TORREY UTAH, TO LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

October 28, 2014

We leave Torey, Utah and descend the mountains toward Las Vegas.  As the altitude drops, John's breathing as well as our attitudes improve remarkably. It is amazing what altitude and oxygen levels do to our bodies.  

Late in the afternoon, we enter Las Vegas and find ourselves in a forty foot Tiffin Allegro Bus towing at sixteen foot trailer with our Miata aboard rolling down THE STRIP!   John did just fine, as usual.  

Finally, we pull into the Silverton Casino lot for our dry docking experience.  We are close to McCarran International Airport and it's landing and take off runways. 

Take offs are quiet, but landings are annoying.  Would we stay there again?  No Way!  Free overnights are one thing, but noisy, aggravating overnights are just not worth it.

                                                                                        After a great breakfast, we headed into the city.  We meet the "boys" from Toy Story.  My, they seem to be very tall, or am I really, really short?                                                                                                         
  I am modeling the terrible haircut that I got in Moab, UT. It has been said that the difference between a bad haircut and a good one is two weeks.  It is going to take more than two MONTHS for this cut to grow to my desired length.  I have found that good haircuts are hard to find when traveling.

                         

                                                                                                                                                                                  

We visited many of the high end boutiques and marveled at the prices some pay for clothing and accessories.  

                                                We worked up an appetite for a non-vegetarian, burger and wanted to find Bobby Flay's restaurant, Bobby's Burger Palace.                                                                     The Bobby Blue was calling our names.

   

                                                                                                      The colors were warm and inviting, reminding us of the atmosphere of a '50's diner.  

                                                                                         How did we begin our meal of blue cheese burgers?  We shared a chocolate milk shake!                                                                             Then we indulged in the Bobby Blue, onion rings, and fries for John.

                                                With shrinking wastes of our pants, we headed out to see the night sights.  Thank goodness we had the opportunity to walk off a few of the calories.

                                                                                                                                                Evening approached before we could see everything we wanted. It is going to take another day.  But, Las Vegas at night is beautiful.                                                                          We will need to see more of Las Vegas at a later time.  

Our arrival time at Borrego Springs, California was rapidly approaching.   

We begin the short trip to California and our daughter Jojo's home to collect our mail and lemons from her tree. 



You know you are in southern California when you see dust storms on the horizon.    

Soon, we are on the road to Borrego Springs and our favorite camping area at Clark Dry Lake, BLM land just south of the Springs.

Ahhhh, our home in the southwest.  No more travel for a while.  It is time to enjoy the mountains and the quiet desert! 

Today, this blog ends and begins with photos of the Anza Borrego desert, our favorite place!                                                                                                                                                                              Thanks for visiting our blog today.  It has been a long time since I posted.  The rest has been good, but now, it is time to share some of our activities.  More to come.  

And thanks for making your purchases through our Amazon link.  By linking to Amazon through this blog, we earn a very small percentage.  You pay nothing extra.  

God bless.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

ANZA BORREGO FUN

Our intention was to leave Quartzsite, Arizona Tuesday after we checked for mail at the post office.  Medical supplies were to arrive from Roche that had been ordered the previous week.  

The postal employee checked the general delivery and there was no mail for John.  We returned to the motorhome and John called Roche to see when the supplies were mailed. Just like last year, Roche did not mail them.

Now, going to their website, you find this motto: "Doing now what patients need next"  I don't think so!  

Wednesday, after consulting with John's physician and 

new making arrangements, leaving Roche out of the equation, 

we left Quartzsite for another year and headed to Anza Borrego

State Park and Borrego Springs.  

There were predictions of high wind gusts and John drove with 

much caution.  We had just two mighty gusts as we ventured 

Coachella and Walgreen's to pick up John's medicine. 

After another quick stop at Walmart for a few veggies and fruit, 

we programmed our Verizon Navigator for Anza Borrego State 

Park where we planned to spend a night or two.

I had much laundry to do and wanted to make use of their 

never ending supply of water.

  

Friday evening, we met with Blogger friends Merikay and 

Craig McKenna at Carmelita's for a Mexican dinner.

   

What a nice couple.  They are very excited about beginning their full time life. Florida is their destination for next winter.  

I awoke up early  Saturday morning and took Oliver and Olivia for a hike.  

I was very aware of all the rattlesnake sightings that bloggers have had and was very aware of our surroundings and what the dogs were doing each time they stopped to sniff the pee mail or scent trail.  

A huge Jackrabbit scurried off to our right.  Thank goodness the "kids" did not see it.  I was a bit entertained by it's running pattern.  Starting off slowly and gathering speed. By the time he was out of site he was really racing through the desert.

A bit further on our hike, to my left, I spot something different and of course we are off to explore!  What is this???

It seems that there is an entrance.  I'm too short to see if there is a roof, but I do see a metal cylindrical tube of some sort sticking up at the edge of this stacked rock wall.    Any ideas?  

Yesterday, after shopping at the Farmer's Market on Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs, we moved to our current location at Clark Dry Lake withing the Anza Borrego State Park.  This is a boondocking area called the "badlands."   

After the stop at the Farmer's Market, we are stocked with spring vegetables to last the week. I did not find my absolute favorite honey.  I purchased some last year and proceeded to run out by November.  This year I am going to double my purchase. 

Wind was in the forecast for today and the weatherman did not lie.  This is a photo of the mountains this morning.  What a lovely sight.  

The photo also shows our closest neighbors.  

A bit later, the wind began to blow.  And blow, it did!                                                   The wind and dust came roaring down the valley between the two mountain ranges.  

It did not get better for a long, long time.                                 The dust continued to blow and swirl up and into a backward spiral.                                                         Needless to day, we brought the slides in to protect the slide awnings.  

Here, inside the coach, I have prepared split pea, sweet potato curry in the crock pot.  We are just waiting for it to finish cooking.  

Thanks for stopping by.  And again, thank you for shopping through our Amazon link.  

God Bless!  

MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING

Poor Willie Shakespeare, I am messing with his words. 

The last few days have been quiet and restful.  At least we are trying to rest.  Nightly winds with gusts up to fifty miles per hour whistle through the brush and around the corners of the motorhome making a peaceful night’s sleep impossible.

Thankfully, the motorhome does not rock in the winds as we have heard reports from others.  We wonder if Tiffin has a magic anti rocking formula?  If so, we approve!

Saturday brought the death of my Motorola Droid Razor.  I called Verizon and soon as I could report the problem they said that they would send a replacement overnight.  I had to remind the service technician that overnight would mean Sunday.                                             

Yesterday, Monday, was the newly designated day.  It arrived, just a promised.  I was without a working phone and Hotspot for a day and a half.  I was lost without my link to civilization.  Now, we are rolling once more.  Thank you Verizon!

As I was reading blogs Saturday, I found a one that was new to me.   Dave and Maxine (Max) had Borrego Springs in their title.  That was a “must read.”   

Clark Dry Lake area is their location!  Also our location. I  looked at the photos on their blog, went outside with binoculars and tried to get a fix on their general area. I  Could not find their exact location, but had formed an estimate of where they were. 

 On our way to the Springs we went in their direction and easily found them by what I described to John as the “smile” on the front of their Mobile Suites fifth wheel, their white truck and their beautiful bright red Goldwing motorcycle.  That was easy enough. 

Approaching their site, we saw that not only was it their site, but also they were sitting outside. How convenient is that?  

We stopped and talked a bit, then continued our trip to town.  What a nice couple. To top it off, they also are from Indiana.  Small world. Check out their blog at http://wanderingwingers.blogspot.com        
  
Yesterday was semi active day if you can call two visits to the Post Office, a visit to the Anza Borrego State Park visitor’s Center, a stop at the Market and lunch out active.  There were very few flowers in bloom.  The
drought is really bad in the desert.  

Thank goodness the seeds lie dormant over the years until there is enough rain to promote growth and bloom.  Maybe we will see a colorful desert next year.  

While at the V.C. We met a new little friend.   He was accustomed to people and dared to come closer than most.   

 


I sat quietly on the bench and watched him rush from one spot to another searching for morsels to eat.







Finding a seed, he stretched out to eat and enjoy his find.

John remarked that he lays like Olivia on our ceramic floor in the motorhome.  That bench must have been cool.  



Our plan for the rest of the day was to visit the shops in town.  But the shops are closed on Mondays. That was a good excuse to head toward our favorite Mexican Restaurant.  

We were fortunate to meet three travelers.  They are from Italy enjoying a week in the States.    

The two on the right are in research, trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.  The one on the left, moved from Italy to France with her husband to France where he is a surgeon.  Three nice ladies. 


We headed for our home at Clark Dry Lake and another windy night of broken sleep. 

On another subject, many of you will remember when we were in the first stages of fulltiming, we stayed at Brown County State Park just south of Indiana We needed to be close to Indianapolis for John’s physical therapy and follow up appointments with the doctors.

While we were there a family camped next to us and we met Amanda who had just finished her Chemotherapy for Brain Cancer and was in the process of gaining strength.  I requested prayer for Amanda’s recovery and, of course, you joined us. 

Amanda was able to start school in the fall!  She is an A+ student, active in extra curricular activities.  One being the musical THE MUSIC MAN.  The results of your prayers is below, in costume.  And look at the smile on her face!  God is so good!  Please continue to remember Amanda in the days, weeks and months to come.  We want her to continue to gain strength, remain cancer free and stay healthy!  

AMANDA RIGHT AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY

AMANDA EIGHT MONTHS LATER!  

  
            THE END


Until next time God Bless! 

HEY! SOMEONE JUST RAN INTO THE MOTORHOME! ! ! TWICE ! ! ! & DOG ON THE RUN

Actually, a mere seventeen miles from our location, we had two 4.7 earthquakes within a minute of each other.  Unlike any of the smaller rolling quakes we felt in Indiana, this one felt like someone had broadsided the motorhome.  The wind chimes that we had brought inside started ringing, the dogs stopped their roughhousing and I thought, ‘well, there’s our first California earthquake.
The quake was felt in downtown Los Angeles and San Diego.  No damage has been reported.  At first, it was touted as a magnitude 5.2, but later downgraded.  

The earthquake resulted in an instant phone call from our daughter Jojo.  She felt it on the other side of the mountains and said that if she did not call instantly, the lines would be jammed.  I could not get on the Internet to check news reports on the earthquake for about two hours.
  

Out here at Clark Dry Lake dispersed camping area, people left their motorhomes gathering in small groups to discuss the excitement.  Now, things are quiet again.  So far we have not felt the aftershocks.

Saturday, our daughter Jojo brought her camper out and parked nearby.  She is leaving it here until we decide to move to Blair Valley when it gets hot here.  Staying near Borrego Springs at is close enough to her home that she will be able to spend some weekends with us.

And we left the shovel back at camp! 

Yesterday, we traveled Rock House Road then across the dry lake using the designated road and traveled into the canyon.  Our destination was the rock house, the namesake of the road.  Jojo’s SUV has much better clearance than the Miata, but we really needed a Jeep with four wheel drive to complete the trip.  We uhhh, kinda got stuck in the deep sand as we tried to turn around.  Not to worry, it was easy to dig out and be back on the road.  
 
Once we were safely on the road, we started out on foot to explore and to photograph the canyon.  It never ceases to amaze me how a desert and mountains can change within a few yards.  The beauty never stops  making me feel thankful to the Creator. 


    

If we get a little rain within the next two or three weeks, the desert is going to explode with color.  The Ocotillo are ready to wave their red flag blossoms.  








  



















The Beaver Tail Cactus’ buds are ready to explode.  New life is
springing from the desert floor.  Color appears from what looks like dead follege. What looks dead comes alive.  Similar to the message of Easter.      



 



I know these were created for a purpose, but I sure do not know what it is!  









Jojo found what looks to be hoof prints of Big Horn Sheep.  She has a book that I  am purchasing.  Scats and Tracks of the Desert Southwest by James C. Halfpenny, PHD.  

When we returned to our site, I found the Big Horn page and yep, she was right.  Can you find the footprint in the sandy road with tire tracks, people tracks? 


As we drove back to our location, I was on the side of the SUV to photograph the dry lake bed.  It is full of cracks and crevices.  The National Park Service prohibits driving and walking on the bed.  Neither do they do not want dogs to walk on the bed. The major concern is the impact of vehicles on Clark Dry Lake’s delicate playa soil structure and the tiny fairy shrimp that lay dormant within, awaiting the next good rain. 

Uncontrolled access to the area could also affect the fragile populations of the Le Conte’s Thrasher and the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard. By acquiring private parcels of land in the Clark Dry Lake area, Anza Borrego Foundation has helped to reduce some of these harmful impacts by moving traffic onto park-owned land patrolled by rangers can control the impacts. Still, a few people choose to not follow the rules, drive on the lake bed – as you can see in the photos.

    
We returned to out site for our lunch, some reading and good conversation.  Of course her dog Spanky had to be right in the middle of things.  
Spank is dog aggressive, meaning that he would like to attack any dog in his sight.  It is quite a job for Jojo and Cathie to be aware of any dog in the area.

We keep Oliver and Olivia safely in the motorhome.  Of course, Olivia bards at Spanky through the windshield and Spanky returns the bark.  

Later, they had to return home to start another work week. Once they were safely on the road, we let Oliver and Olivia out to run and do their business.  They normally  stay right with me.  But just as they were taking care of necessities, Coyotes howled in the distance.  

Both dogs ran toward the sounds. I called them back.  Oliver returned to me, but Olivia took off in the direction of the sound and my heart skipped a few beats.  Of course I do not have on my hiking shoes, just my Birkenstocks.  Not a good choice for pursuing a crazy Shih Tzu who thinks she is off to see friends.

I called and pursued and called.  Olivia ran zig zag through the desert floor like a crazy, wild dog. I have sand grinding between my feet and the Birks. Ohhh, that feels so good....NOT

I had to resign myself to the fact that I was not going to catch her and she was going to be some Coyote's dinner. I was just sick thinking about it.  I kept calling and on her trail, but that little one can run. 

Lucky for me, another camper heard me calling Olivia and set out to help.  He was off to my left and able to get Olivia’s attention and she ran to him with cactus spines in the hair on her chin and leg.  Luckily, they did not penetrate the skin.  

I can now add a half mile hike to the time we were out in the canyon on Rock House Road. Needles to say, I slept well until this morning then the earthquake.  What a life!  Never a dull moment around here!

Have a great, safe day and God Bless You. 

LOOK WHAT THE WIND BLEW IN!

Actually, you cannot look.  I was in such awe of His camera that I forgot to get my point and shoot or my phone and take photos.  If you want to see some photos, you will need to go to the his website. 

We were lucky enough to learn that Al, Kelly and Pheebs of The Bayfield Bunch were here in Borrego Springs.  Actually, they were just west of us. I sent an email to al hoping that we would be able to connect.  But since the Miata was in the hospital having a brake job, I said they needed to come to our location.  They were so gracious to do just that. 

They were getting out of Dodge – Oops! I mean the Springs.  The wind had buffeted them enough previously and they had had enough.  Little did they know that their decision was a wise on.  

We had some mighty high winds and very little sleep that night and then again last night.  Ask me how tired John and I are.

Photo borrowed form Al's blog

Back to the Bayfield Bunch.  How would I describe Al?  He is one neat gentle giant.  I am just under  five feet. Almost everyone looks like a giant to me. 

And there is Kelly, a bundle of energy and a sweet, sweet spirit.  Now wonder Al grabbed her up! They are a great team and strike a perfect balance for a dynamic duo. 

Then there is Pheebs.  Pheebs, Oliver and Olivia became good friends immediately.  Our two pooches have no idea that they are smaller than most dogs and are willing to take them on in play. 

Lake Bed - Anne McKinnell, Photographer

Al pointed out an area across Clark’s Dry Lake, where we 
all were staying.  He said that there was an area where someone was camping. And there were Palm trees.  Humm, that sounded interesting. 

The next morning, before the sun came over the mountain, the “kids” and I struck out on our walk.  Heading in the direction that Al pointed.  I knew that I would never make the opposite side, but wanted to see just how far we could go.  My goal?  To walk further than the previous day and that had been about an hour and a half.

We walk. Olivia’s nose is to the ground checking out all the new scents.  She finds what I believe to be Coyote poo.  I shorten the leads a bit and keep talking to them to let whatever pest there might be lurking in the Creosote bushes that a big monster is out there to protect her “kids.” 

The Cholla Cactus keep us all on our toes / paws.  We sure do not one of those in any feet!  Occasionally we see footprints of another human.  My, what big feet you have, Mr. Stranger.

Octillio, greet us in one section of the desert.  Now that is a welcome change.  Much better than those mean, sticky Cholla.  We come upon a desert treasure.  WHY, WHY did I not bring my camera?  (do you notice a familiar trend here?)

The desert floor has been transformed into artwork! It is not the tan sand and rock that we have been walking in for the last hour.  It is as smooth as glass….a piece of artwork!  As the teal colored surface of the mountains is washed from the mountain, it comes to rest on the desert floor which is partially clay.  When the two mix and is followed by rain, a semi hard, shiny surface is the result.  The surface follows the flow of the run-off.  When it dries it is another of God’s masterpieces.  I could walk on this part of the desert and not disturb the artwork.

As my journey continued I saw there was not only the green of the Palm trees across the dry lake, but also there were trees on my side of the lake.  I made the closer trees my goal.  Now I knew where I would begin my return journey.  I also knew that I was getting tired.  One problem with the desert, there is no good place to sit down and rest.  Oh well.

When we reached the trees, I found that I had no idea what they were.  The resembled a pine tree but their needles were a larger diameter.  But the tree dropped its needles like a pine tree.  Soooo, is this a Desert Pine?  I have been searching the internet and have yet to identify it. 

The sun was hot and from its position, I estimated that it was close between eleven o’clock and noon.  I had left before the sun poked its face over the mountain around six forty-five. 

My short walk was becoming quite a hike. I said “let’s go home” to Oliver and he took the lead and actually made it home faster than I led them out.  We were all happy to be home.  I took my hiking shoes and vowed to not walk the rest of the day.  That lasted about five minutes till I went to the refrigerator to get more water.

It is a good thing that I love to walk and climb.  When I finish, I have more energy than when I left.  I like that. And that is the end of my Wednesday story.

God Bless you and keep you safe today…Until next time…

 

THINKING BACK SIX MONTHS

Wow, was it six months ago!  Hard to believe that we were touring the mountains above Anza Borrego Springs.  Actually they call it Borrego Springs or "the Springs. The roads in the valley looked like  snakes on sand paper."  Some of the passages on the highway are so close to the side of the mountain, I could have, if I wanted to, reach out and touched them from my seat in the motor home. 

After our white knuckle tour, we were off to Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina.  Oooooo my, what good food!  I was on a taco tour and rated this place at number TWO!  


Last night I was craving southwest tacos.  It was also our Mexican restaurant night. Now, wasn't that convenient!  I have never ordered taco's there and my rating for their tacos is not so hot.  But, it is the first meal there that was not top notch, so they are forgiven.  


When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by our usual greeting committee of five or six.  They always have worn nice golf shirts, but last night, well baby, they were puttn on da dog!  


Everyone had on black dress pants, not jeans mind you, but dress pants with a new black belt.  And on top they wore burgandy dress shirts and black ties.  These ties even had silver tie bars!  Whoo hoo, they were stylin and proud of it.  


You know, if everyone in the U.S. had their work ethic, there would be no quality control issues....not one.  My hat is off to them and the owner.  He stopped by our table and was so excited.  His daughter starts first grade this Tuesday!  He is a mighty proud papa.


Speaking of hot food,  I just put a batch of wings in the oven with hot chili seasoning from Penzeys.  Then I sprinkled a bit of garlic and salt.  What is it that Emeril  says B A M!

How did I get from Borrego Spring to Greenwood, IN's finest Mexican restaurant.  I guess it's almost dinner time.  So for now,  safe travels for you on the road and for those of us who are home for the summer...be safe out there and by all means....God Bless!