Yuma to Gila Bend to Organ Pipes Cactus National Monument..

Thursday morning Patsy and I texted back and forth a few times and figured that Happy Hour would be at their camp at 1500.  

We headed out to get a few things done, the shopping and laundry.  It didn't seem that it took that long but it was almost 1430 when we got back to camp.  Grabbed a quick munchie to eat as there was no lunch.  We headed over to their camp a few minutes before 1500.  

What a great time visiting with everyone! A special surprise was Dave and Cheryl were there too! A great couple of hours and then the party broke up.  We went over to Doug's new place to visit his new "White Lion" a new to him motor home and what a home it is!! We're happy for him she's a beauty!! 

We went home and Ken started the bar b q.  Doug was coming over and bringing some thin steaks he had and we had pork chops.  I made up a salad and baked potatoes. We really enjoyed getting to know Doug more.  We saw him a few years ago at blogger fest and we follow his blog.  Talking with him in the Mansion, just made it all better! Good conversation and good food flowed until it was time for him to get back to Yuma (his dog) and the White Lion. Over too soon, but we're glad we had the time! You know how there are some people you just click with, Doug is one of them :) 

Friday morning we were up and about getting things done so we could leave.  Patsy texted and asked if they could come by before 0830.  Of course.  They wanted a "tour" of the Mansion which takes all of walking in the door LOL.  Patsy came inside and we had a great chat.  

Ken and Bill were outside going over the trailer.  Bill does walk throughs in Canada and he actually was able to show Ken some things that weren't gone over in our walk through.  Especially where the electric hot water heater was concerned! Thanks Bill for your expertise!! We used the electric water heater last night at full hookups! No wonder Can AM wants you working for them when you're home!! 

Bill and Patsy! 

So cute and colorful!! If the line wasn't crazy might have bought a couple

We got out of Yuma around 1130 a little later than our normal 1100 time. haha. Not your fault Bill and Patsy! Had a lovely drive across Arizona. Had lunch at a rest area which was nice.  We were going to hook up with Derrick and Teresa in Gila Bend.  We got to thinking it was getting late, so why not just stay the night at Holt's Shell RV Park which is where they've been for the last few weeks. So we did. 

Our piece of heaven at Pilot Know BLM..

Can't complain about the neighbors! 

Teresa used to write a blog "A life made simple" that I read for years watching their family grow up and do work camping in Canada. They have a daughter, Cassia who is 9 and she was probably 3 or so when I started following them. They were coming to our house for a visit on their way home, but it just didn't work out this year.  We got to the RV park and I texted Teresa on FB. Before you know it she was there! So glad we stayed! We grabbed our chairs and went to their trailer and the conversation just flowed for a few hours.  Finally it was time to let them get their dinner and us ours.  What a great couple! Cassia is adorable and growing so quickly...we didn't see her for long, but she is just too cute! 

Notice the Red Hat..Definitely a TRUMP
supporter even though they are Canadians..he bought a
huge flag too! 

Our spot at Gila Bend. $22.00 but being sold to
Flying J..so we'll see what happens..

Gila Bend this morning...

Yep it rained! 

Our travel today...

We went back to the trailer, hung out and had dinner. It wasn't a late night, but a nice night. Ken turned on the fan in the middle of the night as it was really warm..raindrops on the roof!  

We awoke to rain! And puddles!  By the time we were ready to say good bye to Derrick and Teresa the rain had pretty much stopped. We had a nice conversation with the two of them and Cassia came out for pictures :) We said our "see ya later's" and hope it could work out next year to see them along the Oregon Coast. 

A great drive from Gila Bend to Ajo and then on to Why, AZ.  Followed the highway to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Oh my gosh!! Beautiful! We stopped at the Visitor Center quickly, got some trips and headed for the campground. Got site 3 and Oh my is it gorgeous! $10.00 a night with the America the Beautiful senior pass.  We're here for 2 nights, as no way can you see enough in 1.  

A

A few houses in AJO..I ran for sale just because and they're not cheap! 

Got ourselves situated, a late snack and off to a drive. North Puerto Blanco Drive was wonderful..we just did the first 5 miles that was 2 lane. The Sagauros were incredible! Then we went on to within a mile of the Mexico border.  A great short drive but we were closer to "the wall" then we've ever been! 

Loved watching the scenery change!

Organ Pipe Cactus

Ocotillo is HUGE!

Huge Saguaros! 

Huge Organ PIPE~

Very nice dump station with potable water

All twisted up!

"My Hands are Up!" 

"THE WALL" we saw two different places where they weren't joined together..a Wash was involved in both..could that be why they're separated?"

Again, separated!

Another twisted one!

Love the red as the sun is going down...

Our little red campfire..no campfires at the park..but propane is ok..

Back to camp and Ken started the Little Red Campfire and we enjoyed Happy Hour outside with the different cactuses in our site :) So beautiful and serene, as they only allow generators from 0800 to 1000 and 1600 to 1800.  Later in the year they allow them longer, but I'm guessing because it's so hot then! 

We are here for two nights and then moving on to Quail Ridge RV Park to meet up with our friends Tom and Deb for two nights before we head more east! 

Thinking of you, Shawn..my brother in law still in hospital...

Have a good night everyone! 

Quartzsite, Silly Al's and Yuma..

We left John and Karen's place about 1130! Yep an early start...LOL.. We really weren't worried about where we ended up ..just down the road a bit. We had a lovely drive and eventually ended up at the rest area at Newberry Springs a little over a hundred miles from Needles, CA and the Arizona border. 

The rest area there has lots of parking for big rigs and RVS..very nice and would stay there again. 

We set the alarm for 0400 this am.  I was awake at 0340 and at 0400 I woke Ken with this little diddy, "Rise and shine and grab your socks! It ain't daylight but it's four o'clock!" I could see my daddy in heaven😇 smiling down at me. When we were kids every summer we'd head from California to Arkansas to visit cousins and he would use this to wake us in the mornings to get on the road. 💙

Thought we would have coffee, blogging and hit the road for a couple of hours. Since we were headed east thought we would get a couple of driving hours in before the sun blinded us.  It worked well and we stopped at the next rest area and had breakfast and showers. We got back on the road as the sun was above us. 

Our breakfast spot..

We hit the Arizona line and loved the change in scenery.  Gas was so much cheaper at exit #9! Yay we're back in Arizona! We stopped in Parker at the gas station outside of town and I made lunch.  We were going to stop at Plamosa Rd and spend the night but decided to go a little farther and stay near Dome Rock. 

We found an awesome site there..and here we are! No one around, but from the fire pits there was at some time. 

A little windy..but she sure is beautiful!

Colorado River

The view from our campsite..:)

I sat outside this afternoon in shorts! This evening Ken made an awesome fire pit and fire from the 2x4's we brought from home..small,  but it worked.

Tacos and a movie for the evening..soon bedtime. We were going to get an early start to the south...but Ken suggested Silly Al's at 1100 and then we'll see how far we go after we come back and hook up the Mansion. We don't really have a schedule so it's nice.  As long as we're in TN around the 8th of March. 

Wednesday morning we didn't set the alarm..so I was awake at 0630 and got the coffee going.  We did our morning things and I thought I'd have plenty of time to post the blog..NOT...we got to Silly Al's about 1115..Not a lot of people but more than you would think!  Great lunch, wine and beer.  

Got ourselves ready back at camp and headed out.. so later than we thought.  A nice drive towards Yuma and now we are here at the BLM behind Pilot Knob RV Park. Hoping we can have Happy Hour tomorrow with some of our blogging friends before we move on Friday! Tomorrow is a shopping and laundry day :( ...gotta be done! The temps this afternoon were awesome we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine for a bit!
Have a great evening!

It seems like we just got here and now it's time to head EAST!

Saturday morning we took our time getting ready for the day.  After breakfast and dishes I headed outside in shorts! A beautiful day here in Paso Robles, CA.  Ken was already outside visiting with John and Karen.  

I joined them and then a little later we were headed out in Karen's truck. First stop was the RV place as Ken wanted to get a 50 to 30 amp plug.  While there we ventured out to look at the fifth wheels.  John and Karen are in the market for a new one and John's been looking while he's been here in CA.  He really likes the Montana fifth wheels. They are gorgeous, gotta say.  We probably killed an hour going in and out of the different models. 

He found a firewood place while he's been here so Karen and I stayed in the truck while they filled Karen's truck with firewood :) You know Karen was happy haha. 

While waiting for the truck to be filled, our tax people from Winnemucca called with good news for a change. Ever since we retired we've had to pay quarterly estimates.  He said we can stop now as long as our income stays pretty much the same and we get a refund this year! WHAT? YES! Not a lot, but sure is better than paying! 

Then it seemed we were done, when John stopped at a local antique shop! YAY.  Yes, that was fun.  John and Karen found a couple of things but there was no way they could take them home as the back of the truck was filled.  She made a good deal and said they'd be back on Sunday to pick them up. 

Back to camp and time for Happy Hour.  Once the sun went down, time for a camp fire.  Eventually John bar b quad some steaks and I had made twice baked potatoes. Delicious dinner while we sat inside watching a movie.  Eventually I called it quits and after the movie Ken came home.  

We heard grandson, Jacob got a call home on Saturday and he's doing well. He's got a bad cough but doesn't want to go to medical and take a chance of losing his RCPO position so he's toughing it out.  From what I'm seeing there's a lot of that going around. March 13th will be here soon! 

My find from the antique store.4 cups and four saucers for the hoosier
cabinet in the bunk house at home :) 

Sunday morning was a wake up about 0630 and got the day going! It was a beautiful, clear morning.  Again, once I got things cleaned up inside, joined  the gang outside. Ken and i then headed to the local WALMART and got a couple of things.  Once we came back we headed back to the antique store to pick up J and K's goodies. Here's a few pictures: 

Minature Chuck Wagon

Needs some more realistic tools..but this is just too cute!

Another find of theirs

Love this! 

Karen will be painting the bars black..

Mugsy was not a happy guy being in jail! LOL..

We had to make two trips, but that was fine. Worth it to see their little frontier town growing :) 

Once we were done with all that Karen and I brought out some snacks and we just enjoyed the company and visiting with each other. Again, a fire after the sun went down and then we all ate leftovers inside until it was time to call it a night. 

Monday morning I woke at 0630 again. Got the coffee going and then woke up the hubby.  Really foggy this morning they say 1/4 mile visibility.  Hope it burns off soon! John had to go to work this morning so our goodbyes to him were said last night. 

We've had a wonderful time here, sad to say it's over already.  Ken's running to Lowe's and getting gas while I'm getting things ready here to hit the road! We'll see when we get out of here and where we end up.  At this point we think we're heading in the direction of Bakersfield and Barstow. Still haven't looked at a map :) 

Thanks again John and Karen for the hospitality! Love you both! 

Time to get going!!