Tubing down the Colorado River in Yuma, AZ-Mar. 9 , 2016

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

Mar. 9, 2016

Fantastic day tubing down the Colorado River. So much fun with friends from our park. It's not the age it's the state of mind.

In February, someone put forward the idea that it would be fun to "tube" down the Colorado River. Seemed like a neat thing to try and the thought started to develop.
March 1 was mentioned and the word went around.

As activities abound and schedules are amended from day to day, the date was later found unsuitable.
It was at one of the multiple community boardroom meetings (held around the pool, with one's favourite drink, commonly called Happy Hour) that March 9 was chosen as THE date.

The enthusiasm brought about various topics of discussion: transportation to and fro; proper attire to suit the weather and conditions; but mostly, types of flotation/propulsion devices. The latter promoting individual creativity...

So, today, being March 9, is the day!

There is 6 vehicles driving to the drop-in point, loaded with people (participants, helpers, photographers and simply interested on-lookers) and equipment of all kinds (sun screen stuff, apparel for the ride and after, propulsion and flotation devices with necessary inflating tools, etc...).

 
The drop-in point is located at the Gateway Park, in Yuma; under the I 8 bridge.
It is around 2:00 o'clock when the dip-in takes place under the watchful eyes of helpers and by-standers.
 
The count comes to 18 riders in 16 watercraft. The shining sun promises to keep the temperature around 85ºF, with a slight breeze from the west.

 
After a brief moment of "hooo" to adapt to the refreshing temperature of the water, and to adjust to the chosen floating devices, the water current and the enthusiasm take over.
And the ride is on.
 
It is about a mile to the landing point, at Centennial Beach.

We find out that the depth of the river varies from 6 to 42 inches; at some points, some navigators get grounded in the middle of the current.


The River runs from Arizona, at start point, in and out of California on the way, to Arizona at the landing point.
 
The ride is accentuated by some fierce water canon fights along the way, to keep refreshed.

Within about an hour, all the participants have landed. Amongst a lively crowd, the work start to pack up the gears and return to the park to enjoy the sun; and get ready for ...Happy Hour!


Someone called it a "seenagers" adventure!!

All in all, a very relaxing ride.

Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Mar. 3 , 2016

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

Mar. 3, 2016

One day, while we were away for a while, someone rolled 2 halves of a pre-built house, on trailers, onto the lot next to us.
We had been watching as they dug a 4 foot deep hole on a lot, perfectly straight down on the sides, about 5 feet wider than the house; poured concrete for the driveway, right to the edge of the hole.

Early in the day (well...7:30 is early, isn't it? ) a large cab truck hooked up to one side of the house, the one to be closest to the driveway, and moved it around, ready to pull it in the hole. My question: once they pull the house in place, how are they going to get the truck out of the hole??


I am sure not the only one puzzled. A crowd assembled on the road and across the street, some with chairs, most with camera, to witness the mystery move.


The truck went down the hole, followed by the half-house; stopped at the front end, slightly turned to the empty side, with its bumper touching the ground at the front.

 
The house was jacked up on a doily resting on a rail angled to the driveway side; now that the house was independent from the truck, the truck drove itself out of the hole at right angle to the house, with the help of a pick-up truck pulling with a chain. Et voila!!
Before they loose complete access to the underneath, out come the wheels and tires; the axles come out later.
 

Now, the house (I should say "half house") was slowly pulled to the edge of the hole, on the rail; until the front laid comfortably where it was intended to be. The same maneuver was performed with the back of the house; until it laid at its final place. Like magic. A matter of time, skill and patience.

 


What about the second half of the house? The hole is now partially filled with the first half; so the space is restricted.
Same move. Same confidence. Same results.

Finished product

Six hours. There is no more halves. One house, being perfectly joined in the middle.

I lift my hat to this engineering execution. I recognize this is not their first crack at this task. But it is still fascinates me.

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

 A new experience for Elaine.

We have a very talented artist, a painter, in the park. Darlene is from British Columbia.
I have seen illustration of some of her work: fabulous!
Her creative talents are very diversified.


And she regularly shows her new creations and shares with people in the park.

She has offered T-shirt painting lessons for whoever is interested.

This should be right up Elaine's alley! Back to Hallmark Graphics table work.
Attention to details, selection of appropriate colours: can't wait for the results.

Final result

The choice of painting materials, combined with the right media and the proper drying process, has produced an image that is raised; the graphic art wording would be embossed.
Something to be proud of.

And what other skill is Elaine learning?

Origami. Oh yea!
And when the art is done with dollar bills, I call it expensive paper stars!!!!

There is no price for art, I hear.
Well done, Elaine!

Wintering in Yuma, AZ- Feb. 29-March 2, 2016

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

Feb. 29, 2016

Got introduced to a mix breed dog, black, medium size, with a face like a cub bear; great attitude, mellow, walks perfectly on or off-leash; named Sumo.

There is one peculiarity: he acts like a cat. As he approaches a human or another dog, he acts stand-off-ish, turns his head away, and sits with his back to the others. Like you would expect a cat. He reminds me of the cat in an animated movie.
He is living with 6 cats in his house; and many barn cats outside.
Sumo does not know how to act and play with other dogs.

After some time spent with him doing dog natural activities (dog migrating walk, associating with other dogs), Sumo is now using his nose more like a dog and feeling more like a dog. Coming out of the country and learning about the world.

Mar. 1, 2016

 Time to start thinking about tying up loose end. One month to getting on the road.
Maintenance: trailer wheel bearings and drivers' side hub cap replacement; torquing on all wheels.

While at the propane filling station, I saw a roadrunner. It was nesting between the fence and the building.

The beginning of March signifies the beginning of snowbirds flying back home; and goodbyes, as one by one, the parks loose their occupants.
A bitter sweet experience.
The excitement of returning on the road and rejoining family.
The sadness of leaving what has been the caring community that we shared for the last six months.

Hot temps: day :90's; night: 60.

Hurt my right hand and shoulder, with a scratch on right knee, playing pickleball.

Mar. 2, 2016

 For the second time, we drive to Julian, CA, with Jim and Leslie.

The way we came

This time, we take a different route; from El Centro to CA 78 that leads us to Julian.

 
Most of the road is in the flat desert. The climb of 4,200 ft to Julian happens in about 3-4 miles. With ride back turns and climb; fantastic vista.


Different than the CA79 approach, but an adventure I am enjoying just as much.

Julian has become a very popular day trip for motorcyclists of all kind and all ages.

You can expect to find a full stable of motorcycles parked on the main street. License plates tell of the distances these beasts have traveled around the continent and to get here.

 
This time, we are thrilled to come across some police officers from the town of Murrieta, CA; they have traveled by motorbikes.

I am particularly intrigued by the equipment that their bikes adorn.

Make and year?

Since we are talking about vehicles: can anyone help me find the make and year of this van in the picture?

 
In Julian, you can visit the "Candy Mine". I leave it to your imagination what the product is. It must be precious, judging from the official headgear of the guard at the door!


We drive CA79 back. Wonderful travel, as we recognize the path we followed before.

The temperature drops to 68ºF, at 4,200 ft altitude, in Julian.
Back to El Centro, at sea level, the temperature rises to 94ºF.

Stopped in El Centro on the way back; a visit at Costco.

Saw the price of diesel in Brawley, California at 2.39/gal; in Yuma: 1.68/gal. The moment you cross the line into California, the gas price is a lot more expensive.

Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Feb. 26-27 , 2016

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


Feb. 26, 2016

On a visit to Mexico, along with Jim and Leslie, Elaine had a plaque hand painted for me, as a surprise.


It has a special meaning to me, because of the history that it reflects, in the park.

Since we have been here, I have helped dogs with their unwanted behaviours. Our friends Jim and Deb were working with their 3 dogs, changing some behaviours. Jim likes to create his own name for people; he started with Pepe La Pew, noticing the french accent; he remembered the original "Dog Whisperer", Cesar Milan. He finally combined the two and I became Pepe Milan. The last part was too heavy to carry, so was shortened to Pepe.

Now, people in the park greet me as Pepe; and we get people looking for help with their dog,  knocking at our door, looking for the Dog Whisperer.

That is why I am so proud of this sign.

It has such an effect on my ego that I have to make sure I keep it in check; otherwise, my head would not fit through the door.

And the sign came home with a companion Mexican rooster, to keep company to our parrot.

 Feb. 27, 2016

The military have a Marine Corps Air Base in Yuma. And today they have invited the public to Patriot Festival, to celebrate the Yuma Community with a day of live music, food vendors, military displays and more!

RQ-7B Shadow

The Festival is hosted at the south end of the base, with access to runways, to accommodate aircraft and parking for visitors.

Remotely piloted

Beside a variety of aircraft, there are exhibitors and vendors, along with music and displays.

AV-8B Harrier II

Very impressive collection of flying machines, there for our inspection.

F-35 Lightning II

We hear and watch these flying toys in the sky regularly; but the proximity brings a new dimension.

Fire power

I can set my clock between 8:00-8:30, to the sound of these fighter jets taking off for a day of practice
in the sky; and the runways are approximately 8-10 miles away.

Inside the Osprey

MV-22 Osprey

The beast that impresses me the most is the Osprey. Vertical take-off and horizontal maneuverability, all done with prop engine: wow!




The exhibits were interesting and the vendors presented their stuff in a creative manner.

I can do that!!

Looking good!

Conflict of interest??

Elaine managed to acquire some things to take home, not including the many pictures.

Visit to Julian, CA-Feb. 25,2016

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



Feb. 25, 2016

Our friends Leonard and Rose are celebrating their 25th Anniversary. And they have asked us to go to Julian, CA with them.


Julian is a quaint little town designated as a California Historical Landmark, located at the intersection of CA78 and CA79. The hallmark of Juliana is apple pie.

The drive along I8 going west from Yuma continues to be one of my favorite. With the Imperial Sand Dunes, past the windmill farms and the climb in the mountains to over 4200 ft altitude.

I never get enough of the unusual formation, that gives you the impression that the giants have been playing with bolder toys, and did not put their toys back.

Then, we turn north on CA79 to a more moderate type climate environment, due to the altitude; where we start seeing green cover on the ground, leaves on the trees and the fruit trees in full bloom. The road is whindy and narrower, allowing for time to appreciate the landscape and breath the fragrant air of the country side.


We drive by Lake Cuyamaca, with a community perched along the hills, overlooking the peaceful setting.

Our encounters tell us that we are in horse riding country, in the middle of friendly hills and valleys.

Elevated at over 4,200 ft., Julian is experiencing spring. Daffodils ornate the church garden, under the colourful umbrella of the blooming fruit trees

 
The boutiques offer unique creations to the visitors. And Elaine will not go without putting some to the test.
 
The actual centre of town is concentrated mainly in approximately a block; from one street to the south to the next street to the north; and the same from east to west. Some points of interest can be found just at the edge of the square.


 
During the drive back, we stop at a viewpoint that offers a great panorama of the east access to the town through the mountains, on CA78. It leaves me breathless. It depicts the true character of this area, in one glance. I will return to experience this approach from the east.

The return sends us through the same winding road, with hairpin turns and lovely scenery.



Once back on the highway, the descent from 4,200 ft to sea level takes some interesting turns, through the mountains; with runaway truck ramps, for safety.

Good day. Good feeling breathing fresh air of spring in green country.