ROLLING THROUGH THE IMPERIAL SAND DUNES
When I'm able to start a blog off without mentioning the word 'wind' several times in the first paragraph you will know we have progressed from wind blown RV'ers to Happy Campers.
The winds never let up all night so it was cramped quarters again with the slides pulled in & we only put the larger slide out part way when we got up. The wind chill factor probably had the temps down in the low to mid 40's somewhere as I struggled to disassemble the large oval shaped elliptical satellite dish. The wind wanted to dump me & the satellite right into the middle of next week somewhere. Not nice outside!! As much as we love Borrego Springs we were happy to be on the road this morning as we pulled out onto highway S22 heading east. This now marks the first leg of our looooong slow journey home. Or, it may be faster than we expected!!
THE SUN REFLECTS OFF THE SALTON SEA'S SOUTHERN END AS WE HEAD EAST
There was another reason for changing our Joshua Tree plans yesterday. No internet or cell phone coverage in that park & we weren't sure if there was any on Box Canyon road leading there either. It's important right now that we have cell phone & internet service because a couple of things have taken place in the past week that require us to be in touch with family. Kelly's 91 year old Dad was admitted to hospital near Rochester NY late last week & my 93 year old Uncle Harry was taken to the Woodstock Ontario hospital by ambulance a few days ago. Both guys are holding their own but at that age & stage of life things can turn from bad to worse pretty quick. We are presently boondocked about 10 or 15 miles northwest of Yuma on Ogilby Road with good internet & cell phone.
First stop after leaving Borrego this morning was the big new Arco station at the junction of S22 & highway 86. For any RV'ers in the area this is a great all in one stop. They have 13 free dump stations, 2 fresh water locations, multiple diesel & gas pumps plus propane, laundry & shower facilities. Lots of pavement to move the big rigs around & there are some groceries inside Kelly said. The propane gal came out in a golf cart & gave Kelly a ride back to the cashier's counter. Stay on the pavement though because the gravel areas are bomb cratered.
GAS, PROPANE, & DIESEL
The winds were blowing from the northwest today so we basically had a tailwind all the way. We have been this quiet route a couple times before & much prefer it to I-8. Went right through the Imperial Sand Dunes & the desert RV, ATV, & Dirt Bike community of Glammis. Last time we went through here a little over a year ago these huge sand dunes were alive with dune buggies, etc. Saw 3 riders today & that was it.
click to enlarge
OUR NEW DIGS ON OGILBLY RD NORTHWEST OF YUMA
Last time we were in this area we spent Christmas here. We didn't go back to the same site we had in December of 08 because recent heavy rains have made a bit of a mess on American Girl Mine Road. We are about a mile northwest of our old site. If you type in Ogilby Road or Tumco Mine it might take you to our blogs from that time.
Very few rigs here compared to our last time her so we didn't have a problem finding a spot. Snuggled ourselves up alongside a row of 30' Mesquite trees & that has offered us a bit of respite from the still howling non stop southwest winds. In Borrego we had no protection whatsoever but here we've got a wee bit of shelter. I sat outside for awhile just listening to the wind in the trees. Music to my ears. Will still have to pull the living room slide in tonight though because that is the side where the wind is beating on us. We have 4 out of 4 green Verizon bars & that's without having to use our Wilson antennae too.
Our little Motormouse is not happy with this site because within minutes of setting up, an F/A-18 Hornet streaked over the Motorhome with a loud roar & scared the ba-jeebers out of our little mouse. I knew right away from it's markings that it was from the flying aerobatic team, THE BLUE ANGELS. I wonder if they train in this area. It was only a single plane & I watched it for a bit practicing aerobatics. Our poor little Motormouse was inside shaking like a leaf under my bed.
A LONE BLUE ANGEL F/A-18 HORNET (click to enlarge)
No idea how long we'll stay here. Just playing things by ear right now waiting to see how the fellas in the hospital are going to make out. Either one or both of them could be back home within days......or maybe not. We'll stay close to our phones & computers in the meantime.
4 PM temps outside now are 66F with wind chills in the 50's. Yuma is 10F below normal & the weatherman is calling for mid 80's stuff next week with winds dissipating beginning tomorrow. Now, how's that for a good old Canadians weather report eh:))
MAX & CHECKERS ON PATROL
GROANER'S CORNER:(( And remember this because it is important......... 'Never, under any circumstances, combine a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.'
BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/
OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/
The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.
Glad you have found a spot to hang out for now. Hope all goes well with the Dad and Uncle. We'll all be waiting to read further word from you.
ReplyDeleteHope Motormouse has come out from under the bed by now!
I hope you get good news about Kelly's dad and your uncle. And I'm glad you are mostly out of the wind.
ReplyDeleteHi Guys hope things go well for your Dad Kelly and your Uncle Al.
ReplyDeleteHope the winds do die down for you more and you have a safe trip back hopefully you can take your time!!!! It's raining here this morning but 17 (8am) suppose to go up to 21 we'll see!!
Take care,
Jan & Manny
32 degrees on the front porch here in Benson, but the wind is gone. Had a little rain during the night. Thanks for sharing the route through the dunes. The only time we have headed anywhere near that direction it was using I-8. We called that route "I-boring-8." Best wishes for Dad and Uncle sticking around and recovering. When these things happen to people you cherish, it sure reminds us of our own mortality and tells us to keep on keeping on, to squeeze the very best out of what time we have.
ReplyDeleteLike the others have said, best wishes for Kelly's Dad and your uncle, Al. I can appreciate how you'd want to be in contact during times like this.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you did, Al, but you took the winds with you when you left! It's calm as can be here this morning, not a breath of wind. It looks like things are going to get back to normal here - hope the same goes for you guys wherever you end up.
Great pics of the sand dunes today!
We hear ya with the elder family..Den has an Aunt and Uncle, ages 94 and 86 respectively, ith no children...and another aunt who is 90....That is another good reason to have good cell phone service. Also sympathize about the wind...We are SICK OF IT!!
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope you both get good news,Kelly about your father and Al your uncle !
ReplyDeletethe hermit
Glad to hear that you have found a new hide-away... Hope all goes well ,for Kelly's Dad and your uncle Al... and you can continue your trek! Have a great day and travel safe.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Hey Bunch... You really take great pictures... thanks for sharing them... been following your blog for a couple of weeks after seeing it on Cave Dwellers. Prayers for your family...
ReplyDelete