Slowly Heading North

Saturday, March 14, 2026

When we left Yuma yesterday afternoon we started a trek that will take us North. We are still working on the exact route and stops but the goal is to see some of the beauty that is northern Arizona and possibly a few National Parks/Monuments in Utah. 

Meanwhile the first picture today is one of several I took of the sun coming up on our day.

The start of a beautiful day in the Sonoran Desert near Quartzsite, Arizona!

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Today we made our last trip into Los Algodones for this Adventure. 

Walking in we take our time as people race past us. We are pretty sure
the venders will not run out of merchandise before we get there.

We have gone through their entrance where they now sometimes
check passports and then put any bags through a scanner.

A couple of street pictures,

Lunch at Mi Casa Es Su Casa

We had already started eating when we thought about a picture.

We are in the parking lot looking over where we just came through
US Customs back into California. 

Heading back home the fields are such a pretty green with the
mountains in the background.

We always enjoy our time in Los Algodones just walking around up and down the various streets looking at "stuff". Part of the fun is talking with the venders as the try to sell us that "stuff". We hear the phrase, "almost free" and "I remember you" several times as we walk along. Part of the whole experience is the negotiating when we decide to purchase something. They know we know they are still making a profit but in the end we all walk away feeling like we made a good deal. It is all part of the experience. 

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Today I took two pictures and they are below. We went over to the Arizona Market Place in the morning. Tom saw Bill leaving when we were pulling in which was a surprise. We both had a couple of things we were looking for so once there we were in and out pretty quickly. In the years past I have pretty much checked out every vender but the fact is I really do not need any more stuff and we could feel it getting warmer in the tents.

We were behind this trailer on our way to the Marketplace.
It looked like the wheels were smoking. We were not sure 
what this guy was thinking he was pulling it with a pretty 
good size pickup truck.

The rest of our day was spent doing some relaxing and getting the motorhome ready to pull out for an early appointment in the morning.

Friday, March 13, 2026

Today we started our day fairly early. It was time to leave Pilot Knob RV and head back up to Roadrunner BLM for a couple of days. First we were headed over to Jr's Mobile Service to have an air line put in the motorhome for the air force one braking system in the Jeep for when we are towing it. Tom also asked them to take a look at the brakes in the motorhome. He did not like the way they felt or sounded when he was backing up into our site at Pilot Knob. It was determined we needed new brake pads in the front so they were installed, also. We felt very good about the service and the feeling of this shop, besides being a mobile service there is a diesel shop. The owner and the mechanics working for him all seemed to know there "stuff". We would have no problem going back there again for service or recommending them to someone else.

I did not think to take a picture of the shop and area but I did
take this which was on the wall across from where I was sitting
while waiting for the last of the work to get done.

This was another wall in the waiting area. The water feature, bottom
right, was actually in that spot I just did not get the whole thing
in the picture.

While waiting for the work to get done we, mainly me, did a little shopping. Yes, I did end up at Hobby Lobby...lol

Lunch at Black Bear Diner. What is nice about this stop is
they serve breakfast all day. So Tom gets to have one of
his favorite meals and I can have lunch.

I may have posted this picture before but
I just really like that they call this place
"Rain For Rent'.

Later in the day we were headed back to Quartzsite and one
of our favorite places to boondock. Just not our favorite spot.

We have an appointment in the morning at Discount Solar to have an issue that has come up with our Solar System so we are parked closer to the  road then we would normally pick. Our favorite spot is a little ways farther back and the road is rough. 

A Hedgehog Cactus near where we are parked.

Afterglow pictures over the Dome Rock Mountains.
The sky changes quickly.
Top Picture: taken at 6:50PM, Middle Picture taken at 6:58PM
Bottom Picture taken at 7:00PM

The last picture taken of the Ocotillo outside our
door where we are presently parked.
The color has changed to a golden yellow and is fading quickly.

We enjoyed our time in Yuma and now we will enjoy these last few days, for this Adventure,  parked out in the desert near Quartzsite, Arizona.

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!

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.

We Have Hot Water! (Filling in the Rest of Our Time Parked Out on Ogilby Road.)

 

The Cargo Muchacho Mountains

Monday, March 25, 2024

When I started to write this on Monday we were at the Campgrounds of the South a Passport America Park in Gulfport, MS. Last Thursday our hot water heater decided it really did not want water to go through it. All that hard water we have used the last seven years in Arizona we are sure did not help. Anyway, today a young man by the name of Justin, Owner of Beaver Valley Mobile RV Repair and Inspections came buy to help us out. He was actually ten minutes early for the appointment. He was pretty sure after talking to Tom on the phone what the problem was and brought the part to fix it with him. It was in fact our check valve and in no time at all he had are hot water running through again. We felt what he charged us for his time was very reasonable. He serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast and if you are ever in this area and have an RV problem that needs to be fixed we would recommend you give him call. 

Wednesday, March 27th, we pulled up stakes, hooked up the Jeep "with no Name" and continued our journey East. We are now in Florida.

Back to moving us forward with the goal of getting the blog into real time. 

I blogged about the beginning of February here and the end of February here. (Again I do not expect anyone to go back and read these it is a FYI for us.) This blog will fill in the middle. At least as much as Tom or I can remember...😊

Saturday, February 10, 2024 through Wednesday, February 21, 2024

On the 10th of February we had some beautiful white fluffy clouds.

Clouds added or like tonight, the 11th, clear skies
 the sunsets out here are always beautiful.

We visited Los Algodones on the 12th
Upper left: Riley and I    Upper Right: Tom
Bottom left: Ken    Bottom Right: Kim and Deb
( I know we went one last time after this but I have no pictures
so I have no date to confirm that.)

Shirley and Ken joined our neighborhood for a couple of days arriving on the 14th. Keith and Oreo, also rejoined us for the night.

Happy Hour on the 14th.
Top Picture: Kim, Shirley, Ken, John, and Brenda
Bottom left: Ken, John, and Brenda   Bottom Right: Brenda and Deb

Sadly this was the last time we would see Brenda and John as they pulled out soon after this and then we heard on March 14th that John had passed away on the 12th. We had just met them back in December and  thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent together. John so soft spoken with his cowboy hat pulled low telling wonderful stories from his life and Brenda so animated when she talked about our world and what is happening. So glad  our paths crossed and we had the opportunity to meet them. Rest in Peace John Brown you will be missed.

Later in the evening we had a campfire.
Top Right: Shirley and Riley   Middle: Deb and Tom
Bottom Left: Keith   Middle: Ken and Kim   Right: Ken and Shirley 

I have no pictures from the 15th but I remember spending some time chatting over coffee in the morning. Plus, I know there was a Happy Hour or Two. Also, as I recall Keith left after spending the night parked by us. He was heading East and then eventually home. 

On the 16th Elva and Jerry drove over from their place in Welton to spend a few hours visiting. Shirley and Elva have known each other for several years back to when they worked together. So they wanted to spend some time together and we were all glad they decided to come our way so we would see them, also.

Elva, Jerry, Ken, and Shirley
In front of Elva's Jeep...😊

The sun is making its way down and I am looking west.

Ken and Shirley in the sun's afterglow.

Our Neighborhood.

Last glow of the fire on the 16th
looks like a heart to me.

Time goes by way to fast when visiting with friends. They got here on Wednesday and now on Saturday the 17th they are off heading back north and home.

All to soon it was time for Shirley and Ken to depart. 
There they go with their mansion following close behind.

But before a quick selfie.
Starting on the left: Shirley just behind Deb, Me with Kim and Ken behind me.
Tom on my right with Ken behind him and then Riley.

The clouds do add color and beauty to the sunsets.

A little bit of pink over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

On the way to Mass this morning, February 18th, I had an idea. Our friends, Mellissa and Lyle had moved to a RV Park on the East side of Yuma and we were headed to that side for Mass so maybe they would be able to join us for a late breakfast or early lunch. Even though I knew it was a last minute idea/invite I went ahead and texted Melissa. Well as luck would have it they did not have any plans and had not eaten so they agreed to meet us after Mass. We always have such a great time together and these couple of hours were filled with non stop conversation and a few laughs. 

Breakfast at Wheezys Grill and Sports Bar in Yuma

Yes, another sunset!

On Tuesday February 20, 2024, Tom had the last of his dental work done for this year. He had a bridge put in on the front bottom not long after he was discharged from the Navy. It was service related and the work was done at the VA Hospital near where we are from. This year through the VA it was replaced and another bridge he needed was put in. He was able to have this dental work done in Yuma.

The sky before sunset

on the 20th.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

I had hardly taken any pictures this month then on the 21st we took a ride along the power line and a couple of detours closer to the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. We also rode into the Gold Rock RV Park and the results of these few hours was picture overload. The ocotillos were so green with several flowering and the shadows on the mountains so beautiful I just could not stop taking pictures...lol So after deleting several these are what is left. 

The road into Gold Rock Ranch RV Park is not the best but we would take the Stinger "B" down it slowly. It actually would not be a bad place to spend some time at if we wanted to be in a park. We were surprised as to how many rigs were in there. Along the road is BLM land and we did see a couple of rigs boondocking.

Deb took this picture sometime at the beginning of February of
the sun coming up on our neighborhood.
She said it was one of her favorites. I do love it the color was so vivid.
So I just had to "borrow" it and post it here.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time parked at Roadrunner and out just off of Ogilby Road during this our Tenth Adventure. We spent time with friends. Some we parked by others we enjoyed some meals and Happy Hours with. We had some wonderful campfires and even a movie night. We shared stories, listened to a guitar being strummed along with songs, and the air around us with filled with laughter.  We watched sunrises, sunsets, storm clouds roll in and rainbows across our sky with mountains in our sight. We enjoyed the softness that the sunrise brings to a place that is anything but soft and the quiet as the inky darkness descended and surrounded us. Whenever we look back on this time it will be with joy.

We are so glad you stopped by!

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