Blythe, California

November 28 to December 2, 2011

After an interesting 2 hour drive from Laughlin, NV we arrived safely in Blythe, California.  The roads and the scenery changed dramatically on entering California.  The roads were in rough shape and the scenery appeared to be rather large piles of gravel ready to be put on snowy roads, but here on the Sonora Desert gravel is not needed. 

Came out of the gravel piles to flat, prairie land with the Colorado River running through.  Strangely, nothing even grows on the banks of the river.  Palms, trees and scrub brush grow where people have tapped the river for irrigation.  Suddenly, there were fields of green hay fields, huge cotton fields which were in full white bloom and being picked, what appeared to be rice fields (not sure about that as yet) and right near our RV Resort a lemon orchard that makes our Okanagan orchards look like backyard operations.  The Colorado is tapped with very long aquaducts which go for miles in many directions.  Without that water, nothing grows here. 

Rancho Ventana is a little gem right on the edge of the Sonoran Desert.  Our site is large with a tall palm tree at the front.  Have met lots of friendly people and we've met at least three couples from Vernon so far.  BC and AB plates outnumber the US plates.  Apparently it's 75% Canadian and 25% Americian.  There is a large pool and about 6 pool tables.  The Blythe Municipal Golf Course is on one side of us and the desert is on the other.  The dogs love to run on the open desert.  The nearest mountains are about 30 miles straight out from us. 

After meeting our back door neighbors, Keith and Lee, Gord, Keith and Wayne from down the road, took off on two dune buggies straight out through the desert to the mountains.  On arrival they consumed a few beer and then shot the empty cans!  Gord was the best shot and he doesn't even hunt.  3 1/2 hours later he returned absolutely covered in desert dust, but in a great mood.  While he was gone Lee invited me over to play "hand and foot" cards with she and two other ladies, Bonnie and Margaret.  Lee and Keith are from Sorrento and B & M are from Edmonton.  We all had a good time. 

The next day we had a wind/sand storm, apparently rare in this area, and basically stayed indoors.  The RV shook several times, but seems to be fairly tight so there was very little dust indoors.  Temps had been up to 28 and 29, but today was mostly overcast and only up to about 18.  Night temps vary a lot, from 13 down to 3.  We walk onto the desert most nights and the stars are at their best.  We love the desert! 

Took a drive to Quartsite, AZ a few days ago and already the vendors are setting up their stalls.  Lots of exploring to do as Blythe is central to a lot of places.  Most bigger cities are about 1 hour away so will tour in our great little Honda Fit.  Love that car!  Costs about $30. to fill it up and we go about 600 km per tank.  Gas is too expensive in California, so we go the few miles to Arizona where it is much cheaper. 

Retirement is great.  Not bored yet!!!

Hugs, Colleen and Gord