It's that time again.

It’s that time again! We are getting ready to pull out of here on May 12 and slowly work our way back to Salem, Oregon.

April was a wonderfully slow and relaxed month since so many of the park’s activities were over and many residents left for their home states. We had more time to spend with great friends from Apache Junction & Florence by going out to dinner with them and even having some BBQs at their places. We will miss them a lot while we are gone!!

Ken & I did take the Wrangler out several times for some fun Jeeping & Caching adventures. We explored a lot of old roads that we hadn’t been on before and discovered a lot of great places. We only saw two Rattlesnakes and one Bull Snake this whole season, but we did get a very close up and personal shot of a Gila Monster on one of our last drives. He was not happy that we were invading his space, but did take the time to pose for us.

Because there wasn’t that much rain this year, the wild flowers didn’t pop out like they have in the past.  The majority of cacti were late in blooming, but the huge Saguaro's bloomed right on schedule mid April.  This arm was low enough that we were able to walk up to it and look right into the blooms.  Aren't they gorgeous?

April was a strange month for temperatures.  It hit 100 on the first (April fools) and by the 9th it was back to 55 and rain.  It only rained one day then it turned dry and started heating up again.  Thankfully, with the warm dry days, we had wonderfully cool evenings.  We did get back up in the high 90s, but mostly we were in the mid to high 80s.  Because of the varying temperatures, there was a lot of wind.  So much wind and high gusts that we couldn’t leave the awnings out.  That has all changed and now for May it’s turning hot!  Yesterday, May 4 it hit 100 and it looks like it’s going to stay in the triple digits today and thru the weekend.  We leave on the 12th and are hoping that the temps don’t get much higher…. Of course, Laughlin, Nevada is usually hotter than it is here in Queen Valley.  Thank God we have 2 heat pumps that work very well.

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone.  IF you go out this evening, please stay safe and drink sensibly!!