Flagstaff AZ to Grants NM, May 25, 2012

We left our site at Greer’s Pine Shadow RV park this morning at 8:15.  The forecast for today was to be windy and it did not disappoint, as this wind sock indicates.

Our drive past the Painted Desert Petrified Forest was bittersweet.  Back in 2007 & 2008 we spent several months there volunteering.  Loved every minute of it.  But this year decided not to stop.

Some scenery along I-40.



We arrived safely at the Bar S RV Park at exit 79 in Grants, NM.  Good Sam discount $16.90/night for full 50 amp hookup, great deal.

Long drive then let the sightseeing begin, May 21-22, 2012

With 430 miles to drive from Mojave, CA to Flagstaff, we were up early and on our way, early for us, 7:30 am.    Before long we were crossing into Arizona.

Right around 3:30 pm we arrived at the Greer’s Pine Shadows RV Park on the east side of Flagstaff.  Amazingly both satellites connected, there was a small window amongst the tall pines.

This morning we drove about 5 miles to Walnut Canyon National Monument.  The only trail that takes you to see the ruins is down some 240 steps, but who is counting.  You know that 240 down mean 240 back up also. groan…  Also the altitude of 6800’ adds to that groan.

We saw several areas similar to this, several rooms under the rock with small separate entry doors. 

This is the area in 2007 that a large boulder tumbled down and smashed the railing and destroyed the steps.  Took the park about 10 months to remove the fallen boulder and stabilize the area.

This Banana Yucca were blooming along the trail, then we read where each plant doesn’t always bloom every year.  Guess we caught this one on a lucky year.

Even though we did not see any petroglyphs today (they did say there were some further down in the canyon which is not open to the public), this symbol was on all of the park’s interpretative signs. 

Tomorrow off to see Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki.

Our week at Imperial Dam LTVA, Jan 29-Feb 5, 2012

Imperial Dam LTVA is similar to Quartzsite LTVA, both are on BLM land, RVers have no hookups, and you can park anywhere you want. One difference is the Imperial Dam area has canyons, gullies and flat areas between the gullies and canyons and Q is mainly flat.

Below is our view out the windshield.

I love feeding the birds, so I have three different type of feeders, for hummingbirds, finches, and for seed eaters.

I almost forgot my other hummingbird feeder that attaches to our front mirror, I ended up buying a replacement while in Q for this one when my old one fell off and broke on a breezy day. I also mix up my own hummingbird food, 1 cup water (boiling-dissolves sugar faster) and 1/4 cup Sugar. Mix together and then cool. Fill feeders and enjoy the hummers.

This year at Imperial Dam we found their drinking water dispenser. The water here and in Q, let’s just say has some extra minerals added naturally, and doesn’t taste the best, so we have been buying drinking water at .25 per gallon.

They also have a Post Office there also. I asked how you received your mail here and she said that you just need to register and then use a special address, not General Delivery, like you use at other post offices. I’m thinking this is not an official post office, but someone doing a service. In fact, the address is for the Christian Service Center, in Winterhaven, CA. You can also get propane in this same general area.

One day we took a short drive to Date Gardens. Of course had our date shakes and bought some dates. Even have some to mail to someone having a birthday on Saturday, I am thinking they will arrive late, sorry.

These beautiful cactus were in the Date Garden’s parking lot.

My favorite is the ocotillo which was in bloom.

The photo below shows the gully or deep ravine beside our coach. Something you would not see in Q.

Leonard and Val, who we met in Q had also moved to Imperial Dam, so we caught up with them again, this time at our homeplace. We enjoyed a great afternoon visiting with them.

We have found that hummers like to drink quite a bit just before sunset, this one was no different.

I am thankful I am feeling better today (the 6th), I was not doing well for about 24 hours a couple of days ago. Some intestinal deal.

This morning (Monday 6th), this hummer can for a few visits, believe it is a Costa. In the photo the head color looks a deep red, but it was a purple color. Even as Bob was backing out the coach to leave, these sweeties were still trying to find that feeder that was just here! Tugged at my heartstring!

This is Castle Dome Peak (3788 feet), taken on our drive from Imperial Dam LTVA back to Q where we are staying a couple of nights in the Scaddon Wash 14 Day free area.

In this special moment in Life…Spread joy

Third week in Q, Jan 24-29, 2012

Here we are getting some work done at Brazel’s.  We now have a new muffler, air filter, and a chip, hope we see the suggested mileage improvement.  Time will tell.

While Bob was with the coach getting its new parts installed, I did a load of laundry and the above sign was posted on the wall.

This sign was also posted on a dryer.

Meet my latest friend, her name is Porketta owned by Mary and Nick from Juneau AK.  They leave their coach and tow vehicle in Washington state and fly from Juneau, with Porketta, to spend their winters on the outside (lower 48).

A face only a mother could love.  She was very gentle, and didn’t pay attention to any of the dogs that thought she was something really strange.

Below she and Duffy are giving each other a face to face look.  She was adorable, and I want one, but Bob said NO .

 

Another Big Tent purchase, a motion sensor porch light.  It works very well and the best part, it is installed!!

This never a good sign, but this was the only way the Explorer was going to start, being pushed.  It took all day, but we did eventually get a new starter installed by going to Blythe to buy the part and then having a mobile mechanic replace it in Q.

Our front door is giving me grief again about opening, so Mike, one of the fellow irv2.com RVers tried to fix it.  Come to find out, one of the frame pins is bent slightly and that seems to be causing the problem.  He did give me an extra bay key which I put in the Explorer, so… if I can’t get in, I can now get in the Explorer, get the extra bay key,  unlock the bay, get out our ladder and climb in through an unlocked window in the coach.  Sounds convoluted, but it will work!

Sunday (29th) we left Q and drove about 75 miles to Imperial Dam LTVA for a week of R & R before heading back to our stick and brick house in central CA to get it ready for sale.  We have not lived in it for over six years, so it does need a little TLC.

Second week in Q, Jan 16-23, 2012

On Tuesday (17th) we moved the coach from LaPosa North to LaPosa South to park with a new group of soon to be friends, the IRV2.com Monaco owners group.

What a feast we all contributed to, so many delicious dishes.  Rv’s just kept coming, do believe the total count was 23 at one time.

We also went back and visited our ole friends from the RV America group.  We had by accident threw away Bob’s Quartzsite Trailer Trash hat, so we bought a white hat for a dollar, then added the words on paper and scotch taped them the front.  Looks pretty authentic I would say.  Above Bob is sporting his new hat with Mark.

I was also given a Quartzsite Diva visor as being part of the RV America group.

 

 

 

 

We waited this year to attend the Big Tent until day three, and it was still wall to wall people!  In fact we did go back several times throughout the week, and it was always busy.

Another evening in Q!

Our first week in Quartzsite, AZ, Jan 9-15, 2012

Before loading up the coach for our journey to Quartzsite, I wanted to show you the amaryllis in full bloom!

Here it is tucked away in our shower for safe riding. This year when it has finished blooming, I am going to get rid of it. My luck of getting them to re-bloom is nil.

Soon we arrived in Q and found our parking spot for a few days.

On Tuesday morning, it was time for Bob to tilt some of our solar panels.

Each day we have been here we have done some shopping. Where we park the RV is within sight of the Big Tent that will open the 21st, but there are loads of other booths and areas to see.

Then there is someone else’s j-u-n-k!

Recognize Randy Sparks, the founder of the New Christy Minstrels? Last year was their 50th anniversary of being together, even though only three original members are still singing with them. Another great show!!

Our bird feeders have NOT been a mecca for our feathered friends. We see maybe two hummingbird visits per day, and an occasional house finch stopping by to rest and munch a little.

Late afternoon sun on the coach really lights it up well.

Sunday afternoon we looked up and visited some blog readers, Leonard and Val. What a great visit and I was able to get my pet fix as they had both a cat and a dog!

Another day is done in Q.

On a very sad note, we woke up Sunday morning to find our Betta, Red Rob, had passed on to the giant pond in the sky. With daytime temps in the 80's (being in the sun) and nighttime lows in the high 40's, we think the daily fluctuation was just too much for him to endure. He was a sweet fish with a giant personailty, well as much as a fish can have.

In this special moment in Life...slow down