I think we all know by now that Spike is going to do what’s best for Spike.
I’m banking on this trait of his to make our new sleeping arrangement a success. Sure enough. He gets annoyed with my feet poking him while he sleeps, so he goes over to the cushion on the other side of the aisle. I make sure he’s covered and tucked in whenever I get up in the night. This just might work after all!
It’s been sunny, but windy, all day.
Waterfront property
I like to stay inside on a day like this. There’s a lot of airborne dust. I could write my name in dust on the spare tire cover. Other than a sprint around the pond with the crew, I’m in front of the laptop now that it’s not sucking the life out of my 400 watt inverter.
I pull up all the blinds so I can watch the coots scoot across the water. Which begs the question: Why aren’t they called scoots?
Warning: Severe topic change ahead . . .
Say what you will about Walmart. It rarely lets me down. Yesterday I walk in, tell the electronics guy what I need, he finds it, I look at it, say thanks a lot, and put it in my cart. I don’t have to give him the specs on my laptop or calculate the curvature of the earth.
What am I talking about?
Remember I couldn’t get the DC to AC inverter for my laptop at Radio Shack because of TLI (too little information)? No quiz at Walmart. The one I got is a “75 watt continuous/100 watt peak” PowerLine inverter. And it cost eleven dollars LESS than the one at Radio Shack.
It’s impossible to come out of Walmart with one thing. I pick up two storage drawers to put with the other ones on the side of the Casita opposite my bed. I also grab a small rug to put on the floor of my bathroom/shower room. No more cold fiberglass floor for my bare feet in the middle of the night.
When I return to our camp, I see a ticket on the little table by the door.
Apparently the BLM police were by. A big 1-20 is written on the form signifying that I can stay until January 20th.. I guess they didn’t see me pull in here a week ago Saturday which would make my 14-day limit the 14th. I doubt I’ll stay that long, although this end of the pond has practically become my own waterfront property. It’s been quiet around here the last few days, even over the weekend.
Besides a few fulltimers, the people are here to sit around a campfire or to fish.
Sun on his feathers and wind in his beak I bet this guy knows how to fish.
Why the latter, I can’t figure out, because I haven’t seen anyone catch anything worthwhile during a week of watching countless people try. All I’ve seen anyone catch are a few crappies aka sunfish, or trout no bigger than fish I’ve seen in home aquariums.
The odd thing is that a mysterious fish about 15-20 inches long (carp maybe?) jumps out of the water quite frequently, teasing these guys to put in a few more hours.
I notice almost everyone uses the same technique: bait a hook, cast it out with a float, lay the rod down, sit and watch . . . or go back to the truck and have a beer. No one tries putting a little action on the bait. Oh well, maybe the whole point is to drink a few beers and not be bothered by some pesky fish pulling on the line.
New look for rvsue and her canine crew!
I’ve been wanting to personalize the header of my blog for quite some time. I was waiting for the perfect photo. Well, with that attitude I might never get it done! I want a photo like this only with me and the crew in it. Someday . . .
rvsue
1/7/12 . . . inverter $28.88, two storage drawers $19.44, throw rug $5.00, tax $5.01 (9.4% is too much tax!) 1/8/12 . . . $0
It’s easy to see (in these pics) why you named it the ptv … as Forrest once said, ” … like peas and carrots”. I swear they were made for each other.
Thank you, ThatCase . . . I still believe it’s perfect for us and the Casita.
“Which begs the question: Why aren’t they called scoots? ” For the same reason butterflies are not called flutterbys! LOL! Love the new header photo! Glad you were able to find the cord you needed at WalMart! LOL Even more glad you didn’t have to calculate the curvature of the earth!
Don’t think trout swim in lakes or ponds do they??? Grin………… !!!
You’re so right about the trout. There’s lake trout but this is hardly what you’d call a lake. However, I’m told by the locals that this pond is stocked with trout every January. They stock it with trout of a keepable size because, like you said, this isn’t their kind of place and they probably wouldn’t last long.
Guess I was thinking about the rainbow trout, or brown trout that hide out in streams! Don’t think I have ever heard of a lake trout! See? You are still teaching!! You just taught me something new!
Geri,
You got me curious so I looked up lake trout. They are rare here, mostly living in cold lakes in Canada and the northeastern U.S. (where I grew up!). No wonder you hadn’t heard about them!
I LOVE the new header photo!
Too funny about Spike doing what you want him to do because he’s doing it HIS way. 😀
I think those fish must be related to the ones here in Georgia who tease us by jumping all over the place after we give up trying to catch them.
Glad you like the header!
Even when the crew and I go walking, I find myself trying to make it seem that every turn is Spike’s idea, because if he picks up on it being my idea, he plants his feet, er paws, and refuses to budge. No kidding.
Gee, and here I thought it was just husbands that do that. No, wait, my dachshund Willie is like that too.
http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com
If you can get Spike and Brigget to co-operate maybe tie their leashes together near the hitch of the PTV and the Casita and use the self timer mode on your camera.
Or wait until someone you trust is around so you can just hold the crew, posing them the way you want.
Take a bunch of pictures like a Photo Shoot that way you have a choice of the best and also some comical memories.
It’s about time.
Well, I happen to know some really good photographers. I’ll be working on it.
🙂
Nice new header photo. Thanks for keeping your blog fresh and always entertaining. Walmart is a campers good friend and talk about customer service if you need to return something even without a receipt; they are very helpful and accommodating.
Thanks, glad you like the header. At least it gives new visitors a quick idea of what we’re up to.
There’s been a lot of turmoil and controversy about Walmart’s treatment of employees and shutting down small businesses with competition. I don’t know about that. But from the customers’ side of things, Walmart is great to do business with and helps people with tight budgets.
And their return policy is second to none.
http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com
“Oh well, maybe the whole point is to drink a few beers and not be bothered by some pesky fish pulling on the line.” You got it Sue (except maybe for the beer part – yuk!). If you catch ’em you gotta clean ’em but as an excuse to sit and do nothing, there’s nothing like it!!
Hi, Donna!
One thing I’ve enjoyed seeing . . . and there have been several instances. . . is a man fishing with his children. Yesterday a man and his small son were across the pond from my site. The father helped the little boy get his line out. I could tell the boy was more interested in his father than his fishing rod. He walked around his father as they talked, and at one point the father got up and grabbed his son in a big hug, lifting the child off the ground. Heartwarming! Too many kids don’t get that.
Loved the New Year Resolutions! Spike needs to stop with the fat talk otherwise Bridget will develop DDD (Doggie Dysmorphic Disorder)! LOL! She’ll be standing in front of the mirror all day, saying “Does this leash make me look fat?” Also, “I like the new look …” so droll!!! Speaking of the “twin” bed concept, I am looking at the Scamp because it has a FRONT dinette, SIDE bath, REAR bed. Rather than guess, I thought to ask you because you are living’ the dream — do you ever wish your dinette booth was up front being in front of a window, where you can sit and watch the world go by? I’d be in an RV park more often than BLM land, where I’d back in. The bed would be in the back where I (only) guess that it is more quiet and private? Any thoughts on his floorplan idea? Thanks! Love the header. Gayle
Hi, Gayle!
The reason I llike the LD is I can have a bed in the back or I can have a dinette in the back. The way I have it set up now, I have a dinette with a huge window (the back window). I wouldn’t want my bathroom in the middle of my little house. The side dinette is very cute in the Spirit Casitas. However, it puts the entire kitchen on one side. I didn’t like that. I realize there are loads of people who love the Spirit. It’s a good design, too. I don’t know a thing about Scamps.
Most of all, I like the Liberty because of it’s flexibility.
As for where the bed is located for quiet, in such small spaces, it doesn’t matter. I would think insulation would be more important for quiet. Campground noise is not going to be a problem because that’s what they have camp hosts for…
I’ll say it again, I do believe it is the PtV and would recommend it to others. Can’t wait to see pics of your new storage space. How very nice of Spike to be obliging to your new sleeping arrangements. I am sure he understands it is best for all involved.
“Best for all involved?” You’re kidding, right?
The PTV IS perfect. Where would I put all these huge cushions I took out of my Casita if I had anything less spacious?
Beware of Radio Shack, some of their prices are outrageous.
I needed a special battery(1/2 AA 3.5v) for an oxnmeter several years ago and RS only place in town (small town but do have Wal Mart), their price was apx $20, was mad when I got home so took it back, got my refund. Looked on line and after few calls find that “Battery Plus” (store) has the same battery for apx $6.00. Nearest Batt Plus store to me is 65 miles, so I can plan/wait for trips for shopping. I will do without before going back to RS, can order things on line and have them in a few days.
You’re right, Bob. I kind of figured their price would be higher. Since I’m not tech savvy, I also figured the extra few dollars would be for the expertise of the people. Trouble is, they’re too expert, wanting to know exactly what you have, blah blah.
The guy over at Walmart had the common sense to know it’s highly unlikely that a woman in her sixties wearing a funny hat has a laptop that can manage interstellar missiles. . . One can assume I have the usual laptop that people like me buy!
Sue if you need any tech advise go to rv.net. they have different forums for all types of questions. There is a tech section and if the people there can’t give you the answer they know where to refer you.
Okay, Bob. Thanks!
WHEW…………..when I read the title I thought the POlice had come to arrest Spike.
I could almost hear Bridget snickering.
Glad to hear they just wanted to make your site “official”.
Hi Sue! First time responder here…..but Ihave been lurking and following you and your furry friends for a couple weeks. I like to do Google Earth and see where people are. Are you north of Yuma at the present time?
Have really enjoyed your insightful/humerous comments and at times you have reminded me a little of Erma Bombeck’s style.
Hello,, tennessee tom! Welcome to my blog!
As a woman living alone “on the road,” you can understand why I might not want to announce my specific location. I obviously don’t try very hard to keep it secret (photos and descriptions), but I don’t want to draw too much attention to it. I’ll be happy to let people know the specifics as I leave.
Everyone has been very accepting of this, except one person did disclose my location against my wishes and it made me very uncomfortable. If I feel like I have to keep looking over my shoulder, I’ll have to close up my blog. So please don’t take offense . . .it’s just a rule I follow. And remind me if I forget to tell you once I’m in a new place. okay?
Thank you for the HUGE compliment! Erma Bombeck was a very talented lady! I’m so glad you are enjoying my blog . . .
Oh, I didnt even think about that……….sorry. I totally understand. That is a great header photo!
No problem, Tom! Glad you like the photo. I love to show off my home and the PTV . . .
Hello, Sherry!
Yeah, rvsue and her canine crew is becoming very tabloid with leading headlines that go nowhere!
Wow. What a great campsite! We might have to try to find it some time.
Roger and Dianne,
It is a pretty place. I’m not sure it is quite as peaceful during school vacation times, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, but this week has been very nice.
Sue, I think what the Radio Shack guy was trying to do was to figure out exactly which power connection you had so he could sell you a DC power cord so you could run the laptop directly from the battery using a cigarette type plug in the 12v outlet rather than plugging in the AC cord like you do with an inverter. This should actually use less power since the laptop actually runs on DC from the laptop battery. If you’re using an inverter, you’re converting from DC at the Casita’s battery to AC through the inverter and back to DC in the laptop and wasting power in the process. But since different brands of computers have different connection “plugs” and different power requirements, the Radio Shack guy needed the specifics of your computer to identify the right DC cable. At some point you probably still want to get one of those.
Great header picture but I agree that it would be perfect if it included you and the crew.
Now I’m totally confused. What you describe above is exactly what I described to the Radio Shack guy and he told me there was no such thing. I said, “You mean I have to use the same cord that came with my computer with the box thing on it (transformer) and then plug it into an inverter that’s inserted into a 12 volt outlet?” I even said “Isn’t the computer already DC?” and I’m pretty sure he said no.
Whatever is going on, I’m happy to say the laptop is not using very much power! Maybe when I get around some other Casita people using solar when I go to Quartzite, I’ll get to see what you’re talking about.
Hi, JoJo!
Yeah, it is kind of nice to see the PTV and my house on wheels every time I open up the blog. Glad you like it. My dream shot is similar, only my solar panel is up and the crew and I are in it.
I’ve always found Walmart’s people knowledgeable about technology. Some poor guy got stuck with the task of explaining all the cellphone options to me until I was able to make a decision…. quite a feat!
Hi, Sue
I like your new lead. Maybe you can Photoshop you and the crew into the picture.
Sounds like Spike is wisely choosing comfort over cold feet and territorial issues.
I agree with your assessment of Radio Shack. I’ve be frustated there several times.
Sue, I love the new look of your blog! We’re in Phoenix today getting the nearly perfect tow vehicle repaired. Stayed at Organ Pipe National Monument for past couple of days. Laptop battery is dead and needs charging. Steep learning curve for us but we are having a great time. Thanks for providing the inspiration. PS found a free WordPress app for my cell phone!