Wednesday, December 8 to Tuesday, December 14, 2021 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

Here we are...another week has flown by! At this rate, it is going to be March before we know it!

Wednesday (Dec. 8) morning after exercises, breakfast and showers, Steve headed out to "pump and dump" the holding tanks. With his chores done, he was relaxing while I headed out for a late morning walk. I was on my way back when he texted me to say that we were leaving at 1:00 for a quad ride...well, okay, then...I'd better get home! We had a quick bite to eat and got ready.

It was just after 1:00 when we headed off...our destination was Dripping Springs with Steve in the lead and Earl and Allison as the tail gunner. We had heard last year that the trail to it was closed so thought we would see if that was true. I'll turn it over to Steve now and his GoPro pictures and videos...

Every year the trail gets a little rougher in spots...

Dianne...

Well this looks interesting!

Fingers crossed...up and over!

Dianne has signalled me that I get to do it twice...LOL!

Allison got out to watch Earl give it a go...

He managed to get some air on that right front tire!

2 1/2 minute video of our rock climbing...

So they have blocked off motorized access to Dripping Springs and the petroglyphs :(

It's a bit of a hike to the base of that mountain...

We've been here dozens of times so decided to turn around and head to another trail with Earl and Allison in the lead now...

38 second video down the rocky ledge. Once again I get to do it twice...

We named the mountain ahead Horse Face Mountain because from our campsite when the shadows are just right the light coloured area looks like a running horse within a mans face. Not so much as you get closer though. There are several areas with lots of Teddy-Bear Cholla Cactus on the way that you don't want in your tires, or your shoes, or hands, etc., etc...

Earl has stopped ahead...

We did an inspection and a little trail repair before continuing on...

Dianne made it...

My turn...

That was another great day of riding!

Thursday (Dec. 9) morning we woke to quite a breezy day with the wind coming from the south/southwest...different from the prevailing north/northwest winds. We ended up having broken clouds throughout the day and the "breeze" increased to regulation wind...with lots of blowing dust!

After getting out for our morning walk, I stayed inside out of the wind puttering around and doing a little knitting while Steve went with Earl and Fred to pick up a cargo trailer that belongs to friends in northern BC. They will be on their way south next week after a 3 year absence.

Earl and Steve went into Quiet Times after lunch to pick up parcels...our new toilet among other things...and get propane.

After dinner, we went over to Earl and Allison's for Rummikub. We played 6 games...Allison was the big winner with 4 games, Earl 1 and Steve 1...zilch for me. I obviously need more practice LOL!

Friday (Dec. 10) we were back to blue sky and calm wind, but cooler temps with a high today of 17C/62F. 

I got in my 5km/3 mile walk while Steve had his shower and after I was finished using the generator to power my hairdryer, Steve got to work on his chore for today...change the oil in the generator.

After lunch we went into town to pick up a parcel from Quiet Times...one that was supposed to be part of yesterday's pick up but they said it hadn't been received yet.

Although starting off sunny this morning, the day ended up being cloudy and breezy...so no sitting outside. But we did have a beautiful sunset!

Saturday (Dec. 11) was another beautiful start...clear but cool at 4C/39F. For our walk this morning, we decided to walk out into the desert behind us for one mile and back. It was sunny, but the north wind was chilly!

We decided to go shopping today...trying Blythe for a change, about 25 miles west on I-10. It's a pretty drive through the mountains...

That's California ahead...

The Colorado River as we cross over into California...

After a stop at both Smart and Final and Albertson's, we were on our way home. Entering the mountains as we head east to Quartzsite...

I made a layer salad to take over to Ruth and Dale's tomorrow for lunch. They invited us over for a final visit before they leave.

Sunday (Dec. 12)...and another beautiful but cool day. Just before noon, we rode the quads over to Ruth and Dale's. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch...Grilled Huli Huli Chicken. So good...they had made it for us a few years back when we met up in Catalina State Park outside of Tucson. Just as tasty now as it was then!

Dale, the master grill chef...

Time to dig in! Ruth's rice and my salad, along with the chicken made for a delicious lunch...and chocolate brownie cookies for dessert! Yum! Thanks for lunch...it was great seeing you guys again!

Monday (Dec. 13) morning Steve pumped and dumped the holding tanks and then installed our new Dometic 310 toilet we ordered from etrailer and added a Watts Aqualock Shutoff Valve. One of the hinges on our old toilet broke a couple of months ago and of course you can't buy just the hinge. You have to buy the lid and seat assembly which isn't much cheaper than a new toilet!!

For his first time Steve found it an easy change out except for the one nut and T-bolt you can't see...

Voila! Steve stripped a few parts off of the old toilet. One thing Steve really likes about the Dometic 300 series toilets is you can clean/replace the seal without removing the toilet unlike the Thetford toilet that originally came with our unit.

After lunch we headed off with Earl and Allison for a little geocaching and a fun ride!

Searching for a geocache...

Found it!

A search for another geocache took us on a long ride...it wasn't far from the previous one we found, but to get there on trails took awhile! At this point, we were finally on the right trail...

Found it! "Heart of the Desert"...

On the way home, Earl spotted something in the wash...

I'd say it's been there awhile and full of bullet holes and Pack Rat nests!

We finished the day off with a gorgeous sunset...and games of Rummikub after dinner. I even managed to win one game tonight! Things are improving!

Tuesday (Dec. 14) we had wind and blowing dust advisories for the afternoon. We were getting low on clean clothes so decided to do laundry...and although we have our clothesline up, it was going to be way too windy, so we stayed and used the dryers.

It grew increasingly windy throughout the morning and by early afternoon, it was just howling! Needless to say, we spent the afternoon and evening inside with the trailer rocking! Then the rain started...pelting against the side of the trailer but didn't last long. 

Tomorrow we are going on another ride...stay tuned!