It's 81 degrees at 1:58 a.m.. I feel relieved that it will “only” be 95 today instead of 100-plus, which is already standard issue mid-May weather at our home in Quartzsite, Arizona. More than two weeks ago my post revealed that we were deep in the pre-leap. Here we are, still deep but not yet launched.
There are some days in life that seem needlessly endless. Weeks, even. Packing to leap used to be much quicker. Something about sitting still for an extended period of time creates a kind of creative chaos assemblage that is hard to gather up and slide neatly onto awaiting shelves. Mucking up the flow are all the chores that have been set aside with a lick and a promise, with the plan to be completed before we leap again.
My handy husband has taken up my sewing pile and hemmed for each of us half a dozen pair of shorts. He has also joined and hemmed our hanging outdoor shade cloths for the sides of the van (extra shade) and made Miss Liberty a fluffy new sleeping-pouch lined with soft lambs wool. As always, he's our hero.
As my pile of mending gets smaller my admiration grows. Who doesn't love a man who knows his way around his own dang sewing machine? He knows I am exhausted and he is the morale-boosting kind. Hemming shorts means no need to shop, which makes his cheeky elf-wife very happy. Shopping is always the last thing I want to do, ever. The to-do list is getting smaller and I finally feel like we will actually be leaving soon. We have made huge strides even while sitting on the injured bench. Dan rolled a rib and I pulled something behind my knee so we have been gimpy but determined.
This season's hanging chad is a package that has been in transit for well over a month. Although the order was canceled, it is still making its way here causing one final delay as it bangs along in the saddle bag of the ol’ Pony Express rider who is tasked with bringing it out anyway. Our latest delivery projection is Monday, although Monday's post office box mail drop arrives at our park sometime on Tuesday, fingers crossed. THEN we shall leap.
Delays lead to jiggling Jello plans, so the original plan to skate around New Mexico all summer long on a fresh state parks pass has been shifted. Instead, we have been invited to hang with our friends Steve and Sandy who are waiting for us on our friend Charlie's freshly purchased acre of high desert soil. Sandy completely cracked me up on a daily basis at work but we have only shared one campfire with this fun couple. She and I are looking forward to some girl time and I know Dan will enjoy some time with the dudes. They travel in a custom Steve-made schoolie outfitted with a BATH TUB. Que suerte!!
Where will the Cordrays be camping first, you ask? Half an hour north of Williams, Arizona, which is also half an hour south of the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Dan hasn't been to the Grand Canyon since he was a kid. I have been but I am ready for another run at it. My heart was broken by the chain link fences, trash, and graffiti when I visited earlier in my travels.
I plan to look at that wonder with new eyes since it was tippity-top of the bucket list for me. It's nice that we know the Williams/Ash Fork/Flagstaff area well, having camped all over that section of Arizona in the past. I just scrolled through ten million pictures looking for a few favorites of us hanging in our hammocks up that way. Aye, they elude me but surely you have seen us doing such an activity all around this fair country.
The best part? It's in the 70-80 daytime, 40-50 night time temperature range where we are headed, our blessed sweet spot. We will add some warmer clothes to the duffel bags and ease backwards towards more tolerable temperatures. I am sure you can hear my yippee (!!!!) from way over there, wherever there is for you.
I will miss the bamboo framed couch where I spend the wee hours reading or writing when insomnia takes over. The front seat of the van is less comfy but man the view is amazing and constantly changing, especially after dark and when the sun is rising. I will trade the she-shed for the cargo trailer art studio, stoop sitting for hammock lounging. As much as I love the desert, I can't wait to see the morale boost Dan feels when back in the forest. The forest is Dan's fave. I love the forest, too, and the beach, and the mountains, and the prairies. LET'S GOOOOO!
So that's the dealio, friends, since many are asking. The Jello is setting as we slide into our familiar groove and prepare for lift-off. We are really excited to bring y'all with us on our next journey through pictures and stories. We hope that whatever you are working towards will go off without a hitch and that your summer is peaceful, healthy, happy, and magical in all the ways that matter to you.
New moon blessings,
Brenda Cordray
“The Desert Rose”
Great photos of the vintage maps. Happy Travels.
I am excited to follow you on your next adventure! I am so happy that you can get out of Quartzsite for a while. Bon Voyage and Happy Trails! Love you!