Friday, March 13
Campers pulled in late yesterday. More arrive all through this day.
Las Vegas Bay Campground on Lake Mead, which the crew and I have enjoyed for several days, has become a jungle of Class As, Class Bs, Class Cs, fifth wheels, travel trailers, conversion vans, stealth cargo trailers, car campers, and who knows what all. A couple of tents go up near our site. Young people build a campfire and laugh into the night. They have six kayaks on a trailer.
Not only is the campground turning into a small city, we are in a heat wave. Gee, if tomorrow weren’t Saturday and the beginning of spring break, I’d move out of here.
Saturday, March 14
It is hot, hot, hot! Looking on the bright side, this crowded campground is excellent training for Reggie. He passes several tests. He walks well on-leash. Well, he pulls on the leash. That’s okay.
I love his youthful enthusiasm.
He greets strange dogs with curiosity and friendliness. Well, he’s not so nice to big dogs. He stands on his back legs and goes “gruff-gruff.” That’s okay. He’s little and he’s a dog. A cute dog. He gets to go “gruff-gruff.”
He barks when people walk by our campsite.
I say, “No, Reggie, no. No barking.” And he stops!
Because of the heat I have no ambition to do anything. I read in the shade most of the day.
Bridget, Reggie and I sleep under an open window. Less than thirty feet away is a generator running from 7 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Those poor people in tents. At least we have a little more insulation from the sound.
When the man turns off the generator, I shout, “Thank you, Jesus!”
Sunday, March 15
“Reggie, today you will see how we break camp.”
Before leaving the campground, I pull over to the trash bins, then park at the spigot to fill the fresh water tank, and lastly dump the waste tanks. As I drive toward the exit of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, I’m thankful for another great camp.
Now where the heck are we going?
Believe it or not, I don’t make a decision until I come to the fork in the road. You see, by coming to Las Vegas, I put us in a tight situation.
Facts:
We’re in a populated area. It’s hot and getting hotter. It’s spring break. We are surrounded by desert for many miles. There are mountains but they aren’t the kind of mountains one goes camping on. Bare rock mountains.
I have to get away from where people go on spring break. Some place cooler and not requiring a long drive.
After stocking up on groceries and gassing up the Perfect Tow Vehicle in Las Vegas, we ride Interstate 15 north to Route 93. In a couple of hours I’m choosing our campsite.
And here it is!
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge Campground, Alamo, Nevada
A large campsite on Upper Lake Pahranagat
A shady place next to the water where cool breezes blow and it’s free!
I set up camp, eat lunch, and Bridget, Reggie, and I explore the shoreline. We walk a third of the way around the lake and back. The pups eat supper and crash on the bed.
More about our new camp in the next post!
rvsue
NOTE: For an excellent, detailed description and review of this campground, go to wheeling it blog.
ANOTHER NOTE: I made it all the way through this post without a cute dog photo. I bet you thought I couldn’t do it!
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Good looking camp!
Yes, it is, Ladybug, Number One Bug.
Now that’s my kind of camp. Being a water nut, I love waterfront…any kind of water will do 😀
A water camp is especially nice in the desert.
Nice campsite!!! How do you find these amazing places? The new crew is very cute 🙂 As is the old crew 🙂
Hi, Jill.. This one was easy to find. It’s in the Nevada Benchmark atlas, and I remembered reading about it at freecampsites.com and also Nina’s wheeling it blog.
Ah, looks nice! I was driven out of LHC mid-project because mid-90’s is just too hot! Moved up to 4500’… ahhhh. Put on a sweater and can cook a hot meal 🙂
Yeah, I didn’t go south when I read that Needles would be in the mid-90s.
Where did you find 4,500 feet? Glad you found a cool spot!
I’m between Kingman and Seligman. I need to go back to LHC at some point before “really” heading north, so staying reasonably close. Of course it’s bound to get hotter now as summer is approaching, but from what I’ve read temps are running around 15º above normal. I just hope the “hot snap” ends before 100º IS normal!
Nothing like weather that is basically warm and sunny, but in which a sweater feels nice morning and evening and a hot supper appeals 🙂 Plus blankets.
(I know, I could be shoveling snow so there’s really nothing to complain about; but then I’m not a “hot weather person” either.)
Looks like a wonderful place to “sit out” spring break goings on! …do not worry about too many cute dog photo shoots… never get enough of them! SJ
Hi, Sally,
Truth be told, I let the battery go dead on my camera. Thus no cute dog photos… The three pics in this post were taken while the crew slept.
Reminds me of the time last summer when I was leaving a campground and my neighbor asked me where I was headed. My reply was that I’d decide when I got to the highway…and I meant it. Turned out to be a good decision, as most of them are when you wing it
Hi, Larry G…. So true! Funny how I couldn’t make a decision for days of researching. It wasn’t until I was at the actual “fork in the road” that I knew where I wanted to go.
But we like the cute dog pictures!
Does Bridget seem happier with a little brother or does she just look happier?
We have had hot weather here, too, and I’m only 3 miles from the ocean. But the nights are perfect! Pink sunsets and cool nights!
Chris B
Hi, Chris… I think she is happier. I can be awfully moody and it must be depressing to look at me all day, which Bridget does when there isn’t any distractions. Now she has this cheerful, energetic, happy-go-lucky chum to influence her…
Aren’t the cool nights grand?
PS: Forgot to say how I laughed at your comment when the generator went off. Just the other night someone had a construction generator on for HOURS and when it finally went off, I shouted out “Thank the lord. Finally!” (I knew they couldn’t hear me, and probably wouldn’t care if they could, but I just couldn’t help myself.)
That is funny. This generator guy was so near he must have heard me. He probably thought I was having a religious experience, which, now that I think about it…. having a noisy generator turned off comes close!
I forgot to mention ….. No generators allowed at this campground! Hahahahaha!
I noticed that in the review. What a “selling” point! I saved it in my “good spots to keep in mind” notes.
Isn’t it amazing the tension that flows out of your body/mind when the infernal racket (or even just the background drone) goes away? Even if I had (more or less) managed to put it out of my mind (which isn’t easy), that reaction when they shut off still comes. A huge relief.
And then you can hear the crickets, birds, wind in the trees, etc. again. Ahhhhhh.
Georgeous pictures of a fantastic looking campsite. I didn’t think most NWR’s had camping. How did you find it? And during spring break. You are a magician!!! Lucky Bridgett, lucky Reggie, clever you.
Hi, Sherry,
Oh yes, there’s camping at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge south of Quartzsite and at Mittry Lake NWR north of Yuma, to name two.
Hi Sue,
It was hot this weekend in San Diego as well. Still winter and in the high 80’s. Got to love the Southwest, it is the best in my opinion.
Have you put together a list of the wonderful campsites you have visited for those of us that will be following in your footsteps down the road, well in three years? You always seem to find such peaceful and beautiful campsites. Really looking forward to living in a travel trailer down the road.
Hope you have a wonderful week.
Hi, Norman,
Isn’t this something! Summer weather in March….
If you look at Money 2013 and Money 2014 you’ll see info on our camps. I started revising the financial pages and, as is typical of me, I lost interest and now I’m procrastinating.
You’ll just have to stay with us, Norman, and take notes as we go along. 🙂
Another travel trailer person! You’ll love it. Look at the photos in this post. Just imagine backing your trailer up to the water’s edge . . . . Gosh, it’s the best way to live!
You have a great week, too…
Great camp. Such restraint on the pup pics. Don’t hold back on our account.
Hi, Barb A….
Thanks for the location. Lots of Barbs!
You can expect many, many cute dog photos in the future…
Hi Sue
I really like the look of this next campground that you found. It’s beautiful there, and I see you CAN get through the post with no pictures of the pups but don’t let that happen too often. Just kidding I always like your posts. I’m glad you got away from the spring breakers. Hope it doesn’t get too hot there.
Hug, Deb
Hi, Deb,
As long as the breeze continues to blow in off the lake, we should be fine during this hot spell. If it gets hot, I’ll put a chair in the water when I read. 🙂
I’m going to put Reggie in the water tomorrow. Just his paws … to see how he reacts.
That’ll be interesting/fun.
My pup just LOVED to fetch things in the water. Funny thing was, he’d just ignore anything thrown on land. The most appealing ball or stick held absolutely no interest at all; but throw it out in the water and he’d be off! Over, and over, and over. It was so fun to see his joy and enthusiasm for it.
(Of course nothing wrong with a pup who doesn’t like swimming — it’s just fun to see a pup’s joy in whatever it is that they love. And now you get to find out what your new guy loves!)
Sounds like Reggie is coming along and doing well with his new life style. Seems like Ms. B is showing him the ropes. Makes me smile… It is heating up here in the Southwest, and looking forward to reading your blog on where the highway leads you all. 🙂
Hi, Joan,
Bridget and Reggie are a positive influence on each other. Sounds like you’re in the Southwest, too… I remember being snowed on in Arizona in April… Here it is reaching 90 and beyond in March.
I’m glad you’re riding along with me and my crew! I have no idea where we will go next. I want to stay here for a while.
what a great place to camp……get out the fishing rods!!
Hi, Chuck,
I saw a guy go out on the lake in a kayak with a fishing pole this afternoon. Of course, you can fish from the bank, too. I’m happy to look at the water birds and let them do the fishing.
Oh dear, I can hear my ex-husband correcting me. It’s a fishing ROD, not a pole!
We always called them rods, but I think I’ve read/heard pole many times as well. Without researching it at all, I always thought of a “pole” as something more simple/organic, such as a bamboo “pole” or other non-manufactured example. Maybe one Huck would use. The rods we grew up with were fiberglass with metal eyes lashed on, and store-bought.
Guess at some point I’ll have to look it up. It’s always fun to “google” something that was in my life long before Google existed.
LOL, I hate to say it but your ex is mostly right about this one. A ROD has some kind of spincaster on it, used for distance casts. A POLE has no spincaster and is mostly used by dropping the line from the shoreline, but can also be used from a boat or dock/pier. However…we in the South call all poles and rods alike…POLES. Goes back to the days of yesteryear and the simple fishing hole with a pole, the best kind and maybe the most fun 😉
That sounds about right. Up here we call them fishing poles, and when I mentioned to a southern friend that we didn’t have our poles with us, she looked at me funny and said, ‘do you mean your rod?” I love that different regions have different character. We always called soft drinks “soda” while most people call it “pop.” Fun stuff.
In Georgia it’s not called soda nor pop. It’s Coke. Very weird.
Someone will say, “Could you get me a Coke out of the vending machine?” “What kind you want?” “Mountain Dew if they have it.”
Huh?
That is because Coco-Cola was invented in GA. Cokes headquarters is in Atlanta.
That’s right. A tour of the Coke plant is a field trip for middle schoolers.
around here we just call it a drink…waht you want to rink? Name your poison. LoL, enjoy the cooler air, its getting hot fast this yr.
West vs East coast words…..
Highway- thruway
Store- bodega
Porch-stoop
Beanie- toooook
Manure truck…we don’t have those….period!
I have never heard of a beanie as a toooook but the manure truck was very funny …….
I probably spelled it wrong.
Funny eh?
Not so funny if you’re driving behind one! The first time…I was like Jules…did you umm fart? She started laughing…it’s the sh!t truck! WHAT the heck is a sh!t truck?
You alls are too funny!! One thing we learned quick when we moved from Washington state to NC…MASHED is what you do with the button beside the elavators….here in Washington we PUSH the buttons. Also, we never quite got used to calling shopping carts BUGGIES…in California when I was growing up a buggy was what you pushed a baby in (or after baby grew up, we pushed our doggie in it!!)
I’ve moved back and forth between SC and NY for a few years, and had to go with Shopping Cart up North and now Im back to Buggies…lol and mashing buttons!
It is fun to compare isn’t it?? Lots of laughs sometimes too…
Glad you have found a nice quiet campground. Sounds like Reggie is fitting in more and more with the crew.
Hi, Lisa,
There is road noise here. That’s the only negative I know of and it’s more than offset by the lake, the distance and cover between campsites, and the large, pretty sites.
Yes, Reggie is establishing himself as an able co-pilot. 🙂 He slept all the way to this camp.
Looks like from the vegetation in the water that the lake level has risen a bit. That is a good sight to see. Perfect spot, perfect. We are still on the comfortable side here – low 70’s for the day and upper 40’s for the nights.
Hi, EmilyO,
Your temperatures are ideal. Yes, I was pleased to see this much water in the lake. After Lake Mead I wondered if this lake would be a pond and mostly grassland.
This is so awesome. It looks like you will be about 2 weeks ahead of us; staking out the great camping spots as we move north. Don’t know if that’s the direction you’re heading but you have already given us some nifty ideas of where to go when we leave Laughlin.
I can’t believe this! I walk away from the laptop and think… Gee, Kathy and Gil are on their way home. They ought to take this route and stop at this campground. I come back to the laptop and here you are, thinking the same thing!
The camping limit is 14 days. I don’t know how long we will stay. I’m in no hurry to leave.
Darn, Sue! That is one beautiful camp site, and free! You are blessed. Pat K.
Yes I am blessed, Pat. And I’m passing the blessings on to you.
Several Pats read my blog so I don’t know if I’ve welcomed you or not. Is that how you spell it… Bulverde? Never heard of it. I’ll do a search… online that is. 🙂
Aha! You’re north of San Antonio… Oh dear, I looked at “my” Pats and you’ve commented several times. . . Foot. In. Mouth.
Well, that does look like a very nice spot to stay awhile!! I had to laugh Sue at your remark when the generator went off (sadly most inconsiderates would never figure it out!!) And I must say, for Nevada, that is a downright pretty spot you have moved to, also!! (Our son used to live in Carson City which is also one of the nicer spots…well, esp. as you go south of there a bit). Hope it will be cool enough there to enjoy it awhile.
Hi, Elizabeth,
Glad I gave you a laugh… Carson City is in a lovely area. I like Washoe Lake State Park. We camped there two different years, a very convenient and pretty place.
What lovely campsite. I could happily stay there for quite a while.
Me, too, Linda. . . if it stays as pleasant as it is this morning. 🙂
Of course all you have to do is turn your head and use your eyes to make a cute dog photo….. It is the rest of us that had to go without the cute dog photo for the whole post, and beyond until you see the need to fulfill our short fall…. But then my cute dog Biscuit is right here satiating my puppy needs….. LOL
Hi, Rod . . . . A dog named Biscuit has to be cute.
So glad you made it to Pahranagat! And cheers for the mention. We so enjoyed our time in NV last year. I’m hoping you and the doggies will too!
Nina
Thanks, Nina. I think we may be parked in the same site as you had! Happy days to you, Paul and your four-footed friends…
Do you have a thing about Friday the 13th. You listed both Friday and Saturday as March 14th. Oh well. The 13th passed without incident in our neck of the woods. The lake pictures are great. What a wonderful campsite.
Hi, Reine. . . . I fixed it. Thank you!
After following you for all this time, there’s nothing I don’t think you can do. Your new camp looks awesome. I hope you and the crew have a good night and a relaxing stay at your new home.
Teresa
Oh dear, Teresa… Your first line has me laughing as I type this. Thanks for the good wishes.
I want some dog photos!!! I miss Reggie!!!
This post is a test for Reggie addiction. You failed. Hahaha!
Beautiful site. Looks so peaceful. I’ve been thinking about the several comments You have made, about Reggie responding to your direction, such as sit, stay, and no barking. I thought when I first saw his face that he looked like a smart little guy. I believe he was just waiting for someone to love him forever, and who would show him the rules of life.
Hi, Velda,
I agree with everything you wrote, except I’m not sure about Reggie wanting to be shown all the rules of life. He tried to escape this morning! He’s been a little devil. I think he’s excited about this new camp. 🙂
🙂
Glad you escaped the crowd and remembered that great spot. Although Las Vegas Bay will always have special place in your heart (and ours) as the place you brought Reggie home, it was time to move on. Can’t wait to see how he reacts to the water. Tessa is not a fan, but I think with her fluffy hair it’s probably a good thing. Enjoy the new yard, and stay cool!
Hi, Jodee,
Your wish to “stay cool” . . . . I had to close the windows in the middle of the night and pull out my fleece sleeping clothes. The crew and I had a brisk walk this morning. Invigorating! And it will be hot in a few hours. . .
Maybe Tessa is more of a hot tub kind of dog…. at the spa…. 🙂
Sue, Reggie’s barking makes me laugh. Although we see him as a little dog, in his mind, he’s a wolf. Gotta love the spirit!
This new campsite of yours is beautiful and refreshing looking. We just got home last week, and already I have the desire to wander. Spring is on it’s way, and we’ll be back in the mountains soon. Thank goodness!
Glad you returned home safe and sound and happy about the prospect of future travels . . . . and wonderful camps!
Overall Reggie is a quiet dog. He’d rather pounce on me than bark to get my attention.
It looks like you have found yet another lovely campsite. I hope it stays quiet and serene while you’re there. What good news about Reggie. He is fitting in and making his place in the crew very well
Hi, Marcia,
I call this camp serene because it is… under the cottonwood trees looking out over the water to the mountains. Behind our camp is the campground road and then a steep bank going up to the highway. We do have road noise during the day. Funny how I don’t hear it until I listen for it … I can tune out that kind of noise…
Not deciding where to go next- until you arrive at a fork in the road-, and letting your camera’s battery go dead, both allowed this move and post to be primarily about a boondocking vagabond’s wandering experience.How apropos for Reggie’s first time traveling into parts unknown to claim a new patch of earth as home for a while with you.
Lovely in so many ways choice of a campsite,wow!I’m glad that you have the tanks and grocery shopping taken care of .Not only do you three now have a beautiful place to call home,you have all you need to comfortably stay put for as long as you choose to.Change can be alluring and exciting in the appropriate doses-overload detracts from that.The list of what’s new for each of you is right at that delightful limit-the peak of fun with the needed time for easy adjustments to fall into place.
Just reading this post made me breathe easier for you and smile about your returning to what’s more normal for you -just now happily enhanced ,hope that’s what being where you are right now is doing for you,too.
Hi, weather,
You have me thinking about change and the pace of living full-time in a home-on-wheels. The change is exciting, while staying at a beautiful, quiet camp is renewing. Settling in one place and going about ordinary daily activities and establishing routines prepares one to fully experience the next change — a new home and landscape with a different array of colors, textures, bird songs, plants, sunrises, sunsets, etc.
Bridget, Reggie and I went for a small walk right after breakfast. That wasn’t enough for Reggie. He begged for more. Off we go on a Big Walk resulting in many photos and — finally — a napping crew. 🙂
I hope that you and your crew enjoy such a full and satisfying day that you have sweet, deep rest at its end.
whispering so i don’t wake motor baby,thanks for the nice wish for our day,i intend to make it come true,have the same 🙂
sshhhhh. . .. 🙂
😉
Sue, I so agree with you on the generator thing, I really think solar is the way to go. Solar has come down in price, clean, no noise and no heavy equipment to lug around, no gas to buy, etc.
Just love your new campsite! How nice! Take care Sue and Crew!
Hi, Diane,
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone relied on solar? If everyone did their best to lessen their impact on others, on wildlife, and on the environment….
I feel so strongly about noise pollution that I refuse to own a generator. After all, I’m able to move to comfortable weather instead of using A/C and I can live well without a microwave . . .
Good Morning Sue, nice campsite…You guys are awe inspiring…the adventure is beginning anew..it is lovely watching this adventure from this side of my computer. Hugs to all three of you.
Thank you, Shirlene… Hugs well received! 🙂 Glad to know you are enjoying our escapades…
Hi Sue and Crew,
Love this new camp but of course, the fishing person that I am, any camp right on the water is perfect!! lol Never worry about crew pictures, I love seeing them. Happy pictures that puts a smile on my face!!
Hi, Jolene,
When I took these photos I thought about readers who like to fish. You can push off easily in a kayak/canoe or sit in a camp chair on the bank….
I took more photos this morning of the crew to keep up with the demand. 🙂
If you could please go to your blogging contract, paragraph 25, item #2, I believe it states:
“Blogger must post at least one photo of canine travelers with each blog post.”
Hi, Teri,
I will comply! 🙂
Sweet, A Birder’s Paradise! I have marked this as a place to spend time camping while traveling through Nevada. Another wonderful lake situated in the dry barren lands of the Southwest. They say God works his magic in mysterious ways. This is proof. A beautiful environment as a treat for the migrating birds. Your campsite looks so relaxing. Enjoy!
Hi, Monica,
Yes, miracles abound in nature. . . 🙂
If you plan to camp here, keep in mind that it’s a small campground with some of the sites for cars only. It’s important to arrive early. Campers that arrived in late afternoon yesterday had to leave. One big rig came in at 7:30 p.m.!
I’m looking forward to bird-watching. I awoke to the sound of ducks quacking this morning.
Yes, the pictures are great. Yes, your new camp site is great. Yes, I love pictures of water…HOWEVER……. you could have put Bridget and Reggie in the photos. 🙂
Love you!!!!!
Ha! I’m not going to wake up this cute little MANIAC in order to take his photo! Gosh, where does his energy come from?
Love you, too!
Well, a sleeping Reggie would make a good picture. 🙂
I wish I could take a photo of him sleeping. As soon as I turn on the camera, his eyes pop open and his motor revs up!
Lovely 🙂
Yes, it is. 🙂
Sue that’s a great camp site, I’m still sitting and waiting for a certain item to come in the mail, Can’t leave without it. The restroom is done and I’m sending you photo’s of the inside of our camper, you can post them if you want, so all can see how it is setup inside. The weather guy says it’s going to cool down this week, then back on with the heat. Give Bridget and Reggie a Big Hug from us, ,,,,,,me
Hi, Rusty,
Congratulations on finishing the restroom. Thanks for the photos. I hope the weather isn’t too hot for you while you wait for your shipment in the mail.
Enjoy your walks with Timber!
Missing Reggie and Bridget. Beautiful lake. I’m going to have to start taking notes as I hope to travel later in summer. That looks like a good place to stop.
It will be a different place in the summer… Good for an overnight stop because it’s very convenient to the highway.
WAKE UP REGGIE, MOM NEEDS TO TAKE YOUR PICTURE!!!
Sorry couldn’t resist.
🙂
Hi Sue and Crew. I never cared much for Nevada. Never really saw much there to photograph except for a geyser north of I80 on private lands and the owner has been know to shoot at people and doesn’t allow anyone on his land for any reason unless of course you pay big money. It is called Fly Geyser,
http://all-that-is-interesting.com/fly-geyser-Nevada. However you have proved me wrong. Fire canyon is very photogenic but it might take some time to get the perfect shot.
It make take Reggie some time to get used to moving around and not having anything permanent to attach to other that the BLT. But he may be like my Scamper and just loves adventuring. Best Wishes and Enjoy.
Hi, Alan,
I agree… It probably would take some time to get the perfect shot.
Or you could do like that photographer and in 10 minutes of playing with the extremes of photo editing come up with uber-fake pictures. That’s what fly geyser looks in reality?
Never saw much in Nevada to photograph? Surely you don’t mean that. There’s always something to photograph!
Oh, No, Fly Geyser looks just like that, it has amazing saturation. It should be a state park or a federal something or other. What is more amazing is that it is not a natural feature. It is another of man’s accidents, only this one turned out beautifully.
You are right, one can always find something to photograph. But there just isn’t really photogenic place. Photos aren’t free for me.
I couldn’t believe that was a natural formation.. . .
Sue, the only thing unnatural is the fact that the source of the water was an accident of man. The colors and shapes are all natural. It really is no different from the Salton Sea and in its own way just as beautiful.
In those bright, garish colors? Where else on this planet do those colors occur naturally?
Yellowstone.
Nah!!
Lakefront property!
Enjoy!
Diamonds on the water today…. 🙂
What’s with the copilot sleeping on the job? As I recall, the duties were to alert the pilot, before the exit, where the soft-serve ice cream shope was and when a license plate from our county was spotted. On occasion, a piece of gum was to be unwrapped and fed to the pilot. Had to earn the title/rank. Yeah, they give that ‘no opposable thumbs’ excuse, but then how did that lunch box with the snacks get opened…hummm?
🙂
This little copilot is wearing me out!
You had mentioned items in the PTV and I was wondering if you had jettisoned you boat yet? And do you still use your satellite radio?
I still have the boat. After a year my interest in the radio dwindled. I gave it to Rusty and he loves it!
Sue you are such a generous person……..it makes me smile almost as much as the pics of the crew!
Well, that’s nice of you to say that… However, the radio was given to me.
Here in Wikieup AZ under the shade of the Casita awning. When you see Pah in the beginning of a word out here in the wild west…it is Paiute Indian for water. Water was always very important to the Indians. Across the Sandy river from where I sit is an old map etched out on a boulder. Some think it is Indian but may be Spanish of long ago. It has a squiggly line representing the Sandy river, then two mountains with a ? n
whoops I hit a button by mistake and didn’t get to finish my story. Hard to make out what the map is saying. Is it a treasure map, a map for drinkable water? Who knows? But it has been there a long time.
Hi, Joe…
You know a lot about the Southwest and its history! I tried to find the full meaning of pahranagat… couldn’t find it…
“Pahranagat” comes from the Paiute Indian word meaning “place of many waters.”
Sue remember when you stayed in prospect at the natural bridge campground in Oregon? It was in the paper that third party took it over and and raised prices…some other ones too but i dont remember which ones.
I hope it’s not a trend. That is a lovely campground on the Rogue River.
Sue –
WOW!! What a fabulous campsite!!! So beautiful next to the water!!! AND FREE!!!
I miss the puppy pictures! Hope you show off the “kids” in your next post!
Hi, Lynn…
I’d better show pics of the pups or there’s liable to be a revolt! 🙂
Hi, Sue,
Oh, I love when you find waterfront camps – perfect! Little Reg sounds like he is keeping you and Bridget on your toes…already he is “taking charge” on walks! 🙂
In the Saint Patrick’s Day spirit, I cooked corned beef, cabbage and potatoes yesterday. It turned out very tasty! I’ll be eating it for lunch/dinner for a few more days, then freeze the remaining corned beef to make hash. Even when buying the smallest piece of meat, I always end up with leftover meat! Happy early Saint Patrick’s Day! 🙂
Sending you wishes for a peaceful night and hugs from me and Gracie pup. I, too, missed pictures of HRH Bridget and Sir Reginald! 🙂
Sir Reginald………..I love that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
Your Saint Patrick’s Day dinner has me hungry! I bet it tastes even better the next day.
Have a good evening, Denise and Gracie pup!
Happy St Patrick’s Day!! 🙂
Oh yum…corned beef hash…the real deal too!!
Looking forward to those leftovers to make tasty hash….yum is right!! 🙂
Hi Sue and Crew,
Your camp looks beautiful! When you mentioned heading west I wondered if you would also head up the east side of the Sierras. When I commented last we were near the Colorado River. We drove across the Parker dam and saw at least 30 wild burros strung out along the road! We spent another week at Joshua tree and we are now at Tuttle Campground near Lone Pine. It’s a nice BLM camp with well spaced sites, not many campers and gorgeous views in all directions. It is also pretty well priced at $2.50 per night with senior pass! We might be pushing the season but today it was 78 and should be in the 40s tonight.
Have a wonderful stay at your perfect looking camp
Hi, Marilu,
Your trip sounds wonderful. Yes, I’m familiar with Tuttle Campground. Before you get to Tuttle is a boondock that I love. I was going to put a link here to a photo of that camp but it isn’t working for me. 🙁 It was in October of 2013.
I bet it was Alabama Hills! We considered it but we were unsure of the ability to turn our too big trailer around without walking the roads first.
It was between Alabama Hills and Tuttle Campground. Not on Movie Road . . . .Away from where the tourists go…
Nice spot! I immediately thought “Spike would approve.” I know you’re all going to enjoy it there.
Hi, Dawn,
Spike did come to mind when I got out of the PTV to look this site over. I guess he will for a long time.
I think dogs who meant the most to us will always come to mind….if nothing else in our dreams. This morning was dreaming…was upset in the dream as I had a hard time remembering the name of our last dog…then it hit me…the dog in this dream was not our last dog…it was one before her!! Weird…dreams…
Wow love this new camp……..hope you can stay for awhile……………cooler by the water too…………enjoy!
Hi, Glenda,
We can stay up to 14 days and it is cooler here. Highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s. That’s perfect!
Ok, I”m venting. I think I just want to go home. We have been ” boondocking/drycamping” since November. EVERYWHERE we go, people run generators. YES, I get it at Phoenix, and the NASCAR races, where they have everyone camped next to each other, and it’s a party, I get that. It was fun. Karaoke, and pool tables, music all over the place, just a good time. THEN we go to Lake Pleasant. Pull into a spot. GREAT view of the lake. A CONSTRUCTION GENERATOR running all afternoon long. It’s now midnight. STILL RUNNING!!! we built a fire. I put it out. I’m not sitting out here listening to that generator polute this pristine place. Sue? I am going home soon, and I DON’T want to boondock any more. People have just got on my LAST.NERVE. whew. thank you for listening to this vent. People are rude. That’s all I have to say. I can’t wait to have a camp fire at my home where no generators are running.
Hi, Barb,
Oh, my… I feel your pain. I’m very sorry that the behavior of inconsiderate people ruined your enjoyment. I wish it weren’t so, but that’s what you’re going to run into when you go to the places where you went. It’s guaranteed.
You’re right. People are rude. You know that. Just like you know you can’t sleep in the lion’s cage and expect a good night’s rest.
Before you give up on dry camping, and after you’ve had a chance to put the bad you experienced out of your mind, give it another try. Only this time do not go where there are people. That’s the key. That’s why I’ve been a total witch about people coming around my camp and about clingers. Because 9 times out of 10 people are self-centered, inconsiderate, clueless, or rude or all of the above.
If you want a chance at a quiet camp, at least stay away from the big rigs unless you see umpteen solar panels on the roof. Keep out of LTVAs where campers are clustered. Keep out of crowded areas where people party. Avoid big cities, especially on weekends and holidays…. Lake Pleasant is too close to a city… I knew it was a pretty place when I drove right past it.
Another rule I abide by: If a place requires reservations, I will not go there. No matter how beautiful the location.
This isn’t a harangue against you, Barb, because I completely relate to the suffering you endured. It’s a message to all my readers, primarily wannabes and newbies and those who think the security of neighbors is necessary when camping. You can be safe without a neighbor and his/her generator and music.
And this message is to people with generators, although I’m probably preaching to the choir because my readers are not rude and inconsiderate… Here goes anyway…
When people are nearby trying to enjoy nature, KEEP THE DAMN THING TURNED OFF. If you think you can’t do that, then GO HOME or DO WITHOUT THE POWER. A generator running –even a good Honda or Yamaha — is a lot louder and annoying for your neighbors than it is for you, sitting inside watching television.
Barb….I hope the past few months haven’t turned you completely off RVing. That would be like giving up driving a car because you drove in the city and everyone was rude and inconsiderate.
Love ya! Thank you for venting. The quiet folks need to speak up!
Keep boondocking. It is such a nice experience. Camping within a campground is not usually considered boondocking. Follow Sue’s advice, try it again, maybe camp in USFS areas, Blm areas with no conveniences close by; don’t camp on weekends in populated areas!
Excellent advice!
Well written both you Sue and Barb!! My pet peeve, especially since moving into the edge of the Seattle area has become noise pollution and lack of civility! This area used to be such a joy because of all places, you could depend on it being one of the politest places to be. No longer. Yes, here and there, you will run into very nice people.
I am on my last nerve most of the time now due to our living situation. The business under us begin arriving from around 7ish in the AM and rarely are they gone before 7 at night. Sometimes they come in on weekends too. It gets quiet here and there…but it is not on any schedule and you never know when it will get loud. Then after they go home, especially when the weather gets nicer, it gets roaring loud over at the community center across the street. Whoever dreamed that living across from the fire station would actually be one of the quietest parts of living here??
Hubby finally got a meter to see if the level of noise coming from the community center was legal. It is not. They do not police those people who rent it. The fox guarding the henhouse I guess. What no one seems to realize is that for people like us, the noise is not absent very many hours out of 24…not even for 8 straight hours many days. THAT is too much. Two apts that are over businesses across from the community center (even closer than are we) are now empty!! Imagine THAT…suppose they might have moved out rather than experience another spring and summer and fall with excessive noise up to midnight?? Seems rational to me. Though I have not heard why they left. Too bad…a little more consideration of others sure goes a long, long ways. I am keeping my eyes open for another quieter living possibility…that is for sure!! If our daughter and family did not need our help you can believe we would be LONG GONE!!!
Well, there are ways you and others who live as you do, Sue have the very best situation!!! When the neighbors bug ya, you up and move!! It looks more and more inviting to us!!
That’s an impossible situation, Elizabeth. I don’t like to say that, but there really isn’t much you can do other than leave.
I think there are too many battles, Sue…I agree with you. Hubby, having been “navy trained” as he calls it…is rarely bothered by any of it. RARELY!! Sigh… Well, we will see what happens after we get back from NC…have to go there a few weeks to clean out our storage unit. Hopefully a good solution will be found.
I’m having withdrawal symptoms from no Motor Baby like everyone in comments. I played with my dogs like no body’s business. Chowder ran around the house like a cat out of water and Ralphie (usually like Motor Baby) actually couldn’t keep up with Chowder, the senior dog in age (he’s about 8 yrs old). My son walks my dogs daily. He walks them because my daughter’s dog was attacked by a pit bull dog. The pit bull was unprovoked…just up and attacked. Rudy ended up with stitches, on antibiotics and pain pills for several weeks. Rudy recovered and back to himself. We also take our dogs to the dog park….they love that place where they get to socialize with other pups and run around. I swear they know the directions to the park….when I get on the freeway headed that way, the pups get real excited and can’t wait to get there. BTW I think it’s going to take Reggie a while to get use to home life…i.e. not wanting to run off. He was use to going where he pleased before he was captured for adoption.
Hi, Rita,
You may be right about Reggie being used to going where he pleased and I doubt he was ever trained. Poor Rudy. What an ordeal.
An entertaining comment. Thank you! I’m working on a blog post this morning. I should rename my blog, “Reggie and his two sidekicks.”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Are the Crew and You ~poet, lol~ sporting the Green today?
I can picture both Bridget and Reggie in those funny shamrock sunglasses!
Of course, Bridget would need green beads too. A proper Lady always wears her beads 😉 As for me, I’m wearing my Kalamara Marble beads, from the Kalamara mines, it’s old school tradition 🙂
Oops, that’s Connemara Marble!
I never write it, just say it, so I thought it might be best to look it up for the correct spelling…my Irish grandmother would be proud that I corrected that 😉 B
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Pamela… I admit I wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for blogorinos. I’m unaware what day or holiday it is!
Really? That surprises me. Especially since holidays tend to draw out crowds of people for related activities. I would have guessed that you had a list of holiday weekends and holiday dates so you could avoid the campers on those days/weekends. I know I always avoid the most of the major holidays, ie: 4th of July, New Years. Those holidays when too many drunks are out on the roadways…those are danger-times to travel the backroads across the U.S.
If I were organized, I’d have a list of holidays and would know what day it is. Usually I avoid party places anyway and I certainly do on weekends… Lots of holidays are around weekends.
I do know when 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is near.
Hi Sue
I think of you often as I go about my daily chores. for years I have been getting our place ready for any troubled times that we may have in the future whether it be water shortage, electric shortage or food shortage……we had Hurricane Ike come thru here several years ago and we went a week without electricity but we were alright with everything we had set up. only problem I ran into was getting gas to run generators but I have taken care of that situation by changing them out to propane generators. you will be in the perfect spot if the poop ever hits the fan being out away from everyone and being self sufficient….Im proud of you gal.
so has Reggie done any barking?
chuck
Hi, Chuck,
I almost missed your comment, it being at the end. It’s nice to have someone say they’re proud of me. I like that.
Good for you for being prepared!
Yes, I have thought of the benefit of living in a house-on-wheels should something major occur… I remember when the hurricane hit New Oreans and video of the exodus on the freeway. Someone was hauling a fifth wheel… bet he was glad he had it!
No, Reggie isn’t much of a barker. He barks if someone comes too close to our campsite or at a big dog. When I say, “No, Reggie, don’t bark.” He looks at me like, “Oh, I’m not supposed to do that?”
Hi Sue;
I purchased a new to me Casita and am looking forward to many long trips in the RV Sue style! I know you are not a fan of generators, but I am wondering do you carry one “just in case” or if your solar is sufficient? Thank you. PS; love your new crew member….so happy for all of you! Denise
I do know that Honda makes a very quiet generator…..I would have one but cant afford the luxury of having a quiet one. they are not cheap.
chuck
Yes, I’ve heard that Hondas are quiet and Yamahas, too. No generator, however, is as quiet as silence.
Think of all the gas you don’t have to buy to run the damn thing. 🙂
🙂 ……….thats why I changed to propane but still not cheap just cheaper……
humidy in the Houston area is horrible during the summer and I would
die without AC……….power goes out then the window units kick in…..
I understand what your saying and only run my generators when power is
out but then again Im about 5 miles from the nearest neighbor and Im happy
about that even tho Houston is ever creeping north toward us….UGH!
OOO, to be young again…. 🙂
Hi, Denise (Lander?)…
Congratulations on the new Casita! I wish you much fun and happy travels with it.
I don’t have a generator. Solar is sufficient for my needs.
Thank you for the opportunity to rant! Here goes. . . . If I found that solar was not sufficient for my needs, I would re-evaluate my perception of those “needs” and adjust my thinking and behavior, rather than buy a generator. For example, I spoke with a person who said they “needed” a generator for their coffee maker. It is possible to make coffee with a simple pot and a propane stove!
If someone gave me a generator, I still would not use it. I can’t enjoy this life if my presence subtracts from someone else’s enjoyment.
(If one feels the need for a generator, that’s fine. Use it next to someone else running a generator and out of hearing of everyone else. Or pay for hook-ups.)
As for “just in case,” as has been suggested to me in the past, what so terrible would happen if I didn’t have enough solar power? And why wouldn’t I have enough… I can always move to a sunnier spot or — eegads! — use less power.
Thanks Sue; I suspected that you didn’t have a generator ( I couldn’t remember you mentioning one). Since you have been full timing for a few years, I figured you would have experienced any possible scenario where a generator would be needed. 😉