Home Sweet Home – for 4 months

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Last leg of journey completed

I drove the last leg of the journey to my home for the next 4 months. It was only 51 miles but I was anxious all the way as I wasn’t sure the campground would be opened. When I arrived the gate was open and I just drove right in.

This pic shows the entrance to the campgrounds.

Then I found the host site and started moving right in.

Cloudy and Rainy

When I arrived it was raining and very cloudy. Chica and I walked around the campground and she was fascinated by the Canadian geese.

This was quite different then what she is used to seeing.

Sunny Day

The following day it was sunny and I awoke to some really fantastic scenery. I couldn’t believe how beautiful this place is with snow-capped mountains all around. The next couple of pics were taken about 50′ from my campfire. The lake is right there so I will have easy access with my kayak.

We took another hike around the campgrounds. This is the road leading around it.

The trees are very tall as you can see.

This is a view of the lake and mountains from the day use area.

Day use for fishermen

There is also a day use are for fishermen with a boat ramp

This is a sign that shows Baker Lake. We are at the dot at the very bottom portion of the lake.

There was a mom and pop Canadian Geese enjoying the lake.

Poor Internet

I was using my Millenicom Hotspot attached to my Sleek booster, but I was only able to get a very slow 3G. I tried uploading my pics but it took several hours for just 2 pics and then I would lose the connection every now and then. I had to pick up my mail in Concrete, WA so decided to check if the connections was faster down there. AHA! I got 4G in this small town and my pics loaded very quickly (4G).

Waiting for the rig

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Been a while since I last posted

Sorry it has been so long but have been busy getting ready to head up to Washington for my new camp host job. I traveled to Southern California where I have been spending time with my sister Bev and brother-in-law Bob. I spent 2 nights at O’Neill Park in Orange County and then took my rig into the Ford dealer near by to have a few things checked out. They are very busy this time of the year so I have left it there while they ordered parts. My front end needs work and it also needs service as well.

Chica and Lando

Lando is Bev and Bob’s dog and Chica got to know him last Christmas while we were there. So they are now getting more and more familiar with each other and sharing each other’s toys at times.

We took them to the nearby park to run in the grass. They had a great time together.

Chica even enjoyed playing in the swings and slides area.

Birthday party at the beach

One day we were invited to a friend’s grandson’s birthday party at the beach. The weather was great and the party was fun.

Things I have done in the past several days.

Hiked with Bev at a nearby park.

Visited my Mom at their annual Easter Egg Hunt for the little kids.

My Mom is doing well and was really glad to see us. I will take Chica over to see her tomorrow.

Getting rig ready

Bev has been very helpful in getting my rig organized. I definitely needed a woman’s touch in there and she definitely supplied it. I had already installed shades in three of the windows, but needed curtains on both the door and in the kitchen window. We bought the material and she sewed some drapes for me.

While the rig is parked in the dealers lot ready to be repaired, we have gone over there several times and they let us do things inside the rig. First of all I got rid of a lot of unneeded junk.. I finally removed the back valance and tossed it. Bev is also going to make some curtains to replace the old curtains Lazy Daze they had installed in the rear.

Today we went and installed some of the curtains. I forgot to take any pics so will have to show you in a later post. They really turned out nice and I am very pleased with them. I can’t begin to thank Bev enough for all the work she has done.

Repairs tomorrow

The dealer said they will be working on my rig tomorrow and finish it up by Wednesday. I may move it back to O’Neill Park for a couple of days and finish it up and then begin my journey up to Washington. I am supposed to be up their by May 14, but am planning on getting there on the 10th to get organized in my new campsite.

Toothless in Yuma on Valentines Day

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Me and my valentine sleep in…

I awoke this morning late. Chicka was still asleep but jumped up and demanded I let her out immediately to do her duties. Good girl!!

Toothless in Yuma

My non tooth is doing well and healing properly. Haven’t had to take only one pain pill the first day, but none since then. Whenever I think of pulling teeth, it reminds me of when I had Chica neutered. The vet mentioned that she still had some of her baby teeth and wondered if I wanted to have those extracted as well. I agreed and when I picked her up the vet/dentist gave me a baggy with 6 extremely tiny teeth. She was not a very happy girl and she would not let me come within 10 feet of her for almost a week. Very hard to do in a 26 1/2 foot RV. I wonder now if they gave her Novocain for dogs.

Back to some hiking

Jim and Gayle were going on a short hike and asked if I wanted to go as well. I was ready to go after sitting out a couple of days. We hiked past the lake and up to where we should have found the trail to cross the canal on our previous hike.

We walked on the road next to the lake.

We got to the canal which had been our nemesis on our last hike.

As hot as it is there are still many plants and trees blooming.

Hiking Great Egret

We even spotted this Great Egret just hanging out by the side of the road. It did not seem to concerned by us walking so close.

Record Temperatures

The news last night mentioned that Arizona was experiencing record temps throughout the state. It is in the low 90’s here in the Yuma area. Hot but not unbearable. In the afternoon Chica likes to lay on a pillow which is a bit cooler.

Mittry Lake Hike

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Short hikes

I took a couple of short hikes with Gayle and Jim just after I arrived at my new home overlooking Mittry Lake. We found a trail that led up to some cairns and other interesting things. On the way we crossed over a spillway on the canal. This is a vital key to a hike we took later in the week. I will get to that later.

We followed a trail that led up into the hills. There were several rocky points where we crossed a wash, but no big deal.

Then we got to a spot with lots of cairns and even some Cristmas bulbs hanging from a cactus.

We could even see Imperial Dam LTVA from here.

This was the stopping point for both hikes as we then turned around and followed the trail back. On the way I was able to get a pic of some of the beautiful foliage.

Where did the trail go?

Yesterday Jim and Gayle Life’s Little Adventures Debbie and myself were met by Boonie of Occupation of Independence and Glenn of To Simplify as well as Ted of Life With Kurumi and Chris Ford who also camped with us at Quartzsite. Plus the dogs Coffee Girl, Rupert and Elliot. I didn’t take Chica as many of the rocks were bigger then her.

We started out on the same trail as we had taken before. Once we hit the cairns and Christmas bulbs we decided to continue down the trail.

The trail was well marked and somewhat easy for quite a while.

We found many flowers in bloom along the way.

Where’s a bridge?

Then it got confusing. We could see the canal from the top of the hills, but couldn’t see any place to cross it. Boonie, Glenn and Ted had gone ahead of us and we weren’t sure which way. Remember the first photo in this post. That’s the canal we had to cross. So we took what we thought was the trail to a spot where we could cross the canal. It wasn’t much of a trail, but it seemed our way out. I saw Boonie, Glenn and Ted walking on the other side of the road. They spotted me and were yelling to go higher. So that is what I was doing. I still could see Gayle on the trail much lower and she was telling me to go lower. HELP!

Too Risky!

I took Gayle’s advise and went back down to the trail. Then it got very risky and we decided it would be much easier if we went back on the trail we came in on. You must realize that I am no where near the hiking ability of Gayle and Jim. They are very experienced hikers. So I was getting very tired and all three of us were running very low on water. We really hadn’t planned to hike as long as we did. It was now about 12:30 to 1:00 and it was getting hotter. Then all of a sudden Gayle spotted a car on a bluff not too far from us. The guy (Steven) said he would get us back to our camp so we made our way over to him. I didn’t get a pic, but this was the terrain.

Thank you Steven!!!!

All three of us piled into his car and he had to drive 4 miles back to the bridge that went over the canal which was the road leading to Imperial Dam. Then 5 miles back to our camp. He even gave us something to drink. What a great guy! He was just about getting ready to start fishing in this great spot along the canal when he spotted us. What a good Samaritan!!!

We all got back and sat around the camp for a while exchanging stories and relaxing. It was a great day in that I met so many new friends and Coffee Girl as well. Next time I go hiking I will be sure to take more water and a snack bar.

Mittry Lake

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Left Quechan Casino

Monday I left the casino and headed to Mittry Lake via Walmart in Yuma. Mittry Lake is on BLM land just about 5 miles from Imperial Dam. At Walmart I picked up a few groceries and a set of trekking poles. I had borrowed a pole while hiking outside of Quartzsite and found it very helpful so decided to get my own.

Then it was on to meet up with Gayle and Jim (Life’s Little Adventures) and Debbie. They have a great spot on a bluff overlooking the lake and they saved a spot for me.

It is a great spot and very level. I am planning on being here for a few weeks as the price is right ($0).

Tuesday Jim and I drove over to the Christian Service Center just outside Imperial Dam to look for a lift kit for Jim’s solar panels.

Unfortunately they didn’t have what he was looking for but they did have lots of solar panels, batteries and inverters of all sizes. On our way back we decided to drive around and check out other camping areas and found several that had great views such as this one.

Hiking in the area

There are a lot of great hiking trails in the area and yesterday we were looking for some nice trails. We found one that went way up into the hills. Someone had taken the time to decorate it with rocks and even had Christmas bulbs decorating a cactus. I forgot to take my camera so didn’t get any pics. I will try to remember it the next time.

Dental Appointment

I mentioned that I was going to go with Gayle and Debbie to the dentist on Tuesday. I was wrong as their dental appointment was on Thursday. I called the dentist to make an appointment, but the soonest I could get in would have been next week. I then mentioned that my friends had dental appointments on Thursday so they fit me in at the same time. How nice was that? So tomorrow I will be getting up early (for a change) and heading to Mexico and my new dentist.

Weather has been great

This is the best weather I can remember since my first year coming to this area. There have been a few cloudy days, but no rain and most of the days have cloudless blue skies. Great solar! It has been in the 70’s and next week it should be going into the 80’s.

Crystal Hill Hike

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Jim Melvin

More Hiking

We decided to take a turn into the Kofa Wildlife Refuge that was on the road a few miles before the Palm Canyon turnoff. It led to Crystal Hill on a long washboard road. It was even further than the Palm Canyon Road which was about 7 miles.

At one time there was a campground back there, but only saw one camper. The road is pretty rough so getting a rig back there would cause a lot of shaking of everything inside.

Here we are all making our ascent to the peak.

We all made it to the top. It was a very nice view.

Sara at the top with the mountains in the background.

On our descent we ran into this very small cactus.

Also got a few flower pics but there weren’t too many flowers in bloom.

We also found this old mine that had been blocked off so that you couldn’t enter it.

The group all meeting at the bottom in the wash.

It was a great hike and all 12 of us (and 2 dogs) enjoyed it. The road was very dusty going to and from and my Sami is now covered in dust both inside and out. Another GREAT day in Quartzsite.

Hiking to Palm Canyons

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Jim Melvin

Palm Canyon Hike

The other day a bunch of us drove the 23 miles down to the Palm Canyon turnoff and the 7 miles on a washboard gravel road to the Palm Canyons trailhead. It was only a 1/2 mile hike up the canyon to the spot where you can see the palms growing on the walls of the canyon.

This is looking in the opposite direction out to the Chocolate Mountains.

A bunch of us gathered at the trailhead.

You can see the palms growing out of the rock.

A couple more pics of the canyon.

Sara checking out the canyon.

We met this couple coming down the trail. I knew them from Amazon. Funny how you always manage to find friends in the most out of the way places.

Some of the group decided to hike further up the canyon.

A better shot of the palms. It is amazing how they grow up there among all the rocks.

We are planning another hike to a trail we passed before the Palm Canyons trail so stay tuned.

Chica takes a walk

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Chica takes me for a walk

I have been on the lookout for raptors or any large birds. I have seen a raven once and a couple of grouse but that is it. I would expect to see more hawks in this area, but apparently they are elsewhere. I did this so that Chica could go off her leash and run. She loves to run and hike. Most of the time she will stay right at my side, but there are occasions when she will want to run ahead.

Let’s hit the trail

What’s taking you so long Dad?

Heading for home

Huge thunder cloud

Shortly after we got home I started seeing a huge thundercloud off in the distance. Soon it was almost overhead and coming our way.

Then there was rain and a lot of it. That cloud just emptied on us.

It didn’t last too long, but it sure soaked everything including the road we had just walked down.

Then it stopped as fast as it started.

Another beautiful sunset

Then we had another beautiful sunset.

Life is good!

Hiking to Inspiration Point

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Took the ferry across Jenny Lake

Jane suggested we hike up to Inspiration Point, so Jane, Linda, Tony and myself left early to head on over to Jenny Lake. We hopped on the ferry there which took us to the trailhead. It is a steep trail for the first .7 of a mile as it has an elevation gain of 417 feet.

We saw this waterfall going up the trail.

We stopped for a break before hitting the top where I took this pic of my hiking companions Jane, Linda and Tony.

No wildlife but lots of beautiful scenery

This next pic shows the trail we have come up thus far. However we are still not at Inspiration Point.

In this next pic you can see the ferry landing at the boat dock. We will end the trail at the same boat dock to go back across the lake.

Now we are on the Cascade Canyon trail that leads way back into a canyon between the beautiful mountains.

This is a pic of the trail. It was mostly flat and not difficult at this point.

We ran across a large pond and were hopping to see some moose drinking. There were a lot of people on the trail at different times and it must have scared all the wildlife away. Luckily we did not come upon a bear, but we were all equipped with bear spray just in case.

Jane and Tony are much faster hikers so they decided to go ahead down the trail while Linda and I set our own pace. We did run into several hikers with large backpacks that had spent the night way up on the mountain. We could see many different waterfalls all along the trail.

There were also several pics of the creek that we followed.

This was a great experience. Of course we had to hike back and down the same elevation gain that we came up. It was almost more difficult climbing done then it was going up as there were many people making the climb up. We then got on the ferry for the ride back across Jenny Lake. Then Linda and I went to Dornans at Moose Junction for a much needed pitcher of water and a pizza and sandwich. It turned out to be a great day. We hiked 8.6 miles over hill and dale (HA!) and saw some great scenery. Not too shabby for an old fart like me.

Picking up mail

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Jim Melvin

Short hike to the post office

The other day Linda had to pick up her mail at the post office. The nearest one is in Kelly, WY, less the 2 miles from our campsites. So off we went on a trail that led down to the river and through the woods(HA! Just kidding!)

The trail did lead us next to the river for a short distance.

This was the beautiful scenery of the mountains to our left.

Then we made it to the small town of Kelly, WY where they had a post office a small sandwich store and a small school with schoolyard and many private residences.

Inside the store they had this sign. I bet you won’t find this sign in many stores. By the way we did not run into any bison nearby.

This is probably the smallest post office I have ever seen.

This is a nice view of the Teton Mountains as we were walking back along the road.

Drove into Jackson

Later that day I drove in to Jackson with John to fill my external tank with propane. It looks like traffic has died down a bit as vacations are starting to wind down since kids have to be back in school shortly. It is still rather busy, but just not as bad.

While there I also picked up some bear spray. On the return trip we saw this big guy crossing the road. They don’t seem to have any fear of cars or people. I guess if I were that big I wouldn’t care either.

The weather is very nice here and we haven’t had any rain for a few days now. The campgrounds have been almost full on a few days, but seem to be thinning out a bit now.