Primarily I think, what I’ve experienced these last few days with Laura and Joel has been comfort.  It’s noticeably comforting and comfortable to be with these friends-that-are-like-family.

Our time together has been spent talking, laughing, sharing good food and drink,

and mostly just hanging out.  We took short trips to the Desert Museum, and Mission San Xavier Del Bac.

We did some sightseeing and some shopping.  It’s been low key and an excellent time.  I’m sad to see them go today.

It’s been cold, and Laura caught cold, so we felt that staying at Gilbert Ray Campground was a wise decision.  Besides that, they are just learning the ropes of RV living in a rented RV.  When I started out it took me some months to finally go hookup-free.  Laura and Joel have now ‘gotten their feet wet’ and are interested in trying this again, another time, another place.  They are true adventurers!

Today I call the RV park in Quartzsite where I have reservations as of the 6th, and ask if my spot happens to be available any time sooner.  Turns out that it’s available now, so tomorrow instead of going back to Painted Rock for 3 days, I’ll go straight to Q.  There are a few reasons I’ve decided to do this.

My heart just isn’t into 3 days of boondocking right now.

There is rain in the forecast two of the three days.

My throat feels….not quite right…and I wonder if I might be catching Laura’s sniffles.  If so, I’d rather be in one place and have hookups.

Gilbert Ray Campground has been enjoyable and I would definitely come back!

Sunrise this morning, January 2, 2016

Our camp….minus two of our pack!