Two Retired Canadians

Here's an example of what we do each day here on the desert. The views are spectacular, although the cacti can be nasty and we love it here. The fact that there is no snow helps, too. This is a view of the Plomosa Mountains near Quartzsite. We have enjoyed strolling through them at times, but have the dogs on a leash because there is usually more cacti in the mountains. The trails have less cacti thorns on them.

The following photos are taken over 3 or 4 days.

This beautiful little flower was growing in rocks. We spotted it on one of our hikes. About 4" tall and growing all alone.

We drove to the Bouse area one day and enjoyed a picnic in this spot. This is in the area we are now living - a boondocking area with no water, electricity or sewer dumping facilities. The small town of Bouse is 4 miles away and has a place for us to dump the sewage and get fresh water in the RV for a total of $10.00.

This tiny flower is only about 1/2" across, again no idea what it is and it grows flat against the desert rocks. If you move a rock you find sand.

General Patton had a special group of soldiers training in the Bouse area during early World War II preparations. This was a secret Military Training Center to specifically develop a 13,000,000 candle power search light that was mounted in the turret of a tank which shone through some slats that opened and closed 3 or 4 times per second to blind the enemy so they couldn't see the movement of the tanks. Several tanks were left here on display. The light itself was called "Gizmo".

These rocks were painted during World War II to spell Quartzsite and there was a large arrow as well pointing north to indicate to the women pilots who supplied food, etc to General Patton's troups during the War. They are fenced off now, but easily accessible by foot for viewing. They can be easily seen from a plane and are called intaglios. We saw another much older intaglio that was of a fisherman

who was spearing the earth to start the Colorado River.

Amazing sunsets occur nightly! This mesquite tree is one of my favorites.

Cool hot rod. See blurb below.

While boondocking near Quartzsite we attended a car show with about 150 cars. This one is a Model A sedan hot rod. Extremely low to the ground!

Loved this wheel!

This is a 1940 Lincoln Continental designed by Edsel Ford. Beautiful car.

Front view of the Lincoln. Gorgeous, but not original. It's made with a lot of parts from a 1998 Lincoln Continental and extremely well done.

A Studebaker. Many years ago my Dad had a Studebaker Champion which I remember well and looks nothing like this one.

Gord smashing one of his geodes. These can be found in certain areas west of Blythe, but we cheated and bought a few.

After gently, but firmly smashing them with a pick hammer you discover what's inside. All are different and this one has quartz crystals inside.

When not hiking or exploring the desert I like to take some time sewing outside in the sun.

A glorious morning. We enjoy sitting in our chairs with a good cup of coffee watching the sun rise over the mountains. Always means a good day ahead of us. At night the stars overwhelm us with their brightness. There are no lights around us and the sky is stunning above us.