roadquill1

Dear family and friends!

As the clock runs out on our travel insurance (35 days this time) and the T-Mobile 30 day plan that I purchased, the draw of home increases! Technically, we have to be back in Canada by April 9, I believe. (T-Mobile fizzles out on April 5.)

We had a lovely time at Squaw Lake (I know!…Politically incorrect, but I’m pretty sure that I’m not allowed to rename places, otherwise, I’d start with Weed, CA, Parump, NV and Vancouver, WA!) We got to know 2 Canadian couples – Cheryl and Cal, from Barrière, and Barb and Ray, from Burnaby, and an American couple from Fort Smith, Montana – Judy and Tom. Judy and Tom had a rough time recently. While out cruising slowly along in their ATV, an impatient and rage-filled pick-up driver deliberately ran them off the mountain road totalling their vehicle and forcing both of them to seek hospitalization. His only saving grace is that he drove them in for help. Judy had to be helicoptered to Phoenix, but with frequent physio trips to Yuma, she and Tom are both recovering.

Weather at SL this year was disappointing with several chilly days and a few days with very strong winds which meant cancelled biking plans and kayaking. On the few days that we were able to kayak, I spent more time trying to position the kayak than focusing on fishing lines. (I know, Mike…poor excuse for not catching fish!)

Yesterday, our 2 week stay at the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) ran out, so we packed up on a calm and very warm day (of course!) said good-bye to our new friends as we headed off to visit our cousins in Phoenix. We had a brief stop at Quartzite to visit an “every tool you can imagine – at low, low prices” store and, of course, I added a few minor items to my inventories. No quilting stores! I am winning! [Unauthorized insert: “He is definitely winning, as I have not been in to a quilt shop – look out Fabric Depot, I am on my way!!” SD]

In Phoenix, we managed to make it unscathed to the Judd household, where we set up camp and awaited the return from work and school of the 5 of them, including baby Abigail! We enjoyed our visit, but were surprised to hear that Good Friday and Easter Monday are not statutory holidays here.

So, we decided to push on today, with no clear plan for our destination. We gave some consideration to Sedona, but as we approached the city, traffic slowed to a crawl/stop and with about an hour to get through, we quickly agreed to move onto Flagstaff.

The climate is very different here from Phoenix…we were the only two people in shorts in the large Fry’s Grocery store. After trying two RV sites unsuccessfully, we finally found a place at Black Bart’s RV. (The name beats KOA, which was full anyway.)

Tomorrow we’ll try to squeeze into Zion – the Utah kind, not the heavenly one!

Meanwhile, here on Earth at Black Bart’s (the name suggests that he might also have trouble getting into Zion) the temperature is heading for freezing (-2C), not the 32C forecast for Phoenix! Yay!

Love and best wishes to all!

The Quilter (Sandy) and the Quill (Tony)