Yuma Balloon Fest

Balloon Fest- Up at 3:30 California time to get to Yuma (on Arizona time) for assembly and inflation of balloons. Thanks Jerry for convincing me. Got to be right out on the field with the balloons, talk to the pilots and passengers . Amazing. Took tons of pictures.
Then breakfast at Brownies and off to the Arizona Market. Got the weasel ball for Tee. Then laundry and a run for the dogs. Went downtown old Yuma to find the Taco Competition, but missed it I guess. Late lunch at Lutes Casino (reminds me of the bar in Victoria ....Big Bad Johns)
Then on to Desert Sun Stadium to see the Balloon Glow--- about 20 balloons in a baseball field – very colourful—
Fireworks followed and I almost Forgot about Aki in the truck—When I got back to it, he reminded me he was not fond of fireworks, while I tried to navigate my way out of Yuma with 2,000 other cars.
It was a good day, and I am glad I went.

Death Valley to Holtville - comments

Nov 6 – 20
Am falling behind in my posting. Sorry....
Left Death Valley Sunday Nov 8 and spent two nights at SKP Co-op at Pahrump. Still boondocking. Happy Hour with Sally and Gerry and Trish then on to Plomosa Road. Wanted to check and see if Internet and phone worked there. Went out to the Solo Site, very quiet. Nearest RV to me was about a mile away. Could tell by the desert varnish the site hadn’t seen much traffic since January.
On to Holtville LTVA, the pool was closed for repair for the first three days. It is open again now. Lots of work done on it and a chainlink fence around and new paint and cement finish on the pool area.
Very few people here so far, but we have had a couple of campfires and music.
Headed off to Brawley for the Cattle Call Rodeo on Saturday. It was fun but very warm.
First trip to Algodones Tuesday, thanks to guide Jerry. Introduced me to his dentist too, so got my teeth cleaned. Thursday I went down by myself and had four fillings done. (Total cost $180.) So bought my antibiotics for $6.50 and a new pair of glasses (the ones that change colour) for $100. Figure I saved about $1,000 total.
Today is cleanup day and an early night, Going to Yuma to the Balloon Fest tomorrow morning, have to be up by 4 am.

Death Valley to Holtville

Oct 27
Very windy this morning, first Generator started at exactly 8 am. The internet service that I found last night (Gossip Central – Furnace Creek) seems to be down this morning. Probably the wind.
Oct 28 – Nov 1
Very windy for three days, then it got calmer and hot. Music at night is back on and swimming at the hot springs. After the big wind more Solos started arriving, You are not allowed to save spaces at this campground but there was a great spot to have coffee till Marty arrived. (But we were NOT saving a space.)
Big convoy up Daylight Pass for Beatty Days, Fattening food, and parade, Booths with lots of rocks and stuff to sell (probably same ones will be here next week)
Stop at Rhyolite (ghost town)on the way back. Interesting spot, 1904 gold discovered by Shorty Harris and Ed Cross; in 1908 probably 10,000 lived here, by 1920 there were only 20 left Interesting museum run by a Belgian with lots of stories to tell. .Open Air Museum with interesting art.
Nov 1, rest and relax by pool, some went to Shoshone. Change of time. I think everyone has 7 am programmed into their generators. At that precise time the roar begins. I haven’t had to use mine yet, so thinking maybe next time will camp at Texas springs where they are not allowed. You can block out the noise with earplugs, but haven’t figured out how to block out the smell.
Happy Hour with the Albertans yesterday. Nice to spend time with Canadians lamenting the scarcity of puffed wheat and Robertson screws.
Nov 2 – 6
Nov 3, drove up Titus Canyon, now that was a trip not for the faint of heart. From Sea Level to 5000 ft and back down 2 or 3 times in 35 miles. One way very narrow winding road. Fantastic views for the passengers, unfortunately I was driving so had to stop in order to see them. Kept being told to keep my hands off the camera, and on the wheel ; and eyes on the road ahead. Every time I come to Death Valley the scenery amazes and enchants. Wish I could show it to the kids. Sunset at Zabriski Point last night...was fun to show it to people that hadn’t been there before.
Coyote Howl last night, lots of talent, Amateur Night, but some of those pickers and strummers were pretty good. Fellow on the harmonica made it sound like a full orchestra. Celebrated the 75th wedding anniversary of one couple in their nineties and still RVing.
Wagon trains arrive here today, and then the riders and antique cars. More music with breakfast this morning.