Sunday, April 12
The crew and I leave Ward Mountain Campground, Ely, Nevada, and travel north on Route 93. We turn west on Route 229 which takes us to the eastern side of the Ruby Mountains.
From there we go south on a dirt road along the mountain range to Ruby Valley National Wildlife Refuge and find a campsite in South Ruby Campground.
This is an incredibly scenic drive which I will show and describe in the next post.
There is no internet connection at the campground, nor can I find any for my Verizon jetpack in the long and wide Ruby Valley. The wildlife officer confirms there is no signal to be had.
In order to post this, I cross the Ruby Mountains through Harrison Pass and drive northward toward Elko until I pick up this weak signal.
This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places we’ve visited.
I have lots of photos, but can only post a few now.
A weather advisory posted for this area predicts winds in the 50-60 mph range with temperatures overnight dropping below 20 degrees, possibility of snow.
Obviously I won’t be driving over the mountains again to make another post!
Please take care of the blog in my absence by answering questions and making everyone feel welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
Bridget, Reggie, and I will hunker down through the rough weather to come.
We will be here for several days in order to explore and enjoy this wild and remote area around our camp at the base of the magnificent Ruby Mountains. You may not see an update here for several days.
I’ll miss you!
rvsue
NOTE: Please overlook any errors. I can’t take time to proofread and edit. I have mountains to cross!
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
🙂
Number one,Congratulations!
I almost feel famous, ha ha.
And you are, for 24 hours!
I would settle for 1 hour. Wouldn’t want fame to ruin me 🙂
You mean you don’t want to be running around town saying, “Don’t you know who I am?”
…like the song that goes, “don’t you know me, I’m your native Son”?
.? shucks second! Pretty day for visiting with Blogerinos.
Love the pic of Reggie in the window! Oh, and the views too.
Sue has a great eye for sweet pups!-!
That was the totally best choice she could have made in every respect!
Yep 🙂 Say Gail I grew up on the southern cal beaches, from Malibu to Redondo Beach. Wore a cool Tiki god around my neck and beat the bongos to Calipso. Those were the days.
Cool, dude!! It was magic, wasn’t it? I watch the Gidget movie every now and then just to remind me. Our local kids still keep the beach as a big part of their daily life.
You are a kindred spirit. I was 16 when the movie came out and wanted to drop being a Ho-dad and become a Suffer. I had a crush on the Gidge so bad.
“Acts about teenage, just in-between age, looks about 4 foot 3. A regular tomboy, dressed for the prom, boy, how cute can one girl be?”
Ha! I had a crush on Moon Doggie, I even named my skateboard Moon Doggie….what a hoot..ok now we are aging ourselves, but those were the days…I grew up at the Beach, Belmont Shore to be exact….on the Bay.
I go to the French bakery on Belmont Shores some Sundays. Cool neighborhood!
Beautiful mountains!!! Please be safe. Will miss you.
Love and Hugs
Between your answered prayers,Pauline,and ours,guess your sister’s safety is covered 🙂 Hope the rest of your family’s doing well,too.
We are doing very well, Weather, thanks for asking. I am a FIRM believer in the power of prayer 🙂
Keep warm!
OK, so what trouble can we get into while Sue and the Crew are away???? Just kidding!!!
That was my first thought too!! Like we should order a bunch of pizzas and have a big party (but clean up afterwards of course) It sure looks beautiful where the crew is this week.
And have a pillow fight!
Yeah make popcorn and stay up late watching TV. Maybe call the local Safeway and ask, “Say do you have Prince Albert in a can? You do, well you better let him out for some air” 🙂
LOL Rattlesnake Joe! Ahh the good ole days.
Ah, yes!!!!!
WATER BALLOONS!
HA! That always works 😉
The day you left Ward Mountain, both the daytime and night time temperatures have been steady rising. Today (Monday), it is 66F at 1:17 PM, and yesterday’s daytime high was 63F. And of course as usual, we are enjoying bright sunny skies (always good for solar panels).
Enjoy your new campsite. Perhaps the crew will cuddle a little closer tonight.
I will be leaving Ward Mountain Campground on Thursday morning to begin my northward track.
In viewing the photo, it appears that Reggie has everything under control! He has his serious face on! LOL! Great views and wide open space are so good for the psyche. Enjoy your break!
Enjoy the valley. Beautiful surroundings beat blogging any day. And once you’ve been refreshed by the beauty you’ll come back to the blog with more energy.
We’re headed out for some camping, geocaching and the Bluebonnet Casita rally. Looking at our weather forecast, we may be camping in the rain. But after the drought we’ve experienced in the past several years it’s gotta rain a LOT more before I complain and nothing beats sleeping in the Casita with raindrops on the roof.
Reine, which Casita model do you have? Do you also operate with solar panels or do have a different setup than Sue does and do you have a microwave?
Just curious.
Barbara, we have a 2000 17′ Casita Freedom. That’s the one with the captain’s chairs. Because our Casita is 15 years old, it has a totally manual refrigerator and water heater. We have LED lights and a Wave 3 instead of a furnace. With the manual appliances and no furnace our need for power is extremely low. We do have a small 700 watt microwave (think Walmart cheap variety). The majority of the time we camp in state parks or COE campgrounds that have electricity so we haven’t found a need for either a generator or a solar setup. When we boondock, we just don’t use the microwave.
So far neither a generator nor solar have triggered our “Miss it Twice” rule. Before we spend money on something for the Casita, NOT having it has to negatively impact our camping experience at least TWICE.
Paul reminded me that we intentionally choose campgrounds with electricity if we’re camping when we may need the Air Conditioner. We can pay for a lot of nights at a campground with electricity for the cost of a generator.
Thanks Reine.
I am still pondering, what RV I would like to have, if that ever comes to fruition, but am really leaning toward the Oliver TT or Casita Independence. Think I would like some sort of Microwave, as when I cook, I like to make a full size batch so I can have leftovers for lunches.
If I grill, I would freeze and just heat in the microwave, realizing the limited freezer space.
Barbara, we have a Spirit Deluxe with solar and a generator. We’ll be picking up our Oliver on June 3. So excited.
Congratulations! Which model Oliver are you getting? I went down to the plant earlier this year, to have a look, but did not take the plant tour. I was actually there on 1/21. I am not ready to purchase, as my husband has health issues. I really like the 22′. There was a gentleman there that had flown in from somewhere to finalize things. Maybe it was your husband?
Barbara – we’re getting what they’re referring to as the 23.5′
We’re going back to the plant today to finalize some of the final details as they begin production. We drove down (road trip).
Just remember that most RV freezers are just to keep already frozen food frozen. Most do not freeze food.
Our first trip we took ice cream, and it was very soft the first night.
I did not realize that. Guess I will have to grill one meal at a time. Darn!
Our RV freezer is ice cold! We always have ice cream, chili, and chicken in there. In the summertime, ice cubes made from ice tea. Ours is a Dometic, Gas/Electric.
Never had an issue with it not freezing from room-temp foods…
I haven’t tried ice cream but our freezer keeps everything I’ve put in it rock hard. The RV fridges don’t cool down like a compressor type fridge but at least ours works great. I let stuff cool down to room temp before putting in the fridge and usually put stuff in the fridge before putting it in the freezer. And I always turn on the fridge at least 24 or more hours before I start loading stuff in so it starts out cold and I load in stuff that’s already cold when possible.
Reine,
I bought the Lock-N-Lock Ice Cream plastic keepers. It keeps it frozen but not rock hard. Without it our RV Fridge would also make it rock hard. Maybe look into buying one of keepers.
Ice Cream is a favorite here at our RV home. I don’t think I could have a Fridge that didn’t keep Ice Cream well.
Reine,
I realize my question is going to sound foolish and I do know the answer but cannot locate it in my overcrowded brain at the moment so please bear with me, you have a totally manual fridge and heater as opposed to automatic ones? What year did Casita change this and would having manual be better if one was planning on doing mostly boon docking?
I’m wondering what a manual fridge and heater are?
Reine, where is the Bluebonnet Casita Rally? I also own a Casita (Spirit) and was wondering what these Rallies are like? I’ve never been to a Casita Rally of any kind… 🙂
The Bluebonnet Rally is in Bandera, Texas which is just a bit west of San Antonio. It’s one of the biggest rallies in the country. If you’ve never been to a rally you’re missing out on a lot of fun. Most rallies can be described as get togethers with an agenda of a few activities that are totally optional. They usually include a pot luck and some time for an “Egg Parade” which isn’t really a parade but is a time for folks to wander around and see what mods/decorating, etc folks have done to their eggs. And lots of visiting with friends and making new friends.
Check out http://www.casitaforum.com and look for the rallies and campouts to find a rally close to you.
Thanks Reine for the information! I’ll see what I can find. I live in Tucson so maybe in the future I can make plans!! 🙂
Reina & Arrow – there are several rallies and get togethers in Arizona. Check out the Casita Forum for the places and locations.
Hi!I don’t have a Casita…but the rally sure sounds FUN !! I miss Texas….
You can take the girl out of Texas but you can’t take the TEXAS out of the girl. Once a Texan, always a Texan. As the marketing folks say, “Texas, it’s like a whole other country.”
We are in Texas right now. Been here a couple of days. McKinney Falls State Park. The air smells so fresh, with a light floral scent. Humidity not bad at all. No bugs or mosquitos biting. We like it!
Reine, Have a great time at the Blue Bonnet Rally. Someday we’ll get there. You’re so far from us, but I always read the reports and it sounds like such a great time. We have a FD also. Love it.
Applegirl, We’re currently planning to be on the Blue Ridge Parkway sometime in July. Once we get closer we may plan a mini get together with a few other folks in the Eastern US. If we schedule it, we’ll have a post on the Casita Forum about it.
Sounds like fun!
Have you been to the Blue Ridge before? It’s beautiful!!! My motorcycle group rides the Dragon every year and camps there making it a full weekend. Always a wonderful ride and camping time.
Drive careful though, there are some real fools who take those curves way too fast and cut wide!
Great. I’ll keep my eyes open. Thanks.
Lovely mountain photos. Hope the weather doesn’t get too nasty and cold for you. At least you have one full propane tank and hopefully enough sun to charge the solar panels. Looking forward to your updates in a few days.
Cindy, are you our there? Have you made any decisions on your sewing dilemma?
Correction, should be –are you out there? Got my fingers on the wrong keys.
Thanks Barbara,
Yes, I’ve decided to keep the newer 7570, and one of the sergers. The older 7570 is going to get sold with a 20 year old laptop that’s only good for digitizing that old embroidery software. The embroidery unit from the new 7570 will get sold, too. I got the embroidery bug out of my system 15 years ago.
I’m listing books and patterns for sale, too. It’s going to take awhile to get through everything….Lol. I have to figure out if my Threads magazines are worth anything. My Burda ones weren’t…..Lol, so they got given away over the weekend.
I’ve got a huge fabric stash too, so since I want roller shades for my RV, I decided I’ll use some of my fabric to make them, myself. That should use quite a bit of it. There’s laminating shade material you can get….woo, hoo…that’ll save a lot of moola!
You know the thing I’ll have the hardest time parting with? The cutting table. I have the best cutting table in the world.
What about you, Barbara….have you started dismantling your room, yet?
Since I can not RV yet, I have not pared down too much, but due to hubby’s mobility problems, I am working on dismantling one of my bedrooms to move upstairs except for the weight machine which is going, and bringing most of my sewing room downstairs. If it gets too messy, I will just close the door. As soon as my sister figures out what she is doing, I will give my Kenmore to her. My neighbor quilts sometimes, so I will see if she wants some of my fabric. For right now, that part of removing things is limited. Since we are both pack rats, I am in the process of going through and eliminating unused and no longer needed items, as well as old paperwork. Some older furniture will be donated and any replacements will be minimal.
Sounds like you got a tough job ahead of you.
Have you looked at the commercial/height adjustable table I mentioned. It is on amazon and will accommodate a large 24 x 36 cutting mat, but not the 36 x 60 mat/ table you probably have, which is also counter height. That was my dream table, but I use the kitchen counter, which is quite long.
Actually, my table is 40 X 70, with drawers!
I know…unbelievable.
I did look at it, thank you.
Then, I started looking all over the Internet for everything both height adjustable, and folding…I would really like something a bit bigger than 24 X 36.
Actually, I made an error it is 24 x 48..Sorry. I think I saw one on Amazon that was 30 x 60 folding & height adjustable.
Yeah, 30 X 60 would be better.
When I get the JK sofa out…I’ll have 80″
Wow,who’d have thought when you were in Athens thinking “I need to escape to the fields again!” ,that you’d be happy even if they had snow on them?Good of you to cross the pass to give us an update.Enjoy being where you are instead of on here,you’ll be missed ,too,in a good way 🙂
Well I guess since Sue’s not around we could just go shopping on Amazon, huh? I hope she doesn’t have too much rough weather. Reduces the enjoyment factor if it’s too miserable for too many days…and all that without internet to distract and amuse you.
I feel certain she has books stocked on her Paperwhite to read. And there are dogs to walk, even when it’s chilly. And soup to make. Sue is resourceful…I’m sure she will entertain herself just fine.
Reggie, keep your eyes on the road and paws on the wheel! I’m sure you can handle it and Bridget will ride shotgun for you while RV Sue naps on the back seat. 🙂
Reggie in the front driver’s seat says to me: “Of all the people who could have adopted me, I think I got the best deal!” said Reggie.
That is too funny! Reminds me of the commercial where the golden retrievers are driving the car. I think it is for some insurance company.
Typical teenage boy. Sitting behind the wheel but he’s lookin’ at the girls. 🙂
Wow! Beautiful is right. That photo showing your rig heading down the gravel road sure could be mistaken for the Sierras around Lone Pine on 395.
And speaking of that particular photo of the Van and Trailer, obviously taken by YOU, and then the final photo of Reg in the driver seat, I have to conclude that HE was driving? 🙂
Opps! I did not look close enough. The doggies are hitched to the back of the Cas.
Hi Ed,
Hope I catch you this time. I’ve been leaving notes for you after your comments here and on your site. Was wondering if you ever ran into that ’10 years or less’ rule when you are on the road? If so, wadja do?
Wow, I was not expecting a post his fast, but then again I guess this will have to do us for a few days….well, I know we can keep ourselves amused somehow…We always do….I pray that Sue keeps her head down and the covers pulled up around her ears when sleeping tonight…I cannot see a more beautiful place to hunker down for a few days, and heaven knows we do not want her crossing mountains on a daily just for us…
Hi Weather, so glad to hear that your weather is clearing…a picnic sounds like fun for you and the troupe….any other surprises come your way?
Hello to the blogorino family….RVSue Nation.
Hi Shirlene,I hope your weeks starting off well.Unsurprising stuff is more like it,folks and critters wanting me to do things,meet places and such even more, now that spring is warming up.So actually the timing of the “break” here works out well for me,as I might not be around much.Be good to you,pal,and enjoy your beach life while I do the same,hugs,weather
So beautiful there. Have fun and take care. We will miss your posts. I look forward to them each day and the pictures of Bridget and Reggie
Enjoy yourself till we meet again! Be careful out there with no connection. Love the pic with Reggie in the drivers seat! My dog, Yochi , also likes to drive. 🙂 We will amuse ourselves in the meantime!
If you ever go to New Zealand, it looks like all the dogs and babies are driving. Think about that for a minute!
Gorgeous country! Sue has again introduced us to new territory–thank you, Miss Sue. Reg looks as if he has things well in hand. Bridget looks cool, calm & collected. Seems to me as if spring is a little slow in coming this year. It’s cold & damp here. Take care, everyone!
As always Sue, you take fantastic photos and that Reggie man looks great in the driver’s seat looking back at you, he’s so cuitties. We will be moving north Wednesday, it’s starting to warm up where we’re going. Timber says hi to all and give those pups a big hug from us,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Rusty
Hi Rusty,Sue has a great pair of furbabies..and as sweet as yours too!!Happy Trails!!!
Hi rusty and Timber, How far north do you plan on going? Hope you find a favorable location that has a good climate. Are you still remodeling your camper? I think you mentioned something about waiting for Amazon products to come in to install in the camper. Keep busy with all your projects, and have a safe and fun summer!
and have a cool and a fun summer
Hi Barbra, we moved today because of the winds, we are in Chino Valley, AZ, at our friend and his wife’s house till that storm that’s over 4 corners moves on. then we will be camped on Prescott National Forest, just off nfr 680 which is off 89, just a stones throw south of Drake, Sue camped there with us back in 2013 just before we got the home here in CV, in fact we’re camped right next door at Glenn & Gena’s place with Dixie that Timber talks to too . ,, The truck needs a rebuilt power steering gear box and I know a great fella to do the job up in Flagstaff that will do the work, only I must wait till it warms up and save to pay for the work. I’m going thru a quart of ATF F in 2 weeks and it’s leaking out both ends of the gear box every time I make a turn. I have a lot of faith in my Lord to keep his 40 year old ford f-100 alive, it’s his truck, I’m just the licensed owner. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Rusty
Hi Rusty, Your At Drake now, thats on the way to Ashfork isnt it? My husband and I used to live up in Groom Creek. (6,500) ft. Elevation, we always got snow in the winter, but the summers were just perfect. While living there we noticed RV’s would go south on senator highway up near all the summer camps and on the opposite side of the road was a dirt road that eventually ended up at 89a. It was out in the forest that Some would
spend their summers. I don’t know if it is still allowed but its a quiet peaceful level area that is worthy of a drive w/o the RV to check out the place. Bye for now.
Hi Barbra, I can see the Drake Cement plant tower top and mid lights and we are on the south side of Hells canyon, We can hear the train and heavy equipment moving around down in the canyon that’s to the north of us ’bout a 1/2 mile. They are talking , low temps in the 30s with 10% snow tonight and a warming trend starting Saturday. ,,,,,,,,,,,us
No mention that she got her taxes done. Guess she’s gonna run and hide. 🙂
Actually not a bad strategy now that I think about it.
Ya know…..I never thought of that..
THEY WILL FIND YOU.
My girlfriend never did her taxes in 2003 and 2004. I just did her taxes for 2013 and she mailed in. In 2013 she had a $3000 refund. Well, instead of a check she got a letter saying she owes $97000. Hahahaha!
Stupid taxes…..husband was furloughed like 8 weeks last year, my income was down about $2k, and we still had to pay!
Geez…
We had to pay too…don’t make much on retirement…and daughter had to come up with more than us and she barely makes enough to keep body and soul together…this country has quite simply gone mad!! Seems we are kind of indentured servants!!
PS…Hubby had to have his back/neck surgery this past July. He was in this sorta outpatient hospital place…sent home 8 hours later, unbelievably!! His bill was $35,000!!! We had to pay $5,000 out of our own pocket. I am glad we had some saved…or we would have been in trouble financially. But even the $5,000 seems more than we should have had to pay!!
Veterans should be given free care…after all, a goodly portion of their medical problems stem from their military services. Hubby is still trying to get into the system…served during Nam, but on a sub. He has now had 3 bad moles dug from his back. Skin doc says most likely from his exposure to radiation on sub…but so far, nope. But we went last week to a very helpful guy so we shall see. I feel he earned it, and due to a good skin doc, all 3 were caught before going too far. His hearing is going too…so I HOPE they will help with the hearing aids if that comes ere long. At least that much. I am sorry you are pulling your own teeth…you are more than brave!! Be sure to take care lest infection set in. It often goes straight to the heart. I suppose you know about things like oil of oregano, extra Vit. C…to help with such things.
If you have not made contact with the DAV-Disabled American Veterns , you should. They have been a big help to us.
Rusty,
I gotta admit, you are a true National Treasure! You and ALL Vets should get the best of medical care and benefits from our US Tax Dollars. You, and the others, took great care of our nation when called upon to do so. Our nation should do ~nothing less~ for you when you needs. It bits my butt when I see military discounts offered by businesses where it is just $1.30 or $2.00 off! Same as student rates. Dang, makes me see red when Vets have to pay to get in the National Parks and such…that’s just plain NOT right and I often say so outright too. I could go on but I won’t…
If I could I’d give Active Duty Service Members and Vets just about anything for free. That how I feel about what you and the others have earned. A bill I would gladly pay if I had the dollars to do so. Thanks Rusty, for your years of service! Sadly our country still doesn’t get it…We Owe You For Our Freedoms!
Pamela, I will agree with you wholehardedly!! we give billions to foriegn countries but dont take care of our own……dont know why Washington idiots dont see this!
chuck
Thank you PookieBoy. Sometimes I think ~they~ simply see our military and Vets as ~Uniforms~, not acknowledging the person who is wearing those ~Uniforms~. Why? Because it’s cheaper that way, IMHO. It think there is a thinking process that makes the Powers-That-Be believe military service is something the Common-People do to try and get ahead in life…VA loans for schooling and housing, etc. Certainly not something they would ever have to resort to doing for themselves. I do believe they see it as a ~classes~ thing. Like it is somehow a necessary thing for a country to have but it is seen as a lesser brow thing for them to consider doing. Sad really, I believe there is no greater honor than to be of service to one’s beloved country. I am very old-school about that. I have never served in the US military but I work very hard to serve those who have and who currently serve. It’s my way of personally giving back to those who ~Stepped Up~ for my Freedoms. Please understand this thinking is not about me, I have never felt it was about me in any way, but I do wish others would seek out ways to help our current military and our Vets. Many people do but still more do not.
OK, stepping down off my soap-box…
My daughter is a Marine. When she went off to Iraq as the war began, I was in charge of her checkbook. I cried when I saw how much she was making (and that included combat pay) to put herself in so much danger for our country. I could not believe it. She was a convoy truck driver!! All I can say is “where would this country be if it was not for our brave Veterans. Erika is an amazing women and I am sooooo proud of her. She is a Vermont State Trooper now.
You and I have had this wonderful conversation before, it never gets old to me either. Please hug you Lady Marine, currently a Trooper, and let her know this household supports her in all she undertakes in your oath To Protect And To Serve. May she be ever removed from Harm’s Hand as she straps on her duty belt each shift. Tell her Klemper and I said for her to Knock It Out And Get Back always!
Much luv and Hugs to you both.
Former Police Dispatcher,
~Once Blue, Always Blue~
BTW, if you are not a member of PoliceLink or PoliceOne please consider joining us. It’s free and is the largest web based group for LEOs and their families and supporters.
Krystina,
This post is for you, dear lady 🙂
Sorry I forgot to address your name first. It is 5:39AM, Atlanta time. Been up most of the night. So sometimes I tend to lapse about that.
Hey Pamela, there’s a new post as I write this so you may not see it but I think you have hit the nail on the head. With our all volunteer military it’s as if we have created this “warrior class” that the elite are glad to use but would never consider for their own kids. One thing about the draft was when we went to war almost everybody had a stake in it. The very rich still got deferment or easy duty but not what we have today. Hard to imagine our country on the almost permanent war footing we are now in if it meant that the kids of the wealthy were getting killed. (sorry for the rant, probably a good thing no one will see this)
Rick,
Yep, I do believe our today’s military personnel are seen as ~FUNGIBLE~ assets, to be moved around at will as needed by what seems to be an increasingly detached and distracted ~Upper-Upper Class~ set of thinkers ~ NOT doers. Sadly, apathy sets in and becomes its own cancer…
Rick, thanks for appreciating my viewpoint. It means a lot to know that people still care, still hold onto real values -old and new alike.
Nooo …Tax Slaves!
Well, I have it on very good authority ~ from one of Reggie’s rowdy dog pals~ that Sue and crew are laying on a primo Mexican beach complete with Margaritas in hand singing Latin songs! Reggie and Bridget have taken up surfing and Sue has learned to Salsa! More rumors have it that Sue’s tax refund has been the money supply for their latest adventure, HA! 😉
LOL!! 🙂
I know I sure would enjoy a few days of “completely out of touch”,…so enjoy!
Batten down the hatches and snuggle up with the pups. I’m looking forward to seeing your photos of The Ruby Mountains next time you post. In the meanwhile, your blog could run amuck when we jump on here and start tapping the keys.
I keep thinking about how Reggie seems to be taking this all in. The look on his face with those bright little eyes tells me he’s having a blast. I think Sue knows we’ll hold down the fort till her highly awaited return with tales of the adventure.
Yep…Sue,Bridget and Reggie love each other so much -can’t do better than that☺.
Have you noticed that Bridget seems to smile allot now that Reggie has joined the crew.
I believe she was mourning losing Spike but now Reggie demands all Bridget’s attention so she has gotten much better. It strikes me as a pretty happy crew now.
I had been thinking the same thing the past month….it must be nice to be leader of the pack
I agree. No more stink eye!
I agree! Right from the beginning HRH has had an entirely different body language. Love it! Happy little girl.
Yeah, she seemed downright grumpy before.
Reggie Man has brought us all sunshine…but especially to Bridget!
Safe travels….can’t wait to see our next site!
It’s nice to know there are places in North America that are still not connected! Love it.
I thought the same thing 🙂 Although I spend quite a bit of time online, I think when we find a spot that has no connections I’ll feel like I’m really in the wilderness.
It’s good to disconnect every once in a while 🙂
Well she went in the direction I predicted but not to my campground pick. Can’t wait for the pictures to come.
Hi Sue. As always you find the most beautiful and scenic drives. That Reggie is so cute
and he keeps you on your toes, but I know Lady Bridget will help you keep him in line.
Stay safe and Happy Travels!
I love the Ruby Mtn.’s!!!!Enjoy…you lucky lady!!Kisses to the Crew!!
Nice job,Betty Shea,of greeting so many !
Jump in blogorinos,if we all find a couple of comments with no response yet,and reply to them,I’ll bet we can reach every one of them,nice!As I’ve had way more than my turns before and am a bit busy these days,I hope you’ll enjoy doing that-for Sue and each other- 🙂
According to my Benchmark page 54, there is a lot of history in that area: Overland Trail, California Trail, Hastings Cutoff, Pony Express.
Take care, Sue, in your beautiful surroundings. You’re dedication to your blog is incredible. Looking forward to your next post, whenever you get to it. Be safe and warm with the cuddle bugs.
Following you on my maps and it appears that this area is pretty remote being a long way from any where. Camping near a water feature should provide you with some great opportunities for bird and wildlife sightings. The Ruby Mountains have been nicknamed “the Swiss Alps of Nevada” so I bet there are some stunning vistas for you to take in. Me thinks this would be great country for exploring and hiking. American legend tells of the ill-fated Donnor Party taking their wagon train through the Ruby Mountains several months before they became snowbound in CA. Could this be Harrison Pass that you came through? Looking forward to hearing the details of your adventures and seeing pics of this beautiful area. Be safe, stay warm, and have fun!
Audrey
It’ll be fun to see the pics when Sue gets back and there will be plenty I bet.
Beautiful spot. I know she will enjoy a nice break there, and she’ll post pictures when she can.
Woooo Hoooo 20° is a 3 dog night! Better adopt one more pooch! Let’s see, 3 pair of socks, sweat pants over thermal underwear, sweatshirt over thermal underwear, two warm, snug hats with ear muffs,2 quilts…..did I forget anything???? Of yeah, stuff all over the floor to keep cold air out! Whew, just wore myself out getting you ready for bed! Now to turn up the heater for a few minutes, boil some water for some good sleepytime tea, turn off the heater and snuggle! Have a good night my friend! Sleep tight with sweet dreams and warm toes!
Geri
Why are you still in the snow belt?
Why not ???
I have been a believer in getting ready for when SHTF time and Sue is sure showing me
some good areas to go hide if I needed to…..I started following her when she was in Why, Az and she has been in some desolated areas for sure….
hope Sue gets back soon or I’ll have withdrawl pains…. 🙂
chuck
It’s a good time for Sue to take a blog break because I’ll be spending the next 4 days or so on jury duty. I’ll be checking in on my breaks to make sure everyone is behaving themselves. :). Have fun!
Couldn’t you come up with some kind of excuse?! Just finished filling out papers to excuse my brother for life from jury duty due to paranoid schizophrenia. But perhaps that’s going too far!!!
Had a friend whose brother ate something the night before jury duty that gave him horrible gas (he says it wasn’t on purpose). The other prospective jurors begged the jury room guard to get him excused! Not THAT might be going too far :-))))
now, not “not”
I have jury duty coming up too, the end of the month!
The area looks beautiful now but in the heat of summer it may not as it is now…anyway enjoyed the beautiful snow covered mountains and the dirt road and of course little Reggie with his naughty little face. Enjoy your trip with the crew and let us know what you saw 🙂
I’m having fun seeing areas of Nevada that I have been all around but never in. I’m about 5-6 hrs northwest of RvSue. Today was like summer- 70’s, tomorrow snow and 30-40 degrees colder typical mtn. spring weather. Will start warming up later this week.
Same here in Arizona. Cool here till Friday then it heats up into the 90’s, won’t be long till our snowbirds desert us.
Everyone;
Well, Since RV Sue is without wifi, we should do something fun for her to read when she gets back online!
Let’s play the Alphabet Game! A-Z.
All words must be related to RV Sue and Crew 😉
I’ll start…and everyone can follow along.
When we get to Z just roll over and start it again.
Post your replies here and try to not use the same words.
Should be fun 🙂
A=AWESOME! All of RV Sue’s camps are AWESOME!
b= Blogorinos We certainly know how to entertain ourselves, even when our beloved Sue can’t join us.
y-Yes! While we miss her and the crew, they will get a kick out of reading all the cute word associations for them 🙂
C- wouldn’t the obvious one be Crew? The dogs are pretty cute!
You nailed it with CREW! I thought for sure someone would say Casita…
D destinations.
E – Everywhere….where Sue and Crew can go! (I’m so jealous)
I see I duplicated, too….didn’t read down far enough!! 🙂
D is for Dreamers (and Doers, too) 🙂
That’s good, Sue always says to follow your Dreams! It’s perfect!
OOOps two D’s…
E Energy both of the crew have it and the solar provides it.
E=Evening. All those wonderful evening walks and evening sunsets!
I guess I am duplicating so I’ll step out.
Frost, Freeze, and Frigid for tonight in the mountains
Jim,
It was me who goofed and did the E thing. Yours is much better anyway!
OK folks, we are at the letter ~G~ now…
Gigantic <3
🙂 That is my opinion of Ms. Sue and her crew!
Greetings Blogerinos!
The word got out that RVSue was on her way to the PNW so NOW the weather has decided to finally have a winter. It finally snowed in the mountains and some of the ski resorts just opened. The good news…snowpack for water storage.
For those of you that like the tiny trailers, Sunset magazine has a section on some made in the west. They are quite nifty but pricey. Seriously? $56,000. ??
Also in that issue, they show a tiny, foldable rocket stove. Like the Cobb style. It burns solid fuel, liquid or small sticks. Could be convenient for folks solo or tight on space.
Sewers…..any of you on road with your machine(s)??? Do you use the RV’s table or have a stronger one? Or have a set up for layout and cutting? Anyone use it while boondocking, with an inverter? What are the minimum basics you have in your basket/kit? Have any of you thought of or found a way to monetize your skills?
(Will I need an extra cargo trailer for all my stash? 😉 ) Oooooh…. How about a sewers RV rally? Perhaps at the SewExpo? Oh well, a gal can dream……….
Girls Gotta Go !!!!
Maple Valley Gal, consider an old fashioned hand crank sewing machine, they are easy to use, very easy to maintain, and relatively easy to find if you know where to look. Singer made gazillions of them. There is a yahoo group called TreadleOn that focuses on ‘people powered’ sewing machines. Great group that can steer you in the right direction if you are interested. A few years ago I saw a youtube vid of a young artist that makes her living using her handcrank, you may find it with a search. At the time, she and her partner were full-timing in a simple small trailer…
Maddy, I had thought I would take a treadle machine with me at one time. I used one, when I was a teen, just for fun. My old beater is still such a workhorse and I do my own tune-ups and repairs. It will probably outlive me! It takes up very little space. It’s flown to Canada and back with me. (the week after 9/11. I had to unpack it at customs both ways) It uses so little power it should easily be run off of solar; had considered converting it to DC. The new units with electronics in them may get messed up with an inverter if the power is ‘dirty’. Just looking other folks who just can’t leave ‘ ole’ Betsie’ behind.
The machine isn’t my main issue. I have had to shore up the dinette table from regular use. I don’t think it would take all that vibration and jostling from sewing. Will need something substantial that folds/stows for that and cutting. May be two different pieces.
Thanks for the input!
WOW! You really ARE into sewing! Do you make any RV related items? Short Queen fitted sheets or Custom Wrap A Round front window/friver/passenger door covers? The ones I have seen were really boring… Maybe a custom one with fun RV rated fabric would be great to see! There might be a niche’ there…sheets or quilts to match!
So far I put some fun coffee/tea cup print material in the panels of the galley cabinets. Put a full-encasing mattress cover on bed. Made a fluffy fleece sleep sack. Took off the door to the hanging closet and installed a fabric curtain. I made curtains for the bedroom that let some light in but quite private from the outside. (First thing I did when I got RV was rip out the nasty old curtains and tie-backs and valences 🙂 ) I made some curtains for the windshield area. They hang from a regular rod and cup hooks I installed right where the visors are mounted. They hang to just below the top of the dashboard. Easy up and down. Bright but private. I’m working on covering the dinette seat cushions, cabover pad, seat covers for driving seats, full length thermal drapes for cabover/cab area, and a new cover for a back-rest with arms. I will probably make curtains for all windows for every season; snowflakes, spring bulbs, fruit and vegetables, fall leaves. Of course, I’ll HAVE to make stuff for bedroom with the Laurel Birch cat prints I’ve been saving. So much fabric…so little space.
I’m not a tailor or seamstress; just a sewer. (Sewist?) I make a lot of pillow covers and cases with zippers. They can change a look for minimal money and time.
I saw some really cute sheets at Camping World that have the teardrop trailers embroidered on them.
Yes, there is a need for greater RV products of fabrics.
Major WOW!!!
Yes, you have been busy doing RV style sewing!
Sounds wonderful, I bet they are all very pretty. I can’t sew a lick, envy anyone who can. My mother could. She tried to teach me but I had other hobbies I was interested in…boys, lol, and sewing took a back seat. I managed to make a hostess apron in home economics class, laughs again, in order to get a passing grade of C.
Yes, I am that bad at it. I did learn to pay a private seamtress very well to make my clothes for many decades. She was wonderful and I even enjoyed the fittings sessions. We always had lunch together on those days and she would fix farm fresh Banny (sp) Eggs for us for Brunch. Her farm was always a fun treat to visit and loved her goats with little bells on them. Her favorite one was named Daisy Mae, after the girl in The Beverly Hillbillies TV show! She, my Sewing Lady, was such a hoot 🙂 I missed her when I moved out of state later.
You should open an Etsy shop for RV related items. There’s a market there for that, for people like me who can’t sew but like customized things.
I agree! An Etsy for RV stuff would be super! I sew as well. I have taken all the measurements of my windows and the “over the cab” one as well. They are all a drab lite green!!! I will get to it. I did make progress on the quilt I started 38 years ago. I am ready to put the sashing on! Yeah.
I forgot to change my location. I am parked right along the ocean…my lifetime dream. Listening to the waves last night was fantastic. I am on Rt 1 still going North. FANTASTIC.
So happy u have begun your travels…..enjoy!!!!!
Hi Sue…I just celebrated my 1st year on the road on March 27th!!! Learning something new at least 5 times a day 🙂
That’s so cool! Congratulations!
I’m sorry I missed it, but what are you hauling, and how hard was it to leave your old life?
Good Morning Cindy (and all Bloggerinos) I have a 27′ Class C 4 Winds. It is PERFECT for me. I love it. I wrote down the things that I REALLY wanted to have and got them all in the first RV I looked at. They were: an electric awning, a shower with a glass (plastic) door, a bathroom sink that was IN the bathroom and kitchen counter space. My counter is 30″ wide!! My slide out is 12′ long. I couldn’t afford to buy a car. It was really tough getting rid of ALL my stuff. I had a 3200 sq ft house with 10 acres and an incredible view, 4 decks, 3 car garage and a small barn… I was the Accountant at Bag Balm (made for cows udders over 100 years ago, comes in a little square green tin) and got let go when I was 65…for no good reason. I had to sell my house 🙁 I always said that when I retired I wanted to buy a Chinook (remember those) and see the country. My biggest dream was to camp on the ocean and here I am. It is fabulous. I sure hope that you will be able to get on the road soon. You will love it. Have a great day.
Krystina
That is awesome!
I’ll bet that was your dream property, too? But, no more upkeep, right?
So, how do you deal with not having a car? I mean 27′ is not huge, but it still doesn’t fit into parking spaces…lol
I really was my dream house. Not having a car has been ok EXCEPT when I was in the RV Park for the winter. People were wonderful about asking me if I wanted to go shopping with them. I just asked everyone if they were going shopping could they bring me along when possible. The only draw back to that was that I would RUN down the isles in Walmart to be at the meeting place as fast as I could so I wouldn’t leaving them waiting.
Congrats on your quilt!! I know how things can get “set aside” or not progress quickly…ha!! Sometimes my projects are like that too. Quilting is fun as well as regular sewing but I prefer a block of time without interruption so that is one reason mine languish awhile sometimes…
Hi Elizabeth!
I call my quilt BC (before children) and AC (after children). I started it BC. I took a class to learn all the different procedures so I have different blocks for each procedure ie a Sampler Quilt. The problem was that most of the 12″ squares have more then 50 pieces in them (one has 144! ugh – most were hand sewn) I had about 8 more squares to do and didn’t want to just put any old thing in it so I did nothing (AC). Now that I no longer have a queen size bed, I do not need to make more squares! I would love to get all the sashing done before I go back to Tier Drop RV park in Wellton, AZ so I can start the quilting process (we had sewing/crafts every Monday for 4 hrs). It needs to be hand quilted because all the squares are so old fashion and busy. Having it done on the big-ugh-whatever it is call it machine wouldn’t look good.
I am totally amazed at all the crafts the Bloggerinos do! I sure wish I could meet all of you someday! Have a super day.
THAT is a great idea Krystina…I hope someday to be able to do something like that. Right now life is too crazy busy…but quilting by hand…I took a class too…but never have used it. But might try it out on something small…like a pillow or something this winter…and MAYBE I might actually finish!! Would love to see your finished quilt someday…I have always thought it would be fun to do one like it so I could learn more techniques.
Oooo….what a cool idea, Gal!
Maybe we sewers could work on Beds for Homeless Furkids, all year. Then we’ll meet up to turn over what we all made to a different charity each time.
But, I warn ya….I only do animal-related charities…..not any other kinds.
🙂
Cindy,
Have you ever checked into Officer Down Memorial Page? I ask because they have the K-9 pages there also and many people donate to them for Police K-9s, Police K-9 protective vests, Police K-9 emergency care, etc. The man who owns the site is world famous for his works. His name is Chris, a wonderful person. Very active in the worldwide policing community. Google for Police Week 2015 in Washington DC. He/they sponsor it…a wonderful Org. They do great works! Can always use more donor funds.
Thanks Pamela.
Since I got hardly any extra money these days…I do voluntary stuff.
I hear ya there, Cindy!
Seems like even my volunteer work these days is costing me an arm and a leg too. What with travels to and from, lunches out, and some gifts now and then…it all adds up even if it is so called free volunteer work. We do what we can 🙂
A gal in Maple Valley, WA–my thoughts exactly on the Sunset trailers. I’ve subscribed to that magazine for years, but it’s definitely California, even when they have articles on the Pacific NW! Check out the Biolite stove online–I didn’t see the one Sunset had. It’s made in the NW & it can burn several kinds of fuel.
I met Kareninthewoods down at Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus, NM this winter & she carries one of her sewing machines–the one without electronics s if there’s dirty power somewhere her machine won’t get zapped. Their inverter is a 1000 watt I think but if you check on her blog she’ll probably have all that info there. Karen is also into antique sock knitting machines–she & her husband find old ones & refurbish them. She knits a lot of socks but makes money on the refurbished old machines. Karen is also a weaver but I don’t think she does that on the road. She is definitely be your go-to person for all matters sewing & crafting on the road. Just google kareninthewoods.
Hazel–just google hazelstravelinglife.blogspot.com–travels with her sewing machine too. When we were at Pancho Villa, Hazel, Karen & 2 other women in the campground arranged to use the education room in the museum to spread out the very old quilt that Hazel’s grandmother made & that she is restoring (OMG, what awful sentence structure!). Any who, they pinned & basted the backing so there would be no wrinkles in it & had such fun. Check in with Hazel–she would be a good resource for you also. She’s a full-timer & travels with her 2 greyhounds.
Hi Island gal Dawn!
Thanks for the info. I look them up shortly.
Have the growler planes abated any lately?
We’re in for some great weather the next few days. Is your paradise up there in full spring? Your area is some of the best parts of the region.
Are you staying put for awhile or have an excursion planned soon?
Do her greyhounds sew too?
Hi All, I’m an armchair traveler due to chronic health issues. I discovered Sue & Crew about half a year ago. What an inspiration she is! I have started reading her blog from day 1 and am up to about a year ago. I had NO idea how beautiful the desert SW is.
Since Sue invited us to chat, I’ve been wondering, any idea why many full-timers don’t cook with solar ovens? Thanks, I always enjoy everyone’s comments. Maddy in ND
Hi Maddy…how does a solar oven cook? I love learning to use the old fashioned Dutch oven with charcoal under and over it, but , hey, I am a firebug
Solar ovens are varied from a solar wind shade wrapped to reflect on a pot to a double insulated box with a glass window to huge parabolics which can fry bacon in minutes. It’s all what you have room for and desire to play with. I have a sun oven which is about 2 ft x 2 ft and a foot tall. The double plexiglass window on front is pointed towards the sun and the insulated black box holds the black cooking pot or jar with food. I can get mine up to over 300 pretty easy. I have hard cooked eggs, baked beans, cooked chicken, baked brownies. All by the sun. And it does not matter the outdoor temp, only that you have clear sun. People cook in Canada in winter with the oven on a snow bank as long as sun is out. Lots of videos on YouTube. If we sell our bus and get a class A I plan to take my solar oven.
I know of someone how swears by their solar oven. I have even thought of getting one. My only concern would be wild critters following the smells and turning it over of something. Have you had any related problems with critters going after it? Raccoons come to mind, they are pretty brave and curious. I guess you would have to stay and watch it until your dinner is done. Do they take very long to cook, say a baked potato or a bread pan size meatloaf?
Sue, I love cooking with the Dutch oven–in the oven & with charcoal. Honestly, I love fire too!! My Dad was a volunteer fireman on the Oregon coast where I grew up. When my sons were growing up, I was a Cub & Boy Scout volunteer so I got to be involved with fire there too. Now I’m relegated to the occasional fire bowl evening in the backyard when the grandkids are with us.
Maddy,
The non DIY solar ovens are a big investment in money, time and space. It is so much easier and faster to use propane. That said, I have made and used a few at my house/yard and hope to have the best-one-for-me when I get out there.
Hi Maddy, They are BIG and Bulky. I had one and it worked good but it took up too much room in my rig. They are lite and easy to use. Maybe if I get a bigger rig I’ll get another one.
Camp stoves are such a hard thing to zero in on.
Which ones to buy that will deliver and fit the bill, so many choices out there.
I am currently looking for a portable propane camp stove. A double burner one or one of the new ones with both a burner and a grill area. I find it confusing, all the choices! Prices range from $30.00 to $180.00! I don’t mind the money as long as it lasts and it is relieable.
Its been decades since I cooked on a camp stove. Mostly I use a Trangia Storm-Cooker Set for outdoor cooking, or a small 1.5 qt cast iron dutch oven.
When looking around I saw a 12″ charcoal grill from Esbit, that looked nice…
So, does anyone here use a Coleman-like propane camp stove?
If so, what model? Do you like it and would you buy that one again?
I will be using this kind of stove for Van camping, not while in my Airstream.
p.s. I have read the online reviews and sometimes I question if they are real buyers or not! Most say things like LOVE THIS STOVE and they have only had it two days or month. Not much help to base on 30 days or less…
Pam, I have owned the classic Coleman green 2 burner propane stove for about forty years and it continues to serve me well. It uses the disposable one pound propane cylinders but I use a connecting hose to a ten pound tank to keep costs down. I’ve never had any problems with it and it has been used hard–sometimes for extended trips of many weeks camping in my tent. It still looks like new. I sewed a quilted carrier for it to protect it from scratches or rust in damp weather. Both my propane stove and Coleman propane lantern still get used on my outings even though I now have a small RV. I prefer to do my cooking and living out of doors rather than use the trailer inside. All my Coleman products have served me well through hundreds of camping trips. I also have the old green steel-belted cooler that Colemen still manufactures. It is the original 5-7 day cooler, I think. The insulation on my old cooler is hefty compared to the ones they make today. I would buy Coleman all over again if they still made a quality product. My equipment was pricey when I bought it but here I am forty years later and still using it. If you can do it, buy quality. You won’t regret it. I occasionally see used camping items that are still serviceable at yard sales for dirt cheap. Also, some outdoor stores will have parking lot “swap meets” with the change of seasons, promoting an “out with the old, in with the new” concept. Good luck with your search and decision.
Audrey
Audrey,
Agree with you about the old Colemans! They are every bit the relieable ones of yesteryear. I have one like the one you speak of, it’s in storage in MN…:( so that’s not an option to go there and get it right now. The new Colemans and others, well, comparing them to the old ones I just didn’t see the value there in the newer models, sadly, but that is true enough for most of the new ones too. Auto starts not working, simmer valves not working… so I continue to look for something but not sure what. Maybe I’ll luck out and find an old one on Craigslist or something.
OK, Now I just feel old. (again). My “old” Coleman stove runs on white gas and is from the Kennedy administration.
Rick,
You’re not old, just seasoned 😉
I got to meet JFK during his Nomination Run for President. Nothing formal, just quickly in passing while he was campaigning in Charleston,WV. He worked very hard in WV, it was a must have for him to win the AFL CIO.
Ha…that’s funny. The Mob got him in good with the Unions!
Big Daddy Joe Kennedy got in tight with the Unions, as legend has it anyway, back then they called it ~Good-Ol-Boys-Doin’-Business~ lol. Now they call it ~Favors~. Nuff said, lol.
Totally agree! Back in the day EVERYTHING last as it was quality not quantity!
Nowadays its quantity…think about it…if you make something that lasts forever…you’d only sell a limited quantity…therefore your “revenues” would be limited.
Been debating on getting a Coleman instastart two burner propane for our emergency stockpile. The reviews are questionable as with any review.
Now made in China….which is eh? In my book.
Had an old white gas one back in the day…and loved it. Gave it away when we got the RV. Just easier to store the propane bottles.
Check the Camp Chef brand. My BIL has one at it seems like the best of the bunch.
Here is a great site for outdoor gear reviews
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Camping-Stove-Reviews
Hopes this helps.
Hmmmmmm…. found a signal?
I read all those from that very site, last night late into the wee hours! It’s a nice site for reviews! Yes, Camp Chef is mostlikely the way I will go. I have the big three burner 90,000 BTU one in my backyard with the grill box and griddle. It has always fired up and worked correctly for many years. Been very happy with the large one.
Thanks for thinking of me, nice suggestion on the link.
I also have my 48 year old Coleman stove and lantern with me. My kids and I camped all the time so they are well used and still in perfect condition. Never had a problem with them. My RED (favorite color) ice chest and water holder had to go when I sold the house to get on the road. Still usable but a bit rough by then.
I agree the old Coleman’s were built like tanks, lasted forever. Those who still have them are holding fast to them. Few come on the used market in nice shape these days. Back then, in the day, Coleman had the military contracts so most, if not all, of their wares were first rate. It’s the newer ones that many people are reviewing and saying they are having problems with them. It’s not just Coleman either, it is the signs of the times we live in today…costly and cheaply made consumer goods 🙁 IMHO, of course.
Wow Pamela…learn something new everyday. Did not know the military used Coleman. I learn something from all you Bloggerinos all the time. Thanks!
Krystina
Hi Pamela K, Coleman use to mean good quality. Not anymore unfortunately. You might find a good old one at a garage sale but test it out before buying.
Joe,
Yes, I have to agree with you about the new Coleman stoves. I have looked at all of them and they do not seem to measure up to the fine old ones of yesteryear. I was thinking a small Camp Chef maybe. We have the large 3 burner Camp Chef with the BBQ Box and Griddle in our backyard. Too big for the Van but built very well. The smaller Everest might be nice… Again, the reviews are mixed. I don’t know, maybe a Cobb Cooker would be best afterall…
I have everything I need for a good ten days out.
Except that silly camp stove, LOL. It has me stumped!
It should be sooo simple but chosing the right one has been a hard to pinpoint. I’m almost ready to buy a 12v RoadPro Oven and forget it, lol. At least I could use that inside the Van on rainy days using the portable invertor. Some people do not enjoy cooking but I do, so i’ll keep looking around for a good propane one.
If I were looking for a good camp (not backpack) stove now, I’d be looking at one by Partner Steel. Another possible contender is the Stansport Tuff Stove (less expensive).
Thanks Pen,
I was hoping you would offer up some suggestions. You always are on top of that sort of thing.
Thanks again, will do that and read some info about each of them 🙂
What incredible mountains with a beautiful view!! I’m sorry you won’t be here for a few days but will keep an eye out for your next post.
Hey you! How are you and Macha? Think of you often…..hope all is well!
Are we still at G in the alphabet game? I’ve got one. G = guts, gumption and gusto that Sue puts into her vagabond lifestyle. Okay, so that is three–I couldn’t decide on just one.
Who has an H?
Audrey
H is for House on wheels
“H”
Happy! Happy to be free! Happy with the crew! Happy Happy Happy!
We will be thinking of you. Your spot sounds magnificent! I’m glad you have your crew to keep you warm. We will be expecting to hear from you in a few days.
Mike Leonard
Oh COOL! I see there are some nite-owls here!
I think we are on ~I~ in the game now.
I don’t know why I keep forgetting this ……I know you have to leave most BLM camps after 14 days, and move at 25 miles away. But, when’s the soonest you can come back to a camp you’ve been to?
Cindy– Generally speaking, the 14 day rule is applied to a 28 consecutive day period. You may stay as long as 14 consecutive days before moving your camp at least 25 miles away, but you could only stay 7 days, move to a new camp and stay at that camp for 14 consecutive days and then go back to your original camp for the final 7 days . To keep it simple, I just move my camp every 14 days.
There are plenty of exceptions to the rule, however. I can tell you that if an area is jointly managed ( by either state, county, or another federal office) the rules will differ. For example, if the land is a designated national conservation area or some of the wild life refuges that are managed by the BLM, the length of stay is restricted to just a few days. Some wilderness areas in the West that are managed by the BLM are also restricted. It can vary depending on the public land and location.
Hope this helps you out and I haven’t left you thoroughly confused.
Audrey
Slight tangent, but this is one reason that if I can easily go 14 days between “pit stops” (water, dump, garbage, supplies), I’m pretty happy. There are some places where you can stay an unlimited amount of time (not speaking of BLM here), but not that many, and if I can easily go 14 days, then that means I can stretch it a fair bit longer if I need/want to. But most of the time 14 days is just right.
I mention it because when boating, it was common to go a lot longer, and so when I was first RV shopping I was eying up some of the bigger rigs with huge tankage, thinking that “of course” I’d want/need to stay out for longer time periods. Turns out I’m glad to have a smaller rig, and being able to make 14 days without much trouble is just great for me.
Sidewinder Pen, we’ve also found that 14 days is perfect for us. This was our first winter on the road & we loved our site down at Tyson Wash LTVA that we stayed 28 days. In retrospect, we should’ve left after 14 days. Live & learn, right? We also learned that it was okay to say “Next year” if we ran out of time or energy
No, you haven’t confused me…but you haven’t answered my question 🙂
I want to know when is the soonest I can come back to that original camp after I’ve been there the 14 days…assuming it IS a camp with a 14 day limit?
Since it’s (typically) 14 days in a 28 day period, you can come back after having gone away (at least 25 miles away, or maybe in some cases to a different ranger district I think) for 14 days.
I don’t have all the ins and outs memorized, and as noted there are variations, but needing to stay away for 14 days is typical (hence moving every couple of weeks works out tidily).
Hey…that’s convenient!
Thanks, Pen!
I live in MO that said COE parks allow 14 counted as 1st stay, move to different site in same park, nother 14. Then out of park for at least 1 nite and you can start over . Usually note that when they first come in, they move on to an acceptable open site that is not reserved for next 14 . Then look park over and choose next site ( in different section required) reserve for the coming 14. Then reserve a site fir one nite in the nearest COE park. And reserve next site in first one for 14 and so for the whole season. A large group simply live in one park. My DH likes to camp close to home and this is his favorite park but I like change of scenery and the kids prefer the rivers. Since we live within less than an hour of the Black, current, castor, gasconade, huzzah, rubideau rivers , natl scenic Riverways , Clearwater, wappapella, numerous sm lakes in natl forest service, and 2or3 hrs of lake ozark, Truman, tablerock, Branson, all the border lakes there is no shortage nearby places to satisfy. So I move after 14. But a lot of people like my DH do not . As you desire. Don’t know if FS would allow the same or not in a popular park.. Might never tried.
That’s interesting…thanks Joy.
My Dad lives in the MO Ozarks, by Table Rock Lake. I wouldn’t need to camp in the MO parks because he has his land, with hookups. But, I know they are beautiful. Heck…the entire Ozarks are beautiful!
I suppose each state has their own rules about it, and likely they are posted somewhere.
OK…back to the game.
~I~
I=informative
Sue is always keeps us informed about her latest news. Like now, even without WiFi she kept the info flowing 🙂 Thanks Sue!
J- Jack Russell Terriers!
Hi Bloggorinos!
I have a question about the Benchmark maps that Sue uses. I have no RV yet so I also have no maps. Sue always knows the names of the mountain ranges and information about the area where she is camping. Is all this information available on the Benchmark maps? Guess I will have to go shopping and get some so that I can keep up better with Sue on her travels! Way back when she started this blog there were a few times she sang a song to go along with her travels. Looking at the picture of the road she is on now reminds me of the Beatles, Long and Winding Road!
The history she must find online or perhaps in brochures if she stops by the VC in an area. The Benchmarks do name most mountains and forests. I think there is one for Colorado so you could start close to home. I’ve loved perusing the California one and I’ve lived here my whole life. Enjoy!
Yes, they are Patricia.
I ordered 5 or 6 of them a couple of months ago, and looked up some stuff. They will be very helpful on the road.
Good Morning Blogorinos, I am not sure who I am having coffee with this morning, but I wish you all a fabulous and blessed day….The blog is going great, I will be lurking while working for a while, keep up the good work.
I had coffee with you, Shirlene, I just didn’t know it until now! 🙂
🙂 Yep, we are on the same time zone, so good to have morning coffee with you….Let’s do it again tomorrow.
Me, too! I am 4 piers north of you — Huntington Pier, Seal Beach Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, Venice Beach Pier, and last but not least St. Monica Pier. Did I forget one?
Wow…I just went through all those places in the last two days! Beautiful!
Hey, Krystina; How much is it to stay overnight at those beaches?
Are you staying at State Beaches?
Hi Cindy…I am on Rincon Beach and it is $28 a nite. Only allowed 5 days 🙁 No hookups but they do have dumpsters. This place is worth EVERY penny! You can just type in Rincon Beach Parkway and find out about it…and it has some great pictures as well.
Just found a video from there. ..somebody caught a dolphin frolicking! 🙂
Also, I’ve driven by all the beaches off 101…so beautiful.
$28 can get expensive if you do it month after month. Ah, but it would be a nice treat once in awhile.
I’m so happy you’re having a good time!
J=Joy of living life on one’s own terms
I like that one, Jodee.
J = jelly with envy LOL….so beautiful where the crew are camped. Wish I was there too 🙂
K = Knowledge.
Sue and everyone here are always sharing their wisdom even comments regarding the little daily routines teach me so much. About RVing and about life.
Oh a game, oh how fun, I hope Weather is watching, she loves games.
L = Love….We all love Sue and her blog and of course the Crew….
L – Living the Life you Love
M – Mountains, all the beautiful snowcapped mountains surrounding Sue and Crew.
Or MAPS! Hurray for maps, I love Maps.
When I see photos like Sue’s third one, I often wonder what those first pioneers thought when they saw this type of area. Were they in awe of the beauty? Were they wondering how long it would take to traverse the mountains? Did they think they would make it? Did they think they would fail?
When you think about how slow they traveled and the conditions they lived under, it really makes you admire the tenacity of those first ‘campers’ out there!
I think about this all the time. How the pioneers must have endured all the hardships of weather, mountain ranges, rivers, etc. and also have babies, prepare meals (from what?). They were certainly tougher than today’s people. Can you imagine some of the prissy, stuck on themselves, scared of every insect kind of woman attempting such a journey? They would not make it far.
OK, Lolalo…I laughed out loud at your comment.
When I go to my dance class…I meet just the kind of woman you are talking about. I HATE getting into traveling or RV conversations with them. It usually doesn’t go all that well. They can’t do a thing without their husbands. Not a thing.
Yesterday, I had to repeat 3 times to a woman that most of my RV trips are alone. It just wasn’t sinking in. Then she had to go and say I needed to get a gun. Sigh….
Finally, I told her she was taking way more chances outside the door (of our classroom), than in her RV. She looked at me like I had 2 heads.
I’ve been going since September, and I’m still waiting to meet a woman there who I can have an equal two-way conversation with. I guess I shouldn’t hold my breath.
Good Morning Cindy and Bloggerinos. I know exactly what you are talking about. Wherever I go, when people find out I am on the road by myself they say “wow, you are brave” they ask me if I have a gun and ” you drive that rig all by yourself (like how many other people could fit into the drivers seat with me)…on and on. I chuckle to myself.
Krystina,
Don’t know if you will see this, but I had to tell you that I laughed out loud at your “Like how many other people could fit into the driver’s seat with me” comment. Hee!
I camped on a So Cal beach (forget which one at the moment, but a state campground) in the winter of 2013. Like you say, expensive and not much privacy, but the ocean was fantastic. Love listening to the surf (plus it drowns everyone else out!).
Good Morning Sidewinder Pen
Yep, the waves take care of all the noise…love that. The tide is out right now and I can here a generator…ugh it’s 6 am for heavens sake! I LOVE it here but sadly I have to leave today 🙁 Have a super day!
Krystina
~N~
Never Give Up!
Sue has been through the Good, the Bad and the Ugly and she never gives up!
Heavens knows she inspires us all !!!!
Good morning, Sue and Blogorinos!
N is for Naps….glorious naps out in nature, whenever Sue and the Crew feel like it!! Sounds SO wonderful…as I am wrapping up my quick lunch break at work! 🙂
Hope everyone has a wonderful day! I will check in later tonight!! 🙂
Well, shucks, Pamela and I were posting at the same time…double “N”.
O is for the “Oh My!” reaction that we have to so many of Sue’s beautiful pictures! 🙂
I’m gonna go with P is for Pauline. The sweetest sister a girl could ask for.
It was close though, she narrowly edged out Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!!!!
How very sweet of you!!!!! I am truly humbled and honored that you thought of me. Thank you.
P is for plentiful–all those great campsites Sue finds everywhere.
Sue
have been following you for almost a year, always anxious to read more. We are researching and planning our RV life. I remember you purchasing a new camera. Can you remind me what you have? Great pics…Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Sue has a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70; it has a 60x opticial zoom! 🙂
Q is for QUIET!….we all know what that is about…ha!
Q = Quiet. No generators, no loud music. Peace and Quiet please.
LOL I love that Quiet got twice! And I interjected where I wasn’t supposed to…
R Respect! Ones privacy, space, sound and needs!
I was gonna do P and Q….Peace and Quiet!!
S……gotta be Spike….forever and ever 🙂
And now I’ll quit hogging the game…sorry, work is slow, hahaa!!
What do you do in Costa Mesa? Just curious…
I’m an Account Exec for an electronic components manufacturer, I sit with my computer all day long, but get to work with people world wide!
Worth the ride from Corona then….I sit at my computer all day also, but within the year I will retire from this seat and into another, called and Class A RV seat! Yay! Have a good day Marla, nice talking with you.
So happy for you that your “seat” will be upgraded this year! Those are my far off dreams as well…. What will you be retiring from? You may have mentioned in past comments, but I don’t recall…
Medical Language Specialist (Medical Editor) at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange.. you probably go by it daily.
Nice! Actually, I gave up the drive on most days and take the Metrolink train! I can read on my commute instead of dealing with all the crazies! 🙂
Gotta love the Spike comment 🙂
~S~ does surely stand alone for SPIKE!
Wonderful choice of words for him.
and for ~S~ for SPECIAL, he surely was that, rest his ~S~ SWEET soul…
Yeah!
T is for tears, both the laughter kind and the other…………see above.
U is for under the sky each night! The most beautiful ceiling to have over your head.
Morning everyone, we are headed to Acupuncture for hubby. Headed towards mid 80’s here in my part of California .
Safe travels to you and hubby.
V is for Velda, one of our favorite blogorinos…ha! Just a sidebar…continue with the game…
LOL, sidebar, works for me!
and ~V~ for Victory!
I think Miss Sue has really had so many Victories through her travels with the Crew. Countless, wonderful days filled with new adventures to conquer.
Ahhhhh, thanks! This is the best of RV families!
~W~
Woman-Power!
Sorry guys, but ya gotta know that Miss Sue is Woman-Power On Wheels !
She Just Is 😉
Say What?????
I’m runnin’ this show these days. 🙂
HRH The Princess Bridget may have something to say about that, HA!
…But I think you’re right 😉 Reggie is such a doll!
X…for many kisses (and hugs:O) from all of us on those sweet puppy faces!
Y…….Because we love you!….anybody remember that! Ok another game.
M-O-U-S-E!
Now I get it! Boy was I slow on the up-take on that one. You said MOUSE and it all fit together!
Jimmy and Annette…and the clubhouse 😉
🙂
~Z~ thinking…thinking…
Somebody chime in. I’m at a loss.
Make it a grand finish! 😉 and thanks for playing The Alphabet Game 🙂
Zowie, that was FUN!
🙂
well, ya’ll plum wore me out so I’m gonna get some ZZZZs now!
hugs to everyone!
~later~
Z – Zion Creekside Camp where Sue and crew stayed in June 2012!
Just waving hi to all my fellow Blogarinos….
😉
Hello neighbor 🙂
~waves back~ 🙂
Good morning, Jim and Detta!!! 🙂
Reggie looks dashing with the Ruby Mountains as his backdrop. Stay safe and warm!
Good morning Sue and fellow blogorinos!
I’m throwing out a question for discussion if you all are interested…
Has Spring sprung in your neck of the woods? What does your yard/neighborhood look like?
My pear, cherry and ornamental peach trees lost their blooms last week and are now starting to leaf out. With the rainy/windy weather over the last week, my backyard was covered with white and pink petals – very pretty! Now my red crabapple and purple leaf plum trees are blooming. I was cutting grass the other night and enjoyed their fragrance. Some perennials are starting to show the beginnings of buds and others are just starting to send shoots out just above the mulch. My double red Knock Out roses are leafing out; the buds will be set soon. I cannot leave out my birds….evidence of nest building in the bird houses and boxes made my heart sing….baby birds will be singing soon!
So, what is in your yard? Sending everyone wishes for a wonderful day! 🙂
The ocean!
Awesome!! 🙂
You are sooo lucky!!! I am such an ocean-girl! Right now I am a lonely 6-7 hours away from the nearest ocean coast. That never sits well with me so I make the long drive every so often to get my fix of the ocean to renew my soul again. Savannah, Jacksonville, Panama City Beach or Daytona, sometimes Myrtle Beach, after the Spring Break crowds and before the start of the prime-time season 😉 Great fishing! Cheaper camping rates make for a FAB springtime trip. Golly I do love the ocean…enjoy your wonderful yard 🙂
We are skirting unbearably hot temps here, already. Probably in for a murder of a summer.
But, the citrus is almost done. It should all be picked from the trees, now.
The flowering cactus are all blooming….those are a favorite of mine.
We planted little flowers in all the ceramic yard pots…..they’ll last for a little while before the heat overtakes them.
I had started a little tree 2 years ago from a pod I picked up off the ground on my street. Husband put the now 3 foot tree in the ground in our chosen spot. Don’t know the name of the tree, but it’s common in yards here, drought resistant and fast growing. But, it’s not a “desert” tree.
I try not to notice the neighbor’s icky, poisonous, ever growing larger Oleander bushes now overhanging into our yard. This neighbor has waaaaay too much stuff growing in his yard, and is too old to deal with it all. We’ve had trouble with him before having his shedding Mesquite tree trespassing in our yard. He finally got rid of that after we told him it was a legal matter. Now, I foresee trouble with these damn Oleanders.
My Box Turtle; King Charles lives in our yard. He is in a modified industrial crate on wheels. He’s out in the sun. His lid has been open since early March, and he’s out running around, swimming in his “pond” and enjoying the little Lavender plants I planted in his area.
We have only teeny patches of grass for the dogs….the rest is gravel.
Oh…and a pole with seed cakes for the birds, which we get colonized Love Birds regularly.
We get Hummers, too. But it’s a challenge keeping up with the feeders in the heat.
Sounds lovely, Cindy, other than your neighbor’s obnoxious bush! 🙂
Even thought the ‘dandy-lion’ is cursed at, I think it’s my favorite flower. So bright and cheery. It pops up with it’s yellow gift in unexpected places. Have even started to use the leaves in salads. If you can’t beat ’em….eat ’em. 😉
I made a feeder (maybe like Cindy’s?) from a 4×4 upright in a deck pier footer and attached suet baskets all around, staggered. It’s at my bedroom window so I can view it from my bed. Talk about an entertainment center! Visitors this week: Steller’s jays, flickers, downy woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers (boy are those HUGE; they scare my panther, er I meant cat), a herd of tiny bushtits, chickadees, varied thrushes, crowned kinglets and a big ole’ crow. Lots more I’d need my glasses to identify.
Low and wide clumps of bright white candytuft are greeters to the paths into the half moon flower bed. Woods hyacinth in purple and white are going strong. Neon pink azalea is budded. Daylily’s graceful tresses flow in the breeze. The scorned forget-me-nots are an adorable blue haze for now, but….. True geranium has carpeted the once bare areas and buds are showing. Foxgloves and columbines reach for the sky. Artdeco style of the iris’s blades push ever upwards.
As evening grows closer, the resident birds come for a splash in their rainwater pool. It’s time to clear out, clean up and turn on their ‘amusement park’ waterfall and pond. (amusing for them AND me) Ever watch a humming bird in a birdbath? Bliss.
This small sanctuary in my yard is the only thing I will miss.
Wow…Gal! I gots to get my butt up to WA!
That “rain forest” of yours sounds “heavenly.” I would squeal in delight if all those birds and flowers showed up in my yard! I can’t blame you for missing that….but I hear from Nomadic Fanatic that the forests up there are really nice to stay in. You’d probably see all those birds and more….
My feeder is a pole stuck down in concrete underground. It has super long horizontally curved hooks on it.
Husband made a sort of holder with a hook for the extra large-sized seed logs you can get from Drs Foster and Smith Wildbird catalog.
I buy them like 10 at time to get the 6fer price, and so they won’t have to be shipped in the heat.
Then I put them in the freezer, since I had a mold problem develop when they were in the pantry.
Cindy,
Washington state has every climate one could desire, except tropical. Costal, desert, plains, alpine, metro and all within 2 – 3 hours drive. Swim in the sound with the whales and octopus, then head up the pass for night skiing.
Who knows what the future will bring….. we’re overdue for ‘the big one’ and the western half will fall into the Pacific. Or Mt. St. Helens will blow again or else it’s Mt. Rainier’s turn to go. We are getting radioactive stuff washing up from the disaster in Japan. We, too, are going to be in drought this year. Landslides that take out entire towns. Forest fires wiping out 3 counties. Oh….and we are really close to North Korea and Russia who may send us a ‘gift’. And someone let Shell oil use Puget Sound to base their drilling rigs and platforms.
But it’s b e a u t i f u l here ! Come up for the excitement!
Seams 😉 we are in the dilemma about our creative space.
Yeah…I heard about the radiation. That sucks.
It sounds like you’re going through what CA went through in the 90s.
As far as the “Big One;” when I went to CA in 1968, I was getting letters from my family still in Chicago bemoaning all this stuff how they hope they don’t lose me to the “Big One.”
Geez…I was 11 years old!
I love your description of your yard as your sanctuary! My yard is my sanctuary, too. Several years ago, a busy road was installed adjacent to my property. They had to move the utilities further into my backyard. Long story short, 20 trees were taken down, and I lost my buffer. I have planted some hollies and plan to add a few Green Giant Thujas this year. With time, I will get my sight and sound buffer back. I have managed to keep most of the birds attracted to my yard with food and water, but the reduced nesting/hiding spots have impacted them. Sadly, I think my brown thrush family has left for good. Do you have fish in your pond?
Denise, no fish but visiting frogs. The eagles and raccoons enjoy the snacks people put in their ponds here. I have a river down the hill and in the fall, the salmon come upstream to mate, then to …… but they feed all the wildlife and plants with their sacrificed bodies. The banks are splashed with the now – red fish. An phewwy does it smell then.
I feel your pain losing your trees. Same here. Major gas pipe line construction took 40′ of my front yard and murdered 9 of my 60 year old, 100+’ cedar trees. Couldn’t see my house from the street before. I feel so exposed and naked now. I love thujas, emerald aboratives. Would have put them where the trees were, but my life took a sharp turn. So I will be discovering other environments in the future. Perhaps in RVSue’s tracks.
Wow, Gal, love your descriptions! I live north of Kansas City and love to feed the birds, etc. but I am so tired of the raccoon’s tearing up my feeders at night. I’ve started bringing in my feeders at night, but gosh, it’s a pain, the putting them out in the morning. What is funny is that the birds are hovering around waiting for me! Kay from KC!
Wow…that is a pain.
My dad relocated a raccoon that he trapped a couple years back. He’s in MO.
What a fun question! So positive to think about Springtime arriving everywhere. My yard is a campground. Signs of blooms and much grass cutting already this Spring. And the rains…when others are crying out for rains, we are pretty tired of it already proving nothing is ever quite perfect, lol. The trees are slower to respond to Spring it seems. Some are getting buds while others are still sleeping, waiting for more warmer days. No doubt that Spring has sprung though as the campground cats are recently on the prowl for kind people to give them treats. One black and white cat is making the rounds with popular response, a cutie-pie with attitude who enjoys laying on everyones patio rugs in the daytime sun. Sometimes she/he will meow to my cat through the open windows. It is funny to watch and I can only guess what stories they tell each other, lol. I love Spring!!! Several neighbors are dragging their outdoor things outside again. Planters, pots, fire pits, loungers pop up like flowers at the first show of the warmer days. It’s all good! 🙂 Happy Springtime, Everyone!
Hi Pamela,
When your yard is a campground, your view can change at your whim! 🙂
Denise, spring has definitely sprung here in our yard–a certified Wildlife Habitat. Check out the National Wildlife Federation–if you have food water, cover & a place to raise young, you could certify your yard too.
There is a cacophony of bird song in the morning as the sun rises–it reminds me of a rain forest with the constant hum of song. The lilacs are blooming & the apple trees in the orchard are in bloom. The pear & plum trees should be in bloom soon. Unfortunately, this is the 2nd year of tent caterpillar infestation so we’ll have those nasty things to contend with. Jim has cut the grass once since we got home in late March & thatched the entire yard. Thatching removes moss from the grass so the grass has a chance to grow. Jim does this every other year & there was a lot of moss this year. And oh yes, the weeds are coming along nicely! The Madrona trees on the bluff at the state park where we take our walk haven’t started blooming yet–it’s lovely when they do.
This has been an eagle spring for us. Ari started barking one afternoon at the back window. We went to see what was going on & saw a huge eagle sitting in one of the fir trees. He lifted off, swooped gracefully through the trees & was gone. Two days later, I was coming onto the island from town & saw a HUGE eagle riding the currents just off the bridge–wings outstretched & not moving at all. It was a stunning sight. Ironically, we can go 2-3 years without seeing an eagle so seeing 2 in one week is quite significant.
We love our little patch of heaven here at the end of the road. Wish you were here.
Good morning, Dawn,
Thank you for the reminder about the Wildlife Habitat certification program. I have been meaning to get the certification, with your reminder, that task is now on the front burner – to be done! 🙂 Your little patch of heaven sounds lovely! My lilacs started blooming, too. I have a Persian variety planted on the edge of my patio. The fragrance is heavenly, especially after a rainstorm! An eagle in your yard – Wow!! We have four pairs of eagles that nest along the James River. Several years ago, I took a cruise in a pontoon boat to shoot pictures of the majestic birds – so awesome! 🙂
Whats in my yard??
WORMS!! This is the season for the green army worms (as we called them growing up) and I have never seen it this bad. We have to wear a hat every time we walk outside. Webs cover everything!! They would cover the dog if he didn’t keep moving! Ha! But, also, beautiful gorgeous wildflowers! Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, pink primroses, meadow pinks, Texas Vervane, Wine cups, Coreopsis and thistles that the Monarch Butterflies sip on. The worms are abating, though, but the wildflowers live on! Also, I checked one of my bluebird houses the other day-tapped on it to make sure there was no one home and I opened the door and a momma bluebird is sitting on the nest inside and looks over her little shoulder/wing at me as if to say Do you mind???
I quickly closed the door!
Happy Spring Everyone!!
Worms – at first glance, I thought you were talking about the good, earth worms! What pests! Do they kill or maim the trees in your area? You’ll have bluebird babies soon! 🙂
Yeah, me too. I was thinking King Charles would love to eat them!
Extra protein! 🙂
Since there are no wild night crawlers, snails, or slugs around here for him to eat, I have to go to a bait shop, or the Sporting goods dept at WM, and buy him the large night crawlers. He eats up to 3 a day at this time of year.
He also gets blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. His favorite is stawberries.
I tried growing strawberry plants in his area, but the stupid heat doesn’t the fruit develop right. Oh well, he still gets the benefit of the leaves, for shade.
Cindy the Pet sitter,
I missed what kind of a critter King Charles is. I’m trying to visualize who eat worms and blue berries.
Oh…LOL!
King Charles is a Three-Toed Box Turtle. Native to the Mid-West and South. There are sub-species throughout the regions.
I’ve had him about 20 years. He’s maybe 6″ long X 4″ wide. He won’t get any bigger. He is very pretty colored with bright orange lines on his head and eyes…that marks him as a male. The females are larger, and dull brownish greenish. Helps them to hide better when laying eggs.
His original name was Charlie, then a few years ago my daughter adopted a Chi-Weenie, and named him Charlie. 🙂
So, Charlie #1 became King Charles.
Thanks for asking about him, Marilu!
Oh Yes, the trees leaf out and then WHAM! the worms come and eat them all off. But, this is a natural cycle, however gross, the trees put their leaves on. Its just harder on them if there is no rain. Fortunately, we had 10 inches in March where we live. Not much so far in April, though. The birds love the worms-I haven’t had to put out feed in a week.
Who would have thought that the worms would help out one’s budget. Your supply of bird seed will last a bit longer, with the birds feasting on the worms! 🙂
I meant to say, the trees put their leaves BACK on, after the worms eat them all off.
In a short hike last weekend I saw my first Eastern Bluebird of the year, also the last of the snow piles behind my house finally went away. Daffodils are up, Grape Hyacinth coming up in lawns all over the neighborhood. The lakes are still mostly frozen but they are showing signs of breaking up which means the geese and ducks will have an easier time of it soon. Most of the trees are starting to get buds, also a very good sign.
April 15th I think I can safely say that this winter was not as bad as the past couple of years. It seems like the only colder than normal pockets on the planet shifted a bit to the east and took aim at CinandJules and Weather (sorry about that gals)
No more snow piles – yippee! 🙂 Earlier this week, I saw a picture of a man paddle boarding in maybe Ohio or Michigan on a lake. He was navigating through broken chunks of ice. He had a wet suit on, but must have been freezing – I thought Lord help him if he falls in!
We have been having so much wind, what a pain. When Sue posted that the area she was in was expecting wind, I never thought it would be so bad, did you see on the news that there was a multi fatality pile up in Nevada caused by the wind? Made me concerned for Sue. It will be good when she is back in range to post..
As for what is in my yard, my fig trees are all leafed out, the weeds that plague us every spring are slowly yealding to our pulling and chopping, we don’t do chemical control, so it is all hand work, ugh. The horse’s pasture is very sparse, no irrigating it this year due to our drought and we just have our domestic well for water, don’t want to contribute to drawing down the water table.
Our apricot tree is setting fruit, the pear tree is leafed out. The California poppies are beautiful, I planted 8 oz. of seeds last winter…pretty now!
This year we will only have a small area up by our house that will get watered, much different to our usual half acre of lawn… I guess we must be very concerned with our ongoing drought…sad really…but what can you do?
Did you all get your taxes done?
How deep us your well, Lee?
Our old property in Stockton has a 375′ one. I’ll bet it’s dried up, now. The people across the street have a 125’……surely that one is dried up.
Are you further North than Silicon Valley?
We had a huge fig tree when we lived in San Jose. I was 12 at the time. I used to go sit in it for hours and hours to escape mother’s tyranny.
I wish poppies could grow here….but we have cactus flowers!
California poppies should grow in Mesa. The desert surrounding you is full of them when they get enough water.
Yeah?
Maybe I’ll put some in my pots next year.
I have no ground area to plant them.
Poppies are so pretty! They don’t do well in my yard…they “melt” from the humidity.
Our well is about 125 feet, our neighbor has one that is about fifty. It really depends where the water table is and in our area ours is around ten feet. Our aquafer is the mountain range that is east of the Modesto area and the San Joaquin River, but with all the farmers using ground water, who knows how long it will last. In the mean time we try to do our part.
The well you had in Stockton is no doubt fine…but who knows!
We have it set up that our laundry water goes to our fruit trees so they are fine for now. I only use organic soaps..
It is sorta scary though…
You think so?
We had 2 acres there. No large animals, no garden. 2 Fruitless Mulberry trees in front.
The “pasture” in back we let anyone who wanted to graze their goats/sheep there.
The rest was Burmuda grass. I’ll bet it’s all dried up weeds, now. You had to water it to keep it from turning into foxtails. Oooooo….shudder…don’t miss those things.
I wonder if the meth-cooker down the street is having trouble because of the drought. 😉
If he is having trouble, he won’t realize it until it’s too late!
Ha!
We had both a chicken fighter and a meth cooker.
Hell…it could have been the same person!
I could smell the chemicals, hear the birds screeching and the roar of men’s voices. But, as many tines as I road my bike down there trying to see actual evidence, it would always delude me.
Sigh….they were still there, as far as I know when we moved here in 2000.
Good for you not doing chemicals! I tried to grow some climbing roses. Seems it required a total toxic dump to keep them alive. I gave it up.
Not sure if these are suitable for CA, but you might want to check out Knock Out Roses. They come in pink, red, or yellow. The pink and red varieties have double petals, so you get the old fashioned rose look. This variety is hardy, pest resistant, and self cleaning. No chemicals, plant food, or deadheading is needed. Knock Out Roses will grow a good 5′ tall by 3-4′ wide. If you want to contain them a bit, you can cut them back in early Spring. I was going to trim mine, but I found that some house sparrows were starting a nest. I don’t want to disturb them, so I will wait until late Fall to trim them. They bloom late Spring until hard frost. Oh, and they have a faint musky rose scent. Traditional roses, climbing, tea or otherwise are beautiful to look at, but I agree with you – they are too needy! 🙂
Does your fig tree give you much yield? Fresh figs…Mmmmm! I don’t use chemicals, either. I have lots of allergy issues, so I try to avoid chemicals as much as I can. I also don’t want Gracie pup exposed to them.
I took care of my taxes a couple weeks ago – yay! 🙂
Yes! They start producing fruit in June, slack off a little then produce fruit the rest of the summer.
We have Mission figs, big black wonderful figs. I have been known to go out and pick breakfast rich off the tree.
We figure those two trees produce hundreds of pounds each year. We give them away, dry them, the birds eat them and we have to rake up fallen fruit all summer!
Yummy!! 🙂
My yard has no grass. Only drought tolerant plants, and some of them will suffer this summer. No new planting this year. I would like to put a compost toilet in the house,but those toilets are so expensive. California should offer rebates for compost toilets. I have four rain barrels full, but that water doesn’t last very long.
Monica,
If you surf the web a bit, you can find some simple to build composting toilets. A 5 gallon bucket with coconut shreds or peat moss or sawdust, anything that dries the solids, inside a nice wood case. Liquids go else where or an other compartment. You can line the bucket with poly composting bags for easy removal. My mechanic has one in a shed at his shop and it is rather handsome and never smells. Add a scoop of dry stuff per visit. ( I couldn’t quite get situated on the urinal, it being a ‘men’s room’. Think guys would notice another miss?)
Maybe if you ask Gov. Brown, he would appreciate the effort and get involved with them. Let’s hope.
Morning or good afternoon, depending on where you reside at moment. We are headed towards mid to high 80’s this week in the Sacramento area of CA. No rain in sight and grasses are beginning to dry out with the winds past few days. May be a brutal late spring and summer Heat wise, fire season wise and for sure will be water wise. We will give a minimal amount of water to our few fruit trees but otherwise the yard will go dry. Trees are green and way past bloom stage. Just hoping our beautiful redwood survives but it looks iffy. Many inland redwoods are suffering with their shallow roots and lack of water. We are seeing homes around the neighborhood having their lawns removed and various combinations of bark mulch, gravel, stones, and a few drought tolerant plants installed. Such a difference from just a few years ago with then green everywhere.
I did not see about a big accident in Nevada but did see multiple pics of the dust storm and a huge accident scene with fatalities in Utah. A friend posted one to FB of her horrible commute home through the dust, and she is north of Salt Lake City. Have a good rest of your day everyone.
The West is turning into a dustbowl! How ironic….when we lived in Stockton, all our neighbors were descendants of The Dustbowl migrants.
The majority of land in the SW is desert. It is by definition a dust bowl. It can be a beautiful dust bowl at times but that is what it is.
People are finally having to recognize this fact.
The Sacramento/San Joaquin valley was not a desert but was a delta of swamps and water ways. Now lack of snow and rain is depleting all sources. Southern California was a desert before irrigation. Then agriculture was pushed back further and further to accommodate people. When the snow and rain return, let’s just hope we are smart enough to appreciate it and plan for another drought.
Yes, that’s right Velda.
The ONLY thing I liked about living in the Central Valley was the nature. It’s hard to imagine it looking like a dustbowl.
I even liked the fog…though some thought it was scary to drive in it.
My Grampie farmed in the Valley for a number of years…I have fond memories of going to his farm….and playing in the slough nearby…and by summer it dried up but always came back the next year…and the frogs, tadpoles, etc….great fun for kids. His farm was irrigated with water that came from Yosemite….a long ways to go.
I don’t mean that kind of a dustbowl, Alan…I already knew that, anyway….I’ve lived in the West since 1968.
I mean like the Dustbowl of the middle region of this country in the 30s….dead, as in No Life, nothing can grow anymore.
Cindy, I believe that kind of dustbowl–the kind that creates refugees–may come to pass in the Desert SW.
I hope and pray that some rain is sent your way. I just read an article about how the southwest vegetation is being affected by the droughts over the years. Unfortunately, the experts did not see any end in sight to the dying off plants and trees.
That accident in Salt Lake City was awful. To be blinded by the dust storm, I am not sure what could have been done differently. It sounds like the drivers were caught unexpectedly in the storm. I would not think that someone would knowingly drive into a dust storm.
Have a good evening, Velda! 🙂
I’m missing Sue and the crew – I must be a little addicted to the daily updates. It’s been windy here – I hope they’re ok – but the winds are supposed to die down tonight.
Another addicted blogorino! We all are going through withdrawals…Sue is getting a break and will have an abundance of stories to share when she gets back into an area with a good signal. I envision her snuggled in with the Crew, comfy cozy, going out for potty breaks and short, brisk walks if the weather permits. 🙂
Sue will never catch up….ha
Chuck
Anticipation is killing me! I’m so looking forward to those photos of Ruby valley and mountains, and Sue and crews’ adventures. Sue where are you?!!!!
I can’t wait for the report on how Reggie is doing in his first boondock camp. I’m sure they are all having a blast.
Here is a tip for birdseed-
Do not go and pay a bunch of money for a small bag of bird seed. Go to a feed store and buy a 40 lb bag of chicken scratch for about 12.00. Then buy a big bag of sunflower seeds for about 25.00. Mix the two and then you will have lots of bird seed for quite awhile-and less expensive. Also, been meaning to ask-Does anyone play freekibble.com? It is a website started by a young girl and sponsored by Halo Pet foods. (Ellen DeGeneres) You play trivia questions and an amount of cat and dog food is donated whether you get the answers right or not. Its a great site!
Great money saving tip, Terri! Thanks! 🙂
Terri, What is chicken scratch? I know people say when you feed the birds you have to get used to the sunflower seed shells falling on the ground and it is true, what a mess! I’m buying a 30 pound bag of ‘sunflower meaties’ for $29.00. Thanks for the advice!
Kay from KC!
Sue, I trust you’re able to keep warm wherever you’re. I left the desert of CA since I thought it was getting too warm during a day. Got finally to UT where I wanted to camp and hike in Canyaonlands NP. The first day winds got to 75 mph. I have red sand everywhere in my car, my eyes, my hair, my food. Woke up to 30 degrees. It is snowing now. I want to go back to the desert of CA.
I recall about one year ago we talked here about Sue’s blogorinos getting together somewhere in NE (I think). Whatever happened to this idea?
Good Morning Blogorinos, I too am waiting to hear how Sue faired during the recent stormy weather….My daughter in Boise said there was hail yesterday, and strong cold winds….so I guess that is probably the storm that will be passing over Sue very soon…I guess this weather pattern will be keeping her down for a little while longer….Hold on Sue! We are waiting on the other side of this….
Well, today is the 16th and I’m waiting…waiting for an update from Sue and crew 😉
Stories about the weather, photo essays and maybe a Canine Corner about Reggie’s first Boondocking adventures! Whatever Sue offers up will be perfect, that whole Crew is awesome…more, we want MORE!
BTW,
About that portable camp stove thing…
Still no purchase yet. Most likely will go with a Camp Chef this time around. After so many reviews and product demo videos, I am tired enough to just get on with it, lol. I swear, I was almost ready to buy a Jet Boil and hunker down with it! I have to laugh at that, I’m not a Jet Boil kinda gal but then again…
“I recall about one year ago we talked here about Sue’s blogorinos getting together somewhere in NE (I think). Whatever happened to this idea?”
Hi R.,
I’m pretty sure there was some recent trouble with that idea! At least, with the specific meeting place. Stay tuned, I guess!
NE? Seriously?
As I remember the idea was to meet up at Kay’s RV park in western NE sometime in September. But I haven’t seen much of Kay around here lately and Sue is headed for the coast so I would guess the idea has died away. To be honest as much as I would love to meet all of you I can’t imagine our dear Sue embracing her celebrity status at such an event. She is probably too nice to come out and say it but anybody who reads this blog would probably agree with me.
Yes, I would agree.
But last week we discussed briefly JUST blogorinos meeting…not with Sue.
That idea has already died…apparently.
Seriously, I think most fulltimers just “Vant to be alone.”
Also, is that the same Kay who trashed Sue on her own blog last week?
Yes it is.
That’s what I thought.
Well……
But not me…Kay from KC!
I know. No worries 🙂
🙂
Let’s just say…at the time it was a great idea but it never materialized in one way or another!
Well said, Cindy! 🙂
Howdy blogorinos!
I’m interrupting the usual broadcast of postings to let you know I got curious as to what kind of weather conditions Sue might be experiencing and checked out two weather sites on the ‘net for Ruby Valley where Sue is camping at South Ruby Campground, the last we heard. Both sites agree on her weather the past few days and the forecast. While Sue is experiencing cold overnight temps (20’s), the daytime highs aren’t that bad with intermittent sun and puffy, passing clouds. Highs are expected to be in the 60’s by the weekend. Some of the valley experienced a light dusting of snow on overnight Tuesday but no real accumulation. Today’s high is predicted to be 55 with bright blue skies and winds of about 7mph and an overnight low of around freezing. You may now return to the regular posting format.
Disclaimer: The aforementioned information is in no way the poster’s opinion or any of the affiliate sponsors’ opinions but is solely reported for the knowledge of anyone seeking to use this blog for entertainment and/or educational purposes.
Audrey
Thanks for the report!!!!
I know I am posting alot (for me) but I am stuck at work today not doing much of anything. 🙂 We will be leaving for Stephen F. Austin state park in a couple of days although the rain forecast is 80 percent wind and rain and possibly hail! Well, it will force us to have some quality time alone in the trailer together, if nothing else! Dog watching, kindle reading, and game playing. Oh, and movie watching. Sometimes it is great to be able to turn on that t.v. that doesn’t belong in the “wilds” and watch that movie! Hopefully we will get to ride some of the mountain bike trails-but only if no rain. Its nice to just get away from the house and zillions of things that need doing!
I realize how spoiled I’ve become. There was a time when Sue updated every 3-4 days and I was fine with that. Now it’s only been 3 and I feel like I’m chomping at the bit for another. Some of this of course is because of the weather reports for the Ruby mountains. But when you read this Sue please realize that the last thing I would ever want is for you to give up the fantastic out of the way boondocks just to maintain cell reception. I’m sure you and crew are well and having a great time and as you can see this blog has a life of it’s own.
Interesting reading about the camp stoves. As an avid backpacker most of my life I have to confess to having a bit of a stove obsession. I currently own no fewer than 8 camping stoves including white gas, canister, and alcohol. Plus the old Coleman 2 burner that I inherited from my dad. Having said that as I get older and transition to more car camping I can’t help but lust for a newer 2 burner propane stove. It just seems like when I get my trailer I would “need” one but it’s interesting that Sue never uses one and gets by with the stove in the BLT.
So, my question is from those of you who are full timing or taking long trips in a small trailer do you use a camp stove? And if so how often? The last thing I want to do is spend money on yet more camping equipment that will just take up space when I go full time myself. But I can also dream of how nice it would be to have a little kitchen outside where I would be spending most of my time. Thoughts?????
Hi Rick, I also have a 2 burner Coleman camping stove…We have a stone in our little Pop-up trailer, but we also prefer to cook outside weather permitting…seems to taste better if cooked outside and of course the clean up is a little easier and keeps the trailer smelling good if you don’t cook bacon and such in it…thus, after 10 years, our trailer smells a lot like new, but then again we are very meticulous with it…I also have to say that our stove top will convert to a convienent spot on the outside of the trailer, although I believe it is too close to the window and something might splash on it, so it stays inside. Just my 2 cents. Have a good day Rick. I hope we get an update soon, but I also want Sue to be safe…do you think she is also having withdrawals?
Hi Rick,
I’m not a full-timer yet, and I’ve never been a tent camper, or back packer. But I did go on a 6 week cross country trip last summer, in my class C.
I used my stove in the RV every day. Even when I overnighted at WM parking lots enroute. I made myself tea, and my warm lemon water everyday.
The once or twice that I needed to use the microwave, I would just run the genny for those 5-7 minutes….same when I had to use the hair dryer. I always turn it off immediately after. It bothers me, so I know it bothers others…especially after reading on blogs, that it does.
Also, I am a vegetarian, so a grill is a non-issue for me. The times that I am invited to a cookout, and am asked what to make for me…I have them wrap some veggies or tofu in foil. I’ve done veggies on a skewer, too…but only if the grill is clean.
But I am puzzled by all this stove talk…as you’re still using propane, and if you remember to turn on the exhaust fan above the stove…I don’t see what the issue is.
Cindy, that’s kind of my question. I see a lot of folks talk about using 2 burner stoves and I can see the point of not cooking smelly meats inside. Also it’s just such a joy to cook food outside and as the saying goes you don’t camp in a small trailer you just sleep in one.
But than again for me part of the appeal of full timing is breaking life down to the simple basic needs. Take nothing that you don’t need and immerse yourself in the natural world. That’s also part of why I love backpacking.
Ok…well, I’m also puzzled as to the sudden worry of “cooking” smells. I have never in my life smelled cooking smells in an old RV.
I’ve smelled gas, mold, cigarettes, sewer, dog, and dust….but never cooking smells.
Cindy,
I’m with you about not worrying about kitchen smells, the stove fan takes care of that when cooking indoors. I mainly cook outside when entertaining friends, tailgating or watching sports on the outside tv. So cooking outside lets me enjoy my company and still take care of the cooking needs, serving it up and taking a few minutes to clean up afterwards. Top it all off with a fine bonfire and that equals a perfect evening out with friends…a mini-staycation at our home on wheels.
Yeah Pamela, the fan over my RV stove is just as strong as the one in my house. And adding my vent fans makes it like a wind tunnel in there…LOL!
I could see how you’d want to be able to cook outside and talk to your guests at the same time, though.
Since I’m a vegetarian…I’m not a griller, and won’t cook meat for others, so I usually bring my own plate, in a social situation, and let the others do whatever they are going to do for themselves.
Cindy,
I am mostly a Veggie too. I have not completely turned the corner but I tend more and more to go Veggie. Hubby is a meat and potato kinda guy, he calls my veggie plates ~rabbit food~ lol. I do a lot of stir-fry veggies. Olive oil added is about it. I do still eat tuna…love the stuff and can’t seem to shake it from my desired lists of foods. Other than the tuna, well, I do eat eggs still. Let’s just say if it comes from an animal or has a mother, I try to skip out on it. That’s a pretty good start but then again I’ve been eating like this for some time now so I doubt that I will ever go completely Vegan. I am so bad during Winter though. That’s my weakest time when hearty foods…err, meatloaf and rice with green peppers calls me back to the dark side! I try though…I am weak.
Lol…
Vegetarians are not vegans as we eat eggs and cheese.
But I buy the “Certified Humane” eggs. A way different certification than “cage-free” which actually means nothing.
Been, that way for 40 years.
🙂
It’s fun to hoard! Isn’t it?
8 stoves? I think you’re set with the vintage models.
I just bought two aero pillows…..why? Because I wanted to! I have a weakness when it comes to camping stuff. I can spend hours upon hours in a store like REI or Cabelas!
I hear ya. I’m a little embarrassed to admit most are not vintage. Currently I have 4 liquid fuel – Svea 123 (my 1st stove) a MSR Whisperlite, MSR Whisperlite international (multi fuel), Peak one white gas (best built in windscreen), Then 2 canister stoves MSR pocket rocket and it’s improved version the micro rocket, plus an Esbit solid fuel, and a bluet wood burner. This list does not include the old Coleman and at least 4 homemade “soda can” alcohol stoves or for that matter the new “stove systems” that I have been lusting over for years.
See each one a little different and serving it’s own niche. 🙂
In my defense over the years I’ve probably given away twice that many to friends and people I’ve met in campgrounds. A long, long time ago I was a “designated product tester” for an outdoor products company. They sent me outdoor gear both theirs (frequently prototypes) and their competitors and in return I wrote up review and gave analysis. It was a pretty cool gig but at one point I had WAY more gear than I have today and as you can see my gear closet is still pretty stupid.
But in spite of all that I have never spent 1 night in a trailer yet my plan is to live in one full time. So lots of questions about a whole new and exciting lifestyle.
Seems to me like it’s more a matter of just an individual’s style. Of course you don’t yet know what your trailer style will be, but I see everything from people who cook 100% of meals inside their rig, to people who set up elaborate outdoor kitchens and do it all out there. Plus everything in between.
I tend to cook 95% inside the RV, but occasionally cook something like salmon outside. Just because I don’t like the smell of fish the next day.
Anyway, I suspect it comes down more to your “type” than it does to the actual RV.
What? No SOLO wood-burning Titan stove? I hear they are really nice and very efficient. I must admit, I have looked close at them and they are built like a tank yet very light in weight. I really don’t need one since my Trangia 27 cookset does the trick for that kind of outdoor cooking needs. Like you, the hunt for a super good propane is still on.
BTW, you don’t horde, you collect 😉
Interesting question. I have a Casita so just have two burners inside. I do tent to cook outside if I am cooking something with strong smells..like fish, as it tends to linger inside, not a good thing.
I have two outdoor cooking options, one is a propane fueled Coleman, and the other is a iron framed cook top that I bought from a going out of business restaurant . It is actually my favorite because it makes a really hot, high BTU, flame and is wonderful,for searing or fast stir fry dishes.
Plus the Iron framed cooktop will accept a large pot of skillet. The Coleman does have a wind shield….so if it is windy I will use it..but ….so on and on it goes…
I guess you need to just consider the various options, but high on my list is high BTUs, I did find on similar on Amazon, called an outdoor cast iron cook stove .
I lived in a 30ft trailer for 3 years and always cooked inside. No problems. Have a vent fan and open a window and smells go right out.
Hi Rick,
Just now getting around to reading more of the questions and replies and saw your question there.
For me and Klemper, a camp stove is a must have. While out Airstream has a delightfully appointed kitchen, dinette, we just love cooking outdoors 3 seasons. I have the large Camp Chef 3 burner that runs on one of that runs off one of the larger propane tanks. Perfect for larger cooking times and for outdoor entertaining. I am currently looking for a small two burner camp stove for use outdoors when we take only the conversion van for long days trips, leaving the Airstream at the camp site.
About entertaining outdoors… We love to watch the NASCAR races on the tv outdoors, do some tailgating and have a bonfire. Always have the need for fresh ice for drinks and some food items to be cooked. Having a camp stove lets me enjoy being with our company and still get the cooking and kitchen things done for everyone. Without a camp stove, for outdoor use, that would mean I would miss out on a great deal of the fun just by being inside cooking. Well, not one to miss out on great company, good food and a bonfire…the camp stove is a must. Hope that helps to know how and when we use our larger Camp Chef stove. I do look forward to finding the right smaller camp stove for the day outings or for my solo trips to the beach. I’m getting closer to finding one, so many choices out there to consider.
Wishing you a Wonderful Life on wheels as you get ever closer to heading out.
It IS a Wonderful Life. You couldn’t get me back in to a ~real house~ again, not for love nor money 🙂 For us it is a lifestyle choice, not a need. 18 years and counting…so we MUST love it 😉
Hi Badger Ric,
I am a former backpacker who just went hard side last year. I bought one of those little Isbits that take wood or charcoal. I put it on the forest service grill and add some easy start charcoal and grill steaks just fine. When done, I just dump the hot coals in the fire pit. I’ve got to say though that it sure feels luxurious to wake up inside the little 14 footer and brew coffee on the propane stove.
This is to answer Kays question. Chicken scratch is what you buy for chickens to eat-it consists of corn, milo, millet, and other stuff birds like. Much cheaper than buying small bags of birdseed that has alot of the same stuff in it.
Seems like everyone uses propane camp stoves, does anyone take along a bbq? I found a small Weber grill at a yard sale for hardly anything and thought to take it along. I bake cookies and muffins on my bbq at home. Bakes better gluten free cookies/muffins than my oven for some reason. I also have a butane one burner I take camping.
Having the same weather swings and wind as Boise and places south. Snow yesterday and sunny and 70’s today. Crazy weather.
Jim grills outside on the Weber Q maybe 2 out of 7 nights a week. Actually, when we’re gone for extended periods, our use of the Weber depends on the weather–if it’s cold/raining/etc. outside, I cook something inside.
Actually yes! We have the weber baby q propane. It stored nicely in the RV. The RV is gone but the baby q lives on!
I love the BBQ because then hubby usually does the cooking. Otherwise I cook inside but I’ve learned from experience not to cook fish
Tonight on the news they had a story about a dog flu, normally seen only in Asia, which is spreading through the Midwest. Said over a thousand cases and six dogs have died. It can spread also to cats as well. Gave a list of symptoms including lethargy and fever and said if it reaches your area and your pet has symptoms, contact vet right away. Said there is no vaccine to this strain but they believe a general flu vaccine may at least help. Like other people they interviewed I had never heard of dog flu. They are closing dog parks and warning people in areas to which it has spread they said and warned people if you know someone who has traveled with their dog to the Midwest to keep your pets away. anyone else heard about this?
Velda
Velda,
Is this dog flu airborne or contracted other ways? I think I saw a headline for something about it recently but got distracted and forgot to go back and find the story again later. Will have to read up on it, thanks for bringing it up on here! I hate to say it but it doesn’t surprise me much if it comes from Asia. Most of our US dog and cat foods are processed in China… I remember when bad dog and cat food recalls happened and thousands of cats and dogs died from it. Wonder if the dog flu can be traced back to its source. Maybe it might be food related bacteria striking again but in a different form of outbreak?
Apparently it originated in birds and is airborne and spread first in places like kennels and doggy day care. First seen in Chicago and spreading from there. Nothing to do with food. I am just guessing here, but what I read seemed to indicate perhaps a pet brought here on an airline brought it in. No treatment and antibiotics, like in people don’t work on virus, so supportive care and isolation is recommendation I saw. If the animals condition is weakened enough that they then get a bacterial pneumonia, then they are treated with antibiotics but otherwise they said most will recover without problems and some have few symptoms to begin with which has been the problem because some have mild few symptoms owners do not realize they have it, take them to a dog park or day care and it spreads. Much like people.
Good morning, Velda. I either heard something about this on the national news or read about it. Very scary… One more thing to keep an eye out for. Hope you and your dear husband have a great day! 🙂
Thanks Denise.
NPR had the story and it also pointed that bringing animals into the county is lax on time and protocol. It also mentioned rescue groups were bringing dogs back from China that were going to become food.
….. the quarantine for bringing animals into the country….
…Speaking of cats and dogs… My morning is to a fine start, sort of anyway.
Hubby just cleaned the cat’s litter pan and there is NO litter to replenish the pan with! Yep, all out. SOOO, I’m waiting for 6:00AM to arrive and heading out to Wally World first thing rain or shine. They are not happy about it either as they want their breakfast, meow, meow. The dog is not happy either, since she is not gonna get her breakfast until the cats do…keeps things on equal footing 😉
Well, that’s my morning so far, LOL. Good thing we can’t post photos or I might have claw marks all over me if 6:00AM doesn’t come soon! See, we really DO live to serve our critters and they really DO run the house 😉 I am not a morning person except for when an emergency calls.
Good morning, Pamela,
What an unexpected “surprise”. Yep, we will do anything for our pets!
I hope your day gets better!! 🙂
Jim grills outside on the Weber Q maybe 2 out of 7 nights a week. Actually, when we’re gone for extended periods, our use of the Weber depends on the weather–if it’s cold/raining/etc. outside, I cook something inside.
Did someone mention ‘C is for clingers’ way up in the alphabet part? We’ve incorporated that word into our boondocking vocabulary.
LOL, no they didn’t mention C=Clingers. Go fig, I was surprised at that too.
And I thought for sure that C=Casita would be in there, but nope, again.
And we can’t forget C for Campgrounds! 🙂
Good Morning Blogorinos, anyone here having coffee with me? I imagine that Sue will be moving on in a day or two (I hope) and we should be hearing from her…but I wanted to post this comment so we could get to 400! I think I might be 399. Marla are you there? Good day to all, and everyone have a good weekend…going to be sunny and warm in Cali this weekend, hope everyone gets a chance to get out and about.
Hello to my friend Weather is she peeks in!
I am here having coffee with you Shirlene…listening to the crashing waves 🙂
Good Morning Fellow Coaster! Your weekend should be wonderful, love the crashing waves…enjoy your coffee. 🙂
Morning Shirlene and Krystina! Having decaf coffee. Beautiful morning in Tucson….cool and clear. Will warm up as day progresses. I have finished working at Block and am excited for a few days ‘off’….just going to res t and kick back till next week. I have worked every weekend but one since January. Today I plan to mail some packages, maybe do laundry, and spend a couple hours hanging at the pool. Maybe I’ll go to a movie later. Just a nice relaxing day. And the Pima County Fair is on, so maybe I’ll go this weekend. Ahhhhhh….nothing like free time!
Hi D.G….have a good day.
Oh, so jealous, Krystina!!!
Good Morning Marla…I have waited 38 years to be on the beach, on the coast of CA!! It is fantastic but you can only stay for 5 days…whaaaaa. I just looked at the map and I am pretty close to you! Have a great day.
Closer to me!……1 mile from Huntington Beach Pier…let me know if you come around here, I will meet you at the pier, if it is the weekend cause I work..lol….
I’m here, I’m here!!! Stuck talking with the boss for a few minutes, but I did share coffee with you!!! 🙂
Morning Shirlene,
I am just now finishing the last of my coffee. Have been up almost all night, since 2:00AM. Time for me to go back and get some rest! It’s raining here, a soft light rain on the Airstream’s roof. That’s the best kind for sleeping 🙂 and I will enjoy being lulled to sleep by it. Both cats and the dog are already sleeping again. Some days are just made for naps. So that’s my plan. Whatever you have planned, enjoy it to the fullest.
Man, that sounds great, sleeping in Airstream listing to rain, my what a wonderful day….after the cat litter trip…have a safe trip to WallyWorld.
🙂
Good morning, Shirlene, Krystina, DesertGinger, and Marla!
I am enjoying some tea with you all. So jealous of Krystina enjoying the crashing waves, and DesertGinger having the whole day to herself, with plenty of opportunities to do something or nothing at all! 🙂
Like Shirlene and Marla, I am at work. Thank goodness it is Friday!! Whoo-Hoo!! Sunny today, and tomorrow it is supposed to break 80 degrees. I plan to play in the dirt in my yard; weeding and laying a fresh layer of mulch on the flower beds.
Hope everyone has a great day and wonderful weekend!! Sending wishes and prayers for safe travel for Sue and her Crew. 🙂
And Pamela, too!! 🙂
🙂
Happy Friday to you, too, Denise!!!
You think Sue will ever be able to catch up on all these comments?? I’m sure she’s just itchin to check in and see what’s been going on on her blog while she’s been off the grid 🙂
Happy weekend, everyone!!!!
🙂
🙂
PS Shirlene….my hubby took the day off and is surfing in your backyard this morning, HB is his go-to place to surf!
What a great thing to do on his day off….I will be there tomorrow also, but not surfing, just cruzing the beach in my convertible, you have to have one if you live at the beach ya know…anyway, doing Relay for Life Cancer garage sale tomorrow, it should be a beautiful day for it, but would rather be where your hubby is…have a good weekend…May 1, going to Big Pine for first fishing trip of the year….Yay! just thought I would throw that in….ha!
“If everybody had an ocean across the USA,
Then everybody’d be surfing’, like Califor-ni-ay”
Huntington Beach is officially Surf City USA!
Hello 11 blocks from the St. Monica Pier! Missed coffee with you, but we cracked 400 comments!!
OK Missy! Enough is enough, you get back here!! Nice as the Blogarinos are it just isn’t the same without you and the crew!!
I hear ya Jim, and I’m itchin’ to hear how Sir Reggie did in his first boondock. But let’s give the gal a break, Everybody should be able to retire from their retirement every once in awhile. Hope you are having a great day.
Yes, Sue does deserve a break from time to time. I’m so looking forward to the photos. I was reading another Rver’s recent travels through Ely and northwest. They had beautiful photos of the mountains covered with snow. Nevada looks so pretty. I’m envious of their travels.
Ok! Ok! So I’m a little spoiled…I’d be the first to agree she needs breaks though. Still, I miss her…
Amen! RVSue, you aren’t punishing us, are you?
On a more somber point. There have been two motorhome/RV fires due to tire fires in the last week or so. The most likely cause for these fires is low air pressure. Please check you air often. Watching your home go up in flames is not fun and expensive. And checking you air is easy.
Best to everyone
Alan; Is it because they get hotter, due to the extra friction?
I’m just trying to understand the logistics.
BTW, I saw this crazy young guy in an older C a coupla months ago. I was driving along side him on the street, and noticed one of his duallies was just…gone. He was driving with just one on the left rear. Well..he was pulling into a large shopping center, which happened to have a Discount Tire place in it, and thought, “Oh good…he’s getting it fixed.” But, nope…he was just going to the Starbucks, which is also in there!
Then I saw him again later that day…still driving around with the one wheel missing.
Crazy!
No, it is not the friction with the road. But with the lesser pressure they flex more and this causes the side walls to get hotter. At some point they lose their strength and give out.
The guy driving on one rear tire is an idiot, I can’t believe a cop didn’t pull him over some time. What he was doing is illegal.
I wondered about that, Alan. But here in AZ I see thick black smoke coming out of vehicles that are not diesels, and now this guy with the one missing wheel!
Well…we are one of the “broke” states, so stuff like that gets overlooked, I guess.
I saw the one in Florida on the news yesterday. I learned something new. My husband is always checking tire pressures on all of our vehicles.
day or 2 ago a band driving down the interstate in their bus and caught fire because the rear tires were on fire…..totalled the bus…wasnt any cheap bus either!
chuck
It was Lady Antebellum’s band bus on the way to the CM annual awards show. Glad they all got out ok.
Yikes Alan, didn’t know low pressure could cause tires to burn. Learning lots from the “bloggorinos”. Making my list of things to take, check etc. Feeling better this week then the past 52 so thinking of removing my dinette to make more room plus add storage I can get to. Slow but sure. No buyers for the house yet so can’t get too far ahead of myself.
Wishing everyone a wonderful day.
You don’t see it so much in car tires but big tires can be an issue.
Wow! 425 comments, and with Sue taking a break!
Sue, we miss you! Hope you are enjoying your peaceful surroundings and that Bridget is having fun teaching Reggie the fine art of boondocking. Sending you wishes for safe travel, and as always, hugs from me and Gracie pup. 🙂
Happy Friday everyone! 🙂
Commenta are now getting jumbled…
Sue, where are you? I must have missed your post. You are starting to scare me!
Apology accepted, thank you, Rusty!