The Road Less Taken

Morning                early              coughing                 Yeah, half           voice              doesn't work                often.  That's pretty much what I sound like!  There is always the long morning coughing session that is quite debilitating!!  My ribs feel like when I got bucked off my colt and hit that fence made of 2x8 boards to keep the bulls in.  But I will survive!!  Actually, I'm coughing a little less this morning, so ... progress!

Mr. Cooper and I wandered the RV park in Indio, watering trees and saying hello.  I was surprised that hardly any rig on this side of the park was actually occupied.  Even the next door MANKAVE was empty.  It worked out perfectly however, since he provided all the shade I needed to stay cool.

I tried to get that GOOD MORNING feeling by sipping on my special fake coffee.   Nothing.  I got nothing.  It just didn't taste good.  Could be that coffee can that has a 2023 date on the bottom.  

I tried breakfast, but that didn't work either.  Might as well get on the road.

Once again, I took the road less taken.  Past Palm Springs is Highway 62, heading off into the desert mountains towards Yucca Valley.  The weather report of no wind was a complete sham.  I didn't pay too much attention though, since I was trying to figure out if I would make Barstow before running out of fuel.  

I get 20-23 mph, but when that gauge gets down to 1/8 tank, I get nervous.  

All of a sudden I saw tons of flashing red and blue lights.  YIKES!  I expected a HUGE accident, mostly because this is about where I almost got smashed last year.  Or was it the year before.  

That CHP guy above yelled at that car ahead of me to get CLEAR OFF THE PAVEMENT.  Okay ... it's a wide load, but not THAT wide.  Once behind us, we sped up, only to slow down once again.

This is the King of the Hammer 4 x 4 race, the hardest in the world. They were stationed just off highway 247.  It was fun to see all the race cars turning onto the dirt road heading to Hammertown, where they all park.  This race runs over 100 miles in total.

Finally full of fuel to the tune of $4.99 a gallon, I pulled into a rest area to let Cooper out.  This one is pretty fancy, with separate parking spaces and picnic tables.  More coughing ensued, and now I'm getting tired.  

KA-BOOM!!!  Woohoo!  That woke me up!  I imagine it was one of the pilots training in this area, but that sonic boom was a BIG one.  Haven't heard that since I was on the ranch.  We were within a few miles of the military base, and it was a daily happening back then.

Soon I was heading through Tehachapi Pass, glad that it was a bright sunny day in spite of the snow on the mountains.

Just for kicks, after about 13 years of passing this place outside of Bakersfield, I finally decided to stop in.  It is Murray Farms, a nice place to stop for food, jams and even gas.  That's gas for your rig.  Due to construction, there was no way to get a decent photo.  

I saw a big sign that said PIE.  How could I turn that down.  They probably had ten different kinds sitting on the table, and I grabbed the Peach Pie without hesitation.  I'm sure it will make my cold (or whatever this is) SO MUCH BETTER!  There were also racks of homemade jams and jellies, along with lots of candy.

I was right.  OMG ... FRESH homemade peach pie.  What could be better?  Maybe the blackberry, or the apple, or the strawberry, or maybe even the CHERRY!

Wasn't I surprised when just down the road I pulled in to my next stop.  It was like a ghost town!  There are usually folks staying here year round.  You all know this one ... I stop here for the oranges.  

I parked ... dumped my tanks ... and hooked up the electric just in time to crash.  It was a long five hours, coughing most of the time.  

Lucky for me, it's a New Day .... the last day of January.  My how times flies!  The good news is that I'm not coughing as much this morning, and I actually have some semblance of a voice.  AND I don't feel like I walked all the way from Quartzsite!!  Will wonders never cease!

In a few hours, I'll be home sweet home.  I can't wait to actually cook something ... like the scalloped potatoes I've been craving!  Let the lists of "camping" food and supplies begin.   I think I need a new pad of sticky notes!!  Maybe TWO!

What's the Question?

To go or not to go.  The was the question on this day.  I still felt pretty good, but figured the coughing would get worse over time.  Better to take off and make the trip in three days instead of two long driving days.  Yes I lost a few paid days at the RV park, but getting home in once piece ruled on this day.  

So off we went after saying goodbye to everyone.  I was sad, not to mention it's a boring trip.

There was construction, but we slid right through it by following the trucks going 70+ mph in a 55mph zone.  Not kidding.  In two hours, I did not pass one single truck.  I figured they knew something I didn't.  Of course the weather guessers were wrong, having "suggested" wind would be in the 2 mph range.  Let's just say it's a good thing I turned off that GUST ASSIST thing.

 

I don't know if I lost or gained a hour, but it only took me an hour to get here according to my watch.  In no time I was heading down the hill into Indio.  

One thing I know about Indio, there is a Panda Express on Jackson, which just happened to be my turnoff.    Let me just say that all Panda's are not alike.  Nothing tasted like it does in my home town, and I don't think it was my cold ... or whatever this is.  It REALLY needed salt.  At least that made it edible.

The crab Rangoons were pretty tasty, but rather like eating Cooper's chew sticks.  

We arrived at our RV Park just in time for a nice breeze.  I stated my case at the counter, and the nice young guy made my paperwork into a paper airplane.  I caught it first try.  Here I am, parked between two big rigs, with everyone staring like crazy.

I think they all want to see inside.  I don't blame them.  How could you possibly have room for a bathroom, a bed and a kitchen?  Well ..... it's small.

Cooper and I went for a nice long walk first, before settling in for the night.  THIS was a much needed maple walnut fudge treat from Patsy.  I just want her to know, it made my day!!!

I forgot to mention, I did get a Bingo call last night, but it was a short one.  I sent a message to the "King" today and said I would be back for the next Bingo night.  His response  ... THANK GOD!!!  I had to laugh!! 

Dog Walking 101

 A day could not start off much better than this.  The last of my homemade cinnamon rolls, heated to perfection in the microwave and swallowed in five bites!!  YUM!!  I needed the sugar!

Cooper slept away while I read, washed my hair and read some more before heading out for a walk.  He's simple.  He's small and takes little steps.  No problem keeping up.

On the OTHER hand, THIS guy is much bigger.  I missed his characteristic bark when I entered the rig.  I think he was missing his Mom and Dad.  Time for my first trial.  Oh yes, it's ME that created the trials and tribulations!!

Off we went with him outrunning me to the end of the first road in the park.  Around the corner we ran, stopping only to smell the roses ... or whatever ... and we were OFF again!  I was exhausted by the time we got back.  Wow ... this kid is fast!  I really felt like he was looking for Mom the whole time.  He was treated with a nice "watch the house" treat!

More reading ensued.

Both of these times out, Gibbs made a beeline for my rig.  I don't know what it is, but he heads straight for the driver's door and sits down.  He refuses to move.  Obviously he loves Cooper and wants to play.

This is where we ended up every time.  I literally had to drag him away.  It could be that he smells Jonathan and wants to take a closeup look.  Who knows.  Around record breaking time as we traversed the race track, and back to his rig we went.

Three hours later, we were out once again.  My mistake ... trying to take both of them at once.  I think they crossed leashes three time here.

And another two times just for fun.  I ran along behind as they kept up record speed, trying to untangle the leashes.   I would never make a good dog walker!  Back to our separate rigs we went.

At long last I grabbed the package of Swiss Miss cocoa Patsy left for me and headed for the puzzle.  I didn't get far.  Maybe three pieces before I was done.  Besides, we had one last walk to take before Patsy and Bill returned.

Yup ... straight back to the rig door.  No baby boy, you can't go home with me.  There's just NO room for four more feet.  The very first time he did this, I opened the door and he jumped right in.  I feel so bad now ... I'm going to leave and he's going to be so sad!! 

There were lots of rubs as we sat in the house and pretended to play with the ball.  Oh my goodness, he's so wiggly and happy!!  

Just as Patsy and Bill returned, the sun was going down.  It was the perfect ending to a day of puppy fun.

And it just got better.  No I would never make a good dog walker, but I sure did have fun trying!!  The secret is TREATS!!  You need LOTS of TREATS!

Sadly, on my last week here, I have picked up the crud.  You and I both knew I would ... from the lady sitting next to be at the craft class.  Try as I might to move over, she just kept coughing in my direction.  I'll be sequestered for the next several days.  Oh the fun!!!

It's Raining? Time For Ice Cream!

How could this be?  It's raining in Quartzsite?  This is what greeted me at 5:00 in the morning when I took Mr. Cooper outside.  Needless to say, we didn't stay long.  

But that first smell of wet sagebrush?  I love it!!

 Patsy was contemplating the clouds, whether to walk or not, when I pulled out my mini umbrella!  Off we went.  

We were greeted with a sunrise half an hour later.  The clouds kept it mostly hidden as we walked along.

This PROVES there were actually puddles of rain reflecting the trees.  

It was pretty wet, which resulted in the the hem of my Levis sucking up about 6" of water.  It really was a beautiful morning.

More fun ensued when we headed out for Poker Pool with the ladies.  I'm sure you get this game.  You draw five cards, and have to sink the same numbered balls, always hitting your ball first.  If not, you draw another card.  She who has the least cards left after 4 or 5 games, wins.  If someone else sinks your card number, you get to discard that one too.  

I can't believe, I think for the first time ever, I WON!!  Only because I got a hand with 3 nines, and after six tries, finally hit the ball in the pocket!!  It's the perfect game because none of us are pool players!!  We all suck equally!!!

Lunch was an experiment ... chicken tenders from the microwave (I'm definitely getting a small air fryer) and rice-a-roni.  At least this time I didn't boil it over the sides and make a big mess of the microwave.  Just an FYI here ... it's not all that tasty -- more like that old bottle of grammar school white paste.

In the afternoon we had lots of puffy white clouds, but no more rain.  I was preparing for a walk to the grocery store to get Mr. Cooper more turkey for HIS lunch, when Patsy said Bill was back with Black Beauty, and she would drive me.

What?  A chauffeur to the grocery store?  I tried to decline, but she insisted.  Off we went!  And so I get to blame THIS on her sweet offer to help me.  Yes, Cooper got his lunch meat, and I got ICE CREAM!!  No, you do not want to know what I paid for it!!  

I just cannot say enough about good friends.  In return, while they are gone today, taking Patty and Duncan to visit Oatman and the donkeys, I get to spoil Mr. Gibbs to the hilt!!  It's a win-win for me!!

Later, Patsy brought out another puzzle for us to work on.  I hear they are good for your brain.  I should be a genius by the time we finish THIS monster.  It's got 1,000 tiny pieces, 75% of which are the same color.  

And so ended another fine day in the desert with great friends.  This afternoon I'll see if I can get into a wreck taking both Gibbs and Cooper out for a walk at the same time!!  That should be fun!!!!!

I't's RAINING!!

You just never know what's going to happen in the desert.  It rained quite a bit last night, enough to soak the dry desert sand and cut down on a little of the dust.  It made quite the noise in the middle of the night.  

Previously however ... it was a nice warm day as the sun came up over the horizon.  It was National Take-A-Break Day.  Not really, but that sounded good.

So while Patsy was otherwise occupied and we put off the morning walk, I continued on with this book I found in the park library some time back.  I hope this time to get it finished so I can return it.  I'm not a big reader.  I always feel like I'm wasting time that I should be spending cleaning, or organizing or playing with Cooper.

 

For lunch, I finished off what remained of this salad, which turned out to be quite tasty.  I may have to make this more often!  Some of Popeye's spinach might make me stronger!!

And then it was FOOTBALL time.  I watched the Eagles beat Washington with a big stick, before getting ready for Happy Hour.  Deb and Tom made it back from the cold and snow in the East, and were out at Roadrunner with Kim and Ken.  Let's have another Happy Hour.

Patty, Duncan and I, along with everyone else crashed Patsy and Bills gazebo.  There was barely room to squish in.  Here's Mr. Gibbs in his position as King of the Roundtable.  He was pretty excited to have all these folks to play with!!

Deb had offered a ride to Outback for dinner, in the Jeep With No Name.  How could I refuse??  And so five of us were off to a fully packed house.  

We ordered as usual and headed for the bar area for a booth.  It being another BIG football night (Kansas City playing Buffalo), seats were at a premium.  We sat in the cold picnic table area until one opened up.

Our pizzas were once again delivered, even if it was held on edge instead of flat.  No worries, nothing fell off.  It got pretty quiet as we began to devour them.  I would have watched part of the game, but I was seated directly underneath the TV.   

Somehow I thought the game was over and the Chiefs lost, but in one last play, they won yet again, just as we picked up our leftovers and headed out the door.  It was another great night of friends and pizza.  

I was dropped off at my doorstep to a boy who was VERY happy that his Mom was home.  Another great desert day in the books.

Although it says it will sprinkle until noon today, I'm not holding my breath.  It is however, VERY nice to take a deep clean breath of freshly washed air.  The rain also raised the temperature to a lovely 53 degrees this morning.  

My only problem today?  To wear a coat on our walk or not to wear a coat on our walk.  Pretty nice problem to have!!