Rockin' It.....

Thanks to Marg for the photo

Sorry for the delay in posting, folks.  It's been a pretty busy couple of weeks.  Thanks to our friends Syd and Lynda and Gary and Marg, we've made it out to the desert on several occasions.  The first time was to look for agates (they sort of look like lumps of leftover bubble gum).  On that occasion, Jackie blew out her nearly-new Nikes (NIKE stands for "Nobody I Know Exercises").   On the next occasion, she came prepared.... there's nothing like duct tape to keep life and sole (sic) together!

We found a combination mining museum, knick-knack shop, rockhound supply depot and RV park in the middle of nowhere.  It even has its own golf course (El Rocko - Par 3).  We decided, though, that we would probably not be staying there anytime soon.  There's being away from civilization but you can take it too far!

Our goal on this trip was to find some dumortierite, which is a dark blue/gray stone that is virtually indistinguishable from the billions of other dark blue/gray stones in the desert.  Still we managed to find some and had a great old time.

Scratchin' Our Asses

Today was a fun day!  Our friends Syd and Lynda took us out to the Valley of Names or Graffiti Mesa (we're not sure what it's called).  It is awe-inspiring to see miles of names written on the desert floor with rocks.  This has been going on since the 1940's, when Patton's army was stationed nearby.  The story is that the guards got bored and started writing their names with stones.  People have been going out there ever since, which is quite amazing since the road is definitely not made for little Chevy Sonics.   So many people have gone out there that there are very few rocks left and you now have to bring your own!  Syd offered to leave us in the desert so we could do our own names but we politely declined.

On the way back, we rounded a corner and came across three wild burros.  The burros are descendants of the animals that were brought out here during the gold rush.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, in the desert around Yuma but they are pretty reclusive.  These 3, however, were pretty friendly.  We fed them apples and carrots and they even allowed us to scratch them.  Carm was like the ass-whisperer....she almost put one of them to sleep.

It has been a trifle cool here all winter.  Still, it came as something of a shock to see snow covering the ground.

Just kidding.... this is salt that leaches out of the ground.








We ended our day by visiting two different lakes.  Who knew there would be so much water in the desert?!  Mitry Lake is less than 15 minutes from us.  You can boondock (dry camping) there for free.  At the rate the Canadian dollar is falling, this may have to be an option for next year.

It was another great day in the desert!  Looking forward to our next adventure!

Balls! Great Big Pink Balls!

You learn a lot about yourself when you go bowling with a group.  For instance, I learned that I don't take direction very well.  This is unfortunate, since I really need direction.  A lot of direction!  First they told me to aim for the middle arrow....and the bright pink ball hit the gutter every time.  Then they told me to keep my wrist straight, elbow straight and thumb towards the pins.  I hit the gutter again, but on the other side - which I suppose is progress.

Then I was told to stand sideways.  I just about dropped the ball on my foot.  I hit the gutter even sooner that time.  I even tried bowling left handed.  Bad idea.  The "two-handed slow roll of  death" technique worked well for awhile but it's embarrassing.

Needless to say that my scores will not qualify me as a challenger on any TV bowling shows anytime soon....unless they start setting up pins in the gutters.

On a more cultural level, my non-sick sister and I went to a fiddling jam session at the library the other day.  Great fun!  I even asked about taking fiddle lessons but.....wait for it.... the cold came back with a vengeance and I've been flat on my back for a week.

I have removed myself from all human contact and finally broke down today and saw a doctor.  What a pain!