Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, 2019 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

We woke to clouds and even had a little rain as we waited for Larry and Judi to arrive from Yuma for an ATV ride. They are from Victoria and, like last year, are spending a few months in a park-model rental in Yuma. Last year they had come up and he had hoped to start an annual Cowichan Valley ATV Club ride for those in the area...we had quite a few last year but unfortunately this year, most have already moved on.

Larry arrived just after 10:00...by himself. Judi wasn't feeling well this morning and didn't think she should come. After hugs and handshake, he off-loaded his side-by-side...and everyone prepared for the ride. Larry had mentioned that on a previous ride his machine had stalled on him for some unknown reason but ran fine on his last ride, so fingers crossed all goes well today.

Today we are going to ride Diablo Pass again...since we've done that ride a number of times, Steve didn't bother wearing his GoPro camera. Earl/Allison lead, then me, Cindi (no Roger), Larry and Steve...

The desert is in bloom with yellow and purple flowers...

The tips of the Ocotillo in bloom...

On top of Diablo Pass...

Unfortunately Larry started having problems with his side-by-side on the north side of Diablo Pass. He had stopped to take pictures, his machine stalled and wouldn't start. After letting it sit for a few minutes, it would start...and only go about 100 yards or so before stalling again. Obviously our ride plans changed and we headed to the main gravel road by the mine. We made it there and parked it and he got in with Cindi in her side-by-side for the ride home. The guys will return later with Larry's truck to pick it up. We at least got to take the fun trail back, rather than the road!

Once home, Larry, Earl and Steve went to pick up Larry's 4-wheeler...

While they were gone, I put everything away and then had a shower. The guys were back just before 4:00 and we all ended up having our happy hour down in the wash behind our rig, trying to get out of the wind.

At about 5:30, Earl, Allison, Dave, Leslie, Larry and Steve and I headed into town to Silly Al's for dinner. They are still very busy but we managed to snag a table for 7 right away...sweet!

The picture is a little blurry but there's a funny story behind it. A customer passing by that appeared to of had a few drinks under his belt over heard us asking for a waitress to take our picture but with it being so busy we would have to wait. He said I'll take your picture but I have to go to the bathroom first. Steve commented that I hope he washes his hands before grabbing your phone Leslie, which got everyone laughing...
Dave/Leslie, me/Steve, Allison/Earl, and Larry

Since Larry was heading west to a hotel in Ehrenberg for the night, the rest of us all managed to pile into Earl and Allison's truck for the short ride home. It was a great day and evening...too bad it didn't turn out that way for Larry as he'll miss tomorrows ride. Instead of joining the ride tomorrow, he will be heading back down to Yuma. Hope his repair goes well! (We have since learned it was a faulty fuel pump)

Sunday ended up being a beautiful, sunny, warm day with temperatures in the upper 70s with a light breeze...not like yesterday!

At 10:00 the group met at our place for another ride. This time they are headed off to Skull Rock. It's a different group going...Earl/Allison led...

Leslie is taking my quad...her very first ride here...

Red with Dave as a passenger...

Dawne and Mike on their first major ride in their new to them side-by-side...

With Steve as the tail-gunner....And they're off...

Steve didn't bother with his GoPro camera again because of our recent blog on the same ride but I think he wished he had had it...the colourful hillsides were amazing...such a difference from when we were there last week. If interested in seeing that ride blog click here.

I'll pass this over to Steve now...

Time for a break at the entrance to the valley to Skull Rock...

The flowers have really come out in the last week...

Everyone's stopping to take photos of the bloom...

Skull Rock on the left. Because it was so cold and windy on our previous ride here I didn't climb to the rock with the slot under it but wanted to check it out this time...

View of the valley in behind on my climb...

Arriving at the slot...

View through the slot...

Panorama view just beyond the slot...

Across the valley from the slot...

The gang below...

Panorama view with the gang below...stunning!

Time to head back down...

Looking back through the valley we rode in on...

A nice young lady offered to take our group photo...
Earl, Allison, Steve, Red, Mike, Dawne, Leslie and Dave

Leaving the valley...

Dave and Leslie swapped machines. Red let Leslie drive back...Gangsta style...LOL!

While they were gone, I had a nice day to myself...and it went by quickly. I puttered around doing this and that inside the trailer, did some work on the laptop and took Margaret, Abby and Cody out for walks...separately, of course. I also enjoyed the sunshine, sitting outside with my knitting.

The group got home just before 4:00...sounds like they had a great day. Everyone got cleaned up and then came over to our place for happy hour.

When happy hour was over, we went inside to put the chili on to start warming...I had pulled it out of the freezer this morning. Dave and Leslie brought salad and a bottle of wine and we enjoyed dinner together. And then it was Survivor time! We had missed it last Wednesday...but it was PVR'd.

And that was the planned "ride weekend" that Steve had organized for Larry...unfortunately, he was only able to partake in one day, and that wasn't the best day for him.