rvsue and her canine crew

Monday, April 20

Salmon Falls Reservoir, south of Twin Falls, southern Idaho

Something has to be done!

All our water jugs are empty except for one.

This is the water I use for coffee and tea, for cooking, for washing dishes and myself, and for the crew to drink.

I buy bottled water from the store for my plain water drinking

The water in the BLT’s tank is for flushing the toilet, cleaning, and small washing tasks like hand-washing and brushing teeth. I fill the fresh water tank when I dump the waste tanks, handy because the two tasks usually are in sync.

Bridget, Reggie and I motor across the sage to Rogerson.

Rogerson is a collection of small homes and trailers situated beside Highway 93. The hub of this little community is a convenience store-cafe combo with gas pumps out front and an adjacent RV park. Surely there’s a water spigot I can use. . . .

After topping off the gas tank, I enter the store.

A hand-painted sign proclaims “second best water in the nation!” Well, that’s promising. I bet they’d be happy to share it. Even so, I browse the aisles of the tiny store for an item to purchase.

I want to have something in hand when I approach the woman at the cash register.

I haven’t had candy in ages . . . . As I slide a package of candy orange slices off the metal rod, I overhear the woman chatting with a man. I glance over and see he has a fluffy, red-gold pomeranian at his feet.

“I’m feeling awful today, but someone has to mind the store. . . . bronchitis . . .

When it’s my turn, the woman gives me a cheery greeting in spite of her illness.

“I couldn’t help overhearing. I’m sorry you’re not feeling well.”

She smiles, handing me my change, “Thanks. I’m taking antibiotics and they’ve just about knocked me out . . . . “

I tell her I’m camping at the reservoir and I need drinking water.

“Is there a spigot I might use?”

“Sure!” She perks up. “You know, we have the second best water IN THE NATION,” she announces, proudly emphasizing the last three words. Then she explains that Rogerson’s water was awarded second place at a big-deal meeting in Washington, D.C.

“You’re welcome to get water over at the RV park.”

“Thank you. I hope you feel better soon!”

Once our mission is accomplished, back we go across the endless sagebrush.

I’m popping orange slices in my mouth as we cruise along. Reggie noses the bag of candy.

“No, Reggie, sorry, these aren’t for you.”

Hmm . . . The tree with the big nest is along here somewhere.

It seems to be the only tree for miles around that’s away from human activity.

I get out of the PTV and walk around to see who is in the nest. A head with the intense eye and curved beak of a bird of prey appears. She glares at me and I get her message. I leave, not wanting to disturb her further.

Moseying up the road . . .

“Oh, look! They weren’t here when we drove by before.”

I can’t resist photographing horses.

Bridget sits quietly on the bench seat. Reggie charges across my lap, barking furiously out the window. The horses trot to the fence.

It doesn’t take the horses long to realize this is a force NOT to be reckoned with and they return to more important business . . . grass.

“There’s our little home!”

Bridget knows the word, home, and perks up. Soon Reggie will know it, too, because I always say it when we approach the Best Little Trailer waiting for us at our camp.

Now that we have plenty of water, I have no excuse not to wash the dirty dishes piled high in the red dishpan (see on table in above photo). In truth I rather enjoy the task when outside with the crew in a peaceful camp on a lovely day.