Did you see the full moon last night?
The sun is setting behind the Little Marias while I’m going in and out of the Best Little Trailer, putting things away from my outdoor kitchen. I’m about to step inside when something catches my eye. Something over by the Big Marias.
Oh my gosh. A full moon rising . . . .
I love the desert for many reasons, one of them being things like this. The unexpected, exquisite, quiet beauty.
Desert things I love . . .
Crimson cactus blooms bursting forth from the thorns.
Pristine, white, desert lilies sticking straight up out of bare, desert gravel.
A sudden cool breeze on a hot day (Gee, where did that come from?).
The rush of water through a wash.
Ooh, a jack rabbit! Or a roadrunner running across the road (I always laugh.)
The swoop and caw of a raven over camp.
Finding a mosaic of colored rocks under my feet.
Mysterious canyon “rooms” and mountains aglow in the golden hour.
A flock of bighorn sheep — there all the time but I didn’t see them ’til this very moment when, oh, there they are!
And, of course, awe-inspiring sunrises and glorious sunsets.
It’s not only that these things exist, that surprises happen; it’s the way the surprises grab you by the shoulders, turn you around, and insist that you stop, hold still, be awed.
Wow!
Full moon rising over the desert . . . .
Okay, so I’m sentimental about the desert. I concede, on the other hand, if you turn your back, if you aren’t prepared for the desert and make stupid decisions, it will throw you to the ground, kick you in the ribs and stomp on your head.
(Thought I’d add that last part for balance.)
~ ~ ~
The weather has warmed again at our camp.
We had a few mornings with lows in the high 30s. That was enough to remind me how fortunate I am to live in a snug home, to have warm clothes, a warm bed, and warm companions, and to have a well-functioning heater!
The lows are back in the 40s again.
Daytime temperatures are in the 70s.
Funny thing, as I type this an unexpected wind arrives, one of the “surprises” I mentioned above. I can hear it whistling as it makes its way around the Perfect Tow Vehicle and past my window.
Roger whimpers at the door.
I get up and let him in with Reggie and me. Roger likes being outdoors. When the three of us return from morning walk, Reggie insists on going inside while Roger insists on staying out.
I’m proud of us.
The crew and I are consistent with our exercise these days. We’ve extended the length of our walks to where we are pushing ourselves by the time we return to camp.
I’m trying to remember to stand tall and make long strides as we walk. I think holding good posture aids good health. Something I could do more of.
~ ~ ~
Oh, the griddle!
I am loving it! I realize now why I never cared much for cooking.
It’s not fun when you can’t afford the right equipment and tools and you don’t have the money to experiment with unfamiliar and/or high quality foods.
Most of all, for me, the reason I never had much interest in anything culinary is the fact that cooking meant standing indoors.
I love cooking outside!
Blogorinos gave me many suggestions for the griddle. I plan to try them. These days I’m sticking with Mexican foods. Blythe is The Place for cooking Mexican. It would take me years to sample and learn how to cook all the hispanic products at the local Smart and Final store.
~ ~ ~
New Year’s eve and day passed quietly.
I enjoyed a day with the crew at our campsite.
Everyone at the Long Term Visitor Area was invited to a pig-in-a-pit roast at a nearby ranch for New Year’s eve. I didn’t go.
If you’re the sociable type and you’re concerned about feeling lonely camping in the desert, don’t be. When RVing, I don’t think it matters where you camp, there are always people wanting to get together. If you’re a loner, you may want to brush up on saying, “No, thank you.”
Haha!
rvsue
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