Short Visit to Old Yuma, Quiet Day, Friends for Happy Hour, Horse Races

Pilot Knob RV Resort, Winterhaven, CA

It wasn’t my plan to be awake from 4:30 to 6 on Tuesday, Feb. 25^th but that is exactly what happened. Bill got up at 6 and then I dropped into a hole of a dream. It was not a fun dream as I was back at work – for a day – before realizing that I wasn’t under any obligation to be there and told my boss that I was leaving and not coming back. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I woke up!

Good morning!

 Bill and I went for our walk together and were both pleasantly surprised with the mild temperature. It was windy, between 8 – 11 mph, but a nice walk up and down the lanes and around the perimeter of the park. Back home, we each got washed and I had my creamy tea. Some mornings it tastes so much better than others. At 9:30 Ken and Kim drove around and picked us up.

Beautiful bougainvillea in the park

Old Yuma was our destination today for their Tuesday market as we hadn’t been yet this year. I wasn’t that keen on it last winter but was willing to try it again. There weren’t a lot of vendors but still a decent number. They didn’t have covers on their pavilions as the wind is expected to get very high. When one lady said they were all prepared for 35 mph winds, we totally understood why they didn’t have all their wares displayed. That’s too bad for an outdoor market. It took us all of 20 minutes to walk up and back.

Entrance to the closed flea market street

Rather than leaving the area so soon, I suggested that since we were close to City Hall where the City of Yuma (Aeronca Sedan airplane) was on display, they might want to see it. You may be interested to google the story here as we found it quite interesting. We wandered around and took some pictures before taking the drive near the historical Yuma Territorial Prison then over the new Ocean to Ocean Highway bridge for a scenic tour. We wondered ‘where does that road go?’ and were about to find out.

The entrance and lovely courtyards at the City Hall

There is an rv park back in there about 4.5 miles and Paradise Casino which also seems to offer overnight parking. We never knew it was there and now our curiosity is satisfied. From there, Ken got us back onto Hwy 8 to home. It wasn’t a long morning but at least we did what we set out to do and have the rest of the day to relax. Back home, I made us sausages and eggs but really was feeding an appetite that I didn’t have. Some mornings, I'm just not hungry enough to eat much.

Kim pointed out this unusual flowering shrub
Then we learned it is a Baja Fairy Duster from a booklet we picked up

 The winds have already gusted to 24 mph and if things aren’t pegged down, they will be gone. Our Sienna Breeze mat, on the other hand, is one thing that never moves. It seems to stay in place, no matter how strong the winds have gotten. We sure picked the right one 4 years ago. After dishes and some blog catch up, I made my coffee and sat in my recliner. I felt exhausted and I guess that was because of my early awakening. Bill had a nap upstairs and after reading some of my book, a snooze was in order for me too.

Paradise Casino and parking lot

Despite the strong winds, I moved outside to a patio chair and read more of my book. J.A. Jance definitely has my attention with this one and even though the chapters are long, I’m hooked. At 2:30, we started packing drinks for Happy Hour into our cooler. I had enough ingredients to make up one more batch of Beer Margaritas so did that. I poured enough into one of my shaker containers and we pushed into the wind to walk to the Wilson’s.

Happy Hour
Higgins, Jo-Anne, Patsy, Kim, Ken, Doug and Yuma, Bob, Bill's chair

Doug and Yuma joined us from the blm area and then soon after, Bob and Jo-Anne drove in from Westwind RV Park in Yuma. They are enjoying their time there and we are keeping in touch although not together in the same campground. We had a nice catch up visit together. Higgins and Yuma were very good throughout the hour and a half and we wouldn’t expect any less. They are both good dogs. We'd heard from Keith earlier and he is now set up at Emerald Cove RV Park near Parker, AZ.

Higgy enjoying his bed in the semi-shade

 At 4:45 Bill and I got up to head home. We had already agreed to leave a bit early as we were planning ribs for supper. They take some prep time and a decent amount of cook time. I made up the rub and coated both sides before standing the 4 sections on the trivet in Madame IP. Cooking for 20 minutes doesn’t seem like a lot and that is why I did the NR for 20 minutes. Bill lit the Weber to crisp them up after they are done.

Yuma stays close to Daddy

The sun sets, viewed through our door screen

On the stove, I cooked carrots for me and did some mixed veggies for Bill in the microwave. We were eating by 6:15 and the ribs were done perfectly and tasted great! We were stuffed. Bill offered to do the dishes and sent me on my way. Mary and Loyal were hosting Horse Racing, a card and board game. I’d never played before but Mary personally invited me to join the ‘fun’. So, I took the few nickels Bill had saved and away I went for 7 o'clock. 

This was delicious!

Proof of a wonderful rib meal

There were 11 players plus Loyal, who was the jockey moving the horses. The game was explained, the horses in place and soon they were off! It was a fun group, a few I knew from around the park and others were newbies, just like me. Sadly, although I won in the first game, that was it for me. Good thing I had a good time as I walked home with only 25¢. Bill made note never to send me to bet on horses again. Ha ha. Now, I'll have to collect the nickels for next winter.

The group at Horse Racing
Mary in the pink on the left, LaDonna, Loyal, Rod, Charlie

I walked home at 9 and it was a mild night. I’m glad I wore my sweater up though, it wasn’t ‘that’ mild! Bill was watching American Pickers so I sat to work on my blog post. Too tired to post tonight though. This was a pretty low-key day and we still had a great time.

These 3 pictures are from our home spot
The Ridge entrance

A picture from Bill's Hangar facing the Corral

Looking from the point of the Corral up towards our spot
Things to be grateful for - we are not here (yet)
Good night!

Thanks for the pop in.

Last Mexico Trip, New Location for Happy Hour, Hot Weather

Pilot Knob RV Resort, Winterhaven, CA

On Monday, Feb. 24^th we were up before 7 and I went for my walk almost right away. It was 50F/10C so similar to the weather our Ontario family and friends experienced yesterday. I didn’t need to bundle up other than my hoody and windbreaker. The winds were almost non-existent. Bill had his shower while I was walking and when I returned, I had my tea and got washed up myself. Bill had a bowl of cereal as we were going out for the morning.

A collage of the sun rise today

My walk around the park this morning

We picked Ken and Kim up for one more adventure into Los Algodones this season. It would be the finale trip and it was all for pleasure today. First thing, Bill got his haircut and a good one for $4 plus a beard trim for $2. Boy, he is looking spiffy now! Some cuts are better than others and she didn’t have much choice but to make it a good one as his wife was watching – closely. She did great and asked my opinion when she was finishing. 😊

Bill saw this little birdie behind us playing in the sprinkler

Taking those last steps into Mexico this season

Ken and Kim had been shopping, picking up last minute gifts for home and then we trooped around, doing the same thing. We exchanged cards with Andy, our tour guide and greeter, before saying ‘goodbye, see you in December!’. He is a very nice man and always makes us feel welcome. 

If you have never been to Mexico, this is a bit of what you're missing
The colours of Los Algodones are beautiful

It was around 11 when we were done gift shopping and headed for the Paraiso open court restaurant for lunch/breakfast and – say it with me – M A R G A R I T A S!! Ola!

We had to go once more for strawberry margaritas

Bill, Ken and I ordered breakfast from the menu and Kim opted for a lunch meal instead. They were all good and I was hungry for it. We stopped at the Purple Pharmacy so I could get a couple of bottles of my shingles pills and 4 tubes of cream. The sun was hot and we all agreed that it was a perfect day for our last trip over the border. There wasn’t too much of a line to cross back into the U.S. and it was moving quickly Half hour later we were at the truck. We dropped our friends off and scooted home.

We go for the shopping, the food and the fellowship
Kim is a trooper and posed eating her tostada for the camera

Plans were to meet and drive to the blm behind us to Doug’s for Happy Hour. He hasn’t hosted before so we thought that was a good idea. He was keen for that. While Bill did some online stuff and took a nap, I rode my bike up to work on the puzzle for an hour. Ken offered to drive and picked us up around 3. Doug was ready for us and we settled on his patio with the sun at our backs. He offered for us to move to the north side of the White Lion for shade but we stuck it out in the heat until almost 5.

Happy Hour at Dough's site
Yuma was kept inside until we were settled
This is a really nice spot, facing south
where no one else should be parked

Back home Bill and I just chilled until 6 when he lit the Weber Q to grill burgers. I got the condiments out inside and we were eating by 6:30. The burger was good and although I reheated the leftover shrimp to share, it wasn’t that great. We each had some ice cream and I added crushed walnuts to mine. We got the dishes out of the way while watching the first episode of The Voice.

The pretty bougainvillea along the fence as we waited
to cross back into the U.S.

What intrigued me was how ironic: a beautiful flower
fighting through a barbed wire fence to survive

Bill and I like his new trim

The compulsory hair cut picture

This was a fun day. The morning in Mexico finalized things we needed over there and then a new location for Happy Hour. Doug was too shy to invite us so we invited ourselves!

The weather was perfect with just enough wind, occasionally to cool us down when we needed it. The high temperature today was 81F/28C and you can’t beat that.

The sunsets over the fence and our tree lights come on to light up our patio

Good night everyone

Thank you for your visit!