SAYING YES TO NEW ADVENTURES; Coalinga-CA

Today we spent time with Holland's uncle George, & cousin Brenda: we wanted to especially make time for George because he's in his mid-90's, and we aren't sure when we'll be back again for a visit, once we leave CA.

We had a good visit with uncle George ❤️ - and met his wife; she wasn't there last time we visited him.

Then, we drove about 10 miles down the road to visit with Brenda, who is George's daughter.

Laton-CA from Coalinga-CA; 55 min (49.7 mi) via Mount Whitney Ave, CA-145 S and I-5BL

I like Brenda, and her husband Jeff - they are fun people to be around. I like people that have joy in their hearts and make laughter an easy thing … we laughed a lot this afternoon, and the hours flew by too fast; they are good people and I will miss them when we go north tomorrow 😔

On our way back to Independence, we had a good view of the Sierra Mountain Range, from the freeway: we are thankful we do not have to cross them tomorrow:

The Sierra Mountains got a record busting snowfall recently; glad we are not going that way, this trip northward …

On our way to the RV Park, Holland stopped to fill Betsy's tank with diesel - on my into the minute mart, I smelled the heady scent of roses hanging in the air; glancing around I saw these two large rose bushes with bright red roses. So, I stopped to smell the roses on the way back to Betsy 😊

Heady scent of red roses in full bloom; Coalinga-WA

Luke Combs - 'Forever After All, Love You Anyway' lyrics:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBaNuWi9FiM) 

When we got back to Independence, we unpacked the tasty Au jus sandwich supper that Brenda had sent home with us. SO GOOD 😁 😘 

Brenda sent us home with ready-made Au jus sandwich supper ;-)

Then, I went online to post a slipper pattern, and saw that my recent afghan pattern had been highlighted on the other side of the world - in Israel 👍

MOD Afghan was highlighted on Jewish Mom Craft School Sunday Blog Hop ;-)

Later, doing dish cleanup, I reflected on the changes coming into our life this year. We don't know exactly what we will be doing after we leave here, tomorrow, but we know that Yuma-AZ will not be part of things, as we had hoped.

We don't know what will be happening - or really where Independence will be parked a few days from now … but, Elohim does; and we can trust Him, and His purposes for us, in the next chapter of our road gypsy adventuring 😉

NOTHING'S GONNA BREAK OUR STRIDE; From Quartzsite-AZ to Kingman-AZ

This morning, we pulled Independence's stakes in Quartzsite … and aimed Betsy's nose towards Kingman-AZ:

Next & final AZ stop … Kingman-AZ

Kingman-AZ from Quartzsite-AZ; 2 hr 30 min (133.5 mi) via AZ-95 N and I-40 E

Determined to cut calories, while sharing my life with a man who thinks 4,000 calorie meals are necessary … I've cut back on these, to 1 a day; small size - and water the rest of the time, to make room for the carnivorous he-man Suppers.

Matthew Wilder - 'Break My Stride' lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3YrNSw5a2I)

The drive from Quartzsite, and through Parker was beautiful - the sun was warm, and the dingy sand-grit-cloud had lifted so I could clearly see the mountains surrounding us on every side. The wind did blow against us passing through Parker - and we watched RV's in front of us struggling to keep thier RV's from leaning too heavily to the right when rocked; but Holland is a veteran of dicey road travel 🤠, and kept Independence upright & straight as an arrow 😉😘

Near Oatman turnoff, outside of Kingman-AZ

Route 66 passes through several towns in Arizona, including Kingman, Seligman, Winslow, Williams, and Flagstaff; Holland has been to Kingman many, many times … and I've been through here a couple times since we've been married, to visit with his Aunt Gaye ❤️

Holland is doing all he can to make our final days in AZ memorable; he's keeping stride with the changing Plans. He plans to take me on a tour "downtown to Old Town Kingman" while we are here. He is also planning Daytrips to Seligman, Winslow, and Flagstaff - not sure if Williams will be penciled in, or not: but it will be fun, no matter what. I've never been to any of these places, and am really looking forward to visiting them. Holland has been to all of them - except Seligman ... but he's never stopped long enough in any place to enjoy them; so, these will be memories made together 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

Things got interesting as we neared the turnoff lane into Kingman - a car, driving like a bat out of hell shot across the lane in front of us 😳 and without slowing down or bothering to look to the right or left, had a near *kiss* moment with a vehicle in the commuter lane. We held our breaths 🙏 - and didn't release it until the driver got control of his speeding bullet.

Just off the freeway as we entered Kingman-AZ; I, as Jew & Christian, was not happy to see this mosque. All it represents to me, is intolerant hatred and sanctioned violence.

The atmosphere here, in Kingman, is windy …

It was early afternoon when we reached our destination.

We definitely felt the lingering effects of recently absent snow. It was a good thing we grabbed our heavy coats and threw them into Betsy's back seat: they were pulled on when we located our parking space and started setting up.

We stayed here for a few weeks, last year, too.

KINGMAN-AZ~Pt. #1; Zuni Village RV Park: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/04/kingman-azpt-1-zuni-village-rv-park.html)

We reached our destination … it was very chilly. There was snow here 2 weeks ago; now, there will be some rain this week.

Heavy, dark rain clouds - a tiny patch of blue showing in the distance.

Long-term Park residents have a sense of humor 😉

Tiny Homes for rent …

An unusual design; directly across from where we are parked.

Raindrops showed up just as Independence was jockeyed into place - set up, was cold & quick.

It was so windy, we laid water-filled hose across the bins to keep them grounded.

While glancing around, I noticed a heart shape 😁

These favoring love signs always warm my heart.

Genesis 28:15; Psalm 32:8, & Isaiah 49:16

It is good to be the daughter of the Most High God ❤️‍☝️