Tecate Divide on our way from Yuma to Ramona along I-8

 We climbed and climbed and climbed to 4190 feet to Crestwood Summit and on to Laguna Summit at 4055 feet. All we saw were rocks, rocks and more rocks, tumbled.  Nothing growing except the odd Palm tree or scrub bush.  There were frequent pull offs with call boxes and radiator water if overheating from the climb became a concern.  An engineering feat was this bridge that connected one mountain to another.  Many transports use this pass and so there are runaway lanes frequently along the route.  Don't want to ever use them nor watch an eighteen wheeler needing one either.

 Keep in mind that this Interstate wends its way through the lowest valley between mountains and yet there is a summit, not the mountain top but the highest highway elevation.  Beautiful area but very hot in summer I would imagine.  A lot of the area is reservation and at the Crestwood Summit, sitting nestled among the rocks is the Golden Acorn Casino where one can purchase fuel or rest for a bit.  Of course, if one attends the casino, a win or a donation could be your reward.  We kept motoring on!

Ramona Hummingbird Feeding

Here we are in Ramona Canyon, a beautiful area of southern California.  The weather here was fabulous....sunny and in the mid seventies everyday.  Lots of evidence of spring with daffies, narcissi, red bud and wild geraniums in full bloom and /or budding out.  Hummingbirds were numerous, so I decided to dig out the feeder and feed away!  Annas and Costas attacked immediately!  Even Orioles were trying to feed, although they like nothing red.   When we left the motorhome to walk the dogs, we had to duck as the hummers would dive-bomb both the dogs and us in their quest for food.  Amazing little creatures; how much they can consume for such a tiny body.  I filled this feeder at least three times in the ten days I had it in place.  As time went on, more and more came....I think they told their buddies!
Although not a good picture, I was able to capture this Hooded Oriole on the feeder of our neighbour.  Beautiful sight!

Our Boys!

Bailey joined our family of January 28th, one month ago and he has settled in quite well.  Bill and I spend much of our day walking these two...some days 5 miles, some days 7.  Good for us and for the doggies too.   They are both very active...Winston at 11 months and Bailey at 2 years.  Today, they both had a bath and were groomed and clipped short.  They look so wonderful when they are clean.  I wonder how long white will stay white on the desert, adding a little rain to the mix overnight.  Bill is seen walking both at a roadside rest stop while I get lunch ready.  They are a lot of fun...crating has become necessary when we leave them as they were getting into mischief...up on the dash etc even though we dog proof.  Bailey has separation anxiety and even in the crate he barks and cries, but at least we know he is safe.  We hope he will grow out of this stage.  He/they would much prefer to come with us in the car than be left behind. Can't say I blame them! 

Sunsets

As we travelled from Emerald Pointe near Zephyrhills, FL to Yuma AZ, these were some of the beautiful sunsets we encountered.  Everyone was beautiful!  Palm trees sihouetted in the setting sun is a wonderful way to end a beautiful winter day in the sunny and warm south.  Even TX is represented although it was cold, cold cold!

Emerald Pointe

Another at Emerald Pointe

Martin Lake near Biloxi MS

Saddleback Mountain  near Balmorhea TX

St David's near Benson AZ

From Site 243 at Pilot Knob, Winterhaven CA near Yuma AZ

Olympic Hockey

 A most exciting hockey game, one that kept us riveted to our seats throughout the game but especially in the last period.  The Olympic Women's hockey game was one of the most exciting I have seen in a long time.  At the end of the second period the score was 2-0 in favour of the US.  In the third period with about three minutes remaining Canad scored oncce, then again with a few seconds to go in the period to tie the game 2-2.  In overtime our Canadian team locked it up at 3-2.  Sensational!

Hailey Wickenhieser played a sensational game and for her this is her last Olympics.  She has been named to the IOC as a representative of Canada in an administrative role to oversee rules and regulations of the Olympics.  She will be a wonderful ambassador of Canada with her perspective of fair play.

The score says it all!  Yes, the American goalie was awesome and had her work cut out for her...the score for Canada could have been a lot higher!

A few days later, the Olympic Men's Hockey team met Sweden and while the game was a good one, the Swedes were outranked by a 5-0 Canadian win.
Well done, Canada!

I will say that we as Canadians can be very proud of our Olympians....10 Gold, 10 Silver and 5 Bronze to stand 2nd in the world after Russia.  Way to go, Canada!

Samsung Galaxy Tablet

 First pictures taken with my Samsung Galaxy 7 inch tablet didn't turn out too badly.   It has the ability to zoom in on a subject relatively closely and the colour seems to be as the eye sees it.  I have made no adjustments to these pics and so I am quite pleased with the outcome.
These subset photos were taken from site 243 at Pilot Knob, Winterhaven CA, a site which for the first time is a pull through and has an unobstructed view of the desert and the western sky.  We will be asking for this site or one of the other four like it, next time we visit.  The western sky is like no other when visiting this area of Arizona.  Love it!

Our New Addition

We have a new addition to our family. Bailey on the left,  is a sweet 2 year old poodle/ soft coated wheaten terrier mix rescue who has adjusted to motorhome life instantly.  After a brief nose to nose introduction, he and Winston have become best buds. Bailey has belonged to someone previously, we think, who has walked him on a lead as he is a walking pro.  He weighs about 15 pounds and is mostly white with a little sand mixed in.  He has a tail that he carries high over his back.  Bill plans to let the tail hair grow longer so that his tail will be bushy, looking shorter when he walks on lead,  He came from the Palm Valley Animal Centre, Edinburgh TX, the only rescue for animals of Hidalgo County, a huge area in the Rio Grande Valley, TX.  The day after adoption, Bailey was scheduled for a neuter which was paid for by the shelter.  It was a very icy morning...yes, that's right ICE!  It coated the palm trees and the roads, some of which were closed due to icy bridges.  ( Later in the day as the ice was melting, the palms were raining ice chunks...dangerous to walk beneath) Bailey is a very calming affect on puppy Winston, although we have found he has separation anxiety when we leave him, even in a crate.  Love him!