For the last couple of weeks I’ve been feeling a little down in the dumps mentally. Nothing drastic, but I did notice that my attitude was a little more negative than usual. I had fallen into a rut of working the VC three days, doing laundry and grocery shopping on my first day off, and then spending the rest of my free days just sitting around the rig. The cold dreary weather didn’t help much.
I also got an email from the refuge manager the other day asking all volunteers to let him know in the next week or so if we intended to return next winter. That got me to thinking. That decision is not an instant yes or no for me. I’ll probably go over my pros and cons to that question in another post, but for today the sun was shining when I awoke, and temps were above freezing. I decided to give myself a kick in the kiester, and get out and do something.
Even though I’ve been here over two months, I’ve never driven through the Big Gun entrance to the US Army Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG). Emma hopped into the car, and we were off on a day trip drive. First up was to look at all the tanks and howitzers that have been tested at the YPG since WWII. I had tried to get a reservation on one of the five ‘Behind the Big Guns’ tours that are offered, but not a spot was available for this winter.
The road through the YPG took me on a slightly longer route to reach Yuma today. I had one stop to make a little west of Winterhaven, CA, so the scenic route rather than US 95 suited me just fine. I always enjoy seeing lush farm fields, and today was a ‘green’ treat. Lots of lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, and many date groves.
I’ve also always had a thing for hay bales. It doesn’t matter if they are scattered about in the fields or stacked like this along the roadway. They always grab my attention. Guess I’m just a hayseed at heart. I could feel my spirits rising as I drove along.
The drive to Sidewinder Road to pick up my order was so pleasant that I decided to retrace my drive home rather than taking the more direct route. I saw the sign for Senator’s Wash road, and decided to investigate this Long Term Visitor’s Center Area (LTVA) run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Lot’s of folks that enjoy boondocking use this LTVA to spend a part or all of the winter. I can now understand why. The views are wonderful.
It’s still a surprise to me to see all this water in the desert. If you click to enlarge this pic, you can maybe make out the white dots on the other side of the wash on the left. Those are all RVs camped out here. My rig isn’t equipped for extended boondocking, and I’m not sure I’d be up for it, but I was glad I came to see how others enjoy this lifestyle.
Today’s trip helped get my attitude back in adjustment. Most all of the other volunteers have been in to talk to the manager, but I still need a few days to think about things. In the meantime, I’ve got another outing planned for Friday and tonight I’ll be converting some of the fresh oranges I got at a little stand into juice for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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Nothing like gazing at some heavy artillery to get the spirits up:) Hay bales remind me of my childhood and all the time I spent in the fields lugging those things (smaller ones then) around. Doing the haying allowed me to first drive a truck when I was around eight, a big deal for me!
ReplyDeleteSeems nothing cheers me more than a little day trip--so glad you got out and also shared the fabulous pictures! I especially like the beautiful golden hay bales. I too have always been drawn to fields with hay bales. Come back to Texas next winter! I hope to meet you this time and learn from your amazing birding skills.
ReplyDeletenothing like a day trip..always good for the winter doldrums!..that LTVA area you went to..is it called Senator's wash?..looks pretty nice!! Tucker would love to swim in that water!!
ReplyDeleteTime to put the ol' thinking cap on again, huh, Judy? Decisions, decisions. Meanwhile, ENJOY TODAY!
ReplyDeleteThanx for the head's up on LTVA ... didn't know about that. Something to look into for Jimmy and me.
Betty mentioned the LTVA as well. Looks pretty nice. We can stay out for a few days at a time, and up to a week if we are careful, but not when it is cold. Then we do like our hookups since we don't have solar. So glad your spirits came back up a bit. gray weather will do it to me every time and the sunshine always helps.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you've sounded as enthused as you normally have in other assignments. Can't immediately name other places where you seemed to be more enthusiastic, but I think one is on the Gulf coast (LA?) and of course, Tamarac. Maybe it's just a combination of the other volunteers, the management, the weather, and no doubt, what your duties are. I hope you aren't getting burned out by V/C assignments.
ReplyDeleteWe have some friends (Woodcarver and his wife) that winter near where you are, they manage an area..all I know it is near Yuma and remote...perhaps that is the area...names are Reynold and Karen...might be an adventure for you some day.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the hay bales and the fields anything unfrozen looks great to me and I can almost taste fresh oranges.
Good luck with your decision...I think you are happier there with the new site for your RV...but like you said do your pros and cons.
Real cold here, like -45 wind chills..just enjoy that warm weather:)
You were right here! Jeanne and I are camped right above the road, Senator Wash, in the first campground to the left overlooking the water. She got here two days ago. And we had another baby burro and mom in our sites all morning until early afternoon. Rats! How far are you from where we are? We still want to come visit you. What would I put into a GPS or googlemaps to find where you are in relation to where we are? I don't seem to be entering the correct info. sm92078@aol.com :)
ReplyDeleteHey, bale! Teehee! Glad you kicked the blahs to the curb. We have not seen much of Mr. Sun here and quite a bit of rain, so I've had a bit of the doldrums myself. Nothing like a wee outing to blow out the cobwebs, which I did today. Hope things perk up for you!
ReplyDeleteTotally understand...I started our trip with a chip on my shoulder...Sometimes we need to see other people's problems, and it's a gut check to count our blessings to even BE here!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWe are still planning a trip to Yuma so we can take you to Algodones! Maybe Senator's Wash is somewhere we can boondock!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice boondocking area provided that the rigs aren't too close together. We like our space! Glad your attitude has been adjusted to your satisfaction! :-)
ReplyDeletewww.travelwithkevinandruth.com
That is a gorgeous drive. I can see why you are in a much better mood. I put this blog on my Pinterest. I told Paul I would like to drive this when we get to Yuma.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll make the decision that works for you... but... it sounds like maybe you're ready to move on.
ReplyDeletesunshine and a beautiful drive. . .spirit lifted every time!
ReplyDeletejust beautiful. . .
Your bobcat header lifts my spirits just looking at it. But I know what you mean about getting in a slump and having to get up and going to get out of it. Those pictures of the LTVA make it look like just the kind of place I'd like to boondock. Love the looks of that water although I'm sure it must be due to a dam of some poor river. I'm still not used to seeing palm trees on your blog. LOL Seems to me like you just got where you are. Not sure how you could know yet whether you want to return or not. But I guess they have to plan as far ahead as anyone who wants a state park campsite in Florida!
ReplyDeleteWe always get down in the dumps if we get too many days of dreary weather. That's the main reason we moved to Florida so many years ago. Hope things get better weather wise. What kind of temps do you have there? I thought it was pretty warm there. I love bales of hay too, and have many pictures of them in the Georgia fields.
ReplyDeleteI guess if the Manager really wants an answer this early and I was undecided I'd probably say "yeah, sure" I'll be back. There are always a million reasons one can change their mind later.
ReplyDeleteSome places just don't seem to draw us back for a second round, so we don't feel obligated to commit too early. It seems like we KNOW if we want to come back pretty early in a stay, so if you're having doubts you should go with your gut!! Plenty of places that would love to have you...
ReplyDeleteWell, on the bright side, you've not seemed to discover the Yuma casinos yet to gamble away the kids' inheritance! If you have a passport, a fun daytrip is to park and walk across to Algodones Mexico. It's not "real" Mexico as there are way too many tourist shops and hawkers, but it's fun and different. Great dental, glasses, pharmacies, and pure organic vanilla there too!
ReplyDeleteI loved this pso..it's so nice to find out that another blogger has their need for a "kiester"kick now and then!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great drive. Good luck with the decision.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your ride right along with you! Beautiful photos. All of us have days like you described and it sounds like you did the best possible thing for yourself - get out, enjoy the day, take some photos, give the Emma girl a hug, drink fresh OJ!!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I've been sitting around the house this weekend doing nothing but snacking and napping and I feel crappy. Work tomorrow. So all I have is today to think of something fun, warm, safe (snowing here again)...might take myself to the movies. :)
ReplyDeleteNice. I love traveling and watching, experiencing new things. Thats why i have traveled a lot. Last month i traveled to Singapore. Apply visa online singapore permanent resident application status
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