Desert palms

I just love these big palms out here, they are so unexpected. These were along the road as we drove by Ferguson Lake a few days back.

The weather is changing

The weather started getting rough, the tiny rig was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless blue... Something like that. The forecast is changing and we are heading below to escape the winds and possible rain. Today was 83 and tomorrow it is going to drop down to 60 with winds over 40 mph. There is always a disclaimer in the local forecast that states, "with wind gust between 30 - 50" Wow, now they are really going out on a limb with that spread aren't they!

And just like that, boom, it changes. We moved below just in time. So much for tomorrow. After I took the second shot, I lost the view of the distant mountains and even the water. Sorry but I am not going out to take another photo!

A view from above

The views from the top are spectacular, it's hard to see our rig with the other tiny specs in the distance but we know where it is and can hardly believe how small it all seems from up here

The one place Left we have yet to explore are the mountains we enjoy just to our west. So with the promise of 80 today, it was time to grab our walking sticks, put on our hiking boats and bring several bottles of water.

The area is home to many small mines but Gary couldn't tell what the miners were looking for, could be gold or turquoise or some other mineral, we are left wondering. The higher we climb, the greater the diversity in the rock formations. Some of the quartz are no longer stones but large boulders and the ground sparkles with fools gold, or is it real gold? What we do know is no ones getting rich so today, we will enjoy our hike in the sparkles.

No worries

I'm always worried when we go for a hike in the heat that it will get too hot in the rig for our traveling companion. So we put in special vents that run when it gets hot, we park to minimize the effects of the sun and then the cat goes and lays in the hottest spot in the rig. OK what ever!

Adult daycare

As the baby boomers move into retirement they are not like their parents. Retirement is not about slowing down. The communities that spring up in climates more conducive to this aging population are alive with activities to keep this generation entertained. Clubs and events are designed with the boomers needs in mind and it's not exclusive to the active communities like Saddlebrooke or Del Web. Even in remote locations like Senator Wash, you can find a club or activity to keep you occupied if that is what you want. For example, this area has a jam session for all the musically inclined, a karaoke night for the want-to-be's, in fact there is a street (actually a dirt road) called music row. There are groups that mine for gold, groups that fly small remote controlled aircraft from the landing strip they have made from a flat area cleared of all rocks. There is a club for ATVers, dirt bikers and hikers. And for people that like to bead, bake cookies, exchange books at the liberry (yes that is how they spell it) or do yoga. They golf on the Mesa on Wednesday and on Thursday they play Pétanque (bocce) ball. There is a never ending list of events to keep you off the streets and if you do not see something that fits your particular hobby, well you can always start something up. It's all run by volunteers and as long as it is legal, go for it.

Plus, the Yuma Proving grounds are just down the road so there is always something to watch. Every morning they jump out of planes and parachute to the field on the base. In the early afternoon the choppers fly low up the wash and do maneuvers or practice rescues on the Mesa. And in the late afternoon there are the fighters circling the mountains. From Monday to Friday you can hear and feel the percussion from the big guns as they discharge. And on the days when it is really dry, they bring out the tanks to kick up some major dust storms. If you think those tanks move slow, think again.

Just so much to do and see but today, I think I will just read a book. Why you ask?Why not!

Ferguson lake drive

One slightly cloudy day was a good time to take the drive to Ferguson lake. While it's not that far, it took us an hour plus to go the six miles in our low rider, taking care not to hurt the old girl. A great view from the ridge showed us that this is very remote with few places to camp on the California side. As we passed through one area we came upon a memorial to some air rescue personnel. Given our close proximity to the Yuma Proving grounds there is evidence of the misfortunes our military people experience, somber reminders of the dangers of war, even during training.

Walking through the art

Walking through the desert there are many places where both nature and humans have left their artistic expressions. Many are small and easy to miss, but they are there if you take the time. And then there are those oh so handsome donkeys, who can resist!
And one contribution from Gary and I.

The Valley of the Names

This is not the first time that Gary and I have ventured to this desert oasis, in fact it is our third stay. But it is the first time we have heard about and visited the valley of the names.

This unique place was originally called Graffiti Mesa by "old blood and guts" as my father called him, General Patton, who trained soldiers in the desert north of Yuma. What ever you call it, it's all about the names. Thousands of them. They are written with rocks placed carefully in the sand on the hill tops, square borders with names or nicknames in the centre, heart-shaped images, symbols for personal hobbies or interests, sunbursts and in some instances, just initials.

By the 1970s the area grew to four acres. In the 80s, high school students found the spot, followed by winter visitors in the 90s when the area became known as Valley of Names. Today, there are more than 10,000 names embedded in the desert floor on what has grown to 1,200 acres of land maintained by the (BLM). Despite an ample supply of lava rocks on the near by hills, people bring in their own rocks to create their expressions, with sizes ranging from small five-pounders up to 40-pound boulders. Some are painted and some have shells. We even noticed one with solar lights on each corner, an iou held down by some smaller rocks in a plastic sleeve which Gary noticed has had the amount reduced in recent years, and some plastic flowers.

Our neighbors on the Mesa first told us about the location and of an event that happens during the full moon when people attend a "dog burning" at the names. No, not to worry, no actual dogs are hurt on this evening, just some hot dogs on a stick get roasted and consumed by attendees. Every so often, a clean-up day is scheduled, and people go out to clear away debris blown in by desert winds and replace rocks that might have been washed away in a storm.

We made the trip in our little (low riding) car but it would be best to use a vehicle with a higher clearance. This would be spectacular viewed from the air, but not today. I did notice that many of the names can be see from google earth. This is a unique place to experience and when you see the quality of work, the care and the number of names, you realize the beauty. If you ever plan to memorialize a loved one out here, make sure you get the GPS coordinates for the return trip, at the rate of growth, you'll need it to find your special spot.

From the heavens

Flying low, under the radar.

January 15, 2016

Evenings are so pleasant down here by the lake. After dinner we pull up a folding chair, squeeze a little more from the box for just one more glass and watch the sunset over the mountains that separate the lower lake from the upper Mesa. Actually I'm kidding on the box part, we are big spenders at Trader Joes when it comes to wine. Just before the sunset, waves of gulls float on air heading north in total silence. If you didn't look up you would never see them. None of their usual gull squawking, just absolute quite. Once the sun sets, the parade of birds changes to flocks of scaup or blue bills that fly low and fast in the same direction. And you know when they fly over, their wings make the noise of a stealth little plane and again, if you're not looking, you would miss them given their speed. If we are lucky, now is the time when the barred owl calls to potential companions, come hither, I'm here awaiting your company. Who-cooks-for-you-allll in his throaty voice.

Weather report

Well, at least it's clear back home!

Ca-ca-ca-ca changes!

Yes we have settled back into Squaw Lake and how lazy are we? Just sitting around experimenting with my new oven, eating the results and taking pictures of other people's kayaks rather than taking ours out. Well we'll get her out some day this week, I hope.

On sad note, my teen idol has passed away. David Bowie was recently described as the Picasso of pop. He was an innovative, visionary, and restless artist.

He turned pop in a new direction in 1972 with the introduction of his alter ego Ziggy Stardust. Glam rock was the starting point, but Ziggy was much more than an eyeliner-wearing maverick: he was a truly theatrical character, anticipating 1980s androgyny and today's discussions around a transgender spectrum.

He was a great singer, songwriter, performer, actor, producer and collaborator. But beyond all that, David Bowie was quite simply, quite extraordinarily, cool.

Finding the slot

New Year, wake to a beautiful sunrise

Drumroll please...

Today I had the opportunity to bake in my new oven. And here it is...my first banana bread of the new year.

This was our Christmas present, given to me with residual benefits going to Gary, eating the items that come out of it. With the added benefits of baking/cooking (there is a Cooktop as well) while we are off the grid, I have plans to use this at home. I love to bake but it's the last thing on my mind on those hot summer days back home so I have plans for an outdoor kitchen of sorts come spring. Campchef outdoor oven, uses propane, makes me a happy camper!

It ain't easy being blue

When the hummers away, what's a cat to do? What any cat would do, sleep! It has been a hectic few days for old Blue, that big New Years party with another eating extravaganza, Bon fire with singing and strumming guitars, removing his peeps from home for hours at a time. So it's understandable that he just doesn't have that usual pep in his step today. And what could be better than a warm spot in a sunbeam and the revolving array of hummingbirds just inches away?