The week started with wind and a definite cooling trend. It was extremely windy Monday (Feb. 21) and although an advisory wasn't issued, wind gusts were expected up to 64kph/40 mph.
We did get out to run a few errands in town. One of the cylinder locks on our door broke, so we went to RV Lifestyles to see if they had a replacement door handle assembly that would fit our door. Steve got one...hopefully it will fit. After a couple of other stops, we were back home and hunkering down out of the wind.
At 5:30 we went into town with Earl and Allison for dinner at a new BBQ place. It's a food truck with outdoor seating...although windy, we managed to get a table in a sheltered area. We all ordered the Rib Plater...includes a small rack along with 2 sides and pita bread for $15. Very tasty! Afterwards, we played marbles at our place.
Tuesday (Feb. 22) was another windy day but Steve had a busy morning. He filled our fresh water tank, went into town for propane and installed the new door lock...it fit, yay!
We basically hunkered down inside out of the wind for the afternoon.
Wednesday (Feb. 23) was a cool, windy day. We had some rain through the night and more was expected this afternoon.
Earl suggested we see if we could find what everyone calls "Patton's Cave" that's located outside of Bouse, AZ. We haven't been able to find much information about it on-line but we understand it to be where General Patton hid his communications systems. I believe it was part of Camp Bouse, once a top secret military operation that trained and tested troops from 1943 to 1944.
We went with Earl and Allison in their truck and Jim and Cec went with Colan and Marilyn in their truck.
The dirt road in was pretty bumpy...more suited to ATV's but we got in as far as we could to a parking area. We will hike up the mountain to the cave.
The cave is almost halfway up the mountain...
A closer look...see the cave?
There's a hole in the roof of the cave where supposedly the antenna would protrude through...
Looking up through the hole in the cave ceiling a face in the clouds appears to be looking down at us...
Waiting for the rest to arrive...
Not the greatest selfie!
That was a very interesting...and a great thing to do on a cloudy cool day. We found the geocache on the nearby hillside then headed back to the trucks.
On the way home, we stopped at Quiet Times to pick up some parcels...Steve's new toy has arrived! He ordered the same drone as Earl (first it was Red with the RC planes that was a bad influence on Steve...now it's Earl! LOL!)
A short break before heading into the canyon to Dripping Springs...
This is the worst part of the trail and I get to do it once for me and once for Dianne...LOL! Right front tire is off the ground...
Colan and Marilyn...
Jim and Cec on three wheels!
Hiking trail to Dripping Springs and the petroglyphs. Now that they've closed the trail to 4 wheelers we no longer go there as we've been many times before...
Time to continue on...
I tried to get to the top fast enough to get a photo of everyone coming up the steep hill but they were too quick. You can just barely make out Jim and Cec's flag as they go out of view...
The grey area in the distance below the mountain is the old Dripping Springs parking area...
Looking in the opposite direction is our trail ahead...
A different view of the same mountain...
Arriving at an old mine site
It takes a couple of seconds for a rock to hit the bottom when you toss it through the metal grate. A shallow mine just to the right...
It's quite colourful inside...
Rest stop at Apache Chief Cabin...
Some gal left her bra in the window...
Our next stop was at the Belle of Arizona Mine. It's a bit of a hike to get there. Only Colan and Marilyn hiked up with me...
A large quartz vein at the mine entrance...
Looking back down there are mining trenches. Guadeloupe Mountain in the distance...
While Dianne, Jim and Cec waited below I took Colan and Marilyn to the top of Guadeloupe Mountain. The road is extremely steep with lots of switchbacks. There was construction going on when we reached the top and half a dozen pickup trucks They are adding another tower and building.
Thursday (Feb. 24) it was cool but at least we were back to sunshine!. So it was time to go out on another ride. Steve is leading the ride...following are me, Colan and Marilyn and Jim and Cec.
Today's ride is to Apache Chief Cabin and beyond...check out the short Relive Video.
Over to Steve....
I forgot to start the Relive app so we stopped here so I could start it...
Next stop was at Gold Nugget Mine below Guadeloupe Mountain. I'll be taking Colan and Marilyn to the top later...
It only goes in a short ways before dropping into a shallow hole...
Just to the right of the bush is the Gold Nugget Mine below...
This one has shoes sticking out...LOL!
We were home just before 4:00....another great day out on the quads! And of course, the gang gathered back at our place for happy hour...the first after a few days of cold and wind!
Friday (Feb. 25) morning Allison and I got out for a 10km/6.25 miles while Steve and Earl set up Steve's new DJI Mavic Mini SE Drone. Thanks for the help Earl! He hadn't been able to touch it yesterday since we were gone all day on a ride.
When we got home, they were outside testing it out. I took this picture of it....
And he took this picture of us....
Our spot...
Colan and Marilyn's rig...with Bob and Sue's in the distance on the left and Jim and Cec on the right...
Saturday (Feb. 26) morning, Steve and Earl took their drones to the Bouse Intaglios...
Earl landing after getting his pics...
The Bouse Fisherman, an intaglio found in Bouse, Arizona, was created on the desert floor hundreds if not thousands of years ago by Native people for an unknown reason. There are around 167 geoglyphs along the Colorado River.
Steve's photo. The white arrow would be the end of the spear...
About a dozen miles north of Quartzsite lies one of the more interesting mementos of World War II wartime training.
To help them find the airport, the Desert Training Center laid out large letters made from painted white rocks that spelled out Quartzsite, followed by a directional arrow and the number 11 to indicate eleven miles to the runway.
360 view video...
The drone is easy to learn to fly and packed full of technology. Takes off/lands and returns to home on it's own if you want it to. It weighs less than 0.55lbs/249 grams so you don't need a special license.
At 4:00 we all gathered for Core Crash...Colan, Jim, Cec, Marilyn, Earl and Steve...
Very cool cave! And even more interesting given its history. Great drone shots and footage. I can see Steve playing with that for hours as he flies it southeast to the clothing optional section!
ReplyDeleteNot likely Jim. As you are well aware just about everyone out here are seniors so I doubt there are any tight bods in the Magic Circle. 🤣
DeleteGood point, some things you just cannot unsee!
DeleteThose intaglios sure show up much better from the "drone angle". Such fun new possibilities of flying for Steve.
ReplyDeleteThey do! I think Steve is going to have lots of fun with it!
DeleteAhhh fun in the sun.... we had 6 inches of snow on friday. Saturday and Sunday nice and sunny so we could plow and shovel snow! Looks like good times! Cheers.
ReplyDeleteMust admit we've really enjoyed the sun and warm temps...the wind, not so much!
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