Well, friends, we come to the end of another winter season in the South. This year was very different for us in that we were so far from our beloved ocean. This time around,
it was all about sand and desert.
Last night, I was trying to decide how I would close our blog and the one thought that kept returning was how many things we had learned traveling west. The most important thing we learned is that no matter how big we imagined the desert to be, it is much bigger! It boggles the mind. One can drive for an hour or more without spotting a house or ranch or stores...... Well, you get the idea.
Secondly, we learned that the residents of Quartzsite, Arizona truly believe the year is 1967. Really! They dress the part, look like long-lost hippies and (for the most part) stare at newcomers as though they fell from a distant planet. Don't get me wrong... We enjoyed our time rockhounding, hiking the desert, and surfing the web at McDonald's every second night (LOL!). But by the end of one month, we badly needed to return to civilization! Joking aside, though, the trip to Quartzsite was worth it just for the treasures we have brought back with us, i.e. hand-made Navajo jewellery, beautiful semi-precious stones, etc... We also treasured our visit to nearby Lake Havasu.
The last thing we learned is how long the drive is from the east coast to the west coast of the United States. Although entertaining at times - i.e. blowouts and such - the drive is extremely long and can be a bit much. Once you hit Texas, you pretty much see mostly desert until your reach Quartzsite.
This year's pleasant surprise definitely was Sedona, Arizona. If you never take another trip in your lifetime, do try to make Sedona your one trip. It will be well worth it. We could not have imagined such a beautiful place, with its red mountains, adobe homes and village-like atmosphere.
So this is goodbye for now, dear readers. We will spend the summer catching up with friends and family, and planning next year's trip south. We have decided to give ourselves a break next winter, and cut down significantly on the driving. We will be choosing a location in Florida where we will spend six months. There will surely be many wonderful adventures to share with you! Come visit us again; Juanita will be waiting!
it was all about sand and desert.
Last night, I was trying to decide how I would close our blog and the one thought that kept returning was how many things we had learned traveling west. The most important thing we learned is that no matter how big we imagined the desert to be, it is much bigger! It boggles the mind. One can drive for an hour or more without spotting a house or ranch or stores...... Well, you get the idea.
Secondly, we learned that the residents of Quartzsite, Arizona truly believe the year is 1967. Really! They dress the part, look like long-lost hippies and (for the most part) stare at newcomers as though they fell from a distant planet. Don't get me wrong... We enjoyed our time rockhounding, hiking the desert, and surfing the web at McDonald's every second night (LOL!). But by the end of one month, we badly needed to return to civilization! Joking aside, though, the trip to Quartzsite was worth it just for the treasures we have brought back with us, i.e. hand-made Navajo jewellery, beautiful semi-precious stones, etc... We also treasured our visit to nearby Lake Havasu.
The last thing we learned is how long the drive is from the east coast to the west coast of the United States. Although entertaining at times - i.e. blowouts and such - the drive is extremely long and can be a bit much. Once you hit Texas, you pretty much see mostly desert until your reach Quartzsite.
This year's pleasant surprise definitely was Sedona, Arizona. If you never take another trip in your lifetime, do try to make Sedona your one trip. It will be well worth it. We could not have imagined such a beautiful place, with its red mountains, adobe homes and village-like atmosphere.
So this is goodbye for now, dear readers. We will spend the summer catching up with friends and family, and planning next year's trip south. We have decided to give ourselves a break next winter, and cut down significantly on the driving. We will be choosing a location in Florida where we will spend six months. There will surely be many wonderful adventures to share with you! Come visit us again; Juanita will be waiting!
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