Thursday, March 7
It looks like the crew isn’t interested in a walk this morning. Yesterday’s hike wore them out.
Spike and Bridget snuggle in the bed covers while I drink my coffee and catch up on blog comments.
Bridget is somewhere under the covers in the lower right of the photo above.
I don’t know how she breathes under there!
By the time the crew finishes napping and I’m done meandering around cyberspace, we’re ready to go outside and enjoy this sunny, warm day. Gee, it’s really nice out here. I think I’ll take my bath outside.
Why not?
No one is around. I can see if anyone is coming this way. I set up two basins with warm water, and bring out my tote bag of bathing supplies, along with a big bath towel. It’s a lot easier outside, especially when washing my hair which is getting very long. Outside I don’t have to be careful about splashing water on anything. Ooh, that sun feels good! I should run around naked in the sun more often! Splish, splash, I’m takin’ my bath . . . .
Okay, enough of that.
After a light breakfast, I dive into cleaning the Best Little Trailer. I haven’t cleaned since arriving at this Saddle Mountain camp. In a living space as small as ours, clutter can overtake us in a very short time. And, of course, there’s that pesky desert dust.
I hang my cleaning cloths on the antenna wire to dry. Gives the place that lived-in look.
An outdoor rug makes life easier and more pleasant.
You may think it’s silly to put out an outdoor rug in the desert. (What kind of boondocker is that? Hmmf! )
Well, it serves several purposes. Bridget does not like to get dirty, for one thing. Spike loves to get dirty so he can bring his dusty, brown body into our house and jump on the bed.
Also, rain is coming. Without the outdoor rug, our front “yard” will become a big mud hole. The rug cuts down on mud tracked inside. The outdoor rug makes our home seem bigger, plus sitting outside is more enjoyable with the rug under our feet, er, paws.
By late afternoon, we’re ready to walk to the mountain.
I like the time of day when the desert air turns from very warm to comfortably cool, yet it’s still light enough to walk about.
Funny. People probably think it’s a tough life trying to live on little more than 12k a year.
It’s an easy life. I have many riches. I have my health and peace of mind . . . .
No debts to haunt me at night . . . Beautiful real estate all over the country . . .
Two loving and loyal pals who keep me company and make me laugh . . .
And a cozy home just right for us!
Friday, March 8
7:30 a.m. Cool morning with overcast skies. The sun peeks through now and then.
9:00 a.m. Hmm . . . Smells like rain.
10:30 a.m. Light sprinkles.
11:00 a.m. Rain stops. The crew and I wander around outside.
12 noon. Getting a bit windy and dark. “C’mon, you two mud puppies. Let’s go in.”
12:30 p.m. Rain. Thunder!
12:35 p.m. I run outside, take down the antenna, and store it under the BLT. Back inside I unplug the inverters.
12:45 p.m. All hell breaks loose … Heavy rain, strong wind, more thunder. Gee, can mud fly? It’s awfully brown out there.
2:00 p.m. Wind dies down. Heavy, steady rain.
3:00 p.m. The rain stops.
4:00 p.m. Ahhh . . . Look at that sky! Priceless . . .
rvsue
Oh my goodness. RVsue, you should sell that blue-tone picture of your BLT to the folks at Casita. it would be a killer web site banner photo. Just beautiful!
There’s something about the BLT that makes for pretty pictures. Glad you liked this one, Eileen!
Great story telling with your writing and pics. I was wondering if your title was going to be about Amazon. Um nope it wasn’t. LOL! I’m glad I stayed put, because I would say that was one good wind/rain storm. Thought my little trailer was going to blow over with some of those gusts. I’t hailed for about a minute too. I’m off tomorrow for Benson hope no snow. It’s nice out now enjoy that sun.
I’m glad you stayed put, too, Laurie. That wind was strong and the dust and rain made visibility almost nil! We were rocking and rolling, too. No hail though.
Right after I posted that blue-sky ending, it rained again for a little bit. The desert is very unpredictable.
Have a good, safe trip tomorrow.
Hey Laurie it’s a good idea not to stop over night in Benson, I hear the train noise is awful. While traveling to Texas you should stop at Roswel New Mexico and see the UFO museum.
Actually, I drove to Deming:) Thanks for the tip Rattlesnake Joe. On the way back I might go to Roswel. I think I’m going to check out all of New Mexico with the annual pass on the way back.
I agree with Eileen – The BLT looks very comfy. Really, it is a great shot.
It’s easy to see why I love my tiny home!
Beautiful post! Such a wonderful reminder that the simplest things in life can be the best.
And the complicated things can be the worst! I was thinking about that today… what a burden it is to try and live a Martha Stewart type life. I’d rather bathe out of a basin standing in the sun and eat boiled potatoes than live in a beautifully decorated McMansion eating sugared pears in wine.
Good to hear from you, Neita.
OK….this may be my favorite post yet. Made me feel so peaceful. I’ll be there one day soon. And BTW….while this is my favorite post…..the hummingbird feeder one is hard to top! SO what I would have done! LOL! Sweet dreams to you and your crew from me and mine.
Hello, MB…. It’s fun to find out what posts people like the best. I have to admit… I still laugh about that dang hummingbird feeder under the PTV’s tire! Boy, that felt good.
Sweet dreams to you and yours . . . Thanks for writing.
I just love hearing about your days………I live vicariously thru you sometimes ya know! I could all but smell the rain 😀
Lacy
Hi Lacy!
And I love seeing readers appear here, letting me know they’re still interested in reading about my life.
I’ve been waiting out this storm before I move over to near where you are. But after this post I’m headed over RIGHT AWAY!! Just kidding!
Bob
While bending over my wash basin it did occur to me that you said you’d visit on Thursday! Ha… Did you run away?
You have inspired me, Sue, with your writing and your ability to take control of your life and get on out there. I am a long time camper from age 6 but have rarely taken off on my own. Because of chronic health issues I have felt vulnerable about boondocking. I have no problem in campgrounds because there is always someone to help if needed and I am not shy about asking. But I do want to boondock again as I did in my 20s and 30s. I will be taking off in my 19 foot trailer in mid May for Utah and parts unknown for at least 2 months or 3 or whenever. Even my spouse is inspired and has signed on as well. Oh, and so has our rescue pup. And at least some of the trip WILL involve boondocking! Perhaps our paths will cross, perhaps not, but know I will be reading your blog and thoroughly enjoying all your adventures. Good luck to you.
All the best,
Caryl, currently near Chicago
How wonderful! Isn’t life grand when you have something to look forward to! I wish you the very best of times, whether in a campground or boondocking. And good going, Spouse, for signing on for the adventure!
Thank you, Caryl, for your kind words about me and my blog.
Good for you Caryl! I hope you have a blast!!!
You are indeed rich with all of the important things in life!!!
Hi, JoAnne… Have I welcomed you to my blog? Welcome! Yes, the simple life is indeed the richest.
Hey Sue, are we gonna’ have to assign PG, and X ratings to your blog??????? A riot,kiddo but then your blog always is and the more serious is VERY WELL PUT!!!!!
Hi Chuck . . . Who needs a privacy tent when you’ve got mountains and creosote bushes all around! THAT’s my privacy tent. I suppose I could’ve posted a photo to illustrate my bath!
Sue, but how can I get rid of the image of you dancing around singing ‘splish, splash’ in the desert, out of my mind????????
Hi, Sue and Crew. The more I see your little Liberty Deluxe, the more I feel it would be the best fit for me too..( after I get surgery done on my broken elbow) The lifestyle you present is so appealing on what your income is. But I have one question that you may have already mention in past posts. But what do you do about having and maintaining adequate health insurance? Happy travels to you all and stay safe… Cheers! Dominick
Hi, Dominick,
Yes, the Liberty is a delight. I would caution you about the narrow twin bed. Maybe you plan to put your Liberty in a regular or king-size bed lay-out. If you’re planning on a twin set-up, be cautioned it’s narrow. (Some people modify to make it wider.) I’m accustomed to sleeping in a small space (big, bed-hog ex-husband!). Just thought I should mention that.
i have teacher retirement insurance. Cheers to you, too!
Hi Sue, I like the outdoor rug idea !! IT will keep dust down and so much dirt from coming in. But, do you roll it up when you know it is going to rain??? And then put it out in the mud? You mentioned it keeps the mud from getting tracked in.
Oh no, I don’t roll it up. By keeping it down outside the door throughout a rainstorm, mud doesn’t form there. The rug is weather-proof. Rain doesn’t hurt it a bit and it dries very quickly.
Very nice. Yes, weather proof is the way to go. I like it .
Braver woman than me. I would not have taken the chance of an outdoor sponge bath. No one wants to see that! (Me, I mean. LOL)
Hmm, I meant that no one would want to see ME naked.
It’s all about being naked, not who sees me naked. I really don’t care!
No drop in visits please…………………..has a whole new meaning! 🙂 Running around the desert butt neked………hah! Ah… if someone had one of those “RVSue endorsed” monoculars handy. You always make me chuckle.
It’s kind of like their warm cave. I don’t know how they breath under the covers….I know I can’t.
What is that pile of rocks featured in the picture between 12pm and 1230pm?
The BLT looks great…love the blue.
It’s going to be 50 degrees this Sunday. Everyone’s talking about dragging out their bbq. The last time we tried to have one…the regulator was frozen. Constantly learning something new about living here in the North Country.
Enjoy your evening.
The pile of rocks is a fire ring. There are fire rings all over. I’ve never seen so many in such a small area, yet no one is here but me and the crew.
We had snow this morning. What a surprise! We are at Owl Canyon BLM outside Barstow, CA. Beautiful, but quite a shock after leaving sunny San Onofre. Solar panels kept us all charged up and our MiniPearl kept us warm and cozy! After almost 9 months on the road and 31 states we can still say Casita was our best choice! We are not alone here and it is way too cold for outside bathing
Hello, fellow Casita-lover! Yes, there’s a big difference in temperature at Owl Canyon from only a short distance to the south. Thirty-one states in 9 months… whew!
What a wonderful life we have!
Glad your rain only last a few hours. We have been cloudy, cool, and rainy since early this morning in Virgin, Utah. Suppose to be that way again tomorrow.
Enjoy your time in the beautiful desert with the crew. They are two lucky dogs.
I wonder what Zion is like in March, fewer people I’d guess. The crew and I enjoyed a great camp along the North Fork at Virgin. Yes, we have a wonderful life . . . May it be so for a long time!
Hi Sue,
I love reading your blog and look forward to it everyday. I am so looking forward to selling our home and having a simpler life. Hubby is slowing down my RV plans due to health issues, but is coming around. Happy and safe travels to you.
How do you access the internet in the desert?
Barbara B.
I’m glad you enjoy my blog, Barbara. I hope your husband’s health issues resolve and your house sells soon. The simple life is best!
I access the internet with a Verizon MiFi card hooked up to a Wilson antenna. Look at the header above and open the Internet tab. You can read about the antenna and also see a schematic that shows you how it’s all put together from the antenna to the computer.
Hi Sue. Sorry, I haven’t written forever. I moved from Arizona to Oregon, haven’t recovered yet.
But I must say: there must be some yearn in everyone for living lifet your way.
Hi Ed! Good to see you here again . . .
I think the yearn to live life my way comes from the fact that modern life forces people to live in an unnatural and subsequently unhealthy manner. It’s not “natural” to worry every day, to rush around, to hear constant noise, to not sleep peacefully or enough, to possess little or no daily awareness of the natural world other than what appears on television and weather reports. I think one needs sunrises, sunsets, bird songs, wind in the face, sun on the back, grass between the toes, etc.
May you enjoy good health and happiness in Oregon, Ed.
Sue, you are a poet. And exactly correct in your observation of today’s “normal” life-style.
If RV Sue had a theme song it just might be ” I did it my way ” by Ole Blue Eyes “.
🙂 Or “Runaround Sue!”
I appreciate the story about your outdoor bath. Since I’ve divorced and living alone, I frequently find myself running around nekid and dancing to music. I also have a back deck (with no neighbors near) that I like to enjoy with only my birthday suit. It’s funny…it took a divorce and not giving a damn to give me the freedom and permission to do it.
I found when I lived in southern California with a tall walled garden fence that if I were feeling under the weather sitting outside sans clothing with the sun beating down on my body always made me feel better.
Light therapy. . . good for body and soul.
DeAnne, there is an old saying ” In every tragedy there is always opportunity, we just need to look for it ” 🙂
Hooray for DeAnne! Freedom is a state of mind.
Hey, Sue, we all came into the world naked…we were all soft and full of wrinkles then too (actually, an image of a Chinese Shar-Pei comes to mind!)…it’s all good. Enjoy! 😉
Hello, DQ! I hope I don’t have that Shar-Pei look quite yet!
Lol Ur posts are always good but this one had me going. Ur life is great and I’m glad ur enjoying each and every day of it. I must say I’ve been enjoying thru ur posts. I love ur companions, they are absolutely adorable and so personable. As for riches, I think ur r the richest person I know! There are many who may have more pocket change but don’t have anywhere near the sights and pleasures u enjoy every day. You seem closer to God and paradise that anyone I know. I pray God will bless u with the health to continue this wonderful lifestyle as long as u wish.
Dear, dear Judie . . . Thank you for that prayer! It is my prayer also. You’re very kind.
It’s a pleasure for me to hear how you enjoy the crew and my posts. Have a wonderful day!
Hmm, do you have another chair to leave outside too?? I wonder if it might be best to make any passerbys think that there are 2 people there? You are a brave girl, going outside like that!! Heh, lots of ways to spy on folks these days!!
If anyone is so deranged to want to harm me, a chair isn’t going to stop them. I do know what will though and it’s close by!
Let them spy, as long as they keep their distance. Sweet of you to voice concern for me, Elizabeth.
I feel better reading the 2nd sentence!! HA!!
I have heard the government can read a credit card from Outer Space with the spy satelites of today. But there are trained technicians that “air brush ” out all UFO photos and other stuff they don’t want the public to see. Hope those techs are having fun now!
Maybe I should make a poster to set up next to the wash basin… “Shame on you!. What would your mother think?”
My husband and I were laughing so hard tonight He said “SR71 Blackbird high in the sky taking pictures at 90,000 feet…………….”Laughing was good because he has been sick for a week and his 98 year old mom who lives with us is having some health issues. So thank you Sue for your great blog!!! it really lightened things up around here.
And let’s hope those pictures don’t go viral! Ha! Sending wishes for good health to your house! Glad my blog brought laughter . . . Thanks for writing, Betty.
Hi Sue, Is that a tv antenna by chance? Really like the blog and the pictures are priceless. As for living on a dime I do it every month. Guess theres a difference between what I want and what I get. I have what I need ………HoboJoe
You’re a leather tramp, we are rubber tramps. Doesn’t matter much except your way is cheaper but harder. I have been both. Some of my fondest memories are when I lived out of my pack. There is nothing like having your home on your back. You can go anywhere and your home is right there with you. If you have never heard of Colin Fletcher you would like to read his books. He was the Father of Backpacking back in the 70’s and 80’s. My favorite book of his was The Man Who Walked Through Time. By the way your name has a nice ring to it ha.
Joe… That’s an antenna to increase the strength of cell signal so I can have reliable, steady internet connection in out-of-the-way places. In other words, so I blog, blog, blog! Read all about it under “Internet” in the header . . . Follow the links for diagrams.
Ah,ha! I’ve bathed outside too when in remote places. It’s lovely.
Recently on morning TV there was an episode featuring micro-apartments in San Diego. Living in less than 300 sq feet was intended to amaze viewers. But anyone who full-times in an RV lives in less than that! Of course, we have amazing patio and yard space that we don’t even have to mow or trim.
I can imagine that TV episode… 300 feet… I wonder how many families on this planet have a lot less.
Sue, I love reading your posts and looking at your pictures! I have a question. Are you nervous or anxious when leaving your trailer in the desert when you go shopping or doing laundry?
Hi Chip… Great to hear from you!
No, I don’t get nervous about stuff like that. I lock up, including the hitch lock, and go! It helps to be a non-worrying kind of person. If I were to lose my trailer, the crew and I would be okay. I appreciate the concern.
Beautiful pics of Spike & Bridget on the trail. I envy the hiking trails right outside your doorstep. Here in the city, I have to drive a ways to a mountain reserve to hike the trails w/my pups. I hike on a week day to avoid trail traffic which gets pretty congested on weekends.
Have you tried towelettes that you wet and it suds up to give yourself a bird bath?. No need to rinse off using these big towelettes. I rinse the suds off and squeeze excess water out and use them to wipe the dogs down too. After use…throw them in trash. The generic brands can be found in Walmart.
I watch the storm from my cozy little house. I love it when it storms…the house is even cozier. I make lots of hot tea and sip my drink sitting by the window. I can see quite a ways…vacant land south of me and a new community park west of me and my house faces these two empty land. I am going to hate it when they develop the vacant land rezoned for industrial development. We in the community have asked for hiking and bike trails along the industrial development like Laveen, the city south of us.
Hi Rita… No, I don’t use the towelettes much. A good ol’ scrubbing with deoderant soap and hot water does the trick!
Gee, I hope that vacant land is set up for hiking and biking.
Deoderant soap attracts the insects as does deoderant, perfume and other non natural sweet smelling stuf. Bright colors too will bring the bees. Plus the animals can get a whiff of you and they are gone. When camping this stuff is not needed.
To each his own, Joe… I like the idea of running off coyotes, rather than the people I meet.
My wife and I are full-timers, too. During the winter of 2011/12 we stayed in south Texas and were to head west until my wife broke her leg. I can’t imagine being all alone with no one around in case something like that happened. Bob Penhollow
Hi Robert! I don’t know if you’re a Robert that’s posted before, so I’ll go ahead and say “Welcome!” to you and your wife.
Bad things can happen. I can’t let possible calamity keep me from living a full life in a manner that suits me… that makes me feel joy every day. I follow the advice my father gave me when I was a preteen . . . “Every problem, no matter how big, is only a bunch of little problems.” He was a great problem-solver and maybe that’s why I found myself teaching math . . . Anyway, I’ll deal with whatever hardship, pain, or catastrophe that comes my way. I do exercise caution.
Sue, have you ever met the naked bookstore guy in Quartzsite? Bet you’d hit it off…lol. Actually he does wear what could only be referred to as a pouch since the town makes him do it. I’ve done the outdoor bathing naked thing and it seems rather freeing although I’d probably be very embarrassed if someone happened by while I was doing it. Maybe I’m just shy…lol.
Just so you know, that brown in the sky yesterday was actually a dust storm kicked up ahead of the thunderstorm, or so the weather guy tells us. We saw it here too and it was eerie but cool. That was some thunderstorm that came through for sure. We also had one here later yesterday night complete with lightning and thunder although not much rain. Hope you had your antenna still stowed inside for it.
I’ve seen the naked bookseller in photos… No desire to see him in person . . . Let’s say that’s another reason I don’t go to Quartzsite much! Ha!
Yeah, that dust storm was weird because the rain was between it and us! Mud flies! I took the antenna down when it rained and thundered in the afternoon. I put it back up when the storm passed (blue sky photo). Then the storm came BACK in full force, so I took the antenna down again. Good thing I did because lightning was all around us.
I’ve seen that guy a couple of times since I go to Quartzsite to go to the rock shows and meet up with friends from a forum I am on. It’s an experience in person I can tell you. He is actually a nice guy and knows a lot about books. His store is very full and he has some great older books as well as some new ones. It’s an experience just wandering around the bookstore, naked guy aside…lol.
Glad you took the antenna down again, don’t want any shocking experiences.
I got the same impression about the naked guy from reading someone’s blog. No doubt he is a nice guy… I do love bookstores!
Welcome to my blog, derocknut! I wish I knew more about rocks. I’m picking up little pieces of agate around here, nothing worthwhile, too small, but interesting nonetheless.
You would love that bookstore, so much to see in there both eclectic as well as mundane.
Thanks for the welcome, I’m planning on getting a travel trailer when I get back home to Montana later this spring and doing the full-time thing. I’ve been researching it and was told about your blog so now I’m following.
As for rocks, watch out it’s addictive picking up rocks especially when you start learning about them. I disagree, small is sometimes the best when it comes to fire agate. A lot of the good ones are small with a lot of fire inside. Most fire agate is on the small side even the stuff people buy to make jewelry. Even leaverite (the rocks you pick up but should “leave er rite” there) can be interesting. I’ve also heard them called “Indian Love Stones” but that’s a whole different story…lol.
Diane aka derocknut
So happy you shucked your inhibitions. Now, you are really free. 🙂 Love your blog–so much fun. I have grown very attached to Spike and Bridget. I have three little rescues, each with their own set of quirks too. Like Spike and Bridget, they are always ready for an adventure.
Hi Carol . . . Aren’t rescued pups the greatest? You don’t know what you’re getting which is part of the fun! Spike and Bridget are entirely different, even though I chose Bridget because she looked so much like Spike in her youth. Spike’s the adventurer. Bridget is a tag-along. She doesn’t want to miss out.
I’ve said it many times to different readers, but I really mean it — I’m glad you love my blog!
When you post from out in the middle of nowhere, it almost seems like you are exploring another planet with the BLT being your spaceship. I wouldnt be surprised to see the Mars rover driving by the BLT one of these days:-)
Hi John!
It’s that antenna sticking up. It makes the BLT look like a spaceship out of the fifties… Hmm… a Mars rover… Maybe I should put one of those on the Shopping Links page “For your campsite.”
Rich, indeed, Sue! 🙂
I happened to be in the area with my new 110 power telescope, I noticed a white Casita a few hundred yards away and being the curious type I trained my trusty scope that way and what did I see? Well, let’s just say I know ya better now Sue….*an aside* Now, we know ole AZ Jim wouldn’t lie don’t we? Well, don’t we?
Pleased to meetcha!
It’s amazing how little we can live on. My expenses have been reduced to about where you are and as soon as I have this RV paid off, I will be down to an awesome level! I love my tiny life. <3
Living “small” does not mean impoverishment, as undoubtedly you have realized. Good for you!
I do think when so much of your life is lived outdoors being exposed to the sun, fresh air and the elements you probably do not require the frequent bathing as you do when cooped up indoors living in cities with air pollution, etc. Nonetheless, a good antibacterial soap is a good thing to have on hand. Being a backpacker back in the day, you take what you need and no more. It’s empowering to live with just what you need and some people take it down to a science, the minimalists. I remember the name Colin Fletcher back in the 70s and 80s. Will try to revisit his books again. Thanks for sharing your life and what you do. Was wondering if you have unlimited 4G with Verizon?
Hi Virginia,
As for me, bathing is influenced by several factors… time of year, humidity, level of activity and type of activity. I hope readers don’t think I bathe as infrequently as I report it on this blog. Sheesh. A good, soapy scrubbing after a cup of coffee at sunrise starts the day off right!
It’s easy to fall into the habit of buying useless things, especially when you live in a big house. There’s always a blank wall or shelf or dresser to load up with “stuff. When your home is only a few steps, every item brought into it is carefully considered. Does this object have a function? If not, I don’t want it. Simply nice to look at is not enough. I have windows on the world for that.
My Verizon contract is for 6G of data per month. Good to hear from you, Virginia.
What a great title, with so many possible interpretations! This has to be one of my favorite posts. You express so much of what I have right now and what I look forward to. Simple and inexpensive does not have to be boring or sad.
I so enjoy your blog – your insights on life, your beautiful photos of the different places you visit, your (relatively few) interactions with other people. Thanks again for taking us along!
You’re welcome, Cari! And I so enjoy receiving comments like yours . . . Thank you for traveling with me and my crew.
All sounds wonderful! Days like that are worth living 🙂 Thank you for sharing your day with us.
Here, here!! 🙂
Absolutely LOVE the blue picture of the Casita too!! And the whole “peace of mind” thing keeps playing over and over in my head. We talk about that alot.