A drive around the area, and a Christmas visit

Sunday, December 22
This beautiful sunrise got me out of bed and out for a walk. So pretty. Worth getting up for.

A bit of a road trip today. We started by heading toward the Colorado River and wound our way north to Imperial Date Farm. We've visited here a few times in the past but this was our first for this season. We bought some dates and some date loaf. So good!

Lots of lettuce growing.

The nets around the date bunches are to catch any dates that may fall off during wind or rain events.

The Cloud Museum is just down the road. I gotta stop there one day.

Next was a trip into Yuma for some groceries then out of town on the I-8, past Pilot Knob and on to the Imperial Sand Dunes. We stopped at the Plank Road display. It reminds me of the roads built over the muskeg in northern Canada to keep the trucks from sinking into the muck. The Plank Road was used over the sand dunes from 1916 to 1924. It must have been quite a sight to watch old Model T cars and early trucks to transit across the dunes on that wooden road.

Folks bring their rigs and sand toys out to the dunes.

These huge dunes are the location for many movies including Star Wars and the latest Jumanji movie.

The dark band is the US/Mexican border

The Plank Road preserved inside the barriers to keep the dune buggies and quads out.

They used the plank road for just over ten years prior to a more permanent road was constructed.

Remnants of the original plank road.

Sand and wind erosion evident on the planks.

The border wall across the desert.

Next was a drive up Ogilby Road north from I-8. This was new territory for us. We drove a few miles north to the old ghost town of Tumco. We wandered around a bit but we hope to make it back here this week to walk through the mile and a half trail.

Ogilby Road heading north from I-8.

Lots of mining activity in the hills. Many abandoned mines.

Huge Ocotillo cactus.

The site of the abandonded gold mining town of Tumco, and acronym for The United Mining Company. The town was all but abandoned by 1905. 

Tailings and mine equipment from Tumco.

Back at Pilot Knob we enjoyed a HH over at Tom and Deb's.

From left: Ken, Tom, Deb, Cheryl, Bill, Pat, Kim.

Back home, time to get supper going so out comes Mister IP. He makes a great stew. Tasty too!

Saute the meat, then pressure cook for 20 minutes. This was cut up Chuck Roast.

Natural release of the pressure for 10 minutes, then add the veggies. Potatoes, turnip and carrots.

Pressure cook for 8 minutes, then natural release pressure for about 5 minutes. Camera lens is steamed.

Tasty stew!!

After supper I needed a walk, so I took some pictures of the various rigs and their lights. A lot of work has gone into some of the displays.

Our laser lights

Tom and Deb's. Beautiful Nativity scene on left is projected. Nice!

Ken and Kim have a colorful display. You have to see it live to watch the dancing lights.

Bill and Pat have their flag pole illuminated. Lots of projected light too.

From around the neighborhood.

Ours....one more time.

Monday, December 23
We stuck around the park today. We had chores to take care of in the morning. Then we got together with the group to join a video call with our good friends George and Suzie (Our Awesome Travels). George has some health issues that prevents them from coming down south this year. We all miss them and certainly enjoyed our video chat.

Part of the group watching the video chat.

Suzie and George. So nice to see and hear them live.

It was just too darn cold and windy for an outdoor Happy Hour today, so after pretending we could tough it out we all headed into our trailer to enjoy a drink, snack and good discussion. It started to rain which helped us justify it was wise to convene inside today! (pics below stolen from Pat!)

The dip.

Part of the group. I'm sure we had room for a couple more.

The rain quit and the sun started to shine. We got a very nice sunset to end the day.

......and that was Our View From Here!