Sunday, December 8
I love leaving a camp as much as I love arriving at one! Mittry Lake has been a delight, so much so, that I lost track of the days. We overstayed the ten-day limit. (Message to trolls: Bite me.)
Not that anyone seems to be watching. Campers who were here when we arrived are still here as we leave.
The crew and I get on Interstate 8 and motor toward Ogilby Road on the California side of Yuma.
A twinge of apprehension strikes me as I see the sign, “Inspection Station Ahead.” Darn! I’ve got peppers, onions, squash, avocados, and bananas. I don’t want to give them up! I want to eat them!
It’s Sunday and the inspection station is closed. Whew! Soon the Ogilby Road exit appears.
We head north toward the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.
Over the railroad tracks I take an immediate right turn onto Sidewinder Road. The crew and I camped here last winter. It’s a large, flat, BLM area where you can camp by yourself, not be hassled, and easily drive into Yuma. Reader Laura sent the XM radio kit to Yuma and I’m anxious to pick it up at the Yuma post office.
The PTV pulls the BLT all over the place.
I’m like a dog circling before settling down. While I wander around in the PTV, looking for the perfect real estate in which to camp, a man with a big, red dog approaches.
“Hi, Sue! It’s Bob. Fortuna Bob,” he announces, coming over to my window. (I first met Bob at Fortuna Pond, Yuma. I gave him the handle of Fortuna Bob to help me keep my Bob readers straight in my mind.)
“Fortuna Bob?” I respond in surprise. “Well, hello! I wondered who belonged to that Casita over there. How are you?”
We chat for only a few minutes because it’s cold and I have a campsite to find. Here’s a photo of Bob’s camp.
After dragging the BLT all over the place, I realize the best spot is where we camped last year. The PTV snuggles the BLT next to an ocotillo growing alongside an ironwood tree. I make sure the PTV’s solar panel faces the midpoint of the sun’s daily arc across the sky. A shallow wash makes the eastern border of our camp.
Good! No one nearby. No hiding places for Spike. Not too inconvenient to Sidewinder Road. Not a whole lot of shelter from wind, but there isn’t much of that to be had anyway. Good cell signal.
Bridget and Spike hop out and run around.
I unhitch and set out chairs and the crew’s beds. It’s mid-afternoon and we haven’t had lunch. Leftover rotisserie chicken makes a happy, homecoming party for the three of us.
Here’s a photo of our camp taken when the sun was low in the sky.
Monday, December 9
I wake around 2 a.m. to the sound of wind. The crew and I are warm inside the BLT without turning on the propane heater. I’m wearing two layers of pajama bottoms, three layers of tops, and socks. Bridget and Spike are under the quilts with me.
Boy, that Bridget sure can throw off some heat. Her chubby body keeps us warm and toasty the whole night through. I keep my Bear Paws by the bed and put them on before my feet hit the floor.
This cold and blustery day will keep us inside.
Poor Spike is an active guy and days like this are tough on him. I’m relieved that he’s sleeping soundly as I type this. Bridget could loll in bed all day, no problem.
I promised I’d show a photo of the rug given to me by Gil and Kathy. I haven’t forgotten!
By the way, thanks to those who did their Christmas shopping through my blog. You chose some wonderful gifts!
I consider you shopping here a gift to me, okay?
rvsue
I APPRECIATE YOU SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Below are links to items recently purchased by readers of this blog:
Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS 12.1 MP Wi-Fi Enabled CMOS Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom 24mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full HD Video (Black) + 8GB Memory Card + Kit
Conair Waterfall Foot Spa with Lights, Bubbles, and Heat
Hoover SteamVac Carpet Washer with Clean Surge
NewAir Electric Oil Filled Radiator Space Heater
Portable Keyring Breath Alcohol Detector
My Friendship Bracelet Maker Traveler
“REAR VIEW MIRROR”
Click the link to watch the slideshow, “Highlights of 2012,” that I posted New Year’s Day 2013.
