Sunday to Sunday, March 1 to 8, 2020 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

Sunday was another quad ride day...with the new fuel pump installed we wanted to take my quad on a good test run, that had easy access to roads should something happen and it needed to be trailer-ed out. So shortly after 10:00 we headed off with Earl/Allison in the lead, followed by me, Colan/Marilyn, Fred, Art and Steve.

Since Steve was the picture taker, I'll pass this over to him...
We stopped for our first rest break a few miles short of the Kofa Mountains and our destination Skull Rock...

Hard to see in the photo but I found a large nest in this multi armed Saguaro...

Our second rest break before entering the canyon to Skull Rock...

Skull Rock. We were hoping the canyon would be in full bloom by now but we were still a week or two too early...

To the right of Skull Rock is a balancing rock with a slot at it's base...

Lunch time...

There appears to be a cartoon face in that distant rock in the centre of the photo...

For the first time in a couple of years we decided to continue 2 miles further into the canyon to where the trail ends. Don't know why we stopped going here as it has some interesting rock formations too. Earl climbed the hill to get his photo...

I noticed this on the way in earlier. It appeared to me like the show character Alf was kissing the mountain...

And from certain distances and angles this looks like something else:)

A return to the desert labyrinth...

And the decommissioned Micro Wave Tower...

Valley view from the tower...

It was a long ride 135km/84 miles I think...we didn't get home until after 4:30...our throttle-thumbs were so sore! But on a positive note, my quad didn't miss a beat, and my knee did well, so I'm happy about that. It was a pretty smooth ride, so I don't know how it would be on a more rocky, technical ride.

Monday (March 2) we had a beautiful start to the day...I enjoyed a 3.6 km/2.25 mile walk in the sunshine. Once back, I spent most of the morning "chatting" online with Verizon. Our chat started over a question I had about billing and then moved to why is the Verizon signal so bad here this year. After troubleshooting our jetpack to ensure it wasn't at fault, the outcome was that he was doing up a "ticket" to have a "the IT department check the coverage and tower deeply, they will also evaluate more information in regards to this". He said that they'd keep me informed of the outcome...ya right...we'll see.

The battery on our laptop finally gave up and died...it has not been working properly since we had it replaced last year at Click-It Computers in Parker. If you remember, we made numerous trips back and forth with it last year. They could find nothing wrong with it. So over the past year, when the battery light starts flashing, I turn off the laptop, remove the battery, put it back in...and that usually fixes the problem. Mind you, sometimes I have to do it a few times. But that doesn't work anymore. So unless it's plugged in, the laptop does not work. We ordered a new battery off Amazon...of course, you can't get one actually made by Dell, so we settled on a compatible one with good ratings. It should be here by Friday...fingers-crossed!

By late morning, it had cooled right down and we watched as dark clouds headed our way. By early afternoon, it was pouring out. Looking from inside our trailer towards Earl and Allison's trailer on the right...

We spent the afternoon inside, working on blog updates.

After dinner Earl and Allison came over and we enjoyed a couple of hours playing Rummikub. It had been a long time since we had played...but Steve and I held our own by each winning a game. Both Allison and Earl each won 2! We called it an evening shortly after 9:00...a fun evening!

Tuesday (March 3)...not a very exciting day. We had a FaceTime call with my brother (Dennis) and sister-in-law to wish Suzanne a happy birthday...always good to chat with them!

After that, we puttered around doing this and that, Steve took the poop-mobile over to get water for the trailer and I worked on the blog.

It was another windy day, but at least it was coming from the northwest so our trailer provided a little bit of a wind-block. After spending most of the day inside, we decided to sit outside for our happy hour. Colan and Marilyn were away but Cindi joined us (Roger is away working) and we had a great time chatting with her. Our happy hour group is certainly getting small! LOL

Wednesday (March 4) was another gorgeous day...and this time no (or very) little wind! I got out for a short walk. Both knees are a little sore today...not bad but enough to tell me that I may be over-doing it.

It was almost noon by the time I had showered, done the dishes and cleaned up inside. Meanwhile, in preparation for leaving Steve had gotten to work on his chore for today...re-torque the leaf spring U- bolts. The two rear leaf springs were replaced before coming south. Steve did re-tighten them on our way down but didn't have a 3/8" x 1/2" adapter for his torque wrench so just tightened them with an open ended wrench. He has since purchased the adapter and found that the U-bolts were loose when he re-torqued them.

I was sitting at the table working on the blog, when Steve headed off with Earl out behind the wash where they fly their RC planes if they don't feel like going all of the way into town to the airstrip. It's after 1:00 p.m. and there is no wind...amazing! They both had successful flights.

Afterwards, Steve flew his glider out front. He managed to get some good thermals with the warmer temperature and light winds keeping his glider in the air for quite awhile...

With the battery low it was time to land...

Thursday (March 5) started off nice and calm...so Steve and Earl took their RC planes out flying on the desert behind the wash. Earl taking off...

With "playtime" over, Steve got to work on his chore for today...pump and dump. Again, he was gone a long time on his first run...more slow folks taking their time. While he was doing that, I was doing housework inside.

All the work was done by late afternoon...time to head into town. We picked up some parcels at Quiet Times, filled our drinking water containers, got propane...and stopped at Herb's Hardware for a piece of sandpaper Steve needed. After over 45 years in service, Herb's is closing...too bad. I guess the owners couldn't find anyone to purchase this well established business...so are just closing it down. They are looking forward to a well deserved retirement.

A beautiful sunset tonight...

Friday (March 6) started off with a nice sunrise, becoming a hot, windy day!

We managed to get out for one final ride on our quads...yup, it's time to start packing up! We left at 10:00...re-doing a new ride that we had done last December...Steve named it "Horse-Face Run". Cindi, Roger, Art and Fred joined us...Earl and Allison have gone to Scottsdale for a few days.

We've decided it is our new favourite...the ride takes you through some beautiful scenery. Including a stop at a wildlife guzzler. We met another large group here and chatted awhile...

A couple of hours later we were home...a great final ride of the season! If interested in seeing the Go Pro pictures from our previous Horse Face Run ride click here.

About mid afternoon, we headed into town...the battery for our laptop had arrived at Quiet Times. We also filled all 3 of our drinking water containers and got propane.

Saturday (March 7) we were up and out by 8:15...laundry day! After I l.oaded the machines, I joined Steve in the restaurant for breakfast. Since wind was in the forecast again today, we decided to use the dryers. So after breakfast I went to take care of that while Steve headed off for a haircut, and get propane, gas and drinking water. By the time he got back, I was just finishing up...good timing!

Back home, I took care of putting the laundry away and making up the bed...and then did the dishes and did some baking. While I was busy with that, Steve was outside washing the quads. After that, he cleaned out the back of the truck and loaded them...

The rest of the afternoon was spent puttering around, packing up in preparation for leaving Monday morning.

It was windy again, but not as warm as yesterday, so Steve moved the truck...positioning it as a wind block so we could sit outside. It helped...but it was still windy! Roger and Cindi joined us for drinks...and a short while later, more RV friends joined us. Jim and Brenda Jordan have arrived in the area for a short visit. We last saw them in October 2018 while at Elkhart, Indiana.

We had a great time getting caught up with them!

We never tire of the Arizona sunrises and sunsets...

Sunday (March 8) and our last day here in Quartzsite. Steve was outside early...wanting to check the tire pressures before the sun warmed them. He was out there for quite awhile...finally coming in for breakfast.

The morning was spent packing up...I collected, cleaned and put away the dozens of solar lights Steve had distributed around our site. Steve took down the PVC pipes he has on the slide toppers, and put away all of the other things....it's amazing the amount of stuff there is to put away when you have been in one place for over 3 months.

Shortly after noon, we were all finished...at least all that could be done for today. So we decided to head into town for one final visit at Beer Belly's Adult Daycare. On our way there, we received a text from Cindi...they, as well as Jim and Brenda were going there too...

We had another great visit with them and then it was time to go have lunch. We had planned on eating at Beer Belly's but their food kiosk was closed for the season. So we ended up going to Silly Al's Pizza...another final visit...

Back home, we hitched up the trailer...one less thing to do in the morning. And then Steve went over to borrow a grease gun from Colan. It didn't take long for Steve to grease the suspension bushings.

And then we had one final happy hour...with the sun in Steve's eyes I didn't make it into this selfie LOL!

And that ends another great season with all our RV friends at La Posa South LTVA...we'll start our slow journey north tomorrow.