Thursday, April 9
Ward Mountain southeast of Ely, Nevada
I pull back the window curtain at the sound of a vehicle approaching. Hmm . . . Looks like a forest service truck. I focus on the door’s lettering.
“Forest Fire Response.”
Gee, could this mean there’s a fire on the mountain? Well, not likely. This isn’t lightning weather. . .
I hurry out of the Best Little Trailer, shutting the crew inside.
A woman gets out of the truck. She’s around 40 years old and is wearing the green uniform of the National Forest Service. I greet her first.
“Hello! Is there a fire on the mountain?”
She smiles. “No, I’m stopping by to say hello and see how you’re doing.”
“Oh, we’re fine. It’s beautiful here.”
We converse for several minutes.
The topic of wildlife comes up.
“No bears here., ” she informs me. “We have elk, mule deer, bobcats, wildcats, and, of course, coyotes.”
“What’s a wildcat?”
“A mountain lion.”
“Oh.”
I ask if it’s okay to camp in the campground even though it’s listed as closed on the website. As I expected, she tells me it’s okay. I learn that Ward Mountain Campground is only a few years old and is very popular in the warmer months.
“People even have weddings here.”
Later the crew and I go into Ely.
I have the empty propane tank filled at Suburban Propane and pick up a few groceries at Ridley’s Grocery.
Friday, April 10
A beautiful, sunny, blue-sky day! It’s hard to believe it snowed two days ago.
Bridget, Reggie and I take an extra-long walk in the morning, following a marked trail from the campground. I work on my income taxes until I’m stalled by the Social Security website not opening. Probably swamped . . .
I jump at an excuse to quit the tax preparation.
“Let’s go outside again! It’s such a nice day . . . .”
I set out my lounger and grab a drink and my Paperwhite. .
I tie Reggie’s tether to the campsite grill and put down a quilt and doggie bed. Bridget doesn’t need to be on-leash. She never strays.
Gosh, a salad would taste good right about now.
Not wanting to prepare it inside, I bring everything out to the picnic table and fix myself a nice green salad in the sunshine.
Eating a meal outside in the mountain air is one of the simple pleasures I enjoy. People say food tastes better outside. It does!
The forestry fire response woman stops by again.
It’s the end of her shift. Reggie barks and kicks up gravel with his hind legs. “Ooh, you’re so scary, Reggie.”
The forest service woman laughs and kneels down to pet him. Soon Reggie is swooning with half-closed eyes. Bridget prances and wiggles her butt and receives attention, too.
We enjoy a brief chat. As she’s leaving I say, “We may be gone the next time you come here. . . . It was nice meeting you!”
And it was!
Ever wonder what it’s like to live in a 17-foot travel trailer with Bridget and Reggie?
It’s not as idyllic as you might think. Reggie Man becomes Reggie Maniac. Here, I’ll show you what I mean.
“Hey! What’s going on here!”
“Reggie, stop bothering Bridget. She’s had enough.”
“Yes, I know you’re cute.”
rvsue
NOTE: Recently in comments we discussed Wave 3 catalytic heaters, specifically how well they function, and how far the glow extends across the pad. Here’s a photo of my heater in full operation, set on high. The photo (right) was taken in the dark in order to show the glow. Click on the photo to enlarge it.
THANK YOU, RVSUE SHOPPERS!
Click the links to see a few of the items readers ordered from Amazon recently.
Sure Fit Deluxe Sofa Pet Throw, Sable
Omron 7 Series Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
InfraStop Double Bubble Reflective Foil Insulation
The Absorber Synthetic Drying Chamois, 27″ x 17″, Purple
Lifetime Personal Table with 30-by-20-Inch Molded Top, White
Sleep Innovations 12-Inch Memory Foam Mattress 20-Year Warranty, Queen
“You’re such a patient girl, Bridget.”
