I could get used to this life. It’s easy to forget the day of the week, date or any other pertinent information related to reality. Let’s see, shall we sit on the beach and mindlessly watch the river or should we jump on the quads and watch mountain sheep or wild donkeys? Choices, choices.
But I digress. We arrived nearly a week ago to Emerald Cove Resort on the Colorado River. It’s a resort within the camping timeshare which we purchased last year – maybe wisely – and again maybe not. We’re going to have to come down here every winter for the rest of our lives to get our money’s worth, but it is a great place to avoid the rain and fog of the valley. The trip down here was LONG. Just for future reference, Highway 40 is positively the most boring highway in the world and the longest. After 8 hours behind the wheel on the second day, I was decidedly grumpy. My exciting audio book from the used bookstore turned out to be missing the last CD. So, does anyone have “Sail” by James Patterson? Do they survive? Does that snake of a husband get caught?

So we arrived and were rewarded with a beach front site (YEAH!) and proceeded to entertain our neighbors with our usual backing and setting up performance. Luckily, they’ve forgiven us. We did learn that the trailer does indeed have an axle issue as its wearing tires on one side of the trailer a bit strangely. Now the one tire is completely bald on the outside edge. So, again we’ll be supporting the local economy by buying a new tire. We’ll have to wait until home to get the trailer looked at closely.
I guess I should describe Emerald Cove in the winter. The mix of visitors is predominately snowbirders with a few younger families. It sits across the river from some million dollar homes with waterfront docks. The clubhouse offers inexpensive meals, games and activities. We have enjoyed a few meals which were cheap and not bad actually. There are two swimming pools (both heated) and two spas. They are currently in the construction phase of a mini golf course for families. Across the highway is a 9 hole “jackass flat” golf course which is popular with those who brought golf clubs. There’s also the usual shuffle board, basketball and the time honored tradition of bingo games and karoke. Tonight is enchilada night with a live band all for $6. Yes, this is definitely the life…

The weather has been wonderful and I didn’t bring enough shorts. Okay, I didn’t bring ANY shorts and only a few short sleeve shirts. IT IS WINTER AFTER ALL!! But with the temps predicted to be about 77 this week, I regret that decision.
There is free wifi at the clubhouse, but I have discovered a wifi signal near our trailer by an aircard hooked to a router which is open to everyone. I can link on quite easily. If it costs them money, they’ll quickly learn now to secure their network!
We met two neighbors and one has a “party barge” parked on the beach. We were invited to cruise the area and watch the sunset with some wine and conversation. It was incredibly beautiful. A different couple took a group of us on a long quad ride to a mine back in the hills. It was really cool to see the rock formations. Unfortunately, my quad decided to be a pain and quit whenever it felt like it. I wasn’t the only woman on her own quad, but there weren’t many. But it was a really nice trip as there are lots of quad trails around here.
So, now both quads are in the quad hospital. Maybe it’s more stressful on the pocketbook, but at least Steve won’t be throwing tools in frustration. We’ll get them back probably in a couple days.
In the meantime, we’ll be sightseeing to the Desert Bar (will explain later) and perhaps historic Oatman. In the meantime, PLEASE let there be a state budget solution. Those SacBee email alerts are a bit alarming when we’re sitting on the beach…