Bridget and Spike sleep late this morning.
Time to get up, Spike! You missed the sunrise!
I listen to their breathing, while watching the dark turn to light through the window blinds. Once they wake, it’s a mad rush to get them into their black suits and out the door to do their business at their favorite pee-tree (as opposed to a tee-pee!).
Walking to the shower house, the crew and I notice most of the campers have left. There’s only the camp host, one Class C, and our Casita.
Later a couple from Tennessee pull in towing a tear-drop trailer.
This is called a Little Guy, only five feet wide.
Campgrounds are ever-changing.
Yesterday the cool air was filled with the smell of barbeques and the sound of Spanish music. Souped-up trucks with loud exhausts hauled boats or jet-ski trailers by our site. Children ran by laughing or raced by on bikes, people hung their towels and camp stuff out to dry, slammed doors, hollered “Honey, where’s the big plate?” or “How many burgers do you want?” . . . .
Now it’s quiet again.
Empty playgrounds seem forlorn. What a happy place this was yesterday!
The only sound is the occasional, hoarse squawk of the big black bird cruising in great sweeps over the mesquite and juniper trees. He apparently has appointed himself in charge of the sky above the park. The crew and I have seen and heard him every one of the days we’ve camped here.
Yesterday morning I met a couple, New Mexicans from not too far way, who showed great interest in me and the crew living in our camper. They asked many questions and the lady exclaimed brightly, “You are so courageous!”
She wanted to know what I do when I get lonely. I had to tell her the truth . . . “I don’t get lonely.”
I invited them in for a peek at the inside of the Casita. They seem like a happy couple. Later they gave a big wave as they pedalled past on their bikes, while Spike and Bridget took me for another walk around the campground.
The crew and I ride into town.
I want to gas up the PTV and pick up a jar of canola oil, a box of tea bags, and some bottled water. Little did I know that the charming little T & D Market is actually a front for a vicious vortex of gossip which swirls around the lady at the cash register. I thought the cold breeze was from the air conditioner! I smile politely and escape with my canola oil, tea, and water.
Back at the camp I decide to line up the PTV for an easy hitch in the morning.
I fold up the exercise pen and velcro it in place behind the passenger seat. I rinse off the dirt splashed up by last night’s rain onto the lounge chair and side table which were blown over. They go in behind the driver’s seat. I wash all the windows, all sixteen of them on the PTV and Casita! I resolve to do a better job battening down the stuff in the Casita before we leave tomorrow. I’m still finding dots of pepper coming out from under the faucets and the range top!
This is our last night at Santa Rosa.
The crew discover another olfactory treasure!
I’m glad we stayed here for as long as we did.
At first glance Santa Rosa is easy to spurn. Give her some time and she wins you over with her charms.
rvsue
I wonder if the crew will start sleeping late(r) now that you are retired and the alarm isn’t ringing? Other newly-minted full-timers report that phenomenon with their now-constant companions. It’s fascinating to see how they are adapting to this new life.
So, where are you 3 headed tomorrow? Or did you say and I forgot?
Doesn’t really matter – I think you will find the beauty anywhere and everywhere you go.
The crew used to sleep later when I had to go to work. The alarm would ring, they’d go out to do their business, come back in and go back to bed. They made it hard to leave!
Now they want to get up and see what’s new!
With a name like Santa Rosa, how could it be anything but a perfect place to stay?
Doug & Juanita
Santa Rosa, California
Doug and Juaniita, (You’re Hotel California!)
That’s how I felt when I lived in Clearwater.
Hopefully a short drive to a new place to explore.
We spent some time in Santa Rosa, saw the most beautiful herd of deer, leaping alongside the road one sunset. Keep up the blog, I love your attitude.
Hi Kate!
I didn’t see the deer. I did see a crazy-looking jackrabbit!
Just jumped over here from Al’s blog (Bayfield Bunch) and I’ll be following along with you. I see Kate is already here – Hi Kate!! Interesting blog and I love the doggy stuff.
Welcome, Donna, and Kate!
Thanks to you both. Glad you like it!
Hope hitching goes smooth for you tomorrow. Can’t wait to see where you park next.
It’s early morning as I write. I’ll let you know how it goes later today.
If I don’t post today it will be because of no internet where I camp next.
Good morning, Sue!
It’s nearly 7 a.m. (ET) and I’m sending good vibes in a westerly direction for your day’s easy hitch-up and meander.
You know what? The only thing missing from your life adventure is knittin’ 🙂 Hmmmm … although your days DO seem pretty full already 😀
Keep safe.
Strong hugs,
Maggie
Hello, Maggie,
Thanks for the good wishes coming my way from the east.
I tried to knit a few times. Enough said.
Enjoyed your blog this morning and also reading about you–well said!
Hello, jclark!
It’s always a boost to hear someone likes reading my blog. I hope your day is great!
“On the road again….like a band of gypsies we go down the highway…….we’re the best of friends…..”
Safe travels Sue, Bridget and Spike……
Thanks, Greg and Jean . . .
Safe travels to you, too . . . today and always!
I get the same question asked of me because I am also a fulltimer. “Aren’t you lonely?” No way! I don’t have time to be lonely. Just because you travel solo doesn’t mean you are lonely.
I am really enjoying your blog. I spent yesterday in a motel room reading it from start to finish. I enjoyed it very much and feel like I know a little more about you. I know – “Don’t you have anything better to do while fulltiming?” No I don’t, as I am awaiting a part to repair my rig and get moving on down the road.
I am interested in seeing where you go next. I should be in NM with a couple of weeks and will keep an eye out for your Casita and the PTV.
Hi, Jim!
Wow! Yesterday you read the entire blog! I’ll take that as a huge compliment that you stuck with it, reading up to the present. I’m glad you enjoy my blog. Thank you for writing.
I’ll post an entry about my next camp later today.
You do have a vented heater that works off propane, right? You haven’t mentioned it, and yet… I have this vague idea that you don’t.
About a month from now, believe it or not, it’s going to get pretty cold up in the mountains at night away from electricity. And yet it will be the prettiest time of the year up there. Better get some high altitude boondocking done now while it’s pleasant to do so.
Bob
Hi, Bob!
No, I don’t have a propane heater. I have a heatstrip that works off the controls on the A/C. I used it briefly the other night and it works well. I realize it won’t be able to heat enough when the temps. drop real low. Between the dogs and the heatstrip I can stay pretty warm, but, of course, not when it gets down near freezing.
I will have to find a place where my pipes won’t freeze. I won’t be in the high altitudes for long . . . just had to see the mountains before winter.
I’m not totally ignorant of cold weather having been born and raised in the Vermont/northern NY area. You sure are anxious for me to boondock. . . no pressure there.
It will all happen in due time.
No pressure at all. It’s just a matter of remembering what I liked most about place where you are, and wanting to say “Look. Look there. And there.”
But you can’t look with my eyes. You have to look with your own.
I would not be without a heater, or the means to be away for weeks from the electrical umbilical, in comfort. But that’s just me. I get high on altitude. Soldier on.
Bob
Really enjoy your blog.
Thank you for letting me know, Gypsy. I’m glad you do.
What does PTV stand for?
BTW, you are an excellent, interesting writer. Looking forward to following your adventures. In no time it will all be second nature to you.
Good luck,
Fred
Yeah Sue you should start to think about where you are going to spend winter months….desert regularly gets below freezing in the overnites and that isnt just in the mountains…..we have a friend that manages a bunch of campgrounds in the Rio Grande National Forest in southern Colorado – they closed – locked up the gates – gone – as of yesterday.
If I heard the radio correctly, southern CO is rocked by more than cold . . . earthquakes, too!
My stay in northern NM will not be long. You’re right, I need to research my southerly trip. Now that I finally made it north! LOL