roadquill1

Dear family and friends,

After 4 years, we are once again camped in the lower parking lot of Squaw Lake in the Bureau of Land Management territory on the California side of the Colorado River. One dam looms above us, and the other, holding the water of Senator’s Wash lies just over the ridge. We are almost in the same parking spot that we enjoyed while camping with Mike and Marlene Harris 4 years ago, and next to Betty and Les Nault at the time of the Japan tsunami.

The camping area has been expanded, and the water is a bit lower, but otherwise all remains the same: private wifi sometimes available up in the Long-Term Visitor Area, no cell phone service, many Canadian snowbirds, ignored No Trespassing signs on the Senators Wash dam, a few burros about, a mix of very cool weather and very hot weather. We read, cycle, and kayak regularly and sometimes I fish – though unsuccessfully so far. As I say – some things never change, though the first day of Spring brought me a dinner at Yuma’s Olive Gardens and another year closer to maturity, Sandy hopes! (No birthday cake, but an old favourite from Mexico – Bimbuñuelos!)

And speaking of my organized partner, I wanted to provide a little anecdote of this penchant of hers. Originally, I cruelly mocked her behaviour, but now I see some wisdom in her plan. One day she announced (and I was listening!) that she was re-organizing the cutlery drawer. From now on, soup spoons would have their handles towards the drawer opener, and teaspoons would face the other way in the same slot. Likewise with forks and dessert forks thus saving slots for other utensils of course. It works! In the sometimes poor lighting, reach into the spoon slot and any handle will always provide you with a soup spoon! I can now eat crow in the dark with a regular fork!

Daily sources of amusement are frequent, and begin and end with mocking dialogues pertaining to pyjamas which our daughter gave me for Christmas. The t-shirt has “GIFTED” printed on it, and while I extol Paula’s wisdom in this selection, Sandy doesn’t feel quite so convinced about the sentiment. We are now toying with new nicknames of “Gifted” and “Unique” instead of Quilter and Quill.

Truck House has performed well since the early concerns about its welfare. I obey all laws, and try to avoid traffic confrontations. A neighbour here at Squaw Lake (from Billings, Montana area) wasn’t so lucky. While crawling along a mountain road sightseeing, he didn’t realize that he was impeding the progress of a vehicle in a greater rush. A confrontation occurred, and the couple were forced off the road, injuring them both enough that she had to be flown to Phoenix for treatment. They are recovering, but once again, I am a bit concerned about my ability to see vehicles behind me. My back-up camera system works when it wants to – mostly after dark.

Well, ‘tis time cycle uphill and upwind to post this. It will be a sweaty climb up to the top of the dam road (or damn road).

Much love and best wishes to all, and many, many thanks for the wonderful birthday wishes that so many posted. I am truly grateful for all the kind thoughts!

“Gifted” and “Unique” (Tony and Sandy, though the other sequence might be more appropriate!)

P.S. after proof-reading this, the Quilter informed me that the utensil drawer had always been “thus” and, THERE ARE NO OTHER SLOTS! I stand corrected, but still GIFTED – with her presence (and Paula’s) of course!