From "where the sun spends the winter", Yuma, AZ

Los Algodones, Mexico streets and signage for dentists and pharmacies

(On our way in, the grey hairs walking to the border...convenient parking on US side provides easy access but ever since the heightened US security efforts, the return walk especially after lunch has increased to at least 1.5 hours in line...guess the drug prescription coverage is lacking and medicare doesn't cover dental work, so we cross over to exploit the cost difference, while the "illegal" immigrant crosses over to exploit the wage difference.)

Arrived a couple of weeks ago to this historic town along the Colorado River. It's lettuce and brocoli and citrus harvest season and the fields are ripe and full of pickers, the roads are full of field transport trucks and the cooling and storage facilities are operating on overtime. We have enjoyed good weather, mild rains and good times with some RVing friends of many years. This area has appealed to many as a "settle in" kind of place, seasonally friendly especially from this years weather woes, with lots of RV parking either out in the public BLM lands around the town, or in the many RV and mobile home parks. We've completed our several visits to Los Algodones, BC, Mexico, the small border town noted for it's dentists and pharmacies. By the way, these aren't being supported by the Mexican nationals, but by the grey hairs from the US and Canada, looking for the prescription drugs and dentures (crowns, implants etc) along with the "authentic" Mexican experience of a margarita with a lunch plate of tacos and beans, then standing for an hour or more waiting to walk back in to US through the newly upgraded border and customs station.

We've decided to stay longer in the Yuma area, largely because Tom will be working and helping out friends in their RV solar electric business. This is high season and they're swamped selling solar modules, system components and installations along with sharing lots of information and advice. It's already appearing as lots of fun and a good way to stay current in an exciting and fast changing industry. Technology has moved along significantly and costs have come down as late as the solar photovoltaic industry ramps up capacity worldwide, and the recession of the same dimensions has dampened demand most recently. This is a great time to invest in the solar modules and systems!

Happy trails and until later...

Now that was a rain!

Thought we had returned to NE Pennsylvania this past week. The rain, cold temps for here (in 40s) and grey skies certainly made it feel like our old home place. The winds were out of place as these howlers came down the canyons and 50+mph gusts were certainly a change. Had snow all over the SanBernardino mountains with many areas closed due to 4'+ of new snow in just a few days. Needless to say we've had to resort to our generator as the solar modules couldn't keep up with the nearly opaque skies. Of course our electrical usage was only marginally impacted since we knew the propane tank was full and the generator needed to be "exercised". Our plans to leave for the desert and friends got sidetracked as the weather was to be the same or worse, and out there, near Quartzsite, AZ, there wasn't any hot tub, heated pool, showers or Barnes and Noble. SO, we suffered a bit longer here.

(After the rains, this morning our first day of sun in over 5 days! Tough once you're used to it)

We did have a leak, our first in many years and the worst ever in the motorhome and of course while the rains poured it was hard to find the source...maybe when we get a bit dried out we'll have better luck. It flooded the passenger front seat floor, but not the walls or ceiling. Suspect it to be in the window frame. Will have to pull up carpet to get it dry, too. Not looking forward to this. But, grateful that we had our larder full and thankful for the fresh picked Navel oranges from next door at Glen Ivy hot springs. It's nice having the farm and orchard just 2 miles away, and Trader Joes just 5...

We finally got everything together by 3pm to leave today, Saturday, bound for Yuma and the dentist in Los Algodones, BC, Mexico. Don't really know why it took so long, but managed a nice hike over the hill along USFS property overlooking our little canyon. Enjoyed the smells that fresh rains bring to these normally dry areas. Noticed a dusting of snow on the nearby Santa Ana range and a lot of sheet erosion, but not enough to spoil the walk. Said goodbye to the folks here. BTW, we bought a lot here and look forward to spending more time in the sunshine and in SoCal in the future. Not enough to stop traveling, but enough to have a place to clean out the basement and leave a bunch of stuff we carry but don't use much. Also, a regular place for Ms. Nancy to get her much needed swimming exercise. And, there will be lots of garden and building to keep me busy, too.

We made it to Indio tonight and are enjoying the freeway sounds along I-10 at the scenic parking lot of the Spotlight 29 Casino. Bobby Vinton is playing tonight and we don't have any tickets. And so it goes. Tomorrow on to Yuma...

It might be rain

Greetings from the Inland Empire of SoCal, along I-15 between Corona and Lake Elsinore...
We've been having great sunshine and warm temps for the past couple of weeks. I've enjoyed time gardening and playing in the dirt next door at the Glen Ivy Hot Springs. The garden is operated for the benefit of the religious community there who value organic, home/locally grown fruits and vegetables. They have over 18 acres in grapefruit, avocado, orange and vegetables. It's a real treat to be able to help out and enjoy eating such wonderful produce and fruits. Especially this fresh in the middle of winter. It's one activity that I sorely have missed in our on-the-road life these many years. This opportunity to volunteer and help out in exchange for produce is the next best thing to our own garden, without all the inventory and costs.

Rains are coming so looks like we'll sit tight and hope they pass soon enough for us to move along to Quartzsite and then on to Yuma for our annual dental visit. We do hope to make it to Q, but know the area to be pretty miserable and muddy after serious rains as are forecast for our first of the season El Nino event. Stay tuned for more...

A blue moon new year's wish

Greetings from clear and chilly SoCal...as we approach the arrival of 2010 we're fading in resolve to see the new year in. Music from a live band can be heard nearby but without tickets, there's no entry for us. No matter, this park and it's trails, pools and hot tub have been restful after our long trip west. We can do without the dancing tonight, and we may even stay up long enough to hear the shouts and cheers for the new year. And if not, we'll still have our resolutions for the new year and decade tomorrow morning. More music, movies and mindless fun for 2010...at least for me as I leave my 50's. More serious resolutions are also on the list, too. Now to see how to make it happen...our best to all for a happy, prosperous and fulfilling new year.

What happened to Christmas

Well, we did make it all the way to southern CA for the holidays. Had an extra day between Phoenix and Yucaipa due to a wind/sandstorm that hit us at the Colorado River. We decided to pull over in scenic Desert Center for the evening to let it pass. We still had a head wind the next day but without the sand and visability issues. Great as always to see the wind turbines through Banning Pass just west of Palm Springs dancing in the breeze.

Arrived at my sister's house and settled in to getting ready for the holidays. Went to bed early to be ready for Christmas Eve and finalizing gifts, wrappings and arrangements. We did a big dinner out at my mom's favorite restaurant, Marie Callendars and we all went home stuffed and contented. Around 5am my stuffed contentment became too much to contain and full scale stomach flu-virus erupted! What a day, Christmas Day, my memories are dim. I recall up close and personal with every toilet in the area right on through the evening. Had no stomach for food and only by 6pm was I able to take in some peppermint tea. Any semblance of appetite didn't return until Sunday, and even then only mildly so. It was a postcard Christmas dinner with the turkey, ham, cranberries, yams, etc and "auntie" Linda's trifle. (Bro-inlaw Bruce's sister). I could only look at the food and plates all set, smell briefly and quickly exit the room...but life got better on Saturday, a little, and Sunday pretty much back to normal. But, my sweetie, Ms. Nancy, now had the virus full force and was suffering equally with the same symptoms. Poor Baby...So we continue to improve and will again soon be out and about. Happy trails and Happy New Year!

Happy winter solstice

(Shaman's Eye, Mojave National Preserve, near winter solstice, 2008; photo by R. Taley)

Holiday Greetings!
We arrived well after finishing the trip through ElPaso, LasCruces, NM, Willcox and Chandler. We're enjoying friends and the big city with it's Barnes & Nobles, used bookstores and last minute gift temptations. We've enjoyed our time here but looking to move along to SoCal for the holidays. Today we celebrated our 30th anniversary with day out. Last night we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with friends at our favorite local restaurant near our friend's house in Scottsdale. Leaving in the morning for sister's family in Yucaipa, CA. Expecting some rain and clouds for the drive west..hope for a nice ride and not much headwind. Happy holidays...

(Below at the Carlsbad Restaurant for dinner on our anniversary)

Back in the 'hood

We're still traveling but have made great progress and are now back in AZ, a lot longer a trip than we remember from May and a lot faster than we originally planned. That's 2400miles to date and another 400 to go. That's a lot of carbon kharma. Will have to sit tight awhile...but we wanted to make it to SoCal and Christmas with my 85 y.o. mother and baby sister and family. So...away we went. Rain and humidity all the way to SanAntonio area. Laid over 3 nights in Beaumont,TX due to winds, rain and fatigue. Managed a visit to Barnes and Noble, dinner out and then back on the road. Took the scenic lower US90 across Texas. BTW, it's still over 500miles across from SanAnto to El Paso in case you wondered.

(Our little home looking across West Texas; hard work for the Prius to push that big motorhome!)
Managed leisurely driving at average 6 hours/day and with motorhome that's plenty for us. Managed an overnight in Del Rio, TX and included a walk over the RioGrande river to Mexico for a reconnoiter and a few Rx drugs. Nothing like a walk over a long bridge and through a desperately poor town on a day of overcast and drizzle. Tourism was really down and a number of pharmacies and dentists office looked permanently closed and the "medical" tourism was down as well. Our economy may be in difficulty but theirs is in disaster.

Spent several nights parked along the roadside as it is acceptable to overnight in picnic and roadside rest areas out west, and very much UNlike in the east where only an RV park in authorized for overnights. We also stayed in Elks Lodge parking areas, Walmarts lots and in front of friends houses. Such is the nomads' life.

Went out with friends last night to Anti-Defamation League program on "Hate and Intolerance". Very interesting Independent Lens produced documentary on the history of Indian boarding schools and the prevalent philosophy of "killing the Indian and saving the man or woman". The efforts all appeared Christian-motivated and well-intentioned. There were many Native peoples in the audience who after the film, shared their personal experiences or those of their parents or grandparents. Quite a moving evening. What was most clear was the corruption of innocence, abuse and insensitivity
(Chihuahuan desert near Willcox, AZ-yuccas)

endured from otherwise well-meaning people. It was also clear that absent these type of people, the predominant national feeling was to simply "exterminate the savages". Their were a lot of tears and heartfelt hurt displayed. Also brought up was the parallels with attitudes today towards immigrants, Muslims, gays and other groups. Unfortunately there were only 50 to 75 people in attendance.

Will enjoy our time with friends in Phoenix area and head out soon for SoCal and family there. Happy trails.

(New tombstone for youngest of Earp Brothers who was reported to be a hot head and drunk who met his maker in Willcox, AZ after 1 bar fight too many)