Home away from home

Our home away from home for the month is quickly coming to an end. The corner lot on 9th has been a great location for the month Close to my high school friend. We've decided that when we come back in two years, sites in the 1355, 1455, and 1555 and up on those streets (odd numbers are on the side we prefer) will make great places to stay. In a little over a week we move to Tuscon for 10 days and then start the journey home.

Gary caught me working in the lapidary shop last week and decided to capture my work at the polishing wheel. I still have a lot to do before we leave and only 4 more days in which to get it done. And then there is the woodworking which is no where near done!

Just relax

I have been a bit delinquent in my blogging these last few weeks but I've got a good excuse. We've been very busy doing nothing! Well that's not totally true between a visit from Gary's brother, the rock work and my playing in the wood shop, we spend a lot of time swimming, eating and drinking. Not always in that order. But it's not for lack of things to do in this resort. Along with the mentioned activities, there are 3 pools, two hot tubs, outdoor dining, tennis and pickle ball, two ballrooms, billiards, exercise classes, a fitness room...

You get the idea. It's a stark contrast from the life we had in Yuma and the timing couldn't be better. The weather is on average 10 degrees hotter than normal and the air conditioner is very welcome during the day. At night however, the desert takes a dramatic turn with a drop of 30 degrees, good for sleeping with the windows open.

Nitty gritty dirt play

Most of our rocks have been cut thanks to Gary and one of the shop monitors. So now, it's down to the shaping and polishing which is more up my alley. A few will become jewelry, perhaps a wind chime and Gary has decided on a set of coasters made of Jasper. We are still in the dark as to what types of stones we are working with and have learned from the experts, that when you are not sure, they just call any locally found rocks Jasper.

Ugly ducklings? Maybe...

Not!

When Gary and I learned that the resort we were staying at had a lapidary shop, our rock hunting turned more serious in Yuma. The soil that provides gold, turquoise and several minerals also produces some spectacular agates. What looks ugly on the outside can be very beautiful on the inside. Best of all, we cut these ourselves. Tomorrow, I'll try my hand at shaping and polishing up some of these beauties!

Last day on BLM

Today is our last day in Yuma so we are saying goodby to Squaw Lake at Senator Wash. It's been a warm week and the campground is almost full for the first time this winter. As we sat on the shore the local troops stormed the lake. Never a dull moment at the BLM but it's time to get on power and sit by a pool for a change.