Monday, December 18
Reggie, Roger and I have a great walk this morning! As soon as the sun rises high enough to make exercise comfortable, we take off on the gravel/dirt track connecting our campsite with Midland Road. The main part of the Long Term Visitor Area and the Big Marias lie beyond.
I’m very proud of the crew!
Since Reggie and Roger enjoy romps with the dogs next door almost every day, I figure they don’t need to frolic on the ends of the 30-foot tether. Part of the reason for walking is for me to exercise, not stand around while they zoom in a circle around me, tying me up with the cable like I’m an outlaw or something.
Anyway . . . .
I’m proud of my boys because of the way they walk on their leashes.
Reggie sets the pace, trotting along with a smooth rhythm. He knows this is not a scratch-n-sniff activity. At first Roger is distracted, wanting to go one way, then another, until he catches on and falls into line, shoulder to shoulder, with the Reggie man.
Synchronized swimmers got nothing on these guys!
It’s a delight to fast-walk behind them as we breathe crisp, dry air, the sound of gravel crunching beneath my hiking shoes. We make our way past creosote buses, ironwood (second photo above), and palo verde.
By the time we reach the macadam of Midland Road, Reg and Rog are perfectly in step, like a well-matched pair of carriage horses.
Me being the carriage, of course.
Here are the boys at the entrance to the main camping area of Midland LTVA.
Yesterday — an excursion!
The Perfect Tow Vehicle boards Interstate 10 at Blythe and carries us east into Arizona. We take the Ehrenberg exit.
I stop at this multi-purpose establishment to inquire about mailing service.
The cost is $9 a month.
Add to that a $10 set-up fee for a box, and $10 security deposit for a key. Without going into a lot of detail, I balk at the requirement of them making copies of my photo IDs (to be passed on to the post office), together with a general feeling of not wanting to do business there.
(Don’t ask me why. The service works well for many people and I don’t mean to discourage anyone. I have my quirks, okay?)
Anyway . . .
I return to the PTV.
As I stand in the beautiful sunshine under a clear, blue sky, unlocking the driver’s side door, I’m struck with an urge.
I feel like a Sunday drive. We’re already on the Ehrenberg-Parker Road.
“Guess what, cuties. We’re goin’ to WalMart!”
If I’d planned this little excursion, I would’ve tried to order the griddle I want (if WalMart sells it) and waited for it to arrive at the Parker Wal-Mart before driving all the way over there.
Well, news flash: I don’t always plan.
Turns out WalMart has one grill in stock, the Coleman, which is nice. I’m still leaning toward the Blackstone griddle. (By the way, thanks to everyone who shared their opinion and information about propane grills and griddles.)
I buy a pair of pants like the pair I bought previously from a WalMart, God knows where, only in another color. That purchase alone makes the trip worthwhile because I like the pants a lot and I dislike clothes shopping very much.
I take advantage of WalMart’s low prices and stock up on stuff like coffee, toilet paper, and bottled water. Across the street is a Safeway, so we zip over there. I buy a tuna sandwich and a few items from produce. Before leaving town, I fill up the PTV at $2.59 a gallon.
The drive to Parker and back isn’t photogenic. Flat desert, flat fields, straight road, acres choked with dusty tamarisk. I don’t stop for photos. Roger is restless while Reggie dozes and I’m on a mission: to get to Parker and back.
Even so, it was a nice day.
I did see sandhill cranes, about five of them in a green field, as we whizzed past.
rvsue
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“FLASHBACK”
“Kayaks, inflatables, fishing boats — Quiet days at the lake” — Miller Lake, Oregon August 2015
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First?!
WOW! THAT WAS FAST, DAWN! 🙂
I like the cover photo today.
Hi, Deena,
That was taken, you may remember, at the RV Park in Rexburg, Idaho. Reggie and Roger liked playing in that thick grass.
I like the last picture of the boys – Roger checking out the past and Reggie checking out the future. “Think it is time to go back” or “Think we should go further”…I do love their little cute faces!
Take Care
I should’ve taken a photo of them walking shoulder to shoulder in front of me. I didn’t know at the time that I’d be blogging about that.
First?
Almost! Hi, Bruce!
Wait! No chicken??
Okay, I admit…. yes, I bought chicken. 🙂
Hi, Robin!
lol! I was wondering the same thing. Glad to hear the boys got their chicken!
I LOVE the “News flash I don’t always plan”! What a hoot! Just got back to my desk after a work Christmas lunch, and how about a new RV Sue come in! SCORE!!!! I love how the babies are walking so well on leash together. Great practice for when there is more company around. I hope you are able to get your grill Sue. I look forward to hearing your reviews of it.
Thanks, Dawn. I look forward to cooking with it. If I ever set up a shipping situation, I’m going to order the grill accessories set that goes with it and that includes a cookbook for the griddle — although I already have several ideas what I want to put on that thing.
Love the description of Reg and Rog’s jaunt!
Hah hah! I thought the “carriage” was hysterical!
Sometimes having no plans works out better!
Yeah!
“Tying you up with the cable like you are an outlaw or something.” Ok, that’s just laugh out loud funny for sure! It’s so cool that R & R can sense when a certain kind of walk is needed. Too cold here for me to take a short walk outside so I’m going to do a little housework while some upbeat music is playing. It’s a showtune kind of day.
Hi, Susan!
Housework and showtunes…. I never thought of that. A good combination…I imagine you singing into the broom-handle-as-mic!
I love playing Disney songs when I do my housework! In the summertime I try to keep it down though, the whole neighborhood doesn’t need to hear me sing Circle of Life or something, when the windows are wide open!
Hi Sue- I thought this might interest you.
About 10 days ago, an animal shelter outside of Philadelphia,PA worked with a shelter somewhere in Arizona, and flew about 1000 small dogs like Reggie and Roger east across the country. It seems there are too many small dogs in the west, and not enough in the east! This past weekend they held a “mega adoption event” and in 2 days, over 1000 pets were adopted! So I guess it wasn’t so strange that a small dog like Roger was a stray out there. Here in the east, the strays are mostly pitbulls, lab types and shepherd types. Finding a small dog like Reg or Rog would be unheard of in this part of the country. In the pictures I saw of the adoption event, I saw some that looked like your boys. I don’t know if there are plans to send eastern dogs out west there…
What you say is true, Becky. Small dogs are more plentiful in the West. In Blythe it is not uncommon to see chihuahua type dogs running loose.
Last winter when I was here and wanting to find a crew member, the camp host said she’d be hesitant to adopt a stray chihuahua from Blythe because you’d be in town and someone would run up and say, “Hey, that’s my dog!”
Wonderful that so many dogs were adopted after being transported east. Sometimes people do things right. 🙂
Okay, you people in Philly, remember that chihuahuas are from the desert and they need to be protected from your cold weather…..
Interesting about the small vs large dogs geographically across the country. For us, smaller dogs are much better suited to RV’ers.
Hi, Renee…..Yes, they are better suited in some ways.
Although there have been times when I’ve seen an RVer out walking with their calm, quiet lab or similar breed and thought it would be nice to have a companion like that to travel with…. Well, to tell the truth, I want them all!
Same in the north west, not many small dogs…my sister finally was able to adopt a small terrier type for her granddaughters after almost a year wait, Astoria. Over 70 Pomeranians were seized in Manteca ca recently and will be up for adoption if anyone is looking?
I had such a hard time finding my preferred breed in central Northern California I ended up getting mine from a breeder. I do see many rescue Silky Terriers in Southern California but I couldn’t drive the almost 400 miles to get one….my dogs are over ten now, so perhaps when I need a new crew I will go down there to rescue one or two….rescue is the way to go for sure!
I agree on rescue dogs being the best. That’s all we’ve ever had and we love them all. Our last has her moments, but we love her anyway.
Hi Sue, I’m new to your blog & I love it! How did you get Roger? I’m thinking of getting a small dog…..Sue C
Hi, Sue,
Welcome to my blog! We have many Sues and Susans who are blogorinos. I hope you will appear here again and when you do, please put your state’s initials behind your name so we can recognize you.
To know how Roger came to be part of the crew, read posts starting with “Reggie and Homeless Dog: Friends at first sight!”
Sue, I love re-reading the happy story of how Roger came to you!
I’m pleased you do, Dawn. I admit I re-read it myself. 🙂
Huh! I wonder why small dogs are more popular in the west. I’m thinking west = cattle dogs, sheep dogs, etc.
thanks for the Oregon photo at the end flashback. it brought up my longing for summer in the mountains in our trailer.
i love ironwood trees! i love the shade and the shape of the delicate branches. the wood burns for a tremendously long campfire and i remember the radiant heat is great.
your boys are truly a match made in heaven, down here on earth. you all three make a wonderful team. bess
You’re welcome, bess,
That photo does pull us back to summer, doesn’t it. I can almost smell the pines…
I have not used the Blackstone griddle. It is on my “To Buy” shopping list.
I plan on purchasing early next year. Want to use it on our car camping trips in April and May when we go to South Llano River State Park and Inks Lake State Park.
There is a guy (Todd Toven) who has a YouTube channel who has dozens of videos cooking with the Blackstone griddle. Incredible and diverse amount of things you can cook on a griddle.
(Jeff’s comment was originally under the previous post. I moved it here for more to see it. — Sue)
Hi, Jeff,
Your last line tells the big reason why I switched from wanting a grill to wanting a griddle.
Now you have me wondering about those state parks… Inks Lake… never heard of it.
They’re in Texas Hill Country. Best part of Texas IMO. West of Austin. Try it sometime.
I like this post, especially the Flash-back. I love going back in time with your posts. At first I did not know if you still had Bridgett at that time, but I soon learned that Bridgett was still enjoying the vagabond life with you. I love your new crew, but I still love the old crew too. It seems that this new crew has some of the same type habits the old crew had. Bridgett always liked to lead the way and Spike liked to wander. Reggie likes to take charge and lead and Roger likes to wander. So funny.
Hi, Jean,
I’m touched that you remember the traits of Spike and Bridget.
I was thinking about those two recently and realized I cannot say which of the two was the dominant one (unlike this crew– Roger dominates!). Spike and Bridget melded as one. It was quite remarkable and enchanting for me. I tried to portray them that way in my posts.
The weather looks perfect there! 65* and 16% humidity! Ten days and I will be heading back to the land of low humidity. Getting very anxious to hit the road. The other morning I was listening to the news and the weatherman said there was no humidity. I thought, really? Looked at my temperature gauge and it said 60% humidity! Now I know the definition of no humidity in Florida, LOL!
Sorry you are having such a hard time finding a place to receive your packages, that’s a bummer. Hope something turns up for you. I have been making good use of my sister’s address while I have been here.
Hi, Debra,
The weather is near-perfect overall…. absolutely perfect once it warms up in the morning. Right now it’s what I call balmy. Balmy is the best! 🙂
60% is no humidity for FL— that’s funny. 🙂
Ten more days!
Hey Sue,
Were still hanging out up north of y’all, at Lake Mead, but it is getting chilly and next week does not bode well for good weather ;-( Had hoped to stay in nowheresville until after Christmas, but we’ll cross our fingers.
I know the Parker WalMart well and it is a planned stop on our route usually, but I have a question for you: What is the process for getting through the ag stations going into to California (Earp/Blythe) with fresh produce. This always makes me nervous, because I surely don’t want to have to dump perfectly good food that I just bought. Please advise ye wise one 😉
Thanks!
Mush
Usually coming into California at the ag stations, produce that is bought at grocery stores is ok..generally it is just home grown or flea market type produce that is suspect….the only thing I have ever had to forfeit was some fruit I got at the farmers market. I guess it isn’t as well regulated for pests, which is what the ag stations try to keep out.
Hi, Mush,
Yes, colder weather is coming!
When I come through the checkpoint, I’m asked if I have any produce. I say something like, “I’ve got grapefruit from WalMart” or “I’ve got tomatoes from Safeway.” I’m wished safe travels and we’re through! 🙂
Hi-
i have gone through the ag stations and they just waved my rv through. Same thing for a friend. No problem. I don’t know who they check, but they don’t seem to bother rvers.
Linda,
I have actually had problems and been waved through. I refuse to enter CA at Needles because I feel like I’ve experienced an inquisition when I’m done there. The Blythe entry is much more laid back and I’m frequently (but not always) just waved through. The Earp entry is more formal but they are nice folks.
Hi Mush,
I was talking about the Blythe area. Just my experience.
Hi Sue!
It’s always hard for me to pass up an opportunity to do some WalMart shopping. Glad you got a chicken…I’m sure that the crew enjoyed it with you.
Joe,
Teena Kitty and I both love the roasted chicken, but I’m kinda disappointed in the WalMart birds I see. I guess we got spoiled by Costco?
Costco birds are the best!
We have Food lion near us and they have the very best chickens, even better than Costco, Walmart, and Sam’s. They have them ready about 4 every day and, if I go into the store, I have to have one!!! The smell draws me in every time! It’s several meals for us.
About the mail place, better to go with your gut feeling, Sue. But you already know that.
I love the flashbacks, too.
Really like the today’s post describing Reg & Rog. They are too cute together. Sorry the laundromat post office didn’t work out and hope you get your grill soon. I don’t really know much about the grills, but have always leaned toward the Coleman Road Trip Grill as you can get the griddle plates for it so you have both.
If my traveling ever comes to fruition, I plan to do a lot of outdoor grilling and griddle cooking. Having stir-fry for dinner tonight.
Well, duty calls! Time to take Angel for her long afternoon walk so it doesn’t get took dark on us, very overcast today.
Another great post Missy. I have a short little story I am posting. I wish you all happiness at this season.
A Memory….
It was a simpler time even though we spent some of it in the Great Depression and ww2. I was a kid and thus mostly immune to the strife suffered by our parents. We made a game of life. We even had our own calendar of sorts. We had seasons. Tops, kite, skate seasons to mention a few. We had baseball (there was always a vacant lot to use as our field within earshot of Mom calling us home for supper). We played until the street lights came on or we got the “Mom Call”.
In those days there was no TV, computer, smartphones or video games to keep us locked up and storing our fat. We had friends. A funny story about those days centers around our telephone. Phones were primitive and were serious adult only devices. I had a friend named Herbie. He was a stutterer. It took him quite a while to get said what he wanted to say. One day Herbie asked our phone number which I gave him. That night our phone rang (an event) and I was told it was for me. Strange! I had never received a phone call. I went our one and only phone and a voice said “you,yo,yo will never nev,nev never guess whowhowho this is….
On our block we had a little tom boy named Linda. She tried to teach me to play “Jacks”. All I remember is the game could be played on a front porch and involved a tiny ball and some funny looking little metal objects that were called jacks. She was a sport and played in some of our baseball games right along with the boys. I never caught on to Jacks though.
Things were different then but in many ways better. Sometime I’ll talk about the war remembrances I have from those times in Los Angeles including the Air Raid of 1942. Meanwhile you can read of it in this article. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/70-years-later-The-Great-LA-Air-Raid-Remains-a-Mystery-138954484.html
Hey, everybody! Jim is BACK!!! 🙂
Thanks, Jim, I just love it when you tell us your stories about the good old days!
Jim, I enjoyed reading your post. Just a few days ago I was thinking of some of your previous posts about your childhood memories and how interesting they were to read. When I was 12 I loved to play jacks. One of my friends and I would play for hours. When we weren’t doing that we’d be riding our bikes, collecting butterflies or playing in the woods. We never stayed in watching TV. I’m with you, growing up was much different then and better in a lot of ways.
Thanks for the story Jim! So glad you felt good enough to write it and share it!
Too funny…….Jacks
Had a little leather carrying pouch…and we used a super ball not the red squishy ball!
My cousins (boys) played…..
Think it was a hand eye coordination exercise…..back in the day!
I SO AGREE with going along with how you feel in situations like you describe with mail service at that laundry…I learned the hard way to not let my head and logic overrule the “still small voice”…I would have avoided a truck wreck in 2008 if I had!! Generally I think logic is a gift…but not at all points in life. Hope some other way of getting mail works out, Sue…we have our issues here ALL the time!! Ordering via Amazon is a pain in the neck…you never know exactly HOW it will be delivered and we only have a PO Box for our mail…though UPS COULD indeed deliver to us at our physical address where we have chosen NOT to get mail…for lots of good reasons. And could they let you know when you order something just HOW it will be delivered, before you pay? Well, of course not…it is more fun to have things returned by the PO I guess…even though they well know who we are. Go figure…good ole days of yore are gone dearie…
In NY we had a PO Box and a physical address for 911 purposes only. No USPS delivery to the physical address. UPS would deliver to the 911 address but it would never verify to complete the order. We would have to contact the “business” to see who they used for shipping…
For USPS…if you just wrote our name and the town…it would make it to our box. For UPS….just send it…Randy the driver, will know whose stoop to leave it on!
Forgot the FedEx man…..can you say totally lost?
Fed Ex: where is 5665.
Me: couldn’t tell you…who are you looking for
Fed Ex: K Pflanzer
Me: follow the road to the right…brown house with white trim
Ha! Remember when the FedEx came all the way out to our campsite to deliver the red-checked oil cloth? Readers wanted to give him an award!
It is obvious, that where you are located can be very different for the very same business…you were fortunate to live in a town where there were helpful folks!!
I’ve been to that Walmart and Safeway many times. If you ever need to charge your electronics and/or get online, the Parker McDonalds has several tables with outlets and free wifi just before the restrooms.
Good info, Linda! Thank you!
Hi Sue and Blogorino’s,
Your mail situation is kinda foreign to me as I live in a bricks and stick and I know exactly when and where to get the mail. But I was remembering last Christmas we sent my Sister a letter with a Christmas check. My sister lives in a remote cabin in ID, six miles from a town of 3000 people. She does not have a car available in the winter as it gets snowed in. She is used to walking to town and sometimes she will get a lift if one of her “neighbors” go to town. One day she walked to town and checked into the post office for mail. Keep in mind there is a lot of snow. She has lived like this for over 20 years and the post office knows her even though she is not to chatty with them. Well on this day she forgot the key to her box. She asked them if they could get the mail for her and they said “no” you will either have to have a key or buy another one.! If I had been with her I probably would have been arrested! Good luck with UPS, and the USPS. it is always great to get your mail or presents.
That’s quite a story, Ruthie. There are people who follow the rules to the point where they don’t follow their brains.
Nice post. I had not noticed the road (Hwy 1) from Ehnberg to Parker. Good to know its there, to use to make a loop when we go to Parker on a Walmart run from Q. I hear you about the scenery, but the loop is worth a try. We are planning to be in the LTVA near Q for the month of Feb, various other places around AZ in Jan and March.
Take care and travel safe Sue and crew.
Thank you, Kevin.
I drove to Parker on impulse and didn’t have my map with me. Miss a turn in that part of the desert and one could drive for miles and miles out of one’s way. When I got to a complex of Indian services buildings I found someone to tell me what turn to take. So happens the turn was right where I was. Good thing I stopped and asked!
I can tell you’re in high anticipation mode…. 🙂
I was hoping that the Ehrenberg Laundromat mail service was going to be the answer but I’m with you – I’ll pass.
I stopped at WalMart today also and picked up the online order that I had placed with store pick-up. It went so well that there is a good chance I will do it again. Not everything that is sold online is avail for store pick-up however. Most of the time involved in getting the item was the walk to a fro in the parking lot, there was no line and the WallMart Associate was pleasant and efficient.
I am thinking that the only fool proof way for people like you and me is to use our forwarding service but only buy items from Amazon that come with FREE shipping . Get the FREE shipping from Amazon to the forwarding service and then pay for the forwarding shipping. Then we do not care what carrier Amazon might choose and we have control over what carrier the forward service will use in sending to our chosen location. It is more expensive to do it that way but until Amazon changes their policy I see no other way.
To rely on ALL US Post Offices to receive ALL packages from ALL carriers is not realistic since the USPS receives no revenue for doing so. Perhaps the USPS could change their policy and charge a small fee but the chances that that happening before Amazon changes is about a likely to happen as when pigs fly.
Hi, Ed,
I’m happy to hear your WalMart online order with store pick-up went well. At the suggestion of a friend, I decided to try it with the Blackstone griddle I want. It’s presently out of stock. Darn. I set up an email notification for when it is in stock. That drive from Blythe/Quartzsite to Parker is mind-numbingly tedious but joy cometh in the receiving of one’s order!
Using the mail forwarding system is something I’ve considered but shied away from due to the shipping expense from SD to here.
I totally get knowing that a certain place is not where I want to do business – and I always trust that feeling. Wonderful that the boys continue to meld into a comfortable team. Love the mind picture of them running around, tying you up in the cable :-))))
Hi, Jodee!
Ha, I now know that laundromat/mini mall well, and the drive to Parker and that Walmart 🙂 Was up there yesterday to secure a few lotto tickets to mail out in Christmas cards. Linda from NC caught up again with me the night before last, but again off to parts unknown. She, like myself, find we are struggling psychologically with both the wind and constant dust. I am jealous she went and got a wash yesterday up at the Ehrenberg exit Flying J. Sounds like for not a bad price, either. But then she told me she isn’t driving back down this road again! Going to miss her!! She finished her step mosaic which is gorgeous – talented lady.
Anyway, we’re about four miles out in the “durt” as one nomad puts it with the appropriate accent drawing out the “ur” – LOL. For now I’m just using waterless car wash wipes to try to keep the worst of it down as I won’t be back on the road for a few months.
Struggling trying to get Freyja deflea’d. She has always been on oral meds and I wrapped up and threw away the rug I had in advance of another that’s coming (and is washable and dryable). Flea comb is almost useless in her thick fur but I have been trying, that and a waterless shampoo and fish oil in her food in case it’s also dryness. Until I can get it dealt with I have to drug her with Benedryl to give a little relief (she’s actually allergic to even just one bite). Crazy! We picked them up somewhere across the country. I’ll take any suggestions. Trying some cedar oil/simple green spray on the carpets I can’t remove – really don’t want to use the toxic flea powder.
She actually hates to go on walks now that take her anywhere past the perimeter of the camp – if there’s no other dogs or campfires there must not be food, so of no interest to her!
What else? Oh with help here I have my second solar system mostly in – 200 watts on the roof in addition to the 100 portable and going into a second battery under the dinette. That was best solution for me. Now my electronics charging and main source of light – a lamp with led bulbs is separate from my house. Have been testing using my furnace again, rather than blowing through those expensive Mr. Heater bottles.
My blog is now published – but don’t laugh – I’m still in New Baden Illinois – LOL. I still have a lot of catching up to do to make it to real time but that’s my goal to have done by years end when I start my fieldwork.
It’s amazing how busy I stay out here – next I have to strap in the new battery, wire in the original battery to the controller (it will charge one then switch over and charge the other), and rewire the converter…then we have a Christmas potluck planned, a day out to restock and dump, a girls yaya sisterhood night planned, a campfire breakfast and a mechanic here is going to show me how to change my oil (been many years since I’ve done that). I have YET to have time to relax.
I did take a page out of your book though and added a hummingbird feeder from the Blythe Ace – wow those are crazy little devils aren’t they? Before that they would practically attack my red hat when I went for a walk. Or one of the guy’s sunflower seed packets when he was holding it and eating out of it!
Enough babbling. But wanted to catch you and any of those that follow with the highlights. Merry Christmas to you, the crew, and all your Blogorinos!
Always enjoy your reports, Dawn! Thanks for the update and Merry Christmas to you, too!
I haven’t camped where you are now. Your report of the dust problem tells me it’s a lot different over there. We have dust — this is the desert — but nothing like you describe. The PTV hasn’t been washed in months and it’s sitting out there looking reasonably clean, not covered in dust.
I have noticed if a piece of ground is trampled a lot by rigs, people, dogs, ATVs, etc. the ground turns to powder which is one tiny notch above dust. You’re camped in a popular place which leads me to believe that’s the cause of the dust problem.
I don’t point this out to say you or others shouldn’t camp there. Obviously there are many positives — the social gatherings, the fix-it help, the solar set-up installation, etc. I only give the above explanation so folks reading my blog don’t get the impression that your dust situation is what one encounters anywhere and everywhere in the desert.
Are those North Carolina fleas? Maybe your rig needs to be “bombed,” something commonly done in the East. I don’t even know if it’s sold in the Southwest as fleas are uncommon.
Oh, I missed the part where you say you probably picked up the fleas coming across country. I wish I knew something to help.
Blogorinos: Any ideas how Dawn can eliminate fleas from Freyja?
Yeppers….the fleas are on feryja and in the rig. Since she is allergic… it probably would be best to “fogger bomb” the rig and use a flea product…like frontline or Advantage. Frontline kills the fleas on her in 24 hours.
Oh and it’s going to be a chore. It’s a cycle you’ll have to break so to speak. The bomb kills the fleas…then you have thoroughly vacuum. At the same time… gather and wash all beddings…or the eggs will hatch and you’ll start the process over.
Anything the fog comes in contact with …will need to be washed or removed prior…i.e. Toothbrush, food/h20 bowl, fruit veggies on the counter etc. We wash EVERYTHING..plates utensils etc.
IF you do use the fogger bomb…make sure you turn off all pilot lights.
PS. You don’t have to purchase an entire box of flea applications..go to a vet/pet groomer and just buy one. Stay away from Hartz and PetSpot. No name products usually mean you’ll end up buying the name brand…eventually.
Try Capstar. It’s an oral pill that only works for 24 hours, but it kills every flea on the dog. At the same time, bomb your rig. The next day, put whatever drops you use on the dogs back. I use advantage 2 on my dogs and it works great. I use Capstar on my cats since they don’t go outside and if they ever have fleas, it’s because I fell behind on treating my dogs and they picked them up
Cinandjules offered great advice and information, I agree with everything in her reply. I’ll just add that most foggers instructions say people and animals need to vacate the premises for up to 8 hours. That presented problems for me. I searched everywhere, internet and stores to find something that allowed my two cats and I to safely return home an hour after using it. While I wouldn’t apply Hartz products on any animal, I did use Hartz Ultra Guard Plus flea and tick home spray with only good results. Amazon sells it, it wasn’t easy for me to find a store that did.
As long as you ventilate the area…open all the windows and use a fan…you can go in after the timeframe indicated on the fogger.
Haven’t had to fog….in years! Things may have changed….let me go look!
Well…that’s what we did….no problems!
Thanks!!!
Good to know that it may just be this road/area. I can wipe the table and the laptop and five minutes later the laptop crunches again when you slide it across the table – LOL. I think it is that powder you talk about. I have moved to a rockier spot in hopes it will help but our particular camp is along two roads so I don’t think it’s helping since the road kicks it up.
Thanks EVERYONE for the flea advice. I’ve had to do it back at the house before (years ago). The biggest issue is not having easy access to a vacuum cleaner and unable to use the drops – she goes into seizures with even the mildest ones. She is on the monthly orals so that should ultimately help once I get them out of the rig. Be so much easier to do this back home – grin. Something to be said for a home base.
Fleas and sand spurs – our bane cross country.
Hi Dawn,
Congrats on the progress with your solar! It certainly does make boondocking much more enjoyable 😀
I have a question about the lamp you mentioned – is it 110 or 12 volt that plugs into either a cigarette lighter type socket or USB port? I have looked on amazon a few times for a small 12v lamp for the nightstand by my bed. So far haven’t found one. If yours is 12v, could you provide the name or where you purchased?
Or, if anyone else knows of such a lamp?
Thanks for any feedback.
Debra
Blogorinos: What small 12-volt lamp do you recommend?
(Please do not post links. Thank you — Sue)
Hi Debra –
The lamp was a favorite, couldn’t leave it behind – I thought about rewiring it for 12v, but since it’ll be back in sticks and brick at one point, instead just use it with a small inverter and LED bulbs. I had to have the inverter to charge my mac laptop anyway (I did recently finally find a 12v charger for it on Amazon, but it gets bad reviews – this solution works for me although I can’t charge and have the lamp on at the same time!)
Good luck!!
Thanks for the reply Dawn, I was hoping you had found a 12v 😀. I purchased a small lamp that is 110 which I use when I have hookup. Your response gave me the idea that I could possibly rewire it for 12v. I’ll have to look into that.
Have you considered a solar lamp? My “go to” light in the Casita is a solar lamp. It has 3 settings. I typically only use the 2 lower settings. It folds open to expose the solar panels and charge. On travel days, I leave it open on the dash.
I have a couple of collapsible ones that don’t work as well. I have not tried the Luci lights which I’ve seen recommended by others.
Pat… I’m interested in your lamp with the 3 settings. Do you know the brand or can you find something on it to identify it? (Don’t post a link. I’ll search Amazon for it.)
Thank you!
Try searching Amazon with B019PG8OT8,
think it’s called Folding Clover Solar LED lamp…-
it may not be the one Pat has, but it’s cool as all get out 🙂
Solar LED Lights, GRDE 24 LED 350Lumens Max 3 Modes
This is the beginning of the Amazon description. Unfortunately it is unavailable. I think the key to the usefulness of this lantern is the fact that it is rated at 350 lumens. The high setting really is bright.
Perhaps you could find another with similar output on Amazon.
Thanks, Pat. Will do!
Thank you, weather! I’ll check it out!
There are direct replacement 12 volt LED bulbs available at reasonable prices.
Do a Google search for “12 volt LED lights Edison base to see what’s available. There are 3 sizes of screw-in bulbs and they’re listed using the base diameter in milimeters … E26 (standard), E17 (intermediate) or E10 (candelabra or Xmas tree lights)
Once you have the bulb, all that’s left is replacing or adapting the plug for 12 volts and remembering to replace the bulb before plugging the lamp into 120 volts again.
Thanks Lou for the info. I have a charging center with a 12v socket and 2 USB ports by my nightstand so I would prefer to use that. The lamp I have now uses a type B candelabra bulb. I have a 40W bulb in it now so would like something in LED that would be close to that wattage. I’ll google and do some research
You should be very proud of your crew! It’s impressive that they behave well on leashes, walking in step with each other is even more so. I think it’s a great idea to keep them in the practice of being on a leash , not just always use the long tether. The picture of them acting like hellions, and tying you up with the cable like you’re an outlaw is funny, but no fun in real life-especially if that were to happen when a lot of other people are around.
A few years ago the county I lived in held a free rabies shot clinic that a large crowd attended. I showed up with three dogs and two cats, none of them had been with me long, were leash trained or well behaved in public. It was embarrassing to watch everyone else standing in line with their calm perfect fur friends stare as I tried to control my troupe. I resorted to taking them through the line one at a time while my husband kept the others in the car.
Your seeing the tedious trip to Parker as worthwhile because you got new pants you like is so like you. You have such a great attitude about things others might be so upset by that it would ruin their whole day (disappointing visit to mail box/laundry place, mail service in general around there and now,having to wait to get the grill you’d hoped to have for Christmas). I hope today is a wonderful one for you.
Thank you, weather, for all you say and do. I hope your day is wonderful, too. 🙂
Ah Weather…your dog story is humorous…thanks for a bit of humor!! It takes TIME to train beasts to behave…and esp. if you get several new near the same time. My daughter’s dog here loved people but hated other animals…he was a royal handful when we had to take him to the vet…I had to cover his head with his blanket to make him quieter (and he did not like that either!!) We do miss the little pill, evenso…
Hi
Loved AZ Jim’s memories and story. Hang in there AZ Jim! To Dawn-don’t the oral flea pills work for your dog?
Loved all the grill talk and the FLASHBACK! Heck, I love the whole blog!
Merry Christmas everybody!😂
I used that Ehrenberg PO box place when I wintered in Quartzsite 17 years ago during a mid-life break. Worked fine for me.
A couple of friends and I were holding down space in the La Posa LTVA for a RV Forum rally that took place during the Big Tent week.
At that time there wasn’t WiFi or cellular Internet access. The Flying J across the highway in Ehrenberg had booths with regular phone jacks where you could make free 800 number calls. A couple of times a week I’d drive over from Quartzsite to get online there. If it was time to do laundry, I’d do it at that laundromat, running back and forth to the Flying J while the washers and dryers churned away.
Ehrenberg’s water comes from the Colorado River, my clothes always came out better than when I used the Quartzsite laundry. Less crowded, too.
I grew up in Jim’s era also have those memories. I lived in the country but often visited cousins in nearby small town. He didn’t mention the outhouses on every block. A real part of my memories as we were a little more sophisticated in the country outhouse or it seemed so at the time. None were nice in clay country. Lol
I am at least 6 posts behind so I cannot comment on anything recent. But I did want you to know that I just placed an Amazon order of significant size. I had been keeping a running list of things and finally stopped putting it off. It included a small “Clam” screen room, a Drexel tool, a ceramic heater, a spare tire cover, awning anchor system, a large tilting shade umbrella for my daughter to sit under watching my grandson’s soccer games and lots of little things that added up quickly. A bike rack is out of stock so don’t know how you will get credit for that.
I have a trip planned to N. Florida, Live Oak, to attend a Rally at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park with many of the same people that rallied together there last January. The Dash has been idle for the last 8 months and I am looking forward to the trip. I had the cushions recovered and recently found someone who did a wonderful job of polishing it to a lovely clean shine. This year the Rally is expected to have twice the number of trailers than last year. That may mean it will be too large a group for my comfort.
I have a reservation for another small gathering in March at Silver Springs ST. Pk but that may be my last. By then I hope to be confident enough in my abilities to “do it all by myself” to begin to go north and west.
In May I had a health scare, that though dramatic and scary, resulting in a hospital stay of 5 days, and several weeks of follow up tests, has had no lasting effects. (Ischemic colitis, nasty business). More recently I have had three severe bouts of bronchitis since Labor Day but now am finally breathing well. As a precaution my doctor has recommended a pulmonary evaluation to determine if we can do any preventative care. Also, In the last three months my older brother has had oral surgery and is now undergoing radiation.
In light of all this I have become very motivated to Live My Dash !!! So I have been organizing, researching, planning and anticipating future travels. The Amazon order was part of that and since you, and your blog (and the Blogorinos) have played such a big part in my plan I wanted to order here and repay you and help to benefit your future. Ok now I promise to catch up on posts and comments. I have missed them.
Hi, Dasher,
Thank you for the interesting update, although I’m sorry to hear about you and your brother’s health problems. “In light of all this I have become very motivated to Live My Dash!!” Good for you! 🙂
I also thank you for shopping Amazon. I haven’t seen any of those items on the reports for 12/19 nor so far today. If they had been sitting on a wish list, that may be the reason. Disappointing but I do appreciate the thought!
Ugh !! No Email confirmation from Amazon when I checked mail on my iPad this AM. “An error occurred….sign in and check orders…may be due to changes made by back up during ordering or checkout process” I’m pretty sure I am guilty of one of those. So I did check and it had not been processed. I am signed out on iPad and going back in through your sample products list to purchase everything in cart (16 items). I hope this will work in your favor. I will feel terrible if I screwed it up.
Hmmm.. now I am being required to enter my name and Email for comments. Always had that filled in before. Technology…gotta love it, gotta hate it.
I see the stuff! Wow!!! Thank you, Dasher, and Merry Christmas!
The “Sincerely Nuts Organic Raw Cashews” in the product list might be mine. It’s the 2 lb. bag, and that’s exactly what I bought for someone on Dec. 11. Happy to see that!
I was happy to see that, too, Lisa. 🙂
Thank you!
OK, for 40 watts you’re looking at 450 lumens light output. There’s lots of stuff out there.
Hi Sue I was thinking about your mailing problem with the dog bark collar delivery. If you go to orders and open the collar one there is a contact seller and even a shipping problem area. Write a brief note and ask can they ship it UPS and offer to pay difference if need be. Both Amazon and the supplier see the email. I just had an issue with a gift for Christmas delivery from a non amazon co. and was writing them about it twice. It arrived way earlier after that. Nice. I find they are helpful with shipping and want your business. Try it I bet they will accommodate you if you give a simple reason why you need it UPS.Hope this might help worth a try. Love seeing your cuties enjoying the desert life. Sounds like life is treating you good and makes me hapy for you. Happy holidays to you and the crew!
Thank you, Kathleen. See the next post regarding shipping! 🙂