OUR FLOWERING RHODODENDRON IS NOW IN FULL BLOOM
Brrrrr!! I quickly closed the patio door after dipping my toe into the frosty air first time this morning. A quick glance at the outside thermometer told me we had dropped into the 40’s overnight. Not fair!! 
The battery in our Motor Home has not been holding a charge this past month so this morning it was time to rectify that situation. The rig was overdue for an oil change anyway so figured it was a good time to get a few things done. There was absolutely nothing I found interesting or stimulating in trying to change the rig's oil myself or cramming my body into the front wheel well of the rig to wrestle an old battery out of a difficult position. Had an appointment at the Bayfield Garage for 9:30 & like I have mentioned many times before, when it comes to mechanical things like nuts, bolts & wrenches I am far better off in the long run to let the professionals do that kind of work if I want it done right!! I will pick up the Motor Home Friday. 
Jumpstarted the rig with the Jeep & headed the 2 miles into town. Kelly was already there to meet me & drive me home again. An hour later we both jumped into the Jeep & headed on down to Mitchell for a visit with My Uncle Harry. He’s doing fine & I wouldn't be surprised to see him blow the lid off the hundred year mark in a few years.
We were home early afternoon & Kelly headed back to Deer Park Lodge. Couldn’t seem to get myself energized enough to get interested in anything & ended up dozing in my chair. Maybe I was just due for a few daylight hours of down time.
Utah quickly became my favorite scenic State right from the first time I saw it back in the Spring of 1993. Having now traveled in many neighboring States over the last 5 years, Utah still remains at the top of my list for out & out scenic ooohs & awes. Fellow RV’ers & Bloggers MARTHA & TERRY just wrapped up an enjoyable time around Moab & it was obvious from their posts they loved the scenery as well. JIM & SANDIE recently spent some time in the Moab area too enjoying all the beauty it had to offer. JO & FRED WISHNIE are currently camp hosting at KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK near Cannonville & are also finding Utah a beautiful place to be. In fact, I noticed awhile back that Jo posted the following remark on her Facebook page……"Took two scenic drives today: 20 miles of Burr Trail and 15 miles of Hole in the Rock Road to Devil's Garden. I now officially declare that Utah has the most beautiful awe inspiring landscapes in the country!” Kelly & I have been in the Moab & Cannonville areas & can attest to the spectacular scenery found there. Just a beautiful State & I sure hope we can return to Utah sometime in the near future.
ON A MORNING ROCK SCRAMBLE JUST OUTSIDE OF MOAB UTAH IN 07, MAX & CHECKERS WAIT FOR KELLY & CORA COMING UP THE STEEP ROCKY INCLINE...THAT'S THE COLORADO RIVER ON THE RIGHT & YOU CAN SEE KELLY AT THE BASE OF THOSE POWER POLES
AND HERE WE ARE IN UTAH'S KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK
I spotted a familiar Southwest character on our living room wall this morning, cast there by our morning sun. Maybe not familiar to a lot of folks but to me it was the shadow of KOKOPELLI. A bit bedraggled perhaps & no doubt taking a quick break from his romantic flute playing, but Kokopelli nonetheless. And, how interesting that the two objects forming Kokopelli are also from the Southwest. The wine bottle shaped Vase we bought in Quartzsite a few years ago & the Agave seed pods in the vase were once a part of a long dead Agave stock that Kelly carried all the way down from the top of Ghost Mountain about 3 years ago. As you can see, the Southwest is never far from my mind:))
AND, BY GOLLY, HERE IS THE KELLY GIRL HERSELF CARRYING THOSE VERY STOCKS & SEED PODS DOWN GHOST MOUNTAIN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S BLAIR VALLEY.....AT THIS POINT WE ARE LESS THAN A 2 HOUR DRIVE FROM SAN DIEGO
Two days ago we had our A/C running full tilt & tonight Kelly just turned the furnace on. Doesn’t look like our crazy weather is going to normalize itself any time soon.
Some of my posts of late have been a bit on the long side so thought tonight I would keep it shorter for a change…..including the Groaner. So, without further ado............:))
GROANER'S CORNER:(( One difference between man and beast is the jungle doesn't have a group called Predators for the Ethical Treatment of Prey.
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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right
now...... AL.
Well Al...I think about the southwest just about every day...
ReplyDeleteToday I said to my DH, "if yesterday was summer and today its fall, does that mean we can leave tomorow for the southwest?"
I enjoy the pics of the Rhododendrons...one of my favorite blooms.
ReplyDeleteWith weather like you are having you don't know whether to turn the ac on or the furnace. I guess later in the year it would be nice to have a choice like that.
Al, Take care!
Doug isn't allowed to do things under the hood of the jeep or any other vehicle we have had..it never ends well..sometimes it is better to get the professionals to do their thing!..it may cost $$$ but it is worth it!
ReplyDeleteIf you eat meat you have to admit you kill animals. That they may have been spared cruel conditions while they lived is a good thing. I eat meat. There are animals that would eat me if they could.
ReplyDeleteThe rhododendrons are beautiful. They are in full bloom here in the Hudson Valley of NY also.
ReplyDeleteAt one time I didn't care for Utah, but that was after driving past the Bonneville Salt Flats and through SLC. Now that I've been in other parts of the state I love it too!
Spectacular pics -- as usual. Would like to have some of that cool weather.
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories you have of your times with Checkers and Max. Loved the photo of them waiting on the rocks for Kelly and Cora.
ReplyDeleteSomeday we are going to Utah. It is high on our list. We may even go this fall...time will tell!
Russ feels the same as you do about mechanical things. Sometimes it's just better to let the professionals do it.
Al, loved your shadow on the wall of Kokopelli. That's one of my favorite stories from the Southwest. What a character. I have a small figure of him on a magnet that I keep on the refrigerator. Stay cool.
ReplyDeleteA doctor I used to work with said, "if I pick up a screwdriver or wrench, my wife calls 911!" Loved the groaner!
ReplyDeleteSo many images from the Native Americans are beautiful...I have a silver Kokopeli necklace bought in New Mexico 10 years ago..I love their legends and meanings..When we were in Alaska,I fell in love with their Native Americans..and the fetish fish, Raven...all that stuff. Thanks for reminding me of the wonderful history of this great continent....
ReplyDeleteUtah definitely has to be among the most scenic of states.
ReplyDeleteUT is absolutely breath taking but I need to find a different time of year to go there. Love your Kokopeli.
ReplyDeleteReally like the gourd picture.
ReplyDeleteAs it was blustery and very cold in Julian last Sunday, where our home park is located, we decided to get out of Dodge and head to Borrego Springs for the day. The temps rose by about 25˚ as we dropped down into the desert. There are still a few beautiful blooms about (which amazed us). It was very windy in the desert, but we appreciated the temps. We like hunting for the steel sculptures that are set around Borrego. A sea serpent is about to be installed. This will be the masterpiece (or not - depending on your viewpoint). Once back in Julian it was drippy and cold and very blowy. The next morning was absolutely gorgeous with not a cloud in the sky. Stupid weather.
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying Utah right now as well! Just finishing up a stay at Zion National Park!
ReplyDeletehttp://wylie-wanderings.blogspot.com