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!