An Overcast Day Disrupts our Climb and our Plans, Following our Friends

On Monday, Jan. 14^th I was awake at 6 and waited until closer to 6:30 to get up. I had a blog to finish and a walk to get completed before the rains arrived. I sat with Bill and worked on my pictures and then it looked like the rain was apparent anytime so I headed out at daylight. Another beautiful morning, even without the promise of sunshine. Today is called for mild temps but nearing 100% precipitation.

Clouds blanket the Santa Rosas this morning

We had tentatively planned to climb the small Coyote Mountain behind us to show Rob and Pat the stone snake up there. With the sky so gray, that may not take place. 

This isn't going to amount to much

Rose and George had previously decided to pull out today and they were up and ready to say goodbye around 9:30. They are headed to Quartzsite and eventually meet up with their Rock and Gem Group over the next few days. After they left, we invited Rob and Pat to come over for a coffee so we can have a ‘conflab’.

Our group of 3 in Borrego springs

I had to take this picture when I returned from my walk
The neighbour to the right of the picture is facing away from us
Complained from Day One that we were parked ON TOP OF THEM

Rose and George are ready to pull out

By 10:30 we all agreed that the best thing because of weather and persnickety neighbours that we would pack up and get the heck outta’ Dodge or Borrego Springs as the case may be. No sooner did they head out the door when the rain started. Not heavy, not exactly light but we decided to stick to the plan anyway and pack up. An hour was all we needed with Rob and Bill having the biggest challenge, outside where they are no doubt getting wet.

See you soon!

They’re willing to pack up in the ‘wet’ in the hopes that by the time we reach our destination in Arizona, they can set up in the ‘dry’. Of course, I finished earlier than Bill and offered assistance so at least he knows he can call on me when he needs help. I waited inside until he was ready to fold our large patio mat and then went out to help him. The rain didn’t stop the whole time so we left the awnings out where at least some things could be packed up while under its cover.

The rains never let up for most of our drive today

Good thing we left when we did

 We were all ready and pulling out of Rockhouse Trail at 11:30 PT. From the pictures I took, you can tell it was not a ‘camping’ day and Rob and Bill felt that they might as well drive rather than sit inside for the day. Made sense. We pulled into the Arco - AM/PM on the corner for $50 worth of expensive California diesel, just enough to get us into AZ without a worry. While making our way up CA-86 to I-10 we witnessed some clearing skies off to the east and that gave us some hope for a brighter destination. We were en route to Quartzsite four days ahead of schedule.

The mountains were blurred in the rain

With friends already there and from listening to the news about Government shutdowns, we knew that the fee booths were not being manned. Otherwise, we would only be able to come in for 2 weeks (Jan 18 to Feb. 1) for $40. With the weather turning out the way it is, we may as well be set up somewhere for the remainder of the month without having to move on Friday after 3 days of rain. Anyway, we can only hope for some clearing soon.

Clemson slept most of the way on our hoodies
The wet weather nor the move bothered this little guy

The views on our drive did not disappoint and we didn’t need sunshine to appreciate them. We were driving between the Joshua Tree National Park and the Chocolate Mountains with elevations changing from the 597’ at Borrego Springs to upwards of 1700’. My ears popped a couple of times until we finally began the descent, reaching 1000’ around Lake Tamarisk. Voila! The rain stopped!

The scenery is awesome along S22 - Salton Sea Parkway

By 4 pm Mountain Time we were entering Arizona and although it was 64F, it felt chilly. We were still hoping to get set up before the gray clouds burst. Thirty minutes later we arrived at La Posa South on I-95, south of Quartzsite. The fee booth had a couple of orange signs on the door and the window. We drove right on through to the dump and water stations before we found our spot.

George and Suzie from Our Awesome Travels were already here in an area close to where we were last year. We all liked those spots. When we drove up, we first saw the Stinger “B” belonging to our friends Tom and Deb, then we saw Rose and George’s motor home and tow vehicle and then George and Suzie’s motor home. Looks like we concluded Happy Hour and after hugs all around and a bit more fanfare than I was prepared for, we got the Suite settled. Rob and Pat also found a suitable place to park.

I like these low palms along the highway

Crossing the Colorado River

This is much better than the $3.89 we paid in CA

At one point, Bill said to look up

It started to rain while Bill got the main things done outside, namely the satellite dish and our patio mat. Nothing else was that important and could wait for the morning. We are here for a little over 2 weeks and it will be a great time, all 8 of us together. After I finished the inside setup, I fed Clemson (it was way past his supper time!) then I made myself a vodka and orange juice. It was quite tasty, I hadn’t had one in a long time.

7 paratroopers were floating across the sky

Yay! I was looking for and finally saw the majestic Saguaros again

Let the fanfare begin!

There is the Big Tent and Paul Evert's display of rv's

For our late supper, we fried up some grilled cheese sandwiches, mine with onion, of course, and after dishes Bill went to help Rob with an issue they had with a cupboard. Sometimes you have to shake your head on how these rv’s are put together. The cupboard repair was 100% better when they finished than when it came from the factory. A simple fix too. The rain hasn’t stopped and the temperature has dropped to 55F. Maybe as Bill said, rain tonight may mean none tomorrow. One can only hope.

The orange signs you see say Closed and Government Shutdown

This was our day, tiring for some reason, but great all the same. It is nice to be here with our friends again. I hope you’ve had a good one as well.

A simple supper but it was completed later with a piece of Cherry Apple Crumble pie and ice cream
Yummy!

Thank you for reading!