CHANGING GEARS AGAIN.

Arriving in Yuma yesterday was exciting because it’s  the start of a new adventure. We spent a lazy kind of morning, reading and staying warm. The desert gets cold at night and nips in the early morning. The time change was only an hour but I’m disoriented in my second kitchen and it takes a day to change gears.
In the afternoon, it was shorts and T-shirt weather. Jim moved the bikes down, put air in the tires, oiled the chains and painted out the name of my “new” bike. It belonged to my son-in-law and I couldn’t wait to ride it. I did six laps of the park and remembered I shouldn’t over-do things, as is my habit. Decided to cut it short and ride a bit farther each day.
It was like an old friend. I also reminded myself it was in Yuma where  my bike was stolen in 2011.  We affixed a brand new kryptonite lock and cable on it as well.
After dinner we set out for a  walk just in time to see the sun setting behind a  bush.

As we walked the park,  the colors deepen and become more luscious.

We turned a corner. The power poles could not diminish the beauty though I wished they were not there.

I’m back to using a Cannon which I think has truer colors than the Sonys we purchased. So part of this picture scene is a curiosity to see the difference between Jim’s colors and mine. But, HE is the better photographer and takes more time with his shots.

Even with the sun setting, turning East, Pilot Knob was distinctive in the Eastern sky.

We chuckled at the campers boondocking on BLM land just across the fence from the park.  They are parking free while inside the fence it costs $40 a night. Normally we would be boondocking but we got a special deal- free! The fence seems confining in the wide open spaces of the desert.

Near the pool was a lone palm tree saying goodnight to the sun and…

…reflected in the pool.

A candy striped sky just as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Christmas Eve and the living is Easy What with bicycling and ice cream trucks

Its true, I had four hours of dental work today. Not the fun way to spend Christmas Eve. But, again, life is good when you are healthy, have enough to eat, have good friends and a wonderful family.
Being in Yuma, I saw a hummingbird at the feeder we hung in our own private grapefruit tree. Yuma is refreshingly easy to find one’s way around. The street grid is set up with Streets flowing North and South and Avenues flowing East and West. Oh, oh! Can you tell what I’m about? Yesterday, I took a bike ride along the canal, moved onto city streets, and got disoriented. I spent 40 minutes retracing and finding my way home. I HATE admitting doing such dumb stuff, especially in a city that is so easy to navigate. We take our native intelligence so much for granted that we allow ourselves to be careless. I had no phone, no money,and no identification on me. Something any respectable grandmother would be sure her GRANDSON had on HIM. Fifty lashes with a wet noodle for me. But, hey, ten miles on the bicycle was just dandy exercise and I loved the cool wind in my face, and getting around on my pedal power. Virginia bicycles from Davis to Sacramento State every day she works. She is a dedicated Green, and pedal power is green and great exercise. She also shops and picks up kids at school from her bike. Virginia has muscles on her muscles. Hmm, wonder if I could wrist wrestle her and win. I used to be good. The challenge has been hurtled!!
Another nice thng about Yuma, in years past, children loved the jingle of an ice cream truck on the street. They are pretty much caputski now, but 5th St. still responds to the jingle of an ice cream van. I had to get a picture of this anomaly.