WIMOWEH = He Is A Lion; Quartzsite-AZ

November 14th: I think we will probably be heading down to Yuma-AZ, sometime the middle of December; the "Big Tent & RV Show" (where we had hoped to snag a buyer for Independence) won't start until January 2025 … and the dustup's here, are giving Holland breathing trouble.

Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show: 

https://www.quartzsitervshow.com/

There are dustup's in Yuma, too, but the greenery and buildings there, keep it down. Quartzsite is not a city - the buildings here are small in stature and located in small clusters in specific areas. And though there are skeletal trees and bushes - there is no green ground-hugging cover; only rocky-gritty-wilderness stretched for counties into the distance.

My lungs are holding up (no asthmatic flareups, thank the Lord), but I know the always present dust is making it's way into my airways: that can't be avoided, even if it's not felt.

So, when I left for my walk this morning, I left stealthily, so as not to wake my sleeping lion; he's been "on alert" pretty much around the clock since we arrived in Arizona (watching news of the illegal flooding border crossings in Yuma & the resulting criminal and killing activities, that have kept us out of Yuma, for any reason: he's been laser focused on keeping me out of harm's way), and he needs the deep sleep to totally rest his tired self (he's been worn to a mental frazzle; we are giddy with happiness that President Trump is once again President - relaxation reset from worries is possible again).

We both spoke these words, before 'he & me' became WE … we BOTH knew the risks of building a relationship together. AND, we both underestimated the toll TBI would take on our relationship: it's a challenge, but we're learning each other's vibes & we're gonna make it ;-)

So, I left quietly - with a quick click of the door closing … and started on what I was hoping would be a good hiking loop back home ;-)

I smiled when retrieving my walking stick from Betsy - and noticed a single feather on the ground. I knew it was a dove feather: doves are known for their gentle nature, and finding a feather represents protection, safety, or a need for self care: I always know I never walk alone when engaging in self care walkabouts … but Elohim's reminders are always welcome ;-) A gray feather means peace and harmony are on their way: thank the Lord :-D

Single feather = an encouraging reminder of divine care ;-)

The 1st leg of my hike, this morning … Plomosa Wash runs behind The Pit Stop RV Park; obviously, the waters get very high, here.

The sun's warming kiss, felt good on my skin.

We spent a month here, our first time in Quartzsite, 18 months ago; very pricey & noisy Rvr's.

Another wash; a desert wash is a dry creek bed or gulch that temporarily fills with water after a heavy rain. Desert washes are subject to periodic brief, severe,  flooding events; often just for a few hours in a year.

There, on the far corner - I spotted my landmark building ;-)

Hmmm; maybe an early Christmas Gift for Holland before we pull stakes - it would be $$$ well spent ;-)

A 3rd wash … all these waterways flood & flow into where I will be hiking; while in Quartzsite-AZ

It looks like gritty dust is being stirred up, in the distance; I hoped it was not as bad as it appeared to be …

People are arriving; soon all this barren wilderness will be packed with RV's; there won't be any sand to be seen, then.

2nd leg of today's hike; this street swings around to Freedom Park - where I normally start backtracking towards home.

Quartzsite Fire Department & Medical Center Building.

Bike-Walking Trail.

A little startle here - from a distance {it} looked like a skull; it was just a plastic bag. LOL

A mini ant-created sand crater, of the Leaf-cutter Ant; busy with morning activity …

Backyard Ant Hills/Arizona:

 (https://arizonabeetlesbugsbirdsandmore.blogspot.com/2012/04/backyard-ant-hills.html)

Looking across the wilderness towards Independence's location ;- )

Peyton Parrish - 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' song:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4nMm-y3TYU)

Thinking of my sleeping lion, this song immediately shot through my brain … and set the pace for the remaining steps homeward ;-)

The additional mileage was good for me - a whole body balancing: a quieting of thoughts, an invigoration of body, a recharging of spiritual meditation. Walking recharges my entire being. Walking is self-care, in it's purest form.

I met, and shared pleasantries, with strangers.

I enjoyed seeing new things; and experiencing new interests.

I looked forward to getting back to Wimoweh ;-)

Thank God,  we are laughing about relationship hiccups, now ;-)

The last leg of this hike …

There were many people on this trail …

Serious words; a sudden cloudburst creates a sudden, dangerous, flooding situation.

{Downtown} Quartzsite, in the distance …

A shady bench … but, I think I'll pass; snakebite kills, and I want to spend a little more time with my husband ;-) My lion reminded me before he went to bed last night, about the girl that was snake bit and didn't feel it because rattler's don't always buzz to announce their presence - he was letting me know he worries about me when I am hiking.

Holland is a very masculine male: he doesn't {say} - he demonstrates in subtle ways and manners. Holland is a new experience for me.

Backside of a wash #3, that I had passed over, earlier.

This saguaro cactus looks like it is worshipping Yeshua = Creator ;-)

Petra - 'Let Everything That Hath Breath' Lyrics:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whtc4c1XJcM)

Campers are coming in droves to stake a claim of Quartzsite desert for the next few months; a lot of people camp in vans, too.

 This roadway has a lot of steep dips and climbs - a medium cardio workout trail; I can see Freedom Park, in the distance: the last lap, homeward.

Backside of wash 2, along the main highway - about a mile back.

RC Flying Field = radio-controlled plane club; Quartzsite-AZ

Radio-controlled Aircraft: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_aircraft)

I will visit this place, next time I walk this loop … it will add at least another 30 minutes to my hike.

The Dog Park - dog owners visit here, and their pampered pets have an actual watered grass area, to enjoy.

Yet another backside wash … this backstreet is not a place anyone would want to be when the rain's begin.

Quartzsite Town Park; Freedom Park extension.

I don't know if we will pencil this in - Holland's pain level that Day, will be the deciding factor.

This pretty little pink flowering bush is lethal.

Oleander Poisoning: 

(https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/oleander-poisoning#:~:text=Oleander%20(Nerium%20oleander)%20is%20a,oleander%20not%20yet%20in%20bloom.)

Distance, heart rate … temperature: it all looks good ;-)

The home stretch ;-)

By the time I reached the  'Running Lizard' RV Park (about 15 minutes from The Pit Stop), my tongue was hanging out, too. LOL

I don't carry water with me when I hike (usually there are no relief stations along the way); I tap into my American Indian DNA to "go the distance" … and keep my hikes short, hydrating at home. Wilderness survival depends on the “rule of 3”, which impresses that a person can live for 3 minutes without air (oxygen), 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food.

Back home, I checked my Hike Stats, while putting my walking stick in Betsy's back seat space.

Grateful for the extra mileage! Burning 500 calories a day = losing 1 pound a week.

Holland had cut and bagged Honeydew & Cantaloupe cubes to nourish, hydrate me, and bolster electrolytes naturally, when I returned home; he really is a keeper ;-)

Returning the remaining bagged fruit cubes to the 'fridge, I laughingly mentioned to Holland that as I turned the corner at The Sunset Grill, getting closer to home, I was thinking, "ice cream would be good about now; there should be ice cream around here, somewhere."

Holland said there was … and off we went :-D

The ice cream Shoppe we found was entertaining, as well as nourishing: it was also decorated in a pointed feminine mindset. I chuckled when we walked in … Holland immediately felt out of place. We ordered our treats, and sat outside in the covered area to savor them ;-)

I asked the woman behind the counter how long she's been working there, and she said her mother had started the business: that explained everything - she must have been a very young girl, and totally captivated by the 'Wizard of Oz' movie … hence the Ad outside, the interior decorating, and the outdoor Snowbird theme (christmas decorated fake pine tree & Grinch items).

And THEN … the hike burn meant nothing ;-)

Dorothy & Toto's Ice Cream: 

The Snowbird Café; #205 W Main St, Quartzsite, AZ

The interior was cute; LOTS of 'OZ' influences. Hokey, but strangely comforting. I videoed quickly because my lion was doing some quick pacing, and I was trying to avoid capturing him in frame ;-)

I had the Butter-Pecan; Holland had the Cheesecake.

Back home, I noticed that I had created a blistering situation - so, I dug out my moleskin patches to wear, when I walk the loop again.

I got a blister while hiking, so I dug these out to use when wearing shoes.

Holland posted Independence online again, for sale (hoping and praying); and sent a voicemail to his Aunt Gaye to let her know we'd be stopping by to visit with her, come Monday.

We played phone tag with Aunt Gaye … I am the only one who calls Holland, Holland - the rest of his family uses his middle name (there are 3 Holland Redmill's in his family - they each have a different middle name)

I made pizza for Supper; my lion got 2 of his favorite treats today ;-)

Holland got the lion's share … because I am determined to weigh considerably less.

Homemade Pizza, tonight: seasoned sauce, pepperoni slices, thinly chopped red onion-mushrooms-olives, grated cheddar cheese, & Parmesan cheese.

Crust pre-cooked a few minutes; sauce spread; meat & veggies added: this is the 1st time I've cooked in this oven - I watched it cautiously; regulating heat in a gas stove can be tricky.

Cheddar Cheese, melted & finished with Parmesan Cheese; the crust was done to perfection & the pizza was tasty.

And Wimoweh researched the Yuma area for a place to hunker Independence down once we get there (if she doesn't sell before our space rent here is up).

WIMOWEH = He is a lion ;-)

Sunset tonight; Quartzsite-AZ