out of practice

 Beluga held her comfortable temperature through the night and we all had a good sleep.   Today, after lunch, we decided to drive aout 15 miles north to see to the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs.

We took Utah 130 through large, flat hay fields bordered by the imposing Black Mountains to the east.   

A ridge of lower mountains, called (I think) the Red Mountains, began to rise in the middle of the flat valley about 15 million years ago.  

 I won't go into the complicated formation of the "gap", but suffice it to say a deep wind gap formed  and provided large, flat, desert varnish covered sandstone boulders that were condusive to the carving and chiseling of Native American petroglyphs.

These petroglyphs represent a long period of use by many different Native cultures, starting about 1000 years ago.  Their meaning isn't completely understood.

Archeologist debate whether they portray actual occurrences (hunts, births, wars) or have religious significance.   Regardless, they're a priceless history of ancient cultures and  are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

We soon discovered we were out of practice at this exploring and picture taking.     All the pictures above were shot with my camera set on "close up".    grrrrr.    Dave usually asks me whether I have the camera on the right setting whenever I start to take shots.    He's out of practice and didn't ask.   I'm out of practice, I didn't look.....

We also didn't remember to bring hats and proper shoes for wandering around in the rocks and excessive heat.    Again, we're out of practice.       Needless to say we were very very overheated by the time we got back into the Jeep.   We did remember to bring plenty of water so we're not completely hopeless. We'll get back in the swing pretty soon.

On our way home we drove along Little Salt Lake, a completely dry lake bed,  shimmering in the hot sun.  Who knew there was a "little" Salt Lake?

It wasn't a long day, but the heat sapped us.    All either of us could think of was taking a nice long nap when we got home - so.....we did!

Up into the mountains and the Dixie National Forest tomorrow....

Departure

 When we last spoke Dave and I had just moved things into the "new" house.    The unpacking continued until every last box was emptied and  broken down and taken to the recycling center.   Phew, who knew it would take so many trips!

last load

Dave finished the few painting jobs I gave him and we got the bedroom settled, with Lew's help.   Putting the bed together is a puzzle best worked with friends.    I found a "sense of place" shower curtain for the master bedroom and Dave hung it after the paint dried.

We never did stay a night there, but we entertained (I use that term very loosely) friends with Sonoran Hot dogs for Dave's birthday, took advantage of the large grooming table to make Lewis more comfortable in the coming heat, and enjoyed quite a few happy hours out back.

don't you love his "man bun"

 After getting the thermostat settled on vacation mode, setting up slow drip buckets at each tree, checking all the door and window locks and unplugging various electric/tronic devices, and enjoying one more lunch with Steve and MonaLiza at Nichols West, we left Wickenburg for our four month (ish) road trip.  

 While we were filling those buckets in the back yard, a tiny bird fluttered up Dave's pant leg and t-shirt and landed in his outstretched hand.    It was begging and flapping and doing everything in it's power to elicit sympathy.

When I came over to look, it fluttered out of his hand to the ground and began to work me.   It followed me all over, pecking at my toes and tripping me.    I tried to lead it to some leafy shade so it could rest and wait for mama (who was calling and flying overhead) to swoop in, but it had decided that I was IT.    

When I tried to get into the house it abandoned it's ground antics and flew up my front to land on my shoulder to peck my hair and peep directly in my ear "don't you see me????? don't you hear me?????

Finally Dave came to the rescue and took the little guy off me and placed it in a nearby tree where mama was waiting.    We both hightailed it into the house....I hope the family was reunited and that mama was good enough.

I think we left in the nick of time as a dangerous heat wave was descending on the west.    Our first night on the road (last night) was at the very nice Elks Lodge RV park in Boulder City, NV.   The temperature was 111 degrees and we just couldn't get Beluga cooled down to a comfortable level.    Ugh!   Poor Lew burned his little feetsies on the blacktop trying to get to the stones to "get busy".   We showered, turned in early and hoped today would bring cooler temperatures as we moved north.    (I have no idea what is happening to the size and font type - things just changed as I was typing....gremlins?)

Today we decided to access I-15 north by driving through Lake Mead National Recreation Area instead of driving through the middle of Las Vegas.    It was a spectacular ride, as always.

We were happy campers as we passed the multi colored rock formations with views of the lake in the distance.

It's so good to be back on the road again.    Tonight we're in Cedar City, Utah and the weather is slightly cooler (99), a real relief.    Beluga is keeping us all comfortable tonight.    We'll be here for 4 nights to do some long overdue exploring and then head off to visit old friends in Salt Lake City.

   

Arrival!

 

here comes Angel!

First thing Friday morning, we opened the garage door and prepared to receive Angel and his moving crew.     He's a real gem.  After loading the truck and driving it across the country in three days, he was still smiling and laughing.

Angel and one of the local helpers (Chris or Dave)

He and his crew ( local helpers and his brother, Jose) were competent, friendly, polite and oh so efficient!  The moving truck was packed like a giant jigsaw puzzle and was completely unloaded by 10:30 a.m.!   All boxes had been carefully labeled before loading at the lake, and the guys made sure they were all properly replaced at the new house.

Chris or Dave, Chris or Dave, Angel and Jose

Now for the unpacking.....We spent half of Saturday and Sunday organizing the garage.   We started there because we were looking for the painting drop cloths Dave knew were there, somewhere......

boxes in the foreground are empty and awaiting recycling

We have to paint the master bedroom and bath before placing our furniture, so those drop cloths were important (sure, we could have just bought new ones....too easy, right?).    We finally found his own, personal drop cloths in THE VERY LAST BOX!   but, now we have them and the painting can begin.

I'm working on unearthing my kitchen, so much packing paper!

At the end of the day, it's nice to enjoy a gin and tonic sitting in our old, familiar Adirondack chairs.    They are slightly confused by their new views....where's the lake they ask?

We're still living in Beluga at Desert Cypress RV.   It was a good decision not to try and move right into the house.    Coming back to our calm, quiet "home on wheels" with a fully stocked refrigerator, clean bed, and cable tv is more than wonderful after the chaos that is 1055!

Catching up

 When we last spoke, Dave was still suffering considerable pain from his recent back surgery.   That time has passed, his recheck appointment went well, the Surgeon was very pleased with his progress, pain medications have been discontinued and he's well on the mend.

We ventured out to a few restaurants during the healing process, testing Dave's ability to drive comfortably again.    After lunch at our favorite, Nicols West, Dave discovered a lovely rose garden around back.....

  

 Hans and Lisa came down from the Prescott home to hike with MonaLiza and Steve one day.    They all met us for a surprise lunch at El Ranchero.   It was good to see them again.

One afternoon MonaLiza and Steve invited us to their home for a mutual celebraton.   In honor of Dave's successful surgery, the closing of our "new" house and the completed sale of their motorhome, Betsy, we shared a bottle of bubbly and MonaLiza's version of Pam's delicious Shrimp and Feta Pasta Bake.  

She took a picture of us, with bubbly in hand, and sent it to me.....I can't find it.   Sorry.

As I mentioned above, we finally closed on our "new" winter home base in Wickenburg.   A few minor problems cropped up the day after our final walk around and official closing which sent Dave racing off to the hardware store to buy a wet/dry vacuum.  I was left behind mopping and wringing with the two towels we had with us.    During our Real Estate Agent's demonstration of how to change the refrigerator's ice maker filter he evidently neglected to properly seat said filter.   The entire kitchen floor and all the refrigerator drawers were flooded by the time we returned the next day.   Ugh.

We spent a bit of time removing a few pieces of bedroom molding that was driving Dave insane and securing a large doggy door in the living room wall.   The next day we  had a wonderful cleaning crew come in to scrub the house top to bottom.  

looking from the livingroom, through the kitchen to the eating area

That's better.....now the whole place shines.    We brought back a small thermos of gin and tonics to enjoy in our new back yard.    We haven't had one since probably November, since Dave started taking pain medication.    It tasted exceptionally good!  

gin and tonic views out back

 This will be a good place for us to spend winters.   We can't wait to dig in and make it our own (next fall that is....first a visit with Jesse and Erin at their new home in Spokane!)

Here are a couple quick photos, stolen from the internet, for those of you who have been asking to see what we bought!

Beluga's new winter home

Now, in real time, Dave is back at the lake working with Jesse and Angel to pack up our belongings in preparation for their long ride across the country and into their new home.    Dave and Jesse will be back in their respective homes early next week.    I can't wait, and neither can Erin!

They're doing a stellar job....I can't believe how much progress they've made in just a few days.    They must be exhausted....sigh.      

Cindy P brought them lunch yesterday and I think they enjoyed the break almost as much as they enjoyed the food and conversation!     Robin and Tom are also there to help with whatever is needed.   We have such wonderful friends.

I'm taking care of details on this end.   I stayed back with Lewis, he's uncomfortable wearing a mask and the airlines won't let anyone fly without one - wink wink.     It's not all work on this end, however.

I explored the Desert National Wildlife Refuge yesterday.   The visitor's center was still closed (Covid, ya know) but there were several short trails in the area with lovely green riparian areas to explore.  Lots more to see for another day (or two).

    

native American mortars along the trail

pomegranate blossom

I thought it was interesting to see the pomegranate forming from the flower

It's been an exciting few months.   I'm sort of done with exciting now.   Boring sounds good to me.

Friends and hot dogs

 Well, the honeymoon is over for Dave.    He's now taking all the medication provided, at exactly the correct times.   He knows when that is without even looking at the little chart we've created.     This phase of recovery shall pass,  people tell us.   Sooner than later we hope.

Thanks to the kindness of friends, however, he DID manage to get that much awaited Sonoran Hot Dog.

And, it was good.  nom nom nom    Since Dave was having such a difficult time with pain management I cancelled our lunch date with Steve and MonaLiza.    MonaLiza knew how disappointed he was to miss his hot dog date so she (and Steve) picked up the lusted after meal and surprised Dave with it here.   He was so happy to see them and what they were carrying!      They stayed and we all ate together.

When our lunch was over, Dave downed a very necessary Percocet and I turned the nursing duties over to sweet Lewis.    When I left for the post office he had tucked Dave into bed and was keeping him quiet by virtue of his close attendance.  

So Far, So Good!

 We were at Banner University Hospital at 7 a.m. yesterday morning.    We left Beluga at 5:30 a.m to be able to deal with the beginning of rush hour traffic into downtown Phoenix.   

Steve Lowe graciously agreed to come over mid-day to take Lewis out for a bit of relief in case we were away longer than planned.    We left at 5:30 and didn't return until 4:45 - a long day for us all.   Poor Lewis was confused by Steve's arrival and wouldn't get off the bed to greet him.   It took a speaker phone call from me to convince Lew that Steve was a safe person to listen to.    All went well after that and we are eternally grateful to Steve for his kindness.  

Dave's surgery went well, the Dr. said there was more inflamation than he expected, and he was able to come home relatively soon after the surgery.    We drove back on surface roads (rt. 60) instead of I-10 and experienced little traffic.   He enjoyed a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a slice of lemon cake, watched a little televison and had a good night's sleep, sans the prescribed opiods.    This morning he woke bright eyed and bushy tailed with some pain but nothing near what he had the day before.   We're hoping that gabapentin and muscle relaxants will keep doing their jobs.  This may be a honeymoon period, we're prepared for that, but he's happier than I've seen him in a while - a good thing.     

Thank you all for your emails and texts filled with kind words, positive thoughts.    We are truly grateful for your concern. 

p.s.  And....he's out walking again, oh Dave......