playing this game with them. Winning enough to come out at least even, of course, would be nice but it is fun just the same.

Before I hit publish and send this blog on it way there is one more thing to add:

Happy 16th Anniversary to our son and his beautiful wife!

Nadine and Thomas
On their wedding day, December 18, 2009

We love you, Dad and Mom

xoxo    xoxo

If you have enjoyed the pictures I have put out there 

or the words I have added that makes me smile. 

If you have time to leave a comment they are always special to read. 

No matter what I am glad you stopped by.

A Friday Afternoon Ride

Saturday, November 29, 2025

As I sit writing this, this morning the sun is out and I can see blue sky out our windows. It will probably be a quite day for us. Tom will have the fun of going over to the laundry room to do a batch of jeans and I will probably do a couple of batches here in the Stinger "B" but that is probably as exciting as our day will be. Which is perfectly okay.

Friday, November 28, 2025

Since, I titled this blog a ride I probably should write about that. Though lets face it, usually the pictures tell the story and yet at the same time they never do the scenery justice. Today's ride took us through the LaPosa South LTVA to the power line. We followed that road over into the Kofa Wildlife Refuge and then turned onto the road that leads to the Crystal Hill Area. We went a little past there before turning around. We started later in the day and we didn't want to venture to far in. We have been on several rides back in this area and will probably head that way again but for today it was time to turn around and make our way to US-95.

Looking back at the Dome Rock Mountains.

I have searched the maps we have and done some googling
and cannot identify what mountain or hill this is. I think it may
be part of the Plomosa Mountains but I am just not sure.
It is behind the LaPosa South LTVA.

Looking back at the Dome Rock Mountains.

We went by several ocotillos today. Some filled with green leaves,
others turning brown, and several grey ones waiting for the rain
to come again. There were even some with red blossoms
decorating the top of their branches.

The pipeline road is wide and fairly smooth. 

Here and there it looked like a carpet of green on the desert floor.
This is one thing we never thought we would see in the desert.
I do have trouble telling the difference though Alligator or Crocodile?

Some Brittlebush in bloom. 

Sometimes I am curious so I look things up. Today's look up was about the Brittlebush and I found it amazing just how many things this simple bush has been used for. 

Bighorn sheep and mule deer feed on this bush along with rodents that eat the seeds. 

It also has a long history of uses by indigenous and pioneer peoples, including:

Glue: The resin collected from the base of the plant, yellowish to brown, can be heated and used as a glue. The O'odham and Seri use it for hafting, to hold points on arrows and harpoons.

Sealer: A different sort of resin collected from the upper stems is more gummy and generally a clear yellow. The Seri use this to seal pottery vessels.

Incense: Early Spanish friars learned that the resin made a highly fragrant incense, akin to frankincense in odor.

Gum: The Sells area Tohono O'odham children use upper stem resin as a passable chewing gum.

Toothbrush: Oldtime cowboys used brittlebush stem as a fine toothbrush.(I thought this was interesting.)

Medicinal: Seri use brittlebush to treat toothache; the bark is removed, the branch heated in ashes, and then placed in the mouth to "harden" a loose tooth. Cahuilla used brittlebush to treat toothaches as well, and used it as a chest pain reliever by heating the gum and applying it to the chest. Waterproofing: It has been used to waterproof containers.

Varnish: It has been melted then used as a varnish.

We saw several Saguaros, and they were all about the same size
propped up like this on our ride today.

I did do some research about these Saguaros and I could not find out anything specific about who was propping them up. My guess would be they were endanger of falling over but that would just be a guess. What I did find out is there are groups out there working to save these majestic giants. One article talked about the fact that it is not the older giants that we should worry about the article said they can be resilient. It is the younger ones, the baby ones, who are failing to root and thrive. These saguaros above are not those. A baby saguaro at ten years old is probably only going to be about an inch tall. So even though I could not find out any specific information about why and who is propping these up and several others we saw, I did find out that there is research being done and people doing what they can to make sure these beautiful cacti are here for the generations to come. 

Teddy Bear Chollas. We saw a lot of these guys, also, today. 

More Ocotillos 

A giant saguaro surrounded by Brittlebush
with the Dome Mountains in the far background.

I believe this is a Hedgehog Cactus.

Kofa Mountains

About a quarter of a mile from this windmill was this sign top
insert and about a quarter mile past it there was an identical sign.

More pictures of the mountains

and Saguaros

as we drove along.

One of the many washes out along the roads out here.
Insert is looking down this wash when we were at the bottom.

I would like to see how they erected these out here.

One last picture of the Dome Rock Mountains as we approached
the highway. You cannot really see it in the picture but the flat
area in front of the mountains was a lovely green.

We had plans for dinner but we knew the group was out at Kim and Ken's site for Happy Hour so we made a quick stop on our way back into Quartzsite.

Left to right: Patsy, Kim, Ken, and Bill

The plan was the 
Legendary Fish Fry at Mountain Quail Cafe.
Which we both enjoyed.

Thanksgiving, November 27, 2025

It is always nice to be inside an RV Park on a holiday and have the opportunity to enjoy a nice meal with fellow travelers. This year we enjoyed a delicious meal with friends. The park provided the turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing. Those who could brought a dish to contribute to the meal. If you couldn't bring a dish you could make a contribution which will be going to the local foodbank. We certainly had a wonderful variety of sides and desserts to choose from. They do an excellent job organizing the dinner here.

Left to right: Bill, Tom, Ken, Kim, Patsy and my plate waiting
to be filled with delicious food.

We ended the day sitting and visiting with our dinner companions
as the sun set leaving a beautiful afterglow behind.
It was a wonderful way to end a good day spent with friends.

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

We started our Happy Hour early. Melissa and Lyle joined us from Plomosa Road, Kim and Ken drove over from Roadrunner, and Patsy and Bill made the long trek over from their site which is one away from ours...lol It was a lovely few hours chatting away. This was the first time Melissa and Lyle and Patsy and Bill met but hopefully we will have several more opportunities to all get together over the next few months. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. 

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Today I had my haircut at the Moon Dreams Mobile Hair Salon. I will definitely be back. This salon is full service and located on Kuehn Street. I was impressed with how cute it was. It is at the end of a small bus her and her husband made into a home and business. 

Moon Dreams Mobile Salon

Back to today, Saturday, November 29, 2025

Today's Sunset

As I finish writing this the sun has set on our day. I mentioned at the start of this blog it would probably be a quiet day and it was. Later in the afternoon we went outside and Tom brought out the container I store things in to put out on our patio tables. I have never before put out Christmas decorations this early but today that is just what I did. Then we sat and just relaxed while Tom grilled the meatloaf I had put together earlier. It was a special ending of a day one with just the two of us enjoying this time and place. 

 If you have enjoyed the pictures I have put out there 

or the words I have added that makes me smile. 

If you have time to leave a comment they are always special to read. 

No matter what I am glad you stopped by!