Easter is upon us and we will be hosting the Easter Dinner this year. The weather is being a bit unpredictable and warm so I fix the garage/gameroom up for our guest. Everyone will go home with a stuffed rabbit as a token of "thanks for participating" in our little Easter get together!
Our group for the dinner is a little larger this year as we invited some more of our neighbors to join us. Marilyn is coming and so is Clayton and his wife Marcy. So excited to have everyone join in the festivities.
I am cooking the ham, but since I don't have an oven or crock pot to accommodate it, I asked our next door neighbors Cathy and Don if I could use their oven. They didn't mind a bit, so the ham in going to be cooked over at their place.
Everyone is bringing something for the dinner and as usual we weren't without food! Our cooks outdid themselves (as usual) and we had a lovely (but warm) afternoon enjoying everyone. We sure missed Heidi and Tony but we understand that they had their family come in town and wanted to spend time with them. Quarantine has made it even more special to have a group of friends together! Thanks to all who participated and thanks for all the wonderful food.
Our left over food from our Easter Extravaganza ended up becoming Monday lunch for anyone that wanted left overs. It was so nice to have a do over and enjoy the food once again. The microwave was brought out to the garage and we just fixed individual plates for everyone. Once again we had a great time. I think this group enjoys eating and talking....something we can all do quite well!
April 8th we take a RZR ride with our Canadian friends once again. We hadn't explored the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge area and that was todays destination. It was a warm day so we made sure to pack and drink lots of liquid. The dry warm day makes for a very dusty ride. The dirt is so silty that it just drifts and hangs in the air as you drive through. I think the interesting part of the day was seeing the blimp that I always see from afar, up close and personal.
We ate lunch at a remote area and decided it was time to start back to the trailers as it was only going to get hotter.
As we make our way back we actually see some wildlife. There was a group of about 7 Bighorn sheep making their way across the trail in front of us. We didn't seem to startle them when we drove up. We turned off our RZR and watched them for awhile. As much as we have been out in the desert this was a "FIRST" for me!!! Remarkable is all I can say.
April 14th I was the lucky person to get the keys to Diana and Chris's new place.
Heidi and I went over and pulled out their outdoor furniture and did a little bit of cleaning so it would be ready for them when they arrive on the 17th. Their new place is totally adorable. I took quite a few pics for Diana to see what the previous owners actually left behind. I know she is over the top excited to get here and check out their new place.
April 17th couldn't happen soon enough for me. I have tracked Diana and Chris all day, and at 4:30pm they were about an hour away from us. As they got closer Chuck and I walked down to their place and sat on their patio waiting for them to arrive. As you can see in this picture, they seem quite pleased with their new casita. We had margaritas to welcome them home! The neighbors noticed some movement around their place and have made their way over to say hello, welcome and congratulations. So glad the "top secret" is out of the bag...This has been a hard one to keep under wraps.
Diana and Chris are up early and cleaning out what they don't want to keep in the casita. Their truck is full in no time. Chris has been cleaning out the storage building in back and Diana has been working on the inside of the place. Amazing how much "stuff" was actually stuffed in this small place. The boys decide to go to the dump and get rid of the truck load of "stuff". Much to all our surprise they were back fairly quickly and the truck was still loaded. Seems the dump closes at 3pm and they missed it by minutes. Oh well, they will get there tomorrow!
Diana and I worked on the kitchen area and she discarded several items. The bedding and pillows are going as well. We made a pile of stuff outside and moved it to the front of the house. Our neighbors Clayton and Marcy came by and told us they had a friend that would take any of the stuff we had left. We told them to call him and he could have all he wants. It wasn't 5 minutes and Steve shows up in his truck and loads up everything we had pulled out. As Steve left Diana told him that we would have more. He assured her he would come back! This is working out great.
Chris and Chuck take the load to the dump and this time they are open. Our local dump is absolutely organized. Very impressed with this place. Too bad more people don't use it and stop dumping illegally in the desert!
April 19th we took a trip to Algodones. Sandy and Bryan wanted us to try the Mexican dish Pozole.
Can't say that I was over anxious to try it, but once we got to the little restaurant we all decided it had to be tried. Much to my surprise, I think we all loved it. I was very impressed with the taste.
Would do it again without hesitation. While sitting eating I had to capture a picture of Chris sitting under this wonky fan. It was an electricians nightmare for sure!
We had a fun time shopping and Diana picked out some treasures to bring back to their casita.
Chris has worked like crazy to get new light fixtures in the casita. Also got a new ceiling fan installed. The outside fixtures have been changed out and they now have Talavera sconce on them. The place doesn't even look the same. Diana and I got new roman shades for the windows and Chris installed them. There has been a whole lot of work done in the few days they have been here. Chris has also wired the place for a split unit air and heat system. These guys are going to have to go home to get some rest as they have really been busy since they have been here.
Diana & Chris plan was to wait until next season to get the air unit put in, but the price and time worked out great for someone else to install it, so they did just that. Amazingly they got this all done within the week they were here. They didn't let any grass grow under their feet for sure.
There was even some time to go out to eat with friends and a couple of happy hours. You would have to be here to understand how much fun our lifestyle is here in Yuma.
The evening of the 23rd I took another pic of the two of them in front of their new place. Tomorrow they will pack up and head back to Oklahoma. I am sad to see them leave (as always) but so excited for them to have a little piece of Arizona to come back to!
Its time for us to be closing up our place for the summer. I sure hate to see all the pretty talavera going into the garage until next season. I guess it could stay out but I think the brutal sunshine would not be the best for it (if I want it to last). We get everything put away and pull out of the 27th of April.
8:30am we left Yuma. Weather was unseasonably cool. Cool morning made for an easy exit. All the neighbors and out to say their goodbyes. Jay and pat brought over a surprise for us to eat on the road. How did they know how much I love chocolate cake!
Marilyn baked lemon bread for us as well. What a fine bunch of friends we have here in Yuma.
Traveling to our friends Sandy and Bryan’s in Leona Valley for a couple of days. Outside the little town of Brawley CA we see loads and load of harvested carrots. So much agricultural in this vast dry climate.
I finally get to see the Salton Sea!!! I know everyone thinks I am crazy because I want to see this place, but I find it so interesting. We didn't stop and I only saw if from afar, but I know that one of these trips we will get closer! What a strange and interesting place to see. The Salton Sea link if you care to read about it.
Our trip to their home, was without a hitch until we get on the final mile and a half dirt road. We experience a bit of a problem.
You see there is a fork in the road and Chuck thinks we are supposed to go left. Left was not the correct way to go.
We should have followed it to the right. We have a car that’s been following us ever since we got on this dirt road. Come to find out it’s the local Amazon delivery gal. She pulls past us as we are surveying our mess. It appears our options are to either unhook the Jeep and back up to attempt ( what everyone has told us can’t be done) to back the rig with the attached Jeep down the hill back towards the fork in the road. We are still surveying when the Amazon gal comes back down the hill from her delivery. She was so sweet and offered us her cell phone if we didn’t have service. We didn’t have service but we didn’t need to use it either. Chuck decided I need to get in the Jeep and he will back up slowly and I can turn the wheel and get back down this hill. I’m here to tell you that the Jeep isn’t going to go any other direction other than what the rig is going. After a few attempts Chuck keeps easing us over enough away from the side of the mountain and we are able to get away from the side and make a straight shot down so we can turn and go the direction we are supposed to go.
Now while all this is going on we have neighbors of this community come by and look but the gentleman in the white truck decides he is going to watch us. When we finally get back on the road he drives us straight to Bryan’s. As we get to one of the curves along this stretch of road we see the “horny hornet 🐝” come around the bend. It was Bryan. His nick name for his dune buggy is too funny!
We make it to their house and the neighbor in the white truck leads us all the way. Bryan said he asks him if he knows these people. LOL. Bryan has to admit it’s his “Okie” friends. I was never so glad to get out of that mess! Next time we will unhitch the Jeep. ;)
Bryan and Sandy’s home and property is Beautiful. They are set so far back in the mountains that there is no cell device without their WIFI. So quiet and serene out here. Very relaxing!
We had a wonderful dinner at their place. Patty & Mike came to eat as well. The food and above all the friendship was so nice. Great first evening with our California friends. :)
Bryan and Sandy have a big ole Jersey Cow in their yard for decoration. Sadly Bronco thinks it's real. She barked at that cow as soon as we got out of the rig.
Chuck finally takes her over and lets her meet the cow. I think she finally realizes it is not real and is good with it now.
Chuck needed some shorts to wear today so I dug in the bag I had packed full of clothes and pulled out a pair of his camo shorts. Luck must be on our side today because you will never guess what he found in one of the shorts many pockets.
The lost money clip has been located. The money is nice and clean that is in the clip as it had been washed and dried a while back.
Chuck has always said he would find it, and I guess this will teach him to check all his pockets before putting them in the dirty clothes.....yeh, right!!!! :)
Bryan is taking us on a sight seeing tour today. We load up in their car (Bronco is going as well) and head towards Ventura, CA. We stopped at Spencer Mackenzie's and got some of the most delicious seafood burritos we have ever eaten, and took them to a local brewery and sat outside and ate. The Topa Topa Brewery didn't disappoint us at all.
Worked great for us and Bronco enjoyed the shade at the brewery. The burritos were so big, I only ate a portion of one so we had a whole burrito left. The guy at the brewery was so very nice, we offered it to him. He seemed quite pleased with our choice of food for him to eat.
We got to go check out a few of the RV sites that were available along the seawall. It was such a perfect day to explore the area.
Next stop was the downtown area of Ventura. So very many thrift shops to explore. Bryan even found some golf clubs for Sandy while we were there.
Our final stop in Ventura was the Ventura Harbor Village. Beautiful boats and beautiful water was to be seen here!
As we make our way back to Sandy and Bryans house we even get to experience a fire in the valley. With all the dry conditions in California I am sure this is just the beginning of a very active fire season. Bryan explained to us about how the guys on the ground coordinate with the guys in the planes and can pinpoint exactly where to drop the fire retardant.
Back home, Bronco is totally worn out from her day in Ventura. She was a good girl and did very well, but I never expect anything different from this one. She is a great dog!
We are sitting around talking and I get a text from our son Anthony to say they are getting pelted with hail back in Norman. The pictures tell the story. It was terrible. All their windows on the north side of the house are busted out. Their skylight in the game room is gone, and most of all their car that was sitting out is probably going to be a total loss. Cooper facetimed me and I got to talk with her a bit. Seems it scared everyone to death. I'm just glad they are all safe. Looks like tarps and plywood will be needed in a lot of Norman, OK after what this storm dished out.
Up and ready for the next adventure we take it a little easier today. We end up going by "The Habit" and get food for lunch. Bryan says their fried green beans are delicious so we have to try them. We get our food to go and head to the Bravery Brewery that their daughter in law used to work at. We take our food in and order some draft beers.
Sandy had brought some playing cards so we played "scumbag" and drank beer. Perfect afternoon.
On our way back to their place Bryan stops at a taco truck he says has really good tacos.
We take taco's home for later. We got to meet another one of their friends this evening. Adolfo came and hung out on the patio with us this evening. We ate the tacos and shared some stories with everyone. This was another great day in California. Think we could get used to this :)
April 30th we are up and loaded to make our way to Hollywood and the area around it. Bronco is going once again with us. She is getting used to this traveling in the back of their SUV. Only wish we could stop her loud barking when we first leave out. I think we are stuck with the excitement that she feels when she gets to go somewhere. So glad the barking (high pitch) doesn't last too long.
We make it to Hollywood by about 11am. I was totally shocked at all the tents and homeless people we saw. I know I see it on TV and all, but when you really see it up close and personal it is very eye opening. My overall thoughts on Hollywood Boulevard is that its a very old and worn out area. I was expecting so much more.
Instead it looks very run down. The Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and just the overall street was very disappointing. I guess they use some really good filters when they take all those pictures that we see online and on TV. Don't get me wrong, it was very interesting and so many interesting people milling around, but just not what I expected.
We drive down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and much to my surprise it was very well kept. They have somehow kept the tents and indigent people away from this area. Much nicer experience for sure. I really enjoyed seeing the La Brea Tar Pits that seem to be right in the heart of Los Angeles. This would be a cool place to go back and explore sometime when we have more time.
Bryan drives us by his property that has been in the family for quite some time. Bryan and his father did upholstery here in the earlier years.
Bryan drove us by some of the homes he has done work in. I know there are a lot of stories to be told about some of the people that lived and still live in the area. We eat at El Coyote Mexican Food for lunch. The wait was only about 30 minutes.
Bronco was fine with chilling and waiting for a table. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather once again. The food was delicious as we knew it would be. Bryan and Sandy haven't steered us wrong yet on food!
What a great way to end the month of April....enjoying some of the fun and scenery of Southern California with our own professional tour guides. Can't get much better than this.
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