Wintering in Yuma, AZ- Feb. 4-6 , 2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.


Feb. 4, 2016

A bunch of us (11) drove to Yuma (Old Yuma) for a meal at the Prison Mill Brewing Co. restaurant.
A very nice experience. Being a microbrewery, it was possible to order samples of their products. The food was good, company was excellent. Altogether, a good time.

Feb. 5, 2016

I've done it! I have gradually gone away from sugar and cream in my morning coffee.
Now, no more sugar! I use Irish Cream. Very nice. I don't miss the sugar at all.
My doctor will be proud of me. (He is Irish!)

The plan for today: Old Yuma for a Mardi Gras festival with some friends.
Not sure what to expect, but some fun; a parade, maybe?
The event is scheduled to start at 17:00, until 23:00. We chose to arrive early, around 15:30; and hang out at Lutes Casino Restaurant, on the street where the Festival is going to happen; a place we have visited before and that have good food and atmosphere.

We arrived to a lightly crowded parking lot; as planned. We got an excellent choice of seats at Lutes, with no rush to miss anything. After a few drinks and good food, we left just in time to miss the rush; the festival had just gone in gear.

 

Stretched on Main St., for two blocks, were vendors and entertainers of all kinds. At each end, there was a stage, where various performances were presented.
 We find out that there will be no parade this year.

As a community affair, the theme brought out very colourful and original ways to dress; traditional Mardi Gras costumes and creations.

While the boys enjoyed the celebrations, the girls joined the crowd with the spirit of the occasion.

Feb. 6, 2016


Early leave (relative! 8:30) to go to Somerton, AZ with some friends, for an advertised Chihuahua dog race. My imagination can hardly picture this.

Judging from the sunrise, we are in for a nice day.
 



Somerton is a small border town with a flair of Spanish culture. We are early and we easily find a parking spot on the church's ground. A lovely landmark with definite Spanish architecture.







We arrive to a pretty deserted event; and a crowd of various animals.

 
Camel, goats, donkey and trained pony, and a wide variety of dogs. But no unicorn...

We meet lots of dogs, of all sizes; there for the social occasion, some for participation in various events.

 
When I say "of all sizes", I mean that at some point, it became difficult to differentiate pony from dogs!!!



One of the event was the best dressed dog!!! the envy of many ladies.


Stopping at the Swap Meet (flee market) on the way back, to find a few selected items. It becomes an opportunity to enjoy a beer, while listening to the live entertainment.



At these places, one can never guess what is going to be around the corner.

In this case, I had the chance to get close and personal with quite a different type of vehicle. Creative and well done; a two-seater, comfy motor tricycle.

Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Feb. 1-3 , 2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.


Feb. 1, 2016- Monday

Time to dig out of the sand!!!

Since we have been here, most of the days have been somewhat windy; that kind of wind that blows away the warm feeling of a sunny day. But who are we to complain of a cold 70ºF (21ºC) in December and January...
For the past 10 days or so, the weather stations have been predicting some stronger than usual winds for the area; numbers that people mention as they cross path on the sidewalk, with an expression of concern; and everyone got prepared for it. Saturday and/or Sunday they said. So, everything got tied down that had a chance of sailing away. Awnings in tight; outdoor chairs folded and tucked away.

We experienced the first effect of the storm when the vendors at the flee market (swap meet, in local term) started dropping the canvas all around the tents with a fervour that meant urgency. Everything else that was flying up a post, or not, was flying straight out, stiff as starched laundry. Pointing directly north. Still under the canvases, between the vendors exhibits, we could feel the electric energy surrounding us.
We had to reach our truck at the other end of the parking lot. We started to experience the tangible significance of it with our own body; the sound of the wind, the sand in the air blasting our skin; having to squint to prevent the sand in our eyes. Visibility on the road became greatly reduced as we hurried, with caution, to our home.


Located in a desert and sandy region, the parks around here become a real playground for a windstorm. The surrounding mountains have all disappeared. The clubhouse and the flags on it are faint shadows that come in and out of sight. The sand shifting wind creates the illusion that our neighbour's trailer is riding on a moving, beige cloud.
Once in the safety (is it?) of our trailer, we prepare to spend some time holding the fort and get through this storm. The large windows allow us to have first row seats for this spectacle. And what a display it is.


And who needs Disney World or Universal Studio to get the "full motion" experience of the event? The wind must have a surreal vision of this obstruction on its way; 'cause it uses the slide-outs as it would the wings of an airplane, to give us a surprisingly rocky ride. Even the satellite dish cannot be stable enough to get an acceptable signal...
The ruckus continues in the same fashion, as the faded lights of the day slowly dim out, to give way to the complete darkness of the night.

Hours of 35 mph wind, gusting to 50 mph. (That converts to 56 km/h, gusting to 80.5 km/h).

The sun screen, usually attached to the awning, has been folded on the ground; the solar powered lights that decorate it (the tiny Christmas light type), have turned on by now; but only half of the string can be seen shining, the rest being covered with sand.
 
The rope type LED's that was so carefully stretched at the contour of the outdoor carpet, like a plane landing strip approach, suddenly vanish under small sand dunes that also camouflage a large section of the carpet.

There is this nice LED lit butterfly string of lights, meticulously hung high along the side of our largest slide-out; the wind is taking great pleasure using it as a percussion instrument, banging it at a random rhythm, on the shiny, resonating wall. The mental picture of a pitted, defaced surface is driving us crazy. It would not be a safe move, in this wind, to climb the ladder to drop it; but our senses are vigilant, waiting for a break in the wind, as short as it could be, to jump on the opportunity to remove the ornament. We were ready; three minutes to end the torment.
We toasted to that.


So this is how, this morning, like survivors, we are checking out the aftermath of another experience.
We can still hear the wind reminding us of its presence; but the mean edge has gone with the rising of the sun.
We find evidence of the storm wherever the sand, pushed by the gale, infiltrated our home. At windows, door and slide-outs seals; around this window that, inadvertently, have been left opened, just a crack (for fresh air, you know). And a fine dust over everything!!!

Yes!
Time to dig out of the sand!!!
Think of it as an opportunity.
The place is being cleaned from top to bottom.
Just another chore; it need to be done at some time or another anyway.

Feb. 3, 2016

Elaine and the girls (the crafty type ones) have gone to a craft show in Quartzsite, AZ.

The plan includes breakfast at Goldsboro Bakery, in the Foothills, before departing for Quartzsite. They have the best donuts around (better than Tim Horton's????). Their food is cooked on site. So it promises to be a good start for the day.
Elaine is driving. They should be there almost before they leave....

Once there, the Craft Show ... did not materialize. Nowhere to be found. Mystery.

So, the group wandered around, visiting some of the vendors that set camps permanently in Quartzsite; they even took the opportunity to visit the local book store, Reader's Oasis Books; most renowned in the area for its owner Paul: he attends to the business...au naturel! welcoming customers in his birthday suit. No need to say that most customers are not so much interested in books; but want to be acquainted with Paul for a selfie. And it was no different for the girls!
Because of the particularly intense cold weather of the day, he was wearing... a shirt. He still happily paused for a photo session.
(I shall be forgiven for omitting the pictures; this blog is intended to be a family rated blog....)

Guess what the subject of conversation is at Happy Hour? cell phone in hand and pictures to show and tell?
The craft minded crowd comes up with a new item to work on: a willy warmer! dedicated to Paul. Imagination takes it from there and there is no shortage of creative suggestions....

Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Jan. 23-29, 2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.

Jan. 23, 2016


 With the daily routine of our life, the occasional lunch and dinner by the pool, visits to Algodones, Mexico, time slides along undetected.

 
I am still playing pickle ball every few days, to manage the injury to my feet. I am starting to feel that this game is addictive.
 Elaine continues to pursue new projects in sewing, knitting and crocheting.

Our planning is being affected by the value (should I say DEvalue...) of the Canadian dollar towards the American dollar. Basically, we pay $1.50 Cdn for $1.00 u.s. We have to consider the real cost of our purchases in the same denomination as our income.
Although we benefit from a lower cost of living in this part of the country, the difference is shrinking considerably. The one item that works in our favour is fuel; the last time I filled up with diesel, I paid $1.55/u.s. gallon; after converting dollar value and gal-liter, it amounts to 0.665/ltr; and it has dropped 5 cents since then.
Not much comfort: the dollar value keeps us close to home; so we can hardly take advantage of the price of fuel. But it gives a nice feeling whenever we fill up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three of the dogs that I am working with in the park, belong to the same pack. Two retrievers of different age, Jenga & Leyla;
and a new arrival to the household, an 8 week old lhasa-poo named Joleen.

The larger dogs have been together for a while and feel very close; they play together and respond to each other like twins. Their interaction with the outside world is tense. The exercise they get is very limited.
The puppy, on the other hand, is ....a puppy, full of energy, playful; and the new baby in the house.
An interesting case to work.

The thing that peaks my interest about Quartzside, from the first time we drove through, is the dry camping communities. In all direction from town, you can see gatherings of RVs in the open, off the grid, enjoying the weather and surrounding of this town. No water, electricity or amenities: peace, open space and opportunities to use off-road vehicles.
As the name depicts, one can find samples of quartz and various rocks/stones, in various size, colour and shapes, around town.
Once a year, a large RV Show is held in town, under and around a dome tent; complemented by a multitude of open air vendors, offering a wide variety of goods.
The event is well publicized; and it is common for groups to travel from afar to attend, on a day trip.
And so we did.

We spent time learning about new gadgets and ways-to-do's; took advantage of the tempting food outlets set-up around the show.
And we found time to have fun with some creative presentation that we participated in. We had a laugh and gained pictures and video of it.



I came across a unique hoody that I could not resist. The theme is about dogs: would'nt you know!

Jan. 26, 2016

The park calendar said "Dinner: 6:00 pm; Show: 7:00 pm"
Guess: Billy Tee, Hypnotist

We got our ticket early, joining some of our friends.
So, after a nice meal, we welcome....(music...) Billy Tee!!!!

Before

For the show, he needs volunteers.

After

There is a march to the stage; and Elaine is amongst the participants.
After explaining the common myths about hypnotism, Billy creates a calming atmosphere and leads the subjects into a state of deep relaxation.

The activities he brings them to participate in make for great comedy entertainment. That is captured on video.

A great evening of fun that needs to be followed at some point by the viewing of the video with the participants, that will not remember much of the show.

Jan, 29, 2016

Four couples and two dogs are on their way for a hike on the Painted Desert Trail.

 

On the Arizona side of the Colorado River, just north of Martinez Lake.
 
For some, this represents the first hike for some time; and it is meant to be an easy, enjoyable exercise. And we have to consider our two fury friends that are braving the wild to be with their favorite human leaders.


Very picturesque, the Painted Desert Trail is known for the colourful variation of the rocks. We also encounter some hoodoos in the course.

 

We are given a beautiful sunny day for the occasion. We advance at a leisurely pace, taking advantage of the many vantage points to capture the scenery in pictures.


Back to the vehicles, we find our way to Lake Martinez, Fisher's Landing Restaurant & Bar.

Where we enjoy most needed and deserved food and drinks.

Wintering in Yuma,AZ-January 14-16 , 2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.

Jan. 14, 2016

Motorcycle Mama rises up and early to  watch the sun rise in anticipation for her bike ride.

The wardrobe has carefully been selected last night, accounting for the coolness of the open ride, the morning chill and the midday rising temperature.

Another play day in Arizona (California? maybe? the itinerary has not been set, yet). Which brings me to realize that the long time reputation of Arizona for being the playground of all seasons has turned into a reality.

In the meantime, I am spending more and more time at rehab work for dogs residing in the park. To my delight!

The sun is getting low on the horizon when Motorcycle Mama's smile appears from behind her motorcycle helmet.

Her most exciting talk is about visiting the Dwarf Car Museum.

Had the most fantastic day.
Was invited to go on a bike ride with a friend from the park. We met up with 11 other riders. The group consisted of 5 bikes, 5 trikes & 1 can am. Found out that 4 of these biker boys were octogenarian. There was one other lady with the group.

When we left at 9 am. I was so excited even though it was cold. We stopped at Dateland for a very welcoming coffee & potty break then on to Gila Bend. After everyone fueled up we grabbed lunch. We headed up to Maricopa to visit a "Dwarf Car Museum" .
 

What an amazing place. These cars are road certified. The 1st dwarf race car was built here. It takes Eddie ( the man with the talent) 2 to 5 years to complete one of these master pieces. None of them are for sale even though he was offered $450,000 for one of them. 

 The Ford T was built out of 6 refrigerators at that time he didn't have a metal bender only an arch welder & yet was able to build this amazing car. This man Eddie Adams is so gifted with his vision of how to build these amazing cars from different metal lying around. 
 For instance who would look at a fence & see a fender???. 

Although he is 6' in height he gets in & out of these vehicles like they were full size. The power that emits from them when he starts them up is surreal. They are complete replica of the originals.
I purchased a DVD so Yvon could see what I had seen.

After such a great visit we left for home. I am still reeling from such an amazing experience. Thank you Ron for sharing your trike.

The Dwarf Car Museum is worth a visit to their web site at http://www.dwarfcarmuseum.com/

Jan. 15, 2016-Fri.

 The sunrise kicks off the day on a brilliant note.
No doubt, it is the promise of another grand journey.

El Centro, CA, is located between Yuma, AZ and San Diego, CA. This is our destination today.


Traveling west on I 8, with some friends, along the Mexico border, we come pass the Imperial Sand Dunes of California, an important recreational area for sand dune buggy riders, of all kinds.

 

My excitement level always rises as we catch a glimpse of the dunes on the horizon and approach the area where the terrain completely turns into an Arabian landscape.

The plan is to stop at Costco in El Centro for a rare look around, before visiting some friends of our companions, camped in Sunbeam Lake Park. Sounds like a long way to go (72 miles) to shop at Costco, but it is the closest from Yuma. And we will tag a visit to any traveling we do in the area.


The time we spend at Sunbeam Lake Park is pure and unexpected discovery. In the middle of a arid region, it is refreshing to find a more tropical and green setting; spread along the water's edge of a small lake.

We find out that El Centro is the practice/playground of the Blue Angels aerial acrobatic team.

As the winter home of the Blue Angels, the Navy Air Facility El Centro annual air show is the first show of their season, every year.
And we get to witness some of their practice moves.

While we are there, I answer a call from the HSOY shelter. It's about Brandy.
Her owners have come to claim her. She has now returned to her original pack.
Another happy ending.

 Jan. 16, 2016

Today seems like a good day to expand my global cultural experience with a sip of Cinzanno while preparing something for lunch; I already started the day with Irish Cream in my coffee. And I don't mind milk and Amaretto as a night cap.
Life can be so enriching!