We're off!

 We're officially on our way, on the road again, moving on to visit some familiar places and some new places.    As all RVers know, plans are always written in pencil.    Lots of things can change plans, weather, health, mechanical problems, and sometimes just a whim.     Tonight we're parked in a nice spot at the Needles, California Elks Lodge. 

   Our original plans had us spending a couple nights at the Burro Creek BLM Campsite near Wikieup, Arizona but the wind has been howling and the temperatures hovering in the high 90's so we skipped this first stop and moved on into California.   It turns out that was a good decision because there was a small  wildfire in that area this morning that closed the road may have put us in a bad spot.      The Burro Creek area is one that has always intrigued me as we flew past, always on our way somewhere else.     I'll just put it back on "the list" to check out another time.

We're all happily settled into our home on wheels. It took us a little time to remember where everything is and how everything works, it's been 6 months since we've lived in Beluga.  Even Lew is having a little trouble remembering which ball is the current favorite.......

 We slept well last night and Lewis is, once again, enjoying his white leather couch enormously. 

zzzzzzz

   

The wind may keep us stationary one more day but after that I think we'll be good to move along again.   It's no fun to drive a 27,000 + lb. bus towing a Jeep in 30 mph winds with occasional gusts of over 50 mph on a two lane road with no shoulder.    It's hard to keep it between the lines and it's exhausting.   We're not on a rigid schedule and we try to avoid as much stress as possible so we make the best of where we are when we're there!

Today we did a little exploring on our way to the grocery store.    Yesterday I wanted to get down to the shore of the Colorado River but we never found a single spot that didn't either charge an entry fee, have a "no trespassing" sign or wasn't in a housing development of some kind.      Today we had success!

We found a road (Boundry Cone road near Fort Mohave) that led us directly to and over the sandy levee along the river in a relatively remote area.    We were  delighted to discover a number of places to walk down to the shore and dip our toes in the fast flowing river.   A very loud and frantic Kildeer tried valiently to lead us away from her three tiny babies,  but they insisted on running along in front of us.     So tiny...

  The wind has finally let up so tomorrow we will resume our trip.    It's nice to be able to be flexible.

We had a few fun times during the last few weeks before we left that I didn't show you in my last post. I'll do a little catch up now.       MonaLiza and Steve invited us to their home for dinner one afternoon.    The wind (yes, the wind) was strong that day so we ate inside.    They served some of their delicious candy smoked salmon on Steve's freshly home made bread before dinner.   Mmmm

caught ya!

We had another delicious meal, good wine, purple yam cookies (!) and plenty of laughs.

MonaLiza gave us some of those yummy purple cookies to take home and we enjoyed them the next morning with our second cup.      Lewis thought they looked beautiful on the table.  He noticed that they matched the petunias.

he's still wet from his bath.....

He's never taken food off the table, never in his life....but he got very close to these purple cookies.   Just to get a good smell, that's all...

 A few days before we left, the four of us went to Lake Pleasant for lunch and a narrated boat ride.    It was at a different marina on the lake, as was the waterfront restaurant.    We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of food served....bar food but good bar food!    Resident ducks patroled the outdoor deck regularly but politely.

please sir, can I have some?

 

The 90 minute boat trip and was very interesting and entertaining.   We learned facts about the manmade lake and saw nesting Herons and the ever present Burro's resting in shady spots along the shore line.     We all decided that next year we would rent our own boat to better explore all the bays and canyons and islands of this pretty lake.  

I wonder where that dirt road leads......

Dave had gotten Beluga all ready for the trip so he had time to do a few other little jobs.     He made dinner for us one evening, a recipe he saw on television one morning (while I was still sleeping).    The Sciachiatta was delicious!   I think he's turning into a chef!   Is there anything he can't do?

the kitchen smelled divine!

filled with ground pork, tomatoes, cheeses, mmmmm

Steve is doing extensive work on his beautiful "new" car and Dave is very interested in his progress.   Sometimes he even gets to help!

  

We'll miss our desert home and our friends and visitors and we'll look forward to our return in October.

But, until then, we can't wait to see what lies ahead!    The mountains, the ocean, seafood, wineries, Schatz bakery, drag races, off road explorations, Canada, rivers, fine meals, ancient ruins,  hikes,  galleries, and most of all Jesse and Erin!       Stay tuned.