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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Took a long road trip today

It’s been pretty boring around here since I visited Saguaro Nat’l Park last Thursday.  Friday I took care of several errands that included getting my yearly flu shot.  Normally, I only experience a slight soreness in the arm, but this time the shot for folks over 65 kind of put me under the weather all weekend.  It wasn’t horrid, and if it keeps me from getting the flu it was well worth it.

Yesterday involved a trip to the dentist.  I hate going to the dentist.  Since my hip replacement, I have to take a mega dose of antibiotics just before the appointment.  Last year, I got violently ill after the dentist appointment and didn’t know if it was a reaction to the meds or food poisoning from eating lunch out.  You can bet I was nervous about taking those antibiotics this time.  Happily, there was no adverse reaction, so I guess I’ll never eat in that restaurant in Kasson, MN, again.

By this morning I felt the need to get out and do something, so Emma and I went on a very long road trip to check out where we’ll be spending this winter.  I’ve been a little leery of just arriving at an unknown, to me, refuge since the debacle in Louisiana last year about this time.  It was a drive of a little over 200 miles one way to get there.

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Little did I know that I had to drive through the US Army Yuma Proving Ground to get to the refuge.  I’m not sure what they’re trying to ‘prove’ there, but I’ll have plenty of time to find out.  Winking smile  I did drive past one of those long Army convoys driving the opposite direction, and also came to an area where the speed limit dropped to 25 mph in the middle of nowhere.  There was an area there cleared of all vegetation that had a big bunch of Army guys running about in orange with packs on their backs and stomachs.  No stopping or parking was allowed in this section.  Made me wonder if maybe they were paratroopers that had been dropped in a landing zone?

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I also came upon an area with these unusual stacks on both sides of the road.  I’m thinking that all of that stuff is this year’s cotton harvest waiting to be loaded onto the train cars in the background.

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This area is still part of the Sonoran desert, but I was a little disappointed to see that the number of saguaro cacti had drastically decreased.  I was hoping I’d have views of beautiful desert sunsets with saguaros in the foreground while I’m here.

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Eventually the pavement ended, and we entered Imperial NWR.  The gravel roads aren’t bad though, so I’ll be comfortable driving the rig on them.

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My RV site will be here somewhere.  The sign said the VC was open, but it was locked up tighter than a drum.  I couldn’t find a living soul anywhere around.  My guess is the sites are behind those buildings.  I didn’t drive down any of the roads that said ‘authorized vehicles’ only, so I’ll just have to wait until next week to see where we’ll be. 

I feel better knowing my arrival will include an easy approach, so the 400+ road trip was worth it to me.  Perhaps I’ll have a gorgeous view of the mountains and the Colorado River valley.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

26 comments:

  1. Imperial Dam is one of my favorite winter camping areas! Everyone is so friendly there. Not sure when I'll arrive this year but I'm looking forward to it - it will be nice to meet you!

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  2. Go slow on those gravel roads towing your little car... Remember Al and Kelly's jeep lights! I hope your site is swell... When we stayed in Yuma I got sick and didn't enjoy it much so no recommendations from me.

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  3. We will be in your area this winter and we are looking forward to meeting you :)

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  4. I can't believe that I may actually get to meet you! I'm so excited!

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  5. Mini flu and the dentist sound like loads of fun. Looks like you are going to have a lot of company (and one spammer). :-). Glad we caught you two in Minnesota.

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  6. You are going to be busy trying to find time to meet up with everybody who wants to meet you. You are definitely in a favorite area for RVers.

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  7. I wouldn't call over 200 miles one way a road trip...I would call it a marathon!

    Well dang, we will be visiting Yuma this winter. Hope we can stop by and introduce ourselves. I am sure you will be treated to some gorgeous sunrises and sets.

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  8. So very different from swamps and MN. We will be going thr that area in February or March. If you are still there we will try to stop by.

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  9. it's good to scout out where you are going sometimes..preparation is key!

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  10. If it was me driving that big rig, I would get a satellite view on the computer of each place I had to park it..you can do that you know. MacGyver does that all the time so we can check out our spot to park the Hiker from the air...really comes in handy. I sure love that Sonoran Desert!

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  11. When you decide to take a day trip, you don't fool around!

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  12. NOW you're in my kind of place! We love the desert and hope to be in the Sonoran in another year. Can't wait to hear your stories! This year we're planted in the Texas Hill Country for Paul's knee replacement.

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  13. Had a brief thought of coming to see you. But you are too far west. Have a great assignment.

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  14. It's great that you can check the refuge out beforehand. I got a flu shot last week and didn't have any problem at all - not even a slight ache in my arm.

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  15. So I gotta ask will you be volunteering there? It looks like a great place to be for the winter!

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  16. The Yuma proving ground is used for testing (proving) military equipment and conducts tests on nearly every weapon system in the ground combat arsenal. Yes, annually 36,000 parachute drops take place and dozens of units visit the proving ground each year for realistic desert training. I don't think much of it is open to the public but it would be worth a try.

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  17. We watched the paratroopers jump and land on targets when we were there. Kind of neat.... KOFA NWR is also nearby... another great place to visit. Looks like you'll get a lot of visitors this winter... sounds like fun!

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  18. I think that you had a great sightseeing trip!

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  19. Good practice road trip. Now you'll be comfortable knowing where you're going and what will be there when you arrive. Always good to do a little recon in advance. Looks to be an interesting place for your workamping tour. Hopefully we'll get a chance to swing by for a visit this winter.

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  20. That was a long day trip, but it will be nice to know what to expect. It's too bad you couldn't see your site.

    That is nothing like how they store cotton in south Georgia.

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  21. Wow, I'll be spending a few weeks in the Yuma and Quartzsite areas this winter. Hope to come visit the refuge and finally meet you if you're not too swamped with other visitors! Looks like a fine (and warm) place to spend the winter!

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  22. You've had all the fun, flu shot yucky, dentist, and a PDD day trip.

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  23. If that was the first time you experienced a negative reaction to antibiotics, then it's likely it was the lunch out that caused the illness. In any case, it's great that the visit went about relatively peacefully. Best you take note of what you eat before going to the dentist, and make sure you only ingest food you can trust.

    Felipe Roberson @ Philly Dentist

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  24. Flu shot and dentist in one day is no fun!

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  25. hmmm. . .seems as though you've had a pro-active week all the way around. . .flu shot. ..dentist. . .and reconnaissance road trip. . .way to go. ..better safe than sorry!

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  26. Looks like a warm place, it will be interesting to see what your view is! :)

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