1st ATV ride of the year

It's so exciting...Scott and Christy bought a RZR so now we can all go ATVing!  He needs to sell off his Predator now if you know anyone who's interested.  We went to the outskirts of Tecopa. CA for a day of riding and exploring.  Christy's never done this kind of stuff before and she had a great time.  Scott and Chris have never been out there either, so we were excited to take them all somewhere new to ride and explore. There is a whole mining district with a bunch of mines, timbers, tressulls, and more out there.  Even a small cemetary if you know where to look. 

There is so much for Christy to learn...first of all...bring toilet paper and baby wipes.  Both are a girls best friend on the trail. Better shoes is another big one, needs a pair of boots to crawl around and explore. She loved the barrel cactus, wait for it to bloom and she'll be blown away. She's such a good sport...doesn't matter to her if she gets dirty.  Can't wait to take her to Utah and ride the trails there.  Here she is exploring some of the old mining ruins and what's left of a train trussell.  We even went into one of the mines but all we had was one mini-mag flashlight for 4 people so we really didn't get all that far.

Unfortunately, a portion of this trail trussell has come down since we've been there last.  I'd like to think it was time and the weather but more than likely people didn't respect it.  That section was getting loose last time we were there.   Lunch was grilled hotdogs at the trucks, we must have been pretty hungry 'cuz they were almost all gone. Way better than sandwiches. We also went to China Date Ranch for shakes and bread...yummy.  It's a great way to end the day. 

Another first for Christy...she shot her first firearm...at her camera, no less.  She dropped and broke it...bummer.  So...target practice! Chris gave her a gun safety and shooting lesson.  He's really good at it, very patient.

We all had the best day together out exploring the desert.  It's really remarkable how much is out there when you just get out there to see it.  Can't wait to go out again...all together!!!  It was a blast!

December 31...Oatman AZ

We started 2009 camping and ATVing...a great way to start the year.  Although we're not finishing it that way we did decide to get out and enjoy the last day of one of the most difficult years we've endured.  We thought about several different places but highs were pretty chilly so figured we'd end up doing nothing.   Waking up, Timm said let's go to Oatman.  I'm always up for a road trip so we got ready and off we went...Cassy in tow (which isn't hard to do, she loves adventures).

We made a few stops along the way including McDonalds in Searchlight for a quick breakfast.  Normally, it wouldn't really matter but we have a sticker on the back window that reads, "Elect Anyone Butt Harry Ried".  For those who don't know, he's from the tiny town of Searchlight. Even though he's been a senator for Nevada forever, and he's the majority whip...he needs to go.  He does not have Nevada's best interest in mind anymore in our opinion.  Anyway, I'll move on.

We entered Oatman, parked and walked about the various shops, bought carrots for the donkeys, took some photos, hunted for the donkeys, and just all around enjoyed ourselves.  It was a beautiful day.  We just missed the gun fight but Cassy would have gotten really nervous because of the noise anyway.   Along the way Cassy almost went toe-to-toe with a big black cat...everyone's hair was standing up.  She was growling and the cat was making some very unpleasant noises, too.  Not a pretty sight, but both came away unscathed from the incident. 

I was about to give my carrots away thinking we weren't going to see the donkeys, along they came out of the hills...about a dozen of them.  Timm stayed back with Cassy (we were told they don't like dogs, they think they're coyotes and try to kill them).  Before I knew it I had several donkeys nudging me for carrots. 

Oh my gosh, I really am turning into my mother aren't I?  I really did enjoy feeding them, infact I went and purchased two more bags of carrots for them.  Don't feed the baby ones though, they don't have back teeth and will choke on the carrots.  There are notices all over town and they have stickers on their foreheads too. 

We exited town to the northeast with Kingman as our next destination.  When we were in Oatman several years ago we were told not to take the trailer thru town because the road was not built for large vehicles.  We traveled that way this time and for sure it is a narrow road climbing 800 feet with lots of twists and turns in it.  But we've taken our trailer on worse.  I couldn't get a shot of the really curvy stuff (bummer) but it did keep you on your toes while driving.  There are active mines and old mines also along the road.  At the top we found a makeshift graveyard...more of a memorial I think.  Not like any graveyard I've wandered thru before (and I've been through many).  Most of them were from 1998 and more recent.  Someone even had a cross with Jimmy Hoffa's name on it.

  I really don't think he's buried there either...hahahaha.  Maybe it's for people that have lost their lives on that road.

  

We traveled historic route 66 the rest of the way to I-40, hit Kingman, enjoyed lunch at Golden Corral, and headed home.  Seeing that was New Year's Eve, the traffic to get over the dam was backed up for miles....really...miles.  It was over an hour at a crawl, a steady stream of brake lights to make it too the dam.  The new bridge....amazing!  Our last stop was A&W in Boulder for rootbeer freezes and a potty brake before reaching home at 5:30pm.  What a wonderful day we spent together, a great way to finish off 2009.

Another Year Older

Timm had his birthday yesterday.  I don't know why but this one is really bugging him...the big one is next year sweetie.  He had a good day that started off at the dog park.  It's up on the mountain and there is nothing to stop the wind, it was colder than a son of a _____.  We enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Country Cafe...always yummy.  Our intentions were to go out to the dam and see the progress on the bridge but the bed called his name and gave him and Cassy a 2+ hour nap.  It was one of the naps that you have a hard time waking up from.  We went to Sheplers and he picked out a new wallet, then you enjoyed appetizers at TGIFridays.  We enjoyed dinner with our family at BJ's restuarant and brewhouse in Henderson.  Thay have delicious food by the way, I reccomend it.  We hung out until the game was over...sorry the Vikings didn't win Christy. By the way, he loves his Snuggi.  Happy Birthday Timm, we all love you!

Scott and Christy Got a New Toy

Scott and Christy got a heck of a deal on a new toy for Christmas...and Valentines...and Easter...and birthdays...lol...no really, they did get a great deal though.  Scott, Chris and friends made a run to Cedar to pick up Scott and Christy's new RZR.  I am so excited...now they can go out ATVing with us...all 5 of us...it will be awesome!

Scott will be selling his Predator so if you know of anyone that is looking for a good deal on one of them be sure to let us know.

We all got to drive it around the yard before he took it home.  Timm and Cassy seem to like it really well.  Okay, anytime Cassy can ride she really likes it.  I like it when she smiles.

Can't wait till we all go out next Sunday!

Crystal leads her first ride

As Trailmaster for Dunes and Trails ATV Club for 2009, Crystal lead the last official ride of the year.  We rode a new area close to home for us called Cottonwood Valley.  We enjoyed wonderful weather on the day we rode.  I actually post-poned the ride a week.  The original date was cold, rainy, snowy and down right miserable.  Thanks to all who showed up to support me...22 riders in all!

We rode from the parking area, south to Good Springs.  Along the way we made several stops including this fabulous view of the Las Vegas Valley.  We enjoyed ice cream and a mini tour of the historic Pioneer Saloon in Good Springs.  On our way back we stopped at a couple of mines, let the riders explore them for a while.  We also stopped at an old house just past one of the mines.  It's an old A-frame cabin tucked up one of the canyons.  Still standing but in much dis-repair.  It's so cool to find stuff like this out there.  We also found some indian petroglyphs near our lunch stop.  No wild burros this trip although we did see a pair of them on our pre-ride.  I got stuck in a snow drift...dang bald tires...most embarrasing for being the leader.  No one made fun of me but I was embarrassed.  Timm came to my rescue and winched me out...my hero.  He was also my backup, giving me support all day.  Thanks goes out to Alan for being my tail gunner, what a great guy.  Timm has lead many rides for the club and I am glad I pay attention to what he does, it really came to good use on this ride.

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas everyone!  Cassy sends you her best this holiday season.  She even dressed up for you.

We went on our annual tree hunt to Utah for the perfect Christmas tree.  There was lots of snow on the mountain this year.  Cassy and her cousins all enjoyed running around in it, chasing sticks (logs), each other and just have fun in the snow.  Cassy loves to plow her way through it. 

We all searched for the trees that we wanted, cut them down, drug them back to the trucks, tied them down, and warmed up on the way down the mountain.  We enjoyed lunch at Lupita's (one of Timm's favorite places to eat in Utah) before heading home.  Merry Christmas everyone! 

Outdoor kitchen and dining area...part 4

This space is looking awesome if I say so myself.  They guys have been working hard and it shows.  Timm and Chris got the header installed and the last of the siding put on. Thanks to Timm's co-worker, Arnie for coming over to help with the roof.  It's really coming together!

Chris and Timm put felt on the roof over the last week after work.  Chris worked on part of it during the day also.   They've also been working on the actual kitchen area.  They used the siding (upside down) for the counter base.  Still not sure if the coutners will be concrete or tile yet.  We're kinda at a standstill right now, funds are running low.  Will need to recoupe before more progress happens.