Yahouie Louie! Sunshine Across the Quartzsite Land, Some Upsetting Possibilities

It was around 6 am on Wednesday, Jan. 16^th when I first woke and rolled over on to my stomach. I timed that perfectly as I got a lovely back rub before we both got up closer to 7. It was still dark but as we made our tea and coffee, I could see that there was going to be a sunrise this morning. Yippee Kiyay! There were low lying clouds but nothing could dampen today’s spirits. I felt like skipping around the kitchen.

The promise of a great day

The road was drying up

After my tea I slipped on my runners and headed out the door. It was 7:30. I didn’t know how far I was going to go this morning but I had dressed for the 49F/10C and had my camera and phone with me. It felt so good to be out of doors after a couple of wet days and I snapped multiple pictures of the eastern mountains as the sun made its appearance. Good morning!

Before I knew it, I was past the maintenance sheds and arriving at the garbage dumpsters on the right and the rv dump stations on the left. Then I saw George driving back from his morning touring. I still felt great so kept going. Once I got to the small Blue Boy dump station I decided to go for it, go all the way to the front entrance. If nothing else, I’d have a peek at the ‘junk’ on the table.

This could  be our undoing

Hey! I know you! We exchanged good mornings
and carried on

I trudged onward, unzipping my vest as I went and it was worth it as I found a couple of books that sounded good when I read the preface. I also found giveaway cards about rules of boondocking. 

Both of these sound very good

#5 makes us laugh
Give us a shout out?

Boy do I wish I’d had one of these in Borrego Springs! On my way back, I was quite warm and I really hadn’t over-layered according to my standards. When I reached the garbage, Bill texted and said he was on his way to visit our friends, Rick and Kathy.

I used the facilities as I waited and we walked back, through the wash to their Jayco Eagle. When Bill knocked, Rick came out to say hello. They were thankfully on their way soon to go to Yuma and pick up their truck. They have experienced numerous problems with it on this winter’s travels and we hope that it is finally going to be fixed for their sake. We walked back home and let me tell you, by this time I was damp from sweat. With the sun out full, I was definitely overdressed!

There is such a thing as over staying your welcome
This guy has definitely been here too long
Can you see him?

Back home, the vest, the windbreaker and my light hoody came off and when I took Clem out for his piddle the cooler air felt great. I needed the cool down. I had walked 4 miles in an hour and a half, no record, but a lot for me. 

Chuckled at this 'boondockers' clothesline

Good thing I’d had my tea before I left. I chugged water when I got inside and relaxed for 15 minutes before starting breakfast. Today, was an egg, cheese, bacon and onion quesadilla for me and the same on a toasted bun for Bill. I made enough for 2 meals so tomorrow’s breakfast is already cooked.

I love this breakfast

We cleaned up dishes and I needed to change out of my sweaty clothes before I could get too comfy. Bill took our Blue Flame heater outside to use the air compressor on it, hoping that changes the flame distribution. I left him to it, he’ll write about what he found. I took my wool outside and sat in the sun for a while. It didn’t take long and I had to start disrobing. First the wind breaker, then the hoody and soon enough, I was indoors putting shorts on and removing my socks.

This is how hot it was today - perfect weather!

Bill wanted to do a small job up on the roof this morning and soon discovered that he needed something from town to complete it. Even though we’d declined going into Quartzsite with Rob and Pat earlier, he ended up having to make a quick trip to RV Lifestyles. It is the Harbor Freight for rv’ers and just about every man camping out here in the desert has been there once or twice already since their arrival.

Such a little snuggle bug these mornings

He dropped our garbage off at the over-full dumpsters and happened to have a conversation with one of the Maintenance guys. One thing Bill was told was that the fellow himself has been working for the last two months on a volunteer basis to keep the grounds open and water and dump services available – in other words, without pay. Then he informed Bill that his concern is about the contracted garbage pickup. If it doesn’t happen soon, he may be instructed by his boss to close the blm land where we are all parked.  

In case you forgot how bad it was from my previous picture

They would barricade the entrance and individually advise all of us to depart. That is not the best thing we’ve heard this trip and could very well be the most upsetting. It means we would have to scramble to find a free spot to park until the end of the month. In the meantime, we wait it out and at least hope that ‘if’ we do get booted out, it isn’t until after the show begins so we can visit once before leaving the area.

There was a lot of friendly banter going on
So nice to see friends making friends

And this was my view for much of the day

Other than that what an absolutely gorgeous day! It easily got up to 74F/23C in the sunshine and in the shade, surprisingly not uncomfortable. I worked away at my crocheting project and when I showed Rose how far I’d come, it was like a teacher’s appraisal. I’m so glad she sat me down in Lake Havasu and basically put the wool and crochet hook in my hands. I’m not anywhere beyond the chain stitch and the half double crochet but I’m actually doing it. One day, I hope to be able to follow a simple pattern.

Shall we gather in the circle?
A great spot for H.H.while we are here

It was 3:30 when Rob came over and asked about Happy Hour so he and I began the move into a circle in the middle of our group. This made it easy. No one had to remember who was hosting and there was no need to run around saying “it’s at our place”. Just meet in the middle, bring your own chairs, tables and drinks. I like it, I like it a lot. Rose and George had gone into town earlier so were not around for the gathering. I’m sure they’ll attend tomorrow.

I wanted to share with those who don't do this type of camping
a few 'homesteads'

You know, how the other half lives and all that
People can live in next to nothing

and much of everything

This is cute
A teeny tent with a beautiful dog on guard
and look at the motorhomes behind it
From simple to extravagant

This one caught my eye when we drove in
a matching set

And of course, an Airstream of the older model

Bill lit the Weber and I put a packet of cut-up potatoes and butter on the grill. We had a sirloin steak to barbecue, a big thick juicy one to share so we wouldn’t need anything other than spuds and our last piece of pie for dessert. Never in my life have I had need to pay so much attention to the spelling of dessert and desert. Before we started coming to Arizona, it was simpler, the only spelling we had in our vocabulary was 2 ‘sses’. Now, I have to slow down and think what I’m writing.

My plate looks empty but I don't need a big portion of steak
and with half a large potato, it was just the right amount

Supper was ready at 6:20 and it was very good. Steak is not my favourite meat to grill nor is it my favourite meat to watch Bill grill. We are not connoisseurs at all so it is mostly guesswork. Tonight, it worked well. I never need a large piece of steak and even less when it is so thick. So, I cut what I wanted and Bill ate the rest. The nice thing about barbecuing is the cleanup. 2 plates, our happy hour glasses, a milk glass, silverware and tongs.

Bill and I played with camera settings on today's sunset

Bill started the generator so we could watch some tv and use our microwave to warm up the pie. We do want our luxuries, don’t we? We watched our recorded episodes of Madame Secretary and Magnum P.I. before heading to bed. This has been a beautiful day and it brought all of us campers out of our recreational vehicles for the day. The place was alive while we all enjoyed ourselves in the manner that we expect to.

The clouds look like a sleeping giant over the mountains

Just hanging there

Good night! Sleep tight!
I know I will after walking 6 miles today.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.