Midland Long Term Visitor Area, Blythe, California

We pick up our story of camping next to  friends, Del and his canine crew, at Midland.   Reggie, Roger and I are no longer full-time RVers; this camping trip is our first since moving into our regular home in southeastern Arizona two years ago.

Our mornings begin with a walk across the desert.

Del takes his crew one way and I take mine another.  Without discussing it, we know our walks are to remain quiet times enjoying nature, canine companionship, exercise, and private reflection without the distraction of socializing.

The first few days . . . 

Reg, Rog, and I take off for our walk while Del, BeeBee, Buddy, and Skeeter motor into town. Del enjoys breakfast every day at a small restaurant.  However, Del’s routine changes with the closing of the restaurant due to the virus concern.

In the new routine . . .  

The boys and I make our way through the creosote and brittlebushes, while Del fixes and eats his breakfast.  Then they head out on their walk, stopping by our camp for a brief good-morning.  If we aren’t back from our walk by the time they head out, they catch us at camp on their return.

The weather is ideal in mid-March for camping in the desert without generator or solar power.  Temps are in the 80s during the day, 50s at night.

As I mentioned previously . . . 

The Perfect Tow Vehicle is retired now. She’s at home with the solar panel still on her roof and the storage batteries in her belly.

Our newly purchased 2013 Silverado takes over the job of towing the Best Little Trailer.  She performs beautifully.

I figure we’ll do just fine with limited power for our camp.

(For those new to my blog, I don’t own nor do I want to own a generator.)

Here’s the plan . . . .

A little 12-volt charger for my phone can operate out of the dash of the Silverado (or the 12-volt receptacles in the BLT but I try not to rely on those in order to conserve the charge on the house battery).

The phone is my connection to the internet.  (The laptop with Verizon mobile card will be used sparingly.) A battery-operated AM-FM radio provides another access to news of the “civilized” world.

That leaves only a few electrical power draws in the BLT — the panel of indicator lights on the propane refrigerator and the LED ceiling lights.

The former doesn’t draw much and I can eliminate the latter.

We won’t use the BLT’s LED lights at all.

What?  No lights?

Occasionally I do need to find my way around the BLT after dark, to make a snack, read a conventional book, find things, and so forth, so I needed something for light.

While planning this trip, I recall a reader a few years ago raving about her solar camp light.  A little research and I find it at Amazon:

MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light

Well, that reader was right!

It’s a great item and not expensive.

I’m amazed at the light it provides.  It gives a pleasant glow to the entire interior of the BLT or a bright light, depending upon which setting is chosen.  And it lasts!  (See description at end of post.)

Probably the light was originally designed for backpackers because its lightweight and collapsible, taking up very little space.

This light will be essential equipment when the crew and I try camping without the BLT.  Someday I’ll take the boys camping with just the truck and camper top.  (More about that in another post.)

Later . . . .

Every day we visit Del and his crew at their camp.  We’re all very comfortable with each other.

Reggie and Roger wander too far away. 

We call them and they come running!  Quickly I hold up the camera and take the shot without checking the composition.  That’s why the top of the Big Marias and sky are cut off.  Oh, well . . .

Notice how Reggie keeps his ears flat.   Using aerodynamics to his advantage, he takes the lead!

Bringing you up to the present . . . .

The crew and I have been home for a while now. Our green yard is brown and crunches under my feet.  We’re outside every morning while I tend flower beds and keep up with home maintenance.  The shelter-at-home recommendation has not been difficult for us because we’re homebodies anyway!

Thanks to loyal blogorinos.

You bring news, good cheer, interesting topics, and friendship to my blog.  I read and appreciate your messages, as do many of your fellow readers.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying Memorial Day, remembering those who gave their lives to keep our nation free.  Take a few moments to drop into comments and let us know what you’re up to, okay?  It’s a pleasure to hear from frequent commenters as well as those who’ve been missing for a while.

I’ll wrap up the Midland camp report in the next post with more pics of the canine pals.

rvsue

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

AND THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM HERE!

Here again is the link to the solar camp light that I used at this camp and that I recommend:

MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light

For a few more dollars you get the light PLUS a charger for your phone:

MPOWERD Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light + Charger

“Our toughest, longest lasting light ever. Go further with the Luci Pro Series Outdoor 2.0 + Mobile Charging. With a two-way USB port, the Luci Pro Series charges from empty to full in just a few hours, and lasts 50 hours or more on a single solar charge. Or, top up the charge on your smartphone with the power of the sun.”

Other models from this company are available at Amazon.  Have fun shopping!  — Sue

 

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