Hiking

I’ve really been feeling lousy the last few days, so we’ve been laying low.  We did manage to do some hiking in the last few days.

On Thursday we went back to downtown Yuma with Joan and Al to walk along the Colorado River Trail.  It’s a 2 mile biking and hiking trail along the banks of the Colorado River.  There are a few parks along the route, and it’s a very nice walk.

There were a number of these birds along the trail near the river.  I tried to identify them, but have had no luck.  They’re black, with a yellow beak, red eyes and yellowish feet. 

The bridge over the Colorado River is called the “Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge”.  It was the last section built of the first highway that went from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

After the hike, we went back to the Paradise Casino for the Thursday 50+ free $10 slot play.  There were signs all over the casino saying they were discontinuing the promotion.  I’m not surprised.  I think the senior citizens have been “cashing out” in droves.  We did manage to win $15 so it was a good run while it lasted :)

Today Al, Joan, Kevin and I went back to the area we hiked a few weeks ago to see if we could find the mine.  Joan has this Yuma hiking booklet, and we were sure we’d find it this time.  We hiked for a total of 3 hours, and never found it.  We sure did get a good workout on another gorgeous day!

I read somewhere that the desert would start blooming around Valentine’s Day.  Today we saw some cactus with flowers.  Cool!

I like this shot with the moon out during the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was completely drained by the time we were done.  This darn cold has just knocked me for a loop.  Hopefully, it won’t last too much longer.

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!

A Stretch of Luck!

I told you about our winnings at the casino on Monday.  Monday night Kevin went to play Euchre at the clubhouse.  He ended up winning $2.50.

I didn’t want to play cards so I watched the movie “The Social Network” instead.  It was a very interesting movie.  I’m not sure how factual it is, but I think it portrayed the founder of Facebook as a rather pathetic, angry, and socially inept young man.  He certainly is a rich young man now.  That’s for sure!

Yesterday we played cribbage.  I’m not usually a very lucky card player, but I just kept getting these amazing hands dealt to me.  I finished in first place with a prize of $2.00.  Kevin also won 75 cents.

We played some games with the Hansen's in the afternoon and shared a great steak dinner.  They like to play Bingo, and I joked with Joan that it was their turn to win.

Joan was all excited this morning to tell me she won $70 at bingo.  They’ve been playing every week since they got here, and this is the first time they won.  Good thing, as it was the last time they’d be able to play before leaving next Tuesday.

We’re not bingo fans, so we went home and watched TV last night.  Quite a few people in the park have had colds, and I think I caught another one.  I’ve had a sore throat and feel a bit congested, so I’m just going to lay low for a while.  I’m feeling rather zapped of energy.  Oh well, at least the weather is nice, and we won a few bucks!

The key to success is having dreams. The mark of success is living them. ~ Unknown

*Where Will We End Up*

There are many people living the fulltime lifestyle, but have you ever wondered where you will end up some day?  Chances are there will come a time when we stop traveling.  Is there a special place we want to live at that time?

Maybe we’ll live on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  I’d love to live in a tropical paradise, but I don’t think we’d be able to afford real estate in Hawaii.  Also, it would be too far from family.

I really liked it in Carlsbad, California.  But, after looking at some of the home prices, it’s highly unlikely we could afford settling down in California.  If the housing trend in Las Vegas continues, maybe we would be able to get a great deal on a house there. 

For now, we’re very happy living in our RV and traveling the country.  Who knows what the future will bring.  Maybe we’ll just continue to drive off into the sunset forever :)

Another Winning Day at the Casino

Yesterday sure was an exciting day.  We’re so happy the Packers won the Super Bowl.  My mom tells me things in Wisconsin are pretty crazy!

Joan wanted to go to the Moody Demonstration Garden today.  Funny how it’s not too far from the Paradise Casino where those over 50 get $10 free slot play on Mondays and Thursdays.  Well, the garden wasn’t much to get excited about.  It was a small area next to the county municipal buildings with some walking paths and plants with signs in front of them. 

There was, however, this cool sculpture.

After spending a few minutes at the gardens, we drove over to the casino.  We stood in line for about 30 minutes to get the $10 credit on the player’s card, only to find out that it had already been added to the card.  Apparently, they do it automatically.  The guy said it doesn’t always work, so he suggested putting your card in a machine when you get there before waiting in line.  Chances are the money will already be there.  Cool!  Now we’ll have to go back again to see if it works :)

Kevin and I played using up our $10 each.  At the end, we were up $23.75.  I sure like this free money!

And tonight we get to watch a free movie.  The first Monday of each month, Redbox sends out a text message with a code for a free movie rental.  It’s only good that day.  All you have to do is sign up for it when you create your Redbox account.  We picked The Social Network for tonight’s feature.  Too bad we don’t have any codes for free groceries and camping :)  

I found out today that my first blog post for Blogvertise was accepted and I should get paid in 30 days.  I posted another ad today.  I get paid for the ad, not how many times people click on it.  I’ll try a few more and see if the payments actually show up in my Paypal account.  So far, it looks like a good way to create some extra revenue without bothering my readers too much.

I hope all of our Wisconsin friends are enjoying the Packer excitement.  It would be fun to be a part of it, but I’m not willing to give up our sunny 70 degree days :) 

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!

*A New Shopping Website*

I have come across a new shopping website called become.com

I did a bit searching on the site, and found it to be very user friendly.  What I really liked is that you could search for prices of an item, and also research the same item just by clicking on either the shop or research button.

You can find some very unusual items including a 1 gallon gas tank or galant projector headlamps or lancer ralliart fenders.

On the home page there are a number of categories you can shop in including Top 10 Lists, Editor’s Choice and Hot Products.  I clicked on the Cuisinart CSB-76BC SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender just for fun.  It gave me prices for stores like Kohl's and Sears, but also Amazon.  It also gave me similar products to check out and customer reviews.

So, next time you are shopping online, you might want to check out become.com.

Super Bowl Champions

Yippee!!!!!

 

Another Hike

Joan and Al have a booklet describing several hikes in the Yuma area.  Yesterday we decided to try a hike at the Senator Wash Reservoir.  We followed the directions to the Squaw Lake BLM Campground where we paid the day use fee to park.

As we walked up the road to the start of the trail, we passed 3 people carrying the same booklet Joan has.  They told us it was a nice hike, but they knew they had taken a different route than the book indicated.

The first part of the trail was easy enough to follow.  It was a gravel road and earthen dam along the reservoir.  There were several fishing boats out on the water.  It’s always so amazing to find water and palm trees out in the middle of the desert.

I caught this egret in flight.  Cool!

A sign stated there were wild burro in the area.  We didn’t see any, but we certainly saw plenty of evidence on the ground that they exist :)  We hiked along the reservoir and into the desert trying to follow the directions.

We didn’t have a compass with us, so we were guessing on which way to go based on the sun’s position.  There were no marked trails, just some ATV trails and washes.  The directions were supposed to take us to a lookout where we could see the Colorado River.  After about an hour, we gave up trying to find it and headed back.

So, we’re now 0 for 2 in following the hike directions in the booklet.  Next time we’re taking a compass.  We still had a great 2 hour hike, and saw some beautiful sites.  So, I’d say it was a great day!

On the way home, we stopped at a roadside stand to try a date shake.  Kevin likes dates, but I’m not a fan.  I tasted it, and didn’t really care for it.  Kevin said it was good, but nothing special.  Behind the stand, is the “bridge to nowhere”.

This suspension bridge was built in 1929 to cross over the Gila River on Route 95.  When the road was moved, the bridge was no longer needed.  The route of the Gila River has changed course, so now there isn’t even water under the bridge anymore.  It has sat unused for many years, but due to the desert climate, is still in very good condition.  Another strange site in the middle of the desert.

Today we prepare for the BIG GAME!  Joan and Al are coming over this afternoon to watch the game with us. 

GO PACK GO!!!!