Day 132, Saturday, February 29, 2020 - City Golf Course Campground, Douglas, AZ, Day 2

A very boring day sitting around the campground. I spent most of it in the trailer. Warm enough outside at 78°F, but very windy. The campground is full, with someone moving into site 15 next door last night. I updated my retirement portfolio at TIAA - Gulp! Let's hope the Covid 19 panic calms down. If it keeps going the way it has been this last week, I doubt anyone will be attending any of the rallies for which I already have reservations.

If I'm lucky, you may not hear from me for a couple of days. I'm heading to Sunny Flats tomorrow where there is no cell service, but with only 14 first come sites, and only about 5 that the 21 will fit, I may not get a site. If not, I will head on to I 10 & Lordsburg, NM.

I finished Trails of Deception, the third in a series of 8 books by Rich Curtin, all featuring Manny Rivera, a deputy sheriff in the Moab, UT area. His writing style is similar to the late Tony Hillerman & his daughter Anne, but not as well done. I love reading about many of the areas I've visited & hiked, but I can't quite grasp what is missing. In any case, I'm enjoying the series & will probably continue through all 8.

Dinner was a couple of Bueno Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 131, Friday, February 28, 2020 - City Golf Course Campground, Douglas, AZ

Site 16

While I heard the Sandhill cranes leaving around 7:00AM, I used being in the middle of a series of eye drops as an excuse for not getting dressed & walking down to the pond. By the time I finished breakfast at 8:45, they were all gone.

I left the campground around 10:00, and headed to the Douglas Golf Campground. I stayed there for a week during my 2014 cross country trip, and while it is just a parking lot with hookups, it is cheap. $20.00 per night for a full hookup site. I'm in site 16.

After setting up I headed to Brite Wash Laundromat. Very crowded, but no waiting for washers or dryers. A medium size front loader was $2.00 (half the $ at the Quartzsite Laundromat) to wash, and $.25 per 8 minutes to dry. After that I headed to the Cantu Barbershop for a haircut. A real barber that even shaves your neck with a straight razor. I should point out that Douglas is a definite border town. Almost everyone is bilingual, in fact I overheard a conversation at the laundromat where one was speaking English and the other Spanish. At the barbershop the music was a Mexican radio station until I sat down in the chair, at which point Mr. Cantu, the barber switched to a country western station. As I headed out the door it was back to a Mexican station. A great haircut for $12.00.

Next was Walmart (a couple hundred feet from the border crossing) for a sewing set. I lost a button on the sleeve of one of my flannel shirts, and when I finally found my emergency sewing kit, the only needle left in it had an eye so small I couldn't thread it even with a needle threader (the tiny wire would not fit through the eye). So, I now have a deluxe sewing kit. Of course, being Walmart, I also picked up a bunch of other stuff, including dinner.

Back at the campground I headed to the showers. There are two in a bathroom that also has a small sink & one toilet. Lots of pressure, adjustable temperatures, 2 very small shelves in the shower stall, a bench & plenty of hooks in the drying area (which is not separated from the rest of the bathroom. I'm not sure why there are two showers in a bathroom with a lock on the door (that was locked most of the morning) but I'd give it an overall C+.

Dinner was 5 chicken wings, 5 potato slices & three stuffed jalapeño peppers, a quick meal from Walmart.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 130, Thursday, February 27, 2020 - Whitewater Draw Arizona Game & Fish Wildlife Refuge, Day 2

Kissing Cranes

Yesterday, I went back late in the day to catch some photos under better lighting.

This morning I looked at the thermometer at dawn and it was 27°F, so even though there was a mass exodus of Sandhill cranes, I didn't see it.

The car that blocked me in left early, so I did get up at 7:30 and backed the trailer up enough so that I could get out even if the 5th wheel in front of me stayed. I believe we are both leaving tomorrow, and they will probably get out before me, but I'm covered.

I wandered down to the pond wearing a coat, wool hat & gloves around 10:00 and took photos until 12:00. By 11:30, I was even able to take off my gloves. I included a photo of the Refuge's Sandhill Crane Web Camera that lets you go on line to see if anyone is home. They also have an Owl camera, but I couldn't get close enough for a photo.

Back at the trailer I relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. After dinner I made another trip to the pond. I met one of the volunteers and was informed that this is not a BLM campground (as my campground app describes it) but an Arizona Game & Fish Wildlife Refuge, so I renamed the title. I was hoping for more sunset light, but the heavy clouds prevented that, and made for very dim lighting. I did get a bunch of "Crane Dances", but by the time the major portion of the flock came back it was too dark for photos, with the exception of a duck in the sunlight on the water. Some of today's photos are on today's LakeshoreImages page, but many more are at the link below.

I put together the promised Lightroom pages with many more photos.

Dinner was an Amy's Cheddar Cheese Burrito, peaches & a hard boiled egg.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 129, Wednesday, February 26, 2020 - Whitewater Draw Arizona Game & Fish Wildlife Refuge

Sandhill Crane

I took a couple of moon & cactus photos last night that have an Arizona feel that are on the LakeshoreImages page.

A windy night, with lots of trailer shaking. Lots of sound effects from the bush rubbing against the back window. After breakfast & a bit of forum reading, I headed out. Lots of traffic on I 10, but once I exited to AZ 80, the traffic went away. I only stopped in Tombstone for gas & a coffee refill; I've been to the tourist part of the town twice, and with the exception of the courthouse museum, twice too many.

I pulled into the Whitewater Draw BLM area around 11:30, and the space for RV's was close to full. I wormed my way into a space that I may not be able to get out of, but I'm here. I wandered over to the pond & took a few photos of the Sandhill Cranes and other birds, looked back and saw that one of the RVs left. Rushed back to move into a better space, but by the time I reached the truck a large Class A pulled into the space. So, I'm here, hoping the 5th wheel ahead of me leaves before I want to. I've been to a couple of Sandhill Crane wintering locations, and enjoy taking photos. The last time was at Bosque del Apache, and I have to say there are many more here. I made multiple loops around the ponds, and added some photos throughout the day.  The result is at today's LakeshoreImages page.

It has cooled off even more than it was in Tucson (I gained another couple thousand feet) so even in the sun a jacket is necessary. Lots of the people viewing the cranes are wearing winter coats & gloves.

After the short walk to the pond, I sat in the trailer and read. I finished Nathan Van Coops's The Chronothon (Not too bad, I downloaded the next in the series & will read it next) and started Artifacts of Death, by Rich Curtin, another new author (at least for me) that has a series about the Southwest.

Dinner was a Barber Cordon Bleu & the rest of the can of Bush beans. It is cool enough (55°F at 2:00PM) that using the oven is a pleasure!

Until Tomorrow -

Day 128, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 - Gilbert Ray County Park, AZ, Day 2

Site A74

After breakfast and some forum reading, I packed up the trailer & headed to the office to get assigned my new site. There was still a 5th wheel in the new site, so I went and dumped & filled the fresh water tank. About a 15 minute wait after that. I'm now in A74, a wide, but shallow site. With the back of the trailer against the rocks at the rear of the site, the truck front bumper is about 2" from the road. The site is level side to side, but while I didn't need to unhook, I did crank up the front of the trailer a couple of inches.

After that it was another goofing off day. I walked around the campground loop a couple of times, and sat outside reading. Current book is Nathan Van Coops's The Chronothon. This is the second "Time Traveler Adventure" book in a 4 book series, and one that I was hesitant to start since the first book dragged. This one is much better, so I may even look at the rest of the series.

I added some photo taken during the late afternoon up to sunset. I love the evening light in the desert. They are at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was a grilled chicken leg quarter & Bush beans.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 127, Monday, February 24, 2020 - Gilbert Ray County Park, AZ

Gilbert Ray County Park, Site A12

I got an early start, leaving Vekol Valley BLM by 8:30 (well, early for me)! The traffic got much busier once I hit I 10, plus the exit Matilda the GPS picked for me was closed. At least they had a sign, so I could use the previous exit only a mile away. As usual, there was a line of people waiting to get a site. I asked for 2 nights since I had a busy day planed running around Tucson (little did I know how much running), and while I got sites, I have to move tomorrow morning.

I'm set up in site A12, a close to level back in site (it needed side to side leveling, although since I needed to unhook to roam Tucson, it didn't matter. $20.00 for an electric only site. I walked around the loop and found 2 Escape 21's and 2 19's, and a 17 along with a Casita. Fiberglass trailers are well represented here at Gilbert Ray.

After setting up I did a search for Allstate offices. Since I didn't know Tucson all that well, trying to find an Allstate office, post office, haircut & gas all near each other was difficult. I headed to the closest Allstate, paid my bill & picked up the proof of insurance paperwork, then did a search for a post office. Only 5 miles away, but getting into it was "interesting". I eventually went around the block a couple of times and found the customer entrance. From there the nearest barber shop was 7 miles away. Got there and it was gone. I looked for one using my phone that was near the campground and found Brotherz. The exit off I 19 (yes, Matilda wanted me to use the interstate) was, of course, closed. I eventually got there around 1:30, and discovered that they went to lunch between 1:00 - 3:00. By the way, there was an Allstate office next to the barber shop. So, back to the campground without a haircut. Total mileage for the day - 47. The only good was I found a Quicktrip station where gas was $2.27, the cheapest I've seen in the area.

Dinner was the rest of yesterday's pizza. It was nice to be able to warm it up without running the inverter & drawing down the batteries.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 126, Sunday, February 23, 2020 - Vekol Valley BLM, AZ

Vekol Valley, AZ Dispersed Camping

Lots of overnight wind, but the rain stopped and the sky cleared. I packed up & left Imperial Dam around 9:30AM. I stopped in a Yuma Walmart and spent way too much on restocking the refrigerator,  food & snack cabinets. Not too much traffic on I 8, and I arrived at the Vekol Valley BLM dispersed area around 2:00.  No bathrooms, tables, fire pits, or cost, just a piece of the desert.  I thought about going to Organ Pipe as I passed AZ 85, but it wasn't all that long ago that I visited, so I'll skip it this trip.

Lots of distant mountains, but flat enough that I didn't need to unhook. Lots of pretty clouds, a bit of wind, and cooler (68°F this afternoon with a predicted 48°F tonight) than Imperial Dam ( I gained around 1500' of altitude). There are 4 other RVs in sight, although Vekol Valley is large enough that there could be more here. Tom, the local BLM ranger stopped by for a chat, and I made my usual Sunday phone & Facetime calls with those shivering back East.

No real setting up, so I relaxed & read most of the afternoon. Current book is A Maiden's Grave by Jeffery Deaver.

Dinner was a thin crust Digiorno Supreme pizza.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 125, Saturday, February 22, 2020 - Imperial Dam LTVA, CA, Day 5

 Some rain overnight, enough that I woke up at 3:00AM and remembered that I had left the truck windows open an inch or so. I put on some pants, went out & closed them. Of course the rain stopped after I got back in the trailer. It started up around 7:00AM, and rained off and on throughout the day. It is raining now, although the sun is shining.

Around noon I headed out for propane. The Christian Service Center sells propane. I know they don't sell it on Sundays, but discovered that they also don't sell it on Saturdays. No problem, I went to the Yuma Proving Grounds where there is a gas station that sells propane. A bit of a PIA to get into - they need to see your auto insurance, registration, and check with Homeland Security with either a passport or driver's license to issue a day pass, about a 10 minute process. I pulled up to the gas station, and guess what? They don't sell propane on Saturdays.

Off to Hidden Shores Resort. I forgot what a PIA it is to drive into & around the place - speed bumps every couple of hundred feet. They have a gate guard that issued a pass after recording the truck license plate, and directed me to the store. Propane at $3.47 (including tax) was a dollar more per gallon than at Quartzsite, and the most expensive of the trip.

Bach at the trailer I did some reading, and started putting the trailer stuff away in anticipation of heading out in the morning. I got most of it done in between rain bursts. Folding up the 9'X12' plastic ground mat in 25 MPH winds was interesting. I was lucky - the wind direction actually helped fold it. By the way, with the rain the humidity reached 95%, a big improvement over yesterday's low of 14%.

No photos today - I did add a couple of crops of the satellite photos on day 123 since I had a number of inquiries about the photo from one of the forums I post to. There is a full sized jpg of the image added as well as the crops.

I also made another trip to the Squaw Lake Campground for a shower. I only have 2 tokens left; guess I'll have to come back next year!

Dinner was a Healthy Choice Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Cafe Steamer.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 124, Friday, February 21, 2020 - Imperial Dam LTVA, CA, Day 4

The Trailer & the Sunset

Another warm night, only getting down to 60°F, and hitting 88°F this afternoon. A very nice sunset last night, so I took a few photos, the rest at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Another lazy day. I started a walk this morning, but my plantar fasciitis, which had all but disappeared during the early part of the trip seems to have come back with a bang (or ouch). While walking does relieve some of the heal pain, it was bad enough this morning that I quit and came back after less than a quarter mile.

I did some reading, current book is Larry Niven's Ringworld Throne. There are a series of Ringworld SiFi novels built around a world that is a 997,000 mile wide strip that circles a sun at radius of .95 times 10 to the 8th miles, resulting in a surface area of 6 times 10 to the 14th square miles, giving the author lots to play with! Interesting concept.

Dinner was the last of the Halibut.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 123, Thursday, February 20, 2020 - Imperial Dam LTVA, CA, Day 3

Stars & Starlink Satellites

It was a warm night so I sat outside and did a couple of star photos. While in the middle of nowhere, Imperial Dam is a bit too bright for good images. Too bad, because the moon is very late rising so all the extra light is from the ground. You need to look at the large versions to see much of anything. The circle was a one hour exposure. In the above image I may have caught a few of Elon Musk's Starlink satellites. There are a bunch of short streaks in the 31 second exposure. I can't think of any other space objects that would have that group signature.  If the detail is not visible in the above photo, you can see them in the large version of the last image on today's LakeshoreImages page.

Tonight won't be a good time for photos of the stars, light clouds are moving in. Still enough sun to fill the batteries, but cloudy. Lots of wind with 18 MPH peaks and 11 MPH average. It is very drying - the humidity is 15%. I usually don't ever get chapped lips, but I dug out a Big Tent freebie - a chapstick from Pahrump, NV this afternoon.

I had a short visit with an Escape 17 owner that follows my journal on his way to Organ Pipe National Monument. A great place, and good for night photos where there usually isn't much spill light. He was here at Imperial Dam for the last couple of months.

More sitting outside ducking the wind. Current book is Contract Null & Void, by Joe Gores. He has an unusual writing style that I thought I recognized - looked in my "read books" database, and discovered that I read his Gone, No Forwarding in 1999.

Dinner was a grilled chicken thigh & spinach cakes.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 122, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 - Imperial Dam LTVA, CA

The Liberry

I was a bit nervous since my nearest neighbor dragged out a open frame (ie, construction) generator, but he never fired it up. So far there has been enough sun that I haven't needed mine, and as a quiet inverter type generator, I hope it won't annoy folks if I have to use it.

A relaxing night - the furnace never started for the first time in months. I discovered an interesting fact - my AT&T iPhone 10, even though is shows no bars, switched to California time. My Verizon iPhone 7+ stayed on Arizona time.

A bit cloudy this morning, but it cleared up by 11:00AM. I drove to the Liberry (that is the way they spell it), an old Airstream that is gutted & filled with shelves. There are liberrians that shelve the books by genre, and author. If you drop off books, they prefer that you don't shelve them, but like a real library, have a drop off shelf. You can borrow or trade up to 6 books at a time.

I took a couple more photos, including the reservoir, the bathroom (with outdoor showers) the "office" and part of the upper campground. Even though the place is called the Imperial Dam LTVA, it is really on the Senator Wash Dam & Reservoir. Imperial Dam is southeast of the LTVA and has a fancy camping resort (Hidden Shores) that is on the Imperial Dam Reservoir. There is suppose to be a nice restaurant there, but I've never been.  Photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Around 2:00 I headed over to the Squaw Lake BLM Campground on the other side of the Senator Wash Reservoir Dam for a shower. Squaw Lake Campground is a paid BLM campground that has paved sites that are essentially a parking lot, some with grills. The big advantage is bathrooms with showers. They use tokens, of which I have 4, since I only had a $5.00 bill when I went for showers 2 years ago. Glad they still use the same ones! 5 minutes for $1.00. They do run for at least 5 minutes with a nice showerhead, and you better plan for lots of rinse time since the water is very soft. Small rooms with a fold down seat in a separate drying area that will have a wet floor after you shower. 2 hooks for clothes & towel. Overall, a C+ rating, however since there is no alternative but the trailer, well worth the $1.00.

Back at the trailer I sat outside in a light breeze (it is almost always windy at Imperial Dam) and 85°F in the shade. Current book is In Times Like These by Nathan Van Coops, a very slow moving SiFi time travel book. I'm a bit addicted to time travel books, so I'll probably finish this, but unless it gets moving, I'm going to skip the next 3 in the series.

Dinner was a steak, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 121, Tuesday, February 18, 2020 - Imperial Dam LTVA, CA

Gravel Pit at Imperial Dam

Well, after a flush yesterday, and a full tank with gray tank cleaner overnight that I dumped in the morning, the smell is gone. It must be blueberry pie remains since that is about the only food stuff that goes down the drain. I wipe everything before washing, but the blueberry pie sticks to the pans well enough that soaking is the only way to clean them. I filled the tank to 1/3, and will add more tank cleaner to slosh around on the trip to Imperial Dam.

I arrived around 11:00, and the trailer still smells normal, so I'm calling it cured, although I do have to find out why it is leaking odor into the closet.

Imperial Dam LTVA is in California since it is on the other side of the Colorado River, but the only way in is through Arizona, they use Arizona time, and your phone will likely lock on to an Arizona tower, so that makes sense. Yuma is the nearest city with large stores.

I'm in my usual area, just above the Gravel Pit Pavilion. It is usually either empty or just a single RV, but today there are about 5 of us in the area. It is large enough that no one is on top of anyone. Lots of sun & 78°F at 2:00.

After setting up I checked the cell coverage. I haven't been here in a couple of years, and in the past Verizon was all you could get at this level. Now both Verizon & AT&T have a signal, but AT&T is near unusable, even with an amplifier - nothing shows on my iPhone 10. AT&T: -116dBm, 1.7MB down & .3MB up. Verizon: -101dBm with an amplifier, 26.5 MB down & 5.2MB up.

I took a short walk, discovered another Escape (a 17) in another part of the camping area that I might wander to tomorrow.

Dinner was a microwaved Healthy Choice Sweet Sesame Chicken meal.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 120, Monday, February 17, 2020 - Split Rail RV Park, Quartzsite, AZ

Site 28

I packed up, said many good byes, then headed south on AZ 95 around 11:00. The plan was to stay at one of the Quartzsite LTVAs for a night, but I have developed an really bad gray tank odor. Since it is vented to the outside, that should not be a problem, however I suspect there is a bad splice in the vent line that goes through one of my clothes closets. The result is the clothes in the closet, and, to a lesser extent, the entire insides of the trailer stink!

I decided to stay in a place that has full hookups so I could flush the tank, then fill it with a bunch of gray tank cleaner, leave it overnight, and drain in the morning, hoping to solve the problem. I'm in site 28, a full hookup site for $25.00.

So, my 78 day streak of dry camping has ground to a halt. Only for a day since I still plan to head to Imperial Dam tomorrow. Since I'm here for the night, I'll also do a couple of loads of laundry. The machines are pretty small, at least compared to those at the Laundromat in town, so it worked out to 3 loads, both wash & dry. Still less expemsive at $1.50 to wash & $.25 per 15 minutes to dry, than the downtown laundromat.

Dinner was a late lunch at the Chinese restaurant. Very empty - much of the Quartzsite crowd had moved on. I even got a parking space at KB Tools!

I'll probably snack on some cheese & crackers later.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 119, Sunday, February 16, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 7

Sunday Fireworks

Another warm day, hitting 74°F mid afternoon. Another day of goofing off. After processing & posting last night's fireworks photos, I sat outside, did some reading, talking, and enjoying the sun. I hit the showers around 2:00.

I'll try to quit shooting (although I probably shouldn't use that term around fireworks) early tonight since the show is not as big as last night's, and since I'll be on the road tomorrow morning.

As you can see, I did quit early & put the pages together around 8:30. Lots of "blasts" still going on, but I can watch them out my back window, and I have hundreds of photos of them.  Both last night's & tonight's photos are linked at my 2020 Western Winter Blast page.

Dinner was a BBQ Chicken sandwich, beans & potato salad with Chips & Water. The beans were canned, but the potato salad and the chicken were excellent.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 118, Saturday, February 15, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 6

Saturday Show

A warm but partly cloudy day. Enough sunshine to fully recharge the batteries. We had a group pancake breakfast cooked by Pat & others, after which I processed & posted the photos from last night. I'll do the same with tonight's photos. There will probably be more since Saturday is the "Big Show".  I added links to Saturday Photos.

A family from Alaska moved into the slot we have been sitting in at the wall at the top parking area, but they & the folks in a motorhome next door were willing to let the 8 of us park in their area,

Dinner was Tri Tip & Chicken provided by the Rodeo Grounds.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 117, Friday, February 14, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 5

The Finally

Happy Valentine's Day!

I goofed off all day, reading or just enjoying the sun. I did add a couple of rows of fireworks photos to yesterday's page; nothing special since they didn't have an actual show, just demos.

I will add tonight's photos tomorrow since they will be shooting until 11:00. A link to The Photo Pages.

Dinner for tonight & the next two nights are part of the SARA Rodeo Grounds experience. Tonight was Chicken Marsala.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 116, Thursday, February 13, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 4

Fireworks

Another nice day. I spent most of it sitting outside reading , current book is Dave Barry is Not Making This Up, by none other than Dave Barry. I love his mix of real Florida happenings with stuff he make up.

I did walk down to the showers.  Other than them needing a bench to sit on to put on your sox & shoes, not too bad.  High pressure/low volume shower heads, but the water was strong enough & hot enough for them to work fine.

No photos today - I will try for some fireworks images tonight, and add them to the page in the morning.

A fairly quiet night for fireworks. They often start well before dark - this is the only place I've photographed fireworks before the sun sets. I stayed out until around 9:00, and, of course, as I packed up the tripod they fired off a bunch. A few more at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was a Lean Cuisine Chicken Club Panini & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 115, Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 3

A Very Noisy Generator

The wind finally died down. A little cool at 65°F, but without the 25 MPH wind it felt great. One minor problem with sitting outside - there is a trailer in the lower section of the next row (a sticky, not a fiberglass) that is running a construction generator. Why someone that spends multiple tens of thousands of dollars on a trailer can't come up with $500 - $900 for an inverter generator is beyond me. He ran it all morning until well after lunch, but I still got in some reading. Current book is The Origins of Creativity by Edward O. Wilson. An interesting thesis of what makes us human.

I also included a photo of the view out my front window (well, what I'd see if I had a front window).

At 3:00 I headed to town & the eye doctor. My home doctor asked that I get a pressure test & field test while on the trip to check the progress of my glaucoma. Unfortunately, my left eye is in end stage glaucoma, but the right eye is still at 100%. It did take a long time for me to move from using my dominant eye (left) to the right for taking photos, but I've adjusted.

Dinner was a Beyond Burger & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 114, Tuesday, February 11, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ, Day 2

Shelf Fall Out Preventers

A very windy night, with a little rain towards morning. Heavy clouds until early afternoon with nice clearing, but there are still 25 MPG wind gusts and 14 MPH average. 66°F at 2:00PM.

I made a trip to Lowes for a length of corner protector (the stuff you put on a sheet rock corner to keep it from being damaged). It was used for a project I've been wanting to do all winter. The Escape 21 has a medicine cabinet in the bathroom located directly above the toilet. If you open the door after driving, what ever is inside is likely to fall out, and, if the toilet lid is open, directly into the toilet. After turning a couple of toothbrushes into tire scrubbers, I decided to find a solution. I pop riveted a length of clear plastic corner protector to each shelf. Unless the stuff can hop over 1", it if going to stay, rough road or not.

I also paid my AAA bill & discovered that although the representative I talked with in 2011 to add my trailer to the coverage told me the "Plus" membership level covered the trailer, it is actually an option only available at the "Plus" or higher level. So, I've been assuming the trailer was covered for a tow for the last 9 years when it wasn't. An additional $35.00 adds the coverage.

Not much else happening. I tried sitting outside in the sun for a bit, but the wind chased me back inside.

Dinner was Barber Chicken & Broccoli & snap peas.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 113, Monday, February 10, 2020 - SARA Rodeo Grounds, Lake Havasu City, AZ

The Fiberglass Group at the Rodeo Grounds

A relaxing late start to the day since the SARA Rodeo Grounds don't start registration until 12:00. No one was in front of me at the dump station (although the two RVs that were dumping were the slowest I've seen). I dumped, filled the fresh water and headed north on AZ 95. I stopped at the Parker Walmart for a few things. I probably should have waited until I hit Lake Havasu City, but their Walmart is north of the city & the rodeo grounds are to the south, almost 15 miles between them. Still, it might have been faster - very long lines at the Parker Walmart, even the self scan stations. I bought a can of pressurized air, and the scanner insisted that an associate checked it before it would let me pay. What is the problem with canned air?

I arrived at the rodeo grounds around 12:45 & checked in. They moved the sites around a bit, but I'm in just about the same location as last year, along with a bunch of fiberglass trailers. I started a "group" called fiberglass that, if checked during registration, clumped us together. They did remove a short cut to the bathrooms and food booths - there is a 6' concrete block wall & new road in the way. Fortunately, there is a road that eventually gets there that isn't too much longer.

I set up the trailer backwards so I could watch the fireworks from my rear windows. That makes a huge space between Dan's Bigfoot & my trailer. I put out the plastic 9'X12' mat, table & grill. The ground is too hard to pound in the hummingbird feeder stand (and the hummingbird wind chime) but I found some scrap 2" X 6" plastic boards, drilled some holes for the feeder stands & set them up. The prediction is for 40 MPH gusts overnight - we will see if they are still standing in the morning.
Pictures at today's LakeshoreImages page.

While I only had a few drops of rain on the way, it is dry here, at least for now. Very ominous clouds to the south, and my radar app shows lots of rain to the southeast heading this way. Should be here in about 30 minutes.

Dinner was a couple of cheese brats & snap peas.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 112, Sunday, February 9, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 14

A Lonely Casita

51°F Last Night,
74 °F as of 2:00PM Today

A sad day for the rally - lots of people went home! Out of the 200 or so trailers at the rally, there are still quite a few here, but a steady stream left. Around 10:00 I headed to the laundromat to do a small load of clothes. That will save trying to find a commercial laundry at Lake Havasu City. Back at the trailer I made a final round of the campground for photos and added them to page 3 of the 2020 Quartzsite Rally page. I did find an interesting tree to photograph.

The various weather apps are suggesting that there will be around 1/2" of rain overnight & tomorrow, so rather than packing up the trailer in the rain, I folded down the solar panels, put away most of the outdoor stuff and pulled the large mat. All I need to do tomorrow is hook up the truck, put away the hummingbird feeder (I didn't have the heart to do it today since they are feeding heavily because the nearby trailers moved), and stop at the dump station. I might even get away without dumping, but I'd rather be sure.

Dinner was a Saffron Road Chicken Enchiladas Poblanto dinner. I don't think chicken should be the first word because I couldn't find much, but otherwise it was OK.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 111, Saturday, February 8, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 13

Dessert in the Desert

41°F Last Night
82 °F as of 2:00PM Today

Still having beautiful weather, in fact, almost too warm. I set my stuff out for the Swap Meet at 7:30 this morning, and by the end almost everything was gone, both the stuff for sale & the free junk (that is - treasures). I went high tech & used my camera to post the check for the solar stuff - there is a first time for everything!

I walked over to Myron's trailer for a New Jersey Pork Roll breakfast sandwich. I've never had the pork roll, and have to admit it was pretty good.

Back at the trailer I gave my workshop on "using your camera off the program mode". A large crowd, and it went as well as possible without having the usual Powerpoint presentation. I passed around 8" X 10"s of some of the pages that sorta worked.

I watched part of a presentation on going to the Baja, and another on a Tesla battery & solar set up in a 5th wheel.

After that it was sitting around in the shade for the rest of the afternoon. I did take a couple of photos of a couple of Happier Camper trailers.

The end of the day was the desert dessert special. My blueberry pies moved up from 4th last year to 2nd tonight. No campfire - everyone is too stuffed. I did take a photo of the full moon .  Photos at today's LakeshoreImages page or the update to the 2020 Quartzsite Rally page.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 110, Friday, February 7, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 12

Cooking Wieners

We are still having a string of nice days, hitting 77°F today, and only down to 39°F last night.

I made 3 blueberry pies this morning. I'm glad I purchased the extra package of blueberries - one of them was from the same company, but a different plastic box. Half the blueberries were covered with mold. I tosses the entire box & had just enough for the three pies.

After taking the last pie out of the oven I headed to town to refill a propane tank. Back at the campground I sat & read for a bit, then headed over to the Wiener Roast & concert. Lots of photos, all of which are either at today's LakeshoreImages page or 2020 Quartzsite, page 3.

Dinner was a couple of cheese brats & chips.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 109, Thursday, February 6, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 11

First Concert of the Rally

While we are still having cool nights with 35°F for a low last night, the day was beautiful. Almost no wind and it hit 70°F. It is still a pleasant 69°F at 4:45.

Around noon I headed to Blythe to pick up blueberries for the blueberry pies. While I was planning on getting my usual frozen berries, they had fresh ones on sale, so I bought 6 packs of them. A bit more than needed for 3 pies, but at $5.99 for buy one, get one free 1 pound, 2 ounce packages, not a bad deal.

I spent the afternoon sitting out in a tee shirt enjoying the weather, then around 4:00 made a round of the campground. Many more folks outside the trailers, some heading for the first concert at the registration area. Many more photos at 2020 Quartzsite, Page 3.

Dinner was a Amy's Veggie Loaf dinner.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 108, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 10

Check out the Name

Another cold & windy night & day. 56°F the high for the day & 36°F last night for the low. Wind today averaged 14 MPH, going from 12 - 24 MPH. I did make a loop around the campground, but all but the brave (or foolhardy) were huddled inside their trailers. I included a photo of a very beat up Saguaro cactus. Photos at today's LakeshoreImages page or page 2 of the 2020 Quartzsite Rally.

Dinner was a group of 20 of us going to Mountain Quail for Country Fried Chicken. Somehow they fit all of us in, and as we were leaving, a second group of 15 arrived.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 107, Tuesday, February 4, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 9

Registration on a Cold Morning

A cool & windy day. Most are hiding in or behind the trailers with winter coats & gloves. Cooler tonight, then gradual warming throughout the rest of the week. Last night was warmer than predicted at 39°F, but it only got up to 53°F today. I waited until noon or so to do my walk around the campground, although I did get out to catch the morning registration & set out the take it or leave it book box.

Dinner was a chicken pot pie - a good excuse to run the oven for an hour to heat up the trailer!

Until Tomorrow -

Day 106, Monday, February 3, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 8

Another Panorama

What a difference a day makes here at Quartzsite. 84°F yesterday, 49°F this morning & 15 - 25 MPH wind. The high for the day was at midnight at 69°F. While you can still see the near by mountains, the distant ones have disappeared in the dust. On my morning walk I found a group of new arrivals that were huddled around a propane firepit. At least one trailer owner packed up an left this morning.

At 1:30, it is still windy & cool @ 55°F, with fairly heavy clouds, although a bit of sun breaks through every once in a while, enough that the batteries are full.

I did a walk around & took a few photos, including one of the Goodyear blimp going by a long way to the south.

We have a number of "Vintage" trailer &RVs including a Surf Side, a Play Pac, and a GMC Motorhome, which is at least half fiberglass. Pictures & a large version of the panorama are at today's LakeshoreImages page or page 2 of the 2020 Quartzsite Rally.

Back at the trailer I went on line for my 1099SS form & finished filing my income taxes. Glad that is over & done.

Dinner was a Annie's Burrito & a salad, with chocolate pudding for dessert.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 105, Sunday, February 2, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 7

Dome Rock, Sunday Afternoon

Another beautiful day, hitting 84°F during the afternoon. I did laundry this morning hoping it wouldn't be crowded on SuperBowl day. It wasn't. I made a couple of walks around the camping area & added a bunch of photos to the 2020 Quartzsite page. Actually, they are on Page 2 since page 1 was getting a bit large. I included a couple of panoramas showing as much of the area as I could include without climbing one of the mountains. Someone may be posting a drone flyby - I saw one go over mid afternoon.

The rest of the afternoon was sitting & chatting, eating some excellent guacamole, and relaxing.

Dinner was a Beyond Burger & a salad.

Until Tomorrow -

Day 104, Saturday, February 1, 2020 - Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZ, Day 6

A Couple of Bigfoots (Feet?)

After breakfast and a quick trip around Dome Rock with the camera, I headed to Parker to resupply the trailer. I also got the truck washed. Hand washing with careful attention to 8 months of grime for $20.00 + a $5.00 tip. That is only $5 more than the machine wash at home. I wonder if they will do the trailer?

I hit both Walmart & Safeway to get most of what I wanted. Back at the campground, I made another round with the camera, then fired up the Instant Pot to make chicken & new potatoes. For some reason, the Instant Pot leaked more steam than usual, but at the end of the 22 minute pressure cooking cycle everything was done.

Until Tomorrow -