Tuesday to Friday, January 28 to 31, 2020 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

Tuesday morning Deb picked me up at 9:00 and we headed to Blythe for a few groceries. Another gorgeous day…a beautiful morning as we drove west. After getting our shopping done, we were on our way home…we were back before noon.

In the meantime, Steve had a busy morning…propane, haircut, water, and cleaning the solar panels.

After lunch, Steve went out to pump water into the trailer. While waiting for the tank to fill he pulled out the manual for my quad to see if there was anything listed on troubleshooting the fuel filter and surging issue I'm having. Just then Jim just happened to drive by so stopped to help out. They pulled off a few body panels but didn't find an external fuel filter. So they tested the sound made by the fuel pumps on both quads and mine is noisier than Steve's so it may be on it's way out...or it could have been a vapour lock. They replaced all the body panels then Steve took it for a good 25 minute run along the wash. It ran fine with an occasional backfire...but mine has always done that more than Steve's. The next ride will be the real test!

I took care of some business on the laptop. I had to scan and email some documents and was pleasantly surprised at how fast the internet was. I even managed to do some banking! But lo and behold…it only lasted for about a half hour and then was back to what we had become accustom to.

I iced my knee and did a little crocheting while Steve decided to get started on some picture editing. We both sat inside in our recliners until shortly before 4:00 when we got ready to ride our quads down to Ray and Deb’s for happy hour.

Other RV friends, Dave and Cheryl (Our View From Here), had arrived a couple of days ago and joined us. The last time we saw them was a year ago last summer when we were in Nova Scotia. Great catching up with them! After a couple of hours, we headed home...thanks for the happy hour, Ray and Deb!

We were home and just about to have dinner when Steve got a text from Dino…they are having a campfire and invited us to join them. So after eating, we headed next door and enjoyed a great evening with them.

Wednesday (Jan. 29) was another sunny, warm day but the wind was forecast to come in later. Before it did, though, Steve was able to get out with Earl to fly their RC planes while it was still calm.

Check out this short video Steve made of Earl landing his plane...good job, Earl!

The wind was picking up so they called it quits before one of them had an accident. :)

The internet signal is much better, so I worked on our blog but could only get so far before needing pictures. At this point, I handed the laptop over to Steve and went with Deb into town.

That afternoon I noticed a fellow in our site with a tripod and a huge TV camera. With him were 2 other ladies, one with a mic boom and the other was a reporter, all were outside on the road behind us. So Steve decided to go out and find out what was going on. The reporter came over and said they were from a German Radio and Television Network based in Washington, DC and were doing a show on boondocking in the desert, as they don't have this in Germany. She asked Steve if he would mind answering a few questions, such as how long do we stay here, what things do we do while we are here etc. She was amazed that all the rigs surrounding us were friends and that we'd been living this lifestyle for almost 10 years. Comments she asked Steve to repeat on camera...if you could throw a rock and hit your neighbour you're parked too close, that we don't like to camp "rally style" and private parks are our least favourite.

The distant pictures were taken by Lisa...thanks Lisa!

I took this one...

The most uncomfortable part of the interview was when they asked Steve and I to sit in our chairs...asking me to resume crocheting...and just act natural, having a conversation while they film us from different positions for 5 minutes. Steve said we've been together 24/7, 365 for almost 10 years as fulltimers and have nothing to talk about...LOL!

Geez that was hard to do with a camera in your face! They were hoping to come back and film one of our gatherings but Steve said the wind was suppose to pick up later so it was doubtful any of us would be out, and they were leaving Q the next day.

That was quite the experience! The reporter asked if she could email us if she had anymore questions...and she also said she would send us the link to the documentary when it was done. Cool!

 So after the film crew left, we retreated inside...and the wind did pick up... a lot!

Thursday (Jan. 30) morning I gathered all of our laundry and headed into the laundromat with Deb. With the forecast for quite a bit of wind over the next few days, I decided to just go in with her and use the washers…and dryers. I figured if I tried to hang the laundry on our line, it might end up in Parker...LOL!

With that all done, I got to work on baking my contribution to Cindi’s Keto potluck she had invited us to tonight. I made a carrot cake and other than sticking to the plan (ugh!), it turned out rather tasty.

So at 5:00 we put our chairs on our quads, along with our beverages, and the cake…and rode the short distance over to Robin and Bill’s rig, near Cindi and Roger, where the potluck was being held.

There was a delicious array of food...from an appetizer, to soup, fried chicken, salads, peanut butter cookies and carrot cake...YUM! Steve commented later that there wasn't anything there that he doesn't already eat. :)

Left to right around the circle, Cec, Jim, me, Dino, Lisa, Bill, Robin, Roger, Lou, Cindi and Krista...

Another great evening around the campfire. Thanks for the invite Cindi and Roger!

Friday (Jan. 31) morning, Steve headed out for a ride with a group...there were 9 machines. I saw them off at 10:00 and then went inside to get started on my day. I did a little baking and then worked on our blog.

Shortly after 12:30 I received a text from Dave and Leslie...they had just pulled in and were purchasing their permit. So I hopped on my quad to go meet them and guide them in to their spot.

After big hugs, we made our way in...and then I left them to get set up. I did some dinner prep, so it would be ready to just put in the oven...and then headed outside to relax.

I'll pass this over to Steve now, to tell you about his ride...

Today's ride was led by Jim and Cec. In attendance was Cindi/Robin, Earl, Len, Les/Sue, Guy/Sue Fred, Art and myself...

Our first rest stop before tackling the long climb up Hogsback trail...

We'll be riding to the top of the hill just to the right of that mountain...

The first hill...

And the next...

Here comes the rest of the flock...

The dust above the trail shows how spread out we are...

What a view from here, one of my most favourite rides!

Jim and Cec had previously spread Cowichan Valley ATV Club member Bob Exton's ashes here. They just had this sign made in town and wanted to install it today. This was Bob's favourite ride...R.I.P. Bob!

As we continued on further up the hill we spotted a herd of Big Horn Sheep...I think there were 6 of them.

This is a nasty part of the trail if you are going up it. There is one spot where a rock ledge in the road is undercut which can easily flip you backwards if you hit it at the wrong speed...

Lunchtime at Apache Chief Cabin...

In the distance below the mountain is the parking area for Dripping Springs. Riders below are coming up the hill so we stopped here to let them pass before heading down...

Cindi and Robin arriving at Dripping Springs with Earl in the background...

Les and Sue had never been here before so I showed them the Dripping Springs and Petroglyphs. In the distance to the right of the mountain you can just barely see a 4 wheeler on the steep hill we just came down...

Sue taking in the views...

As we head back, those of us that made it through a rough spot in the wash wait to make sure the others make it too...Cindi and Robin.

Another great day on the trails.

Steve and the gang got home just after 3:00 and once Steve got cleaned up and changed he joined us for happy hour...Leslie, Red, Dave, Steve and Pam...Dino and Lisa joined us a few minutes later.

Pam and Red's dogs playing...Sadie, the little pup and a much older Codie, get along well...

Just after 6:00, we said goodnight to the others, and Dave, Leslie and Steve joined me inside as I put the final touches on dinner...Keto Meatloaf, Caesar Salad (with homemade dressing)...and mashed potatoes for the guys...

We enjoyed a great evening catching up with Dave and Leslie! Glad you're here!