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.

Top Ten of Phoenix - Feb 12, 2013

We had a day that was fairly free so we consulted a list of the top ten attractions in Phoenix.  At the top of the list was the Desert Botanical Garden.  Wow, what a place!

EVERY KIND OF CACTUS IMAGINABLE

Only thing is that Pat found this really nice bench.  I'm afraid it will be on my list of things to build this summer

A LITTLE HARD TO SIT ON

Philip Haas flower art.  This guy below is one of four fibreglass statues made of desert flowers.  Each statue is about 15 feet tall.

UGLY FLOWER GUY

GROUP OF UGLY GUYS

 It was time to move from plants to rocks, bigger rocks.  Rocks with holes in them.

DOING THE TOURIST THING, THIS TIME WITH PAT BEHIND THE CAMERA

There is always some goof climbing up the front of the rock instead of the walking trail around the back.

NICE WARM DAY FOR A CLIMB

Tomorrow is another day.

Ho-Hum Day - Feb 11, 2013

This is a sit around day, to get some catch-up things done, do some work-work, and avoid the cool rainy weather.  The sun comes and goes with scattered showers, and the temperature hovering around 12 C (54 F).

We had planned to run off to Tucson for a couple of days but things just haven't worked out.  A bit of a bummer as we had hoped to spend some time with our MOC/Imperial Dam LTVA friends.  Tucson is on the for-sure list for next year.

Here is a photo of our friends taken at the Imperial Dam LTVA.

PHOTO COURTESY OF "THE DOODLES"

We mentioned earlier that we had a chance to visit Pat's cousin in Mesa, Arizona.  While there, we were treated to some delicious, warm from the oven, lemon meringue pudding.  See below for the lemons and grapefruit they picked for us from their tree in the RV park they stay in during the winter.

LINDA'S LEMONS, WELL GRAPEFRUIT TOO

If you have lemons, you should have "little lemon pudding" in the oven.  Can't wait to taste it.  My beautiful DW is fabulous. (Points... Points...)

Tomorrow, we go exploring.

So Much Fun - Feb 10, 2013

It is always so much fun with so many new experiences and opportunities see things from a different perspective.

We saw this sign in a flea market Food Court in Yuma:

'Nuff  Said!

I was going to say something but ...


While in Quartzsite, we attended the flea market, a rock and gem show, and an RV show - all with a few hundred vendors.  If you needed it and could find it, they had it.  Cheap too!  People buy rocks by the pound, generally between $3.00 and $10.00 per pound.  Some others like the ones below were in the $thousands.

CARNELIAN, I THINK?

CITRINE, I THINK?

As beautiful as she is and as much as I like to see her in pictures, she is in these ones to provide size perspective.



















Almost unbelievable in size, shape, and colour.














However, it isn't all fun and games on the desert all the time.  It got a little wet on our last day on Plomosa Road at the MOC Rally.  It rained over an inch the night before we broke camp.  In this case, I really mean, "We broke camp."

UNLIKE SOME OTHERS, WE DIDN'T SINK IN AND NEED TO JACK OURSELVES OUT

In our experience, there are very few, if any, rivers in the desert.  What rivers that are here seem to come from some where else.  There are, however, there are plenty of "washes"

TWO WASHES NEXT TO ONE OF OUR MORE PERMANENT NEIGHBOURS

SENATOR'S WASH - NOW THAT'S A WASH!!

 It is difficult to say with certainty how often these washes will fill with water, but when they do, you don't want to be in one of them.  There are many signs along the Arizona highways cautioning drivers, "Do not enter when flooded".  When Pat and I drove Schafer's Trail in Moab, Utah, the concern wasn't water from being in a rain storm, it was from a storm many miles away that could wipe you out, if you weren't aware a flood was imminent.  Just the same, many people set up their camps in these washes unaware of the dangers.

Lots of Fun.

Not a Slow Day - Feb 9, 2013

Today started out on the slow side until Pat phoned her cousin Ron who winters in Mesa, Arizona (part of the greater Phoenix area, only 50 miles (80+ km) from we are on the opposite side of town).  We drove over to visit with Ron and Linda for a couple of hours.  We came away with some fresh off the tree lemons and grapefruit.  What a treat for us northerners.

While relaxing at Cotton RV Park, we were thinking back to our time at Imperial Dam LTVA.  So, I've included a couple of photos from a few days ago.  Rider Fans, they are every where!

NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE GOING TO MEET ON THE DESERT

RECIPE FOR ATTRACTING HUMMINGBIRDS.

Combine the following and wait patiently:

1. Arizona desert,
2. One, two, or more Keystone Montana Fifth Wheel RVs,
3. Three special DWs (Dear Wives, in MOC lingo),
4. Hummingbird feeder attached to a window,
5. Special blend of Hummingbird feeder liquid food, and
6. Lots of patience.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Off to Phoenix - Feb 7, 2013

We spent several, immensely enjoyable days at the Imperial Dam BLM, LTVA (long-term visitor area).  It is a unique community of RVers who assemble in the winter to enjoy the solitude (if they want it) or the many  interesting activities and opportunities, including:

• No bugs - at least while we were there.
• The military base was open to us with our ID and campsite confirmation – we did not partake this time – laundromat, store, gas, propane, post office, café, restaurant, free movies with popcorn each night, videos and DVDs, etc.  I know there is no tax for the military but not sure about regular folk like us.
• People were doing a cookie drive for the EMT – emergency medical team that services the area – last year they collected 742 dozen cookies.
• There was an Airstream trailer in an area called Skunk Hollow that had a library – leave a book/take a book.
• A huge concrete area covered by a roof where we did aerobics three days a week (no cost) – also yoga which we did not do - perhaps other things happen there, we're guessing.
• Planned hikes and kayaking which we did not do.
• Mostly large RVs – I had pictured masses of those really old wrecks with owners to match (you know what I mean).  I only saw one of those although a few older models with nice older folks still RVing – those are fine. 
• The sunsets and sunrises and a beautiful large lake – Senator Wash Reservoir.  I was mega surprised at that.
• A Christian centre that had movie nights, etc.
• People were friendly but not too friendly although we were with other Montana folks.  We were told by others though that it is a very safe area and far better than the other BLMs.
• And no snakes that I saw or scorpions, YEAH!!

We departed for Phoenix, Arizona, just three and one-half hours away, leaving Kate and Greg along with John holding down the dwindling Montana Fort on the desert.

GOOD BYE IMPERIAL DAM AND ITS WILD BURROWS

HELLO PHOENIX

  Actually, we made it to one of the many communities around Phoenix. We are staying for a few days at Cotton RV 55+ Resort Community in Goodyear, Arizona.









Cotton RV is typical of many of the desert RV parks we have visited.  Not much greenery but lots of activities in a very nice set of facilities.

Stopping Places
11.    Phoenix, Arizona (actually - Goodyear, Arizona)

We did mention earlier that we didn't see any snakes, well not at Imperial Dam.  On the way from Imperial Dam, we stopped at a roadside restaurant (sort of) that Pat, Kate, and Kristi stopped at a few days earlier to buy gourds for crafts.  While there, they saw nine US Homeland security, Border Patrol staff having lunch.  Obvious conclusion, the food had to be good!!  To continue about not seeing snakes, while ordering our lunch, the gentleman at the cash register asked us if we wanted some rattlesnake he had shot.  A little nervous, we asked what he meant.  In an instant we were tasting rattlesnake, mmm, good!  Both of us thought it tasted like chicken, just little stringy.

We are looking forward to adventures of the Big City kind.

Yuma, Arizona - January, 2013

We arrived in Yuma, Arizona on January 6, 2013 for what turned out to be the first of many pleasurable visits.  Our friends from Kelowna, Anne and Louis, spend their winters here to get away from the grey and the white stuff.

GREY STUFF

WHITE STUFF

We spent one week at the Cactus RV Park resting and warming up from our chilly trip from British Columbia to Arizona.  After this first visit to Yuma, we made out way to the MOC Rally in Quartzsite.

While in Yuma, with guidance from Anne and Louis, we enjoyed the local cuisine, visited the farmer's markets, and stocked up on many items, including a replacement for our microwave that stopped working during our trip to Arizona.  Rob and Louis visited the historic Yuma territorial prison.  Neat, place but wouldn't want to be a guest.  Anne and Louis even invited us to their workout place a few times and Pat went to Zumba.  We had a great time during our week in Yuma.

Yuma is an amazing place.  It is known in some circles as the vegetable capital of the Untied States.  It has been reported that it provides a gross economic return of over $3.0 Billion annually.  There are almost 180 different crops grown here.  The semi-trailers hauling veggies travel around in packs getting produce loads from over twenty climate controlled warehouses.  Maybe this why they have such great roads in Yuma to get around on.

VEGGIES EVERYWHERE

The next stop on our journey was the MOC Rally in Quartzsite.

A Look Back to Quartzsite - January, 2013

Now that we are parked comfortably on the desert at the Imperial Dam BLM site, there is time to get caught up on a few past happenings.

On Sunday, January 13th, we arrived in Quartzsite, Arizona at the site of the MOC (Montana Owners Club) 2013 "Circling the Montanas" rally located on Plomosa Road, just ten miles (16.5 kms.) north of Quartzsite.

THAT'S US, TO THE LEFT OFF IN THE DISTANCE

Shelly Ware, on of our fellow MOCers took an Ultra-Light flight into the wild blue for a few choice photos.  The shot below is the Montana circle and a few others on the outside of the circle.  There were close to 70 rigs in attendance.  Some were SOBs (some other brand).

CIRCLING THE MONTANAS - 2013

One of the many pleasures of the desert is the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Q - SUNRISE

IMPERIAL DAM  - SUNSET

NICE, EH?