New Year! ! !

Happy New Year!!!

We brought in the new year with a small party at MDA's Get-a-way! 15 people were having a good time, lots of food and drink. Gary started our 1st campfire and it was a big success. Several people played pool through out the evening.

We went to a pot luck dinner before the party. Cathy made chili and Jay made chicken and dumplings. Both were excellent. Mike and I both had to have two helpings.

Yesterday we had a horseshoe tournament. There were 4 teams and several great throwers. I did pretty well the 1st game but then my luck changed and I went downhill after that. Mike did really well and was getting quite a few points. He even placed 3rd in the event. We took Shadow along and he enjoyed being in the warm sunshine. It got up to 70 degrees yesterday and we expect to have more and more nice days.

We are working at the check in station today. It is getting busier with more campers coming in. The Big Tent with the RV show will be set up by Jan. 16th. The official opening day for all the vendors was Jan. 1, 2010.

RAIN, RAIN & WIND

Monday the 7th was a wet day! We had some rain, wind and more rain and wind....It was reported there were 2 tornadoes that buzzed thru Quartzsite and 2 in the desert where we are staying. Winds went from 82.5 mph - 100 mph. We had calm before the storm,,,,a lot of rain, then it calmed a bit and hail began to fall.
Mike and I were outside bailing water from the tents. We filled up 3 - 12 gallon containers in about 10 minutes. We had rain gutters up inside the tents but they needed to be more secure. They are now rain proof..
It rained a little yesterday and they seemed to be doing their job.
All the tents were staked down good and we didn't lose any. We had some water damage on the back tent and had to replace one tarp on the roof. But we fared very well.

I'm no longer working at the Grubstake restaurant. The manager said I wasn't bringing in enough business. But hey, I was bar tending and couldn't go and flag people in. I think it will be their loss.

Friday night we went to our weekly potluck at the hosts campsite. We were going to have chicken and dumplings but we got there and no dumplings. It was still good. This Friday we will be having 15 bean soup and cornbread.

We have new neighbors from Montana. Gary and Claudia Peck are now in our circle of friends. We had a group of friends come over Sat. night. We popped popcorn, had music on and shot some pool. It was a good time.
Tonight we are having friends over to watch the Arizona game and we might play Mexican train dominoes. And of course there will be happy hour and snacks.
Have a good week and I'll post again next weekend.

Dec. already

December is here already! Last week Mike and I went to Phoenix and got some things done. He picked up a propane heater for the LP tank for the MDA Get-a-way tent. It already takes the chill off while sitting there during the evening.
I moved my 5er on Thurs. night over tho Mikes and Steve's tent area. It has provided a wind block on the east side. We have tiki torches at the entrance and are creating a Quartzsite Survivor entryway.
Barb and Jim have come over a couple of times to join us in the evening. A potluck was held on Fri. night at the camp hosts tent. Jay and Cathy served roast beef, taters, gravy, salads and desert. It was wonderful. After we joined everyone at the fire pit.
I had to get 2 truck batteries for my dodge 2500 yesterday. It wouldn't hold a charge and then just wouldn't start on Fri. morning. Those batteries are spendy!
I'm going to help Mike tonight with his tents. The ropes have to be tightened and we need to put tarps on the inside to keep the cold out from below. We are also going to put up 2 rain gutters for the rains coming tomorrow. Of course we will have the spouts going away from Mikes motor home and catch the rainwater on the other side.
There is another potluck on Friday again. Sue Ellen is making her famous Chicken and Dumplings. We will fill in the gaps with our favorite sides. There are a lot of good cooks in the desert!
Since I got my satellite hooked up, I will be able to watch The Amazing Race tonight.
There are more and more vendors showing up but the campers still aren't flooding in like the previous years.
I'm only working 3 - 5 hour days at the Grubstake restaurant and the tips are low.
Hope everything picks up soon...Might have to get a 3rd job just to make ends meet...
Have a great week!

Cool day today

We start off the day with some pics of the volunteers who run the LPN check in station. The first pic is me and Mike, then Alice and Chuck and Barb and Jim.

It was only 37 degrees this morning. Lots of RV heaters were running trying to keep these snowbirds warm.

Mike and I got the generators out yesterday and changed the oil in his and mine. Heck, Mikes even fired right up after he filled it with gas!

We worked on his tent area yesterday making several trips to K & B tools to get rope, clamps and fasteners. The entire tent area is enclosed now and with a couple portable heaters, it will be toasty. He brought a pool table over last week, has a bar and popcorn machine so it's party time. So MDA's Get-a-Way is officially open! Come over and join the fun..

The BLM had a meeting with all the volunteers on Tues. We went over the rules and regs. of the volunteer positions, etc. After the meeting we had a potluck, with the BLM supplying chicken and soft drinks.

Yesterday there were very strong winds. We are getting a cold spell too. I thought it was supposed to be warm in Arizona. That's one of the reasons I came down here.

This vehicle pulled into the parking area the other day. It is a German "man" Mercedes vehicle.

Another work day

I'm working at the check in station today. So far at noon we've only had one couple check in.

Last week I worked at the Grubstake restaurant. Both Thurs. and Fri. were so slow. I got sent home 2 hours early on Friday and tips were not good. It will pick up as more people winter in Q.

Laundry day is always on Tues. I can also use the computer at the laundromat, so I get caught up on my emails.

Also on Tues. afternoon there was a music jam at La Posa South. It was interesting to listen to all the talented folks down here playing and singing.

I took a couple pictures of some unique trailers here in the desert.

The first one is one a lady owns. She takes broken down trailers, strips then down and repaints and rebuilds the interior. The 3rd picture is one that has a wind turbine with it. The 4th is a new model with a loft.

We are planning on Thanksgiving down here at the host's campsite. They are furnishing turkey and dressing and we will all bring side dishes. I think I might just make some homemade rolls.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this year, new friends and old ones...

Cooler days

Here's Mike starting off his day and the 2nd picture with him hard at work.

Today started off a bit cooler. On the way to work at the check in station, the temp was 51 degrees and the winds are blowing.

I went to Yuma/Algodonez, Mexico on Tues. Since it was Veteran's Day, everyone had the US flags flown. Traffic was stopped on Hwy 95 North because of about 125 Veteran's riding thru on Harleys and Goldwings. All were proudly displaying US flags.

I did finally find the Scottie dog rock formation on the way down to Yuma.

After picking up a RX in Mexico, I had to have the famous shrimp taco. Actually I ended up eating two of them, they are delicious. It only took 10 minutes to get thru the gate on the way out.

I watched some of the CMA awards the other night. I was surprised at some of the awards.

Best new artist-Darrius Rucker (used to play with Hootie & the Blow fish)

New album-Taylor Swift

Ent. of the year-Taylor Swift

Vocal Dual-Sugarland

Music Video-Taylor Swift-Love Story

Male Vocalist-Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist-Taylor Swift

It was a good show and a lot of great entertainers.

Since I had yesterday off, I headed to Parker. I took my metal detector and tried to find treasures along the Colorado River. Wasn't lucky at all.

I spotted this helicopter at the Super 8 motel last night.

Another beautiful Arizona sunset.

Pictures posted

I took some before and after pictures from when I got here. The campers are starting to fill in the desert.

I was out trying to find some hiking sticks the other night about sunset and captured this Saguaro along the horizon. Also the full moon was beautiful the other night.

Here is a picture of Mike's dog, Shadow. He stays down at the check in station, outside, while Mike and I are working.

Warm days ahead

The weather has been great for the past few days. Last week we had 2 days when the wind didn't stop blowing. I noticed that all the awnings had been put in for those days. It is supposed to reach record high temperatures this week.

Working at the check in station is getting busier. We check in 5-6 rigs per day with all the stations open now. We went from 1 work day a week to 2 days now.

I will start working at a popular restaurant in town starting tomorrow. I will be waitressing/bar tending a couple days a week. The manager said that it will turn into full time if I want the work.

The vendors are setting up. Rice ranch has the most vendors so far. I'll have to get my camera out and start taking pictures and posting them.

I am feeding about 30 quail and 30 gamble quail every day. The hummingbirds are hanging around too. I do have a fox that frequents my campsite at night. The coyotes are always howling, what a wonderful sound.

Next time, pics will be available..

Pictures

Just trying to get some pictures uploaded so I'm playing with this post.

High Winds

Yesterday and today we have had high winds to the 40mph gusts. I was planning on moving my trailer in the next few days so I hope it lets up. I had some people park way to close to me and I think I need a change of scenery. Also I have been being harassed by a guy just across from me.
I have several job applications in and hopefully I will get hired on pretty soon. I was told this morning of another place that will be hiring soon so off to town to get another foot in the door.
Ron and Terry arrived here a couple nights ago. It was good to see them after a year and 1/2. They are scouting for a place to camp their 5er.
Quartzsite is starting to get busier. Quite a few vendors are setting up. Next month will be even better.

Sat.

Today was laundry day. I'm getting it done, just sitting playing on the computer also. It's nice this laundromat has WiFi, plus a patio where they serve bisquits/gravy and hot dogs. Their Chicago Style Vienna dogs are the best. So if in Quartzsite go to "Gone to the Dogs" laundromat and get it all done at one time. It's across the street from the Roadrunner market.

Snowbirds are finally moving into Q. We have about 6-8 check into the BLM area every other day.

I have been collecting some wood for fires in the evening. The nights are so beautiful. The sun goes down and the sky is as clear and bright with stars. So a fire is always welcome.

Ron and Terry will arrive shortly. I haven't seen them in about a year and 1/2 so I'm looking forward to them getting here.

The rock club will be opening its doors soon and I plan on going down and getting involved in that also.
Drive safe getting here and look me up at La Posa North--1st 5th wheel this side of the garbage dumps on the right with the WYO and US flag out front. Sandy

Oct 5, 2009

We arrived in Quartzsite Az on Sept 19th. It was blazing hot for about 10 days well over 100 degrees. The high was 112 degrees. I melted, complained but survived somehow. It's now in the low 90's and feels comfortable believe it or not.

I went to Algodonez, Mexico and picked up some new glasses. For $125 I got new frames, bifocals, progressive, eye exam and they were ready in less than 2 hours.
I had to have a shrimp taco also. They are soooo good. They fix them in a warmed corn tortilla, battered fried shrimp inside with pico de gallo, raw shredded cabbage, lime juice and sour cream. They are to die for. I do have to go back and get my frames adjusted soon.

Today is chore day. We got propane, a load of wood (going back for a 2nd one), doing laundry, checking the internet for messages and get stuff done on line. It will at least take up a few hours.

People are starting to trickle into Quartzsite. When we first got here (the heat probably kept them away), the streets were bare. Now the stop lights are working overtime.
Till I write again, can't wait to see all my old friends and the new ones I haven' met yet!

Sunday

We are headed out on Tues the 15th to head to Arizona. We will travel thru Salt Lake City Utah and then down to Ariz. We are going to spend a couple days at Lake Meade. Work is finished in Wyoming. I'll talk to some of you about it when I get down to Q. It was a bad experience the last couple of days with the owners of Woods Landing.
'The weather is getting cooler here. It has been getting in the 30's at night. Gotta turn the furnace on for a short bit to take the chill off.
Today I'm at the laundromat doing the last bit of wash. Then tomorrow we will hook up the 5er and bring it to town to dump the grey and black water. We'll camp at the Territorial Prison overnight and then head to Riverton to visit my other sister, Jan and her family before we make the long trip.
Last night we took a drive up the mountain to WyColo lodge. It is a restaurant and bar, plus they have cabins to rent. We listened to a cowboy poet for a while and then headed back down the mountain.
We'll be visiting my sister, Donna and family today to say our goodbyes for another season.
See ya all soon in Q!!

August 29

WORK, WORK, WORK !! ! ! !
It seems like that is all I've been doing lately. My last paycheck I worked 95 hours and had taken 3 days off to go to SD. Good thing I'm only part time. I am actually part time---at the store, waitressing, cooking and cleaning cabins. But all together, they become full time.
Last Monday, I went on a 12 mile hike in the Snowy Mtn Range. Donna, Jim and Russ tagged along. It took 6 hours and at the end we stopped in Centennial and had pizza and beer at the Bear Tree Cafe. They have the best pizza in WYO!!
Joanne Gabrielson came over from Pocatello Id. to visit for a couple days. Her and I and another friend floated the Shoshone River in Cody last summer. We were all high school buddies.
Russ and I have to work tomorrow, but in the afternoon we will be going to Centennial to listen to a Blues Band. They have a band every weekend and it is fun to get away once in a while.
THEN---on Tuesday, Donna (sis) and I are going for a hike in the Rawah Wilderness down in Colo. Hopefully we can go for 3-4 days.
Have a great week!

Hey, a post!

We are finally back on line here at Woods Landing.
I'm still working a lot, now not only cleaning cabins, working in the store and waitressing but have now started cooking in the cafe. I like it all and am totally worn out each and every night.
I was supposed to go on a hike in the Grand Tetons but problems arose and it was canceled for the moment.
We had some great neighbors this year. Jo and Rick Geveart from Oklahoma spent time here. Rick works for the Forest Service and Jo is a kindergarten teacher. Jo had to leave on Sunday to go home and start work. We got really close and many tears were shed when she left. She will be my friend forever and I love her dearly.
I have been spending a lot of time with my friend Russ. We will head to Arizona sometime in the fall and spend more time together.
I'm finally happy again.
I'll try to post more often now that we have INTERNET!

July 8, 2009

This is a post long overdue. I have been busy working at Woods Landing, doing cabin cleaning, working in the country store and waitressing in the cafe. On my off time, I have been trying to get in as much hiking as possible. A month from tomorrow, my sister Donna, brother in law Jim and nephew and I will begin our 35 mile hike in the Grand Tetons at Jackson Hole, WY. We are taking 5 days to do this and I am getting so excited. After that if I haven't dropped dead from the hike, Donna and I will try to hike part of the Continental Divide trail from Battle Mtn Pass to Steamboat Springs Colo. It is about 75 miles. One nice thing about hiking is that I can eat all I want and never gain a pound.
Hope everyone is doing well, I will post again soon.
I am headed to Quartzsite, AZ sometime in Sept. Looking forward to seeing old friends again.

May 30

Today my friend Jane and I decided to go to Ft. Collins, CO for the garage sales. We hit the jackpot! After getting up at 5am and being to her house in Laramie at 6:30am we were on our way. We got a latte and headed down the road. After we got there we found a Community Garage Sale in a sub-division. There were about 6 block by 6 blocks of garage sales, maybe every 2 -3 houses. My find of the day was a Showtime Rotisserie (set it and forget it). It was brand new and I got it for $7.00. What a steal. The second deal was a Kelty Backpack. It is only a year old and used once by a girl that took it to New Zealand last year.
Jane got a brand new WOK, a pendulum clock and a set of 7 beautiful bowls made in Italy. We were both happy with the day.
We had lunch of salad and soup at Olive Garden. Yummy!
We also went to Petco for dog tags for the dogs.
On the way home, we got hit by a hard rain storm. We all of a sudden noticed that there were so many cars on the highway headed to Colo. After I got home, I found out that I-80 from Laramie to Cheyenne, WY had to be closed due to a large hail storm. It ended up being 1 1/2' of hail on the highway and the snow plows had to be called out to clear it off.
Pretty wild for the end of May.
I've got cabins to clean tomorrow then work in the cafe till close. Have a great evening.

May 29th

I had to run to town today to get some paperwork. But got bad news when I took the paperwork back in. Oh well, It will work out somehow.
Harley, my Cairn Terrier, loves to travel, so he was sitting on the console the whole way just watching the scenery fly by. He's got this thing about cars passing us. He barks and chases it from inside the truck. Strange little dog!
Jane and I are headed to Ft Collins Colo tomorrow at 6:30am to go to garage sales. Then at noon time, Olive Garden will get a visit from us. We have to go to Pet Smart and get new dog tags for the dogs.
We had rain showers here today. It smells so good after the rain and I love walking in it when it is coming down lightly.
The campground has 4 campers tonight and 3 cabins and the guest house have been rented out. I'll start cleaning cabins on Sunday and then work in the cafe in the afternoon. My summer work has begun and I just love it here.
The high school graduation was this afternoon in Laramie. It didn't seem to busy when I was in town tho.
Have a great weekend!

After Memorial Day

I went to Utah for Memorial Day. I spent time inm Ogden canyon with friends from Quartzsite. I had a wonderful time and hated to come back to WYO. The canyon and campgrounds there are beautiful, lush and green. There was some rain for about a day and 1/2 but all in all it was perfect.
I got home this afternoon about 5pm and am exhausted. It is an 8 hour drive from there. I talked with my boss tonight and I will start work on Friday. It will be good to get back into the routine here. It is cool here tonight and supposed to only be in the 30's tonight.
This is a short post tonight, I'm tired, and cooking pork chops and veggies for supper. Have a great end of the week.

May 20

Yesterday I hooked up the 5er and said goodbye to my friends and employers at the ranch. I went on the road to Scottsbluff, NE. I took the trailer in to get summer-ized. They flushed out all the lines and fixed the refrigerator and water heater. The fridge wouldn't ignite to the propane and they took it apart to find it was corroded. It is working like a champ now. Chemical was put into the holding tanks to clean the sensors. It didn't work all the way after heading down the road to Laramie.
I arrived in Laramie and stayed at my sisters house for the night since I didn't get there till 6pm. She had supper ready and a nice soft bed for me to sleep in.
This morning I headed up the road 25 miles to Woods Landing. I now have the 5er hooked up for the summer, just have to fill the tanks with water. Might get that done tomorrow.
It's good to be back here for the summer, but I will miss my friends and animals in Nebr.
It was 100 degrees in Scottsbluff yest, and today here in Woods Landing it got to 68. Wonderful weather!
Tomorrow, I'm going on a hike with my sister, Donna. We will hike a 4 mile trail the opposite way we hiked it last year. Uphill this time. I just tried on my hiking pants and none of them fit!!! YIKES... After the hike, I will have to buy a couple pair for future hikes. I lost 35 pounds over the winter and 5 pant sizes. I look better and feel great...Lots more energy too.
After the hike tomorrow, I will have dinner with my friend of 30 years, Jane! She is making Shrimp Curry. It is the best!
Then either on Fri or Sat I will go to Ogden Canyon to visit friends for a couple days that camped in Quartzsite and I got to know them well. I am anxious to see them.
I will start work here about June 1st.
Have a great Memorial day weekend and drive safe if you travel.