Wednesday, November 11 (continued)
“That’s an ocotillo,” Reggie. “Sometimes they have pretty, red flowers.”
Photo taken upon arrival at the new camp
~ ~ ~
At the conclusion of the previous episode of “RVSue and her canine crew” . . .
Bridget, Reggie, and I continue southward on Route 95, having earlier crossed the Nevada border into California. We’re in Paiute Valley on the west side of the Colorado River.
At Arrowhead Junction, a train!
The warning lights begin to flash at the crossing. The safety arm comes down.
Good! I want to sit here and watch it go by.
There’s something captivating about a long train rumbling across the desert, its whistle blowing.
Those are the Dead Mountains in the background.
The safety arm comes up and we resume our journey.
That brings us to where we left off in the last episode!
I pull off the road to give the crew a potty break and for me to stretch my legs. I set out the drink dish. Reggie, after doing “the backhoe” (photo at left) hurries over and drinks heartily.
I always place a dish of water between the back of the passenger seat and in front of the bench seat whenever the crew rides in the Perfect Tow Vehicle. Bridget drinks from this dish when we’re in transit.
I don’t think Reggie ever does. That’s why I set the water dish on the ground whenever we stop for a break.
I toss the crew into the PTV and consult my California Benchmark map one last time. Then we board the interstate, going east, then southeast, to Needles. As we pass beyond the southern end of the Dead Mountains into the wide, river valley, we’re hit by . . .
Crosswind!
The wind comes from the north and hits us broadside. This is the worst crosswind we’ve encountered in our four years on the road. Well, there was that notorious wind between Rawlings and Cheyenne back in 2012.
Anyway . . . If we weren’t on an interstate, I would slow down considerably more than I dare among this traffic. I’m glad I only have to fight the wind for about ten miles.
At Needles we pick up Route 95 again and shoot south.
The road wiggles through Lobecki Pass (at a whopping 1,520 feet) between the Sacramento Mountains and the Chemehuevi Mountains. Then it’s a straight line through scrub.
I spot a sign set back from the road on the left.
Oh, this is Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness. Our turn should be somewhere up on the right.
(To read about and see a photo of Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness, click here.)
Road signs aren’t plentiful in this vast, “empty” desert.
Fortunately I spot a kiosk several yards off to the right, a lone break in the sage. I bet that’s it!
As I make the turn, a short stick about 3 feet tall has “Turtle Mountain Road” printed sideways up its length. This looks like the place, guys!
Bridget and Reggie jump around in the PTV, yipping with anticipation.
Reggie looks out the window at the ocotillo (first photo). His head swivels one way and the other.
“It’s a big desert, isn’t it, boy.”
We need to take a look at the condition of this road.
I go around and open the passenger side door. Bridget has hopped into the seat next to Reg and is muscling her way in front of him. I place her squirmy body on the ground first.
I have a little talk with an excited Reggie while trying to hook his suit to the tether.
“This is big time desert, Reggie. It isn’t a place for sissies. You gotta’ be tough, okay?”
I set him on the ground and he takes off. Bridget and I trot after him as he gleefully runs up the sandy road,
“Whatcha’ think, Reg? You gonna’ like it here?”
~ ~ ~
It’s time to wrap up this post.
Before I do, here’s a preview of the new camp in two photos.
Bridget knows desert
~ ~ ~
Our camp at the edge of Turtle Mountains Wilderness, California
rvsue
NOTE: For the weather forecast for Turtle Mountains Wilderness, click here.
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Good morning Sue from stormy Salem
Good morning, lindale, and CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE FIRST!
Salem, OR? Or Salem, MA, or??? I’m in Salem, OR
Oregon
Hi, Lindale! and RV Sue!
Hi, Kathy! Hi, Gil!
First? I usually read, not post. 🙂
Not quite. I was reading your last post when the new one popped into my inbox.
I wanted to thank you, Sue, for your inspiration to do something similar to what you’re doing. I’m not old enough to retire yet, but I’ve sold everything and moved into a 35′ fifth wheel. I’ll work on the road. I lived in it for two months in Idaho (home state) and traveled to San Antonio this past week. I spent eight days on the road since I wanted to take my time and not rush the drive. I am now set up here, southwest of San Antonio, in a nice little country RV park. As of yesterday, I have a job at an Amazon Fulfillment Center that starts in 7-10 days. I plan to be here until sometime in April when I will take another leisurely drive up to Maine to spend the summer. I’ve always wanted to see Maine.
Anyway, I started reading your posts last January (starting with #1) and you inspired me with your independence and adventurous spirit. I have my dog, Daisie, and two older cats (who only care if there’s a sunny window they can nap near). Thank you again for giving me a vision of what I could do differently in my life.
You will love New England! Don’t miss Bennington, Vermont, home of Grandma Moses and also Robert Frost. The Blue Benn diner is famous for good eats! Of course you must spend time in Bar Harbor. Do not miss Acadia National Park! Tea at Jordan Pond is a must! Oh, the memories….happy travels to you!
Thank you, Cathy! I’ve already created a Pinterest board for all the things I want to do in Maine. I’m looking at campgrounds in the Bar Harbor area for potential workamping jobs.
Consider the stare parks for workamping! After 5 years of working in private parks, Chuck and I started volunteering at state parks as camp hosts! We really enjoyed working at all the parks, private and state, but in state parks you are really NEEDED! If it were not for its volunteers, state parks would have to hire workers and prices would go up at the entrance gates! Some parks would even close! We really need our state parks!
I would volunteer if I could, but I’m not of retirement age and need to work for money. 🙂
Bah-Ha-Bah, Maine! Love it there!
Wow! You found inspiration in my blog, you took it, and ran with it! I’m impressed with YOUR spirit of adventure, Kristi!
I like how you figured out a way to work and travel before reaching retirement. I’m sure your comment is inspirational to others who visit here.
Maine is another beautiful state . . . I hope you will touch base with us here from time to time, especially when your trip to Maine draws near. There’s a lot of information available to you from blogorinos with experience.
Thank you for reading my blog from the beginning and for introducing yourself to us. Best wishes to you, Daisie, and the cats!
Kristi, hope you like San Antonio……I love it down there…
many places to visit especially in the hill country…if you
get a chance drive down to Padre Island on a weekend…
white sand and blue water which we dont have up here in
the Galveston area….
chuck
Crosswinds ugh! Not fun to be in.
Vast desert indeed! Reg man’s gonna like every site! Silly boy….does he ever have 4 paws down on the ground?
Nice to see Bridget strolling around. Looks like a peaceful place..love the photo of the BLT with the mountains in the background.
Enjoy
When Reggie has four paws down that means he’s sleeping. 🙂
Yes, it is very peaceful here. It’s a place where one can relax and be restored.
It looks like you are the only camper for miles. I have problems with winds too. I once was parked during.g a dust storm so bad I thought about putting a design on my windows and letting them get a sand blasting design. Do you cover the windshield of the PTV during windstorm in the desert?
Hi, lindale,
No, I’ve never covered the windshield to protect it from wind and flying sand. I’ve never been in the kind of storm that would require that protection. On that windy day the visibility on I-40 was good. The mountains in the distance looked fuzzy from dust suspended in the air.
The desert floor where we are camped is comprised of small rock and very coarse sand that is not prone to fly about, even in strong wind. There are areas of what I’ve heard described as “desert pavement”… very hard ground with volcanic rocks strewn about.
Other dust and blowing sand we’ve encountered (rarely, because I avoid these places) is near natural sand dunes during strong winds and areas torn up by ATV erosion and/or ATV activity.
Looks like another great site. Rewrote is so excitable, nice to see in a young dog. We are at Bosque de Apache for the Crane festival. Should be fun, but cold. After this it is of to somewhere wharm.
Hi, Lisa W,
I’m sorry you are experiencing cold for the festival. Yes, I consider this a very great site. 🙂 What do you mean? “Rewrote is so excitable?”… Thinking of a different dog maybe?
Maybe auto-correct helped her when she tried to type Reggie…
Your pictures are terrific; as always. I especially enjoy the pictures of your “crew.” That Reggie sure is a spitfire.
Thank you very much, Sandy, for noting my photos. Nice to see you here!
Welcome to California, hope you ave a lovely time!
I must say a huge thank you to American Girl dolls, some ladies came to Shriners in Portland and gave each girl patient an American Girl doll, wow!
My grand daughter has one from several years ago, but this one will hold a special place, it will represent her journey to health.
I love it when large companies do such generous acts without fanfare and just the thanks of the girls receiving their gift…like I said…wow!
What a wonderful thing to do! You’re so right, Lee. American Girl is a great company & bless for giving dolls. Do you know which doll she received? So many companies seem to just want the name recognition that comes with their ‘gifts’.
That is a nice gesture on the part of the American Girl company. Now your granddaughter has another “person” to keep her company. Hope the crown work went well for you..
Julianne was given Isabelle . She loves her new ‘partner’.
The new crown is a temporary, the permanent one is being made and as soon as it is done and installed I will go back up to Klamath Falls. I had a tiny cavity under the old crown, that is fixed, ozone treatment to make it as clean as possible then the temporary.
Have you ever heard of a crown having a zirconium base? I have metal allergy so this is a porcelain over cubic zirconium….learn something new every day! Wow, modern dentistry!
I love those American Girl dolls and the books that accompany them. My nieces loved them growing up. I believe they had the full collection between them.
Can’t wait until I get back to the SW to see the vistas like that. makes me think of my childhood days. spent on the northside of Phoenix, and Bumble Bee. Love the Pictures.
Thanks, Dave. I’m pleased that this post brought back memories….
Here I am 34 minutes too late!!!!
You’re never “too late” on my blog! Hi, Jenny!
Hi Jenny, Did you read and understand my trick about email pick-up?
Sue
The crew seems happy there . Thanks for another great post.
That country always has bad winds ,so take it easy and be careful .
Ron
Hi, Ron,
Thanks for the warning on the winds. A lot of the southwest is that way. We’ll be careful.
Drat! Definitely not first!
Them thar are wide opn’ spaces Sue!
Yes, they are, Renee. Love ’em!
Gosh, Sue, this was a fun post! Loved the header photo & the train photo. Especially loved the one with all those units on the tracks. We go up to Mount Vernon to do our grocery shopping & errands & we see trains nearly every trip. It’s a thrill to see Amtrak go by & we love the long freight trains. A lot of coal & oil travel these tracks–we worry about the potential for accidents.
Reg has the cutest little ears. Bridge looks right at home among the creosote bushes. Enjoy your time out there–it’s beautiful & the weather looks like it’s going to be good too. We’re super wet here–lots of rain & flooding–typical for November.
Hi, Dawn,
You enjoy watching trains, too. 🙂 I grumble about noise a lot. I never complain about the sound of a train.
Too bad your rain couldn’t be distributed more evenly elsewhere… Stay dry!
Did you or anyone else here remember seeing the movie “Picnic” in the mid 50s? I LOVE the sound of the train whistle, because Maggie decided that if she took that train, she would have a better life. I did, and I did.
I assume you were still on Turtle Mountain Rd around noon on Thursday the 12th. That is when I went past you, about 30 miles south, on CA62. That day was one of my best days of driving out or Pahrump, NV that I could remember – no strong winds.
I think you have picked a good spot, it is doubtful that you will get many neighbors where you are. There may be a gawker drive by to see who/what is sitting out in the middle of the desert but even those should be few and far between.
Hi, Ed,
Yes, Thursday was a calm day here, too. . . the calm after the “storm.” 🙂 I read on your blog that it was a first for you when coming from Pahrump.
You guessed why I picked this spot for a camp. The solitude is a delight for me. A few drive-bys… not RVSue people… just folks going to the mountains. There are lots of trails, a mine, primitive campsites, rock-hunting, and other stuff that draws people into the Turtle Mountain Wilderness.
According to the forecast for Turtle Mountains Wilderness (thanks for the links in this post,Sue,I always appreciate the ones you provide) tonight’s low there will be 20 degrees.That helped me understand why the BLT was the only home for miles around.It doesn’t get much more private than that.With so much growing there I’d have guessed the road was where you took your long walk each day,it doesn’t look smooth enough for Bridget’s car though.I’m sure you found ways to make sure the crew had what they need and enjoy,you always do.
“Only” ten miles is a long ways when fighting a strong crosswind! You had quite the trip finding that campsite.I imagine you were more relieved than ever to settle in when you got there.One more time I’m glad you plan short travel days and see the wisdom in that choice.I hope that peaceful setting gave you all that you needed and love.
Hi, weather,
You’re right. The road is too sandy (and elsewhere too bumpy) for Bridget to ride in her car. We’ve worked out a solution. In the morning she walks with the Reg and me only if she feels like it. She stayed in bed yesterday morning.
Reggie and I take a long walk in the evening which sets him up for sleep. Prior to that long walk, the three of us go on a short walk, the length determined by Bridget. She goes along just fine until she decides she’s had enough, turns around and heads back to camp.
That weather forecast link is misleading. One expects the column next to the highs to be the list of lows. It’s not. Those are the temps at dew point. Rather than lows in the 20s, we’re having lows in the 40s. The temps are very comfortable. I’m wearing shorts today.
Thank you for your kind note with that sweet wish at the end. I hope the same for you!
I found a better page for that link. It shows highs and lows for 7 days.
Thanks 🙂
Sue,
I absolutely love the first photo! The way the leading line of the desert path carries you into the vastness of the desert plains – then to the mountains. Top that off with Reggie, Reggie’s reflection, and the tall plant, well, it is *just right!*.
Soooo, you’re in Calf. What?! No Beach Boys music, no surfing Big Doggies?
No Frankie and Annette?!
HA! You SURE it’s Calf…? 🙂
I’m glad you like that photo, Pamela. I try to start my posts with an engaging photo. That’s why the story sometimes backs up from the first photo…
Somehow the image of Frankie and Annette doing the twist and frolicking on a beach blanket doesn’t fit here. A bikini isn’t much protection against prickly pear and cholla! 🙂
I was thinking more in the lines of bonfires, beach dancing and peddal pushers. Agree, a bikini would never work 😉
Pamela likes to par-teeeee! 🙂
Hey Pam, you just described me!. It is so funny, I named my first skateboard “Moondoggy”. Lets see how many can relate to that name. Anyway, bikini is out of the question for me right now, but no bonfires and beach dancing, Ha!
Shirelene,
OMG!, love that you named your first skateboard *Moondoggie*!!! That is exactly the spirit I see in so many of your comments on here – that love of life, laughter and adventure 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Pam, thanks… I am glad it struck a cord with you, it did with me…almost broke my dang neck on that skateboard that I made myself with a 2 x 4, pink paint, white paint lettering and took apart my red wheel skates and hammered them on the bottom of a 2 x 4….first type of skateboards ever…people would put garden hoses across their sidewalks to try to discourage us wild kids from riding down the sidewalks with the clacking of the skates on the sidewalks. And then I became a hippy! oh the stories! 🙂
Lordy Be! Truly a *Sister From A Different Mother* we are 🙂 You think we will ever grow up?
I sure hope not, life’s too fun :)!
It’s too bad we get these posts late I would have recommended Hole in the Wall campground in the Mojave National Reserve. Very interesting rock formations. Pay campground but desert camping nearby is free.
Hi, Stan,
I considered Hole in the Wall. Looking at my map it seems it is a bit higher elevation and I’m trying to keep our overnight lows above 40 degrees. Also I liked the idea of camping alone after the social atmosphere of Las Vegas Bay. We will go to Hole in the Wall another time, Lord willing.
LATER …..I looked up the elevation of Hole in the Wall campground — 4,400 feet is too high right now. Same with Sawtooth Campground near Barstow that another reader suggested under the previous post. We’ve camped there twice. It’s too cold in mid-November.
Nice of you to think of us!
You were the one who turned me on to Sawtooth campground how long ago ? I really like that spot. Thought I’d return the favor with Hole in the wall. You can boondock in the desert away from others but you’re right about elevation.
I was just reviewing the landscape and thinking of Bridget’s walks on the road…
Wonder if one of those snow disk thingies with her bed on it would work for her to go on longer *walks* with you and Reggie? You know, like pulling a child on a sled in snow? Sounds kinda crazy, but it might work! Wouldn’t be hard to pull it if you waxed the bottom first.
On second thought, make Reggie-Man pull it, HA! That would wear him down enough for some serious sleeping later.
On third thought, maybe that was not my best idea. 🙁
Bridget needs a baby front pack! 🙂 Yep, that would do it…
I don’t know that it’s such a bad idea, Pamela. I can see that working out. The problem, as I figure it, isn’t with the ride. It’s with the availability of the right kind of sand. The coarse, loose sand in the road would be good with a disk thingy. The rest of the desert around here, no…
I don’t think we’d come across the right conditions for it often enough. Clever idea though. Who knows? Someday we might try it, maybe in a modified form, something flat that slides… hmmm . …
“A baby front pack?” Are you kidding me? I’d fall flat on my face. This girl is heavy! Ha!
That’s a vision….Bridgee babee in a baby front pack! Hahhhhh
Or in her bridgeeboggan. 🙂
Oh my heavens, YES! 🙂 We need to noodle around the idea and come up with something for Miss B., if for no other reason than to call it *Bridgeeboggan* 🙂 🙂 🙂 I love it!
I used to use those shallow sided long plastic sleds for hauling wood and other loads into my cabin. They work great not only on snow, but also on dirt or mud. Easier than a wheelbarrow in many ways. But one thing is that it’s a bit noisy as the plastic slides over the dirt. I don’t think it would be very pleasant for “a walk” (it’s not quite so bad when you are doing a chore). Also it would likely be pretty bumpy in the sled (loads of wood and bags of laundry don’t mind that of course).
You remind me of a low, heavy plastic, black, square thing that contractors use. At my house I made holes in one side and put a rope through them for a loop handle. I used that thing all the time to move grass clippings to the compost pile, move mulch around, tree limbs, whatever. It didn’t have a really slick bottom though.
We’ll wait until the time we go to those dunes in NM where kids slide down on disks. Then the crew and I can try one out. Wouldn’t that be hilarious!
“I shall NOT be hauled about on some kind of plastic contraption like a load of firewood. Thank you very much.”
~HRH Princess Bridgett
“We are NOT amused.”
Pepsi is now all over my iPad screen TYVM
“What do you take me for, compost?” — Her Regalness
You are so funny, Rick!
OMG so funny all of you!
This discussion is hilarious
Sue,
I am just now able to log back on the internet and found all these wonderful replies!!! 🙂 Made my day!!! 🙂 🙂
You and the crew disk practice on the dunes…that would be a sight to behold! News film at 10:00 PM, HA!
And as I read on down it gets even better. HRH akin to firewood…I laughed so hard I woke up Klemper from a very sound sleep. I told him to just roll over and I’d fill him in on it in the morning. Klemper, “Uh? OK.”
And back to sleep in no less than 2 seconds the man can sleep through anything! Say, if your dune sleighing is a success, maybe fitting the crew with Snow Shoes could be next! Now that would be an adventure even I would pass on 🙂
Any-hoo, great fun. Was wonderful to see everyone light up and chime in with such gusto, I LOVE this place of yours. You are the Hostess With The Mostess! I swear, I laughed until I coughed!
Now I’m off to read your newest post since I missed it while I was away.
I love it, too, when the comments are flying around, hilarity abounds, one reply right after another, all in fun without any sniping, HOORAY for blogorinos! (Now go back to sleep, Klemper.)
Question for anyone. . . .
I have Windows 8 on my Lenovo laptop. I’m used to it now, not a problem except for one thing.
Where do I find the place to change settings that will keep videos and animated ads from starting automatically?
I know the darn things eat up my data allotment and they are all over! If you know how to stop this, please use the same terminology found on Windows 8. I notice that it can be different from what is used on Windows 7.
I thank you in advance — Sue
I don’t know anything about Windows, but it seems many (most?) of those popups and videos that start automatically are “Flash.” I have an add-on (extension) that is called “click to flash” (or click to play) and it makes it so that I have to click on those things to start them (which 99% of the time I don’t do). Maybe there is something similar for windows.
Unfortunately, if you are using Internet Explorer, I don’t know of a way you can stop those. I have tried several times. At one time, you could disable Media Player and Adobe Flash Player and have pretty good luck. Apparently those who sell advertising figured that out and now they use a language called HTML5 where the players are written directly into web the page.
Although I don’t like its operation as well, I recently switched to Google Chrome for that very reason. I have had better luck in stopping automatic play. Now a box pops up in the place where video would normally play, then if I want to see the content, I need to proactively click on it and tell it so. I am not so sure, however, that the content doesn’t go ahead and load in the background.
Good luck finding your solution, and I hope you are not as frustrated with those “automatic plays” as I am. *%#*#@%$&!!!
Adblock Plus shows some promise. I just installed it. We’ll see. Thanks guys. Apparently this has been out a while, but just recently for IE.
Good luck, Larry. I hope you let us know sometime how well it works for you.
Thanks, Larry, for your input. It is frustrating. I’m using Firefox right now and, like you’ve done, I’ve disabled the media player. What I get are videos playing with no sound. Yeah, that’s a big help. Pffftt!
There’s a news site that is horrible with automatic videos. I think it’s msnbc or nbc news. It’s geared to people who can’t read, I guess. Not that I care about what that website offers…
Disabling Flash helps but Flashblock and Adblock Plus as Add-ons for Firefox has stopped all the videos for me. I continue to get some pop ups but very few. All the other sidebar ads I don’t even notice.
Hi, Ed . . . . The Adblock Plus has made a big difference.
Sue, this is why Chuck and I had our laptops converted back to Windows 7 ! Cost $60 each but well worth it! No ads!
In settings
Select. “Tools”
Turn on pop up blocker
Restart computer
Did it work?
You can also do it through your internet options
Control panel
Network and Internet
Internet options
Privacy.
Setting. Adjust accordingly
Click on turn on pop up blocker
Click okay
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap……….?
Sorry… We’ve been on our sunset walk…
No, the other didn’t work because there are no “Tools.” I’ll try this suggestion when I’ve caught up on comments. I have a feeling the words “pop up blocker” do not exist in Windows 8. That would be too easily understood. ;( Thanks. I’ll update.
UPDATE: Ok, I did those steps and found that the pop up blocker has been on all along. I guess I go to Adblock Plus like Jim suggests.
Try setting the privacy setting higher!
See my second reply to Jim below.
“We have lift-off!” Uh, make that “We have ads-off!”
hi cinandjules.
Thanks for the tip. I used this with windows 7 and it changed my blocking level to high…..yay! You learn something every day on RVSue’s blog!
Ah, that’s the way I did it in Windows 7. In Windows 8 you go to settings and there is not “Tools” to select.
Nice post Missy. You need Adblock plus. It’s free and it works. I swear I think the crew are looking better each time I see them. Your style of travel and love is just what they need and it keeps ’em healthy and happy.
I have that too! But I still use “click to flash” because it stops youtube and other videos from starting automatically (or did, before I quit using Flash at all). Maybe Adblock plus does both those things on a Windows machine (on my non-Windows machine Adblock and Click to Play/or Flash are two different duties).
Hi, Jim,
That’s good to hear about what you see regarding the crew’s well-being. All three of us have been fortunate with good health and we’re certainly happy.
I’m going to follow Cinandjules suggestion first, and then I’ll go to Adblock plus. Thanks!
AZ JIM rocks!
I installed Adblock Plus and went to Breitbart News because I always have ads popping up like crazy on that site.
GONE! I’m so happy, I’m so happy, I’m as happy as happy can beeeeee…..
Thanks, Jim!
OHHHH, NOOOOOOO! Unexpected side effect!
I can’t see my own Amazon ads! What have I done! Hahahahahahaaaaa..
Don’t use adblock, people! No, don’t do it!!! 🙂
Yipeee! I think……
Now I have to figure out how to turn Adblock Plus off. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Right now I’m laughing….
Find the Adblock plus icon, right click, select properties, options, > new page, click customize, go to “Stop blocking ads” and put in “rvsueandcrew.net”
You should see this:
@@|http://rvsueandcrew.net/|$document
@@||www.coffeefoolvalet.com/$document
@@|http://www.cbs.com/shows/$document
@@|https://www.youtube.com/watch?$document
@@||rvsueandcrew.net/$document
You are the only ads I allow. 🙂
The advertisers are fighting Adblock and CBS and Utube programs would not run unless I allowed them. There is a war going on. ?
One problem… I can’t find the Adblock plus icon. I checked downloads. I also looked in the list of programs where you can uninstall. Not there.
It is in your browser main window. Top right.
It is a red stop sign with ABP inside.
Oh yeah. Now I see it. 🙂 I’ll try to follow your instructions now.
Gee, it’s easier than that. My icon has an arrow which, when clicked, brings down a menu. One of the menu items says “disable rvsueandcrew.net.” And that’s it! My ads are back.
Thanks, Mick! I never would’ve figured that out…
One more thing… Thanks for keeping the Amazon ads. 🙂
The red stop sign will turn green when you are on the rvsue page if you do it correctly.
On mine it turns from red to grey.
Mine has a thumb-up in white surrounded by green.
🙂
Go to the Weather Channel and it should show the number of ads blocked.
Mine turns gray. Maybe it’s different browsers; different monitor settings? Of course, I enabled RVSue’s ads. I really don’t mind the ad banners. It’s those in your face videos on so many sites that irks me.
🙂
Funny that we are having a conversation about Ad Block Plus. I downloaded it earlier this week on my Win 08 desktop and cannot locate the program or icon to adjust the settings. I know it is on, as one forum I frequent no longer had those annoying ads. Looking forward to the blogorinos in the know sharing the solution. Thank you in advance!!
Thanks, Mick. I will try your solution tomorrow. Snuggled in bed with the Ipas mini… 🙂
Another question…will Ad Block block pop ups in my e-mails as well? Do I give permission for certain sites to allow all pop ups? Nothing like getting a coupon that has the little “x” box in place of the picture! Thanks again for your help!
….IPad mini….
Denise, if you’re using IE, put your cursor at the top of the window, right click, and you should get an option for “Status Bar.” Make sure there is a check mark beside it, or click it to put the check mark there. The ABP stop sign should then appear at the bottom. You can set your options there.
LATER —- OK. Never mind. I was in the process of typing when you posted. Maybe it will help someone who uses IE.
No…you ARE a big help! Thank you! I will try it tomorrow and let you know. I have a windows ’08 desktop and an iPad mini. Thanks! 🙂
I meant to add that use IE. Thanks!
It is not perfect. I had to allow CBS to watch NCIS TV show and Utube to watch “Welding Tips and Tricks”
I don’t know what it does on email. I run Mozilla Thunderbird and have no problems with pop-ups there.
You watch TV shows on your computer? Howudodat? Doesn’t it eat up a bunch of data?
Thanks…
Sue, I imagine Mick lives in a house and has Internet. You pay for Internet by the speed….you aren’t charged by amount of data you load, that is more a cell data issue.
Mick’s comment sounded like he was streaming internet to this computer and I wondered because I know he lives in a house and has other options.
One can go to a TV channel’s website and live stream their shows on a computer.Useful for important things like storm tracking ,news and such.Yes,it eats up a lot of data.Ginger is right about the house internet difference and the charges.That’s why some RVer’s get mobile Directv or similar service that charge as little as $20/mo. for viewing on a regular basis and use a television,not their laptops.
I have a fiber optic connection with 50 Mb/sec. data rate, unlimited data. All that in a backwoods TN city? of 1000 people. I think the Internet service here may be subsidized due to the “No child left behind” legislation?
Good to know you aren’t being left behind, Mick! 🙂
You can go to tools, adblock plus is now there, it gives you the option to disable it on selected sites.
I enjoyed this post. I loooove to see and listen to trains. One of my favorite stops was Memaloose Campground in Oregon (along the river) because of all the trains – on BOTH sides of the river (bonus!). Almost deafening when they went by, but in a good way 🙂
A few years ago I went from north (WA) to south (TX) via the SW and I took 95 down the west side of the river (and then crossed over at Parker). I remember that pass, and feeling like I was really “out there” (especially after having taken Interstate for most of the way that time). Fun to read about it again.
You’ve done a lot of interesting things in your life, Pen. Yeah, this place does feel “out there.” I’ve wanted to drive this side of the river for a long time. I don’t know why. I guess because it’s the road less traveled on.
That’s why I took it the first time. I wanted to get from I-40 to I-10, and all I knew about Lake Havasu City was London Bridge and that sounded touristy and crowded, so I went the “less traveled” way. Well, it certainly was less traveled! There was that one four-way “trucker” type intersection and that was about it. I do love that it’s (still) possible to get off and away like that.
Good evening RV Sue, love the pictures, all of them! I remember the trains and the one in your pic looks like the one we saw when we were in the west, love them and the sound of the whistle is music to us, I remember hearing train whistles during the night and love it so much. Little Reggie Man at the window is so cute, makes me want to give him a big hug! I loved that area and plan to make it back when we take to the road. The pics of the mountains you take are so beautiful …..glad you are well, take care and enjoy some peace and quiet!
Thank you, Linda. If you’ve ever been to the Salton Sea and camped at one of the campgrounds on the northeastern side, the tracks are right across the road. One would think that is a demerit… Not so! It’s a plus. It’s fun to watch the trains go by during the day with the boxcars and tank cars decorated with graffiti and then to hear the trains at night while looking up at the stars.
You have a good evening, too.
Ahhhh yes! I will be there again this year…loved that site.
I love the train photos and trains period. I would love to take a that train trip across Canada. I think there is one in the US, as well, but both are quite expensive. I also, don’t know how much I trust Amtrak’s safety protocols. We have a CSX hub in Nashville and the freight trains run about 200 yards down the hill from my house, so I get caught out on the main road quite often. The train runs 4-5 times per day. When we first moved here, it was kind of scary, now it feels like the most peaceful sound. One usually runs just after we go to bed and its sound makes us feel like “all is right in the world.” So peaceful.
Hi, Barbara,
Funny how things that are scary at first can become, over time, friendly. I feel that way about certain roads. On the way into a camp I’m clutching the steering wheel and relieved when I can pull us off the road. I unhitch, make several trips during our stay, over the same road, and I wonder, “What was the big deal?”
I hope you take that train trip across Canada. Reminds me of the Dick Francis book ….
Sue, I have to ask …
Are you ever concerned for Bridget’s safety when you let her roam? I’ve just heard too many sad, sad stories about little dogs getting snatched by coyotes when out in the desert.
I don’t want to be a negative influence here, but I do worry … 🙁
Hi, Laura,
One time I’m concerned about Bridget’s safety regarding coyotes is when we set out on a walk and she lags behind. I’m constantly stopping Reggie and encouraging her to catch up. Around camp she stays within a perimeter of 20 feet around the BLT, rarely further than that and I know where she is at all times. Both she and Reggie tend to cling to me.
I believe the greater danger is when she wants to go potty in the middle of the night. I turn on the “porch” light and walk with her. Of course that means Reggie has to come out, too. I guess what I’m saying is I’m mindful of the situation and do what I can to minimize risk without negatively restricting their lives. Thank you for caring.
Coyotes apparently are deterred by blinking LED lights…which happens to be a feature on that nite dog tag.?
Let me do some more digging on the subject.
Very interesting…. I’d like to know what you find out.
Apparently it is factual.
And well well well…look what I found on Amazon
Same concept…as the blinker tag.
Nite Guard Solar NG-001 Predator Control Light, Single Pack
I substituted one of my Amazon links. Sue
I’ll take the time to read the product description and customer reviews. I did see that this product has to be moved every few days because wildlife become accustomed to it.
That makes me think that the blinking light collar is better.
Thanks, Cinandjules… You are so thoughtful and helpful.
Yep I was thinking the same …in regards to the collar.
Plus it “moves” with him/her.
Now..the question is…. remembering where you put them?
Yep, I do. They are in the second drawer, far left, next to the fridge. So there! 🙂
Rock on Desert woman!
Good video!
Very interesting! Sue, I think this might work for you! Might keep the human trespassers away too! Might make them think their pic was taken! Ha!
Whew …
Glad she’s not a wanderer.
Thanks for your response.
You’re welcome, Laura. Bridget does look like a wanderer in that photo. In reality she was walking toward me. She’s figured out that when I have the camera up and there’s no place to hide from the lens, she can make me put the camera down by walking up to me and standing very close. 🙂
Laura – I appreciate you for asking this question as I’ve wondered the same thing.
Thank you for asking in a non-judgemental way, too. This is something that I struggle, or so I’ve been told at work. As in: Don’t you think you should …
LOL – then again, maybe “work” is the problem! I can’t picture myself being anything but supportive and curious in this blog.
Anyway, thanks for the info! Checking out the blinky things, too, so thank you Cinandjules for the link. Don’t want my tiny, but fierce, team to get lunched!
In my tent camping days I was float fishing the Delaware River in New York and pulled off the river in pitch dark and put up my tent in a clearing.Little did I know that I was 3 feet from the tracks which I could not see in the dark.Around midnight I was awakened by what I thought was the Apocalypse.Never been so scared before or after.
chas…. I’ve been bopping around the internet. I come back to my blog, having forgotten about talk of trains, and read your scare story. I thought you meant animal tracks.
I’m thinking, “Well, what kind of animal was it, darnit?” Then it hits me… Ohhh, he means train tracks. 🙂
Boy, I bet the sound of that train lifted you to the top of the tent. That’s the kind of loud that makes your lungs vibrate in your chest…
Holy cow! (I’m picturing you instantly levitating and your hair standing straight up, cartoon style.) Geez, I would have had a heart attack.
This is kind of the opposite, but one time a friend and I sailed from the ocean into an unfamiliar bay at night (which is somewhat unusual, but we could see it was okay terrain to do so). We found ourselves a good spot on a gradually sloping bottom, dropped the hook, and turned in. Woke up only to find we were at a town beach and people were swimming all around us. Oh hello! We’ll just be getting on now…
Good heavens, Pen! Finding a place to anchor after dark. You haven’t changed in that regard! 🙂
Ha! I thought you might puck up on that. Actually, even for me that’s highly unusual when boating and I’ve only done it a couple of times in hundreds (thousands?) of nights
Doesn’t hold true for me on land though, that’s for sure! Night Owl arrivals abound there 🙂
I don’t know how you do it. If we find our camp at 3 in the afternoon, that’s late!
OMG! I have tears running down my cheeks from laughing so hard!
Chas, I am glad you are safe.
But: those few sentences made me actually burst into laughter at the mental image. Well written!
another great post, Sue
that picture of Reggie looking out the window is cute
but look at him in the PTV side mirror….he is so cute…
another good thing about being out in the middle of
where you are is that you should be able to see a million
stars out at nite….we went to Big Bend one week camping
out and that is the first thing I noticed about being out
there where there are no lights within 200 miles……
chuck
Hi, chuck,
That’s so true about the stars! I’ve enjoyed looking at them from my bed every night since we’ve been here. I always see Orion’s Belt, which is the easiest to recognize, along with the Big and Little Dippers. I can see the Milky Way, too.
One of these years we need to go to Big Bend. I’m glad you had that experience.
You noticed Reggie in the side mirror. He’s so earnest about new places. I think he’s wired to be a gypsy, and, boy, does he love the desert!
I always liked the fact that Orion is followed by the two dog constellations, Canus Major and Canus Minor. 8^>
Hi, Anne P…. You inspire me to look for more constellations! Thanks for visiting here…
OMG, chuck… You can see him in the little round mirror, too! He’s so cute in his cowboy suit.
Oh, that reminds me of that song… “Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool, cool Kitty, talkin’ ’bout the boy from New York City . . . . And he’s so cute in his mohair suit . . . ”
Anyone remember that?
Before my time…..
Yes, we know, we know… You’re a youngster. 🙂
I do!
And isn’t it fun to be seeing Orion again? (Of course I didn’t feel quite so positive about it when it meant shoveling season…)
I remember it. The only thing before my time are hieroglyphics.
Hahaha! . . . and petroglyphs!
Ha ha, good one!
Hi, Sue,
Loved this post, the pictures of the trains and Crew; especially the triple portrait of Reggie (looking out the window, then x2 in the mirrors!). Don’t you just love the rhythmic clickety-clack sound that trains make?
Enjoy those beautiful dark night skies! Oh, to be able to see the Milky Way! That is one thing I hope to experience and photograph in the future! Sending you and the Crew hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
I love your comments, Denise. You have a way of making me feel like you’re right here and we’re having a little chat while looking up at the stars.
Good night to you and Gracie pup, too!
Sweet dreams! 🙂
If you come out west, there are so many places where you can see the milky way spread across the night sky (or up north). You shall!
Thanks for the affirmation, Pen! 🙂
Hi Sue,
Glad you found some warm weather. I have FINALLY started my adventure & have been making my way across the country to Arizona. I’m in New Mexico tonight “camping” at the Route 66 Hotel & Casino! Hey, it’s free. The weather is supposed to change for the worse in the next couple days so instead of exploring New Mexico i’m just trying to get someplace warm! I don’t have heat without electricity & that’s hard to come by in a free campsite. I’m so looking forward to finding some good boondocking spots in SW Arizona & exploring the desert again. It’s been 30 years since i was last out this way. Thanks for recommendations over the years of good areas to check out. I’m not sure where i should head to first when i get to AZ, but just want to get there (tomorrow i’ll cross the border!). I know i’ll eventually get to the SW corner for the winter. Hope you & the puppers are having fun wherever you are now. ??
Yay to your new adventure! Fun that you are headed to AZ.
I spent most of one winter in New Mexico. Until then I hadn’t realized that just about the whole state is well above 3000′, so there isn’t anyplace really warm in winter – even down close to the Mexico border. The New Mexico State Parks are reasonable, and have electrical hookups, but I found that I prefer roaming around Arizona and boondocking 🙂 Guess you’ll explore around and see what suits you, too 🙂
I don’t know if you’ve used this, but if you look up the “NOAA graphical forecast” and then drill down to Arizona (or wherever), it’s a really good way to get an instant visual feel for the temperatures (lows and highs) (which basically means altitude, here). It also shows winds and much more.
Here is a link to the whole US, but you can click on regions or states, and drill in few levels. I use it often when traveling, and/or to get a feel for “where can I go if I want X temperature during the day or at night.” Also very handy to see how winds will progress over a period of time.
If the link’s not cool, you can find it via search on “NOAA graphical forecast” and start with “CONUS”
http://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/conus.php
Thanks for the link Sidewinder Pen! I will definitely check that out – it will be quite handy I’m sure. I splurged tonight and got a site in an RV campground in Kingman, AZ – $30!!! We’ve had hurricane force winds (I’m rockin’ and a rollin’ in my teardrop!), sleet (which may become snow by morning) and the temperature has dropped considerably within the past 2 hours. The cold front has definitely hit! But I have electric and can take a shower in the morning – which will be fantastic as I head out tomorrow for my first boondocking somewhere south of Lake Havasu City or there abouts. It looks like it will get and stay warm once I get in that general area. So looking forward to finally doing some boondocking and getting reacquainted with the desert again.
Great hearing from you again, Jordan, and CONGRATULATIONS on jumping into a new life!
I’m sorry I didn’t see your message last night before I went offline. If I were you . . . and I was in a similar situation my first winter on the road . . . I’d do as you are doing. Head to Arizona for warmth! In our case we got on I-10 and headed toward Tucson, stopping overnight at a truck stop. The elevation in Arizona drops west and southwest of Tucson, as you probably know.
At Tucson we made a short jag on 19 to pick up 86 to Sells and then Ajo. (Ajo boondocking has changed since then.) Between Sells and Ajo is a place called Why. There’s a campground at Why. If you’d rather boondock, go south from Why toward Organ Pipe and you will see RVs out in the desert on your right. You can get a few groceries in Why (main shopping is in Ajo), eat in a restaurant, buy propane, find water…
Good luck. Let us know if you have more questions, want advice, etc.
Thank you Sue for the suggestions of southern boondocking and stopping areas – AND for the offer of more questions and advice from everyone. I appreciate it all! I backpacked across Organ Pipe 30 years ago with a compass and topo map and just loved it down there. I definitely plan to go back there this winter and explore again. I am in Kingman tonight, so am north of where you originally came thru – me having come down from the northern reaches of the country. I am going to head down to Lake Havasu area tomorrow and start looking for boondocking places in that region. I got an AZ Benchmark Atlas to try out so will start putting it to use tomorrow! I just want to find a warm place to stay for a while, get myself organized, and just soak up the joys of having finally started this adventure. I have a lot to get doing!
You’re very welcome, Jordan. I’ve thought of you several times since your earlier message. I appreciate the update.
Going south of Lake Havasu City you’ll see RVs boondocking in the desert on the left side of the road. If that doesn’t suit you, more boondocking near Parker.
Be careful in the wind… I know you will, but I had to say it. 🙂
Happy travels, Jordan! 🙂
Thank you Denise! I hope I will have many!
First off……a belated “Happy Birthday” I was looking at bulk mail and of course I found your post about your birthday. My mothers birthday is the day before your birthday, and a few years. I will not say how far apart they are but if she were still alive she would be old enough to be your mother too. She died in 1967. (that way we both will not feel older than dirt)
Any way great post you had about the trains. Some days I get your blog other days it show up in my bulk mail. Thanks to Firefox Thunderbird and or Kaspersky anti virus.
Glad you had a safe trip.
Hi, Patrick,
How nice to see you here! Thanks for the belated birthday wish and the compliment on the post.
Your comment helps me to understand why some folks have trouble receiving notifications of a new post. I’m glad you found us again…
Be well, be safe, be yourself, and be happy!
Hey, Barbara in Nashville, I’m in your area again. Heading home late afternoon
Fun post! Chuck and I enjoyed the trains we encountered on our travels too! I grew up near train tracks and loved hearing the train “songs” especially at night! Glad you are warm today and snug at night! We had a chilly 2 nights, down in the high 40s days in the 60s. Should be back in the normal 70s today!
Reggie is such a super sweetie! And HRH is always her royal self! Grin! I do enjoy her being above it all! Enjoy your stay, soak up the warmth. ????
Back in the 70s… Perfect Florida weather… You lived next to train tracks, too!
Love the hearts… Enjoy your day, Geri and Chuck!
You’re back in my old neighborhood again 🙂 We used to caravan in OHVs up to a place we called Tommy’s Cabin in the Turtles (closer to the old gas station at Rice) – camping at the old miners’ cabin under the stars was such a great time. That wind does get crazy around Needles, glad you didn’t have to fight it too long!
Hi, Jodee,
Your “old neighborhood” is a special place. Yeah, that wind across the valley was powerful. We’ve been fortunate to have mostly calm days since then.
Safe travels to you!
Love that first photo of Reggie reflected in all the mirrors.
And love the shot of your camp out in the desert with the mountains behind.
Thank you, Dawn. Nice of you to stop in to tell me that. I hope you’re having a great day!
Hi, Sue, I hope you’re having a wonderful day 🙂 Do you often or seldom use the BLT’s stabilizer jacks,and why?
Hi, weather… Yes, it’s a good day. I hope yours is, too.
I rarely use the BLT’s stabilizer jacks. When I walk inside the BLT, it doesn’t rock or even feel unstable. And when the wind blows, I enjoy the way our home rocks like a cradle. It’s one less task to do at set up . . . I suppose there’s some reason I should be putting the jacks down. I’m lazy. 🙂
Hi Sue, Seems to me like you’ve turned the seasonal page with this post – really heading back towards your desert home. I know you’ve been heading south for a while but this one really hit the mark. Your new camp looks really good. I enjoyed the picture of your rig under the turtle mountains. Of course, we all love Reggie’s flying pose, too.
Just got back from a nice walk with my pups in the woods. Such a lovely evening. Leaves are just about all down, so bare trees give a nice view of the mountains beyond the woods, and the sunset. So beautiful. Days are getting short quickly. Dark by 5pm.
A walk in the woods with your pups, a nice way to experience the close of another day. 🙂
Yes, we’re in desert mode now… cholla, ocotillo, creosote, ratanay, big sky, the crunch of coarse sand, mountains of tan, brown, gray… Enjoy your evening, Applegirl.
You are reminding me that I want to learn more of the desert plants/shrubs. I know creosote (thanks to Rusty, plus of course it smells deliciously creosote-y after a rain), palo verde, ocotillo, and juniper. But so many of the other shrubs and plants I don’t know (yet). I like to learn the names of these “friends and neighbors” in camp 🙂
Happy Birthday, Rusty!!
Virtual cake to you (and pats to Lady Piper)
Happy, happy 😀
You beat me to it, Pen! I’m about to put up another post… 🙂
Well we can just wish him Happy Birthday again, then! Maybe not so many people would see it down here anyway.
More cake for Rusty and Lady P 😀 😀