The crew and I hurry back to our Mittry Lake camp.
Kathy and Gil, fellow Casita campers and readers of this blog, invited us over for an early dinner at their campsite!
Since the sun goes down early this time of year, as well as the air temperature, dinner, followed by campfire, is set for four o’clock. We need to hurry because we have something important to do first.
Dale leaves today.
I help him stow his bike and gear in the back of the Perfect Tow Vehicle, and we head south to Yuma and the interstate, stopping briefly on the way to top off his water jugs.
At first Dale plans to bike away from Mittry Lake.
A look at my Arizona Benchmark Atlas changes his mind. He asks me about the Gila Mountains, east of Yuma.
“Well, you’re going to have to go around them, I think. The interstate cuts through at Telegraph Pass, but you can’t bike on the interstate. Let me drive you over the mountains so you can start out with easier biking.”
We take the interstate to the valley on the east side of the mountains. For those of you who like to follow along with your Benchmark, we exit at Lagurta and take Old US Highway 80 further east.
“Drop me off at Avenue 24E, ” Dale instructs, holding Bridget in the seat beside him.
He unloads his bike and gear, while I sit in the PTV finishing a post on this blog. A quick goodbye to Bridget and Spike, a hug and a thank you for me, and away he goes!
Remember the waist pack I purchased for hikes with the crew? I haven’t used it much because Spike can’t handle long hikes anymore. I gave it to Dave because he needs all the carrying space he can get. You can see in the photo above how nicely it works for him. (If you are interested in the waist pack, go to the Shopping Links page and click on “For the road and campsite.” Scroll down to the hiking pack.)
I admit my maternal instinct is to yell, “Stop, don’t go!” as I watch him bike down the road through the fields of red lettuce, green lettuce, and collard greens. He faces some very cold weather as he pedals and camps across Arizona in the coming weeks.
NOTE TO DALE OR ANY MEMBER OF DALE’S FAMILY: Please update us, either in a comment on this blog or by emailing me (Dale has my email address). Thank you, Sue
In the photo above, Dale bikes north toward the Gila River and the Muggins Mountains. His plan is to turn east at the mountains, eventually taking the dirt road that parallels the railroad tracks to Agua Caliente. After that he will make the decision to go south to Gila Bend and Ajo, or to go northeast to Wickenburg.
On the return trip to camp, Bridget is quiet and pensive.
“Are you okay, honey?” I ask. (Spike is asleep in the back.) “I’m sorry he had to leave, sweetie. I know you liked him a lot.”
We make it back to Mittry Lake just in time!
I cook up some ground turkey, the crew eats it, and together we ride over to Kathy and Gil’s campsite. Gil has his Port-a-Bote ready for water.
The more I see of that lightweight, sturdy craft, the more I like it!
The aroma of grilled salmon floats over camp.
“Boy, that smells good!” I exclaim.
I remove one section of the crew’s pen from the PTV and set it up near the fire ring. I put their beds, water dish, and both of them in it so I can enjoy myself.
I don’t want any beggars at my plate of salmon!
Kathy’s salad is the perfect accompaniment. What a delicious meal and such a treat for me!
That’s not all . . .
First I have to give you some background. As I write this I am 65 years old. I have never once in all those 65 years eaten a s’more. Shocking, I know, but it’s true. Since I never camped before acquiring the Best Little Trailer, I never sat around a campfire, and thus, I never made or consumed a s’more.
Kathy hands me a long camp fork and instructs me what to do with the marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey bar. Oh my! So good, I have two! Now I realize what a life of deprivation I led until this moment.
Thank you, Kathy and Gil!
These photos are scenes of the waterway next to the upper camping area which I’ve referred to as a hill.
This is the road leading up to that area.
The water is a pretty shade of green.
This next photo shows how you can camp overlooking the water.
The colors of early December are subtle. Look how still the water . . .
I wonder how Dale is doing . . .
rvsue
Canine Corner: “An affair of the heart” by Bridget and Spike
“Hey, Bridge. What’s the matter?”
“Oh, nothing.” Sigh.
“Whadiya’ mean, nothing. You’re moping around, looking like something the cat dragged in.”
“Well, Spike, I guess I’m just having one of my moods.”
{Pause}
“I bet it’s Dale, isn’t it. You’re missin’ that guy. I KNEW it! I guess ol’ Spike isn’t exciting enough for ya.”
“Now that you mention it, Spike. You do take me for granted.”
“Me? Take The Bridge for granted? Never, babe! You’re my gal . . . .
“C’mon, cheer up, love. You ‘n me go way back. I may not be as handsome as I was in the old days. My legs are stoved up, my fur is dull, and I get awful gas in the night . . . .”
“Do I really look like something the cat dragged in?”
“NOOOO! Of course not, babe. You’re beautiful! I was only kiddin’ ya.’ You’re the prettiest girl I know!”
THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING FROM MY BLOG!
Here is a sample of the items readers recently purchased from Amazon:
Mr. Heater – Little Buddy 3800-BTU IPropane Heater
Excelsteel 18/10 Stainless 6 Non Stick Egg Poacher
Fenix PD35 Flashlight-850 Lumens (2xCR123A included)
Schwinn Men’s Sanctuary 7-Speed Cruiser Bicycle
Fisher-Price Triple Hit Baseball
New Mexico Road & Recreation Atlas
