WESTWARD HO!

I absolutely have no idea what has overtaken John and I.   But our travels have changed quite rapidly.  We left San Antonio on Monday.  And each day, we have done nothing but drive. Right now, we are zipping right through Tuscon.

We are zipping along so much that this is the photo I managed to get of the "Welcome to Arizona" sign.  The continental divide sign flew right by too.  

This does not seem to be a PDD though as we do not crank out the miles each day, But we don't stop along our short route each day.  I believe this is a new disorder.  Not sure of it's name.  







I believe it might have something to do with these things in the distance. 

It's like once we sighted these mountains and the desert, something just took over our brains and it is full, slow speed ahead.  

Even with this semi and road construction, the view keeps drawing us closer and closer.  




                                      What is a full timer to do? Good grief!  Now we are going to need to travel this route once more.......at least. 

  

We are having one new experience though.  With the rain that this area had about ten days ago, we see flowers along the road.  Yellow brittlebush, red and purple flowers.  The Palo Verde is turning green!  All new experiences.  (from the coach, that is)

I have been in touch with a couple of RV friends to see if it is convenient to meet, so we will see if the foot is released from the accelerator.  What do you think?  

If we are fortunate, I will have more to blog about tomorrow.  Wish me luck!  

God bless........

CRYSTAL HILL FELT MORE LIKE A MOUNTAIN

Our drive from LaPosa South to the road leading to Crystal Hill was a short drive south.  Then we turned east and proceeded down yet another dirt and rock road.  Crystal Hill is part of the KOFA Wildlife Refuge where Big Horn Sheep, Desert Tortoises, Kit Fox and other wildlife can be found.



While at the Visitor’s Center, we also discovered that other things can be found there in the desert where General George Patton of WWII fame trained some of his troops.  One can come upon unexploded ordinances!  Some land mines and grenades could even be live.  THAT is a do not touch.  The training was in this area since these troops were heading to Africa. 


But there is also beauty to be found in these mountains.  Saguaro, Ocotillo, Cholla and Barrel Cactus are a few that we saw on our drive to the mountain. This is what John and I were in search of on this trip.  This is a photo of what one person found.  They are clear “crystal clear” quartz.  We do not want them for any New Age faith.  These crystals are hard to find and we enjoy the challenge, the search. 


I think the person that named Crystal Hill must have been younger than John and I.  From a distance, it looked climbable.  And it was, to a point.  About the point I was half way to the top.  John was smart and did his rock hounding about a third of the way.  It was a fun day.  We both try to push ourselves to do just a bit more than our last outing.  We both succeeded.  And we rested for the next two days!  This was our view from the car as we approached the “hill.”




We discovered a new to us cactus as we drove up the road.  Do you know it’s name?








This is the path that I followed up the ‘hill.’  It started out gradually then became more challenging the higher I went.  I accidentally had John’s rockhounding tool bag with me and I did not enjoy the extra weight.  The next day, my elbows and shoulders ached from the extra load.  But, I found that loaded bag mighty useful.  At times the grade was so steep, I felt as if I were going to tumble down the ‘hill.’ I carried that loaded bag in from of me to provide more stability.  At times the problem was that there would be a drop off at my right or left. So I carried it of the ‘hill’ side. 
                                                                                                                                    

My goal with that stand of rocks that has a lighter border at the top.  I told myself that I made it that far, I would stop. At times I pulled myself up with limbs of the creosote bushes.  Al of the Bayfield Bunch does not like them in his yard, but they were a great help to me.   I made it to my goal and just sat on those rocks and enjoyed the scenery.  You know though what goes up, must come down.  And I did just that – safely.



On my way down I tried to take a photo of John.  He is that speck in the center of the photo.  As I came further down the ‘hill,’ I found a place to stop and get a better picture of ye ‘ole rockhounder.  He did not find any crystals, but he also exceeded his climbing goal.  Much better than finding a crystal. 


Yesterday, we were walking in the area north of where we were camping.  John found a crystal there.  He had planned to return to search for more, but he has been hanging some of my artwork and doing some honey-dos. 



We came home to enjoy a beautiful sunset.  The perfect ending to a perfect day even though we did not see the Big Horn Sheep.  Their birthing season extends from January to June.  I imagine some were resting or caring for their young. 

After the sun dropped behind the mountains we went inside and played a couple of rounds of Sequence. He beat me soundly in both games. I got my revenge the next evening.

Our next adventure?  Our journey into Parker and Lake Havasu City.  Until next time,

God Bless you!

FIRST YOU SEE ‘EM THEN YOU DON’T & CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN

January 11th, we moved from the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) south east of Quartzsite to LaPosa South, south on highway 95. Sandie Dixon of Where are the Dixons Today  invited us to join members of Excapee’s RV Club that we going to meet there. When we arrived there were three families. But soon members more came.  This migration continued until the weekend of nineteenth signaling the opening of the “big tent,” the location of the Quartzsite RV And Travel Show. 


Denise of Sassie’s on da Road took the first photo a week before the opening of the “big tent”.  The size of this group more than doubled by the time the RV and Travel Show began on January nineteenth.  Two weeks later the area looks like my photo on the right.  That motorhome in the distance is our haven.  I have got to get a camera with more telephoto options! lol
John and I had the opportunity to meet and make many new friends while everyone was there.  Minnesota, Wyoming, Canada, Colorado, Alaska, Texas, and of course, Indiana was represented in our group.
In addition to shopping, we have been exploring.  One excursion was on Plomosa Road.  The further east we traveled he mountains changed in subtle ways. Color and texture changes were evident.  In that area there is an abundance of Cholla cacti.  Some are pretty to “LOOK” at.  Just do not get too up close and personal.  They love to attach themselves to your shoes and appendages.  Ouch!

                                                                                                      

Chola was just the beginning of our discoveries.  Just beyond this Chola and Saguaro was one of our destination.  We were drawn here by the change of texture and color of the rocks and mountains.  We carefully avoid our sticky friends, escape the Palo Verde tree and creosote bushes and reach the foot of this mountain with all it’s nooks and crannies.  Some look like caves, some like just holes in the rock.  Whatever they are, we have to explore!  They are calling us.  John was the first up to explore this one.  I follow to administer first aid, if needed. 

                                                                                                                

 We move onto the next challenge.

                                                                 

                                                                                                                       

This was it!  And do you see the rock at the top that kind of looks like a frog?  It was just hanging on to what looked like a thread!  And the blue dot in the cave like area on the right?  That was the opening to the top of this mountain.  What more could you ask for? 

                                                                                                                      

We did it! 

                                                                                                                       

He did it!  “Now,” he says…. “what’s next?”

And to think this man was on a respirator eleven months ago – fighting for his life.

GOD IS GOOD

Do you think I’m hamming it up a bit here?  Nah… not me!

                                                                                                                          

Now to get off this thing!  Sometimes going up is easier than going down.  This was one of hose times….but we made it safe and sound.

We find a promise of Spring being just around the corner. Of course the temperature reached the seventies while we were there, but who is counting, right?

As we were walking to the car John accidentally dislodges a young Cholla from it’s “home”.  So he decides to replant it. But, this Cholla loves him sooo much that it decides to stick to him.  Well, not exactly.  Do you remember what I said about these prickly cacti?  Yep, it stuck to one hand, so he pulls it off with the other.  Guess what? It stuck there too.  The only place that does not stick is it’s root system. So I gather the courage to get one root and pull.  Off!  Now John pulls on another root, places that little pest into it’s pre-prepared new home and I kick the sand around it.  Voila!  Done!

                                                                                                                           

Off we go, again, to the car.  Ahh, what is this cute little critter?  Well, I have not been able to identify this lizard.  Hopefully one of you readers can help me with the name of this little guy/gal. 
                                                                                                                  

Among the locals this site is a bit debated. Some believe it is genuine and others believe it was created by some of General Patton's men. General Patton did extensive tank training in this region (Camp Bouse was a training base for war in Africa). And you can still find tank tracks in the area which are over 60 years old!                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

The photograph below was taken with a camera attached to a kite.  Neither my camera nor my kite.   

                                                                                                         
To understand the size of this geoglyph, look at the bottom of the photo.  There are two people standing next to a fencepost.  The hike from the pull-off  for this site was another third of a mile hike for John.  It was up hills and down and up etc. He never ceases to amaze me. 

On the way back to the car, I veered off the path to look at some volcanic rock.  What I found was a symbol of life in the Sonoran desert.  Tenacity is the word that comes to mind.  Life continues to go on in the harshest conditions.  In summer, the temperatures will reach one hundred twenty degrees.  We will not be here!
                                                                                     

Speaking of tenacity, can you imagine traveling from New Jersey (Atlantic Ocean) to almost the Pacific Ocean in the 1800’s? Traveling from Indiana to southwest Arizona was quite a trip.  And we have the comfort of a motorhome!  

Thomas Quinn made that trip to mine in the area.  He constructed his home at this location.  In addition to the home, he built a cistern for water and passers by would stop to refill their water supply.The sign said that remains of the cistern were there, but we could not find them.  There was a long, dirt road that went up into the Black Mountains, but I didn’t want to take the Miata up there.  You can see the road below and to the right of the sign.
                                                                                                                                   

We have found the Bouse area to be very interesting.  So much attention is designated to Quartzsite, that we did not even know about Bouse until we stumbled across it traveling east on Plomosa Road. 
Twenty miles east of Bouse, in the remote Butler Valley, is Camp Bouse. The secret Army base built to train men with a "new" tank designed for night warfare. Camp Bouse memorial monuments are located on Hwy 72, across from the A & C Mercantile Co, in Bouse. The 2nd weekend of Feb every year there is a WWII Camp Bouse dedication and reunion on Saturday and tours to the original Camp Bouse on Sundays. 
Thirty miles east of Bouse is the famous Swansea Ghost Town, once a copper mining community, where buildings and remnants still exist.      

Previously we had planned to leave LaPosa South tomorrow.  Now, we have decided to stay until the first of the week to visit the WWII Camp Bouse events.  The tours to Camp Bouse is very high on our priority list but with low expectations.  At least we will be having a great history lesson.

Just to let you all know that John is well taken care of, here is the latest photo of one of our fur kids taking care of Dad as he does more research on his computer. Note he either hair wash or massage.  I have not yet decided which. 

                                                                                                                                                         

Noah did ask me to tell you all bye for now.  It is time for mom to fix lunch….. finally!

God bless you all, travel safely out there.  It is windy today. 

SOME THINGS YOU SEE IN THE SONORAN DESERT

BREATHTAKING SUNRISE

TWO HUNDRED YEARS OLD SAGUARO CACTUS

SAGUARO CACTUS 200 + YEARS OLD WITH 5 FT.  PERSON WHO WILL NOT REVEAL AGE

SAGUARO CACTUS? APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 YEARS OLD WITH  MOUSE HOLE - eek!

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE HEDGE HOG CACTUS

 LOVELY UNIDENTIFIED DESERT PLANT

A HUGE ANIMAL FOOTPRINT!  

CANADIAN FLAGS, SOLAR PANELS AND ATVs

ROCK HOUNDS ALWAYS ARE LOOKING AT THE GROUND
NOW, THIS IS ANSWERED PRAYER.  TO THINK HE WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT LAST MARCH AND APRIL!  

SILLY DOGS PLAYING

SILLY WOMEN RESTING AFTER A HARD DAY OF HIKING -NOTE GUARD DOG ON DUTY

SURPRISING SUNSETS ABOVE THE RAIN CLOUDS

FRIENDS ENJOYING AN EVENING CAMPFIRE AND CONVERSATION

 Ahhh, the life of traveling in our motorhome, traveling the U.S.  

Priceless

As priceless as your comments!  Be sure to leave one.  

God Bless your journeys through life.  

RAIN IN THE DESERT! AND ANOTHER DAY AT THE BIG TENT

I cannot remember the last time I was happy that it was raining.  But tonight is just that night.  Why?  Because dust is everywhere here in the desert surrounding Quartzsite, Arizona.  The motorhome looks pale rust in color. The Miata's finish looked dull. 

Well, at least I know the Miata will look better.  As soon as a gentle rain came to the desert, I took a pan of warm soapy water and gave my baby a bath.  Now, the rains are rinsing it. And to top it off, the sound of the rain on the roof of the motorhome is like a concert.  I love it.  

I learned this method from a camper from Oregon when we were in California for Christmas.  What a great way to conserve our water resources.  

I have heard and read that the smell of a desert rain cannot be surpassed.  The rumors are true. Ahhhh.

Of course friends and family in the Indianapolis, Indiana area cannot do this since the low tonight is to be fourteen degrees and the high tomorrow will be around twenty-four.   

Almost two weeks ago we made our first trip to the big tent for the annual RV and travel show, we looked and made notes of the things that interested us.  Today, after many eliminations, we made our purchases.  Now...we are finished.  We even have a list for next year.  They are items that we decided to consider over the next year. 

We did join Escapees today. 
Escapees was founded July 4, 1978.  There are now over fifty chapters in the US, Canada and Mexico.  Discounts at RV parks are just a fraction of the benefits of a membership in Escapees. 


Education is also a benefit of membership.  We are seriously considering attending the Escapade in Gillette, Wyoming this summer.  

Last night we were finally able to attend the campfire and chat with some of the Escapees that are camping around us.  Of course, tonight's campfire was rained out. Tomorrow?  More rain.  I will finally have an opportunity to spin yarn and knit on my circular sock machine!  Woo Hoo....  (John cannot drag me out to shop!)

Thanks for stopping by.  We do enjoy and appreciate your comments.  

God bless and stay safe out there.  

QUARTZSITE IS NOT QUARTSIZE

What a HUGE area with a small town that in January,  expands to many miles in all directions. Quartzsite hosts the largest RV show and gathering in the country.  The website estimates that there are usually between seven hundred and fifty thousand and one million people people in attendance.  Now, that is a large crowd.

We arrived twelve days ago to attend the rock and mineral show that is held two weeks prior to the RV show.  The town was far from crowded.  Booths were not crowded.  We expected the crowds to roll in by the hundreds.  So far, the campgrounds, the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas and resorts all seem to have plenty of room.  

I wonder if the lack of people is the result of the cold snap we have experienced the last few days.  Have no fear, I think as the weather continues to improve, we will see more and more people. 

This photo was taken on a much warmer day last week.  I was in shirtsleeves, knitting socks on my antique CSM / Circular Sock Machine.  Notice that there is not another RV to be seen in the picture.  The closest was about a third of a mile away from us.   

We are parked between Saguaro Cactus. Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A ten year old plant might only be an one and a half inch tall. Saguaro can grow to between forty to sixty feet tall. When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated, it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.

The Saguaro is the largest cactus in the United States. 

 

The sunsets in the deserts are beautiful.  The mountains take on colors that leaves me breathless.  Of course the most beautiful sunset was the evening that fellow RVer Sandie Dixon and I had to make a quick trip to Lake Havasu  for a prescription refill.  I am sure that there will be more beauties before we regretfully leave here then end of the month.

The winds have calmed down and the temperatures have risen to a balmy forty-eight degrees.  Since there is this "heat wave," Oliver, Olivia and I went for a walk.  In the short twenty minutes that we were gone, I saw three RVs with flags.  

I need a much faster shutter speed to clearly capture the Maple Leaf of the Canadian flag and others.  Here are the three I found.  

We have met many RVers that we follow their blogs.  It is great to put a live face with a name and a blog title. The first morning we were here Jim and Sandie Dixon of Where are the Dixon's Today.  Sandie was one of the mighty prayer warrior's who supported John and I through his hospitalization with respiratory failure then his short return to the hospital for congestive heart failure, just before our departure in December.  

I hope to meet and thank more of my Blogland friends and thank them for their prayers, thoughts and kind words of encouragement. 

Oliver and Olivia, the fur kids, have been making many new friends.  The funniest combination is Duchess, the Doberman and Oliver the Shih Tzu. Like Quartzsite, Duchess is not quart size!

  

Talk to you later.  There is much to do and see here in Quartzsite and you will be the first to hear about it.

God bless you with His blessings and please be safe out there.