WHAT A TIME TO CATCH A COLD

On Friday just outside our window the balloons were just doing some trials.  We drove around and saw where they would take off from on Saturday morning.  There were lots, many, oodles of RV's and trailers all set up and waiting for the show.  Lots of people walking into the area to look around.
On Saturday I was wiped out!  Coughed all night (I am sure it was most of the night).  But just outside our sliding glass door in the "early" morning they were up and so very beautiful.  And on Sunday, there seemed to be even more all colors and shapes.  A very interesting festival that is enjoyed by thousands in this area.

We have been laying low because of the colds but have seen "Big Eyes" and "Unbroken".  Both somewhat true stories.  One about a woman artist and one directed by a woman.  I was never taken by the "big eyes" paintings but it was interesting how her husband promoted them and sold then as his own work and maybe it was true that if it were known a woman painted them they would not have sold.  "Unbroken" was really terrific and directed by a woman.

I do belive we both are going to be good to go on Wednesday when we take off for our 4 day trip to Brownsville, Texas.  Texas is humongous as you know but we have seen most of what we will be driving thru so unless something unusual happens, I'll probably be quiet for another week.  I know you will miss me.  I am going to try to add some photos. 
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TRIP TO OATMAN ON ROUTE 66

Today was a trip on Route 66. Not so good two lane old highway through the desert and into the  mountains. It brings back memories of how the highways were when we first drove across country in 1959.We visited a tourist town by the name of Oatman that was a mining town in 1906 - mining gold. After WWII it was pretty much mined out and the miners left the area leaving the burros that had carried the ore from the mine and hauled supplies. The burros decendants are walking around demanding hay which is sold in the very well preserved old buildings. Lots of smelly burro dung in the streets but those animals are endearing. Following children who have the hay - opening the bags themselves and being a bit of a nuisance with their friendliness. Of course, they are wild and so you have to be careful because they will bite and kick. Another beautiful day about 65 degrees and going to be a bit cooler tonight. We ate expensive bad food. And drove back to see the Oregon vs. Ohio State game.
I am really impressed by all of the landscaping along the streets, highways and all of the homes. They use all of the desert plants, rocks of all sizes and just make a great eco friendly area. There really is not a lot of grass so that means that the golf courses can use some. I’ll check that out tomorrow when we play.

Now we will root for the Ducks.

 

OLD MINER

THE DESERT BEAUTY

GOLF  - We did get to play a golf game in Yuma.  VERY windy but a sunny day and we had a good time. 

Now we are traveling in areas that we are not as familiar with.  Both of us love the desert but are still learning about the plants and animals and the geology.  

We left from Yuma this morning and drove to Gila Bend.  Along the way in what seemed to me to be unfriendly desert we came to a section with that terrible cattle o d o r.  (You know what I mean.)  Thousands of animals standing in long rows and convincing me NOT to eat beef that has been raised standing on their own s...tuff.  How can I find out?  To be solved later.  

Drove on to Ajo, Arizona, a very small place which used to mine copper and now is mostly a place for artists and desert adventurers.  Also the last place to find a motel before Mexico.  You can get insurance here of course for your car.  We stopped at Cabeza Priata Nature Reserve just outside of Ajo and took a walk in the desert.  Left and drove a few miles into Ajo to see the restored Plaza.  Just like a lot of this part of Arizona it is struggling for businesses but this plaza is actually very beautiful and will be an attraction when it is fully restored.  

BIRD WATCHING BLIND IN DESERT

Driving on we stopped at  the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument which was a nice short walk and a drive through the desert.  We were a little late in the evening but the photos were great.  These parks are manned by the friendliest personnel.  Very knowledgeable.  I love the colors of the rugged mountains and the blue of the sky.  At this time the desert is not very colorful  and I am facinated by the survival techniques of the plants and animals. And the Pupfish, which live in 130 degree water only at one hot spring in the preserve area.

The motel we are staying in tonight is a lot of little cottages.  A little bit rustic.  Met some interesting women who drove dune buggies all the way across the dunes and desert  from Yuma to Ajo.  It was late so I didn't ask for a sample ride.  I do know that if my daughter-in-law were here she would have not missed the opportunity. 

We don't yet know where we will head for tomorrow so ....... more later. 

ROAD TRIP!

Pete and I are starting off on a long road trip.  Something we have looked forward to for a year.  We are planning to drive from Seattle to Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico and we will keep in touch with you and write reminders to ourselves by trying to blog regularly.  This should be an interesting trip for us and maybe you might like to learn about it too.  Since we are driving, we imposed on friends who have done it (Canadians, of course) for information.  They were very helpful.  Have to get Mexican car insurance, a Mexican entry permit and a posted monetary guarantee that you will bring the car back to US.  This last money is returned (they say) when you come back thru the border. 
We are not in a hurry so we will visit friends and family on the way.  In California and Arizona.  A couple from Arizona will cross over the border with us and we both have timeshares at Puerto Penasco in Mexico.  We plan to play golf and rest there for a week.  Our friends drive back home and we head off to Mazatlan on our adventure.  We have a week there and our friend from Guadalajara will fly over and join us for a day or two and drive back to his home in Guadalajara where we will stay for a day or two.  Then we drive to Ajijic and find a place to stay for a month or so. 

Sound like fun???  I'll let you know how it goes.  Adios amigos.