A boondock near Beaver, Utah, and “It’s off to mow I go!”

Today’s post features photos of a free campsite in Fishlake National Forest, a few miles east of Beaver in western Utah and not far from Interstate 15.

 Although not as spectacular as many other boondocks, this spot ranks high for convenience.  It is pretty enough, has no neighbors, and is a level pull-through, easily accessed off Route 153.   At the back of the site, Beaver River flows along the canyon wall.

If you happen to find this campsite occupied, go further east on Route 153 to Little Cottonwood Campground or continue up into the mountains to Kents Lake and Mahogany Campgrounds.  Photos and information about Little Cottonwood may be found at my post, “Guest Bloggers: Little Cottonwood, Beaver, Utah.”  The post before that one introduces this boondock.

Photos are from our camp of October 2015.

Reggie, Roger and I are off the road this summer, living in our house in southern Arizona.

Monday, July 16 (continued) in Arizona

After posting about the impending arrival of a new lawn mower and a few minutes before I’m about to set off to buy gas for it, readers alert me in comments that small engines don’t like gas with ethanol.

Oh.  Gas stations in Arizona only sell gas with ethanol.  I’m told Briggs and Stratton says ten percent ethanol is okay.

Well, I hold my new mower to a higher standard than that.  No ethanol for my precious mower!

What to do?

As is often my response to a predicament such as this, I do nothing.  Things have a way of working out.

Mike the roofer appears!

From a message he left on my phone early this morning, I don’t expect to see him today, due to the rain.  This morning it looked like it would rain all day.  Surprisingly the rain stops around noon, grey clouds float away, and the day turns bright.

“I need to measure for the fascia boards,” Mike explains.  “I also want to get some of this product (roof surface stuff) I left here.  I got a call from a guy whose roof started leaking. He wants me to do a complete resurface.  I told him I’m involved in a job right now and can’t do that, but I’ll come up and do an emergency patch.”

“Mike, I want you to look at something over here,” I say, leading him to the back of the house.  “Since you’re going to put up new downspouts, I’m thinking about having rain barrels put here and over there.  What do you think?”

“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Mike responds.

That’s one of the things I like about Mike.  He’s open to ideas and as-we-go modifications to plans.  In fact, I think he thrives on it.  Soon he’s deep into his own ideas how the barrels can be elevated to provide water pressure out of the spigots, options for handling overflow from the barrels, and so forth.

I also like that he takes the time to explain his thinking.

Cheerfully I mention my new lawn mower arrived today.

“I understand it’s not good to use gas with ethanol.  Where do I get gas without it?”

“At the airport.  That’s where I’m going from here.  I need to get some for my riding mower.  I have two acres to cut.”

Mike thinks for a moment.

“Why don’t you let me give you five gallons of what I have and then you won’t need to drive out to the airport,” Mike offers.

“Gosh, that would be great, Mike!  Thank you!  That would really simplify my life!”

I open up the passenger door of the Perfect Tow Vehicle and retrieve my new gas can.  It holds 1.5 gallons.  (The larger ones have nozzles so safe they’re impossible for me to open.)

“One and a half gallons will be enough for my little mower.”

Mike offers to assemble the mower for me.

I protest and he insists.  He heads for the front of the house with my gas can in hand.  I tag behind.

In a few moments Mike has the mower out of the box, assembled, gassed up, and the oil that came with it poured in.

“Okay.  Now for the moment we’ve been waiting for,” I remark dramatically.

Mike pulls the rope and . . .

She starts up on the first pull!

Tomorrow I’ll mow.

It’s too hot and humid from the morning’s rain to tackle the yard today.

Tuesday, July 17

I wait unti 8 a.m. out of consideration for the neighbors.  Four pulls of the rope (not the fault of the mower) and off I go!

Oh, how I love the smell of cut grass in the morning, especially when it’s MY cut grass.

rvsue

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51 Responses to A boondock near Beaver, Utah, and “It’s off to mow I go!”

  1. #1 ? Now I need to read, usually post after reading!

    • If there is not to much to mow I also love the smell of a fresh mowed lawn. One of the very few things I miss about my home outside of Sierra Vista. We are in hot, hot, hot weather. Helping a friend with part of her hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. Her husband has been helping, but she wanted him to hike a part of the high Sierras with her. We dropped them off near Independence, CA today and will pick them up in Mammoth Lakes in 10 to 12 days. Hoping to find some nice higher elevation hikes to do during the days to get out of the heat while we wait.

      • Lauri C says:

        In 2010 I was prepping to hike the PCT in 2012! I had accumulated most of my gear; began getting in shape when I did the Sierra Club’s Wilderness Program.

        It was an untimely discovery that I had Fibromyalgia. So there went my plans for PCT! It may have been possible albeit very slow…..however, I didn’t have the support or the funding to take the extra “steps” lol.

        Nevertheless, my life carried on and many lessons have been learned!

        I look forward to getting out more in my trailer to learn even MORE lessons of life!

  2. Lauri C says:

    Wow two times in the top three!

    • Lauri C says:

      I love living my life and just letting life take care of the little things. Mike seems very conscientious both with his work AND offering you some gas! When we get out of our own way, we attract what we need! Glad to hear things are going smoothly so far!

      Missed the dogs this time!

      I’m following another blog, “Kissack Adventures”, written by a woman, Nancy, who reminds me of you Sue. She just relocated to AZ again from California (yes, during the summer!). She has traveled the US in a 2012 Tiffin Phaeton RV, with her two dogs, Cooper (a poodle), Jessie (a Jack Russell) and Jonathan (my parrot). .

      Thanks for the update!

      • Lauri C says:

        BTW those of you interested in techy things, Google offers a tool that shortens web-links! It’s called URL Shortener at https://goo.gl/

        (I forgot to use it for Nancy’s blog address.)

        Enjoy!

        • weather says:

          Please don’t be offended, Lauri, I know you had only good intentions by recommending another blog. I think including a link to it may lead readers away from this page before they have a chance to participate in Sue’s comment section though. I might mention another blog and let everyone read this page, then they can find the other blog themselves if they care to.

      • rvsueandcrew says:

        Interested readers can locate the blog by doing an internet search. (I removed the link.) I’d prefer blogorinos not promote other blogs on my blog. I hope you will understand from my point of view.

  3. Carlene and Corky from NW Montana says:

    At least I’m not 48… lol… it’s what happens when you get back to cell service and internet… love your memories of great places…

  4. eliza in illinois says:

    The great circle of life! Joy in the newly-mown lawn, all these years later.

  5. Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

    Top ten? Hahaha! Will go back and read now!

    • Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

      I gotta tell you, that Mike is one very special man! He can do anything and do it with a smile 😃! Rare in today’s world! I am happy that he is treating you more like a friend than just another job! Good for him to recognize how special you are too!💗
      Next, do we get to see a photo of the new mower???? 😁

      • MB from VA says:

        Agreed Geri…..and I sure could use a mike around here. 😉

        • MB from VA says:

          My grandfather, uncles and dad were all guys who could do most anything but all but my uncle are gone now. And he can’t do those things anymore.

          There are still men (and women) who have skills like Mike but they are few and far between and always in high demand. I hope the young people/school systems will catch on soon. People with these skills will be needed more and more as we move forward.

          Have a great day down there in FL!
          MB

  6. Ken Canada says:

    Hi Sue…
    In Canada premium gas does not have ethanol.
    It is much better for the engne….lasts longer

  7. Columbus Calvin says:

    I never owned a brand new mower, but that’s okay. As long as it works, I’m good with it.

    Fishlake National Forest looks pretty good in those pictures. I particularly like the long shot of the PTV against the rocky face with the two big trees. It looks small but also epitomizes the reason for road life.

  8. Millie says:

    I just love that picture of the boys at the end Reggie’s smile brings joy to my heart! Mike sounds like a gem – we need more of his type in this world. Have fun with that mower!!

  9. Dawn in NC 🐈 says:

    How wonderful to hear and see Bridget and her guest blog! I really miss the Canine Corner. Mike sounds like a awesome person to know. First he gets you the gas, then he puts together your mower! I wish there were more people like him.

  10. Cat Lady outside Tijeras, NM says:

    Sue, you might want to see if Mike can add a screen to fit the top of the barrels so mosquitos can’t lay their eggs in your rainwater. No need to have a swarming, biting, plague of skeeters if you don’t need to. You might also be able to get those tablets that kill the larva in the water from your local hardware store. I’m sure another blogerino can tell you the name of the tablets…senior moment. Hugs to the boys.

  11. We have an App on our phones called ‘Pure Gas’, it will tell you nation wide the nearest place to buy gas with no corn in it… my motorcycle prefers ‘pure gas’, airports and marinas (or stations near lakes) often have ‘pure gas’ for boat engines as well.

  12. Mike is a good guy. Glad things are working out.

  13. Dawn in Michigan says:

    PS: so sweet to see z
    Brigdett again.

  14. Peggy says:

    So happy you liked my suggestion of a rain barrel or two! We love ours. We will be boondocking at Fishlake in Utah in early October. Thanks for the pics and info! Very helpful!

  15. Ozarkjoy says:

    I thought I was just too dumb to figure out how to use those gas cans.
    Must be a slow week at Amazon. My gadgets made lists again. ILol. Love playing with them. I hate cooking but have working men in the household. My 40yr old son and 15 yr old grandson who eats the kitchen if I don’t cook reg. So take spells buying new gadgets. Could the readers compare the nuwave oven with a halogen cooker and an air fryer. I have nuwave in house and never use it. I have a halogen cooker in camper and use it nearly every meal. I wonder if I would use an air fryer.

    • Ozarkjoy says:

      The bread maker is making very good bread if anyone wondered.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Thank you, Ozarkjoy. Actually sales have dropped lately which makes me appreciate your order even more! 🙂

      Blogorinos: Do you have a halogen cooker, nuwave oven, or an air fryer? Any comments, pro or con?

      • Dawn in NC says:

        I wish I could help in this matter. However, I barely used my oven! :-0

        • Ozarkjoy says:

          No one had any thoughts so I went ahead and order the air fryer. After all sue needs the money. Lol. Not. I think I’ll give away my Nuwave. I don’t like it. I run the reg oven daily for something and the ac has a hard time keeping up in a four bedroom three bath family room dining etc. this is a huge house with a multi family. But it takes a lot of food. Seems like I’m cooking constantly. I travel sometimes and I wonder how they manage but no one seems to starve. Did I mention I hate to cook.

  16. Rob, in Maine as of today says:

    Mowing the lawn! Enjoy!!

  17. Linda Sand (Minnesota) says:

    You didn’t want to mow after the rain anyway. Wet grass does not mow well.

  18. Ruthie in Fontana says:

    Hi Sue,
    So happy to hear you have a wonderful guy that is able to think ahead and do the job before you even need to ask. I know you can do it all but still it’s nice. Getting my Dad ready to go on a road trip with my brother. Dad is 93 and brother is 64. Dad is wheelchair bound but healthy. They are leaving from Fontana CA and driving up to Idaho, Washington and then home. All in 12 days! They always have a good time and I enjoy the break! My sister has been on a road trip for the past six weeks and should be home 2nd week in August so looking forward to her travel tales. Have fun mowing, be careful with flying objects. Thanks so much for this beautiful blog.

    I got my Dad a mobility step for his trip you may see that cuz I went through you blog.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Hi, Ruthie,

      It’s great that your brother and father are taking this trip together. Dad is very fortunate. Yes, I did see the mobility step. Thank you!

  19. Elizabeth says:

    What a nice man to help you out so much!! It is lovely to live in a place where others like to help each other!! I was thinking looking at the last photo…Now, THAT is a really happy face!! Haha…

  20. Gloria in Prescott, Az. says:

    Sue,
    My husband is allergic to cut grass so I have always been the mower operator when he is gone. We haven’t had one for many years but I wore myself out trying to start many gas engines so I finally gave up and got an electric mover (they don’t last long) and then a push mower. Well, a couple years ago we were selling our mortar mixer which had been sitting for years and couldn’t get it started. While searching for a solution I learned about Sea Foam. It is the greatest thing for keeping your engine clean so it starts on the first or second pull. It took us a few days of rope pulling to get the Sea Foam through the engine and cleaned out but then it worked like a champ. You can get it most anywhere and can save a lot of frustration in starting any gas engines. Have fun.
    We have had about six inches of rain this week, it has been wonderful!
    P.S. Have you heard from Rusty? Hope he is Okay.

  21. EmilyO in NM says:

    Wouldn’t ya know it, I get my 2 rain barrels set up and ready for the monsoon rains and the rains at the house have only half filled one barrel. The rains are all around us. Caballo got 2.19″ in 40 minutes a couple of days ago and not a drop here. Sigh.

  22. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    Hi, Sue,

    Mike is a gem! So,glad that your paths crossed! 🙂 Loved flashing back to see Bridget and Reggie hosting a post. She was such a sweetie! 🙂

    Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂

  23. weather says:

    It’s nice to see photos taken during autumn, and it’s a good reminder of how soon this summer will be over. When I woke up this morning it was only 48 degrees out, and I had left the windows open overnight. We will return to normal temperatures by midday and remain there going forward. It was a refreshing surprise. You wrote such a clever and funny conversation for Bridget and Reggie on the Guest Bloggers post. That campground really is lovely.

    As nice of a guy as Mike is, I doubt he is so helpful to all of his customers. Your being kind to and concerned for him has helped you develop an unusually good relationship.
    He has experience dealing with overflowing water and was the perfect person to talk about rain barrels with. I imagine you will be very pleased with the outcome when everything is in place with those. Coincidently before I came inside, and began leaving this comment, my neighbor that mows my lawn for me and I were chatting. What a sweetheart he is, always cheerful and considerate. I, too, love smell of freshly cut grass.

  24. Suzicruzi says:

    Hi Sue!
    LOVING Cottonwood Lake CG outside of Hot Springs! Larry wants to “just stay here”. That’s a huge compliment!

    We are off to see some sights, and later do some laundry. More later…

    Hugs! Suzi (and crew). Ha!

  25. LeeJ in Northern California says:

    How nice you have Mike there for information and the occasional helping hand. I also love the scent of cut grass. Since the drought we lost much of our grass, we covered the ground with the wood chips from our tree trimming job, way more simple and it looks great, plus controls weeds. I really don’t know if we will ever replant the huge grass areas we had before. When we had our son and his friends playing on it, it was worth the effort..now, not so much! Simplicity!
    How is the painting job going? You have me looking at paint chips, my sewing room hasn’t been painted in years…you trouble maker!

  26. Jim in Columbus Ohio says:

    Just a thought- you probably know but amazon has rain barrel diverters that fill the barrel from the downspout, then send the rest of the water down the spout. I have one and it works well. I’m enjoying the house preparations and renovations. I used to like doing that until I got too old. always enjoy the pictures and stories. Who would have thought mowing the lawn could be interesting. I use unleaded gas in my small engines and they work well. My mower is 19 years old and still starts on the first pull most of the time.

  27. cinandjules 🌵 says:

    A little bit of past and present……I like it!

    How sweet of Mike! Happy Mowing!

    Enjoy the day!

  28. Cynthia in San Clemente says:

    Oh my, what memories! Loved reading that old post narrated by Bridget and Reggie, and seeing his comment about her butt! I took Sammy and Lucy down to the harbor this morning to walk and was surprised by all the sand that had been washed up on the walkways around the harbor. I guess there must have been some big waves or high tides that washed it in. Afterwards we went to a little cafe where they allow dogs on the patio. I was so proud of my two – they really behaved and didn’t get into it with other dogs. Of course, they were focused on getting bacon tidbits out of my breakfast burrito!

    Mike seems like a really nice guy – you are lucky to have found him. I am still battling ants here. I bought out Lowe’s supply of Terro ant baits yesterday because the other brand I bought were useless. The guy at Lowe’s said to put the bait down and then I have to tolerate the ants for a couple of days – just watch the little buggers march across my floors, hopefully taking the ant poison back to the nest. I have a top 10 list of questions to ask the Lord when/if I make it to heaven and one of my questions is: Why ants?

    • Dawn in NC says:

      Hi Cynthia, I’m sorry about the ants. I know how big a pain they can be. I usually try to cheer myself up at these times by thinking how things could be worse. My response to ants is, thank goodness it’s not cockroaches! I would rather have rats/mice/ants/snakes vs. cockroaches. Occasionally, they show up where I work…usually huge and dying. I can’t handle it! I couldn’t get past a dying one outside my door the other week. I had to get the help of a young man walking down the hall. Usually, I am all for woman power to take care of things myself, but NOT when it comes to roaches. I don’t know how anyone lives in the tropics with those things!

      OK, rant over! I am sorry about your ant problems! 😉

      • Cynthia in San Clemente says:

        You’re right Dawn, ants are a relatively minor problem. I just get frustrated when I have ants everywhere and it’s hot (our A/C went out) and I have to make dinner 🙁

  29. Dawn in NC says:

    Anyone heard from Rusty lately?

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