Monday, March 30, 2026

This is it! Our Last Day Here, Melancholy

Park Place RV Park

Monday, Mar. 30th

As the desert sun climbs higher and the Ocotillos begin to bloom, and yes, rattlesnakes make an appearance, we all experience the familiar seasonal shift. Another beautiful winter in Quartzsite is drawing to a close. Spring has arrived. 

Good morning!

RV's are being serviced either professionally or by the owners. Patio chairs, gazebos and mats are being packed away, and travel plans are coming together. Us Snowbirds (yes, a capital 'S') are preparing the journey back to our summer homes,

Gibbs, what are you doing?
Watching Daddy, Mom.
Please don't disturb me.
💘

Most of the above paragraphs were written in the local Desert Messenger by Robert Salas and I liked it so much, I adopted parts of it. This time of year brings mixed emotions. Speaking for Bill and I, we arrive here in the park on November 1st. 

I enjoy the banter we share.
We had some grrreat shots.
We had some lousy shots.
We're going to start counting how
many times we pocket the cue ball!
😂😂😂
I took some pictures on Linda's phone
but haven't got them yet.
We easily fall into a groove here, excited to see good friends, whom we've met over the last 5 years. Reaching beyond what was comfortable since the winter of 2016/17, after Covid (AC) we opted to spend our following years in the 'luxury' of a full service park.

Along with that, came friends. New friends. This has been a wonderful 5 months and I totally feel mixed emotions with leaving in the morning. Hugs, heart to heart hugs, leave a mark and will have to suffice until we return, God willing, on November 1st.

This is why coming into a park
is a bonus for me.
My friends' circle has expanded.
L to R
Patsy, Linda, Renae, Sue, Anne Marie.

Don't misunderstand. We are also anxious to hit the road that leads us to 'our' summer home, as mentioned above. It will not be rushed, although we're sure weather back home will be much improved when we arrive the second week of April.

Gifts from Anne Marie (the American star)
Linda (the wire wrap tree and Mexican)
Renae (the Hagstone with a natural hole from erosion)
All gifts meaningful and special.
Sue and Fred also gave Bill and I a beautiful
thank you card this morning.
Our hearts are full.
Today, off duty, (another kind of retirement!) Bill proceeded to do the rv things that he does. I went to play my last game of Ladies Poker Pool for this season. There were 4 of us to start and for the 3rd game, yay, Renae joined in and won the day.

She has definitely played before! 😉 We had fun, exchanged a few cards and gifts and parted ways at noon. 😞 After lunch, I decided to bake a pie to use up some frozen apples and took Sue 2 packages of frozen rhubarb for her Wednesday coffee meets. 

I remember that this puzzle
was a challenge so I'll leave
it to Renae to finish up.
This is mostly all her so will
do just fine in my absence.

The clubhouse oven did the baking while I fumbled with this repeat of a puzzle. I did it in 2024 and Renae and Sue will have to finish it. 

The sky looked like this for
a lot of the day.

Supper is leftover roast beef, gravy, vegetables. We are 95% ready to go. Anne Marie stopped by after Gibbs and I got back from a park walk so it was nice to exchange those hugs. Then just before our meal was heated, Renae popped over for the same thing. I'll miss her too! Safe travels for all who are left to hit the road. 

Supper was delicious

It was another hot day, although - again - a bit cooler. We had 97F/32C and a decent wind. There were some clouds but with a warm wind, we didn't notice too much. Bill would have felt it more than I, outside checking and greasing tires and packing the last of our things away.

At the end of the day,
this is what we'd all like to do.
A dog's life is sooo very hard!
😍

It will be a quiet evening for us, but what better for our last night? This has been a really nice day. I hope yours has too.

Thank you for stopping around. Your comments are always welcome!



18 comments:

  1. You description sounds like a perfect last day at the park for this season. I always find it bittersweet when we leave one place for another. A little bit of sadness while anxious for the moving down the road. Safe travels as you make your way back east. Enjoy your next stop.

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  2. You will miss the gals you have enjoyed this winter but more good times next winter.
    Sweet Gibbs watching his Dad pack up things.
    Safe Travels for the three of you.
    Sue

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  3. That was such a lovely post!!! I too am melancholy....but VERY happy for the friendships made in a short time....and all the FUN AND LAUGHTER I look forward to seeing everyone before we know it. Be safe heading home....

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    1. Aah, thank you Anne Marie. It's hard to actually leave, I will be disoriented for a few days, missing the special things. The joy of our return will spark up come October!

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  4. So great for you both to have these memories, looking forward for many more.
    Safe and enjoyable travels for you.
    Thank you for sharing with us.🥳
    Linda a.

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  5. I think you are going to be VERY happy to be back at your real home. I know Gibbs will be!! Safe travels!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nancy! Yes, we are always happy to be on the Ridge again. Definitely Gibbs will enjoy his freedom.

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  6. Traveling Mercies for you guys! Little bit too. You'll be back in no time and meanwhile you have your summer place to enjoy.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Time does fly so October will here before we know it. It does need to slow down though!

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  7. Safe travels! I'm sure you'll find the weather much cooler, but still nice when you arrive at the Ridge.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Maebeme. The Ridge will be ready for us, I'm sure.

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  8. It's the friends that have us returning to the same place year after year :-) I hope all your slides pull in and the wheels turn easy as you hit the road today!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you MT. Everything went well and yes, we hope to return to those same friends and maybe some new ones! Who knows?

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  9. Safe travels home. May the road rise up to meet you and the wind always be at your back.

    God bless.

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  10. Safe travels and my the wind always be at your back. Hope you can find some cheap fuel.

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