Wednesday

We left Winterhaven, Ca around lunchtime today and drove north on US 95 through the US Army's Yuma Proving grounds towards our destination of Quartzsite, Az.  Yuma's Proving Ground is one of the world's largest military installations, encompassing over 1000 square miles of desolate desert land.  It is used to test military equipment such as long range artillery, armored and wheeled vehicles, etc free from urban encroachment and noise issues.

Entrance to the Yuma Proving Grounds

We approached a  US border patrol checkpoint and they just motioned us through with a "have a good day" wave.   We must not have fit the profile.

The human border patrol agents were not interested in us, but the canine officer on duty had us clearly in his sites.....he looked me squarely in the eye as we passed by.....German Shepherds are nothing if not globally aware, right Cindy S.?    I wouldn't want to be on his bad side!

his eyes bored right through us

Nina had given me directions to find them in the dispersed camping area just outside all the hubbub that is Quartzsite this week.    As we approached the spot, she pulled out from the shoulder of Dome Rock Road and gave us our own personal escort to the chosen spot.   Lewis recognized her immediately, and commenced wiggling.

Nina says "follow me"

We found a good spot and put down our roots.  Lewis and Polly wasted no time in getting reacquainted and the play began.  We sat outside to watch the sunset with Nina and Paul along with their good friends Alex and Ellen.  Lewis is becoming a real socialite and included them in his circle of new friends.  Lucky them....

cluster of friends in the desert
Nina and Paul to the left, Beluga center, and Alex and Ellen to the right

view out Beluga's windshield, ah.....

We retired to Beluga for a revisited hamburger dinner and then some reading for the evening.  No electric, TV, etc. so we'll have quiet evenings and early bedtimes - whats wrong with that!   Tomorrow we'll check out what Quartzsite has for us.