Adventure to Algodones Mexico...

Wishing everyone a lovely Valentines Day, my sweetie gave me a lovely card and some yummy chocolates.  I was truly surprised.  Our place really isn't that large and where he was hiding them I have no idea, and to top it off we were together when he purchased them and I guess I was busy talking to a sales person.

Rob enjoying one of the nicer days

Paul and I had a wonderful surprise, my son, Rob drove down from Alberta for a visit.   I guess he decided to get away for a different bit of scenery.  He was here for about 3 days, and then had to scoot back to Alberta for he had a call to go back to work.  So we took him to a few different places that we thought he might be interested in seeing.  After all the desert doesn't offer a lot  different things to see, and knowing that time was limited we stuck closer to home.

Rob & Paul as we begin the tour.

So our first adventure took us to Algodones, the little Mexican border town with over 300 dental offices;  plus numerous optical and pharmaceutical outlets along with an endless array of street vendors selling their goods.  It doesn't take long to realize that the vendors are actually selling more or less the same stuff.  You can buy pretty much anything, ranging from clothing; pottery; leather goods many of which are definitely knock offs; cheap jewelry.  The vendors are very aggressive/persistent which hinges on your mental state at the time.   Without a doubt many sales are made just to get away from their constant nattering...my escape is just to pretend I don't hear them or perhaps I don't speak English. 

Si Senor, 24Kt Gold, all for $30

hummm...nice belt

But if you do pause and make the mistake of touching something, the sales routine is always the same the vendor will say, "you like, I will give it to you for..."; it starts out at some ridiculously high price and within a flash it has been halved, then they'll ask you what you are willing to pay, of course they always object, which they will counter offer, then you counter offer, at that point the vendor will do a very heavy sigh as tho you are 

One of the main streets

robbing them blind and being the cheapest of cheap that walk the face of the earth and should feel great shame (NOT) and the vendor says OK!!! 

We toured several of the streets ensuring that Rob didn't miss any of the "good stuff"!!!  It wasn't long before Rob picked up on the fact that the streets were just a copy/paste of what he had seen previously.

pharmaceutical outlet

My mission was to purchase some creams that are great and very inexpensive.  I decided to try a generic celebrex.  Very apprehensive, but I took one and I didn't keel over and seems to control the pain, so I'm assuming it is ok.  That is actually kind of dumb, but I do trust them for this is a big part of their lively-hood.  If anything it just wouldn't relieve any of the inflammation.  I have taken antibiotics on a few occasions and they do the job.  As mentioned earlier there are over 300 dental offices and pharmaceutical outlets and the main business is dental, drugs and liquor.  It is just so cheap.  Many people who take lots of medications specifically go there to purchase their yearly supply.

We even had the pleasure of some live entertainment.  A fellow playing the flute - did an excellent effort.  There are some cafes located in the nooks and crannies that have live entertainment as well.

Sports score maybe?

In this area last year there was a vendor who painted rocks, lanterns, mailboxes etc and did a wonderful job.  Very impressive, unfortunately he was not there this year.  It was disappointing for I had brought an old 3 gallon shipping cream can to be painted by him.  I did find a lady at one of the flea markets in Yuma who paints as well, but my preference was to find this guy.

Mexican family doing some j-walking.

 This concludes our little trek over to Algodones.  Definitely had to good fortune of it not being that busy, hence no extreme line up at the  border immigration office.  Everyone must pass through with a valid passport, claim as well as reveal what they have purchased.  On a busy day it can take up to an hour or more with the line up being  several blocks long or more.   Paul was over earlier this year with some folks, and he said then it was super quiet too, not too sure why.  But a lot of people do find it very difficult to stand in line for excessive amounts of time.

Immigration entrance

Peddlers

 When standing in line there are lots of Peddlers, I don't believe they are Mexican, I think they are members of the Quechan tribe.  Not entirely sure if that spelling/or comment is correct.  The people are of a very small stature.  Many of the older women hold out little baskets for pocket change and in return you can get a 1 cent candy should you feel inclined to take.  It is not uncommon to see the police or military remove them when they get too close or too many in the immigration area.

While Rob was here we had to take him to two of our most favorite places to eat, 1) Five Guys; and 2) Kneaders.  Five Guys is strictly a hamburger place and they make fresh hamburgers and french fries to die for; never make the mistake and ordering french fries for each person.  One large order of french fries can feed 3 or 4 people with normal appetites.  Maybe not so for teenagers, but their appetites aren't normal.  Kneaders is the best gourmet sandwich place, and I totally love the 12 grain hazel nut bread that they make.  I wished the franchise was in Alberta specially Edmonton area.

Saguaro Catus

Prickly Pear

Also while he was here we went to the Sand Dunes, so he could see the massive area that it encompasses and Kofa National Park area.

The road was pretty rough so travel was slow, especially when we got off the maintained gravel road, then it was about 10 mph max.  About 30 minutes of that was enough, but we did find a Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom, a brilliant magenta. Of course had to take a picture of Rob next to a fairly small Saguaro Cactus.  Would love to find one of these in bloom.

Until next time...dance like nobody is watching!!!

January is a Busy Month...

Santa Anna Humming Bird

Well, the festive season is behind us now and it is time to start planning out the New Year.  My way of thinking about it - is like starting a new page, new chapter or for that matter a book, changing what you don't like, doing the things that you've always wanted to try and doing more of what brings you joy!  We never want to leave things too long on the back burner, for one never knows what is in the "big guy's" book, especially when you are in the senior's demographic.  Even though I never think of myself being a "senior"; but I guess I am - OMG!!! Pinch, Pinch can this be true!! Is that why I can't spring out of bed like a bunny anymore...hummm.

Joe Henry Park

It remains pretty cool in the Yuma area, particularly at night and in the morning; accompanied by lots of wind.  Have heard many comments that this is one of the cooler winters for sure around Yuma as well as the entire southwest. I think I said something about this in last month's blog.  If the cool weather persist, no doubt it will be in next month's ramblings.

The winter vegetable crops are growing and really don't seem to be affected a great deal by the cold weather, in fact now some areas, just north of Cocopah RV, are being planted to grains, which means it is the last crop planted before we leave.  Gosh time is zipping right along.

Paul and I went to Joe Henry Park a couple of weeks ago, for yours truly wanted to 'try' and get a picture(s) of humming birds, they are such elusive little characters.  Not sure if we were too early but their presence wasn't very noticeable, and as luck would have it just before we decided to leave FINALLY a couple were feeding.  Managed to get in close enough to one to take a few pictures.  I've never been able to be fast/close enough to get one in focus.  We desperately need to get some feeders that attach to the window, that way I can hide behind the privacy glass in the 5th wheel and snap pictures till my heart's content.  Does that mean the window will have to be cleaned?  We took the girls with us to the park, they quite liked running about and smelling the new smells.

Chip Summey - Guest Instructor

This past weekend was the Clogging Workshop in Tucson.  Chip Summey was the guest Instructor, he is such an entertaining individual, not mention talented.

So first thing on Friday morning I headed out to Tucson and picking up another fellow (lady) clogger enroute. It was nice having the company, definitely shorten the trip.  Tucson is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Yuma. I was very excited about going and had been looking forward to it for quite some time.

 It was an extremely enjoyable time, despite the nasty cold that I had been dealing with for several days, prior to going.  I hope I didn't infect too many people while there. Shame on me!! On Saturday evening there were guest exhibition groups, showcasing their talents not to mention lovely costumes.  Definitely one thing for certain, it doesn't take imagination to see the fun these people have and their love of clogging.  There must of been 80-90 maybe more participants in attendance.  Unfortunately it was a bit dark and my flash just didn't reach that far, so some of the pictures tend to be darker than I like.   Definitely wished I had written down the name of the dances that the exhibitions dancers had performed.

Being put through paces.

Studying the Que Sheet

Duelling Banjos

Frilly Frocks

Colorful Costumes

Dazzling Red

Cool Tuxedos

Very talented young lady!!

Having never been to Tucson, was a nice treat.  It is a lovely city, not overly huge.  We were in just a very small vicinity of city, but from what I could see - I liked it.  Shopping would be great, lots of things to do.


 We returned Sunday afternoon.  When arriving home, I was ready to tell my DH about my experiences and  he was flat out with a cold, OOPHS!  He wasn't then and isn't now impressed.  The good news is, he is on the mend.  It just takes time.

On the way to Grandma's

New Shed

Have been busy building a quilt in the evenings and just finished the top last night, the pattern is called, On the Way to Grandma's.  I loved the fabrics, they have such a vintage look.   Will take it home and quilt it.  Now I will have to think about how to quilt it and next on the list of things to do will be making labels for the quilts that have been made or quilted over the past year.  Oh yes, have a couple of table runners on my list of things to do as well.

Sewing Cave

We built a larger shed and I now have a sewing/craft "cave" to do my stuff.  It is so good to be able to sit down and do stuff and not have to put everything away each night.  I can get so much more accomplished. I generally spend a few hours in the evening.  I have a TV, a satellite receiver, my apple TV and computer, so what more could I want!!! :-)) Paul put in the wiring and set up the shelves with the left over lumber, ran the cable from the dish, and with wireless one doesn't worry about computer cables etc.

Tools of the Trade

When we leave in the spring, the tables can be collapsed and our cart and other outside stuff can easily be put in side.

Well, I guess that sums up my rambles for the first half of January.  Not too sure what the last half will bring but we'll see.  So take care and until next time.... "dance like nobody is watching"!!!

Ramblings and Christmas Wishes

Grinchmas Quilt Top

Almost two months have past by and I haven't written a thing!! Definitely thought about writing something witty and interesting, but that just wasn't going to happen.  Little glimpses of  what to say would flit through my mind and that is pretty much as far as it got.  Thank goodness it isn't my job to write, or I'd be starving by now!

The weather for the past while has been anything but stellar.  Very cool and extremely windy.  The Yuma area is well known for it's wind, and it is not letting us down now.  There have been a few morning here where there were only a couple of degrees difference between Yuma and Alberta.  Now that is bad!!  Trust me when I say there has been a lot of grumbling amongst the folks in the park.  I do hope that it warms up soon, if it doesn't, some warmer clothing will be on my shopping list.

 Fudge Gift Box
with Lace Ornament

Since arriving in Yuma, several of my unfinished project, quilts that required binding, that I brought with me have been completed, now that is a good feeling. One new project, a Christmas quilt top has been assembled, Grinchmas Quilt, which was fun, it went together quickly and without a lot of fussing.  I'll probably take it home and quilt it on my big frame, just makes life a lot easier. Had a brain wave (or should say fart) to make some festive aprons to celebrate the season, made two, then quit because I didn't know what to do with them afterwards.  So typical of me!  Of course, life isn't the same without making up some free standing lace ornaments with crystals.

Aprons anyone???

Have been clogging twice a week since arriving in Yuma, it is such a great workout, never realized that sweating could ever be considered fun.  The second week of January there will be a workshop in Tucson, AZ that is beckoning yours truly.  It should be fun.  There is another lady who has expressed interest in going with me and sharing the expenses - now that is a total bonus.

Opening performance

Over the past couple of weeks we have attended a few of the shows that have been in the park.  Last Monday the Arizona Classical Ballet presented "Winter Wonderland".  The dancers were amazing, it was a very enjoyable evening.  To add variety there was even a tap routine.

Tap Dancers

Opening of the Nutcracker Suite

Ages of the dancers ranged from preschool to late teens.  It wasn't difficult to tell who took their dancing seriously, definitely there were a few that had exceptional talent and stood apart from the rest.



One of the routines had excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite, a traditional Christmas ballet.  The lead or principle female dancer did a wonderful effort, you could tell she was in the moment.   By the way this is the only time that the young man danced.

Guest Vocalist

 There was also an extra treat - guest singer, Ruben Dominguez, he is well known in these parts for his singing ability.  He did a number of Christmas tunes in between the performances by the dancers.  So all in all it was a lovely evening well spent.  Loved his rendition of "Ava Maria".

Bath Day

Today was the puppies bath day.  They smell so good now, not to mention cute.  It is such a ritual after the bath, they go absolutely crazy, running like little crazed animals around in circles until they are exhausted and practically drop over.  In no time at all their hair is practically dry.  Today they got the "special" bows in their hair. So they are pretty set for Christmas outfits.  They are so easy to please!!

When is Santa coming?  We've been really GOOD!!

It is way too clique to say where has this past year gone, but here I am thinking those exact words.  Christmas will be here in another day plus a few hours, then seven days after that will be the new year.  OMG!!   This year, I didn't bring my card making stuff with me, so unfortunately no cards have been sent out.  Guess, cards could have been bought and sent, but that didn't seem to happen.

When we get down here, it never feels like Christmas, it could be anytime of the year but not Christmas - maybe it is the sand and palm trees swaying in the wind.  Did I mention the wind??
It goes without saying, Paul and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and may 2012 treat you well.


Until next time....do take care....and most importantly Live, Laugh and Love!!

We're Gone!! WooHoo

Maybe it's better to say, we are happy about leaving the impending winter that is tapping at the back-door, this makes us very happy; but we'll miss our families and friends.  Our departure is about a week later this year, and I think we are just leaving in the nick of time, snow has been reported in a few areas around Alberta, and the wind has just been brutally cold. For a few days when out walking the pups, I was feeling rather wimpy, so out comes the big white parka, giving me the resemblance very much akin to that of the Michlin tire man, which was OK, there is no dress code when a person is cold. 

As we approached the border crossing at Coutts, there was a huge amount of trucks, fortunately we didn't have to get in their line-up. Something I never noticed before is all the trucks had to drive through a large shed with a scanner.  The US border folks weren't interested in us, they even told us we could keep our banana.

Thursay, November 3

typical Montana scenery

Montana Highway 1-15

We haven't been able to warm up at all since leaving home. A very cold bitter wind has been blowing ever since we left, we were in hope that would change, unfortunately - not so. In yesterday's travel there was a lot of snow in the lower areas besides the mountains. Even parts of the highway had snow, the creeks have ice buildup along the banks, on some the ice layer covered the entire creek. We stayed over night just outside of Butte last night.

It's cold out there!

The girls didn't seem to mind, their coat is thick so the wind and cold hasn't slowed them one bit. So far they have taken the traveling right in stride. I'm so glad that we kennel trained them for the night time sleeping, there is just no fuss and no 'surprises' in the morning.  When its lights out time, you just tell them to get in their house and they get their night time treat and that's it!  They are so funny, they even have a preference as to which kennel they sleep, Emma is always in the kennel to Bella's right.  While driving through Idaho we saw a cattle drive, it looked very chilly.  There was a few hundred head being herded down the trail, which sounds so much more alluring than just to say a service road.

Our gas stop at Dubois, brought about a shocking revelation, Paul couldn't  find one of his credit cards. After about an hour of turning the place upside down, it was decided it would be simpler to call and cancel than to keep up the futile search. The positive,  Dubois was considerably less windy the temperature was tolerable. It was even pleasant when walking the girls.  On to McCammon for our overnight stay,  it's a small place just 45 miles north of the Utah border on I-15.

Friday, November 4th

We got away at a decent time from McCammon RV. It was nicer than the past few mornings, unfortunately not nice enough. The water hose froze, Paul didn't think it would get that cold, good thing there was a hair dryer in my arsenal of goodies.  Wasn't too long before everything was thawed out and put away.   The trip through the Salt Lake City corridor is massive and takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs to get through depending on what you are driving. From my perspective, most of Utah's population base resides in the various city's/towns sprinkled mostly on the west side of the freeway.  In the four years that we have been driving south, it has always been under construction, mind you it is now mostly at the south end. A lot of this is 7 lanes.  If you were counting north and south it would be 14 lanes with dedicated toll lanes. The one thing to remember, never travel in the far right lane for you will definitely get caught in an exit lane - with the volume of traffic and fast pace you could be in a bad situation that is not easily resolved.

The wind is just pain nasty today, not as cold, but nonetheless outright nasty. It has to be very tiring for Paul.  Won't be long and we'll call it a day. 

Saturday, November 5th

Get lots of looks when triple towing.

Cedar City, Utah

Good morning sunshine...wait that bright shiny stuff is snow - we are surrounded by snow and there's a lot, well it seems like a lot.  When Paul got on top of the motor home to clean off the snow the girls were beside themselves. This is the first time I have ever seen them tremble, I thought they were going to have a heart attack.  It took a good part of the morning for them to settle down and not go into high alert with any unusual noise.  The good news – it wasn't that cold – as well, we didn't have far to travel to get out of the snow. Within 15 minutes the elevation had changed enough there were only traces of snow and in another 15 minutes the pavement was dry - YEAH!!!

Today we drove through three states: Nevada, Arizona and California.   Destination point today is Needles, California.  Then it will be a quick trip into Yuma on Sunday.  We sailed through Vegas without incident, a lot of people don’t like to drive through Las Vegas, and it was a bummer the first year we drove down due to endless construction on the freeway.  Now the construction is pretty much complete, it is so straight forward and fast.  We did try a couple other ways that people suggested, to see if alternate routes were any better, but in my humble opinion they weren’t. 

Sunday, November  6th

We arrived in Needles as planned Saturday afternoon, it seemed like a treat!!!  We have driven the entire trip down without disconnecting once. Triple towed the entire trip. Every place we stayed on way down, the RV parks were able to accommodate the length of the motorhome, jeep and cargo trailer.  This was a total bonus. We left Needles bright and early, and arrived in Yuma around 1:00 pm. This concludes our journey south.  We'll be busy setting things set back up, once it is done we will enjoy the sunshine and warmth for 5 months and head home in the spring.

Until next time....

.