HIKING AND KAYAKING

We hiked up a slot canyon this morning not to far from our campsite.  Not as pretty as some of the ones we have hiked in UT, but it was a good hike.  In the afternoon we went over to another lake/resevoir called Senator Wash and put our kayak in.  Made a trip all the way around it so the upper body got some exercise.  Warm day today and the best part was no wind or hardly any.

 

Here I am trudging along trying to keep up with Connie.

 

Some of the canyon was fairly open.

 

Found a number of "tanks" that the desert creatures use for water.  We have seen a number of wild burros - one with a little baby.  But no camera!!  They say the best camera is the one you have with you.  

 

Here is our put in point at Senator Wash.  Just another part of the Colorado River by Imperial Dam.

 

While I am getting the kayak ready, Connie is playing with the dog.  He sure does love the water.  He really gets excited when we get near it.  Can't see it, but smells the water.  He still chases sticks, but it takes a few thrown rocks for him to locate a stick.

 

Coming back to our launch site.  Our jeep is hardly visible under the middle tree.

DESERT PICTURES

It was pretty darn cold this morning when we went for our sunrise walk.  We both had coats and gloves on.  The wind was blowing but not as bad as it has been.  After our walk we went over to the Yuma Proving Grounds Army base.  I was going to get a haircut (I usually get my once a year haircut that Connie does not give me there) but they were closed until further notice.  Seems they are having trouble keeping a barber there.  Also went to the commissary and bought a few groceries.  Then we decided to go out to Ferguson Lake which is on the Colorado River.  It had warmed up when we got there so just unloaded the kayak and went for a paddle.  Was good to get back on the water.  That pretty well took up our day with just enough time for a walk and a bike ride when we got back.

Click on any picture to make it larger.

 

Long shadows.  You can see how cold Connie looks.  Zeus does not seem to mind though.

The ocatillo leaves are really green and bright this year.

Our camp.

We drove by the farming area in Imperial Valley this morning where they raise a lot of produce.  Here they are picking cauliflower.

 

This is looking north down on Ferguson Lake and the Colorado River with an ocatillo in the foreground.

The landscape in parts of this area is pretty stark.

Connie is still wearing her jacket.

Paddling up on some ducks in a small inlet.

Drips off of the paddle.  

Coming back to our jeep under the shade of a palm tree.

WINDY AND COOL

We are down in Yuma right now and it is cool!!  Went over to Algadonas, Mexico today and both of us got glasses.  Did a little other shopping as we waited for the glasses to get done.  Had a few tacos also.  But it was quite cool.  I have never had to wear a polar fleece over my shirt while down there before, but I did today.  It even rained a little bit.  It is really gusting outside right now.  We are near Imperial Dam at a BLM camping area out in the open.  Will be in the high 70s by Wednesday they say.  Sure hope so. 

Last Friday we went over to Phoenix and bought a used BMW to replace our old one.  It is a 528i with low mileage (63K) and very clean.  Had it shipped up to MT because if we drove it off the lot, we would have to pay AZ sales tax which just about covered the shipping cost.  Made sense to us and would not have to drive it back when we left here in a month or so.  

Will post a few pictures soon.

WARM COUNTRY

Headed south on 14 Feb for the warmer country of the desert.  Lots of snow in Idaho and Nevada.  Spent the first night in Jackpot, NV and then stayed at Valley of Fire State Park by Overton, NV for a few days.  We are now out in BLM land just south of Quartzsite, AZ.   Will be here for a few days.

 

Connie and Zeus in a little arch by our campsite.

 

Looking down on our camper and campsite.

 

Another view of our campsite.

 

We call this Zeke rock or now Zeus rock.  The dog is looking right at our campsite.

 

This will be the new road around Hoover dam when it is complete.  They have been working on this road for years.  We can't wait until it is complete.

 

Connie reading in the late afternoon sun at our camp south of Q.

HEADED SOUTH TO THE DESERT

We are packing up the camper, jeep, and truck to head to a warmer climate.  Will leave in the morning early and stop when we get tired.  Taking the kayak and the bikes so should have a good time.  With all the rain the desert has had this winter, there should be some really nice wildflowers blooming in a few weeks.  Will try to keep the blog posted as much as possible.  Won't have cell phone service or internet in many of the places we will be staying.  Love being out in the middle of the desert in the spring.

 

The jeep all ready to go.  Snow has melted a lot in the last few days.

BRENDA TURNS 50

We celebrated Brenda's birthday yesterday by going skiing and stopping at our local brewery for a beer and some food after a day on the slopes.  The skiing was actually pretty good with about 4 inches of new powder.  Pretty light stuff also. 

 

Brenda, Connie, and Ike coming down in not the best visibility up on top.

 

  

At the brewery.  Doug and Riley (Ike and Brenda's son) met us there.

SKI RACES AND RAIL COMPETITION

Saturday we went up to the local ski resort to watch some ski racing and rail park competition.  Nephew Colton was in the ski race and Ike and Brenda's son was in the rail competition.  We also made a few runs in between.  After skiing, we stopped at a restaurant and had supper.  Both Connie and I ate way too much - thought we were famished I guess.

 

Colton Mason coming through the gate.

 

Riley Slaughter just about to touch down on a rail.

 

Brenda, Connie, and Ike watching the competition.