Sunny Sunday, Birthday Wish for Bruce in Heaven, Rock Painting, Night Flyers

Pilot Knob RV Resort, Winterhaven, CA

Sunday, Jan. 12^th arrives and it reminds me that today would be my older brother’s birthday. If he were here. Bruce would be 67 today so I wanted to remember to send a huge hug up to him in heaven. He is missed. He never saw age 59.

Happy Birthday, big brother!

Bill and I were up at the usual time for us, before 7 and since I was up first and knew we wouldn’t walk for an hour, I sat and read with my tea. My book is hard to put down except when it falls out of my hands at night as I drop off. Last night we watched Hallmark movies, one of which I enjoyed (mostly), the second, needless to say, put me to sleep. I went to bed around 10 before it was over.

To the west this morning, the Wolf moon is no longer ruling the sky

the sun came up over the mountain to the east

We walked our route this morning, the perimeter inside the park. The temperature was 48F, then 47, then 46 when we left. Wrong way, Jose! (Hosay) The nice thing is that the winds were almost non-existent making it pleasant. Back at the Suite, I sat and played my Scrabble games with Bill and 3 of my sisters. I seldom win but with the exception of one, I at least feel like I have a fighting chance. I enjoy the online game but would much prefer the manual version.

Yesterday, we saw Loyal trimming this tree
It's all dressed up now
And I'm loving this picture!!

Yesterday, I woke up with shingles on the back of my leg again. It seems to have no rhyme or reason when or why they appear. I just know it is in an uncomfortable location for sitting so I apply the cream and put up with the worst day relatively quietly. I take the pills 2x a day only when I have the warning and/or during the breakout which lasts for about 4 days. Then the mark disappears after a couple of weeks. I just had a bout around New Years.

This truck and 5th wheel came in yesterday
Look how the atv fit right behind the cab

I wonder if the stories I read are a contributor? Let’s face it, I’m not stressed about anything, really, nor overly excited. Oh well, this too shall pass. In February when we are back here, our first Los Algodones trip will involve a few more bottles. Thankfully, there is no limit. 

Working on the tube

Working on his plane lighting

 Bill went outside as I started my post to work on my bike tire. He tested the tube and eventually found, doing the water in the sink test, that there was a hole. Darn! I don’t get how that happens, enclosed in a rubber tire.

Bill wanted to add more lights to the belly of his Timber
for better night viewing

Needless to say, we don’t have a patch kit but will pick one up either at H.F., the market or most likely Quartzsite. Yesterday, I suggested that he pack my bike away since I can’t ride it anymore before we leave anyway. I was surprised and pleased that he took the time to see what the problem was. Then he went outside and worked on his plane batteries and lights. He has no problem finding things to do to keep himself busy.

Keith helping Bill with the bike tube

 Around 10:30, I started breakfast. Thick bacon and scrambled eggs. We are enjoying the different pork, more substance, more fat, both good things in our book. Keith came around for a visit and they got talking about my bike tube. Next thing, he is off on his bike again and then returned with a bike repair kit. He’d thought he had one but couldn’t put his hands on it the other day. Today, he found it!

They were able to patch the teeny tiny hole
Bill also found a goat head in the tire
and that could have been the cause of the hole

The two of them worked away outside on my tire and before long the little bike was standing on both full wheels again. Thanks guys! That’s awesome! It was such a nice day that I decided to get my paints and rocks out. I moved the bbq table over to the sun and set things up. First, I popped over to see Jo-Anne and we shook our heads over the miscommunication of yesterday’s texts. LOL somehow, her messages weren’t coming to me and visa versa.

It turned into a gorgeous day so I took
a second walk

I also asked to see pictures of their new grandson. Not my news but I can say that Mom and babe are both healthy and returning home today, I think. Yay! Bill took my bike for a ride up to the office to check on their delivery times for FedEx. We were expecting a parcel yesterday and got a weird note about the office being closed. Turns out, FedEx doesn’t even deliver to the area on the weekend. Well, why didn’t they say that? No worries, we’ll get it tomorrow or Tuesday.

I set up my paints in the sun
Our lawn chairs are so low that I needed an extra cushion
to sit on

So, I painted and completed 2 rocks. Nothing special, my mind was kind of a blank. I started 2 more before answering my Fitbit and taking it for a walk around 2. I stopped at the puzzle room and put a few pieces in a new puzzle up there. They are large pieces but still interesting. Back home, I started packing things up so we could join Bob and Jo for Happy Hour at their place today. The temperature is a marvelous 66F and with no wind to speak of, it feels like 77F. Lovely!

It was just the 4 of us plus Higgy today but it was a very nice visit. We talked about their drive yesterday to San Diego and then Julian for pie. We talked about rv’s, health issues and Quartzsite and just basically enjoyed each other’s company. It has been a while since the 4 of us just sat down together. At a few minutes after 5 we said goodbye and came home. Bill helped me move the table with my paints over closer to the Suite as I will finish the last two tomorrow.

This was a yummy supper and very little carbs

For supper, I cooked a spaghetti squash for my noodles and about 10 pasta noodles for Bill. I warmed the sauce and meatloaf and it was a great supper. There is always more sauce than needed when you have meatballs instead of ground beef but I’ll use the sauce for another meal. Bill chatted back and forth with Keith during supper as they wanted to meet over the fence and do some night flying. Ken and Dave, you would have loved this.

Bill's Timber

He went after dishes, just after the sun went down and by the time I dished up some Jell-o, they were up, up and away! I grabbed my jacket, camera and phone and dashed out. The horizon’s sky was beautiful. I didn’t want to startle them by coming up behind them, especially Oreo, who was being the perfect lady, waiting for Keith as he flew. Keith has a sail plane so both planes were a little different but equally fun to watch.

I had a great sky to capture the two planes

Keith's sail plane on the left, Bill's Timber on the right

Keith's plane
I'm lovin' the silhouette so gearing up to show you my favourite two pictures

On my walk over, a few rv’ers were walking over to the fence or looking out their windows. Lots of keen interest. I took a few pictures and a video but naturally there are a few favourites out of the group. It was hard to keep steady and focused on the buzzing objects in the sky. There were some bugs flying around, not sure if they were biters or not but I headed back. When I saw a car with headlights driving slowly in their direction I slowed and walked back to meet Bill.

Bill's plane lands safely

Bill getting ready for another flight

This turned out better than I thought it would

 Nothing happened, there was no contact and the car drove off but we just hope there is no problem. It is blm land and they aren’t flying near anyone. Back home, I sat to finish my post and offered Bill the last of the Jell-o. Bill was happy with the pictures so I downloaded them and put the good ones on a usb stick for him. This has been a fun day. Has yours been a fun one too?

Today's best picture
Good night from this land of great sunsets

Thank you for stopping in.

Last Day in the Real Desert, Last Day of the Month, Night Flying

It was 6:45 when I woke up on Thursday, Jan. 31^st.  I had been dreaming for a long time and was happy to wake from those. Not bad dreams, just unpleasant ones. I was surprised to see that Bill was already up and I hadn’t heard a peep. When I went downstairs with him, he had been up since before 5. Oh my! Someone will be having a snooze today for sure!

Good morning!
Obviously, our little 15 year old camera needs cleaning

 Sitting there with Bill and seeing the sky light up for this last day, I felt a bit lazy. I didn’t get out for my walk, instead I sat trying to use up our data. This month we were sitting pretty with 10 gb remaining on the last day of the month. Unheard of. We’ve done so well but now I want to use it since with our plan, it doesn’t roll over. Since today was our last day, Bill, Rob, Pat and I drove into Quartzsite for one last kick at the cat.

Speaking of pretty, the sky was beautiful this morning
The moon disappeared in the pink

Yahooie Louie! I was thrilled when Bill said ‘your tent is open, dear’. Rada Cutlery is certainly entitled to a day off after the rush over the last few days and that is exactly what the owner indicated as he uncovered tables. His kids work for him and they all needed a break. I found the plastic handled 2 cup measuring cup and the 3 little serving dishes I wanted. Then I found another 4 pack of scrubbies that we use for dishes as well as some bag clips to subsidize the few we already have.

The clouds were pretty moving across the sky as we drove into Quartzsite

I only bought one other thing and that was a homemade hand towel to hang on our freezer door handle. I was very happy about the $2, I couldn’t make them for that considering my time and frustration. I was happy that someone else did it for me. Now I have 3 nice ones in dark colours so I don’t have to worry about stains either. We went to Discount Solar and Satellite Advantage, not in this order.

These hand towels are really nice for $2

After Bill and Rob had found what they wanted in town, Pat and I walked to Quiet Times where I picked up some post cards and she found an ornament that she liked. We all spent a little bit and came home……….happy campers. LOL It was 11 and time for a coffee and for us, brunch. I made us my favourite omelette on toasted rye bread. Yum. Bill vacuumed out our sliding drawer in the garage while it was cooking inside.

Ken was playing on the roof next door
Debating the installation of his tilt kit for the panels

After dishes, he set about packing things away outside and I began the ritual inside. As I put things away, I dusted away some of the desert dust. I boiled water for another dish of Creamy Jell-o, this time Lime, and set it in the fridge to set. Kim and Ken came over for a tour of the Suite, which everyone is happy to do. Show off their home. Kim has offered up a few handy ideas that she is learned in their rv’ing travels and I’m always open to different ways to do things. The big thing was to find a place for the ‘down the road, possible, maybe, a good chance Insta Pot’. 😊

It was a peaceful walk with no traffic at this time of day
one truck met me and a 4 x 4 passed me
It was a hot afternoon at 75F

This is more what you think of in the desert
The washes get so dry, they flake

I could actually pick the dusty pieces up in my hand

I finished what I was doing and Bill had the most things put away too. Lowering the solar panels, Weber put to bed, portable panel tucked away and the weather/wind vane down off the roof. Since I missed my morning walk, at 2:30 I slipped out for one leaving Bill in his chair having a snooze with Clemson.  When I returned the back way, Suzie was sitting outside at their coach so I asked if Happy Hour was at their place.

It was a windy day - gusts to 20 mph at times
Last picture of these mountains this year 

It was their turn, in a way, since we’d not been there yet. I poured myself a drink and Bill got up to do the same before taking our chairs over. The sun was beautiful and even with the wind, my shorts and t-shirt was all I needed. By 4, the sun would disappear behind a cloud and I’d notice a change in temperature but it wasn’t until 5 that I walked back and changed into long pants and grabbed my hoody. I made a toast for the ‘last happy hour here together for this season’.

Last Happy Hour of the season at La Posa South
We've had fun with these guys

Bill and I had planned to go to the Thursday night light flyers at the Quartzsite RC Flying club. We discussed supper and the time to leave as well as the wind speed. Pat and Rob expressed an interest in going as well so we decided on Carl’s Jr. for supper. That’s easy! We were in the truck around 6 and Bill drove to the field on the north end of town.

Pretty wispy skies during happy hour

It was a slow start but eventually more flyers showed up. The only picture I successfully got was one of a Nightvision that came from the factory with internal lights built in. It was neat! 

And on the way out of La Posa South, the sky was putting on a show

This is a great venue for the flyers
Sponsored by the town with paved runways and their
$10 membership fee gives them enough to place fencing, tables
and a shelter for events

This little plane was lit up from the inside

The pictures didn't work out when the planes
were any distance away
The led strip lights were so bright, they just blurred

There was one plane that went up and immediately after it got high in the air, the lights went out. Needless to say, the pilot lost sight of it (as did us spectators) and it went down in the brushes. A ‘posse’ of 6 or 7 people went out with flashlights to search for it. It was found it but it was damaged beyond repair.

Perfect night - the wind died right off

Cute! Have plane will travel

There were a couple of other mishaps in the calm night air, the wind had died right down by this time, so it just wasn’t the night to be flying for some. There were a few that got up and had really nice lights. We enjoyed watching them until about 7:15 and we loaded up to head to Carl’s Jr. 

Single Western Cheeseburger combo

I hadn’t eaten there yet this winter and I don’t think Pat ever had. We ordered Western Burgers, singles and doubles, with fries and I enjoyed every bite. With full tummies, we drove home. Bill started the genny to give our batteries a boost before bedtime. We are always concerned about our residential fridge on a cloudy day.

A nice shot from the flying field

This was a fun day and another bittersweet one. We are looking forward to our park stay starting tomorrow but as always, sad to leave the desert and our friends. We’ll see most of them again before we head for home (yikes! I can’t believe that is on the tips of our tongues!) so that makes the goodbye easier to say. I hope you have had a good day as well.

Thank you for your visit to my blog today. I love hearing from you!