Shopping and Laundry in Parker, Ken and Tom Took a Ride, Two Happy Hours with Friends!

Saturday, December 2, 2023

For the most part it was a quiet day in our neighborhood. We enjoyed a late coffee hour just before lunch. Then we came back together for Happy Hour and enjoyed some lively conversation till the darkness and the cold desert air chased us inside our homes for some warmth and dinner. It was one of those days that quietly slipped by in this place where we have found enjoyment spending time with friends.

The sun had slipped behind the mountains when I took the
time to walk out from our patio to take a picture.

Looking towards the north walking back to our home
I took this picture

and this one of the group.

Then I took these as we were sitting, enjoying 
the evening, and the Happy Hour Conversation.
Middle picture left to right: Kim, Ken, Deb, and Tom

The sky went from a golden orange to orange 
with some touches of pink.
Bottom sleeping Indian as twilight settles in.

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Up late this morning, I forgot to set the alarm, we still headed out with fingers crossed we would make it to Mass in Parker. We did not, and we do not like going in as late as we were. So we stopped for coffee and I dropped Tom of at the laundromat to do some wash while I headed over to Walmart to pick up a few things including groceries. He may have had the best part of the deal.

The sun slowly making its way up behind the Kofa Mountains

as we make our way out of the Roadrunner BLM.

On AZ-95 north of Quartzsite the sun popped into view.

Looking across the desert floor

as the sun brings

light to the day.

Parker just ahead.

In the distance I could see a plane landing at their airport.

I finally caught this sign as we drove into Parker.
I keep missing this picture.
Not quite the whole thing but enough to say I got it.

In front of Walmart in Parker, AZ
Could this be a Human Bean Coffee Shop?

A pretty Christmas Tree at their community park.

Looking out at the Dome Rock Mountains as

we make our way home on the Pipeline Road.

Ken and Tom went for a ride in the Jeep East of Scaddan Wash.

The sun set tonight as we sat and enjoyed a Happy Hour with
Kim, Ken, and Deb leaving behind a lovely rosy afterglow.

Two Good Days with friends in the Sonoran Desert near Quartzsite, Arizona!

We are glad you stopped by!

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

The Days Keep Slipping By...

 Friday, January 13, 2023

Tom's dental appointment wasn't until 11 this morning so we did not take off until around 10 o'clock. Once we parked and walked across the border Tom continued on to his appointment and we, Deb, Riley, and myself, did some slower paced walking through the venders. Ended up taking a walk down one street we had never been on before. Did make a couple of purchases one with Deb's help. All she said several times was, I will think about it and he came down to the price I was willing to pay. I do enjoy the fun of negotiating the price but this guy knew what he wanted for the piece, which will remain unnamed, I feel like I got a deal, I am sure he still made money so it is a win, win for both of us. 

We eventually made our way to the Cantina we had agreed to meet Tom at and we ran into him just a couple of venders away from our destination. We had lunch and Margaritas all agreeing it was the best food we have had so far. In my opinion though the El Paraiso still has the best Margaritas and it was our last stop before heading to the line to come back across to the United States. 

The line was not to long and in no time we were headed toward the parking lot and home. It  was another fun day made more enjoyable by the company. It was Tom's last dental appointment but we are considering one more trip across before we leave this place.  

 Tonight's Sunset

The sun lighting up the top of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains
off to the north of us.

Flowering bushes in the wash behind us.

Watching the last little bit of the sun slip behind the
sand dunes to the west of us.

A golden glow is all that is left

of the sun's light.

No clouds over the mountains tonight but I could
still see a soft pink glow above.

It was a good day filled with laughter and fun! 

Saturday, January 14, 2023

I almost did not go out this morning when I got up. I told Tom people are going to think I took one picture and keep publishing it. I have to admit two things a lot of the sunrises, and sunsets for that matter, out here look very similar. Yet I personally never get tired of watching them. Back in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we have the same beautiful sunrises and sunsets but for the most part we are parked in the midst of houses, other RV's or trees that obscure the total view. Out here there is a open, vastness of space that seems to go on forever and we mostly have an unobscured view of the horizon. Though back home watching a sunrise or sunset by one of the Lakes is pretty spectacular, also. I have written it before and you will probably read it again. We are so lucky to be living our retirement dream and enjoying all the beautiful places this Country we call home has to offer. 

I stepped out to this.

Then looking south

and west the sky was beautifully 
colored with pinks and oranges.

The sun is coming up but we would not see it today.
It tried a couple of times between the clouds but never
quite made it to shine down upon us.

Deb and I had been standing and chatting while watching the sky. She had gotten several nice shots before I stepped out. I think if you read this blog you know where to look to see hers, if you have not already. Anyway, after standing there for a few minutes we agreed there would not be any sun to see and separated to head in to our homes to have a nice hot cup of coffee.

Later we braved the still chilly air with our second cup and Deb braved the same chill and joined us for a short Coffee Hour. Even though Tom, the gentleman that he is, had brought us each an afghan out to try and keep warm under it was not long and we all agreed it was time to head in were it would be warmer. 

 

Later in the afternoon after Tom got back from running a couple of errands we again braved the chill in the air and sat outside. I took the opportunity to put the lights I had out on the tables away. There is a mention of rain the next couple of nights so I decided it was time to do so. 

Tom decided to start a small fire to get rid of all the paper we have accumulated while we have been here. Not even the promise of the warmth of the fire could entice the residents of the Igloo out for a bit...lol Deb mentioned something about the cold and shivering...lol 

While out there we did get a few drops of rain so we put our chairs away and soon came inside. We did get a few more drops as I was writing this.  

Our campfire. I wonder if you see what I do.

Before the time for the sunset 
we could see this color in the sky to the south.

This color was with us for several hours and
hardly changed during that time.

A little south of where the sun would actually go down.

No sunset to be seen but still a pretty view.

With no sun it was a little chilly today and the sky mostly stayed a slate grey. It was a do nothing type of day and that is pretty much what I did, nothing. Those do nothing days can be pretty wonderful.

We are glad you stopped by!

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

Sunrise...Sunset...Sunset and Good Times In-between!

 Wednesday, January 11, 2023

I stepped out of the Stinger "B" this morning into a cold world.  The sun was still behind the mountains but had sent up a wonderful glow just above the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

Sunrise

The moon was still above us.

The clouds in the sky

glowed as the sun continued its journey upward.

To the south of us.

Deb walked over as we sat outside having our morning coffee. As we sat enjoying the morning, there may have been some conversation also, we could see Riley coming back from her morning walk. She sat down with us and the conversation continued. It is such a lovely peaceful way to start our days out here.

After they headed home Tom and I came in and had a quick bite to eat then got ready to drive over to Yuma. We had a couple of errands to run and a few groceries to pick up. Six stops later we were finally heading home. 

After getting everything put away we were able to once again sit out with Deb and Riley. All to soon the sun was making its way down in the West and with a chill in the air we said our goodnights. 

Sunset

I took these two pictures before heading

inside to get things ready for dinner.

Then I could hear Deb talking with Tom

outside. I had a feeling the sky had turned a lovely shade of
of pink. Tom opened the door and confirmed my suspicions.

I grabbed my camera and was able to get a couple of pictures
before the color faded. 

No complaints about this day as I look back. Even though I never really enjoy grocery shopping I am grateful we can.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Today we were up before the sun and out the door as the first light of the day was starting to lighten the sky. It was a few minutes after 7:00AM when Tom stopped the Jeep to pick up Deb and Riley. Tom had a dental appointment in Los Algodones at 8 o'clock and so we were on our way to Mexico. In Mexico Tom left us ladies at a coffee shop and continued on his way to his dental appointment. After sitting and enjoying our coffee in a courtyard near the coffee shop we decided to go out and find some sunshine to sit and enjoy while we waited for Tom. We found the sunshine and we waited and waited. What was suppose to be a short visit turned into an almost three hour appointment. When he finally joined us we all agreed it was time for something to eat. We headed to one of the cantinas were we enjoyed an adult beverage with lunch. Afterwards we did some walking around and a few purchases were made before heading towards the line and home. 

We took a couple of short detours on the way home. If you would like to see some pictures of our day and these detours check out Deb's Blog, On a long and lonesome highway... She took some great pictures.

Sunset

Tonight's sunset are all the pictures I took today.

As I stepped outside and looked towards the north
I just liked how the clouds looked over the mountains
as the sun was setting.

Looking Southeast I thought the clouds
were pretty this way also.

The same view as above but after the sun had set. 

Noticing our fresh water tank was on empty Tom took a ride
to get some water. Those are the Jeep's headlights as Tom
made his way back in the last of tonight's afterglow.

It was a fun day and we are both so glad Deb and Riley joined us for a visit to Mexico. Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. 

We are glad you stopped by!

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