Easter Sunday with The Johnson's

The day started off with a beautiful service at Calvary Church where Luke Johnson, grandson of Bob & Chris Johnson, sang a song with the Children's Choir and Toby Johnson, Luke's Mom, lead the service music. The service was followed with fellowship outdoors.

As it seems to always be here in beautiful Blythe, the day was a blue sky day with temps hovering in the mid 80's.  After preparing ham; mashed potatoes & ham gravy; green bean casserole; and Grandma Bahe's famous Lemon Jello salad; we packed up our "picnic basket" and headed over to join The Johnson families at Bob & Chris' spot overlooking the Colorado River.

Chris and Bob contributed to the feast with a Prime Rib roast, spinach salad, and wine.  Everything was wonderful and to top off this extravaganza, Chris served Orange Glazed Angle Food cake topped with red ripe juicy strawberries and whipped cream. Wow!! 

There's nothing like sitting and watching the boaters and jet skiers running up and down the fast moving Colorado River and having great conversation and fun with friends.  Truly, a day like being in heaven!

3 Generations of Johnson's; Brandon, Noah, & Bob

Roger & Chris

Brothers; Jessie, Luke and Noah

"Look at my new truck" from Grandma Chris

Luke, Grandpa Bob & Friends

Beautiful Evening on the Colorado River

Last evening Roger and I were invited to float down the Colorado River with our friends Bob & Christine on their pontoon boat.  The warm evening breezes and the soft push of the river against the pontoon was very relaxing.  The mountains looked like a painting against the blue backdrop of the sky while the bright orange of the full moon reflected on the water. 

Life is good!

San Xavier del Bac Mission - Tuscon, AZ

This past week we decided to go on an over night and take a drive to Tuscon to visit my Aunt Lorayne.  Now, you have to realize that my aunt is in her early 80's and by no means a wallflower.  She teaches water aerobics 4 days a week at the pool in the mobile home park where she lives, walks everyday, and absolutely loves visiting with all her friends in the park.  When I called to tell her that I'd like to come visit, she was thrilled.  We haven't seen each other in at least 15 years but; when I met her at the door, it was like we just saw each other last week.  She hasn't changed one bit and she was as lively as ever.

Lorayne & Sue

Since we got there late in the afternoon, we decided to just sit and visit for the rest of the that day and then go out and have a nice dinner.  The next day Lorayne suggested that we go to the San Xavier del Bac Mission.  The Mission was founded by Jesuit priest and explorer Father Eusebio Kino in 1692 at the village of Wa:k.  The construction of the church began in 1783 under the direction of the Franciscans and was completed in 1797.  The church continues to serve the Tohono O'odham, the native people of this area.

San Xavier del Bac Mission

The faithful light candles representing their prayers

 

 

Another Prayer Candle area

Inside the Church

Garden Water Fountain with Catalina Mts. in the archway

Many of the cactus were blooming in the Mission Gardens.

Because this was just a short trip this time, we promised Lorayne that we'd make it back next year and take a side trip from her place down to Tombstone.  Until next time, Adios!

General Patton Museum, Joshua Tree National Park & The Salton Sea

The other day we took a little side trip to the General Patton Museum, Joshua Tree National Park and the Salton Sea.  The General Patton Museum and Joshua Tree national Park are only about 1 hour from Blythe. 

 

 

General Patton and his Dog

The desert from here all the way to Blythe was used as the California Training Area. 

Little yellow flower blooming under a tank in the desert

US Medal of Honor recipients in Coachella Valley

Replica of the Memorial where Patton is buried in Europe

Cactus in bloom

We are lucky enough to be in the Joshua Tree National Park while the desert is in bloom.  We hiked the Mastedon Trail which was about 3 miles from where we started.  When we got to the end of one of the merging trails we found a sign that said from that point the trail was 1.2 miles.  Diamondback rattle snakes were emerging from their winter slumber; however, we never saw one (thank goodness)!

Cottonwood Spring Fan Palm Oasis

 

 

 

On the trail to Mastodon Peak

View of the Colorado Desert 

View from Mastedon Peak

Brittlebush

Look closely for the Zebratail Lizard

 

Chuparosa

Part of the Mastodon Mine

Mastodon Mine

 

Mesquite Tree

The rock in the Park is called Monzogranite

White Wild Rose

A little "field" of blue bells in the Dry Wash

 

A blue bell and a sand verbena

 

 

Ocotillo, a plant typical of the ColoradoDesert

Palo Verde bush

Another Brittlebush

 After we hiked through some of the Joshua Tree National Park we decided to head toward the town of Mecca and have lunch.  We ate some of the best Mexican food I think that I've ever had at the Plaza Garibaldi Restaurant.  We were the only Caucasians in the place and also the only non-Spanish speaking people.  The restaurant menu was in Spanish and English was in small type under the Spanish.  It was very very good food!

We then traveled on to the North Shore of the Salton Sea State Recreation Area.   The Salton Sea lacks any outlet, with inflow from only a few sources, the Whitewater River to the North, the Alamo and New rivers to the South, runoff from surrounding agricultural fields, and some municipal effluent and storm water.  Growing concentrations of salt may cause all but the hardy Tilapia to stop reproducing.  As salinity increases, dissolved oxygen in the water decreases, making the sea unsustainable for most species of fish.  Less food for the over 400 species of migrating birds that travel through the area each year.   The lake smells terrible (a sulfur smell).

Migrating Pelicans

Another Pelican

View from Varner Harbor

Varner Harbor Picnic Area and Beach

 

Sea Gull

View of the Salton Sea

Fishing for Tilapia