Cargo Muchacho Mountains

 Didn't want to get up this morning.  It was 8:30 before I woke up and Yuma was ready to go outside.  I asked Dolly how the weather was at home and she said cold and snow.  Same old, same old.  I wrote back and said it was sunny and warm.  Same old, same old.  I know that's mean 😛.

We went over to Tom and Deb's and sat outside and drank our coffee and enjoyed the morning.  There was a breeze that kept it from feeling too hot.  After, Yuma and I enjoyed the comfort of the White Lion for awhile.  Yuma enjoys resting.

Thought I would go to Walmart today, but got too comfortable and decided tomorrow would be soon enough.  Retirement is great!  Can't lay around and do nothing all day, so decided it was past time I cleaned the grill, so that was my job for about two hours.  It is now ready to grill again.  

Then Yuma wanted to do something, so we jumped in the Jeep and headed into the mountains so Yuma could run around.

The mountains have been mined extensively and are torn up.  Their beauty is only from the stark and rugged appearance.  We decided to drive up to the entrance of the American Girl Mine and get some pictures.  It appears to be an open pit mine.

Then we just drove around the trails in the mountain valleys.

We got back to camp at 4:30 and it was time for happy hour at the tent.   Enjoyed the company and the snacks until around 6:30 and time to call it a day.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Surprise at Home Depot

 This morning it was forecasted to be cloudy with a high of 72, but when I looked out I could see blue sky and sunlight around the edges of the clouds.   After the hot days we have had I won't mind a little cloud cover.

After breakfast, I mentioned to Yuma that today was bath day and I get that "poor me" look.

But he came right in and jumped in the shower like a good boy.  He is always happy when it's over and he is nice and clean.

It was a little after 11 o'clock when Yuma and I jumped in the Jeep to get gas and a quick stop at Home Depot to look for a hinge for the screen door that needs to be replaced.

I had just pulled into a parking place at the Home Depot when I heard "Doug, Yuma is that you?"  I couldn't tell where it was coming from and then this young lady comes up to the window and I recognized her, but of course her name didn't just come falling out of my old befuddled brain.

She says she couldn't believe that she and her husband had just run into us.  They had been thinking of us and wondered if were out here this year.  They mentioned their names and they were Liz and Toby.   Last March when I was waiting to have my solar panels installed they were having theirs installed.

We were both parked in the same lot so got to know each other for the days we were there waiting for our solar panels to be installed.  Liz and Toby are a very young couple in their late 20s or early 30s and they have a 24 foot trailer and were just starting out their lives as full-timers.  They also had a young pup too.

I had texted them when I first got to Yuma, but didn't hear back.  They had changed phones and had a new number so we lost contact.  They are staying about five miles from where I'm staying so we made plans to get together soon and catch up.  Amazing how small the world is for RVers.

Returned home and laid out in my lounger and watched the hummingbird go back and forth visiting my feeder.  Just one.  Hoping more will come later.

Around 4:30, Yuma and I headed over to the tent for this evening's happy hour.

Looking south down American Girl Mine Wash.  If you look carefully, you can see the White Lion through the bushes right center.

Had a nice day with not too much going on.  We had lots of world problems to solve and when done it was time to call it a night.  Time now to fix a hotdog for Yuma and me.  A little TV and then to bed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Quiet Day

 It appears that the sun is rising earlier now as I woke up at 7 o'clock and the sun was up before me.  Laid around in the bed till about 8 o'clock and then started my day.  

Eating breakfast I thought I would drive the Jeep into Yuma to fill it with gas, but by the time I was done, I decided to do nothing today and do that job tomorrow.

Went over to Tom and Deb's for coffee again this morning.  There was a breeze making things cooler today than yesterday.  After finishing my coffee and crackers, Yuma and I came back to the White Lion and I laid in the lounger waiting for a hummingbird to come visit my feeder.  Sure enough one did come by.

Peekaboo, I see you!

In case you were wondering here is how the three of us have our homes situated along the American Girl Mine Wash.

Ocotillo turning bright green and flowering from the recent rains.

At 4 o'clock I went over to Tom and Deb's and joined Shane and Cathy to finish up what we couldn't eat last night.

We had a nice visit until until it cooled down at sunset and then Yuma and I headed for home.

The weather was very nice today with the breeze and that kept the heat down.  Time to finish my post and watch a little TV before bed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Super Bowl Sunday

 I was out of bed by 8 o'clock this morning.  It was already getting quite warm when I took Yuma for his walk.  We are staying right beside the American Girl Wash, so we just walk along it.  All three of us are parked next to the wash.  Shane and Cathy's trailer in view.

After breakfast I put sweetener in the hummingbird feeder and hung it on the awning but never saw any activity while I was home.  

Even though it was mid sixties this morning, it felt very hot to be in the sunlight.  Yuma and I went over to Tom and Deb's to have morning coffee.   After that I came back and placed my mat, table and lounge chair outside and that was it.  Time to sit in the shade and rest a bit.

At around 2 o'clock Tom stopped by and said the gang was ready to meet at the tent for the big game.  When I went in the tent I was amazed at the large snack table Cathy and Shane had laid out.

The tent was all set up with chairs and a huge 40" TV ready for the Super Bowl.  We sat around talking and watching the game until half-time and then as the sun was setting we had our dinner of baked beans and delicious ribs with potato salad. 

Shane had a small space heater going, but don't think we needed it.  Yuma liked it though.  Then as the game ended we had ice cream with chocolate and whipped cream.  I couldn't resist two bowls it had been so long since I had a dessert like that.

Not sure if our favorite team won or not, but Tom Brady has now won 7 Super Bowl championships!

It was unfortunate the game became one sided early and ruined the suspense, but congratulations to Tom Brady for letting everyone know he still has what it takes to win it all!

By the time I got back to the White Lion it was after 8 o'clock and time to get the post done and call it a night.

See you later.

Moved back to Ogilby Road

 This morning, I didn't want to get up.  Woke up at 8:30 but didn't get out of bed till nearly 10 o'clock.  I was able to catch the Gold Rush show late last night so didn't get to bed till late.

Luckily, I had done all my packing yesterday, so all I had to do was hook up the Jeep after breakfast.  Got that done and was ready to head out at 11:30, but.....

Remember the problem with the door.  Well I got the door to close but I tore up the gizmo that automatically pulls up the steps when the engine is turned on and the door is closed.  Finally got the step up, but it would go right back down again when I shut the door.  Finally, I just unplugged the motor when it was up and it stayed up.  Good.  Now I'm good to go and it is only noon.

Took me half an hour to slowly go one mile of really bad road to get out to hwy 86.  Then I was on my way.  Saw this beautiful boat alongside the road and thought maybe I could use it for Salton Sea adventures.

Yuma took one look at it and laughed.  It's a piece of junk Dad!  So, I didn't buy it and we headed south.  In case you're wondering, this area going south along the Salton Sea  is flat desert.  Good roads, but boring!

Stopped in Brawley at the Walmart where I spent the night coming out this way and bought some groceries.  Finally found a hummingbird feeder and a pole to hang it on.  Show you that when I put it up tomorrow.  By now it's 1:30 and when I was done shopping it was 2:30.

Off we went towards I-8 with plans to stop at the dunes rest area and fill up with water and unload our trash.  As we neared the dunes, the American Canal popped up out of the desert.  That color of blue looks beautiful snaking along the desert sand.

There was a line at the watering hole, so I got rid of some of my water by taking a quick shower.  Might as well use it before I fill up again.  Still had 25%  Got the tank filled with water and by this time it is 4:15 and the sun is getting low in the sky.   Better get to where I'm going fast.  

Luckily, it is only about 4 more miles down I-8 to the Ogilby Road turn-off and another 6 miles to my camp site.  As I wandered the desert following the coordinates Shane had sent to me, I saw the familiar Stinger "B" in the distance against the mountains.

Finally, at 5:15 I was parked and walking over to where the Stinger "B" is.

But no one was home.  Looked over to where Shane and Cathy are parked across the wash and heard noise coming from the big tent out front.  So, headed over there.  Yuma was already there.

Looked inside the tent and the whole gang was there.

Left, Shane - Right, Tom

Left, Deb - Right, Cathy

Back before we all separated , we made plans that if we could we would all meet up for the Super Bowl in Shane and Cathy's new tent.  And we all did make it.  Tomorrow is the big day!

After visiting awhile, I headed back to the White Lion to make dinner.   I didn't make that sandwich last night and didn't have a full three course breakfast this morning, so I am starved.  Grilled a huge pork chop and half a potato with corn.  That hit the spot!  Wanted more, but Yuma kept begging for his share 😕

Already almost 9 o'clock, so no TV tonight.  Just a little dessert and off to bed.  Have a good day and will see you later.

Working around the house and visit with friends

 This morning was another normal day of waking up to sunny skies and warm temperatures.  Poor Dolly back home is getting ready for bone shivering cold for the next week along with most of the nation east of here.

Later in the morning after breakfast I went to the Dollar Store near Salton City to pick up a light I saw there the other day, but when I went inside and saw the line at the counter I decided I didn't really need it that bad.

Yuma likes riding in the Jeep so took another tour of Salton City down near the sea.  Went into a sub division and was shocked.  The area had been built with dead end canals so that everyone could enjoy the water in their backyard.  Unfortunately, as you know the sea receded and left them with an ugly and stinky ditch.

These poor people have lost their shirts on the property value of their homes.  All the docks are dry rotted.  There were row after row of ditches with homes on them.  But no sea.

When I got back to the White Lion, I had several things that needed to be repaired so decided to get on them.  

First, I had a tear in my awning at the seam about three feet long.  I had the tape and today there is no wind so time to geter done!

Don't try this at home!

Thought if I fell, it may help my neck even more 😄.  I don't think even Yuma believes that.  

The second thing that really needed attention was the RV right side bumper. 

It was about to fall down on that side.  They had screwed it on and the bumping around had pulled the screws from the fiberglass.  Should have used bolts.  I only had one bolt so replaced one of the three screws with that bolt and all is good for now.  At least I can get off this bumpy road I'm on to the highway without fear of leaving my bumper in the desert.

Had a date to visit at 4:30 with a long time commenter, Jeff.  Jeff (Ruffin it with Rufus) and his wife, Fran came over the mountains from San Diego to camp in their RV at Peg Leg near Borrego Springs for the weekend.  Perfect opportunity for us to get together and become acquainted.  

Interesting.  Jeff uses an old clothes dryer barrel as a firepit.  Works great!  Just throw in the wood, the smoke goes up and the heat comes out all the holes around the barrel.  

Had a great two hour visit with them.  Jeff had a plate of snacks for Yuma, so now Yuma has another people friend👨.  He also made friends with a young dog too.

When we got home I started on my post for the evening and will a sandwich for dinner and then hopefully, I can catch Gold Rush before I go to bed.  Otherwise, I'll catch it next Friday.

Have a good day.  See you later.

Do nothing day

 Last night when I was taking the potatoes out to put on the grill, for some reason I stepped wrong and I felt my ankle twisting, so I just fell to the ground.  Luckily, nothing was in the way and I landed flat on my back.  The reason I tell you this is because I believe it turned out to be a good thing.

This morning, I slept in till 9 o'clock and when I got up I noticed that the pain in my neck on the left side that has forever pinched something along my upper shoulder didn't hurt nearly as bad as before.  I think when I tried holding my neck so my head wouldn't hit the ground, it pulled something the right way this time.  Anyway, I wasn't hurt and maybe things will be better.  Who knows.

It was nice and sunny with just a cool breeze from the north when Yuma and I took a walk.  The next week is going to be perfect with clear skies and 75 highs.  

I decided today is going to be a do nothing day.   All Yuma and I did was lay around and take walks occasionally.  I walked up towards the hill that Deb, Riley and I stayed last winter.

Deb wondered where I was camped compared to last year.  I'm standing on the hill where I was camped and looking at the little hill where the Dad was teaching his son to ride his dirt bike on hills.  Your camp was right below me.  

Panning to the left a little and there is where I'm camped.  Not too far away.  The Salton Sea is bright blue today.

Walked to the east and looking to the northwest I see the beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains.  Nothing between me and them but a bunch of deep washes.

Have had only a couple of ATVs drive by today.  Other than that, it has been very quiet and peaceful.  There is no one camped in the area.

At the end of the day, Yuma and I took one more walk before dinner.  Walked to the north towards the washes as the sun was getting low in the horizon.

As we were walking back, Yuma could hear something back where we just were.  I looked and I could see a parasail going along the ground.😱

Then up out of the wash he came.  Scared me for a minute.  Enough excitement for today.  Time to get this post done.  5:30 already.   Dinner, a little TV and to bed.  No falling tonight!  I promise.

Have a good night and will see you tomorrow.