Leaving Bakersfield on December 29 we proceed slowly on to spend a night in Barstow and then in Needles on December 30, where we get some rain.
See the rain on the window? It was a gentle pitter patter through most of the evening.
Then continuing on in turtle-like fashion, we cross into Arizona on December 31.
Joy, enJOYing the desert!
Our route takes us right through Quartzsite. Just driving through gave me the ‘Q Bug’ and I’m looking forward to being there in the first part of February.
Mountains near “Q”.
We finally reach our destination for the night, the KOA at Gila Bend. You may have known this RV park as Augies Quail Trail, but KOA has taken it over.
We will bring in 2017 surrounded by desert and mountains and sky. It feels soooo right.
Shiloh, backlit by the winter desert sun.
On January 1 we will proceed to our destination where I plan to stay for the entire month of January…Caballo Loco Ranch/RV Park.
Goodbye 2016. Time, where have you gone? I swear, life goes by so fast…time is short. Enjoy every day in all the ways that you can. All of our situations are different, but generally we are so blessed in so many ways that much of the world can’t even imagine. I am grateful for the gifts of beauty and blessings and abundance of good people and good things in my life.
My resolutions for 2017? I’m not fond of the word ‘resolutions’, but anyway….
*To appreciate my life and health and take better care of it.
*To not take for granted life, love, and the beauty all around me….to see it all with new, fresh eyes everyday, and give thanks for it.
*Do what I love and love what I do.
*Try to make a smaller footprint on this precious earth.
May 2017 be the best year ever for you and yours.
Peace.
Below, my last sunset of 2016.
Wandering Spirit 
Happy New Year! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I look forward to seeing your posts in my email. I just purchased my first RV a week ago. I am so excited! I have a motorhome. How do you decide where you will stay? How did you decide on a month at this particular spot?
Thanks!
Cathy
Hi Cathy! Wow, your first RV…that IS a happy New Year! You have every right to be excited!
I’m so glad you enjoy this blog!
How do I decide where to stay….well…different ways. I think about a place I want to go or be or see. Say I’m where I am now and I want to go to Yellowstone. I think about weather and temperature. Can’t go to Yellowstone now, but I could plan it for say, May. So I look at Maps…I like to see a map of a large area, to get the big picture. Also I like Benchmark maps for detail, but I love Google Maps on the internet. I figure out a route. Maybe there are things I want to see on the way. I divide up my journey into sections….daily drives. I don’t usually like to drive every day so some places I’ll want to stay 2 or 3 nights, or more if I feel like it, or if there are things I want to see there. Then I look for places to stay in the areas I’ve chosen. Sometimes it doesn’t work out and I might have to change the route or drive farther or shorter. Now mind you, so far this is all on paper. I like to plan it out. I find places to stay in various ways…word of mouth, other blogs, the Good Sam book…my favorite is Allstays on the net. I paid $10 for the Allstays with everything in it and it’s well worth the price! It tells me RVParks, National Forest cg’s, State Park Cg’s, County cg’s, BLM places, COE cg’s, etc. it’s really fun for me, to decide where to stay! So that’s the basics Cathy!
Very fitting to begin a new year surrounded by desert, mountains and beautiful sky!!
Your “resolutions” are goals we should all aim to achieve.
Happy New Year to you, Joy and Shiloh!!
Hi Gerri, yes ‘goals’ is a better word than resolutions…at least I like it better! Happy new year Gerri!
Perfect, desert, sky and mounts, plus your two loves….no better way to start 2017! Looking forward to reading about your adventures in 2017!
Hi Dawn thank you, and Happy New Year!
Have enjoyed following you in 2016 and look forward to more. Happy New Year! Glad you’re on the move and it feels right.
Hi Cindy, so glad you are still along for the ride! Happy New Year!
You sound so happy! I hope your visit in your old digs was wonderful and it is all happy trails this year!
I’m loving this life Elinor. Thank you for the goof wishes, and I wish the same for you!
I too enjoy your Blog, thanks for sharing! I am hoping to be able to buy my first RV later this year!
I have been wanting one for 40 years and trying to make it happen this year! ” If not now when”! LOL!
Hi Gail, wow girl, your time has come! Yes, this year, I sure hope you can make it happen. Forty years is just too long and I can’t wait till you hit the road!