Our time at McDowell Mountain ended on Thursday and we are now back at Jojoba Hills. The last couple of weeks were busy and fun, with lots of company, biking, hiking, and happy hours. It just so happened that Mark and Bobbie, Chris, George and Tina, and Laurelee all were at McDowell Mountain Park around the same time.
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| The weather was great while everyone was here. |
In all the years we've been coming here we have never seen flowers this early in the season.
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| The sun came out just as we got to the poppy field and we were able to watch them open up. |
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| Mushroom rocks on the Marcus Landslide trail. |
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| Hike on the Bluff trail. |
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| Our legs needed a break from biking. |
We decided against getting the base plate installed on the car since the one place that was recommended to us couldn't get us in for a couple more weeks, and we got some negative reviews about them, anyway. Jim found a shop in Yuma called Just For Towing (formerly Southwest Driveline), and we had an appointment for yesterday but they called us a few days before and said they had to be closed on Friday so could we come on Monday instead. We weren't all that excited about going to Yuma for the weekend so just decided to go back to Jojoba Hills and get the work done when I have to return to Algodones to finish up my tooth next month.
So I got to drive the CR-V and Jim drove the Lazy Daze back to California. It was great driving an automatic again, and it's just a much more comfortable ride than our old Subaru.
On another note, it's been a sad week hearing the news that Tioga George and David (In the Direction of our Dreams) passed away. Although we've never met either one it's like losing old friends after getting to know them through their blogs for so many years.
We'll be hanging around Jojoba Hills for a while working on plans the rest of the year. Give us a shout if you're in the neighborhood.
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| Adios, McDowell Mountain. We'll be back! |
Let me guess, bet you got more than one bad review of Cliff's Welding? :)
ReplyDeleteBesides yours, the other one was not glowing, but they didn't have an experience like you did. We're hoping the place in Yuma knows what they're doing.
DeleteWe wanted to make sure that you were spared our experience, which was most unpleasant and could have ended up much worse than it did.
DeleteAlways sad to lose blogging friends.....
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are fantastic! I hope that translates to a nice spring bloom up here in the higher elevations!
ReplyDeleteIt should with all the rain/snow.
DeleteThanks for playing tour guide @ McDowell :) A nice jumpstart for biking muscles.
ReplyDeleteYou and Jim need to ride Honeybee if you ever get back down to Catalina/Tucson area.
Enjoy Ho Ho Ho Ba.
mark and bj
Yes, we'll have to check out the Honeybee trails one day. So glad you spent more time at McDowell.
DeleteThe flowering desert is gorgeous, and extra nice to share with friends.
ReplyDeleteA good time was had by everyone!
DeleteI have always said I love the desert in the spring and your photos look like those in the spring, not the winter. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt should be even more beautiful in the spring.
DeleteSuch a beautiful time to be in the desert - your pics are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The plants are loving all the rain this winter.
DeleteNice Scenery and adventures. While at Jojoba Hills you could visit with Merikay and Craig MacKenna from Merikay's Adventure (Super nice couple) or Judy Bell the (Bird Lady) from TRAVELS WITH EMMA.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Yes, we know them. In fact I just talked with Merikay about their trip after Zumba this afternoon!
DeleteThose bike trails were great at McDowell. Thanks for being the guide to a newbie there. Glad to hear that you guys had a safe trip back home. Anonymously, Chris
ReplyDeleteHey, anonymous, glad you enjoyed the rides ;-)
DeleteDon't know why Blogger has decided to not recognize me, but I'm commenting anyway. :-)) I thought McDowell was beautiful in December, but it's even more beautiful with the wildflowers. We're hoping to spend more time there next winter...and with any luck, we'll finally get to meet you guys. Enjoy your time at home in Jojoba! Laurel
ReplyDeleteNo telling about Blogger but you aren't the only one having problems. Maybe we will finally meet next winter!
DeleteThe early flowers are so exciting. We loved having so many flowers in Anza Borrego SP. I love the poppies. They are so bright and colorful. Looks like you quite a group there with you. Glad you are enjoying the new car.
ReplyDeleteWe came through part of Anza Borrego on the way back and it was very colorful. Should get even better as it warms up.
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