on the road - again

Well we are no longer at Holtville and are actually over 300 miles north. We headed out Thursday morning to Brawley for some groceries and then onto Slab City east of Niland. We have mentioned the Slabs before I think. Slab City is a very famous area (just google it) and so we just had to go take a look for ourselves - some love it some hate it. Well, we actually enjoyed our time there although could only stretch our stay 3 nights  - but in the few days we were there we experienced Salvation Mountain, the hot spring pond - by ourselves no less, walked by the canel, had dinner among the locals at karma kitchen, and Saturday night music at The Range. You may recall from Derek's blog that Chris McCandles (sp?) stayed at Slab City. We enjoyed the people there a lot but the garbage - not so much. It sure is something to see - I wish I could post our pics of Salvation Mountain!

Sunday we continued on with a stop at one of our favourite places - Salton Sea Rec Area. We were allowed to go in to the parking area for 1/2 hour for free. So we made the most of it showing Cassia the shore and all the birds. After that it was on to Mecca and east through Box Canyon to the Interstate. We then headed north to Needles, Bullhead City and Laughlin. We planned on staying the night at BC but it was still early and much busier then we thought and so headed towards Las Vegas. By the time we got to Searchlight it was getting dark so we stopped for the night. Not really the best decision because we were at 3,500ft and so very cold - went down to -5C at night.

Today we came into Henderson and stopped at the Chamber to find the library. Busy busy place. We wanted to check in and check on the weather. Bad news - the is a storm in our path! Actually we are quite disappointed because we are a bit road wary and were looking forward to home. Now it looks as though we should delay our trip north by a week or so. Since we can't spend the rest of the week parking lot hoping we will head south of here to Willow Beach looks like we can camp there for $5 a night. We were originally going to go that way to hit Arizona Hot Springs but decided to forgo but looks like we will go there now.

We did take a trip to Ethel M Chocolate factory today something we had read in a magazine a while ago. They offer free self guided tours and samples afterward. Well it was ok but pretty disappointing - the tour is very very short - the samples very very small and the prices very very high for their chocolates in the store. But we sure did enjoy the walk through their cactus garden!

So - here we are - stuck in Las Vegas of all places. Might take in the strip but not sure - 'we've been there done that' - but may be a good way to pass a day.

Enjoying the Springs

Well we have been at the hotspring now for just over a week. Time sure seems to fly here much more then other places. Our days are full between lots of walks by the canal, soaking in the hotspring and visiting with friends. The Holtville BLM is a pretty social place since you meet people at the hotsprings. I met a very nice lady there yesterday while with Cassia. She was very calm with a lyrical voice. We talked about many things from raising children to living without a lot of 'stuff'. She has a place at the Slabs where we plan to stop in on our way up. Her name is Hazal and she told me how to find her there so she can give us a tour. Much appreciated since we hear both good and bad about the Slabs - but definitely want to stop in and see for ourselves.


This past week in Holtville was the 64th Annual Carrot Festival. It is a big deal here with a week full of events. The big day was Saturday with the parade and midway. We came in for that. Cassia really enjoyed the parade - ohhing and ahhing all the sights. She partiulcarly liked seeing the horses.


We were also invited to the Ranch and went there in the afternoon. The ranch is a area behind someones house - Mexican American. They have been playing music there for years - a combo of Mexican and Snowbirds. We sat and listened to some good music and had a wonderful buffet dinner - free! We met up with our friend Rose from Nelson and had a great time. We headed out early since it was 3:30 and Cassia was pretty much sleeping standing up. She was asleep not even a minute in the truck headed back home.


The weather is much warmer now after last week with a cool northern wind.

Town of Tumco and back to the hotspring

Well we pulled back into the hotspring BLM today - found a great spot on the south side of the interstate this time a little corner all to ourselves.


Yesterday we had a fun filled day with our Sask friends Ken and Val. They were so generous to pick us up at our Walmart parking spot and take us to a breakfast buffet. We haven't eaten like that in a very long time. A great buffet for $6 each. After that we toured the town a little and stopped at a few RV places for K and V to check some rigs out. Later in the afternoon we headed back to Walmart - did some stocking up and said our goodbyes. K and V are staying in Yuma for a few days but will be heading this way so hoping to see them in Holtville.


Since we were late heading out we spent the night on Ogilby Road. We went up a bit to be by ourselves and ended up parking at the trail head to the historic gold mining town of Tumco. So this morning the three of us headed up for a hike. It was great - we took some great pics - too bad I can post them. Not much remains of the town that at it's height had a population of 500. I haven't googled it yet but you could probably find info on it.


After that we packed up and headed to the hotspring. Once parked and unhooked we headed here to Holtville to use the library and to get some water.


Good news! we have officially be offered the positions of Campground Managers of Skihist and Goldpan Prov Parks just north of Lytton. Very excited about our summer.


Heading back to camp now and a very much needed soak.

Full Circle - back to Yuma

Well it took about a month but we are back in Yuma. Although beautiful surroundings parking near Ajo - Ajo itself is a difficult town to be near. There is not much in the way of services and it is very very expensive. So we decided to head out on Tuesday to Yuma and back to Holtville. The hotspring is calling our name and good to be using less propane. On another note - we were visited every night on Darby Wells Road by the coyotes and saw one close by in the afternoon. At the laundry mat I met the lady parked the nearest to us - they are from 108 Mile Ranch. Such a small world down here I find. The lady we were talking to this morning at the laundry is from Edmonton.


Our timing was great to leave because on our way out of Ajo we stopped at the library to check email. We  had one from our Val and Ken that we have been trying to meet up with. Turns out they are headed to Yuma also - what luck. So we will hopefully finally rendezvous with them tomorrow. We are taking advantage of our day today by doing some laundry and spending sometime at the Foothills Library - surrounded by snowbirds of course.


Cold and windy night last night. The trailer was 3 degrees this morning and our propane ran out last night. A least it ran out here at $2.35/gallon instead of up at Ajo where it was $3.09/gallon.


Hoping for warmer weather but at least we will have the hotspring.