Saturday, January 30, 2016 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

We had another gorgeous sunrise this morning...the sunrises and sunsets have been pretty spectacular!

At 10:45, Harry and Vicki picked us up and we were off to Parker...and Black Pearl Restaurant at Pirates Den RV Resort. Steve had called and made reservations so our tables outside on the deck were ready for us when we arrived.
There were 19 of us split between two tables. Steve, Debbie, Rick, Vicki, Harry, Gina, Debbie, Dave and me at one table...


...and Red, Pam, Dave, Diane, Jim, Barb, Lisa, Dino, Karen and Bob at the other table...


Everyone's  looking at the loud speed boats going by...
There were quite a few clouds when we first arrived, but it wasn't long before they all cleared off and it was a beautiful warm day.


We all had a great time visiting...but with such a large group split between two tables, we really only got a chance to chat with those at our table. But it looked like those at the other table were enjoying themselves too...hopefully everyone had a good meal and enjoyed the gathering!

A couple of hours later, lunch was over and we all headed off. There was a big flea market happening out in the parking lot so many went over there to check it out. We headed back into Parker to Walmart and Safeway. Not sure if I have mentioned this before, but Walmart (in the USA) have a Walmart Savings Catcher website where you can enter your TC # from your receipt and they will check all other stores in the vicinity to see if there are any lower prices. Since they guarantee the lowest price, they will price match, giving you a credit for the difference. So far I have accumulated about $22 and when I'm ready to redeem the money, they'll send an e-card for the amount that can be used at any Walmart. Too bad Walmart Canada doesn't offer the same program!

I was going on 4:00 by the time we got home. Thanks so much for the ride, Harry and Vicki...it was great spending the time with you!

After the groceries were put away, we basically just chilled inside. At 6:00 Steve powered up the TV and noticed a two-part "History of the Eagles" was on CNN...so we ended up watching the whole thing (all 4 hours). We had seen it before while visiting our son, Chris, in Vancouver but it was so good, we enjoyed watching it again. So sad that Glenn Frey passed away just a couple of weeks ago...such a talent, and great music. We feel fortunate to have seen the Eagles live in concert once...and were hoping to see them again, but I guess not...

I forgot to mention that yesterday we put our deposit down on a trip to Africa. We will be going on a tour of Tanzania and Rwanda leaving this Fall. This is Steve #1 bucket list item and we are both so excited about it! If you are interested in viewing our itinerary, click on this link African Adventure. To view a map of our adventure, click on the tab above (African Adventure Tour, Fall 2016)


Friday, January 29, 2016 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

It was a gorgeous day today...about the warmest we've had so far this season. Unfortunately, we'd better enjoy it while we can, though...the forecast for Sunday is rain and wind with temperatures for most of next week only going up to 55F/13C. That's almost a 20 degree drop from the 73F/23C we enjoyed today.

At 10:30, "the girls" headed out in the side-by-sides...Pam and I in Pam/Red's Rhino and Diane and Deb in Deb/Rick's RzR. We're going over to "Q" mountain and are going to hike up to the top. Thanks for the pictures, Dave, our's didn't turn out as good as yours!
Pam and I...
Diane and Deb...

As you know, I''m not a real fan of heights...so I did have to stop a couple of times and "talk to myself" as we climbed up one side of the mountain (many times, I thought...what the hell am I doing? LOL!) But my fellow hikers were very supportive and encouraged me as I slowly made it to the top. Thanks guys!!

A great view from the top! Diane and Deb taking it all in...
 Diane...and Pam on the hunt for a geocache (careful Pam...don't get too close to the edge!!)...
Deb, Pam, me and Diane (do I look a little uncomfortable standing there? LOL!)...

Pam went on the hunt for a geocache she hadn't been able to find the other day. Found it!








The name of the cache was "Willard"...

We arrived back home at about 12:30...such a great couple of hours out with the girls! We'll have to do that again sometime!
By the sound of it, Steve had a pretty relaxing couple of hours while I was gone. He had just finished lunch when I got home...and since Pam was back with the Rhino, Red wanted to put some "Green Slime" into the tires, so that is what he and Steve did while I had lunch and showered. Steve also did the tires on our quads. With all the cactus around here the slime helps to seal any leaks that may develop.

After my shower, I sat outside with my crocheting...hopefully I'll have the sweater (for Conner) finished by the time we get back to BC!

At 4:00 everyone started gathering at our place...we decided to host a group happy hour. With everyone bringing an appetizer, we had lots of good food and drink...and we all spent the next "few" hours chatting and visiting. Our group of RV-Dreamers will be getting smaller as some start pulling out soon (Steve and Debbie McCormack have already gone). Altogether, 25 people...
 
Abbey being her cute self trying to encourage Dave to share his food...

 



 As the sun went down, it cooled down and Steve lit the propane campfires...
And another beautiful sunset...

The crowd dwindled down to just a few of us around one campfire...and then we all decided to call it a night...another great evening here in the desert!

Tomorrow a group of us are going to Parker for lunch at the Black Pearl Restaurant at the Pirates Den RV Resort...Steve and I were so impressed with it when we were there that we suggested another group outing. It also works well, because most of us are due for a Walmart/Safeway run anyway!


Tuesday to Thursday, January 26 to 28, 2016 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

Tuesday morning at 10:00, everyone gathered at our place in preparation for another day of riding out on the quads. Today there would be 7 machines...6 quads - Earl, Eric, Art, Fred, Steve and I and one side-by-side - Jim and Barb, along with Daisy.
It was a pretty chilly morning as we headed out...we're heading to Diablo Pass. (Remember to click on pictures to enlarge)




As we are heading up to the pass, we pulled over to allow fifteen jeeps pass...
Our turn to head up...
...and up...
...and up...
Looking back down the trail...that's Eric coming up...
A break up at the top...
...before heading down the other side...



That's me...
Jim and Barb...


Up and down...and around...such a great trail...




Daisy peeking out from her spot...

Up to Dome Basin Mine...




Lunch time!

And a selfie...


This little fellow quite liked Daisy's blanket that Barb put out on the rocks...once Daisy saw it, the chase was on! We think it's a juvenile Chuckwalla...

Jim and Barb went up to find a geocache hidden by Earl...
Steve and Eric went up after them...leaving the rest of us waiting down below...








Time to hunt for a geocache...
Jim and Barb found it!
While the rest of us wait down below...







And look what we saw on the trails...Desert Bighorn Sheep...very cool!

Amazing!
Lots of ups and downs twists and turns...this part of the trail was fun!



Amazing trails!




It was about 4:00 when we got home...another great day out on the trails!

Apparently there had been some excitement in our area while we were gone. There is a fellow down the road with an extremely noisy construction type generator that has been an annoyance to all around him. Quiet time is 10 pm to 6 am however we have heard him fire it up at 4:17 am and run it after 10 pm. Apparently he has even left it running all day long while they are away until it eventually runs out of fuel. Well, one of our neighbours who is a real nice guy went over to talk to him about the generator and was attacked getting hit in the head with something. Our neighbour, in his 70's, in self defense lost it and punched the guy 3 times in the head apparently breaking his nose and maybe more. Two Ranger vehicles and a Sheriff's car (guns drawn),  two ambulances and a fire rescue truck arrived. Our nice neighbour was arrested and spent the night in jail while the other guy spent a night in the hospital. The police apparently couldn't find the weapon that was used to hit our neighbour and there were no witnesses so it's a "he said she said" type of thing. Once out of jail our nice neighbour was ordered to leave the area but can return next season and we are left with the noisy neighbour...sheesh!

After getting cleaned up, we enjoyed a cold bevie outside with Eric, Earl, Barb and Jim. Rob and Peg stopped by too a little later...

Wednesday morning Pam messaged me asking if Steve and I wanted to join her and Red at a "Geocaching History Tour" being put on by the Escapees group. She has been attending a number of seminars about geocaching in the area this week. We said "sure"...and made arrangements to leave at about 11:45, grab a bite to eat in town, and then head out to the meeting place.

At about 11:00 when the newest addition to our community arrived...Dave and Diane pulled in and took a spot just to the west of us. We originally met them at the RV-Dreams Rally September, 2012 in Oregon, and met up again at the boondocking rally in February 2013...and have stayed in touch. We have connected every winter since...good to see you both again!

At 11:45, we piled into Red and Pam's truck and headed off. After a stop at Main Street Restaurant for lunch, we went to meet the group lining up on the road outside of Road Runner BLM. With everyone ready, we followed the procession of vehicles and turned onto Old Yuma Road. Well, it turned out the historic spot they were going to was a spot that we have gone to many times...the petroglyphs and Indian grinding holes at Tyson Wash.

With vehicles parked, the group walked down to the wash...
The old fellow talking runs the Quartzsite Museum...

Then we went in search of a few geocaches...this hide was very unique...
Another geocache...near a very cool Saguaro...

Late afternoon, we gathered at Red and Pam's for happy hour before grilling steaks and joining the rest of the group around the campfire at Lee and Tracy's....


Thursday was a work day...time to get some chores done! Shortly after 10:00 Steve and I headed into town. He dropped me off at the laundromat and while I took care of that, Steve got propane, gas, drinking water and picked up a package (the new CV axle boot for my quad) at Quiet Times. I was finished and had just pushed the laundry basket out the door as he pulled into the parking lot...what timing!

The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent continuing on with our chores...Steve emptied the holding tanks and filled the fresh water tank while I cleaned inside. It was a busy day with us both taking care of lots of stuff that needed to be done...can't be all fun and games all the time, I guess!

By late afternoon, with my work done, I decided to sit outside with my crocheting. We ended up having an impromptu happy hour with Dave, Diane, Red and Pam joining us for a drink. Once the sun had gone down...no clouds, so no colourful sunset tonight...we called it an evening.

Well, the weeks are just flying by...can't believe it's Friday again already and just another couple of days and we're into February!