Starting the New Year at Wikieup 01/01/10 - 1/12/10

A couple of days after the kids left, our friend (and neighbor) Dutch came from Ogden. We were sad that his wife Gail didn't come, but we were glad to see Dutch. He owns some property right next to Nettie's Place and I have known him my whole life. He was a schoolboy friend of my Dad's. He was with us on New Year's Eve and we ate dinner and played dominoes until late into the evening (I think we quit at about 9:00), when he left and then we stayed up until midnight and then went to bed! Happy New Year!

For the last couple of years, there have been these three slabs of cement that someone "dropped off" in the wash down from our place. We asked about who they belonged to and no one seemed to know. So, we told the land owners where they were that we were now "storing" them at our house. They said it was okay with them. With Dutch's expertise and help, we figured out how to pull them the mile and half along the gravel road with the Hippo. We were not sure if we could do it or not.

Well, we did it. Two of them cracked, but there was enough rebar in them that they held together. We felt a little like thieves, and there were several hunters who went by and looked at us kind of funny as they passed us. So, for the next few days, we kind of expected the cops to come visit us, but no one showed up. We made sure that Dutch got one of the slabs so that we were not alone in our "dirty deed."

We had planned on mixing our own cement and pouring slabs for a couple of RV spots on the place this year. These slabs work really nice. We got one set in place and will do the other one next time we go to Wikieup. It is really nice to step out of the Condo onto cement!

Dutch worked with a come-a-long and got his slab in place. He really worked at it, a little at a time, and after a couple of days, he had it right up to his door. He had to move quite a bit of gravel and rock, but it sure looked nice when he finished. He wouldn't let us help him much. We only hope we will be in as good of shape as he is when we get in our 80's!

A few days before we left Wikieup, our friends from Emmett, Russ and Louise, showed up. It was fun having them with us. They are birders and it is always fun to walk the desert with them. We left Wikieup together and then spent one day at the next RV park before they left to go on. Hopefully, we will meet up with them later in our travels.

Terry had a brainstorm on how to make a bike rack to fit above our motorcycle, since we have two bikes now. When we had our tandem bike with us, it fit along side the motorcycle. He used a friend's welder and made a really nice rack. I took this picture but the the cover is on the bikes and you can't see the rack, so I will have to take another picture of it sometime.

Well, it has been a great two months at Wikieup and we have mixed emotions about leaving. It was fun having company quite a bit of the time we were there this time. We got better acquainted with some of the people, especially the Church members. We are thinking that some day we may spend most of the winter at Wikieup, when we get tired of traveling around so much. But, for now, we are off on another adventure!

Fun With Kids at Wikieup, December 2009

The weather was really nice after Christmas while Ryan and Sarah and their families were with us. The kids played outside a lot. We told them they could go wherever they wanted, so long as they could still see the house (only because the snakes were not out yet.) We could see them walking all over the desert around the house. They even made a "clubhouse" in Mom's old wash room, gathering treasures to put in it from all over the place.

There weren't too many lizards out, but they spotted this one and tried to catch it, with no luck!

Sarah's kids even tried their luck at flying kites the first day they got here. They did a good job!

Cameron was a big hit with the kids. He brought his four-wheeler and took them on lots of rides. We really enjoyed having him here and hope he makes it back to Wikieup sometime.

Here is Chaz, Ryan, Lori, and Terry relaxing in the swing.

One day we went to Dazzo's (one of the local businesses) and had ice cream. Here is Sarah and Lori sitting with some of the kids.

Ryan's three kids, Wesley, Chaz, and Ryley.

Sarah and Ryan brought their schnauzer dog and one day I found Lindee in the "dog house."

One day we went to Burro Creek campgound. It is kind of traditional that we visit here and go through the cactus garden and go down by the water.

Of course, one of the favorite things to do by the water is to throw rocks in it. Ryan is showing off for all of the kids!

Burrow Creek was nice and calm. Sometimes at this time of year it is flooding. We found a really nice sandy beach area and played for a while.

Then the "older boys" got into a rock skipping/throwing contest. I am not sure who won.

Before everyone left, they did a "project." This is also kind of traditional, to do a project at "Nettie's Place" each time we come. They dug up the water line across the driveway and buried it deeper so when the vehicles crossed over it, it didn't make it leak. They also went and filled up some wash-outs in the road cominging to the place. Good job, kids!

Two Christmas's ago, we took family pictures of Travis and Shay and their families on the picnic table, with the cactus in the background. So, now we have a family picture of Ryan's family--clockwise starting at the top, Chaz, Wesley, Lori, Ryley, and Ryan.

And Sarah's family--from the left, JT, Ryan, Lindee, Jenna, Sarah, and Luke.

Christmas at Nettie's Place, Wikieup AZ, 12/2009

We had Christmas in Wikieup!! We keep a Christmas tree in Wikieup, one in the Condo, and one at home. So, no matter where we are, it can be Christmas!

We don't keep any tree ornaments in Wikieup, except we kept the angel Shay made two years ago. When we had Christmas in Wikieup then, the grandkids made home-made ornaments. They were pretty much trashed after Christmas, so we had to start over this year. So, we put all of our very best gifts on the tree--our kids and grandkids. We took a picture of each one and put them in a little "gift package" and hung them on the tree. The grandkids had lots of fun finding theirs (we made sure the pictures of the grandkids who were coming were right in front). It was lots of fun making them and they are sturdy enough (plastic canvas) so they should keep for many Christmases.

We put up bows all over the outside of the house. Ryan's and Sarah's families all arrived, along with our nephew Cameron (my brother Ron's son). We had a full house and it was great to see it full!

Christmas Eve we had a bonfire to guide Santa to "Nettie's Place." Just before we went back in the house, there was a red blinking light crossing the sky. Some of the kids were sure they saw some of the reindeer's antlers. So, they all hurried back to get ready for bed so Santa would come.

Santa did find "Nettie's Place." He filled the stockings and left presents galore!

Christmas morning, the kids were all anxiously awaiting all of the adults to get up so they could come out and see what Santa left. Ryan's kids, Ryley and Wesley, and Sarah's daughter, Jenna, are sitting on the bed. Ryan's son, Chaz, and Sarah's boys, Luke and JT, are on the floor. Sarah's little one, Lindee, was with her Mom and didn't get in the picture.

The stockings were all spotted first.

There were lots of treasures found in them. Then Ryan did the honors of passing out the gifts, trying to get the kids to open them only one at a time so we could all watch.

The kids all showed off the tennis shoe slippers from Grandma and Grandpa. It was quite cool that morning, so they were nice to wear--and they all fit!

As usual, Terry and I made a real haul. The kids make sure we have a great Christmas!

It was sure nice having Cameron with us. It wasn't Christmas with his own family, but we tried to make him feel a part of ours. He had lots of help opening all of the gifts his family had sent him. He even got a pair of tennis shoe slippers!

Sarah and Ryan were even good enough this year that Santa left them some car jumper cables in their stockings--one for each car!

Here's the gang, with Cameron missing because he took the picture. What a great Christmas at Nettie's Place in Wikieup!!!