Kayaking in the rain!!

But first, a bit of gardening.............

 The cactus is beginning to bloom. 

 The birds seem to think my Swiss Chard is their dinner.  Now that I've controlled the earwigs, the birds are the ones doing damage.  I don't care so much about the beet greens, though they would be yummy, the chard is one of my favorites!!  Boo birds!

 We were planning a nice weekend of camping with Jason and Mindy to introduce them to kayaking and Hosmer Lake, but the weather didn't appear to be cooperating, so we decided to stay here and do some day trips.  Friday, we went out to Lake Billy Chinook and put in at the Upper Deschutes boat ramp.  It was sprinkling a little, but  relatively warm, so it really wasn't that bothersome.  Until it started pouring, and pouring.  By then, we were maybe a mile upstream.  And soaked to the bone!  I must say, though, that it was one of those "if you don't try, you won't know if you can do it" moments.  I did it.  And had fun!
You can't tell in the photo, but I was wet!  But smiling.  We let the kids use the hard shells and Dean and I used the inflatables.  All of the boats were full of water.





  Jason and Mindy coming in

 Wet, but happy kids!!!

Yes, the sun did come out - the next day.  When we got home, we left everything in - and on - the car.  Good thing our car is an Element - with seats that won't be ruined by wet clothes because it took until today for the inside of the car to finally dry out.  We put the inflatables on the back deck to dry - had to take them apart, which is a real pain to put back together, but they need to be dry to put away.

All in all, it's been a great weekend.  It's always a joy to have them visit.  We laugh a lot.

The next installment........

Since it was terribly windy at Parker and it was coming from the south, we decided to stay an extra day instead of heading into the wind. Good decision! From Parker, we headed down to Quartzite. Since we had been dry camping for several days, we stopped at a nice little RV park for the usual, then the next morning headed to the desert. In January and February, there are gem shows in and around Quartzite and the population swells to almost 1 million, but at this time of the year, the snowbirds are winging their way north, so we were able to find a pretty nice spot to park for about 5 days. The guys went out every day with their detectors - no luck, but they had a good time and got some exercise. Janet and I went for walks and read. The weather was pretty decent.
This was our camp site at sunset one night.
Before heading into civilization, we drove up to Mitry Lake - kind of backwater from the Colorado River which then is sent to canals for irrigation. I had no idea how many crops are grown in the Yuma area! The lake is a haven for wildlife - birds of all kinds - so we enjoyed our days there. Kayaked several times. The lake has about 10 of these constructed fishing piers out in the water - complete with palm trees. During the day, people were using them pretty heavily, but we read somewhere that the fish from the lake are heavily contaminated with fertilizer, pesticides, etc. I don't think I would want to eat them! I took this photo from my kayak - Abbey is wondering what the heck I'm doing!Janet didn't want to get out! Now that we got her in a kayak, we can't get her out of it. There were lots of these reeds and grasses around the lake - very few places to get from land to water - or water to land!All those days in the dusty desert made us long for a nice warm shower, of course, so we found a VERY nice RV park in Yuma where we hung out by the pool (after showering.....) for 2 days. Nicest park I've ever stayed in, for sure!
While at the RV park, we met Ron in the pool - remember Ron Michaels from 910 KISN days? Well, one and the same!! When we went to Los Algodones. who did we run into at the dentist office, but RON! While his wife (whose name I can't for the life of me think of) and Jim were having dental work done, Ron, Dean, Janet and I went to lunch. As luck would have it - there was a resturant that was having their annual birthday celebration - free food and FREE MARGARITAS!!!!!!!!!!!! We started out on the patio - very HOT!Ron took our photo.
We were able to move inside where is was much nicer. There was music, various kinds of entertainment, and excellent people watching. Ron called his daughter and we all talked to her. The ceiling of the resturant/bar was plastered with paper money - from where, I don't know - couldn't get close enough.
Time to head back over the border. This day, we were a bit late, as you can tell from the lines - of cars and of people. We parked on the US side and walked over. Our wait was a couple of hours, but someone in a car said theirs was even longer. The next time we went over, we went early and came back earlier. Very little wait.(I don't know how to move these photos - I wanted them all in a row......)
This little cutie was one of many little kids who were either entertaining the tourists or selling some sort of trinket. They were EVERYWHERE! Walking around Los Algodones is a real experience. Every vendor wants you to buy something from them. I got pretty good at saying no. But this little guy was soooo cute. Blowing bubbles with his gum and playing the little accordian. And looking at all the tourista.






Time to get back on the water. As many of you know, there is not much left of the Colorado River around Yuma. It has been piped all over the place for irrigation and drinking water. More about this in another post........
So, we headed up to Squaw Lake (they evidently haven't got the politically correct message around there yet......) There was a dump nearby at the Long Term snowbird area, so we took advantage of it before heading to the "campground" - which ended up being basically a parking lot. With lines - 1 RV to a spot, just like in a mall parking lot. But, they did have nice, hot showers, so that was a plus. And a lake - again, just kind of backwater from the Colorado River. We kayaked to our heart's content - hours every day we were there. We found a nice channel that ran somewhat parallel to the river and it was a pleasant paddle - until someone on a jet ski came blasting around a corner. Now, I'm sure that they are a ton of fun, but a 10' wide, very windy channel might not be the best place. Just sayin'.

Someone forgot their hat on this paddle!
From Squaw Lake, Jim and Janet went back into Yuma to the fancy RV park, and Dean and I went exploring. First destination - Palm Canyon. "Perhaps the only native palm trees in Arizona are tucked away in narrow, rugged canyons on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The Palm Canyon Trail is a rugged hike and takes you near a stand of these unique plants, called California fan palms, Washingtonia filifera."
We're headed up this canyon
From the top of the trail looking back down to the parking lot.
A VERY pooped puppy! But she is clean - got a nice bath in Yuma and a cute little scarf which stayed on for almost the rest of the trip!
So, we get to the end of the trail and here is the sign..............
And here are the palms - as indicated by the arrow. You can see them, but it would have been a steeper and ruggeder hike to see them up close and personal - so we didn't!The trail - up to the sign - was, indeed, pretty rugged. This is the trail - all the way like this.
Next bit of exploring was Crystal Mountain - where you're supposed to be able to pick up real crystals. Not! We scoured that place - found a lot of quartz, but no crystals. Oh, well, good exercise, huh!
We spent the night at one of the many areas around Quartzite and went out exploring the next morning. Only interesting thing we came across was this "golf course" Had to put these photos in for all you golfers! I guess when there is no course around, you go out and make your own!
To be continued.................

Oh, My Goodness!!

I can't believe it has been this long since I last updated!
We left on our big trip on March 13th and returned in mid May. It has taken me this long to:
do laundry, clean up our little trailer - it's amazing how much mess can be in such a small area - , get the photos ready to post, and, most time consuming of all, clean up the yard!! It is not finished, by any means, but I must get back to regular-ish blogging.
So, as I said, we left on March 13th, heading south, of course, for some better weather. First night stop was unexpectedly East of Weed at the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden. If you have never been there, put it on your list. It is a rather obscure stop on the highway - we originally intended on just taking a break, but ended up spending the night. The art is a labor of love of Vietnam Vet Dennis Smith. Quoting the brochure: "His work is specific yet symbolic, monumental yet intimate, patriotic yet cautionary: 'I don't think the purpose of art is to entertain, but to uplift, edify and educate.' " There are 10 large sculptures and/or groups and a memorial wall. I don't consider myself particularly patriotic, but the place really moved me. Here are photos of only 2 of the sculptures.
The flute player - along with a group of dancers............POW-MIA - outside the cage is an arch draped with bracelets, flags, flowers - remembrances of the many, many victims.

It was cold that night - we had to get out the down comforter. The next morning, after a long walk amongst the sculptures, we headed to Weed and south on I5. Not very exciting, I'm afraid. And the rumor was confirmed - California drivers - eech! Sorry, Lori! Driving a trailer in traffic is not pleasant in the first place, but some people just have to make it even more difficult!

Spent the next evening in the Wal Mart parking lot in Fresno. Hey - it's free!
Then to Kernsville/Keyesville mining district - a lovely spot to camp and for Dean to do his gold panning thing.
I didn't take too many photos there, but here is one of my favorites
Abbey and I hiked down the river a few miles and enjoyed the scenery while Dean did his thing with the gold pan. Mostly, just a relaxing few days in great country.
From there, we headed to Ridgecrest to stock up and get a new battery for the trailer - seems the 2 we had were not doing too well. We checked at the chamber office to see if there was an internet cafe and they directed us to a great, funky coffee shop - Casa Java - where we had a nice lunch and checked emails. Also, Dean talked to a fellow at the chamber about prospecting who suggested going out some road south of town (Garlock Rd), so we did. Camped in a pull off for the night. Dean drove up into the hills and used his detector for a while - no luck. Sat outside in the evening because the weather was perfect. A nice bird was perched in a tree singing to us. How lovely! And so many different songs, too! How sweet. How aggravating! It went on - and on - and on! We are pretty sure it was a Mockingbird. Here is the description: "If you’ve been hearing an endless string of 10 or 15 different birds singing outside your house, you might have a Northern Mockingbird in your yard. These slender-bodied gray birds apparently pour all their color into their personalities. They sing almost endlessly, even sometimes at night, and they flagrantly harass birds that intrude on their territories, flying slowly around them or prancing toward them, legs extended, flaunting their bright white wing patches."
Yep, even at night. I can attest to that. It finally shut up close to midnight - and began again around 3:30 AM! Needless to say, we got up early the next morning and hit the road!
Before we left the area, though, Dean took me to an old cemetery up on the hillside. There were maybe 15 - 20 sites, memorials, mostly, I think. Lots of old mining equipment. I found it interesting that people actually had left things there instead of looting them. Good.On down the road. Stayed the next night at a little out-of-the-way spot we found the last time we were in the area a few years ago. Twin Lakes RV Park - east of Barstow. Small, nice and clean, and quiet. I think the nice little lady who runs it actually remembered us. Did some laundry and dumped and filled and charged up.
The next day, we met Jim and Janet in Parker, Az - just over the border. We parked in a casino lot for the next few days while we explored the area. We found a nice spot to launch the kayaks just north of the Parker Dam on the Colorado River in the Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge. We had just started out, heading under this fishing platform when we spotted a heron sitting on the railing. He/she sat there until Dean and Jim just got to it, then flew off. A pretty big bird!
Jim took this photo of Janet, Dean and I. It was a nice day, but quite "breezy", so we headed back before it got worse in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the next few days were even beyond "breezy" so we weren't able to get the kayaks out again.
To be continued..................

A slight detour.........

......from the trip - since I haven't been too good at getting it all on here :( We decided to take one last camping trip, since the weather is going to be turning.
One of our very favorite places to camp and kayak is Hosmer Lake - up in the Cascade range south of the Three Sisters and just west of Mt Bachelor. The lake itself is kind of hour-glass shaped with a boat launch on the south end. The two large portions of the lake are connected by a narrow channel which winds through the reeds. There are 2 campgrounds - very primitive - no water, vault toilets, but they have large wonderful sites and nice people camp there because Hosmer is #1-electric motors only (and there are very few), #2-fly fishing only, #3-catch and release for the Atlantic Salmon (the only place in Oregon), #4-prime kayaking territory.
We got there Monday morning and found our favorite site open - next to the trail that leads to a small dock on the canal portion of the lake. We unloaded and set up the tent - yes, tent! We are really roughing it for this trip.
Then we headed out for an afternoon paddle. That is South Sister in the background.
And Mt Bachelor without snow. This is the primo skiing area in the state. Dry snow and lots of it. I used to ski here - before too many knee injuries made me give it up :(The next morning, we went out early to check out the birds and fish - and dragon flies - making whoopee?The weather was beginning to change - more clouds, but still warm. I took a (walking) trail which goes north along the channel. Beautiful view of South Sister. The trail was about 1 1/2 miles, cut up through the forest among a large amount of blow down. Abby enjoyed the walk.
And, speaking of Abby - she sure did get dirty! She loved chasing the chipmonks through the trees. We never have to worry about her catching one - they are MUCH faster than she is!As I mentioned above, the campground is rather primitive. The picnic tables and fire pits are the only amenities. This site has 2 site # signs, though. Curious. The only one that had 2. And # 13, too. Hmmmm.........During the summer prime time, there is a campground host on duty. His name is Max Peel and he has been there for as long as I can remember. Seems like I once read an article about him stating that he has been there every summer for something like 20 some years. (I looked, but couldn't find any info on him) He brings up a bunch of canoes when the lake is accessible in the late spring/early summer and rents them out, donating the $ to his church. He has quite a neat campsite - across from ours. This is his built up campfire pit. This is a structure he has built - covers it with tarps.
And, another paddle as the sun was going down............
Up early on Wednesday - very cold! Dean built a fire and we sat around to warm up for a while. Abby stayed where it was warm - on Dean's bed! We took our down comforter in case it got REALLY cold.
I paddled down the outlet channel to see if I could spot some otters - no luck. Mt Bachelor, again, in the background. This part of the lake is pretty sterile - no fish and only the grasses and reeds along the shore. The north end of the lake is similar - very shallow and warmer water. There is very limited access to the lake because of the grasses and reeds, so a canoe or kayak is the way to see it. Paddling through the channel, the water is so clear that you can see hundreds of fish. Also common are bald eagles, osprey, lots and lots of birds, deer, and elk.
This is the gate controlling the flow out of the lake. The lava rock dams the lake and the water flows through the rocks to the area shown below, then disappears into the lava rocks until it reappears at Lava Lake, several miles to the south. This is the beginning of the Deschutes River, I believe.
This is Broken Top, which is to the SE of South Sister
Abby is waiting on the dock for Dean to come back from fishing.
Here he comes paddling up the narrow channel to the dock.
While there, we located a Geocache. For those who don't know about geocaching, it is a fun "sport" Using a handheld GPS, you find specific locations by longitude and latitude. The sites are listed on the website. After you locate your target, you log in and report it on the website. People leave various things in the container at the site, depending on it's size. This one was large - an ammo box. Some are very small, like a film cannister (remember those? before digital.....), and some even smaller - micro. Dean found this one hidden in the lava rocks. In the photo on the right is what the location looked like.












So, we had a good time, I read a long book, even got sunburned through the clouds. We came home so we would have time to unpack and clean up so we could watch the debate on Thursday night. I was surprised (disappointed.....) at how well Palin did. I still won't vote for her and it still scares me to think that she could be a heartbeat away (literally) from the presidency. She is probably more qualified than I am, but that's not saying much! Can you really imagine her negotiating with another world leader? I sure can't. Scary thought!