One More Time

March 20 – March 30, 2015

As our adventure draws to an end we wanted to spend some time with our family that lives in southern California.

We arrived once again in Banning and stayed at the same RV Park that we did over two years ago. They had done some improvements and the place looked nice. Izzy was a bit disappointed as the old irrigation ditch she and Steve would hike in was overgrown so no exploring for her this time.

 

We were able to visit with Scott (Steve’s brother) a few days and took a drive to Pomona so we could spend a bit of time with Aunt Julie. It was great to see both of them and enjoy some good food and conversation.

 

Enjoying the setting

 

Aunt Julie and nephews

We spent time with my brother Rod and his wife Mary. It was great to see them especially since my brother is a sliver of himself the last time I saw him. He looks amazing and feels great too. Mary is looking well and enjoying her retirement!

We managed to get a round of golf in with my other brother Mike and one of my nephews. Kevin had been off visiting friends but came back just in time to play golf! Well, he came back in time to pack and travel north with us.

Kevin

Mike

Steve

The Three Pros - well they think they are!

 

Since Mike was there we took advantage to get a few pictures of the Bailey kids. We had fun seeing who could jump the highest. I am sure you are all thinking it was me aren’t you! Steve and I also celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary there too. I wonder why he didn’t want to see who could jump the highest between the two of us?!

Black Jack Izzy's New Friend

Get Ready Set

 

I think Mike won

The Bailey Kids

That's Mean

Steve enjoyed visiting with a few friends he spent many years with most of them getting into and out of trouble with!

All-in-all we had a great time in southern California and enjoyed the sun and warmth. We loaded up the trailer and got ready to hit the road for home on March 31^st.  First stop was to pick up Kevin and say good-bye to Mary.

Kevin and Mary

Ready to Head Home

 

We took our time heading home and were happy to not have the same stormy weather hit us on the way home as we did when we left our house on March 6, 2013.

The next post will be the final one for this adventure, but don’t worry as we will have more! Happy trails from SIT!

 

 

The Flintstones Would Love This Place

March 18 – 19, 2015

We made it back into California with a short stop in Twentynine Palms so we could enjoy a day of hiking in Joshua Tree National Park again.

 

We spent the day enjoying the diversity of the rock formations and vegetation. In reading about the rock formations where we hiked, we learned the granite 85 million years of time and it is called monzogranite. It is one of two prominent rock types found in the park. The other one is called Pinto gneiss (pronounced “nice”). We found both types fun to wander around and hike on.

 

 

What do you see?

Rock Path

Rock Tooth?

Rock Mountain

Such a Cutie, the rock is pretty awesome too

Rock Waterfall

 

The following pictures truly don’t do justice to what we saw in person, but I hope you enjoy them and can visualize you being there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do You See Two Profiles?

Maybe This Will Help

 

There are two deserts within the national park so you are treated to a lot of differing vegetation and rock formations. The eastern half of the park lies within the Colorado Desert. This habitat of the lower Colorado River valley is art of the much larger Sonoran Desert. The western half of the park is Mojave Desert. We found such beauty in both halves and a person could truly spend many days discovering unique areas and formations.

Enjoying the hike

What do you see?

Rocks within rocks

Layering

Leaning just a bit

Pretty in Pink

Support

A Touch of Red

Rock Headstones

Still Growing

Silkworm Habitat

Almost Blooming

Picture Postcard

Wild Thing

 

Our next stop as we beat feet toward home is Banning California so we can catch up with family and friends. We just might be able to play a round of golf too!

 

 

 

Where’s Ol’ Moe?

March 15 – 17, 2015

When we left the Phoenix area we knew we wanted to go through Parker Arizona again with one primary goal, to try and catch Ol’ Moe in the Colorado River.

Some of you may remember the story from two years ago when we spent some time along the river in late March. We had gone fishing one evening and my fishing rod bent over, line reeling out at a rapid pace setting off the drag, and eventually flying through the air landing in the river. Needless to say we didn’t get the fish or the pole back.

So why not stop on our travels home and try and find him??  We knew that we wouldn’t but we did enjoy a couple of days on the river. Izzy certainly doesn’t mind the cold water and had fun swimming and chasing her floating stick. Funny how Steve didn’t go in any further!

 

I'm Ready Daddy

Go Swimming with me Daddy?

Throw it again please?

 

We did spend one evening fishing for catfish. It was pretty slow so I was able to get a picture of the sunset. About two hours into fishing I finally had a nibble and was successful in landing the fish this time. Kept the pole too! He wasn’t quite Ol’ Moe but it was fun to get one. We hung onto him as we continued to fish for a while longer but didn’t get any more bites. Mini-Moe got to swim away!

Our Sunset

Success

 

We enjoyed the river once again but continued on our path home via Joshua Tree National Park! As always, more to come from SIT.