A cold wind howls over Elephant Butte State Park this morning.
The lake is green-grey with white caps. It continues to shrink exposing new islands. I wear my Nanuk of the North coat with hood to walk the crew. Even the quail are hunkered down. Not a peep is heard from them.
I photographed this tree the first day we arrived at Elephant Butte. It had all its leaves then.
I decide to make some preparations for leaving tomorrow.
My blue patio mat makes several attempts to go airborne, so I fold it up and put it in the Perfect Tow Vehicle. I also fold up and pack the stepladder and camp chair. I like to leave the crew’s pen up until the last moment before leaving. I don’t want Bridget and Spike distracting me while I’m hitching up and securing things for the road.
We go over to Walmart to stock up on groceries.
I also pick up a nozzle for my drinking water hose. If you want to look like a newbie, try to fill your water tank without a nozzle on the hose. Yank up the handle at the water source to allow water under high pressure to splash all over the place while you run around the back of the trailer to jam the hose end into the aperature of the tank. I try, but it’s hard to look nonchalant.
I gas up the PTV and make a mental note to stop for propane on the way out tomorrow.
As soon as we return to the campsite, I take Bridget and Spike for a walk so they won’t be bothering me this afternoon. It’s still cold, but at least the wind has died down.
It's cold enough to give Bridget a runny nose.
Spike's got a new chewbone!
Another thing I like to do, if there’s time before breaking camp, is to stock the refrigerator.
I haven’t made potato salad and tuna-macaroni salad in quite a while, so I make a big batch of both. Along with the green salad that’s already in the fridge, I’m all set for tomorrow. The crew and I want to explore and take photos of our new home at Percha Dam State Park soon after we arrive.
Bill and Kathy are leaving tomorrow also.
- Bill and Kathy’s camper in the next campsite
Bill shows me how to replace the bulb for one of the PTV’s back-up lights.
He also gives me the long, flat cord that I’ll use to plug the inverter to the Casita’s power cord.
I feel a bit of regret that we have to part ways before the project is complete.
I want them both to see the panel go up on the PTV’s roof and to watch as I adjust it with the mechanism Mick in Tennessee designed and constructed. Somehow we will get together again so they can see the final result of all their work.
Remember the storage drawers I put inside my Casita?
I am so glad I replaced the cushions with these drawers. It’s like adding three feet to the Casita. They hold a lot, and I like the way they look. There’s even additional space to hide things in the space behind them.
The contact paper hides the contents of the storage drawers.
I hope it isn’t windy tomorrow.
I try to avoid towing the Casita when it’s windy. Usually the wind abates by noon. If we have to wait until noon to leave, that’s okay because we aren’t going far. I’m looking forward to moving to Percha Dam State Park. One of my favorite things about living as a vagabond is finding a new camp, setting up, and exploring our surroundings. The crew likes it, too!
I’m watching my one channel of tv tonight. I may not get any channels at Percha Dam.
The weather report says 28 degrees tonight!
rvsue
Sue, sounds like you are living an awesome life!! Free to move as you please and live as a true RVer. I am envious. I hope to follow in yours and many other Rvers footsteps very soon. Life in New Mexico can be cold–that desert cold and wind can really get thru you. I”m from southern AZ and the nights are in the low to mid 30’s and thats too cold for this native arizonan. Take care and keep warm! Enjoy your journey……
Hello, Janine!
We’re keeping warm! The crew is under covers and I’ve got a cup of hot chocolate. The heater is doing its job . . . It’s cozy.
Wow! Colder there than OK. Stay warm and happy travels tomorrow.
Thanks, Cathie!
Brrrrr, I hope you have some snuggies to wear tonight brrrrr
Oh, yeah. I imagine you’re keeping warm in Mexico . . .
Holy cows Sue, time to get out of here. Same temps in Deming as you are having. By this time Monday evening, I should be far enough into Texas to be hit’n warmer weather. Best way to keep from freez’n water hoses is to go where nuttin freezes. South Texas bound.
Hi, Billy Bob!
I’d be heading to someplace warmer if I had my solar. So you decided to head for South Texas into Barney territory . . .
The weatherman lied!!! He said yesterday was supposed to be 75…. didn’t happen and colder today! YIKES! Winter is here and the dogs didn’t get a bath! Keep warm and Chuck says remember the antifreeze for your shower traps!
Hi, Geri!
I didn’t take any precautions last night . . . other than hot chocolate and warm jammies.
That’s prolly all you needed, I would keep a jug of antifreeze stored in the PTV until needed! Hey, maybe you should go visit the Bayfield Bunch….. they look warm!
Hey, Geri!
I think I need to keep a jug of vodka under the bed, just in case!
Al and Kelly (Travels with the Bayfield Bunch blog) have the right idea. There’s a cactus in the Arizona desert with my name on it . . . .
Checking night time temps all across the southern part of the country show lots of cold nights coming up (even back in Georgia). Take your pick of where you want to snuggle with the crew. Stay warm.
Hi, Emily!
I’d say “misery loves company” but I’m far from miserable! There’s frost on the ground this morning (at dawn), and lots of sunshine. And no wind!!!!
Keep cozy . ..
Snuggling up sounds good. It’s supposed to get down to low 30’s here in Plano. Gonna be really chilly heading to church tomorrow morning. No camping till after Christmas so we’ll just keep the thermostat down and wear sweaters. FYI, no need for antifreeze in anything until you’re going to have sustained freezing temps. As long as the “below freezing” is only for 4-6 hours and it warms up during the day you’re fine although when camping we normally disconnect the hose to the campground water if it’s going to fall below freezing, especially if we’re planning to move on the next day. Easier to use the fresh tank and water pump than disconnect and drain REALLY COLD water. Safe travels. I’m looking forward to the reports of the next stop.
Hi, Reine!
I disconnected from the campground water when my hose sprung a leak a while back. I think I’ll keep using the fresh tank. I use bottled water for drinking and cooking. Spike and Bridget are fussy about drinking campground water.
One thing good about cold weather . . ., It helps put you in the Christmas spirit!
Hiya Sue. I love those storage drawers you have in your Casita! They look nice and seem very functional. You have a LD right? So I’m guessing you don’t keep the bed as a king bed but just go with the double size and then there is room for those units? I likely won’t have that sort of option when I get a SD, something for me to think about.
Safe travels tomorrow, I hope the wind will keep quiet for you. Do a little exploring in the new place on my behalf, I think that will be something I will enjoy doing a lot too once I’m on the road. 🙂
Hello, Becky!
I’m glad you like my storage drawers. There’s a simple beauty in things that are simply functional. They give a really clean look along with the white fiberglass.
The Spirt Deluxe models are very attractive, and having a side dinette is appealing. I chose the Liberty Deluxe because the layout seemed more flexible for our needs. I had visions of the crew jumping on the dinette table! I like the feeling of openness without the partition that makes the back of the seat in the SD.
I’m not saying one model is better than the other … these are things that influenced my decision. I do keep the bed as a “double.” That gives the crew and me plenty of room to sleep without sacrificing too much floor space to move around in.
Yes, I love exploring new campsites! It reminds me of when I was a kid exploring the woods and fields around our home.
Hey, Jool . …
Drive south and drive low (to lower altitutude)!
Hi, JoJo!
Seems like only a few days ago I was fainting from the heat! Hang on to those 40 temps!
Head home..it was 73 today and it is like spring outside now. Please consider it. K
Sorry, Kathryn . . . Home is where I park it . . . I’m glad you’re having good weather in Georgia.