Hanging Out in the Desert

After the Dance Rally in Wickenburg, I moved west to Quartzsite. Although I've been here many times before in the January "busy season," I'd never been here before when it wasn't crowded. I LOVED it! Lots of space to park.

While here, I got a 3rd solar panel. It's only 85 watts, but that's all that would fit between the other two. It brings my total wattage to 325 watts. I don't need that much in the summer, but it really helps in the winter.

It was here that I first saw the pink color at sunset. I flew out here in 1998, thinking that I would never get to Quartzsite otherwise.

I was still working long hours during tax season.

From Quartzsite, I moved down to Yuma to join the WINs for their Christmas/New Years celebration.

You would think I'd have some pictures besides sunsets, but the sunsets here have been pretty spectacular lately! I'll try to do better in the coming week.

Mara Gets Chased by a Giant Sloth!

On Sunday, daughter Corrie and grandkids Mara and Jonathan joined me in Borrego Springs to see the sculptures in the desert near town. Mara got chased by a giant sloth, but fortunately escaped.

The Velociraptors were much friendlier, dancing with both Jonathan -

And Mara. The kids seem to enjoy dancing as much as their Grandma!

They were very helpful, trying to push Willy's Jeep over the rock pile.

Much better than being on the other end! (By this time, Jonathan was really getting into it...)

After all this hard work, we went back to the gathering for the WIN's ice cream social. Mara was just amazed that I had so many friends in the middle of nowhere.

On Saturday, Ted led us on a 4-wheel drive trip through Grapevine Canyon in Anza Borrego Park.

Most of the participants...

The majority of the trip was through a wash, but there was some more challenging sections.

The park has some great 4-wheel drive trails. It was a great week! Even though I come here most years, I got to see some things this year that I hadn't seen before. And the grandkids made it even more special!

Thanksgiving in the Desert

After the Dance Rally, we headed over to Borrego Springs, CA for our annual WIN Thanksgiving in Borrego Springs, CA.

We had beautiful weather, and LOTS of food.

We're patiently waiting for our number to be called so we can grab up the food.

FINALLY! But I needn't have worried - of course, there was tons of food, enough for leftovers the next day, and soup the following day.

One thing I really wanted to do here was go to see the Stone Eagle. It's outside of Warner Springs. It's amazing how much it looks like an eagle!

I first read about it on Al and Kelly's blog last week. For better pictures, and directions, read their blog here.

On another day, Richard led us on a hike high above our rigs to see the Stone Snake.

Wow - there it is. Note the forked tongue!

Yay! We made it!

Seniors Gone Wild!

Wickenburg, AZ is a fun town, and the center of town is only a block from where the Dance Rally was being held. Besides an old train that came to a permanent stop in front of a giant Saguaro -

There are numerous realistic statues. This lady is waiting for the train. It may be a long wait...

One night we had a dress-up dance with the "On the Road Again" band. Very fitting.

They also played the following night at our pajama dance. I wore my Tigger footie pj's.

And if the guys didn't ask me to dance, my little Tigger stepped right up!

In addition to the spaghetti feed the first night, we had a hot breakfast every morning. The participants were divided into 4 teams, and each team had 2 days to work, providing breakfast and doing other jobs.

And at our afternoon social, the team of the day provided snacks. No, we aren't going to starve!

One day we had our Tacky Fashion show. Ken (or Kendra) was a big hit.

And then we had our Talent/No Talent show.

Each team, and various individuals, provided entertainment, and everyone really loved the Burlesque show. (Those are their elbows, guys...)

In addition, we had over 20 hours of dance instruction from professional instructors. Whew! I need a rest!

Rusty Stuff Heaven!

We had a free day at the Dance Rally because the Community Center had been previously rented to another group. So a bunch of us went on a private tour of the Vulture Mine, just south of town.

WOW! I think I'm going to like this!

We had a great tour guide.

Henry Wickenburg, a prospector from Prussia (now Austria) found gold here in 1863, while retrieving a vulture he had shot.

Here you can see the veins that were dug. The mine produced $200 million in gold and silver until it was closed in 1942. But it is going to be reopened in a few months.

A lot of the buildings from the early mining are still sort of "standing."

Including the Assay Office.

But here's my very favorite thing - old rusty cars half buried. WOW!

Some of the remains looked to be in an impossible state.

The sign says, "From this Ironwood tree, 18 men were hung for highgrading or stealing gold ore. Please watch your step." Although the tour guide told us we could take any rock we wanted, so I loaded up my pocket.

We went in the mess hall/kitchen and it was still stocked.

Outside, someone left their booze. Hmmmmmmm... Wonder if I can take that?

More half-buried rusty cars -

And other rusty stuff, including a hoist. I took way too many pictures....

And finally found some "gold." Too big for my pocket though...

WIN Dance Rally

This is the 17th Dance Rally the WINs have had, but the first one in Wickenburg, AZ. I'm the registrar/treasurer, so I got to greet everyone and take their money.

Notice my t-shirt! If you watch Dancing With the Stars, you probably can figure out what it was supposed to say.

The rally is being held at the Wickenburg Community Center. The inside facilities are great -

But the parking lot could be a little bigger. There's a city campground a mile away if we fill up.

We have about 90 registered. The first night was a welcome DJ dance complete with cake after a Spaghetti Feed.

The next night was a Sadie Hawkins dance. I loved it! Only the gals could ask the guys to dance, not the other way around. I've never danced so much! I'm posing here with Mary Jane and Max.

Viv came with her corn cob pipe.

And Stephanie had a bun in the oven. It popped out later in the evening.

The next night was our Margaritaville dance. Surfer Dude Chuck fit right in.

Castaway sang at both of the themed dances and he was wonderful. Here he's doing "Red Solo Cup," a crowd favorite.

The end for now, but lots more to come.