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John & Margie

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (OPCNM)

Crested
         Organ Pipe Cactus 



                                                            Hedge Hog Cactus

                                                                Dessert Sunrise



                                         Desert View-Saguaro, Ocotillo, Brittle Bush

                                      

                                           Saguaro Hugging an Ocotillo



                                            Gary, John & Crested Organ Pipe Cactus

                                                Crested Organ Pipe Cactus Up Close

Hello Everyone,

Well, here I go again. I had this all done two days ago and didn't save it and lost it, O' well. We decided to go by OPCNM for 3 nights on our way back to WA, so we loaded the MH and summerized the house and away we went. We were accompanied by Gary & Cheryl Cyphers in their MH. Gary's brother Glen and wife Carolyn had gone ahead on Sunday. We arrived about 11:20 a.m. and got all set up (no hookups here but toilet and potable water at spigots around the park) in the same area as Glen. We all had lunch and then sat around and socialized. They even talked me into digging my 3 harmonicas out and accompanying Glen as he played the guitar. I managed to get a few notes right as we tried several songs. We sat around until it started getting dark and people started getting hungry again. It's amazing how sunshine, fresh air and good company can make you hungry.

TUESDAY: Everyone wanted to take the 21 mile scenic loop to view the various blossoms. Glen invited the 4 of us to go with him and Carolyn in his pickup that could seat 6. There were 5 of us taking pictures so with all the stopping and driving slow it took us about 4 hours to complete the loop. The scenery was beautiful with lots of blooms. There were more Hedge Hog Cacti blooming than any other cactus. I will try and post a few pictures with this post. All that picture taking got us all hungry so we headed for the Mexican boarder and the "Gringo Pass" restaurant. We all enjoyed a good Mexican lunch. After lunch we headed back to the park to rest and more socializing. We all did our own thing at meal time. There were 2 other couples in their RV's that were friends of Gary and Cheryl. They also joined in the socializing.

WEDNESDAY: We all went up to the Visitor Center and watched a movie about the park and then walked through a short nature trail. Margie found some items in the shop area that she just couldn't live without so we purchased them. After lunch Gary & Cheryl and Margie & I went in our Honda CRV on a 5 mile scenic drive. Not as many blooms on this drive but lots of great scenery. Carolyn had developed a migraine headache Tuesday so they left for home after lunch.

THURSDAY: This was the day we were leaving for the Blue Water Casino in Parker. We got up, had breakfast, got the MH said goodbye to Gary & Cheryl and headed for Parker, AZ.

We had a great time. Margie said this was the best RV trip she had had for a long time. No TV so I was willing to play games. Margie & I and Gary & Cheryl played Sequence and Margie taught us a new game, 3-13. Everyone really liked 3-13. You play 11 hands starting by dealing 3 cards and then 4, 5, 6, etc. up to a 13 card hand. I won't try to explain it all. Suffice it to say it was fun.

Friday we made it to the Sommerville Almond Tree RV Park, Coalinga, CA. Tonight (SAT) we are are at the Yreka RV Park, in Yreka, CA. Sunday we should make it home to Camas, WA around 1 or 2 o'clock.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

More Ramblings





Hi All- Well Margie's step-daughter and two girls didn't get to come for Easter dinner as planned. Anna got another stomach virus and had to go to the DR. We went to Sunrise Service and then shared in a potluck breakfast. There is a sister and brother that walk about 3 miles to church or if lucky get dropped off by their dad. Dad works the 11pm to 7am shift cooking at I-Hop and doesn't come to church. Their mother lives in another state so they are left to fend for themselves a lot of the time. Michael is 15 and Brittany is 14. They are pretty good kids considering everything. Well, to make a long story shorter, we invited them over for Easter dinner. They enjoyed the dinner and Brittany asked if she could have some of the leftovers to take home. I don't think they can depend on three square meals a day. She went home with lots of goodies. Margie fixed two more bags of "treasures" for them so they could do the Treasure Hunt she had planned for Anna and Kayla. They were very excited to find their treasure. We took them home around 3:30pm and their dad still wasn't home but they could get in the house. So Easter tuned out pretty nice for all concerned.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Getting Ready To Leave Our Arizona Home

April 3rd 2010

Well it's that time again. Time to get things ready for our departure from our winter home to our summer home on Washington. Batten down the hatches, store the outside chairs, hoses, tables. etc. Turn off the water heater and water to the house on the morning we leave. The plants in our yard will still get the water they need to survive the hot Arizona summers.

Tomorrow is Easter. We will be up early for the Sunrise Service at the First Baptist Church. Then a potluck breakfast at the church. We will have to head home so that we can get things ready for Margie's step-daughter,Kelly, and two grand daughters that are coming to share a ham dinner with us. Kayla is 18 and Anna is 10. Margie has set up a "Treasure Hunt" for the girls to do. Ten clues hid in our back yard will lead them to their "Treasure". Margie is a grandmother to end all grandmothers!! Well more later as time permits.