Summer 2024

 We started out on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in the early afternoon.  Due to some engine problems, we didn’t actually leave until late in the afternoon of Thursday, May 16th.

We needed to cancel the Kimberley portion of the trip so we could stay on schedule for Ralph Wallins memorial in Saskatoon  

Here is the map:

Here is the interactive map:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zjvLTHjL36rgfdUa8

Of course, on the way east, we needed to go through the Rogers Pass snow sheds:

Here is the video.  Hold your breath.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjNQO9QSoC0

Our first overnight stop was at the Ten Mile Hill Truck Rest Area just east of Golden.  Nice scenery, even if a little cloudy.

Did we ever hit the snow between Lake Louise and Banff.

Check it out!

https://youtu.be/LwRXk012iAs

2023-2024 Departure

GETTING READY TO GO

This blog is being created for the grandkids but it is OK if others take part in the viewing or commenting.

With the slide mechanism repaired and the dishes/spice cabinet back together, it is time to make sure everything in the motorhome is shipshape and ready for loading. 

The cabinet is still in pieces.

That’s better!  Cabinet re-assembled and everything back in place.

The red circle at the bottom of the map is our main destination. 

Almost There - Feb 23, 2013

Wow, we are home.  Not much time to keep up the blog with our 600 to 700 km of driving each day.

After Orange Grove RV, we headed north with our bag of freshly picked oranges.  We made it all the way to Redding, California where we over-nighted at Redding RV Park.  This is the place where we sunk up to the axles in mud two years ago.  We are sure glad we have four-wheel drive to get us out of the mud.

The following morning, we headed north once more.  This time it was up and down at least a dozen times as we drove through the mountains of northern California and southern Oregon.  We arrived just after dark at Pheasant RV, just south of Portalnd, Oregon.  Given that it was pouring rain and had been for the previous 90 miles (150 km.), we connected the power and retreated inside for the night.  No unhooking here.

A VERY LONELY MOUNTAIN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Bright and early Saturday morning, we were one the road to Wenatchee, Washington where we stayed at the Wenatchee Confluence State Park.  It is a nice place in the summer but full of goose droppings this time of year.  There were only three sites occupied when we pulled in and one arrived after we were settled in.   The over night low temperature was 3 degrees C (38 degrees F).  We can over-night at below freezing temperatures and travel during the day at above freezing without winterizing and/or running the furnace as we drive.  There is no snow on the road so we can keep going without interruptions.

TRIP ROUTE AND STOP SUMMARY

11.   Phoenix, AZ - visit friends
12.   Lake Havasu City - Stay on BLM dispersed camping land
6.     Back at Oasis RV near the Salton Sea just south of Palm Springs, California - 200 feet below
       sea level.
5.     Bakersfield, California
2.     Wilsonville, Oregon, just outside Portland.
13.   Wenatchee, WA - Last night on the road.

Home late on Sunday, February 24, 2013.  A week or two earlier than we really wanted but there were some external pressures dictating an early return.

NEXT YEAR, THREE MONTHS MINIMUM IS OUR GOAL!

Starting Home - Feb 20, 2013

We had some time to explore Lake Havasu City.  One of the highlights was a photo of Pat in front of the "London Bridge".

PAT UNDER LONDON BRIDGE

Wikipedia says, "London Bridge is a bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, United States, that is the relocated 1831 London Bridge that spanned the River Thames in London, England until it was dismantled in 1967. The Arizona bridge is a reinforced concrete structure clad in the original masonry of the 1830s bridge, which was bought by Robert P. McCulloch from the City of London. McCulloch had exterior granite blocks from the original bridge numbered and transported to America to construct the present bridge in Lake Havasu City, a planned community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu. The bridge was completed in 1971 (along with a canal), and links an island in the lake with the main part of Lake Havasu City."

Our short visit to Lake Havasu City was the end of "relax and enjoy" time and the start of our drive home.  The picture below was our view from the RV on the last day.

VIEW FROM THE RV

After deciding that the winter storm that was approaching from the north-west would get in the way our drive to Bakersfield, we decided to drive back through Parker, Arizona to Palm Desert, Caliornia and then up to Bakersfield.  It turned out to be a good idea because of the high winds and closure of the Tehacapi pass  (Highway 58) that otherwise would have taken us to Bakersfield.  A couple of feet of snow with vehicles stranded all over the road.  Mind you, we did run into drifting sand (see photo below) and part of I-10 was partially closed so they could clean off the sand drifts.

DRIFTING SAND - JUST LIKE IT WAS SNOW

We stayed at Oasis RV south of Palm desert, picked some fresh fruit, helped the neighbour fix her power cord (that fried overnight). topped up the water, and drained the tanks.  Five hours later we arrived at the Orange Grove RV park in Bakersfield.

ORANGE GROVE RV

This is a nice park with good facilities and more fruit to pick.  This time it was just oranges, u-pick with the picking sticks they provide.

Last Days in Yuma - Feb 17, 2013

During our last days at Imperial Dam, we had Anne and Louis over to "Dine on the Desert" Saturday evening.  Sunday morning we went for sourdough pancakes with John Kohl (from our previous four-Montana visit to Imperial Dam) and two other Montana-owning couples.  One of the couples had been at the Circling of the Montanas in Quartzsite.  Sunday evening, we went to Anne and Louis' for dinner.

PAT''S LAST RELAXING DAY AT IMPERIAL DAM

WE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE LIBERRY

OUR LAST SUNRISE AT IMPERIAL DAM

We were up early Monday morning to pack up and dump.  Once we were all cleaned out, we headed out.

After leaving Imperial Dam we stopped in Quartzsite to renew old memories.  Lots of RVs on the desert but it appears that the majority of vendors have moved on.  No more cinnamon buns available from the trailer on the edge of the road.

COLORADO RIVER BETWEEN PARKER AND LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

Onward to Lake Havasu City where we parked on some BLM dispersed camping land (no charge) 9 km. north of the Airport Center Blvd. (N 34 deg 37.700 min - W 114 deg 19.608 min; elevation 1360 feet).

SETTLED IN JUST NORTH OF LAKE HAVASU CITY

Like most Arizona RV Parking, it is gravel surface and sometimes a great view.  Just no services!

An Algodones Day - Feb 15, 2013

Up early and off to Los Algodones, in the state of Baja California, Mexico for a day of shopping.  No border check by the Mexican authorities on the way in but a long line-up on the way back.

In a number of ways, it is not much different than many other cities.  Check-out the Saskatchewan Roughrider shirt in the middle of this picture below.  Go Riders!!!

RIDER SHIRTS FOR SALE EVERYWHERE!

On the way home (well to the Imperial Dam LTVA) we once again entered through the gateway to Murphy Flat Flats   The gate is framed by two Ocotillo shrubs.

MURPHY FLATS GATEWAY

I've been puzzling over this picture below for quite some time.  It is a long game-trail (burrow path) that ends in this circular area.  It is trampled down in the center by many hoof beats and heavily stained around the outer edges by some kind of liquid...

BURROW RUTS

Hard to concentrate on work when this is the view out the window.

COFFEE TIME OUT THE OFFICE WINDOW

Back to Imperial Dam LTVA - Feb 14, 2013

Our great time in Phoenix was topped off with an evening in the company of Doug and Edie at their place somewhere in the north west part of this booming metropolis.

ROB, PAT, EDIE, AND DOUG

On the way back to the Yuma area we drove by this interesting array of mirrors.  It appears that it is the world's largest parabolic trough concentrating solar plant.  Located near Gila Bend, Arizona, it is big enough to supply energy to 70,000 homes.

ARIZONA SOLAR ONE LLC

The Imperial Dam LTVA (long-term visitor area) is neighbours with YPG (Yuma Proving Ground) where the US Military test weapons and equipment.

On display are a many weapons of various uses, ages, and sizes.  Included are various forms of canons and mortar launchers.

Rockets.

Tanks and RVs.

Neat flying machines.

The Imperial Dam was constructed as part of a major irrigation project with irrigation being the first priority and recreation lakes somewhere down the list.  When we arrived this afternoon, the level of the lake had gone down considerably from what we had seen during our previous time here.

IMPERIAL DAM RESERVOIR

 Upon arrival, we were greeted by a couple of Burrows.  I had to get a photo of this one before I was allowed to set up camp.

We also discovered John Kohl, who was with us all here last week, was set up within a short distance of our original campsite after having been somewhere else for a few days. It is interesting that in a place like this unorganized campsite, people remember who we were and where the other members of our party have relocated.  One of our neighbours knew his location by his flag which he pointed out to us.

It makes one feel safe in the middle of the desert.