Tuesday, September 12
“Enjoy this while you can, boys. Tomorrow we hit the road to a new camp.”
Horseshoe Bend, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Lovell, Wyoming
These two have certainly enjoyed this camp and so have I. If we ever travel through northern Wyoming and southern Montana again — I hope we do, God willing — we will surely include another stay here.
View of dock/day use area from “play station” (Campground on left, out of frame.)
Time for a break . . .
Reggie and Roger do everything together!
~ ~ ~
The crew and I return to the campsite.
Reggie and Roger wolf down kibble, lap up some water, and hop into bed.
The Best Little Trailer awaits our return. (Note mountain blurred by smoke.)
Before going inside for the evening, I put away all the outside items in preparation for tomorrow’s move.
Pausing at the door of our home, my sleepy pups waiting for me inside, I’m grateful for all we have received.
Wednesday, September 13
Before leaving Horseshoe Bend Campground, I take advantage of what’s available. I fill up eight one-gallon jugs with drinking water from the spigot at our campsite. Trash and recyling items go into the appropriate bins.
On the way out, we pull into the campground’s dump station. It’s been fifteen days since I last performed this task. I also use the drinking water hose (not the dump-wash hose!) to fill the water tank. This water is for incidental washing and cleaning, and also for flushing.
A few days ago the crew and I drove into Lovell and had a propane tank filled and stocked up on groceries. On the way this morning we fill up the gas tank of the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
We’re all set for our next camp!
The road out of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Thank you, dear reader, for visiting my blog!
rvsue
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first?
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING FIRST, MILLIE!
Thank you Sue. I meant to comment too that I love the title of this post. It is the small things in life that make us realize what really matters…the joy of a couple of pups racing to their heart’s content….ahhhhh.
Glanced at my email, just in time. Now I can go back and enjoy the post!
Doing “everything” together made me laugh out loud!! They sure are in tune with each other!! The smile on Reggie’s face in the first photo just about says it all regarding how much you all enjoyed this particular camp. Can’t wait to see where you land next. It sure is a pleasure to journey along with you Sue…those are a couple of lucky pups!!
Millie
The doing “everything” together picture made me laugh and reminded me of a time when camping at a campground in Arizona when I opened up a “Double Wide” outhouse door to reveal two cutouts/seats(although there were no seats) and hollered to the guys “Look, the buddy system”
Too Funny!
Hi, mrdsee in Riverside,
My grandparents had a “triple wide” outhouse. My sisters and cousins marked the passage of childhood by the moving of our butts over the years to a larger hole. That biggest hole was scary until you fit it!
Oh my gosh!
Gives new meaning to the term “Small, Medium, and Large!”
You’re a witty one! Hahaha!
The old family home in MN has a 3 holer too! My brother and I used to love using it when we’d visit our aunt, uncle and cousins. They thought we were nuts because by the time we came along they had indoor plumbing. A novelty for us.
Millie… It’s a pleasure to have you journeying with us!
I would agree that it would be tough to leave that campground. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Hi, Joe! Thanks for letting us know you’re here!
Woohoo! 2nd!
Sue, yes, truly a blessing to have the life and companions you have. Not everyone is so blessed, to be able to travel this wonderful country of ours. God Bless the USA!
I have to comment on that photo of the boys doing everything together. They don’t want to miss out!
Safe travels!
Thanks, Renee. The expression on Reggie’s face in that photo… He looks like “We get this over with and then we can get back to playing!”
Those two rascals are so much fun to watch! I wish there was a youtube portion! They are great!
Our area is warm this week. Cold last week. Cold this weekend. That time of year… grands getting sick, daughters are tired. Granny is trying to smile through it all 🙂
Hugs from Hoquiam,
Barb
One thing about Hoquiam… The weather is interesting. 🙂
Best wishes for the grandkids to get better, for the daughters to be rested, and for Granny to smile through it all!
Thanks Sue! Yup, never boring in our wee burg!
Thank you for the good wishes. Hugs!
Hi Sue and crew! Beautiful camp!
Hi, Kelley! Hoping there is beauty in your life today!
Yay! My hubby *did* order his gloves (the Isotoners) through your link as I asked him to. Love the pics of the boys – what energy!
Friday morning, we will be leaving on an Amtrak trip from IN out to OR to be with my mom on her 84th birthday. Along the way, we’ll celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. We’ll also make a side excursion to visit my dad in Seattle – busy, busy, busy, but in a good way. My 3 siblings live in the same town as my mom and it has been years since I’ve seen any of them. So I’m pretty excited.
My hubby has always wanted to take a long-distance train trip and get a sleeper car, so that’s what we did – as a special treat to ourselves. If WiFi on the train is good, my next comment will be “on the rails”. LOL
Give my thanks to hubby for me and thanks to you for telling him how to shop. Hee-hee.
Wow! That Amtrak trip… What a great way to celebrate your anniversary and visit family, too! I know you will have a fantastic time and I hope you’ll tell us about it. I’ve thought about taking an Amtrak journey, too. Like your husband, I’ve “always wanted to take a long distance train trip.” Toward the end of WWII my mother traveled across the U.S. by train from NY to San Diego in order to marry my father. So romantic!
A long distance train trip is on my bucket list also. Love the story about your Mom, Sue.
Taking a quick break from my studies….ROFL at the picture/caption “Reggie and Roger do everything together!”. I just love seeing pictures of those two running free….they sure do know how to enjoy life!
Hi, Jan…. I love your enthusiasm for your training. Best wishes!
Hey Sue! Loved the post. I especially liked the pic of the boys doing everything together! I have another few decades before I can retire, but I through your example, I have more than started planning on what to do next!
Good for you, Dawn! If I had known retirement would be so wonderful, maybe I would’ve figured out a way to start sooner.
Okay, I am still snickering over the two boys in tandem (groan)!
On the final stretch here before getting out of dodge. In my dodge. LOL. Okay, that was not really funny. Some issues took longer to deal with than I expected so my launch date of the fifteenth of this month is pushed off to now what looks like mid-October. When they replaced the rear main seal this new mechanic found cracked boots aka meaning time to replace the ball joints. Have reservations for the serious test voyage over in Tennessee next week that I couldn’t break, so will have to have those done when I get back rather than final packing and heading west.
Of course there were things that didn’t get done – I’ve left the water heater and replacing the shower diverter til another time. Will shower in gyms or campgrounds. Heat water for dishes on the stove. Have a solar suitcase but never finished deciding generator, more solar and a second battery bank – or a generator – or both. Also didn’t finish the internet puzzle. Still should look into a wifi booster and better cellular booster antenna. And, the outside didn’t get ‘purtified as much as I would have liked either. Vinyl stripes still need to be stripped and redone and I bombed at touch up paint, but otherwise she’s shiny and much fresher looker since I’ve painted trim, replaced the old spare tire cover and removed aging good same stickers. Finally I have yet to paint the bathroom.
But, on the flip side flooring and trim is finished, kitchen sink and drains replaced, furnace works, fridge works, electrical and propane all good now, ladder and bike rack installed, bedding, curtains, upholstery and paint finished, back up camera wired, my little electronics charging/inverter/booster station set up, inset bookshelf finished, have a 100w solar suitcase, everything is well sealed, the furkids have all their shots updated and microchipped…just some last projects like scraping and painting the top of the bumper toolbox, replacing the awning saver, etc. to be done.
I can’t tell you though how ANXIOUS I am to get on the road!!!
Safe journeys all!
Whew! I’m tired after reading about all your work. 🙂 Hope you enjoy your trip to TN – you deserve it!
I am definitely planning on taking some deep breaths once there…hoping nothing too big breaks – LOL!
You are incredible, Dawn! Wishing you a perfect “test voyage!”
Wow you are a busy bee Dawn! Hope you enjoy your trip over here and aren’t too tired.
Thx RVSue and Barbara – yeah, I know – I may sleep through it – LOL!
It is amazing how much there is to look after. Sounds like you should be proud of all you’ve accomplished so far, even if it isn’t all done yet. Happy travels and keep us posted.
Thanks Barbara – will do. Hopefully once I get on the road can get a blog started. You all have been with me since the beginning – I’ll share depending on RVSue’s rules 🙂
You certainly do deserve a good test trip after all of your hard work. Hope things work well. Tennesse is beautiful…what a great weekend getaway. Enjoy!
We also have friends over there that are going to come meet us for “lunch” one day – so killing two birds, as they say 🙂 The park is overlooking a big reservoir and I pulled a spot at the end so should only be looking at trees and maybe a glimpse of the water. Now, I will say it’s right by the dump station but I called ahead and was assured it was a popular spot and there wouldn’t be a smell or traffic problem. Grin – we’ll see!!! Part of the adventure, yes?!
Dawn,
Don’t forget to take copies of all those shot records for your furbabies. Copies of eye prescriptions for you and of course your medical records! In all those preps you are so busy! I don’t full time…long two months or more trips but carry a portable file with all included. Had to use in a few times for emergencies! Does not hurt to leave backup copies with family because they can always fax to where ever you need it, health insurance cards, etc.
Good point, thanks for the reminder LJ! And yes, leaving copies of all important info with family. Also have Good Sam Travel Assist – esp being solo – that program insures if you end up hospitalized you get a medical advocate, pets taken care of, they’ll get rv back to your home, and will even fly a family member out to you if you are in hospital over seven days (or thereabouts). Basically I thought worth the money to maybe save some additional pain if something happened to me. Mentioning it here in case anyone else traveling hasn’t run across that program.
Dawn, I’m very impressed with all you have done on your trailer, wow!! Hope you enjoy your trip to TN!
Thanks! Yes, it has been a long summer but so totally worth it! I can’t wait to get back to a normal sort of routine / well whatever normal is going to be on the road 🙂 But for one, I need to catch up on a lot of RVSue’s blog posts!
I love the pic of the pups doing everything together! Just how do they time it?
Hi, SecondLife!
Glad you like pics of the crew…. I don’t know how they synchronize themselves. It happens all the time!
What an uplifting post. I’m glad to hear of your favorable view of Southern Montana/Northern Wyoming. Been all over. The US is the best hands down. Best of all are the pics of your little family and the beauty of nature. I hope you have a safe drive to your next destination and it is as delighful as this camp was.
Thank you, Stephanie. We did have a safe drive and, although the next camp wouldn’t rate in the same category as this one, every camp we’ve ever made has something good about it.
It’s gratifying for me to read that a post was “uplifting” for a reader.
Such a lovely site, I will sort of miss it! But I look forward to seeing where you land next. Are the boys going to beg to run off leash at the new place? Or will they be happy enough just to be together and with you? Tune in next time to find out.
Hi, Dawn…. Well, you don’t have to wait until “next time.” There was no begging to run off leash, although Roger usually hesitates before coming close to be suited up.
Hooray, I am in the top 18 for once. Now I will go read.
I’m glad you’re here, Susan!
Now that is just about “everything”! Maybe it was the power of suggestion. Oh Reggie and Roger, you are so funny!
You’re onto something, Susan. Often one will find the droppings of a fellow canine and have to add theirs to it. (This is need-to-know info for all my readers.)
That is dog nature. Whoever “marks the spot” last, is the winner! Top dog!
Our dogs do that all the time-
Aha! That’s what’s going on! 🙂
I hope the next camp was as nice as this one, and the drive there was an easy one.
Thank you, Lisa. I hope you are having a great day. 🙂
Hi 😃
Hi 🙂
Hullo Sue & crew! Just a little note to say hello on this sunny day. I’ve been following you from the beginning, pre-BLT ! Just starting to figure out what my retirement will look like… It’s so lovely to have all the time in the world. I enjoyed my two camping trips to that part of the world, and I agree, 100%, will return.
Welcome, Cynthia & Scout in BC! Happy to have you here! Thank you for following my blog all these years. 🙂
Too funny! Seems like they both enjoyed running free!
You used your hose to fill the tanks?
Safe travels!
My fresh water hose sprung a leak a while back, due to the high pressure from a campground spigot (and yes, I used a pressure regulator). I haven’t bothered to replace the hose since I rely mostly on the hose provided for fresh water at campgrounds and also my one-gallon jugs with a funnel.
What a great shot of the 2 R’s and the red dirt. My Muffin is still hanging in there with her heart, collapsing trachea and Cushings. Meds morning and evening but she’s still a happy girl, playing, eating, sleeping and cuddling. Loving on her as long as I can and being thankful for the 12 years she’s been with me. Cherish your babies. Time flies by too, too quickly.
Yes, it does, Linda Ross. If I remember correctly you had another sweet M who passed on not long ago. Wishing you and Muffin many more special times together….
Yep, my little guy Murphy died in February. I kept hoping if I got little dogs they would live much longer than bigger dogs usually do. Murphy was only 9. Muffin will only be 13 if she makes it til next March.
I have been so lucky with Chloe! She has liver shunt, and when I took her to the Univ of Tennessee they told me she had a life expectancy of 5 to 8 years if all went well. Then after that she poisoned herself eating vitamin D and spent 6 weeks in doggie intensive care. And she will be 11 in March and is still prancing and dancing like a puppy! I’m hoping she has a few more years; it will break my heart when she goes. But I have been super lucky.
Hi, all,
I haven’t posted in a long time. I’ve been working on my house and today got the first offer from a buyer. I don’t know if this deal will go through, but I’m hoping! My final day of work is Friday, so I’m almost done with that phase of my life. I bought a 2005 Chevy van similar to Sue’s and a bit bigger trailer, 24 foot. I’m going to get started on building some storage in the van and fixing up the older trailer once my retirement starts on Saturday! I’ll spend a little time with my daughter, and then I’ll be on the road, exploring. I sure have been inspired and learned a lot from Sue. I hope to wave at some of you as we travel about.
Fantastic, Jane! Of course I think you’ve made excellent decisions regarding your tow vehicle and trailer. I wish you many safe and happy miles between wonderful camps.
Congratulations on receiving an offer on your house. I hope you work out a good deal for all involved. Also congratulations on retiring this Friday. Wow! Everything is coming together for you!
Thanks for sharing…. 🙂
Jane, congrats on purchasing your van and trailer! Good luck with the projects of getting it ready for travel. Maybe we’ll bump into each other somewhere along the way.
I know there are a lot of single women out there traveling, but so far in the 3 months I’ve been on the road I haven’t met any! When I do meet other campers, usually the first question I get is – are you by yourself?? Most frequently from the woman! I have met some really nice people though that I keep in touch with.
Hi Sue, I just love seeing a new post, get almost giddy with excitement, where is she now, where is she headed. I read your posts, get a map and track it. Love the part about the boys doing every thing together.Safe journey, though by now I’m sure you are there, never the less
safe journeys
Hi, Lee,
I love your enthusiasm for my blog! “giddy with excitement”…. That’s me when I finally finish a post and hit the “publish” button. 🙂
Thanks for the wish for safe journeys and for the nice comment.
I really enjoyed your stay at this camp. Can’t wait to see where you land this time. R & R are too funny, with their chasing around and taking care of business together. They must keep you in stitches. Thse scenery at this camp was just stunning. It is definitely on my list of must-see places.
I hope you do go to Bighorn Canyon, Barbara. Even if one doesn’t explore the canyon but only stays at Horseshoe Bend, wandering around close by like we did, it’s a lovely experience.
You have such a lovely way of expressing gratitude and how you felt about that place. That you paused at the door of your home, to let what you’d experienced there go through your mind, after preparing to leave, said a lot. So does your having changed your header photo so the image will be seen for a while. This post is an especially beautiful one, Sue. It’s more than the pretty scenes and writing, I wonder if you had more of a sense of peace inside than at other times recently when you were putting it together… Anyway, thank you, for the contented sighs of pleasure it’s giving me.
You’re welcome, weather. Thank you for your insights. You have me reflecting upon our camps and my feelings about them.
It may seem odd, yet I form an attachment to our camps, much more quickly than I do to people! When it’s time to leave, it’s like leaving a friend. Silly.
Writing about that special camp, these two weeks later, its special atmosphere is magnified in the remembering. I guess that goes to show we don’t appreciate or perhaps fully experience a place while we are in it. After time has passed and we look back at it, it’s attributes are enhanced.
It’s like the effect a photograph has on a scene. What we once saw, when seen in a photo, is now enhanced. Bighorn Canyon or any camp about which I write and photograph is more vivid for me in recall and the experiences there more poignant, being magnified and intensified in memory. That’s part of the value of blogging.
I hope that makes sense!
Yes, I have “more of a sense of peace” here at our present camp, the depression having passed on to wherever bad things go. Ha!
Hi, Sue,
I will definitely have to stay at Bighorn Canyon after the crowds slow down. We are planning a few days camp at Hebgen Lake campground out of West Yellowstone next summer. My sister’s family camps there every year and we have been invited to join next July. Next to a lovely lake and they have boats and fishing gear. It will be a nice retreat from all the work we have been doing around this house to get it prepared for a sale in a couple of years. I think I have my husband convinced that a 17 – 23′ trailer would be nice living space. Frankly, he has to just brush elbows with camping enthusiasts and compare their rigs before deciding on what we want to buy. I think at our ages, 69 and 78, we will probably end up renting a moderate apartment and spending our spring, summer and fall in the camper. That’s the dream anyway. We are both active and in great health. Walmart will serve as our pharmacy along the way. Other than that, we will be mighty free! Thanks for the adventures, Sue. Can’t wait to see where you and the crew end up next.
Hi, Diann,
I remember Hebgen Lake. We didn’t camp there but I drove by it and camped somewhere above the dam, I think, at a national forest campground. That’s a beautiful area.
I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and your husband, that you will be getting a camper and enjoying all that it will open up for you. I remember a while back how discouraged you were, thinking you could never convince your husband. Sounds like he has the RV bug… Yay!
I can’t advise you on what length trailer is right for you. There are couples who full-time in 17-footers and other couples who tried that and felt better with more space. I think your plan of mixing apt. living with life on the road is excellent! Wow! You’re going to do this, Diann! Happy, happy, happy!
What a great feeling to have fully enjoyed your stay and still have the anticipation of what your next destination might offer. The boys are little firecrackers. Safe travels.
Thanks, Li.
That’s what’s great about a life on the road. You get to stay in lovely places knowing soon you’ll discover another fine place somewhere down the road.
“Firecrackers”… Yep, that’s right!
I really enjoyed this post, we have 3 dogs at home and they have 1/2 acre to run and play. Dogs are great at finding things to do and ways to rest. I know you will find another great spot down the road because you have such a great attitude about nature. You remind me of my Sister in ID. She live in a cabin 6 miles from town in the mountains, she is an artist so instead of a camera for pictures, she paints what she see’s. Keep on keeping on.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Ruthie. Your dogs are very fortunate to have all that space in which to run.
About dogs finding things to do… Roger is a master at that! He will pick up a pebble in his mouth and with a flick of his head make it fly and then he chases it… repeats this over and over. Or he’ll find the perfect stick for chewing or a butterfly to chase (which he will eat if I don’t stop him!).
Reggie, on the other hand, is more dependent upon me for entertainment. I appreciate it when Roger pesters him to play.
Your sister knows how to live! “a cabin 6 miles from town in the mountains”… sounds wonderful.
Have a good evening, Ruthie. The crew and I are going back to camp so I’m going offline.
Hi, again! I am all current with reading your blog, from the beginning! Yay! I have to tell you that I was, thoroughly, entertained! I laughed so many times, you have a talent for writing, for sure. I have recently retired and have been living, vicariously, through you and am soon to be living this lifestyle myself! I have learned so much from you, one of them is courage to take a leap and just do it! You have been living your life that way, all this time, and are an encouragement to those of us who want to and maybe are unsure. Thank you for all you provide. God bless you and those adorable puppies!
Thank you, Dianna, for your kind and complimentary comment. I’m very pleased that you were entertained by my old posts, and also that you learned from them. Best wishes as you make preparations for your own vagabond-living!
I gather from your name (leaving Florida!) that you won’t miss the hurricanes… God bless you, too.
Hi! Thanks for responding, must keep you busy. Yes, I am looking forward to leaving the hurricanes in the dust! We have a Ford van and a 23 foot TT and hope to boondock, mostly. Are planning to be ready sometime next month. I have trouble sleeping due to brain overload regarding all the adventures that lay ahead! Take care and God bless.
Hi, RVSue,
I am so happy in being able to find your replies under every comment from Blogorinos. Would be the Blogorinoland definitely!
I’m so excited about your next camp! Roll on next post! 🙂
Hi, Fuji-maru,
You made me smile, being happy that I’m replying to comments. BTW, your English is very good! There’s a big difference from when you first wrote a comment on my blog. You must have a talent for languages — reading German, too!
You have been teaching English through your posts amd comments! And all blogorinos as well. 🙂
Thank you!
The gift of perfect timing of loving where you are and excited to move on to the next location. Your boys are going to be excited every time they see red dirt!!
I have to take the boys back to their play station someday. What a great time they had!
Oh my gosh – I’ve heard of synchronized swimming, but synchronized pooping? Too funny! Usually my husband and I both walk our dogs together, but sometimes if one or the other of us is busy, the “walker” has to take two dogs out at the same time. In those cases, I always have to be super alert that one doesn’t pee on the other – for the life of me I can’t figure out why they don’t move out of the way of each other but they seem oblivious 🙁
Just to let you know Sue … I had to return the second dog bed I ordered for Sammy today because I accidentally ordered the wrong size. As soon as they receive the return and credit my account, I’ll order the correct size – through your link of course.
Well said, Cynthia! Love that synchronized pooping 🙂
Thanks for letting me know about the dog bed. As for peeing on each other, Reg and Rog don’t do that often but I have to watch that they don’t anoint their leashes. There have been times when I had to scramble to move the leash before a poop fell on it. I know, too much information. 🙂
Hi Sue, I bet you and the boys will miss this camp, the pictures have been awesome!
I have some good news and some frustrating news. Start with the good, I found a job! Just part time and just 10 to 20 hours to start but can work into more. Any little bit will help us at this point. Just getting started with the whole process so I will share more as things come together. My partner, he seems to be doing good and we go back to the cardiologist tomorrow to get the latest ECHO results.
Now the bad news, after applying and getting that job all in one day on Monday, Tues took me to a low cost dental clinic and I have an abcessed tooth. Started on antibiotics for 3 weeks. I need a root canal or extraction. Every root canal I have ever had failed over time and I have ended up having the tooth removed later and they are beyond my financial means at this time. So because I have a small mouth and a hypersensitive gag reflex because of it, that dentist won’t work on me. So they want to send me to an oral surgeon. The real kicker here is that this tooth, #31, is the last tooth in the back on that side of my mouth and it is part of a 3 unit bridge. So this mess just got messier because when I started calling around to dentists to see who could do it soon, none of them so far will section off my bridge so the tooth can be extracted. No dental insurance, and everything else going on, I can’t afford multiple dentist visits because they all want an initial visit first and the stress of this really messes up my bladder with the bladder illness I have.
So I am still working to find a dentist to do this for me. I need to wait until next week anyway so that I can get antibiotic into my system, I have a pus pocket on the tooth. So another thing to deal with that I really didn’t need right now, especially dental. I just wanted this done before I start my new job in a few weeks. Thankfully I have 3 weeks of antibiotics and also this job is just Thur. and Fridays for now if I have to start the job before this gets done, just pray it can happen though before so I don’t have this hanging over me.
I am looking forward to where you take us next Sue!
Jolene, I am so sorry all this is happening to you and your significant other. Wish there was something I could do to help you. Just went through a bunch of issues like this myself in the spring. My hubby isn’t out of the woods either and being a caregiver is hard, tiring and very trying on patience. I will be praying for you.
Oh, Jolene, not dental problems! And how frustrating to be turned away by dentists.
Like Barbara wrote, I wish there were some way to help you through this. You’re doing a remarkable job coping with all that’s going on in your life and working your way through to a better time. Congratulations on finding work!
Praying for both of you …. Thanks for the update. God bless you.
Jolene, I’m thrilled you found a job and so sorry about your dental problems. I wonder, now that you have a job, if one of these dentists would allow you to pay over time so that you can get the necessary work done?
Most likely not Cynthia. This is just a contract job. The company has been around for awhile and I think in time it will be a good thing if it all works out but right now to start the hours won’t be enough that I can give anyone that reassurance that I will have the money every month. For right this moment this week I have had to take a break from looking anymore. Sometimes overload kicks in and I have to take a break.
Fires are finally out in our neck of the woods. We were evacuated for several weeks. However all is well now with the rain and snow. AND clean fresh air! Makes one appreciate the simple things.
Headed south this week and will stay at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir along the way. Will think of the Roger story as we roll through Rogerson! Hope your next camp is just as good as the last.
Hi, Carol!
That would be the Lolo fire that’s out. Quite a trial for you to be evacuated for that length of time. I assume your cabin is okay.
Breathing fresh air…. We don’t give much thought to that until it’s not available.
If you have a chance while in Rogerson, say hi to Anita …. from me, Reg and, of course, Rog (the absentee mayor of Rogerson!).
Will do!
I totally get what your title means, Sue. There is a sweet spot of being happy and content with all your present campsite has provided for you, but the excitement of knowing there is another one that can do the same, yet undiscovered. I’ve also encountered this same feeling of wanting more of the good I have, but also ready for the joys of finding another great camp. Ah, the dilemma of living on the road. Not a bad problem to have, really. I believe that it is good to leave a camp while it still feels right for you. Should I ever have any doubts, the yearn for more adventure and to explore new surroundings always kicks in as I leave my old camp in the rear view mirror and focus on a new experience ahead. Where will I camp tonight? Love solving that problem on travel days! Safe travels for you and The Crew.—Audrey
Beautifully written, Audrey. Happy “problem-solving!”
Well said, Nevrapa
What more can I say about the R&R doing everything together pic…too funny. My favorite pic is them flying and the Reg man smiling with glee. Love these pups and you Sue for providing me with laughter.
My husband and I are in Lincoln City OR. What a glorious day.
We are staying at a “resort” used to be a motel that my parents used to stay at on their anniversary. Today was in the 80’s, amazing.
Lincoln City, Oregon, in the 80s…. Aahh… Perfect! 🙂
Hi Sue,
I have some questions you may not want to answer or post so feel free to pull this from public view if you want.
How do you manage going so many days without dumping your black tank? Do you try to just use the toilet at night and use the camps vault or flush toilet over your own?
Next question, when you first got your camera you mentioned using the auto mode all the time for taking pictures…are you still using auto mode or have you learned more and are now off auto? If no longer using auto mode how did you learn to use all the functions available on your camera? How do you keep track of your photos once you transfer them to your computer. Or do you keep them on the SD card and buy new cards as they get full? I’m having trouble with organizing my photos so I remember where and when they were taken. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
Hi, Beth and Rosie dog,
Nice hearing from you again!
To answer your questions:
How do I manage going so many days without dumping the black tank? I’m careful how much water I use to flush and I use a good tank treatment. I almost never use campground toilets.
Do I use auto mode on my camera? Yes. I did in the beginning and, since it works well enough for me, I haven’t bothered to learn much about the settings. I do use the settings for night shots and “through the glass” and I push the button for close shots like flowers. Other than that, it’s auto all the way!
How to learn settings? I think the camera came with a CD tutorial which I never looked at and probably is tucked in a cabinet somewhere. That’s how I operate. Ha!
I keep photos on the SD card. When full I store it and start on a new one. When photos are downloaded from Picasa on my computer I have it set so they go in a folder with the date as its label. The date is the date of download which is close enough to the date taken. If I should forget where they were taken, I can open my blog and look at where we were on that date.
Good answers to some good questions…..always learn something from your blogs.
Can’t wait to see and read about your next stop!
Hi, Anna!
Ok. Thx. Would you share the “good tank treatment” you use? I’ve tried a bunch. My first big problem with my trailer was the black tank had a slow “liquid” leak, it was summer in the desert, my mom had just passed away. I was gone for 3 weeks…long story short a piece of paper got stuck in the valve knife causing the liquid to slowly drain and after that I was told to use LOTS of water and also my sensors have never worked right again. So I have a much larger tank than you and only make it 10 days. I think I’m scared of that dreaded black tank problem happening again. I don’t worry about the sensors, I can see it and know approximately how many days. Thx too for the info on your camera use and organization. Lots of help for my foggy brain!
We organize our photos the same way 🙂
If you put your camera model into a Google search with the words ‘manual’ and ‘PDF’ you should get a download link (for example:’canon sure shot elph180 manual PDF’)
Just download the manual onto your tablet\phone and then you can carry it with you. We also took some screenshots of certain pages of our manual for easy reference ( screenshots are stored in your photos on your device) Some tablets\phones can be tricky to take a screenshot on. Don’t feel bad – just go to your carrier’s store and they can show you how to take screenshots. Hope that helps 🙂
Hi, Beth and Rosie dog,
I have a harrowing experience that our black tank almost exploded as sensors not working on the road in the US.
My wife happened to noticed a bad omen while passing through a bumpy road. She moved to the bathroom back in our RV and shrieked. “Slow down! Swing by the nearest dump station!”
I’was sure would have an annoying task waited for us.
Yes, black tanks can be annoying, but I’m glad to have one. Thankful your wife caught your tank before you had a bad mess to clean! 😎
Beth, try Unique RV Digest-It. The service tech at the dealership where I purchased my trailer recommended it. He has used this product to clean out black tanks that were in really bad shape. It is natural and formaldehyde free also. I have only had my trailer for 3 months but so far I have had no problems with my tank.
Hi sue and crew,
Sorry its been a minute since i last posted. We finally got my parents house sold, close in a couple of weeks. Its bitter sweet, its been very emotional for me,as i am the one having to go through everything to clear out the house. It is the house i was born and raised in and my sisters too,so its going to be difficult walking out the door one last time. But on the positive side, a good friend of mine,from way back in high school has bought it. It gives me such relief,as i know that she will take care of it. I had been so worried that someone would buy it and let it fall down ( so many do)
Anyways…. been pretty busy.
I have not however missed a blog that you have written. The picture of doing everything together made me LOL! I first said to myself,
” oh my, hes doing the potty ,she must not have seen that ” thinking it was a landscape picture lol. Then i realized what was happening lol. You take some beautiful pictures of beautiful places. Be safe out there and happy trails. Mert and asia mae
Great update, Mert! Congratulations on the sale of the family home. I can’t imagine how emotional it must have been to sort through family stuff for downsizing and also the idea of walking out the door. I’m glad the house will be “in good hands.”
I hope you and Asia Mae are well.
Cleared for takeoff! Two very excited RV ers here. Met with my oncologist this past Monday and after almost an entire year of struggling through sometimes horrifying treatments, I have been cleared to ‘hit the road’! They want me back in the spring, but for now, we are heading south. Sunday is our target for departure. Cannot wait to roll down the road and experience all the beautiful scenery out there. Sue, you have helped keep my head up this past year with your gorgeous photos. Now I get to see for myself once again.
HALLELUJAH!!!! You are on your way! You must be over the moon after the year you’ve had… I’m very happy for you both. Thanks for the letting us know your wonderful news.
It’s happy trails again for Gil and Kathy! Thank God!
Just love your photos and of course the stories that go along with them. Can’t wait to see where next! Much as I wanted to load up my kitty and head out for Montana, see the leaves maybe more animals, I fear I have lost that window. I see occasional snow or ice and makes me nervous. But it looks fine where you are. There’s a place I want to go in Trout Creek and that area I love so. Your pictures inspire me as do your explanations. I can just picture it. Thanks so much for this blog. So many of us enjoy it.
Heard you mentioned on NPR recently. I now know someone who is almost famous!
Are you kidding me, George? Details please!
What is NPR?
Oh George….no cliff hangers!😉
National Public Radio
Cinandjules…. FYI…. George aka Teddy was my first true love (6th grade). He rebuffed my advances. I say he owes me!
Hello all! I am finally home in AZ. Took me 9 days to get home this time but I spent 4 days in Oklahoma at my friend’s so it was a very quick trip for me. I’m thinking that I want to spend some time this winter doing short trips here in AZ to visit some of the places Sue goes. Maybe I will go to Quartzsite this year, for instance. Meanwhile I am glad to be here. I am working evenings now so I am excited about being able to go back to my morning coffee group and also to start doing some of the morning exercise classes at the community gym. So…big plans, lol. And now I will be on the blog more often too. Happy to be home.
So how did the car camping go? Been thinking about you!
Car camping was great! Very comfortable sleeping in car. That’s what I plan to do on my short trips this winter. The Prius is amazing. So comfy…air conditioning and can plug in my cpap. It’s awesome.
DG, glad to see you will back on for the coffee klatsch…happy to see you back in AZ and am looking forward to read about your short trips.
Welcome home, Desert Ginger!
Sue, I have have placed some orders on Amazon thru your link. I’m hoping you have received credit for them. Most recently was on Sept 19th. Ordered an Arizona Benchmark, Weber Q1000 grill cover and Camco 50 to 30 Adapter. Your blog was instrumental in my decision to go full time, so wanted to show my appreciation. I really like this Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area. Will plan to visit there when I am in Wyoming again. When I left Yellowstone I spent a couple days in the Big Horn Basin south of Cody. There are some very wonderful museums there operated by the cities/counties. Also, taking Hwy 16 East over the Big Horn Mountains there are some very nice boondocks. No cell coverage though 🙁
Hi, Debra & Misty!
Sounds like you enjoyed your camps after Yellowstone. I was tempted to investigate the Big Horn Mountains for the boondocks and scenery. Impending cold weather and lack of internet convinced me to do that another time.
Thank you very much for your Amazon orders! I remember seeing those items on my reports. 🙂
Yes, I camped the night of Sept 12 just west of the pass. It only got down to mid 50s that night, but the next night there was supposed to be up to 10 inches of snow! So good timing for me, it was just a stop over on my way to Devils Tower National Monument.
Glad you saw the items 🙂
Timing makes all the difference. Good for you! 🙂
Working on a new post. I hope to have it published before this day is through…
In case you post when I’m asleep, n’nite
Same to you, weather.
I’m posting in a minute. 🙂