Wednesday, February 8 to Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (La Posa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

Here we are...another week has flown by again! We had two sets of long-time friends join us on the desert this week...and some stop for a quick visit. One of the reasons we kept coming back to Quartzsite were the great friends we have met...and they all used to congregate here usually in January. However, for various personal reasons, many do not return as regularly...while others try to sneak in a quick visit. 

The first couple to arrive were Jim and Barb (Jim and Barb's RV Adventure) who pulled in Wednesday (Feb. 8) morning around 10:30. We first met them back on December 31, 2014 on their first visit to Quartzsite...and for the most part, have seen them annually down here ever since. They even stopped in Victoria and Vancouver, BC on their way to Alaska (May, 2016) and we were able to show them around our area.

Their last visit to Quartzsite was over the winter 2019/2020...and sadly, we bade them farewell mid-January after they sold their fifth-wheel and headed back to South Dakota to continue building their dream home on their acreage. So needless to say, we were ecstatic to learn that they were on a road trip in their truck/camper and would be stopping here for a visit. 

Jim, Barb...and Dakota and Zoey...

Dakota is very tolerant of young Zoey...

After chatting with Jim and Barb for about an hour, we all got into their truck and headed into Silly Al's for lunch. We are meeting Dale and Ruth, more long time friends! A couple of years ago, they purchased a house in Tucson and have now become "part-time" RV'ers...spending the winter in Tucson and RV'ing north in the summer. They are on their way home from a short vacation in Palm Springs and we managed to arrange lunch together. We first met Dale and Ruth at the RV-Dreams Rally in Harrisburg, Oregon in September, 2012...the beginning of so many long time friendships!

We, too, met up with Ruth and Dale every year at La Posa South LTVA...last seeing them in February, 2020. **Correction! We saw them November 28, 2021 and again December 12, 2021**We didn't come down the winter of 2020/2021 due to COVID and last winter (2021/2022), they were settling into their new home.

Ruth, Dale, Steve, me, Barb and Jim...

Great seeing you both...so glad we were able to connect! Maybe next time we will visit you in Tucson.

That afternoon we all gathered for happy hour...and we introduced Core Crash to Jim and Barb. Left to right...Colan, Marilyn, Cheryl, Dave, Debbie, Greg, Jim, Me and Jim...with Barb taking her turn...

We were able to catch up with them over dinner at our place...

...and "after dinner" shots of sipping Vodka...

Such a great day...looking forward to spending more time with them!

Thursday (Feb. 9) ended up being a very windy day! Gosh, we've had so much wind this winter! Consequently we hunkered down inside all day.

The wind seemed to die down somewhat by late afternoon and with it coming from the north, Steve and I decided to try sitting outside for happy hour. We lasted about a half hour...and noticed the Goodyear Blimp fly over on it's way to Phoenix for the Super Bowl this Sunday...and then retreated back inside.

Thankfully, the wind had calmed down Friday (Feb. 10) and we were able to get out. We went into Q to run a few errands and then met up with Jim and Barb. They had gone in earlier to check out the vendors, so were tired and thirsty by the time we connected at Beer Belly's for a cold brew...

At 4:00, we were back out playing Core Crash with the gang. We also had ATV friends from Vancouver Island join us. Bill and Janet are here for a few days before heading up to Parker. Always good to see them!

Jim, Greg, Marilyn, Cheryl, Dave, me, Bill, Janet...and Debbie making her throw...

Saturday (Feb. 11) morning I managed to get out for a 3 mile/5 km walk...the first time in a long time. I have been taking Osteo Joint Ease by Webber Naturals for years and always get it from Costco in Canada. Unfortunately Costco down here does not seem to stock it so instead, I bought some of their Kirkland brand Glucosamine. It just didn't work for me and both knees (yes even the replaced one) have been giving me grief. So I ordered some Joint Ease on Amazon and after taking it for 3 days, what a difference!

Just before 2:00, Steve rode his quad out to meet Harry and Vicki and direct them into our area. They took the spot just to the east of us where Ray and Deb had been. Yay, more long time friends have arrived! Like Dale and Ruth, we first met Harry and Vicki in Harrisburg, Oregon at the RV-Dreams Rally in September, 2012...and have kept in touch, seeing them every year. We actually just saw them last September when they were on their way back south from Alaska. They stopped in Surrey, BC, staying right next door to us at Peace Arch RV Park. Always nice to be able to show folks our "neck of the woods". 

Unfortunately, Harry had a bit of run-in with a telephone pole, so Jim and Steve helped get the cap off the end of the slide-topper roller tube so that it would unwind...

The topper mounting rod is also a little bent and the rubber roof and rear cap have some cosmetics to buff out...could have been much worse. Luckily the slide room came out with no issues...

It had been a fairly breezy day but had calmed down enough for us to put the awning and sunscreen up so we could all gather comfortably for happy hour. Left to right around the circle...Marilyn, Debbie, Bill, Janet, Vicki, Harry, Jim, Barb and Steve. Colan joined us later...

Sunday (Feb. 12) started with a beautiful sunrise. We haven't had any of these for weeks...

The morning sun on the mountains to the west...

Debbie, Marilyn and I headed into Parker grocery shopping. Everyone thought we were crazy going to Walmart on Super Bowl Sunday but our reasoning was that most folks would have already done their shopping for their big parties...and we were right, it wasn't that busy!

Parker had been fairly sunny and not bad wind-wise but when we got back home, it was windy and had been that way most of the day...it had pretty well been an inside day for Steve.

Monday (Feb. 13) morning we actually had a little rain...and it was mostly cloudy until late afternoon when it actually cleared up quite nicely in time to go over to Harry and Vicki's. They are hosting a beer tasting for Jim, Barb, Steve and I. It has been an annual tradition for a number of years, especially when the 6 of us get together. Jim and Barb started the tradition and we have kept it going. Harry started off with one of his beers...

Steve's turn to pour. This Lager was one of the worst with zero flavour...

Then Jim's...

More beer...

Harry got his propane fire going and we all sat around it having dinner (in past years, food had been an afterthought with dire consequences)...

Quite an array of beer tasted, only 19 bottles and cans between the six of us. The ones in the back were our least favourite...

A good evening...as usual!

Tuesday (Feb. 14) was another super windy day! There had been a wind advisory issued "west winds 20 to 30 mph with guest up to 50 mph" that were supposed to start at 9:00 a.m. but they started through the night waking us up.

It was 'pump and dump' day so Steve battled the wind to get that job done. The rest of the day was spent hunkered down inside...something we have had to do far too much this winter!

Steve took a short 14 second video...

Just after 4:00 Jim and Barb joined us for happy hour. Another great few hours catching up with them! Hmmm...looks like shots were involved 😉

Along with the blustery condition outside, we also had some rain come through...

After an extra long happy hour, we called it a night and they battled the wind walking back to their camper. 

And that brings us up to date once again!