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Showing posts with label St. Thomas Yuma Indian Mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Thomas Yuma Indian Mission. Show all posts

Monday, January 8, 2024

It Has Been Windy in the Desert

Monday, January 8, 2024

The wind was with us for the second day in a row. At the same time the sky was a beautiful blue.

It was a busy morning for Tom after coffee he went out the door to take care of dumping our black tank. We made a decision a few years ago to purchase a blue boy and that means we do not have to move every time we dump which makes it somewhat easier. After that fun he was off to the rest area just west of us on I-8 to fill our water bladder. Our fresh water tank was reading empty. I honestly had one bit of paperwork to take care of and other then making dinner it was pretty much a do nothing day for me. I did not even take one picture. We did spend some time video chatting with our youngest grandson which was mostly listening to him talk about and show us his little cars and then a few minutes chatting with his sister. Some of the special moments in life. 

In the end it was a quiet but a good day.

Sunday, January 7, 2024

When I first woke up this morning I could hear a soft rain on the roof and there was some wind. As the morning progressed we had a few more drops of rain and the wind stayed with us steadily picking up. After lunch we made the decision to pull our livingroom slide in. We had decided earlier to go to 4 o'clock Mass at St. Thomas Yuma Indian Mission Catholic Church and just after lunch we also decided to take a short ride before heading to Mass. 

The pictures below are of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. This is the view out our living room windows. As I was drinking my coffee this morning I could see the shadows moving across the mountains and it is a beautiful show to watch. On a day with blue skies, big fluffy clouds, and a breeze the only way I can think to describe what I would sit out and watch is the shadows dancing in and out of the crevices as the breeze moves the clouds across the sky. Today was not that type of day it was a cold windy day and definitely not a day I would describe as a sit outside and watch the clouds day. So I decided to see if I could take some pictures of the show through our window and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Between the clouds, the wind, and the sunlight it is a beautiful constantly changing show to watch. 









The sky is now a beautiful clear blue
no more clouds to create the shadows. 

On the ride we took we saw several Ocotillos filled with tiny green leaves up and down their branches. It was just a short ride along the power line behind us and closer to the mountains.

The Ocotillos are filled with tiny green leaves

and some have red blossoms at the tips of their branches.

We followed the power line to the American Girl Mine Road then followed it to Ogilby Road. Even though it was windy we could not see any real amount of dust in the air. That all changed as we turned on to Ogilby Road. As can be seen in the pictures below. This area is sand and connected to the Imperial Sand Dunes just a little further down  the road. So when the wind is blowing the sand is moving. 



On the bridge going over the I-8 it looks like a blizzard.

Going East toward Yuma the air looks somewhat brown.
The camera did not pick that color up. 
Pile Knob Peak.

Small Chapel up the hill at the "Center of the World"

From the Parking Area up the hill at the Church.
I just was getting out of the Jeep when I saw this train
coming by just below us.

The back altar and one of the stain glass windows there are
several and they are all alike. 

Today was Epiphany Sunday. The day the church celebrates
the arrival of the Wiseman. There representation was added to
the creche along with a camel.

Epiphany, the manifestation of God, is a lovely opportunity to rejoice that Christ has appeared for all men regardless of race or status.



Going Back a Few Days In Time

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Today Tom and Ken were off with Tom's metal detector to check out a few areas close to the mountains. What will they find only time will tell. So far shell casings and tin cans are what is being found.

While Tom was gone I finished what I had started the day before, putting away the Christmas decorations I had put out, specifically the ones outside. After doing that I fixed myself a third cup of coffee, took my kindle outside, put my feet up, and did something I have not done in a while. I started reading a book. A nice way to spend a couple of hours out in the sunshine relaxing.

My views as I sat outside.

We did spend a couple of hours enjoying Happy Hour with Kim, Ken, Keith, and Deb. After every one headed home I did step back outside to take some pictures of the sky as the sun set on our day.

Clouds do enhance

the sunsets

and tonight there were clouds.

Standing in our doorway looking out over the Igloo.

Then the sky turned a lovely pink before the darkness
started to surround us.


Friday, January 5, 2024

Today Riley treated us to a selection of Beef Jerky and some Turkey Jerky for us to try during Happy Hour. Deb mixed up some Bloody Mary's for those of us who were interested and I was along with Kim and Ken. We all agreed the combination made for a nice treat. Tom and Keith passed on the Bloody Mary's but enjoyed the Jerky just the same. Thank you to Deb and Riley for tonight's treat.

Tonight's Sunset


Thursday, January 4, 2024

I really wanted to get some new glasses and today I decided was a good day to do just that. Deb and Riley came along in the Jeep with us. Kim, Ken, and Keith went earlier and we did run into them at the El Paraiso Restaurant when we stopped for lunch and Margaritas. As I tried to decide on a pair Deb, Riley, and Tom very patiently made the trip up and down between the two places I was looking at two times and then a third time to pick them up. I did come home with new glasses, basically the first ones I tried on, and so far I am very happy with them. 


El Paraiso Restaurant in Los Algodones

Top picture: Crossing over the  All American Canal
as we head towards I-8 after leaving Mexico.
Bottom picture: View off towards the border wall
as we head towards Mexico.

We have spent many wonderful days parked out here in the Sonoran Desert just off of Ogilby Road surrounded by friends and these days described above are part of those memories.





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

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Happy New Year...Happy 2023!!!

Sunday, January 1, 2023

A slow start to the New Year for Tom and I as we actually slept in past the sunrise this morning. When we opened the shades the sky was cloud covered with some blue sky along the edges. A little after one this afternoon the sky was blue but the wind had picked up considerably.

These two pictures were taken from inside.
The top one looking East we can usually see the 
Cargo Muchacho Mountains.
Looking more to the North I could see an outline of the
Cargo Muchacho Mountains through the dust.


Tom and I headed into Yuma for Mass at around 3:30 in the wind. Turning south on Ogilby Road it was not to bad until we crossed the railroad tracks. The picture collage below gives you an idea of how strong the wind was. 

Driving down Ogilby Road this afternoon.
:
Merging on to I-8 and there was a lot of sand and
dust in the air.
We were pretty close to Pilot Knob before we could
see an outline of it through the dust.

We always feel like we are truly in the Southwest when
we start seeing statues and picture of our Lady of Guadalupe
in the churches. The upper left is the one at St. Thomas Yuma
Indian Mission. They, also, have an Icon of St. Thomas
over the entry. A picture of the Colorado River from the church.
The wind was still with us and you could see the dust in the air.


We ended the day by going out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse in Yuma where we both enjoyed a good meal.


So begins another year of living Our Retirement Dream! 





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

Monday, February 18, 2019

St. Thomas Yuma Indian Mission, A Ride to Ferguson Lake, and We Moved to Pilot Knob BLM (Catch up Post)

We are presently parked in the Roadrunner BLM  near Quartzsite. 
I am still playing catch up and this one is long. Lots of pictures all reminders of the wonderful memories we are making. (Clicking on the pictures will open them larger in a new window.)

Sunday, February 10, 2019

We had beautiful blue skies as we drove into Yuma for Sunday Mass at the lovely little church pictured below, St. Thomas Yuma Indian Mission. (Side note: the parish we belong to in Escanaba is St. Thomas the Apostle.) This Catholic mission is located in Winterhaven, CA but the Masses said here are scheduled on Arizona time. Dedicated in 1923 it is a replica of the Mission Puerto de Purisima Concepcion which once stood on the site. It is up a hill from the parking lot but if you cannot do the steps there is a small parking lot up the hill next to the picture in the upper left below. The parishioners at this church are very welcoming and every time we have attended mass here we have been personally invited for coffee and donuts after Mass by at least one parishioner.



Inside: on the left. a statue of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha  (below is the
inscription on the picture below the statue), top right: Icon of St. Thomas,
bottom right: Picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.


The views from the parking lot just outside the mission door.

After Mass we headed to the Black Bear Diner for breakfast. Coming into
the parking lot Tom said, I will just take a ride up front I am sure there will
be a parking place and there, surprisingly, was one. Since, that very rarely
 happens to us I had to commemorate the occasion with a picture. 

Inside everything is about the name. '
The food was delicious but as usual no picture.

The top picture is for Shirley and Ken, this quote is at the top of their blog,
The bottom one is for George. If you know George you know he loves his hot
sauce. Plus, I thought the whole baby, mama, and papa burn theme was cute.

On our way back we took a ride out to Mittry Lake to see where that road
would eventually lead us. The road circles back South of the Yuma Proving
Grounds onto AZ-95. The black dot is a duck.

Coming back around we again passed the Farm to Table restaurant we
like to stop at for lunch at least once a season.
Plus they do have antiques for sale here.

The Post's Gate.

We finished the day back home with a Happy Hour enjoying Shirley and Ken's company. A perfect way to end our day. Kim and Ken had headed out while we were gone to their next adventure. Though, knowing we would probably not see them in the morning we did say so long with a couple of hugs the night before.


Monday, February 11, 2019


Today was another beautiful day. The skies were a beautiful blue though we did have some wind. Ken had mentioned a ride to see Ferguson Lake the day before so after they got back from running a few errands we all got into the Jeep and took off on the adventure. It was a great ride, beautiful scenery, and wonderful friends to share it with.

Ferguson Lake Road in the distance.

Ferguson Lake taken at the Imperial Valley Hunting and Fishing Club
 that we came across on our ride.

Looking out towards the right of where I was standing.

Heading back out the road from the club.
  
Just  a little ways past the Hunting Club we came upon this memorial.

Memorial for four Marines lost in a helicopter crash.
Shirley googled what this memorial was about and if you click on this link, Seeing America with Ken and Shirley, she shared what she found out.


Quite a few mementos  and coins

have been left on top of this memorial

all with a very special meaning, I am sure,

to those that left them.

Ferguson Lake

The ruggedness of the mountains

and the green crawling up the hills 

 with the blue skies as a backdrop all beautiful in their own special way.

The road ahead

well worth the ride

to see Ferguson Lake and the Colorado River in the distance.

We turned around to go back the way we came.

Stopped at the lookout we passed on our way.
Two special people, Shirley and Ken, in front of a wonderful view of the
blue water, the beauty of the browns and greens of the desert, and the
mountains in the distance. Plus, the wonderful blue sky. 

Looking in the opposite direction is just as beautiful.


More pictures of Ferguson Lake

and the Colorado River in the distance.

Ken and Tom standing on the edge.
Swapping interesting stories I am sure. 

A beautiful Ocotillo shining in the sunlight.
You know there had to be one.

Coming back we could see the area we are parked at in the distance.

We then decided to take a ride down to see how the other half lives
parked next to the Senator Wash Reservoir. You do pay extra to do so.

A view of the reservoir from a park just down the
road past where we are parked.

I love this picture of the Senator Wash Reservoir with mountains in the
background.Those little white dots in the distance,
we are parked up there among them.

Watching the sun quickly slip 

behind the mountains

as we sit and enjoy a wonderful conversation.
There may have been adult beverages involved.
A great way to end what had been a great day.



Tuesday, February 12, 2019

I was up before the sun this morning and was determined to go out and take some pictures in the early morning light. It was chilly with a breeze and my fingers were freezing but no complaints. The sky was a beautiful blue, plus, the light on the mountains before the sun made its appearance was wonderful to watch.



Our chairs from last night looked  lonely in the early morning light.

The sky

slowly getting brighter

in the east as the sun slowly makes its way up.

The mountains around us

are slowly lighting up and the shadows are wonderful to see.

As the sky continues to light up

the colors and the shadows continuously change across the mountains.

Our home and Shirley and Ken's home on wheels just in front of us.

The light is getting brighter

and the show on the 

mountains continues.

The sun rising up over the mountains in the east.

The Ocotillo by us

the bushes and the green grass in between the rocks

glisten in the rising sun. The shadows add their special touch.
This is my favorite time of the day in the desert.

The windshield has been fixed. Tom has had fun dumping our tanks and filling
our fresh water tank and it is time to hook the Jeep up to the Stinger "B".
This was my view from inside as I waited for my turn to do what needs to be
done for the Jeep to be towed behind. The bottom right is Tom trying to get my
attention to finish up. I may have been busy taking pictures out the window.

Leaving the US Army Yuma Proving Grounds.

Heading south on AZ-95

we pass fields of green vegetables.

We will pass several fields on our way to Pilot Knob BLM . Here on AZ-95
then on I-8. Some being picked and some like this one just starting to grow.

As we made our way into Pilot Knob BLM I heard from Kim and Ken.
They had spotted us coming in. I mentioned there would soon be a Happy
Hour and they said, you may just get a couple of visitors.
What a nice surprise getting to spend another Happy Hour with them.
Tom and I along with Shirley and Ken were so glad to see them pull in.
Left to right: Ken, Shirley, Kim, Ken, Tom, and my chair

Our view of the desert and in the distance Mexico included clouds today
as we sat and enjoyed wonderful conversation with friends.



Like I mentioned at the beginning I am playing catch up but I want all the wonderful days and memories written down so in the years to come we can look back and say, I remember that day it was a good one!










We wish you wonderful memories of special days!
We are glad you stopped by. 
If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.