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.

We are glad you stopped by!

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

The Beginning of a New Year

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

I missed the actual sunrise this morning. By the time I looked out the sun was up over the mountains sending its light out between the clouds. As I write this the clouds have won for the moment and the desert is in the shadow of those clouds. Though, that will change throughout the day and each time there is an opening in the clouds the mountains and desert floor will be in beautiful light enhanced by the darkness of the clouds. It is a beautiful show the sun. the blue sky, and the clouds put on for us each day! 

The sun making its way up through the clouds

and bringing some light to the desert and mountains.

Then about 5 minutes later the sun found a larger opening
in the clouds, thing change quickly,

and the desert 

was in bright sunlight.

After coffee this morning Tom took a ride over to the rest stop just west of us on I-8. Our fresh water tank was getting low and our garbage needed to be gone both of which can be accomplished there. After he finished refilling our fresh water tank we headed into Yuma to take care of some errands. 

Turning onto Ogilby Road and looking over towards the dunes
it looks like rain may be coming our way.

I often take pictures of the beautiful green fields of vegetables
as we are driving along. Today we passed a couple of trucks
hauling those vegetables.
The bottom left is through a very dirty windshield.  

Our first stop was at the Sam's Club to make sure our membership would not automatically renew this year. We have found some good bargains with the membership but living in a motorhome fulltime not that many of the purchases are practical because of the amount of items in a package and usually if it is a single item the size is a factor.  After that was taken care of we made a few purchases before heading to our next stop. We had an order to pick up at an Amazon Locker and several General Delivery Packages at the Post Office. 

Leaving Yuma the clouds in the sky were beautiful and the closer we got to home as the sun was setting the prettier the sky got. 

Middle picture: the sun light reflecting off the wet payment.
Bottom picture: we are parked over by those mountains.

On Ogilby Road the clouds over the mountains

and the sun setting as we make our way home.

We have left Ogilby Road and our making our way 
across the desert to the place we are presently calling home.

The color in the clouds was beautiful.

There a little green leaves on the 
Ocotillos!

We are home and the colors over the mountains to the east

and the last of the sun's light to the west.

It was a good day we accomplished what we wanted to get done and though we did not sit outside for either a Coffee Hour or a Happy Hour with our neighbors we did chat with everyone at some point. There is a plan in place for tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

We were up before the sun this morning and as I write this Ken and Tom have been gone for a couple of hours. They are off to San Diego to tour the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. I am going to just go ahead and say I am sure they will have a great day together and will come back with a few stories about their day. That will be Tom's Blog to write. 

As for me as I write this I am enjoying a mug of coffee that Tom made before he left. Though I did venture out to take some pictures of the sunrise before sitting down with my first mug. (FYI: I did right this Tuesday morning. I just never finished the blog and post it.)

I could see the sun light just at the top of the mountains
and starting to light up the floor of the desert

as it popped up over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

As the sun moves up in the sky all the bushes 

sparkle in the sunlight

and shadows stretch across the desert floor.

The sun is now above the Jeep...lol as I made my way back inside.

Turning around in the doorway it I took this picture of the moon.

Between the sunrise above and the sunset below. We, Deb, Kim, Keith, and I, sat outside during a short coffee hour. Then after lunch Kim and I drove into Yuma to check out Marshalls for any sales or things we just could not do without...lol  Back home we, the same group as above, sat out for Happy Hour. Keith left then Kim while Deb and I sat out until the sun had set before heading inside. Always nice to sit and just enjoy the company of friends.

Sunset on January 2, 2024

It was dark when Ken and Tom pulled back in after their day's adventure. Listening to Tom it sounds like they had a good day. 

Monday, January 1, 2024

We started the New Year sitting out with our neighbors toasting with mimosas. There are no pictures besides the two I posted in my last blog of the sunrise. Later in the day everyone, Deb, Riley, Kim, Ken, and Keith joined us inside the Stinger "B" for dinner. I made meat pies and they added side dishes. It was a lovely evening filled with conversation along with some laughter and the sun had set before everyone left. Looking back as I write this I wish I had taken a couple of pictures yet at the same time I know the memories of this evening will always be in my minds eye whenever I think of this time parked in this beautiful place with special friends. 

(Side Note: Our convection oven has not worked for a while, it is being replaced next week, so the meat pies were cooked inside the Igloo and the Journey.)

A Step Back in Time For Our Memory Book
The Last Day of 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023

We were up and driving into Yuma for 7:30 Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church before the sun was up this morning. Though its light was visible as we drove along the actual sunrise happened after we were in church. 

Top Picture: we have turned on to Ogilby Road
Middle Picture: stopped for a train
Bottom Picture: on I-8 we can see Pilot Knob Peak

Top Picture: on I-8 we caught up to the train

This is a beautiful church filled with stain glass windows of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Their Christmas Decorations were wonderful. They had a lovely Manger placed in the front of the church and there were several decorated trees and wreaths throughout the church along with a lot of poinsettias. They certainly put a lot of time and effort into making everything look beautiful.

The Altar area is filled with poinsettias.
Bottom Pictures: These panels are on the left and right side
of the door which opens up to the center aisle of the church.

Later in the day we gathered for champagne, courtesy of Brenda and John, and snacks during Happy Hour which extended into the darkness around a campfire. 

Top Picture: the champagne and food.
Middle Pictures: Kim, Keith, Ken, and Tom
Bottom Picture: John, Brenda, Riley, and Deb

As the sun was going down the views towards the mountains
was beautiful.

 

Last Sunset of 2023

Then we were treated to a beautiful show of color in the sky. The afterglow tonight was fantastic and as good of a job as the camera on my phone did picking up the color it never quite matches the beauty the eyes see.

There was golden yellow in the clouds
with touches of orange towards the west

and a softer color over the mountains.

Then the clouds began to pick up a deeper golden color with
more touches of orange.

Our neighborhood in the afterglow.

Before fading back to grey the 
orange glowed a deeper color.

Then we moved our chairs around the firepit where our conversations and laughter continued while the inky darkness of the night slowly engulfed us. 

Middle Picture: Keith and Tom working on getting the fire
started while Ken supervised.

As the fire began to die down it was time to say goodnight and wish each other a Happy New Year as we parted ways for our homes. It was somewhat bittersweet as we were also saying, see you down the road to Brenda and John. They are off on a new adventure in the morning. It has been wonderful having them join us for the occasional Happy Hour. When you read someone's blog you get to know a lot about them and when you meet in person it is like you are meeting an old friend. The conversation is easy; it is like you are catching up with that friend you have not seen in awhile. While at the same time you are getting to know them a little better. Then, if you are lucky, that friendship will bring you back together over the years of travel. There are no goodbyes just see you down the road and be safe until we cross paths again. 

Together in the company of friends was a very good way to end 2023 and begin 2024!

We are looking forward to the year ahead of us and the adventures it will bring. We pray for joy, happiness, good health, and peace for all our family, friends, and ourselves as we all venture into the unknown that is 2024.

.

We are glad you stopped by!

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

Happy New Year!

 Monday, January 1, 2024

We are Wishing All Our Family and Friends
Happy New Year!

The first sunrise of 2024

in the Sonoran Desert near Winterhaven, California.

The light of the sun made a short appearance this morning as it came up over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains before slipping behind the clouds. As we begin this New Year Tom and I are wishing you all a year filled with Peace, Joy, and Love. 

We are glad you stopped by!

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