roadquill1

Sunday, March 11 to Friday, March 16
Sandy and I occasionally have our friendly disagreements. There is almost always a “winner” and a “loser”. These disagreements are almost always of the non-serious variety and involve memories (or, more accurately, “memory loss”). After we had purchased our provisions in Yuma last Monday, we needed to get more water which is provided at “osmosis” stations for $1 for 5 gallons.

I pulled up with the station on my side of the truck, and she commented that our tank inlet was on the other side.

“No it isn’t.”

“Yes it is!”

“No, it ISN’T!” etc.

I got out of the truck…OOPS! Wrongo!

“Sorry, Sandy!”

“You’re stupid.”

Another week has almost gone by, and we only have 3 nights left at Squaw Lake before our 14 day stint is over. After our run into Yuma last week, we got home after dark, but in time for some music.

We have had some wonderful hikes this week, including one over to the portion of the dam that is on the east side of Senator’s Wash. That hiking trail brought us back to a gate that was clearly marked as No Trespassing. When we asked one of the more experienced folks here about hiking in that area – including walking across the dam, his comment was “You are in ‘soo’ country!” (At least that is what it sounded like. We all imagined that he was losing it and that he thought that we were in Sioux country….but no, he meant “sue” country.)

“That sign is to prevent law suits if you are injured while trespassing there.”

He may be right, because we do see folks hiking around that “restricted” area, and there have been no authoritarian patrols that I have seen – except, perhaps for the 2 ominous- looking military helicopters that periodically do a low level flyby over us!

However, I am not completely convinced. I remember a couple of years ago when Sandy and I nervously sprinted across that dam rather than go all the back around Senator’s Wash! We were sure that a meat wagon would be waiting to pick us up at the other end!

We have also taken several long bike rides – including another one around Senator’s Wash – but we retraced our ride rather than cross the dam illegally. The ride turned out to be 22 hot kilometers, and the source of another hot disagreement started by Sandy’s comment that there were 3 gullies (arroyos) to go through.

“No, there is only one.”

“Tony, there are at least 2.”

“One!” etc. etc.

Two gullies later…wrongo, Bucko!

“Sorry Sandy!”

“You’re stupid.”

(What a loser week on the argument scoreboard, but I am winning on “Sorries”!)

We had said our good-byes to Al Stevens, and Joan Kraft earlier in the week, but on our ride we encountered them again, and they said that they might return for another night at Squaw Lake. After our ride, the temperatures got quite warm, and to cool, off I swam in the lake. Refreshing! And warmer than Departure Bay in the summer. In the evening, Al and Joan joined the four of us for another night with a campfire and music. At about 10:00 it was time to shut down for the evening, and I was about to douse the embers of our little fire, when I spotted a strange, but tiny and growing cloud above the hilltops to the south of us. All of a sudden, the bottom of the cloud began to glow orange and we realized that we were witnessing the birth of a desert bush fire.

For about an hour we watched as the smoke cloud rapidly grew covering the beautiful stars above us, but because the fire was behind a rocky hill with no vegetation on it, we knew that we were safe. We never did see flames, though several times sparks could be seen lifting into the clouds. I told our friends that it was my treat – fireworks after the entertainment!

Yesterday morning there was no smoke, and Sandy and I rode our bikes past the burn where crews were putting out the last few hot spots. So, having gawked at the surprisingly small fire-scarred area, we moseyed on to cross the Imperial Dam, and then to cycle back on the road to Squaw Lake.

The rest of the day was spent reading. I finally finished that massive second book from Ken Follett – “World Without End”. If he writes another one in the series, we both think that we will pass. Meanwhile, while I was slogging through 1000 plus pages, Sandy finished a couple of books and is currently reading something recent from Yan Martel. She doesn’t sound too thrilled with it.

The weekend is here and the crowds are starting to build. Hopefully we will not have any more of the careless fire starters around.

We hear that the weather has not been too kind to you all at home. So sorry to hear that. We do think of you all, but do NOT miss the Spring mix!
Thanks to all for the comments. Feel free to initiate a letter to either of us!

We love to get news from home. Replying to the blog may be a bit impersonal and public.

Best wishes and love to you all – wherever you are in the world (Nicki, Alex, Judi, etc.) and we will look forward to hearing YOUR news! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! (Neil, et al!)

PS. For some reason iPad has balked at uploading pics, so I will have to add them on Monday when we return to Yuma.

Quill (Tony) and Quilter (Sandy)

Abiding by the spirit of the law???

 

Desert cycling: “One gulley, two gulleys, three gulleys…Oops!”

Squaw Lake bass fisher

A tunnel through the reeds along a shore pathway

 

Mike faces a twilight row home

“Fire’s burning!”

 

The beach at Senator’s Wash

Sandy at Senator’s Wash

Al and Joan

Clear sunrise after a smoky night

The fire aftermath