A Day With Glee and John

During the past few months, Mike and I have spent many days with Glee and John, but there have always been others around.  This is the first time we actually took a day and did some sight seeing with this Minnesota couple.  Glee and John have been a part of the work in Mexico for several years and they welcomed us this year with open arms; glad to have others around to share the work and the play.  In getting to know them, we found that they are our "neighbors" up north - only 30 or so miles away.  They are retired potato farmers and Glee drove school bus for many years - she is a far better woman than I - that is a job I said I would never do!  In the fall before coming to Yuma, they work the sugar beet harvest and Glee drives truck - another thing I wouldn't do... not only that but she sews - yep, this is one amazing woman!

Anyway, last Wednesday we decided to take a field trip.  Our first stop was Yuma City Hall to see a plane.  I knew Yuma had an aviation history, but really knew nothing about it - interesting stop.

This is the "City of Yuma".  In 1949, this plane flew 47 days without stopping.  It was refueled in the air by a car on the ground.  Someone actually handed gas cans up to the copilot while both the plane and car were moving. 

This diagram shows how it was done.

The city of Yuma wanted to be "on the map" as a place where the sun shines and flight is possible 365 days a year.  With this world Record, they accomplished the mission. 

Once the flight was over, the plane bounced around and ended up in Minnesota owned by a fellow John and Glee knew.  It had been altered and was being used as a float plane.  The city of Yuma bought it for $18,000 and it was restored to its record breaking glory. 

On the 50th anniversary of the flight, they did a reenactment.

The City Hall of Yuma has a video which talks about the flight and the planes history, but the day we visited the electricity was off for repairs - I think we will go back another day.

Since we were in the aviation mode, we ate at The Landing which depicts lots of local flight and railroad history; good food too.  From there we went to The Date Farm - first time Mike had been there this year - that man is working way too much!  Of course we had date shakes for dessert and then stopped at the Fruit Stand.

Out next stop was the Imperial Dam.  All of the crops that grow in this area are possible only because of the irrigation from the Colorado River and the American Canal.

Because of security concerns, we were not able to get real close to the dam, but we got a good idea of how the canal filled.

It was just another absolutely beautiful day in Arizona. 

That is Castle Dome that you see on the left.

After we left the dam, we stopped at the "U Pick Place" and we took time to explore the "Bridge to Nowhere".  We have been by this place dozens of times but have never stopped - too much of a tourist place me thinks

but the bridge was really cool.

It is the Mcphaul Bridge (or something close to that) and it was built to cross the Gila River.  The bridge was only used a short time as the river was diverted.  It now crosses lots of desert and a wash.

There was a fence and some of us broke the law by going around the fence... Okay, all of us did - it was perfectly safe for walkers, probably not for vehicles.

The U-Pick fields were beautiful - love all the shades and tints of green.

It's spring!

This is artichoke plants in the beginning stages - they will grow to 5 feet or more - learned they are a member of the thistle family and they grow wild (weeds) in Minnesota - who knew...

It was a great day with fine people.  Thanks John and Glee!

JANUARY = VISITORS

While much of the nation was battling snow or hazardous cold or both, we were basking in friendship!  January was a month of visitors and each time someone new came, warm and sunny weather greeted them. 

In early January, my college roommate Suz and her brother, Father Duane visited for a few days.  We enjoyed Mexico together,  a couple of heated games of golf (the card game), and a tour of the crops and date garden.  It was a wonderful moment when Father Duane blessed The House in Mexico and those that stay there. 

During our day at The House of Dreams, Suz helped with the art project - blow art.

I wonder if she had her work framed????

Duane read to the little ones.

Suz had brought some special clothes for the little ones - some her mother had made years ago.

 

We enjoyed a meal together at the house with all the other visitors.

And later, we enjoyed a beverage of choice.  Oh and the boys modeled hats!

We visited the History of the World in Granite which is just across the highway from our park.

Forget Kilroy, Suzanne was here!

Those harvesting fixins for our winter salads are always interesting to watch - hard, backbreaking work.

Watch it for yourself.

 

After Suz and Duane went back to cold Minnnesota, people we have only known a short time came to visit.  Last summer, My brother Rich and sister-in-law Anita, and Mike and I visited Potosi, WI, the town where my grandfather grew up.  My brother has stopped there several times and has become friends with Jacklan and Joe Brant.  Since they spend the winter in warmer climates, we invited them to stop and see us.  They were here for five or six days and also enjoyed a trip to Mexico.  I'm not sure why I don't have more pictures - only this one of Jackie helping to fill gift bags for the children at the annual Outreach.

Speaking of Outreach, after the Brants left, Bonnie and Barry came to help us distribute gifts in Mexico.  While Bonnie waited patiently with the ladies and Jack,

Barry was pressed into hard labor - lots of good stuff to load up!

Of course, they had to do the Christmas card pose...

and I think they enjoyed watching us interact with the kids - we have grown to love those kids south of the border and miss them from week to week.

Then the annual Outreach was off with three trucks, a van and an SUV - off to make 3 or 4 stops to distribute food and quilts and toys and clothing and bags of goodies for the kids and love!

They made the trek up to the top of the old garbage dump to see first hand what Gramma's cardboard house looks like.  That is one of her grandsons who lives with her in the foreground.  (Aside: he got a bat, but no ball so Mike went into town a couple of days later and bought softballs for him and his friends.)

(No Barry isn't an albino, camera buttons got pushed inadvertently.)

Barry and Mike distributed toys and they have both resolved to have more TOYS FOR BOYS for next year - they felt bad giving a stuffed animal to a 10 year old when you know they would have loved a bat and ball or a catcher's mitt or ... something. 

After Outreach was over, B and B took off for Quartzsite and Sharon and Jim drove in from bone-chilling Minnesota.  And, as with all visitors this year, they went to Mexico... and they went to work!  Within hours of arriving, they were at Home Depot and we were picking out paint for the walls on the main floor and buying supplies to repair the hot water heater.

While Jim labored in the cramped quarters of the laundry room, Sharon climbed the ladder and got to it.  BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:  I have to admit that I have not painted for 30 years and found it amazingly easy with Sharon doing all the trim work.  She is a good teacher and encourager.

We took a break for lunch with the kids,

enjoyed the smiles of this charmer,

and then got right back to it!  Even Mike grabbed a brush for a while - long enough to get paint on his clothes anyway.

And before the day was finished, Sharon had added stenciling to complete the job.

Jim helped repair the table and then we headed home.

Oh, forgot to tell you that Sharon took a painting lesson from a street painter - she is determined to master "mountains"...

Next day found us heading for Quartzsite and making an early morning stop at the fruit stand - way too expensive...

"So, what do you think this is?"   "No idea."  I asked, it is spinach - lots and lots of spinach.

We hit the cabbage fields

and the little church.

And we never did figure out what is growing in this field - it has little yellow blossoms and remains a mystery.

When we got to Quartzsite, we did a quick tour of the Big Tent, caught this little act,

had an Indian Taco and saw this magnificent painting.  My photograph does not do it justice.  This is a piece of rock three feet by five feet and the artist has worked the Indian maiden into the fabric of the stone - it was amazing. 

Then we took a vote - naked bookstore stop or a trip into the desert - guess what won...

There were rocks to be gathered,

roads to be explored,

mines to be checked out,

cactus to be admired,

and photographs to be taken.

Later in the day, we met up with our troop of friends who gather annually in the desert and shared a glass or two of wine, a story or two and laughs.  Oh yes, and very good food!  Thanks guys for welcoming your us as "drop-ins".

 

Not sure what was better at the neighboring camp but it caught the attention of these two...

Wish I got to spend lots more time each year with these two!

And then it was time to head back to Pilot Knob.

Another day found us heading to Palm Springs to pick up Corky.  Along the way, we stopped where they were harvesting artichokes.  They put the artichoke head in the bag and carry it on their back to the waiting trailer to be shipped off.  That must be back breaking!

Wonder what is growing in this field?

I think it looks like beans or peas.

This is a giant field of celery...

see....

When we picked up Corky, our first stop was a farmer's market.

Sharon bought a piece of sugar cane.

What a beautiful setting for an outdoor market.

Next stop was Shield's Date Garden where we had lunch outdoors, saw the film "The Sex Life of a Date",

and then toured the garden which depicts the life of Jesus.  This is new since we were here two years ago and it is extremely well done.  Thanks Barb and Bill for letting us know about this find.  Come and enjoy the walk with us. 

I have left out one terrific picture - it shows the real Sharon!

From the manicured garden of Shields, we went to the natural grove of palm trees that lines the San Andreas Fault.  This has been one of my favorite places for several years - don't think our guest were too impressed...  That is the fault in the background.

This is the shell of a dead palm tree - very light and porous.

Our next stop was Salvation Mountain - about an hour's drive from Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area).  Oh, wait a minute, I forgot to tell you about our stop at the Government Center.  Yes, Jim climbed the tree in the parking lot and took lemons... and yes, it is perfectly legal.  In fact, they encourage people to pick and use the fruit that grows in the parking area.

Once at Salvation Mountain, we were happy to learn that Mr. Knight, the founder of this unique place, is still alive.  Although not able to continue adding verses and painting flowers, the sign says he does visit periodically.  And there is someone on site to keep tabs on what is going on - nice addition.

Salvation Mountain is like no place on earth - part folk art, part religious experience, and all a little surreal.

Sharon found this headless statue in an alcove particularly intriguing.

Although Corky had been us for more than 18 hours, she was still able to "admire????"

Hey B's, we decided it would be a good place to have our Christmas Picture taken...

With so many knocks and crannies, it is hard to take it all in...

and the day was fading.

When we finally got to the casino where Corky was staying, we grabbed a quick bite and headed for home - big day the next day.

Painting in Mexico was on the agenda again the next day.  We attacked the kitchen early in the morn and banished Delia and the kids to the courtyard.

We played around a little,

Jim offered suggestions,

Jack enjoyed the "new" living room,

and we worked.

And we took time to enjoy the kids.  Hey Barbie, the cookies you sent home from Quartzsite were totally enjoyed by the kids.  Take note of these faces - don't they look like they got their hands caught in the cookie jar???

Corky enjoyed being in the warm outdoors.

 

 

 

Since there was paint left after the kitchen was finished, we attacked the outside entry way.

Jim relaxed.

By the time we were ready to leave, Corky was able to hang the clock.

Just as I discovered the real Sharon basking on a bench at Shield's Garden, so I found out about the real Jim....  LOOKIN' GOOD!

Enjoying the kids, checking out the airplanes,

helping with lunch... 

It is all a part of a day at The House of Dreams in Mexico.  As you can see, we have lots of little ones right now and the majority are boys.  The next day, we were back at the house to enjoy the kids and then Corky enjoyed some shopping and purchased several things to take home... or have the Cinks take home...  The best thing to take home from Mexico is the memory of smiles and music and play!

Delia's brother Moses visited and got into the act!

 

The kids always take pics with my camera and I love the results - a bad selfie I think

Photographer is 7 or 8...

Another day, we toured the fields in the area and visited the Imperial Date Garden - time for the Cinks to purchase for distribution and use at home in the frozen tundra.

When you buy the salad in a bag with four kinds of lettuce - this is what it looks like in the field.  It is bagged right out of the field.

 

 I think Corky enjoyed her time here - I know we thoroughly enjoyed her visit. 

 

Thanks Jim for putting up with my harassment and for all your work at the house in Mexico. 

 

We loved having you visit, Sharon and Jim, and we look forward to your visit next year - gotta stay longer!!!!

 

Thanks to all our January visitors, it was great fun having you here and showing you our Yuma/Algodones life.  Stay warm - see you in the Spring!