CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Only a few more days until Christmas Day when the fun begins. Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with friends hers and then the week of New Years we will go to Jer's cousin's in Phoenix. Some more cousins will come over from Colorado and all of us Williams should have a blast.
Maybe I will write more often next year as I see I haven't made any enteries in this blog since the end of Oct.!!!
It has turned a lot cooler since then and QZ has had some rain. Think wild flowers will bloom in the desert again this spring. That happened about 4 yrs. ago, and the desert was so pretty.
Haven't been out quad riding in awhile because of the cool weather and getting ready for Christmas.
Better go for now and have a Merry Christmas and hope to post some pix from the holidays right here!!!

Is Jer going to climb that rock?

Jer and his friend, Del, trying to decide if Jer should climb to the top of the mountain.

We were riding in KOFA land intending to go to Tank 8. Jer finally decided to

climb that mountain some other day. Had lots of fun anyway.

Here I am once again--sitting by the computer with my right foot elevated as think I sprained my little toe and the top of my foot. Jer was teasing me, and I went to playfully kick him with my barefoot and hit the table leg instead. And if that wasn't enough I had to hit my sore toe again while going to bed last night. Geez, am I into pain or something???
Our friends from WA, the Kentners, arrived about a week ago and we visited with them several times now and went on a nice quad ride into KOFA land to Tank 8 on Sunday. On Wed. we will go with Patty and Dan, also from WA, to Queen of KOFA land and that should also be enjoyable.
Been watching the World Series at night--the Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays ---and the Phillies hold the edge 3-1 games in the series. We are cheering for the Rays.
Still hovering in the high 80's and low 90's but cooler at night now. Have to have the quilt to cover us up so at least sleeping is better than when it was hot all night.
That's about it for now. Will be posting some pics after Wed. ride.

Hog's Back

A pretty view over the valley from the Hog's Back!

What do Jer and Taffy see? Both intrigued by different images.

Hog's Back

It's official--we're in the wilderness area as we travel over the Hog's Back

Hog's Back

Went over the Hog's Back on Oct. 4th because it was an overcast, cool day and so went slow and captured some awesome pix. It is one of the prettiest rides and from the top you can see over QZ. Stopped at the Apache Cabin too but didn't have lunch there --too many people around. So, took a new trail and stopped in a clearing for a picnic lunch and then mosied on home from there.
It was a great ride and I was glad the weather was cool so we could go slowly.
Haven't really gone on any other long quad rides since then. Our friends are coming to QZ for the winter now and it is fun catching up on all their news and planning some future quad rides.
The weather is hot again, around 100 the past week, but supposed to drop to the high 80's later this week. That will be great if it happens.
Our campsite is about done and think Jer has done all the "decorating and designing" he can do for now anyway.
Guess this is it in a nutshell for now so be good til next time.

Here's the Wagon Master Again!

Had to include a pic of the wagon master, Taffy, on the job once again this winter!!! She just loved the longer
ride today since at home all she does is ride a block or two to get the mail with Jer. Taffy was soooo ready
to go on a long ride. The desert looked great today too as most all the mesquite bushes and cactus were all green, must
have had enough rain during the monsoons this summer.
When we got home, both Jer and Taffy crashed for awhile; the ride and heat tired them out.
Guess our next ride will probably be next Tues. I want to go on the Hog's Back but depends on the temp since I
want to go slow and take lots of pix this time.

Jer and Taffy at Jasper Springs in QZ!

Took our first long quad ride today and rode and bumped along to Jasper Springs in KOFA land. We noticed that
the trees and vegetation had sure grown a lot since last season. At one point we had to do the low crawl to avoid
getting any thorns from the mesquite tree. But, it was worth it to see Jasper Springs. Taffy immediately got into
the water to cool off --it was getting warm --in the 90's. It was great to ride again though and plan to take many
more rides from now until April. Waiting for our friends to arrive in QZ to accompany us and we'll have even more
fun then. Hopefully, it will cool down to the low 90's and high 80's soon so the heat isn't a problem when riding.

QZ --You better be ready for us, "cuz" here we are!

Yes, we arrived in QZ on Mon. Sept. 22nd, bright and early in the morning. Had to drive thru Vegas around 4 am before the traffic built up so that put us in QZ early too. Stopped for propane and mail before heading out to the BLM land where we took on water etc. and then the shack was open so we paid our $180 for the season. Came way out on south La Posa and parked one site over from our last season's spot.
Busy now getting settled in, getting inside and outside fixed up for our 7 mon. stay here.Weather still hot--low 100's but hear it will drop to the 90's next week--now that is more my speed.
Can't wait to get our work done and the temps to go down a little bit so we can all take a long quad ride.
More in a few days and maybe will have some pix to post of our first quad ride of the 2008 season!

Sarah and Joy

Sarah and Joy at Market Street Pizza on Sat night the 20th. Delicious pizza and rates right up there with Silly Al's of Quartzsite, AZ!

Jer, Pat and Taffy

This was taken just before Jer, Joy (my sister) and I went out to dinner. It was such a good time--lots of good food and laughs.
My sister came to CA from FL to visit for a week and it was a blast.

Joy and Pat

Here is a pic of my sister and I before we went out to dinner. We sure had fun that night.

Is Sept. at the halway point already?

Fall is officially right around the corner and that is good after a long hot summer. But, still feels like summer here and will in QZ too for awhile. We will be in QZ around Sept. 22nd for the next 7 months. So, will have lots of time to ride that ATV and explore new and old territories and hopefully do some geo caching this winter. Didn't really do much last winter as it was so cold and since we had to return home in Feb.
We are just about "ready to roll" (as the saying goes) and head out for the season. A few more items to pack in the RV. Seems like we have everything we own in there already though!!!!
I have a feeling this is going to be a great winter for us--can't wait to see all our friends again too.
My sister will be here tomorrow night after my daughter, Lynn, and I , pick her up in the late afternoon in Sacramento. Hope we all have fun during the next week. Sleeping arrangements and activities have changed so much in the last week, that I don't know whether I am coming or going---LOL---guess it will all work out as the days come and go. And probably good that the week will fly by as Jer and I are so anxious to travel and get out of Dodge.
That is what we get for loading the RV so early and getting the taste of RVing once again.
Well, this is about all for now and think my football game is on --so maybe I will go watch it--the Niners and the Seahawks.
Til next time ---Patty

September now and Jer is counting the days until we leave for QZ which will be on the 23rd.
Seems like we still have lots of work to do yet but somehow we finish everything and are ready to leave by the deadline. Can't wait to ride over the Hogs Back in QZ once again!
My sister arrives on the 15th for a week and that visit should be fun, fast and furious--like always. She does want to play golf with my daughter and go to Market St. Pizza which I said was like Silly Al's--(which she loves)--so guess my daughter and family, my sister, Jer and I will eat there one night.
Didn't do much over Labor Day weekend to speak of as never go far and fight the crowds up here from the S.F. area. We did go to Jer's son's place on Fri. to visit and eat and to my daughter's place on Sun. and had a great time.
Now, tomorrow off to the Dr. again to have my blood checked and then to get the oil changed in the truck. Last week we bought 4 new tires for it so we will have all the maintenance done on the p/up after Wed.
Have to go and do some more work now so you all enjoy. Football starts soon--good deal.

More of our dancing Cara. She takes jazz and gymnastics and just loves it. Is so limber--
think I would break my back doing some of the things that come natural to her.

Gramps is showing Cara how to "fly an airplane" on his flight similator --Cara did real well "flying" for the first time! She was very interested in the program. Gramps has this old computer in his workshop.

Labor Day Weekend

Gramps and Cara plus Taffers take a short quad ride. Jer just got 4 new tires on the quad so
we are set for desert riding this winter. Taffy loves to ride but says the rides have been too short lately.

Cara, our dancer, does her routine for me and is happy to pose for the camera. She said this is

to show that I knew her before she became famous!!!!

Alex, (3) is busy cutting some designs out of his paper and Taffy is supervising the whole deal.

Cripes--Labor Day weekend already!!! We are staying home except for dinner at my daughter's place on Sunday. Too many campers out there for us to venture out ---

On my last post I talked about the Olympics and gymnastics and the girls team won the silver medal and sliver and gold in individual events. Overall, the US did well in the Olympics --not to mention Mark Phelps the swimmer setting many world records and receiving 8-9 gold medals.

So, another Summer Olympics is over as of the 24th of Aug. until 2012 in London. However, the Winter Olympics will be in 2010 and that is really my favorite so about 1 1/2 yr to wait for it.

On the homefront, Jer and I are almost ready to go to QZ --just have the last minute things to load in the RV really. We are planning to leave on the 23rd of Sept. right after my sister leaves for home. Have to get to QZ and get the satellite dish set up so I can watch the season opener of ER which promises a good show and it is my fav. show!!!

Looking forward to my sister's visit --we will do a lot of gabbing, shopping and eating I am sure.

Jer will probably go hibernate in his workshop when he gets tired of all the talking!!!!

Have been hanging out with Jer's son, Coy, and family quite a lot lately and I added a few pix above here for all to see.

That is about it for now--nothing earth shaking in our lifes right now but it is down the home stretch now as we prepare to leave for QZ. We are getting anxious as it so much fun there.

Simmering hot in Redding again--102 right now. But, it's August --what do we expect???

Been watching the Summer Olympics each night and last night the USA men's gymnastic team won the Bronze medal. They were not expected to win any medals after the Hamm brothers had to pull out due to injuries --but I am proud of the team for their endurance and hard work. Now, tonight the girls gymnastic team will try to win gold. They and the China team are in competition for that gold so go USA!!! Stayed up until nearly 1 a.m. last night to see the end of the gymnastic competition; hope tonight isn't the same!!!! Us old folks aren't used to those late hrs anymore!

Also decided today that I have to get back to knitting slippers for our craft shows starting in QZ the first Sat. in Nov. Need to have a good supply to begin the sales. Anne is making microwave bags or "potato bags" which will be our new item this fall. I have made about a dozen of them this summer --they are so nice to cook almost anything in as food doesn't dry out then in the microwave. So, hope the bags are a good seller. Whatever happens, Anne and I do enjoy selling at the shows and have met many other nice vendors.

Jer (I think) is finished repairing lawn mowers etc. for the neighbors around here and can now concentrate on getting things ready to go to QZ in Sept. We did thoroughly clean the inside of the RV this week so that is all clean and sparkly. Hate to even load it and drag dirt in there!!!
Still have many jobs to do yet before we take off and one big thing is that my sister is coming out for a visit mid-Sept. which we are looking forward to.

Well, better sign off for now as need to go check the mail and see if I got any good news or money! Certainly don't want to find any bills in there--HA.

Beautiful view of Hat Creek