Now for the rest of the story ...

Drone picture of Alfa Roadrunner rigs at 2016 Quartzsite Rally

Before we came to Quartzsite, ten days boondocking in the desert seemed like a very long time. But, even though we really have not done very much away from camp, the days have just zipped by. My foot is slowly getting better. I continue to spend most of my time with my foot up.

Colored with PRISMACOLOR pencils
in Adult Color Book: Stress Relieving Animal Designs.
Purchased both on Amazon

Thank goodness for my new-found coloring book hobby! It has really helped pass the time.

On Friday some of the ladies had a craft show and tell. It was wonderful to see the creative things they have been making. I shared my color books and was surprised by the complements and questions. I was asked if I would do a class about color and materials at the upcoming Alfa National Rally. Unfortunately we will not be going to it this year. I felt flattered by the idea that I could advise anyone. For me, coloring is a natural act. Choosing color combinations is not a challenge. I don't really plan, it just happens, and if the results aren't pleasing to me, I just move on.

Sticking to a healthy eating program is impossible at a rally like this, with nightly pot luck meals. Knowing this, my only goal for January was to cut out drinking wine. I am pleased that I have been successful. Not a drop of wine to drink since New Years morning when I hand one Mimosa with champagne.

February is going to be salad month. No wine, and a nice salad with a low-cal dressing as a starter for every dinner. I know it will be a good way to help myself eat a little less fattening food for dinner. I am really trying to change my eating and drinking habits for life! I like salads, I just have to eat them more often.

Potatoes roasting in campfire at Quartzsite Roadrunner Rally

Speaking of rally food, one of the nights we had a potato pot luck. Everyone brought a potato, a topping, and a side to share. All tasty, but not very low carb or calorie foods.

George Y. and Barbara D. at the Bloggerfest 2016

Saturday we had get togethers in the afternoon and in the evening!

George was one of the coordinators of the second annual Quartzsite Bloogerfest. 

Thank you, it was fun to meet so many of our good friends for the first time and say hello to some of those we have met on the road. 





Other bloggers who have posted pictures from the day include Al and Kelly from The Bayfield Bunch  and George and Susie from Our Awesome Travels. People pictures don't seem to work well for us, so if you want to see some more of this group check them out.

Saturday night was the last Pot Luck with the Roadrunner group. We all wore our official red shirts. Craig and I missed getting back in time for the group picture, but here it is anyway.

Alfa Roadrunner Group Photo at Quartzsite January 2016

We enjoyed spending time with them.

So, where to now?

On Monday we will be heading down to Yuma to spend three nights at the Fortuna De Oro RV, Golf and Country Club Resort. We picked up a coupon at the Big Tent, for a free three night stay there. We have been assured by friends that there are no hidden strings attached. 

After that we will be heading to Tucson.

Check back for updates!

New Hobby - Perfect for RVing

I have found a perfect hobby for a color-loving artistic RVer.

If you have followed my blog from the early years, you know that in my past life, I was a working artist. I produced a line of wildlife sculptures that I sold at art shows, in a San Francisco gallery, and on my own web site. But now that I have retired, I no longer want to be constrained by one product line, nor by having to please buyers.

In the last couple of years I have painted many pictures and created many sculptures in my mind using only my imagination. They cost nothing, and take up no space. Imaginary art is for my mind's eye only.

But, my fingers have not been as happy as they could be. I did a lot of gross needlepoint on plastic matrices with yarn, and found it somewhat pleasurable, but I have nothing left in our Alfa to cover. Well actually, I do have a dashboard cover over half-finished that I will complete soon, but after that I have no inspiration.

When making her Christmas wish list, my 47 year old scientist daughter mentioned wanting an adult coloring book. I first saw them many years ago at a high end hobby shop, but recently they had appeared by the rackfull at all of the craft and fabric stores. So buying one was easy. 

When I went to pick one up for her, I was fascinated. Would this be fun to do? Should I get one for me too? 

I did, and it has been the best new hobby I have ever tried!

I bought the same book for both myself and my daughter so that when I go back for another visit we can compare what we did with the same pages.

The book I chose contains "mandala" designs. There are over 60 printed on good quality heavyweight paper. Each design is almost eight inches in diameter. Some are light and airy, and some have much heavier outlines.

I also bought us each a set of fine point Sharpie pens, and have supplemented mine with some colored pencils.

These are a few I have colored:

Why is this the perfect hobby for an RVer? Because it takes up almost no room, besides the set of pens and the book. It takes hours to complete each design. Once finished, you can simply turn the page.  No stuff to store, sell or give away! Well, I guess you could put your work on the refrigerator.

But really, the fun is in the doing!

I think coloring satisfies some of the same needs as knitting and quilting, but you don't have to buy and store yarns and fabric, nor do you have to find people who need blankets, scarves or sweaters.

So if you want to try something new, consider adult coloring books. The mandalas book costs about $10 at Michael's, and my first set of Sharpies was on sale at Staples for less than $15. 

Anybody can do it!