Two and a half days in Valley of Fire (not long enough), five days in Quartzsite (maybe too long), a way too short two day visit in Yarnell, and we’re home from vacation.
High and dry
After surviving a 3-day holiday weekend at Valley of Fire State Park—deserving its own post—our journey went south with a stop at Echo Bay along the depleted shores of Lake Meade. We skirted Las Vegas with an intended destination of BLM north of Lake Havasu City for the night.
Instead, due to a low battery the very full fridge was being wonky so we treated ourselves to electricity at the Calizona RV Park just 5 miles south of Needles off Highway 95. When I called to see about availability a recording said “We have space, come on in.” Yet we got the second to last space only available that night for $35 and then they’d be full for the month. Nice enough with only a little “historic route 66” road noise. Free WIFI at the Club House where several people gathered to be out of the cool breeze.
After a shopping stop in Lake Havasu City we continued to Quartzsite and gathered with friends at the La Paz Roadrunner BLM 14 day, along with 1000s of other RVers. This is the second time I’ve joined this group, many who worked for Grand Canyon Association at some time or are friends of theirs. Each of four nights someone cooked dinner for all 14 of us starting with our Tuesday arrival of pulled pork, beans, coleslaw and birthday cake for a sick birthday man. One night lasagna with all the trimmings and another ham and beans with cheese and mac. I made a chili rellenos casserole, fried some seasoned hamburger and offered the options of cheese, tomato, guacamole, lime and sour cream in a DIY wrap. If that sounds familiar it’s what I made over the holidays at Bill’s son and DILs.
Saturday marked the second annual Bloggerfest in Quartzsite. This year George and Suzie among others organized this gathering in the desert of about 50 bloggers, many RVers, and some readers/lurkers and wanna be RVers. Unfortunately we arrived a bit late but still managed to see people we knew and didn’t know. I wasn’t carrying the camera.
Photo by Al of the Bayfield Bunch
Wednesday morning we walked four hours through most of Tyson Wells’ vendors finding treasures we didn’t even know we needed. On the walk back to the truck, like someone clicked a switch, I could barely walk at all. Legs swelled, joints and muscles stiffened and hurt, and small red splotches appeared on my lower legs. It all got worse but with pain pills and anti-inflamatories plus Bill’s help and patience I got around slowly with the assistance of a walking stick.
Sunday we headed to Yarnell where my BFF, Berta, lives and I spent the last ten winters. Or at least my RV parked there while I sometimes went off gallivanting. Between full hookups with heat and the pleasant company who fed us dinner two nights I felt right at home. My leg swelling and pain started to disappear. My favorite hairdresser gave me a long awaited haircut. Now it’s out of my face, a little shorter than usual, but my hair grows almost one inch/month. And I got the best advice and a gift from Berta.
My first new phone selfie
Big treat on the way home staying in a Motel 6 in Flagstaff where we got some shopping done. I got a new phone because I was eligible for an upgrade (probably by years), a Droid Turbo 2 on promo and along with a credit on my old phone some accessories plus still get to keep my old plan with unlimited data. Walked out without giving them a dime but will be paying for this overpriced smart phone for two years no interest or contract which only added $22 to my monthly bill. Did you know Verizon doesn’t require a contract anymore?
Drove north from Flagstaff along SR89 and took Indian 20 out of the Gap to Page. I’d never been on this route through Navajo land which was paved as a detour when SR89 to Page slid off Echo Cliffs.
Home just at sunset Wednesday unloading first at Bill’s and I have still some things to get out of the camper. Loved this vacation, except for the leg thing, and look forward to start planning another. Woke this morning with no splotches or swollen and sore legs. This is about the third time this has happened to me so after some research I’ll visit a doctor and try to figure it out. Sure is a pain and a bummer when I can’t go hiking with Bill and Sasha.
So glad you are feeling better, I think maybe a Dr.’s visit would be a good thing. It was good to see you …twice.
Thanks Jean, I’m like a new person. Good to see you too.
Wow that leg thing sounds scary. You are just walking along and wham?? Love that first picture and of course the sunset and the eerie cloudy sky. Sounds like a great vacation. Hope it isn’t too cold at “home”.
Very scary especially because so sudden. Reached 50 today.
I think my hubby would enjoy this…. “I made a chili relleno casserole.” Do you share your recipe?
Hope your legs have healed and that you find some answers. Be well.
It’s delicious and I’m always getting requests. I’ll post the recipe over the weekend.
Good to see you at Bloggerfest. That leg thing sounds a bit scary. Maybe you need to get back to Africa & drink some Elephant juice or something. AL:))
I’d gladly return to South Africa for a different kind of juice and warmth. Good to see you too.
Glad you’re feeling better, but you should probably get checked out just in case.
It was so nice to see you again, and Jim really enjoyed talking with Bill!
Thanks, sure nice to be walking easily again. Bill was glad to see and talk to Jim also. He’s becoming quite the social butterfly.
Sounds like a great time. Hope you figure out what is wrong with the leg and get it fixed. I’m pretty well over my leg injury but it was a wake up call to me when I couldn’t go where I wanted any longer.
Was great, except for the legs. And yes, a definite wake up call.
Glad you had a nice vacation even if it was a little short (or long) in different places:) Isn’t Valley of Fire just so neat! Sure hope you figure out what is happening with your legs…please take care:)
I am assuming you are with Verizon since you wrote about them not requiring contracts any more. I was surprised to read that you were able to keep your unlimited data plan. We were told about a year ago at Verizon that the only way we could upgrade our phone was to give up our unlimited data plan. So we bought our smartphone at the Walmart outright and found a nice Verizon guy that switched everything out for us. Recently Verizon did raise our bill $20 a month but it is still way cheaper with the unlimited data. Did they say anything to you when you changed phones about the unlimited data plan?
The guy at the Verizon store was going to try and save me money with a new plan but quickly realized I have the best with the unlimited. Very helpful. I got lucky with the phone being on promotion.
Sounds like a great vacation. The blogfest is a good idea for bringing folks together. Sure glad your legs are better.
Was good. AB is sort of like a mini blogfest.
Valley of Fire is high on our list when we’re “back here” in April. Still pouting at having missed you in Q 🙁 , but our paths will cross I’m sure. The big tent is very good at things one doesn’t know one needs! Hope the warmer temps continue.
Keep me posted when you return this way. I think April would be good for Valley of Fire. Bummer we missed each other but it Will happen.
I wonder what your leg ailment is? At first I thought fire ants, but I guess not if it happened 3x! Better have it checked (I’m a good one to talk…). I enjoyed your vacation photos.
Thanks Barb. I’ll be doing some research and visiting a doctor soon. Of course it’s difficult now that the problem is over.
Somehow missed this post. A phone with a camera, I am so out of date I have a 12 year old Nikon that has no idea what a camera is 🙂 Hope the leg swelling has gone down now, did not sound good!. Take care Diane
Yes, two cameras actually at 21mp. Legs are good now.