January Journal

Br-r-r-! I know we have it good compared to some parts of the country, but southern Arizona’s January has been noticeably colder and damper than usual. We woke many mornings to find the water line coming into our rig frozen. Here in the SW desert, the day’s lowest temperature occurs at sunrise, about 7:30a.m. The highest temperature is not until late afternoon, about 4:00p.m.; then it plummets when the sun sets.
Despite the weather, we have been able to put 1,000 miles on our Harley. We cruise the winding back roads, enjoying the eroded mountains staked with mining claims, valley vistas stretching on for miles and washes and draws waiting for the rains of the monsoons of July to arrive. We love the range of greens of the mesquite trees, creosote bushes, pinion oaks and alligator juniper. Cactus of all kinds are beginning to display their colorful blooms. The distinctive call of thousands of sand hill cranes native to Alaska and the NW Territories can be heard as they “winter over” on the nearby Wilcox Playa. While we were at the Quartzsite Rally, we cycled north to Lake Havasu City to see the London Bridge and south to Yuma where date shakes are so good!
We are about to fly back to New England for a few weeks. Our beloved Victor died on New Years’ Eve at 92 years young. Wally will spend some time with his mother in the Augusta, Me area as she moves into the next steps of her life. My Aunt Venessa is about to join a group touring South Africa, so will be spending time with my Aunt Chesla, who has been with her sister in the Springfield , MA area recuperating from various health issues. We are both looking forward to these impromptu visits with family. When we return on Feb. 27, we’ll have 11 days to prepare for our driving trip to the East Coast. Baby Girl Ellis is due March 25 and we want to be close by to earn our wings as Grandparent Helpers. Can’t wait!
Love, Darcy and Wally