Monday, May 2
Years ago I read about Bluewater Lake State Park. The name enchanted me. I vowed I’d camp at Bluewater someday.
Someday is now!
Bluewater Lake State Park, between Grants and Gallup, New Mexico
“Beauty over convenience.”
That’s my usual rule of thumb. Upon entering Bluewater Lake State Park I need to decide whether the crew and I will camp at a lovely, lake-view site like this one . . . .
Or shall we opt for electric hook-ups in the more cramped and less eye-pleasing area, shown in the photo below?
You may be surprised to learn that I choose the latter!
“Why would you do that, RVSue?” you ask, perplexed.
“Well, dear reader, I do not want us sleeping with the propane heater on. It makes me nervous. It’s cold and we probably will need the heater during the night. With electric I can run the heater function on the air conditioner while we sleep.”
At the self-pay station I drop a check for $28 (2 nights) in the iron ranger.
If I may digress a moment . . . .
About ten years ago while trying to make a decision on what rig would work best for us, I looked at Class C motorhomes. I quickly dismissed them because I wanted a vehicle separate from our home and dragging a toad around didn’t appeal to me.
Anyway . . .
That’s why I never learned much about the details of living in a Class C, including how a Class C is leveled.
As I drive us around looking for a campsite, the pretty rig in the above photo catches my eye. The site is so unlevel they had to lift the front wheels off the ground! Hey, it works!
I choose a site where we don’t see the side of an RV when stepping outside.
(The photo below was taken after the wind tore the heck out of our old, blue mat. But I’m getting ahead of the story . . . .)
The picnic table area is next to pinyon pines. (I didn’t edit to make the sky that blue. That’s how the photo came out of the camera.)
Tuesday, May 3
Bridget’s car makes a big difference in our daily lives! Her car glides on smoothly paved campground loops, giving her a comfortable ride while the Chihuahuan Dynamo burns some of his endless energy.
We check out the boat ramp area.
The boat ramp doesn’t quite reach the water. This next photo shows the blue that gave the lake its name.
Primitive camping is allowed in an area along the lake. I’m not all interested in doing that and it looks like others agree. May = Mud. Plus the shoreline is barren.
Here’s a website with photos of huge tiger muskies caught at Bluewater Lake, as well as a pic of a sucker fish (the reason the muskies were introduced). The page is dated 2012. I find it interesting, not only for the fish photos, but also for the shot of the lake at full water level. Sigh.
As we leave the boat ramp area, the Canine Ranger introduces himself to Reggie.
Reggie has to prove that he can be bigger!
This dog regularly patrols the campground. He’s in great shape, well fed, and happy. Obviously someone is taking care of him.
As for Bridget, she’d rather not associate with local riffraff.
Wednesday, May 4
Ever since we arrived at Blue Lake State Park, I’ve taken advantage of the strong internet signal to publish posts on this blog. I pay for two more days in order to continue catching up.
This New Mexico spring weather keeps us indoors anyway!
rvsue
NOTE TO BLOGORINOS: When preparing to comment, please add your state’s abbreviation or some indication where you. Not a requirement, just a suggestion. It makes your comment more interesting and helps us remember who you are, especially when there are others with the same name. Thank you! — Sue
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are some items recently purchased by readers:
Reversible Mat
Fifth Wheel Trailer Cover
crocs Women’s Leather Wedge Sandal
Pure Sine Power Inverter 12 Volt DC To 120 Volt AC
10-Cup Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe, Polished Silver
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Digital Camera – Wi-Fi Enabled
The canyon below Bluewater Lake State Park
CLICK LINK TO SHOP AMAZON NOW!
First!
WELL DONE, DAWN! CONGRATULATIONS!
1st? Woo-hoo!
YAY, PAT! YOU TIED FOR FIRST PLACE!
Maybe??
SECOND PLACE GOES TO PEGGY IN BUCKEYE!
I can’t be first…
BUT YOU CAN BE THIRD! HI, STEVE!
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your blog Sue. I’ve dreamed of traveling the US, but at 72, I probably never will. I’m doing it vicariously through you and the dogs! I’m also getting a feel for problems that may crop up.
Pat
It’s a thrill for me to read that my blog brings you enjoyment, Pat.
Gosh Pat, don’t say that. I plan on traveling no matter my age, just as long as my health holds out. Since I am almost 69, I just keep my dream alive and keep on planning.
You make a good point, Barbara. There are folks on the road who are in their 80s. The main thing is for everyone to choose, if they can, the lifestyle that suits them, no matter what age.
Same here. DH doesn’t want to live in RV or make long trip often and Is terminally ill. So as caregiver and 75 I’m off road temporarily but if health holds ?? Never can tell. It’s not over til it’s over. I’m ready to die but I’m living til the last breath and what life brings I may or may not like but I’ll wring it dry
Joyce, you are my hero. Love your attitude.
C’mon Pat, I’m 75 (76 in October), and just beginning my journey in about a month. You can do it too..if only you want it badly enough. See if you can catch me….:)
That’s a reasonably nice place. I’m a big fan of primitive camping, but not at all of mud.
That picture of the blue sky appeals to me, partly because that deep blue here, means dry air. We are having rain broken up by humidity, which does nothing good for my asthma and arthritis. Oh, well. “Plotting and planning” continues.
Hi, Calvin,
Yeah, one has to be careful at this time of year because of the rain and possibility of mud. I like it here at Bluewater, even with the bitter cold that prevents us from living outdoors as much as we usually do.
Best wishes for continued plotting and planning!
Now that you’ve been living the life for several years, are you still pleased with your choice of BLT and PTV? Are you ever tempted by the space of a Class C or Class A rig? Would you make any changes if you were starting over? Just wondering since you are now the voice of experience!
Hi, Maia,
I’m definitely pleased with the BLT and PTV. I never wanted a Class A. They don’t appeal to me at all. Like most folks, I daresay, I was drawn to Class Cs at first. Soon I realized we didn’t need the space, the extra outlay of money, and then there’s the problem of “to toad or not to toad.” Over time I realized I wouldn’t want to drive a Class C around.
Not criticizing anyone’s choice here… Maia asked for my opinion. Different strokes. . . .
Nope, I wouldn’t choose anything different than what we have.
Hi Sue and Crew! I had the same experience in New Mexico last May, got snowed on several times and it was quite cold! We actually went back to Az. at the end of May to warm up a little! I was sad you had such bad weather at El Morro National Park. It was one of the most moving experiences to see the progression of signatures on that wall. Maya and I even made it to the top of the bluff! Oh well, maybe you can get back another time. Stay warm, hugs to the crew.
Hi, Pam and Maya,
I’m glad you had the full El Morro experience. I didn’t mean to demean its value in the previous post. If ever in the area again, I hope to see the signatures. The conditions have to be right.
Sue and Crew I totally understand why you chose to get a site with power. It looks beautiful there. Glad you are posting and you are feeling better.
Thank you, Kat. I appreciate you stopping by with a few words. It is beautiful here. Where I sit at my computer (at the back window) I see a bluebird in the pinyon tree. I don’t know where you are — I hope you have something lovely out your window, too!
The last picture of Bridget made me chuckle….she obviously disapproves of such behavior! I think she believes her chair actually is a throne for Queen Bridget! Gotta love her attitude!
You’re right, Peggy. I notice Bridget assumes a superior air about her as she rolls in her throne-on-wheels. Put a glove on her paw and she could raise it in the royal wave.
Bridget in that photo: “Pfffttt! Commoners!”
Wow #10, moving on up. I even read the post. Gosh the sky and the lake are the most gorgeous shades of blue! I think I would stay there the allotted time regardless of the cold. Why to little dogs think they are big and big dogs think they are small? Angel doesn’t stand on her back legs like that, but she sure asserts herself, when she has the opportunity.
One of my neighbors who lives the next street over has lost their 4 ft Iguana Somehow it managed to push the screen door open and is now roaming the rest of the neighborhood. My next door neighbor saw it behind his house, so they come up every day, to search. Need to get to work for the day. Catch you all later.
By the time I typed, I dropped to #18.
Not surprised, Barbara… The comments come in quickly right after a post goes up.
An iguana on the loose! I hope it can tolerate the weather in Nashville.
Hugs to Angel, the big little-dog.
She has had plenty of extra attention today. My little social butterfly has visited everyone she has seen outside, neighbors, kids, painters, and carpet layers; none of which were at my house, but I gave her extra hugs from you anyway.
Ha!
Good morning Sue and crew. Must read your post and enjoy the photos. TTYL.
Good morning, Marilyn!
What a lovely spot!! The name is rather enchanting, eh?!
I’ve long been interested in going to NM, but was put off recently by tales of pack rats chewing hoses and wiring. I’ve heard that if you leave your hood up and put string lights underneath at night, that you can keep them at bay. I’d assume that the BLT is probably pretty well protected with the fiberglass, but the PTV might be at risk.
Have you had any run-ins with these critters, or come up with solutions for dealing with them?
Love to follow you and your sweet crew on your adventures. I’m hoping someday to get out in a Class B. Retired, but my sister is in poor health and I want to help her as much as I can.
Take care, Liz and her crew
Hi, Liz,
Pack rats are also known as wood rats and they’re not only in New Mexico. This from wikipedia:
“Woodrats reach their greatest diversity in the deserts of the western United States and northern Mexico. Several species are also found in the deciduous forest of the east coast, juniper woodlands in the southwest, oak woodlands along the coastal western United States and in the Sonoran Desert, and in the forest and rocky habitats of the western United States and western Canada.”
We haven’t had any chewed wires that I know of. I did find an incomplete nest of torn tissues behind the coolant reservoir in the PTV. On occasion I have kept the hood raised. Most of the time I forget about it. Some people hang lights to keep them away.
Your sister is fortunate to have you.
There are a couple of pack rat nests near where I’m currently camped in Arizona.
Yikes.
Beautiful spot, I need to put this one on my life list!
If you like to fish or hike, Bluewater Lake State Park is a great place to visit.
Always enjoy hearing from you, Steve. Maybe you could include a hint where you are next time you comment? 🙂
First?
Lol far from it!!!!
Hahahaha!
Your new post is a welcome sight! 🙂
And so are you, Patricia! 🙂
Enjoyed your post and the last two, again. When I miss seeing your new post announcement in email, I leisurely read before responding as I know others have been way too fast and will beat me to first, second, and third!
This is a very nice park. Definitely will put it on my wish list for camping in New Mexico, when we get back to that part of the country. With so many wonderful places to visit in the US, I have no interest in air travel anyplace else. Thanks, Sue, for a great report.
Hi, Renee,
I agree with you about traveling the US. I’ve lost interest in going overseas. There’s so much to experience and enjoy on this continent! Plus, no airport hassle. I tend to focus on the “small picture” anyway.
I hope you do visit Bluewater someday so you can say, “Someday is now!” 🙂
Would you mind telling how many Casitas you have been credited with selling? 🙂
I wish I knew, Mick, and I also wish Casita Travel Trailers would send me a check for $200 for every one of them! (I’ve received two so far… Nice! Thanks, CTT.)
I camped in the “primitive” area on the north shore when I was there. Nice and quiet, the only neighbor was a traveling buddy, and the wild horses would come down to drink.
How delightful! I imagine it is nice to camp there. As for the wild horses, more on them in a future post!
Beautiful pictures!
Lynn B. (Baltimore)
Thanks, Lynn!
Hi Sue,
I guess you could call me a lurker until now. I’ve been reading your blog from the beginning because I just found it about 3 weeks ago. I read the updated posts but went back to the beginning of your journey to see your experiences from there. I am a former teacher planning on transitioning to full-time RVing in the next 5 months. I want to do lots of boondocking and eventually get solar. I didn’t get to retire from teaching because I developed some handicaps, but hopefully they don’t stop me from RVing full time.
You and I sound a lot alike. I bet we’d hit it off really well.
I enjoy your blog the most of all the full time RV blogs I’m currently reading. Thank you for sharing your experiences and photos. I hope to cross paths with you someday. If you’d drop me an email I’d love to ask you some questions I haven’t seen answered yet, but I don’t expect anything from you. Meaning, I know you have many followers, and many posts to respond to, and I’m not wanting impose.
Keep enjoying the now where ever now may be.
Your blogorino that’s no longer lurking,
Beth from the Phoenix, AZ area
How very nice to see you here, Beth! Welcome to my blog and to the world of Blogorinos! Thank you for the compliment on my blog and for reading the archives.
Rarely do I contact a reader by email. I like transparency and sharing to go on here. Whenever a reader has asked for a private conversation and I subsequently convinced them to ask their questions here, it turns out that others appreciated the Q & A, too. Please feel free to ask questions right here on the blog, okay? I love questions!
People say they don’t comment because they don’t know what to say. Imagine how it is for me to come up with thousands of replies to readers, replies that don’t sound like they came from a robot. So help me out and ask questions everybody!
I appreciate you introducing yourself and stating your plans to full-time and to boondock. I hope you can obtain solar early in your full-timing. It makes boondocking more enjoyable.
I’m glad you’re no longer lurking. Thanks, Beth from Phoenix, AZ area!
Welcome to Sue’s blogorino family, Beth! 🙂
Welcome Beth. This is definitely the best blog. We are all friends here and we all ask questions depending on what is happening in our lives at the time.
Welcome to RVSue’s Blog Beth! You are now an official Blogorino!!
Very pretty lake, and canyon. I laughed at Her Royal Highness. She is so aloof from Reggie and the local pup. What a riot. Enjoy your beautiful stay and keep warm!
Thanks, Applegirl. Are you enjoying apple blossoms yet? Or has the time passed. Love apple blossoms.
Apple blossoms are my favorite flowers. They are so short lived. I have them now on my Cortland tree and soon on my Macoun tree. The fragrance is incredible! Mixed in right now with early lilacs and lily of the valley. Wonderful!
Please don’t let age discourage any of you! I am 72 and been full-timing solo for four years in a 32′ Class C with no toad. (I drive up on boards–no leveling jacks, so not all Cs use the same method.) Also, I met a lady last week in Zion who was 82. She was living alone in a 30′ motorhome and had left New England last November. She was thinking of selling her house because she could not afford to keep both motorhome and house!!
If you want to do something, go for it, no matter how old or what anyone else thinks. It is your life to do with what you wish. Sue certainly is a model for living her own life.
Nice lake and state park. Might stop there sometime since I am always looking for scenic places with electric and cell service so I can get internet. (I teach half-time online so need to be connected.) Might also recommend Cochiti Lake, not too far east of you as an excellent COE campground. Tetilla Peak campground on other side of lake is more private, however.
Can I add that if you feel you are too old because of physical limitations, there are things you can do to compensate. For example, I use a stool to sit on to dump my tanks because I cannot kneel. Also, a small Class C or a Class B van may be easier than a trailer and truck combination because you do not have to hook and unhook them. You will have very little storage space in a small C or B, but you will have enough if you cut back. And you can drive and park them easily.
Just don’t say you can’t do it because you are too old.
Judy, I could say it’s because I’m too sick, but you already knew better than that. I would like to subscribe to your blog but can’t find an email link. (My memory loses anything that doesn’t get my attention.)
Don’t have to subscribe, just read. Mine is mostly so family and friends can keep up with me.
Oh, ok. I wanted to subscribe in order to learn. If I don’t get an email notice, I can forget pretty much anything on the Internet.
One way to help remember those blogs you want to check back on is to make a folder, in vookmarks, I call mine Always Up. In that folder I bookmark only those special blogs I want to check in on. That way they are not open all the time., but I can review my list and recall, gee I haven’t been to Judy’s blog in a while and only have to click her blog name and it takes me there.
Velda, that’s a sound idea. I’ll give that a try. I have a learning disorder that affects my “working” memory, but if I can make it a habit, that won’t matter.
Calvin, I still feel terrible for laughing at your memory glitch, thinking it was an age thing many of us are experiencing. I am so sorry. I didn’t know.
Apology accepted but not needed. I have a sense of humor these days. Besides, I didn’t hear a thing.
Hi, Judy,
Interesting comment! Love the encouragement….
Cochiti Lake… I said to myself, “We’ve been there.” Yet I couldn’t find my post about it. Turns out I was thinking of Conchas Lake. Pretty bad when you don’t know where you’re going and you don’t know where you’ve been. At least I know where I am. . . I think. 🙂
Saw a sign in a store, that was unfortunately not for sale. It said, “Been there. Done that. Can’t remember any of it.” I need one.
🙂
Also, Cochiti Lake is on or near an Indian reservation with a nice, tall Verizon cell phone tower! Incredible view, but probably not private enough for you. I use it as a base for relaxing and visiting Santa Fe. There are no hookup areas, also, if you prefer.
“That’s why I never learned much about the details of living in a Class C, including how a Class C is leveled.”
Your picture of how a Class ‘C’ is leveled and what I have quoted may lead some people to think that is how all Class C’s are leveled. Not so, a few are but far more use the ‘lego bloc’ levelers or pieces of wood. Or, you may be like me. I have some of the leveler blocks but have not used them since my first year on the road. I have found that there are very few RV Park spaces that are so unlevel that levelers are needed (if the assign space is, ask for another). For those that are going to use a Class C as a boondocking home that would be an entirely different story.
The automatic levelers are really great but add to the cost of the RV of course and they also add to the complexity. Just like slide outs they are going to fail at some point, usually when it is most inconvenient.
And you really do get used to “life on a slight slant”!! Seriously, being 100% level is highly over-rated. In more modern rigs, I was told that if you are not falling out of bed, you are level enough.
Do you know if it’s important for the health and well-being of the fridge to be level? I’ve heard that it is. Don’t know if that’s true.
Sue,
The “health and well-being of the fridge”, if it is the absorption type, is dependent upon it being level. However, it is like the health and well-being of we humans. We need to be ‘level’ also but not perfectly level to remain healthy. As Judy said so aptly: “life on a slight slant!! Seriously, being 100% level is highly over-rated.”
I have a target bubble level in my fridge freezer that I check when I get set up in a new space. IF ANY part of the bubble is touching the center target I’m happy and so far (just days short of 6 years) the fridge is happy. The fridge is now close to 16 years old and I have no idea how level it was kept before me but this one does not seem to be as fragile as some people would have you believe.
Ditto. I was told 20 years ago, refrigerators were much more sensitive. I am very lazy and have been off as much as a couple of inches or so front to back or side to side. My fridge is only 4 years old but it even worked once on my son’t driveway when I was close to falling out of bed!!
I’ve been lazy about leveling at times, too. If I’m going to sleep in an unlevel home, I always make sure the tilt keeps me in bed, rather than rolling out. Also that my head is higher than my feet.
edlfrey is correct on how level one must be for the fridge – level enough to be comfortable.
Thanks, Ed. You taught me much about Class Cs. Your last paragraph rings true with me. I shy away from things that are automatic for that reason.
Also, I was told automatic levelers twist the frame sometimes, so you need to be careful. I like having stable boards under me. Having front tires off the ground does not sound good for the motorhome or safe for the people in it. I only bother driving up on boards maybe 30% of the time, anyway. Rest of the time, good enough is good enough.
Judy – you may have levelers confused with stabilizers. What we saw in the photo of the Class C is a leveler, a hydraulic leveler, and even though you can do that with a motorhome, you should always support the tires with leveling blocks or boards. If it were my RV, I would have supported the wheels. Stabilizers can bend the frame if you use them to level instead of stabilize. Your rig should be level by the time you lower the stabilizers to do just that, stabilize the rig. Without them down, you can feel movement in our FW when we walk around.
When I was on the road I used Anderson Levelers for my 27′ class C. FANTASTIC…just put them in front of the tire and drive up on them. As you drive up on them the height gets higher. So easy. The lego’s broke so I gave up on them. You can see how they work by going online.
Ditto on the Andersen levelers. Easy peasy.
Gather you had to buy new rug. I entered Amazon on that link and discovered the stakes. How do they hold in sand
When I ordered Bridget’s car, I also bought a new mat, the same blue one. I haven’t unwrapped it yet because recent camps have been in rain or rough surfaces. Plus, being frugal, I want to squeeze every bit of life out of a product that I can.
Which kind of stakes are you talking about, Joyce? I’ll look up the ones that I found to be best and post a link in a minute. I have long stakes and shorter stakes to use according to soil condition.
These are the easiest to pound in (shorter) and the metal disc holds the mat when it’s windy. Prest-O-Fit 2-2000 Patio Rug Stakes – Pack of 4
The worst kind are the ones shaped like a bobby pin.
Okay, I followed the link like you did and see that you’re talking about the stakes I like. I haven’t used them in really soft sand yet. So far they’re great!
I camped on the far side of the lake high on a hill. No one else was around. There was evidence that Indians had camped up there. I found some historic artifacts… a cute little melted bottle and something else??? Maybe I could email you the photos if you like. I liked it up there a lot, but stayed one night without paying, then drove westward and across the road for a second night. Driving east takes you up into some canyons… and I decided to return one day to explore there. Nice area. Never got over there to the “civilized” camping area.
Turns out I never posted any photos of my stay there. But I just did. Not sure if you can see them or not in my Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/swankie.wheels/media_set?set=a.1054104461327656.1073742034.100001843375288&type=3&uploaded=5
If not, and you want me to email them to you, let me know.
I don’t see the photos. Maybe one needs to be a Facebooker to see them and I’m not.
I have Facebook, and I’m having the same issue.
Sounds wonderful, Charlene. This cold weather, wind, and wet ground has kept us in the “civilized” area. I think I know which hill you camped on.
I bought an annual pass when I first started rving and stayed in a different NM park every week for almost nine months! Went to Caballo Lake several times. A beautiful state and lots of great parks. Enjoy yourself!
Hi, Rat! Good to see you here!
I bought the NM pass, too, when I first started out. Great deal. I didn’t use it as much as you did. Even so, it was worth it. I didn’t have solar so for an additional 4 bucks we had electric.
Like the work you’ve been doing on the house recently and the loving way you mention Mrs. Rat.
Hi Sue,
We are at Sand Island CG near Bluff, UT. Today we drove the Valley of Gods road and was amazed at all the boondocking spots in there. The best spots are on the side where you enter off Hwy 163. You can get water here at Sand Island before heading that way. No dump site here though. Leaving here in the morning for Wind Whistle CG. Really nice spot with the best tasting water! Great weather here, it is 77 right now with lows in the 50s.
John
Hi, John,
Sand Island is one of my favorite campgrounds. We camped there during two or three visits to Bluff. Internet was poor though. I had to find a hotspot along the road into town in order to post.
Valley of the Gods is an incredible place! I hesitated to boondock there because I didn’t want to mess up someone’s view (or photos) as they drove through.
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time. I’m glad.
That was our first reaction when we saw the campers, but there is so much to see back in there.
Internet is OK from the CG. I am getting a moderate Verizon 3G signal with no booster or external antenna. Being in the canyon must affect it some. I just point my jetpack towards Bluff.
That’s fantastic news for me, John! Verizon signals seem to be improving in many places.
Your post has made Monday so much better! I love that blue,blue sky! It is gray, drizzly and cold here in Indiana today.
For some reason the picture of Miss Bridget reminds me of a regal, elderly Victorian lady peeking out of her bonnet. So glad to see Reggie running around and making friends:)
I read in another blog(not as interesting as yours, RVSue) that learning the RV life is complicated. Would you say that it is complicated or difficult to learn?
I am not speaking for RVSue, this is my opinion; the other blogger that claims that learning the RV life is complicated is doing it wrong.
Your question is sort of like the question and answer: “Is sex dirty? Only when it’s being done right.” – Woody Allen
I agree. You just do it and learn as you go. Hard to make horrible mistakes.
Hahaha!!
Hi, Gingerita,
I agree with Judy and Ed. Our choices influence how complicated (or not) it is to learn the RV life. Keep it simple from the get-go and, as Judy says, learn as you go along.
Look at me. I had practically no experience when I started. To answer your question: No, it’s not difficult to learn.
Thanks, I appreciate the answers. I kind of figured it was a learn as you go type thing, but wondered if there was more to it than I realized.
RV life whether full timing or just extended trips is a learn as you go. How difficult it is somewhat depends on what experience you’ve had before. If you’ve been tent or van camping for years, even if only a couple of weeks a year, RV camping is easier and it seems like a breeze. If RV life is your first experience outside of a hotel you have more to learn.
No matter what your experience it’s a good idea to get on a forum or blog so you can learn from others. It also helps to have folks with experience camp with you a few days at first so they can answer questions as they come up. But do like Sue did and start at the beginning doing everything yourself while the experienced folks watch and encourage. That’s how you gain confidence. No matter when you start it’s well worth the effort.
Good advice, Reine. You and Paul showed me the basics and then I was able to take off on my own. I hope all is well with you and family.
Hi Sue,
Bridget reminds me of our Sugar, who is an 11-year old Cocker Spaniel. She is content to leave other dogs alone. She’ll still walk with us, but a couple of miles is her limit. I remember one time when she was 5 or so, she ran along as we did a 15-mile bike ride in the Wilderness State Park in northern MI. She’s slowing down a bit now, but is as sweet as ever. We didn’t give her the name Sugar, but it fits her to a tee. When she looks up and gives me her “most loving look,” I just melt.
Hi, casitagirl,
You have many, many sweet memories already of your Sugar, I’m sure. I’m glad you found each other.
You say Bridget reminds you of her. Bridget has never been the type to fawn all over people or dogs. She has a few people with whom she is coquettish and cute (Nina of Wheeling It is one of them). Usually she keeps to herself and lets people and dogs come to her rather than her going to them, as it should be with one of her station. 🙂
Thank you for the lovely pictures, Sue. The lake is a beautiful shade of blue. Is the Wave 3 heater run by propane? I have seen comments you have made about using it, and I suppose it was my assumption that it was electric. I, too, would be leary of propane use at night, even with alarms. Thank you again for such a great post. Take care and enjoy your stay and your travels.
You’re welcome, retiredcajunlady,
Yes, the Wave 3 is run by propane which provides heat for us when we boondock. I run it before going to bed and then turn it off. In the morning, I turn it on again. Some folks leave theirs running while they sleep. Not I.
The above plan has worked out fine for us. Usually we aren’t caught in a cold weather pattern for long, like we’ve had in New Mexico. A few minutes ago the crew and I walked (and rolled) around the campground. Upon entering the BLT I turned on the electric A/C heater for a few minutes to take the chill out. I’ve turned it on and off all day due to the cold wind we are experiencing.
Howdy Y’all, Hubby has retired and I am anxious to pack up our fifth wheel and just take off to parts unknown… BUT with this stormy wet spring we are still at home, you never know what the weather will be. Sue you have a lovely spot there. I just love the car you got for Bridget. I have a doggie stroller too, but I like your’s better, it looks big enough for two doggies, as we have two. Together they weigh about 19 pounds and our stroller is a little ‘tight’ for them. Still love your blog, I look forward to reading it every day. Love to y’all ;
🙂
Hi, Brenda,
Good to see you here again. Your canine crew together weighs less than Bridget who is about 26 pounds. I think her car holds up to 70 pounds. She could lie down in it with plenty of room to stretch out. She never does that though; too interested in watching the world go by. One time she was tired and rested her chin on the side so she wouldn’t miss anything. It makes me happy to see her enjoying her car.
Thanks for the nice words about my blog. Congratulations to your husband on his retirement. Now let the fun begin!
Hi Sue, we have just recently started following your blog. Mostly because your posts and pics are extremely helpful and your writing style is enjoyable.
We’re mid 60s and fulltiming now for over a year in a 27 ‘ travel trailer . We camp mostly in AZ and NM and really have gotten our money’s worth out of that Annual Camping Pass the NM State Park offers. $225 for out of state residents and only $100 for NM residents. With our solar set up we always try to get a non electric, which is no charge with the pass, but if one is not available and we have to take an electric site the cost is only $4 a day. Pretty much the deal of the century.
Bluewater is a gem and we’ve stayed there several times – even when we still worked. Our favorite is site 41 up by the water tank. And the horses are just a big bonus. Sure hope the weather warms up before you have to leave.
Thanks for your posts – always fun when we find “you” in our in box.
Hi,Jen! I welcome you and the other half of “we” to my blog! Glad to have you with us. . .
I’m interested in knowing how New Mexico’s revenues from their state parks compares with a nearby state, let’s say with Oklahoma. It’s too bad more states don’t adopt a similar permit. It really is a good deal for the RVer and also encourages RVers to camp within the state that sells that kind of permit. I hope the pressure of offering reservations doesn’t push out this permit system. Like you say, “the deal of the century!”
The weather is going to warm up at Bluewater soon, right when we will leave. 🙂
Sandi from phx checking in to say hello. All seems well with you and the crew. Looks like a lovely spot to chill and explore with your fur babies.
Hello to you, too, Sandi!
Hi. Sue!
Other than your stop at El Murro, I had guessed your route! Whoo-Hoo! Oh, and the rotisserie chicken was a miss, but the rest was on target. It was fun trying to find a suitable route. It has been a couple years since I have mapped out/researched a trip.
I love the blue of the sky and water! Cute pictues of Rgggie greeting the park ranger, and Miss Bridge ignoring the riffraff!! Have a good evening, Sue. Sending you and the Crew hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
Happy belated Mother’s Day! 🙂
Thanks and good evening, Denise and Gracie pup!
It was fun reading what routes readers suggested for us after having driven the same route. Thanks for the feedback on our little map exercise. Hugs to both you!
Hugs received – thank you from both of us!! 🙂
Hi, Sue and crew –
Love the photos and your blog. It is an inspiration to me and such good information, too. I am in the process of thinning out my belongings so they will fit in the Casita and the tow. Every time I see a cargo van, I think of all that great storage space you have. My tow is smaller, but I will do my best to fill it up. May have a small storage unit for a short time – aiming for no storage unit.
August is drawing near and I’m reading blogs and making lists. Getting a little excited and also want to make good choices as to new purchases and what all to get rid of.
Thanks for all you do for the Blogorinos with your blog.
Happy Trails.
Pamelab in Houston
You’re welcome, Pamelab. Yes, August will be here in a flash. Your preparations bring back memories. I, too, didn’t want to bother with a storage unit. Whenever I was tempted to hang onto something, I’d ask myself, “Is it worth having to rent a storage unit and having to come back for it?”
Even if you don’t always make the right choices of what to take, what to buy, and what to get rid of…. You can fix that as time goes by. I carried around a bin full of clothes for two years, clothes far dressier than I’ll ever wear again. I didn’t know if I’d need to work parttime to support this lifestyle. When I convinced myself I could live just fine on my retirement $$, I gave those clothes away.
Getting excited? Just wait until the night before the day you launch!
Not quite biting my nails, at this point ;0) Selling on eBay, Craig’sList, OfferUp, Facebook sites. Making trips to Goodwill. Some of my furniture is moving slllooowwwly.
I imagine the day before my launch day, there will be echos in my empty apartment, and I’ll be hoping to sleep!
It’s great that your someday came. Do those continue to mean a lot to you? Perhaps having had to wait for them makes the experiences feel all the richer. I think of the days you got the PTV, the BLT, to retire from teaching ,to have your first sight of the Pacific Ocean, of Bluewater Lake…sweet!!! I’m so happy for you. I’m happy, too, for the three of you about what nice differences Bridget’s car is giving you ,each and together.
Lakeside site or being warm? -good choice on your part.Lack of the perfect scene outside ones window is only less pleasurable , being consistently cold can make one miserable. Also, a bit of distance from a body of water when it’s cold out the is more comfortable, especially if there’s wind. With an electric hook up, it seems likely those near you wouldn’t run generators. Was the time there so far quiet enough to enjoy?
The arrival of “somedays” always means a lot to me. They remind me of the value of this vagabond life, how easily I could’ve missed it in dreams of someday. I’m thinking of when I was sitting in a camp chair at the edge of Rogue River, watching an American dipper bird near my feet. I had dreamed of camping by the Rogue. “Oh my gosh, I’m really here!”
Bridget’s car is wonderful for us. I know when she leaves us, memories of her riding in her car will be a comfort to me.
You’re right about lakeside sites being colder. We walked down that way and hurried back. I didn’t think of the absence of generators until we were settled into this electric campsite. Another reason this was a good choice! During the week there are very few campers here. It fills up on the weekend. Overall a quiet camp since we’re inside a lot and so is everyone else.
You always put a lot into your messages to me. Thank you, weather. Have a good night.
Thanks, it was a good night, frosty due to no cloud covering to hold yesterday’s warmth in place. That made sunrise especially beautiful. I’m sure you remember the soft color on blossoms in NY state, those delicate pinks were seen in sky and lake earlier, not on most trees yet. Our temps have been cool for April and spring time’s changes a bit slow to begin. We do have newly budding leaves beginning . Good morning 🙂 Those cooler temps appear to have remained in your area, too. Do you plan to stay a few more days where you are because of that?
Each time you mention future times with memories as a comfort, I realize that you are preparing those of us that so love Bridget as well as yourself for what lies ahead. May grace and peace surround each transition involved along that path and be felt within you, friend, now and always.
Abrupt, an likely welcome, subject change,-have you tried or do you have any interest in calligraphy? It seems the way that you see and often use beauty in your thoughts, writing , artistic photography and the world around you that might be a fitting extension to what you do.
hi sue!
i have been following your posts for about a month. i am about to buy a toy hauler type camper. i have no toys to haul, but i have a 12 year old german shepherd with spinal stenosis, who will really appreciate a ramp and the extra space you get in a toy hauler. i will have a toilet/shower/ac/heat/microwave/ 3 burner stove. i have a pug as well as my shepherd. i am inspired by your blog to make the plunge! i am also a single woman who just turned 60, semi-retired, will be fully retired in a year. i am alot like you! i have never felt lonely! i used to try to make myself feel lonely. “Look at you, all alone, no kids, no partner, aren’t you so sad and lonely?” No!! so happy and peaceful! done the relationship thing. just wanted to reach out….i am in southern california. so excited to begin my journey, as a part timer to start
Hi, Nancy and welcome! Following only a month and already making a comment. I love that! Thanks for introducing yourself and your plans.
I don’t want to sadden you…. however. You know your shepherd won’t be with you much longer. Will you still be happy with the toy hauler after she/he is gone? I imagine you’ve already looked at ramps that can be placed at your door. I really don’t know much about toy haulers, having only been inside one that was a Class A.
You’re the first person who has ever told me they never feel lonely. Lots of folks say they’re loners (even those who obviously aren’t). I’m glad you broke free of the cultural expectation and are embracing singleness. Obviously it suits you, as it does me.
Exciting times ahead for you, Nancy! Best of luck shaping the next chapter for you and your crew….
When you stay in a campground, make sure you are sitting out in a chair or going for a walk in the campground around the dinner hour. Most people will say Hi and/or wave. So say Hi back and walk over for a chat. You will never be lonely again.
One thing I do is to look at license plates. If I see one from a place I plan to go to in the next few months, I will stop and ask them about what there is to see in their states. Get lots of good info that way. And my experience has been that if you need help or advice, ask. Most campers are more than willing to share info.
Um . . . I think you misread Nancy’s post. She’s never lonely. Sweet of you to make suggestions though.
You’re right about the friendliness of RVers. Sometimes I have to run and hide… hee-hee. Also clever advice about asking folks questions about their state.
Welcome, Nancy! 🙂
I am excited for you! 🙂
Hi Nancy! I saw your post and had to drop a note in reply.
I jumped in to full time RV’ing with both feet and at the deep end. Never having RV’ed or camped ever in my life, I bought a 45′ toy hauler for my 2 Rotties and me.
And I have to say, I LOVE IT!
I also am looking the bad day square in the face as my female is 12+. She is slowing and I had stairs made for her so she could sleep on the bed but she still makes it into the trailer by herself. If the day comes when the steps give her trouble, I will open up the back and she can use the ramp. She still loves a game of fetch with her oversize squeaky tennis ball (made by Kong) even if she lopes out and walks back; she is squeaking it the whole way!
Hmmm…walking back due to age or more squeaky time?????
She loves meeting all the new people as we travel and is still trying to pay someone to take Boomer, my 2 year old male.
Boomer is learning to also love meeting everyone.
I really like being able to have the room in the toy hauler’s garage for the dog stuff – their cart (they pull it!), bathtub, towels, blankets, jumps, etc
I will be taking it to its first dog shows in June in ID; we will see how that goes!
Sue I’m feeling very sad for poor Canine Ranger. He’s lonely. I wonder who and why was he abandoned? I wonder why no one has taken him in?
Oh, don’t feel sad for the canine ranger. I don’t think he’s abandoned. I think he belongs to someone around here, maybe one of the rangers, or one of the construction crew building a shower house. I’ve never seen the dog after regular working hours. The dog never begs for food, looks well fed, and seems to enjoy going around visiting dogs that are camped here. Actually, from all appearances, he has a good life. I think if he were an abandoned dog, the rangers would’ve removed him from the park.
Thank you! I feel better! You are probably right Sue 🙂
If I thought that dog was in need, I would step in. You have a good night, kind-hearted one!
When we went from the trailer to our Class C my wife convinced me to get the levelers.I did not want them but she pushed for them Am I glad I did! Push a button and you are level wherever you stop it.It is a luxury option to be sure but great for boondock spots.Always was a trailer guy but Class Cs have won me over.
Hi chas . . . . Always good to hear from someone who made a change and doesn’t regret it. The levelers do sound like a luxury. The next time I’m messing around with plastic levelers and pieces of wood, I’ll think of you and Mrs. Anderson. 🙂
Great post Sue, sorry we don’t comment often as we used to, don’t have WIFI and must use data to be here,, my plan is 6 Gs and unlimited talk and text on this Droid 2,,,,,,, Hi to all and hope all’s well with you and the rest of the blogger OOS,,, Piper says hi too,,,,,,,
Hi Rusty and Piper! Thanks for checking in….you were missed! Hope you and Miss Piper are doing well! 🙂
Hi, Rusty… You don’t have to comment often, just enough to let us know you and Piper are okay. Hope you are enjoying Oregon!
It’s been cold here near Chemult, Oregon, but we are doing well,,,,,,,
I bet the change is nice for you though.
Yes it is a nice change from the dry desert Sue, ,,,,,,,,,,,
Thought of you just today, Rusty. Wondered how you guys were doing. Thanks for checking in. Happy Trails!
Yes we are doing great, thanks for caring Larry in AR
Thank s to all for caring,,,,,, Rusty
Nice to hear from you, Rusty. I always look forward to your posts.
I wondered just how blue that lake might be as we’ve passed by on I-40 this spring. Glad to see it is indeed blue! I’m also not a fan of the propane heater on at night. Because we always stay with hookups, I bought an electric heater that works great on those nights it’s too cold for our heat pump to work. Roswell is in the 90’s so we’re back to A/C these days. Our dealer told us the motorhome is designed to have the tires off the ground if that’s where’ the levelers put us. Maybe so, but I use the manual buttons and level it without the tires clearing the ground and feel much better 🙂 Miss B is looking quite content in her buggy.
Hi, Jodee,
Those little electric heaters work really well. I have one stored in the PTV. So far the heater function on the A/C has been sufficient.
In the 90s in Roswell. . . and here we are running around in cold wind, although it was a bit warmer today.
Lol. If the blocks I have don’t level, I check to see if frig is functioning adequately if I I’m still not level I position so head of bed is the piece elevated. I don’t wish to sleep upside down If not then I move. Be surprised how unlevel I can live with
Last? HA! What a beautiful lake! As always I enjoy your travels. Can’t wait for the next one. Question-do you ever get tired of moving so often or ever find a place where you just wanted to stay awhile? Just curious. Keep up the good work.
Hi, Linda,
“Do you ever get tired of moving so often or ever find a place where you just wanted to stay awhile?”
We’ve camped in several spots that I hated to leave. The 14-day limit is a good rule for us. It keeps me from becoming settled. Although I may leave a camp wanting to stay, I’ve always been glad that we moved. Last winter I did want to take a break from moving camp so often. Southern AZ and southern CA provide warm weather in winter. However, there are only so many camps available (and also attractive to me) that one can end up moving just for the sake of moving. That’s why we stayed at Midland LTVA near Blythe for several weeks. I enjoyed the privacy there and the fact that supplies are available a short distance away.
I hope by blogging about Midland I haven’t ruined it for us in the future.
I’m glad to see you and the family are doing well. I stayed at Bluewater Lake State Park a few years ago but unfortunately it was on a holiday weekend and the place is full of locals who seem to think drinking was an Olympic sport. It turned out to be a unpleasant experience but it did teach me never to go to a state park on a holiday.
I’m back in Colorado now at an RV Park near Pueblo I came up the eastern side of New Mexico. And stayed at elephant Butte State Park, and Santa Rosa state Park. I’m always amazed how nice New Mexico State Parks are, and how inexpensive they are to stay at. But I got tired of dealing with the wind in New Mexico. And got into Colorado about two days ago.
Well be careful in your travels and stay safe, looks like it’s finally stopped snowing in Colorado so it’s safe to come here now.
theboondork in Colorado
Interesting report, the boondork!
You may not realize it but your message contains details that are instructional. In other words, people can learn from your experience. Yes, New Mexico wind can become tiresome. And I agree about NM state parks… Nice. We stayed at Elephant Butte and Santa Rosa, among others.
Holiday weekends are a challenge. People go nuts . . . 4th of July was insane last year. I’ll look for a cave to hide in this year. 🙂
Thanks for the report on Colorado. Good hearing from you. Take care.
Greetings!
I just swoon over the smell of Pinon Pine burning. Have you ever had the chance to experience it? I use to special order it from my firewood supplier. I wish I had some up here.
Sue, did you get your storage drawers slippage figured out?
Warm thoughts being sent your way. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
MV gal
Good morning, MV gal,
No, I haven’t worked on the storage drawers, other than rearranging them so the heavy stuff is in the bottom drawers. The top two courses of drawers (six) I pull out and stack on the floor. Probably not the best solution but it’s the quickest.
The aroma of pinyon pine burning… Nope, I haven’t.
Very pretty spot there…and I too would have chosen as did you, Sue…the idea of sleeping with anything other than electric on is worrisome. Pretty camp dog too…kind of looks a bit blue heeler and border collie-ish. Glad the dog is nice to Reggie!!
Been super busy these days…helping others and being somewhat lazy. Never bored however!!
Sounds like you’re making very good use of your days, Elizabeth!
Hi sue and crew, i am still around, been pretty hard for me lately, my dear,sweet beautiful mom passed away a month ago today. Very sad for us, but i am very happy for her, she no longer struggles with the horrible alzheimers disease and is now rejoicing in heaven. I am still in kentucky taking care of dad, he turned 89 sunday, but hes very sick,cancer has spread into bones… so rough time around these parts…. i still follow you,just do not get to post much… truly enjoy your blog….asia mae is great!!! She checks in papaw every 30 mins or so. Dogs are amazing!! Take care, beautiful area..ty for sharing.
Mert
Hi, Mert,
My sincere condolences to you and your dad. In the few lines you’ve written in this comment, your love for your mother shines brightly. I’m sure she knew what a blessing you were to her. I’m amazed at your strength, taking care of two elderly parents with major health issues, when you have health concerns of your own. You are an angel, Mert!
And you have a little angel named Asia Mae . . . 🙂 Hugs and good health to both of you!
Mert, my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your Dad. Blessings to Asia as well.
Alzheimers is the worst… pray for a cure.My Mom passed away at 89 the day after we got back from AZ 2 months ago.She didn’t know we were gone but somehow waited for us to get home as scheduled.She died at an assisted living place and hadn’t been in a hospital since my brother was born in 1952.Took no medications at all but the Alzheimers just shut down her systems.Born Czeslawa Lewandoski she reverted back to speaking mostly Polish the last few months…strange disease.She was a gem.
I am sad for your loss because no matter what, we miss our parents.
God bless you, Mert. Make sure you take care of yourself, too.
Condolences and sympathy upon loosing your mom and to anyone else in such these days!! I lost my darling mom so many years ago now…but I think of her most every day and esp. days like Mother’s Day!! While we are glad they are not suffering anymore…still what they were to our worlds!! I realize for me, the times such as were, are no more…as they are not being carried forth in our kids and most in their generation!! What a loss to our culture that is too!!
Good morning, Blogorinos!
The crew and I are on the road today! I don’t know when we will be online again. I hope soon!
Best wishes to you always,
Sue
Changed email address
*Theme from an old TV Western playing* Rollin, rollin, rollin, keep those wheels a rollin… Find us a new rancho Missy, we’re countin on ya….
Rawhide!
*Laughing*
Hi blogerinos,
We are back in SoFlo, letting my mind catch up with my body. I haven’t read all the comments but want to say thank you for your support at the loss of my brother. I will keep you posted on our progress. Thanks to Sue for sharing these pretty places that we will see soon.
Take good care of yourself, Lisa. **hugs** 🙂
I had to chuckle when I read about the state request….do you want the state I’m registered in? Or the state I’m currently in?
Linda from Texas but currently in North Carolina
The idea is when people post and mention the temperature, the road conditions, the price of gasoline, anything that would cause one to want to know where the report is coming from geographically. So, as most blogorinos post they use their current location. Some go as far as to say “so and so of XX currently in YY. It’s only to allow us a reference point. One other reason, and as I recall the original one, is we have several who have the same name so it lets us know which blogorino is posting.
Good evening, Blogorinos!
Bridget, Reggie, and I had a full day and covered a lot of miles. Yesterday’s camp was great except it didn’t have internet signal. Good to see the blog chugged along fine while we were offline. Thank you.
We will stay at this camp for several days. See you tomorrow with a new post!
Sue
I’ll be looking for your new camp Sue!
I’ll be gone in the morning so I can’t be in the “whose on first” contest. Anyhow, welcome back….