Wednesday, December 10
Note: Bridget is guest blogger today.
“Go ahead, Bridget.”
Today RVSue and I go to the arboretum!
In case you don’t know how to say it, you go, Arr-bore-EE-tum. Got it?
Now, I’m going to tell you about the pictures, instead of RVSue doing it.
Okay, let’s start the tour. This is the entrance where you pay ($10 adult/free for dogs).
I’m wearing my black suit and RVSue is holding my leash. We look around the gift shop entry area. You can buy plants here. There are lots of them! Also funny-looking lizards.
As you know, RVSue doesn’t buy things. Where would we put a cactus garden anyway. And we don’t need those lizards!
We walk through the potted plants and take the trail.
RVSue says, “Whoa! Look at that!”
RVSue says to tell you this plant is about four feet tall.
“Oh, and Bridge… Don’t forget to tell them that the plants in the arboretum come from all over the world.”
Hoo-boy. I hope she isn’t going to keep butting in while I’m trying to do this tour!
You can click on the little pictures to make them bigger. We see a fish-poison tree and a totem pole cactus. The plants at the arboretum are very weird!
I love to walk on sidewalks and paths. There are a lot of them at the arboretum. We walk far!
RVSue says, “Are you getting tired, honey?”
When she says that I turn around and stand with my bum toward her. This way she knows to pick me up and put me in my car.
Here I am in my car . . .
RVSue pushes me down a shady path. The air is cool and feels good. I’m having fun!
Of course, she has to stop all the time to take photos. That woman is nuts with that camera!
I hear water!
We zip around a bend in the path and come to a big water dish. RVSue says it’s a “water feature” and not for dogs to drink.
Let’s see… Where do we go next? Past the pretty chairs . . .
Oh, yeah . .
We come to some buildings.
RVSue lifts me out of my car and walks me around, so my legs don’t get stiff, she says. After this little break, she puts me back in my car and away we go to see more!
People walk by us.
They stop and pet my head. They say stuff like “Oh, isn’t she cute!” Or “You wouldn’t be spoiled, would you?” I think that last comment is impolite, but I don’t let on. RVSue smiles at the people and we keep going.
We see some roses.
And little flowers that look like stars.
Next we go to the children’s garden.
We see a silly blue frog that’s bigger than I am!
I warn you — This next statue is very scary.
RVSue pushes my car right up to this creature’s face! I’m glad when we leave HIM behind!
RVSue goes, “Oh, look! A butterfly garden!” (RVSue loves butterflies.) She says to tell you that we aren’t going to show you those photos right now because she has too many.
That’s the truth! I thought we’d never leave the butterfly garden!
Next we go to the cactus garden.
I’ve never seen so many!
RVSue keeps saying, “Wow! Look at this!” and other totally meaningless remarks the way she often does.
By this time I’m really sick of looking at plants.
Luckily, RVSue gets the idea to sit in the picnic area. We go to a table by ourselves and she lets me walk around on my own. I’m too tired. I lie down under the picnic table and watch people go by. The shade is nice and the dirt is cool. .
“Well, we can’t see it all today. It must be around noon by now. I bet you’d like a drink, wouldn’t you, honey.”
RVSue is all mixed up and doesn’t know how to get out of the arboretum!
She has to ask a lady walking with a cane and wearing a funny hat. The lady says, “Go that way and turn left. You’ll have to go up a hill and then you’ll be at the back of the building.”
RVSue has to take another picture! Here I am again . . .
We find our way back to the place where we started. What a relief!
And that’s the end of our tour of Boyce Thompson Arboretum. I hope you enjoyed it!
Bridget
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Thanks for the tour Bridget. Nice pictures RVSue.
You’re welcome, John. Glad you enjoyed it!
Am I first?
Nope. But you’re second . . .
Nope. Had to read too much stuff from Bridget.
And look at all those photos.
Thank you Bridget for the fantastic tour!
The pictures are great, too!
You’re welcome, Lynn. It’s a wonderful place. If we come back to this area, we will go to the arboretum again.
Thanks for letting Bridget give her thoughts on the tour. Great photos.
Hi, lindale . . . You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and the guest blogger!
Whoo-Hoo! #3!
Well, if that’s what you think… okay. 😉 hee-hee
Aw, shucks…close enough! 🙂
Loved the tour, Bridget! Thank you to you and Sue for sharing!
Gracie says hi, and says her Mommy is always fiddling with that annoying camera thing, too!
Hi, Denise and Gracie! I’m glad you liked the tour!
Thanks, Bridget! Maybe you can go back another time and look at more of the Arboretum.
You’re welcome, Calvin…. It would take several visits to begin to see all there is. I could have spent the morning in just one of the gardens. There wasn’t any way I (or Bridget rather) could show how much there is to see.
Hi, Sue,
How large (acres) is the arboretum?
I really couldn’t say. There are approximately 3,200 plants. Here’s a link:
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Very good post today, Bridget. I like your point of view and Sue took some really nice pictures. I love Boyce Thompson, but I go to watch and photograph the birds. I need to pay more attention to the cactus and other plants.
Hi, Lisa W.,
Is there a bird section? I didn’t see any birds today… maybe it’s the wrong time of year.
Thanks for the good feedback.
Sue,
There isn’t a bird section, it is just a good place to see birds. Some of them don’t get down to the Southeast corner of AZ very often, and they will get some rarities.
I see. I wonder what time of year is best to see them… probably in the fall, I’d guess.
Dear Bridget,
Bravo on your role as guest blogger! It was interesting, the photos RVSue took were lovely and I especially liked the ones she took of you! Yes, Bridget, you are quite spoiled only because RVSue loves you so much! I know of no other pup that gets to ride around in a stroller, um, car. So don’t look so pi$$y when she photographs you. I loved the tour, it was fascinating and felt I was right there with you both. And RVSue has a fantastic sense of humor!!!!
Hi, Susie A.,
Happy to hear you enjoyed the tour! Yeah, people were chuckling at Bridget wherever we went. It was a fun morning. I think Bridget had a great time. 🙂
That Bridget is one smart cookie! Love the tour.
Hi, Doug… Thanks for dropping in to let us know that!
Always wanted to go there. Now I can say I’ve at least seen photos. Nice job, Bridget. That RVSue’s something else!
Hi, Grace,
I will extend your kind words to the Bridge in the form of a hug!
Great job Bridge… I especially like the pic of you looking up at RV Sue. I always knew you were holding out on us as a canine model!!
All these accolades for Bridget! Thanks for adding yours . . . .
We were there about six weeks ago as a guest of my friend who has a yearly membership. She was raised in the outbacks of Australia so she was a great tour guide through that area. She is also a docent there during certain events. Glad you got to enjoy it.
Hi, Betty,
It’s a very educational experience. Of course, there are tours led by people such as your friend. A lecture was going on in that building I photographed. I imagine your friend enriched your visit.
Oh Miss Bridget HELLLOOOOO!!!
My goodness you are sooooooooooo cute! And I really really like your little sports car! FANCY!
So! I would realllllly like to get to know you just a bit more, if I could. You think your mom would let my mom let me write ya now and then? We could be PawPals!
Puppy Hugs from Hoquiam,
Racy George
Racy George? I’m wondering if Bridget should be associated with a guy named Racy. 😉
Oh Bridg!
Please, know my nickname is for the way I dart and sway around my humans legs! Give me a chance, girl!
R
Oh Bridget you are a great tour guide! We love you so much! Tell Sue I enjoyed the pictures. Felt like I was right there with you guys. Thank you so much! Take Care Sue and Bridgett
You’re welcome, Diane. Looking at all the photos with Bridget in them I figured she might as well take over the narration!
Thanks Bridget! You did a wonderful job of taking us on a tour and Sue took some great pictures. I do love cactus gardens They grow so easily it’s hard to kill them.
It was a quiet day here I just mostly took pictures with my new phone and getting to know what all it does. I’d love to send you a pix of my new trailer but don’t know how. Lily and Rosie send sniffs and licks your way.
Hi, Deb, Lily and Rosie,
Tell me again what make and model of trailer you have and I’ll happily post a link to photos on the web.
I admit, when I walked among the many cacti and desert plants available for purchase at the arboretum, the gardener in me thought what fun it would be to landscape a place in the desert. The feeling passed quickly. 🙂
Nice compliments… Glad you liked the tour and photos.
Sue, I’ll give you all the info but I haven’t seen this model anywhere. It’s a 2012 EZ Traveler 18R54 by Sunset Park RV
I just thought you’d like seeing me with my trailer. That’s what I get for thinking. lol
That would be fun to see… Commenters can’t do that, at least I don’t know how they can. I found this at rvplanet. It shows the 2014 models, a bit larger than yours.
Bigger than mine for sure. The cabinets are really well made by Amish. I have mixed emotions on the size but for a starter this is perfect. I’d like my home on wheels to sleep 4 so friends could tag along on a trip or two.
There’s the option of the friends sleeping next to your trailer in a tent with air mattresses. I’m sure you thought of that. Not all friends would do that. 🙂
I love it! Bridget, I like your car. You are one smart gal. My dog would never sit long enough in a car like yours. Thanks for the wonderful tour.
Asia would need a semi Buggy to ride around in. Her harness came from Columbus tent and awning 😉
Haha!
You’re welcome, Monica,
Bridget makes it handy by sitting in her “car” without protest and she stays in it without a harness or belt across. She doesn’t jump out. When she wants out, she wiggles around restlessly to give me the message. One lady at the arboretum said, “What a good idea!”
We’re certainly getting our five-dollars-worth from that umbrella stroller bought at a thrift store. 🙂
I am trying to put my state behind name. Hope it worked this time
Yay! Thank you… It’s very helpful for me and fun for all of us to know where each of us is located. I like the way you did it… much better than “Mert in the third layer of hell.” 🙂
Lol if u would ever visit here( especially in winter) u would know why! Dreary, cold, ugly and no a thing to do! Not much to do anytime… Of course I moved back here after 20 plus years on the Gulf of Mexico in venice, Florida. So I am a bit spoiled
I lived only a few block from the beach :(. I sure do miss it, but wouldn’t give up this time I have got to spend with my momma for all the beaches in the world!!
Bridget did such a good job as guest blogger. So different seeing the arboretum from her viewpoint. She definitely has her own voice and you capture her personality so well.
Thank you, Susan. I tried not to make the dog-as-narrator device too cloying… easy to do that!
A member of the Casita Owners Facebook page, Bob Clark, has posted that his 2007 Casita Spirit Deluxe was stolen in Topeka, KS, Sunday night. If you see it, please call the police. KS plates 108EIM — VIN 1C9TB171171213243.
Since you have readers scattered about the nation, as well as readers in and out of campgrounds, I thought I would post it here, too, if that’s okay.
Hi, Crystal,
I’d love for one of the blogorinos to find it!
I don’t do Facebook so I don’t know more details. Sorry for Bob… That’s awful!
I am keeping up with it so will post any updates. Several stolen trailers recently, both vintage and modern.
Casita owners facebook page is a closed group….so unless you do the FB thing…there is no access.
Most stolen vehicles/trailers are “cold” plated..which means another plate is attached. VIN # are eh…I believe Casita is just a metal plate.
Interior pics are good and or any other identifiable markings. I’ve searched the classified ads for a stolen Casita by the wood grain design on the dinette.
In Caleefornia they stole trailers right from the Rv storage facilities. Most were later found as meth labs. Stealing a trailer and putting on a piece of land for personal use would not raise the eyebrows of anyone….in doing so…registering it with DMV is non existent due to the “non op” status.
I wish Mr Clark the best of luck in the recovery of his trailer!
All manufactured trailers are required to have a posted sticker and/or plate that shows the identification and rating of each trailer (usually on the tongue or hitch).
Most manufacturers also have numerous spots on the trailer where the identification number is stamped into the frame or other areas to make identifying the trailer possible if the tag is removed, unreadable or ‘cold’ plated. I don’t know if Casita stamps the frame but I would guess that they do.
Bridget, I loved your guest blog post! You did a really great job telling us about all those photos RVSue took. Picasso says “woof” and liked your post. He has his own stroller, too. When we lived in Costa Rica we went to a HUGE farmer’s market and Picasso had to ride in his stroller. Everyone there loved it, well, almost everyone. The older women used to look down at him with this look of distain! They never said anything but you just knew what they were thinking about the gringa loca wheeling a dog around in a stroller! Picasso wanted me to tell you that he knows that rudeness you felt. I hope you get to write more often. It is fun to hear from you and you can give RVSue a break from writing! (Hi, Sue! Didn’t want to leave you out!)
Hi, Deborah,
Your story reminds me when I went to Mexico in the sixties. I wheeled my daughter around the town square in her humongous stroller. Some of the people laughed kindly, others were curious and amazed, and a few were probably thinking about us pampered Norte Americanos with disdain.
I’m pleased you enjoyed Bridget’s tour…
Wow! A stolen trailer. I’ve never heard of that. That’s bizarre.
Love the pics of the arboretum. Looks like a lovely place.
Well, the woman from Block finally called today (8 days later) to tell me I had submitted wrong application and needed to do it again. So I did that. Hoping I may still have a chance at a job.
Felt a bit better today. Had my last physical therapy session today. Now I can start PT on my neck and shoulder. Still waiting to get date for my gastric sleeve. Gradually getting better. Inch by inch.
And final exam tomorrow. No more class! No more homework! Yay!
Good news that you’re feeling better today, Ginger! Bummer about the application– one of those things to figure happened for a reason. Best of luck with the exam tomorrow!
Lovely photos, Sue….Bridget looks happy and content too. Nice backdrop for photos, giving us an idea as to size of the plants. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Elizabeth,
I could rename this blog, “RVSue and her canine props.” I hope people don’t tire of seeing Bridget because she does make a handy reference for the size of things I photograph.
Tire of seeing Bridget? Never! Besides it is so much fun the read her viewpoint! Sue, I think you have her down cold…precious post indeed…and , er, you did great too..love the photos, now I want to visit there.
There is a wonderful similar place, Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, we go there without fail when we go up to visit my sister in Fort Bragg. Our favorite thing is to get a sandwich at Safeway and a bottle of tea, walk out to the point and ocean watch during lunch. They even supply umbrellas during rainy days… Don’t you just love it that such places exist?.
Rude people, ugh…when I was a week post op, hysterectomy, I was using a motorized cart at Walmart, getting produce, when a well dressed woman walked up to me and was in a huff….asked me why I was using the cart, so I told her. She said a tiny , “oh”, and walked off. Dear husband said I should have just stared her down…rude people, pffffttt!
Miss Bridget rides for a good reason!
I’d like to go to that botanical garden! Good idea to include a picnic.
That woman was looking for an opportunity to say something snotty, as evidenced by her failure to apologize. Aren’t you glad you’re you, and not her? 🙂
Yes, Lee….we are glad you are you and not that beyond rude woman…whatever makes our society think we owe them any explanations anyway??
I for one never tire of seeing that adorable baby!!:keep em’ coming
Well, doubtful those of us who love dogs would ever tire of her in photos….she has beautiful markings too and shows a lot of expression on her face….one reason I love dogs marked so!!
Sure did enjoy it Bridget!
Great, Glenda!
I am sure that Bridget and you had as much fun writing the blog as I had laughing out loud as I was reading it. The water feature photo was priceless. thanks, Jan
You’re welcome, Jan. It was fun putting this post together for you.
Nice photo’s Sue ! Glad you enjoyed your visit,it is an awesome place. If any of your readers would be interested….they’re always looking for volunteers with full hookups.
Happy Trails
Hi, Richard,
I didn’t know that… Thanks for telling us!
RE: Stolen trailers…
Our vintage group has had a number of them stolen over the last year… We had the TV taken from ours (I think they got it while it was being worked on… either left unlocked or the key was on a hook…I trust the mechanic tremendously, but don’t know about the others around him).
We have a lock on our hitch-but I will say, it doesn’t seem like much of a deterrent. With the expense of the trailers and the parts involved, plus so many high end things inside much of the time, it is hard… a lock is only as good as the bolt cutters used to cut it off.
This is one reason I think it is very important for travelers NOT to give out their locations. Sue has it so right! Also, we have a dead bolt on the door (our trailer was built in 68, so the locks are lame at best).
Make sure you have photos of the interior of your trailer and the accessories you have added-nothing is covered if it is not bolted down… in an accident. I found that out when one of our trailers was lost in an accident–plus it is dangerous. Make sure you have up to date insurance for replacement costs-the value can go way down after a year or two…
Good luck! Know the network of folks out there shares FAST and WIDE. Most of the trailers I know of have been found — quickly. Our group gets on FB and other social media and makes it very well known. Tow vehicles have also been taken, but the trailers come back faster it seems.
Hugs from soggy and windy Hoquiam, Where Racy is grounded for being inappropriate with Bridget. Shame shame shame on him!
Barb
Hi, Barb,
It would be interesting to know the details on the theft of trailers from your vintage group. How many were stolen? Where were the trailers and your toad when stolen? Campground? Boondocking? Backyard? Were they all stolen within a short time period? How long were the trailers left unattended? Did they have locks on?
You said most of the trailers were found quickly. I’m curious to know something about the thieves. Stealing vintage trailers, and not new ones, seems off somehow.
Before people panic and decide not to boondock, we need some details to give perspective. Thanks for the information, Barb. Good advice about having photos of accessories and whatnot.
Oh gosh you asked hard questions. I know a couple of our local guys have had restoring trailers taken off their land–I doubt they were even locked let alone locked up. Probably metal thieves in those cases.
I remember two others, in our (WA STATE) area-one on a tow vehicle, both taken from a rest stop or something… another taken from a home. I will put an outreach out for info on them (remember my poor bonked brain only grasps snippets).
It was NOT my intention to say there was a rash of thieves out there preying on campers. Some folks say NOT to lock your trailer cuz a vintage door is impossible to replace, I have memorabilia in mine and live on a fairly busy street… I don’t want people in mine and when I am in it I want no one just coming in…
The price tags on some of these vintage airstreams and trailers is REALLY high. From the 1-2 grand to 20 and up to 85 grand. Bits are hard to come by, so the prices are high…
However! We are a tight group of people. Someone put that one on the tow vehicle on FB and twitter and the trailer was found within a day or two… Last winter one of our guys wrecked on I-5 and within 15 minutes he had people on their way to help him…
As far as boondocking, there are places I wouldn’t want to be… but then I can be robbed anywhere, hurt anywhere and so forth. The higher the volume of people brings the number of bad people to play… so that is not what I was trying to say–that it wasn’t safe. 🙂
I will let you know when I hear anything about details.
Hugs from Hoquiam,
Barb
I know you weren’t saying that… As a blogger I was thinking how readers might react to the information. Thanks for adding more details. Don’t feel like you have to research it. I have a better idea of what happened from what you’ve written already. I have the impression that theft can happen anywhere and boondocked rigs are not targets any more than those put on city streets, in RV lots, whatever. You said it well with “The higher the volume of people brings the number of bad people into play.”
Thanks, Barb.
Got it.
🙂
Just a FYI.. The new thing here is, tow trucks have been cruising interstate and roadways looking for vehicles that are broken down, out of gas, etc. that the owners have left in emergency lanes to go for help. When they come back… Vehicles gone. And apparently they move fast, haul them off, smash them and pawn off the metal and parts in a flash.
I imagine they feel no one would suspect a tow truck towing or even hooking up a vehicle broken down.
Sad… Very sad!!
It probably would be better to stay inside the vehicle with the doors locked and wait for a highway patrol officer (a real one, not someone impersonating).
What a good tour guide you are Bridget. Nice to see a different perspective from down on your level. Nice pics momma Sue.
Thanks, Cheryl. It was fun sharing our morning with you.
I did enjoy it, Bridget. Thanks for the tour! What a beautiful arboretum. You and RV Sue did a great job of showing us the highlights. I sure hope you’ll take us on more tours in the future.
Hi, Marcia,
I wish we could’ve shown you more! There were sections left out of Bridget’s tour… The Eucalyptus Forest, The Chichuahuan Trail, the bridge over the wash, most of the cactus garden (incredible!), and others.
Just a quick; HI, RVSue!
Once again, I enjoyed the read. You are just so funny! Bridget is so cute in that stroller and your photos are great! I have to catch up on the older posts. Last time I commented I was on my ’31 day solo camping trip’ and you had bought a “hand-held clock” (lol). 31 days is nothing to you full-timers, but it was a record-breaker for me. Hopefully you noticed my purchase from Amazon, via your link, of the Mr. Heater – Big Buddy. After 3 nights of 16 degree weather I decided my R-Pod furnace was not cutting it (primarily due to the noise). It ‘toastifies’ my little pod in a matter of minutes!
Wishing you and Bridget safety and wellness…and keep up the good sense of humor!
Hi, Patti,
I did see the heater… Thank you very much! You will appreciate the silence of a catalytic heater. I didn’t order the furnace with the BLT. I knew it would get on my nerves. The A/C unit does have a heat strip with thermostat control, but that’s only good when we have electric hook-up which is almost never.
A “31 day solo camping trip” is something to be proud of, Patti! I bet there are several readers who haven’t done that, still dreaming or trying to gather up the courage. I’m sorry you had temps down to 16 degrees… We get caught once in a while. 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading the posts you missed.
Thanks for the tour, Bridget. Looks like you would have had to climb into that “water bowl” to get a drink.
Can’t wait to see Sue’s butterfly pictures.
Hi, Applegirl,
I brought a collapsible water dish and a bottle of water. Do you think Bridget would drink out of it? Picky girl. If Spike were with us he’d be trying to soak in the water feature. 🙂
Bridget~
Your skills as a tour guide are very good. You looked so official and professional in your poses near each feature. I think you should be our tour guide more often. Please consider this as it seems you really enjoyed the role.
Sue~
What lovely photos of the arboretum. I think I want to see that one day. I can understand why Bridget was terrified of the wild bore statue, or whatever that was.
On another note, I can’t help but check out what all your blogorinos are buying for Christmas through your Amazon links. Add more items, if it works for you. Great gift ideas, Blogorinos!
Enjoy your days, Sue and Brig.
Hi, Diann,
What nice compliments for Bridget! Thank you.
In truth Bridget wasn’t scared of the statue, at least I don’t think she was! I can only imagine… Her face was at jaw level.
The feedback on the Amazon links is helpful. I’d like to show many more, but it takes a long time — and probably a lot of data — for me to make those links with my embedded code. You may have noticed I’m posting them more often during this holiday season… also ads, as tacky as they are!
Enjoy your days, too, Diann.
Good morning Sue.
Funny yesterday I’d been thinking of how hard it would be for you to select just a few pics of the enormous amount you would take at a place like that to put in a post and not find yourself gushing over every one of them.Clever of you to use this way of narration-Bridget -definitely not being a fan cameras- would be unlikely to do that!I really like the one with the totem pole sign as a whole-great shot!
Nearby communities got a couple feet of snow,people were trapped on closed major highways.The topography here used the wind tunnel to blow most of it by,I got about four inches of fluffy flakes-nice to have that work in our favor sometimes.Hope you get news of the door being painted ,I know you’d like to be elsewhere soon.A long post of butterfly pics would be beautiful,your whole file of photos must be awesome to go through-I think we just get glimpses of it.I’m grateful that you share as much as you do with us.Nice that you let Bridget ride,stretch and walk as seems best-you’re wonderful with her.Hope today’s one that pleases you both 🙂
Good morning, weather,
I didn’t take as many photos as one would suspect because of the very harsh light and shadows caused by the low-angled brightness of the winter sun. I decided to focus on the plants and Bridget, instead of fussing with the camera to counteract glare. I kept the camera on one setting the entire time. I was pleased when I loaded them onto my laptop at the number that I could use in this post.
I’d love to go back for a photographic tour when the light is softer. The arboretum is the kind of place that one doesn’t fully appreciate in a morning.
It was a very pleasant outing for both of us.
Interesting about the wind tunnel being a positive feature of your landscape… blowing away snow that hindered others. “Four inches of fluffy flakes” makes a winter wonderland. Your siberian husky (I think that’s what you have) must be very happy. I wonder where the geese are today. Just imagine the view they have in flight after a snowstorm!
No news on the door yet… We may have to stay through another weekend.
Good to know you have several options for heating your place. Have a great day!
Gosh,your consideration,interest ,taking note of details about this troupe and property pleases me,thank you.The pups are terrific about snow and wind-they relish so much that I do-they make it fun to appreciate seasons. Maybe some folks don’t because it’s so inconvenient or doesn’t offer the types of comfort that they want.I take comfort in ways that you mention-feeling unhindered,happy with Providence,seeing the positive -is a wonderland
Right now it’s well below freezing,has been and will be for days.The part of the house we’re living in is in the low sixties-comfy as I dress in warm clothes and the critters were born with theirs on..The oil furnace and woodstove aren’t necessary yet,the infrared heaters I redid stuff to use heat for well under $100/mo,oil would have cost about $800 to keep things cozy.I’d way rather keep that to use other ways,so am happy I was able to figure out how and do what it took to switch.
Given the temps the wildlife are mostly tucking in out of sight.The weekend and beyond will be warmer,they’ll come out-then I’ll know which of them are remaining here for winter this year.These are great days,as will be those when the light is softer again…
“Well below freezing” — How wise of you to install an alternative heat source for your home. $800 a month for heat is too much!
🙂
Glad to hear you figured out how to stay comfy and cost less, Weather…heh, the utilities don’t need all our money, eh??
Thanks for being glad for me,Elizabeth-you’re right again,the company folks buy oil from here has remodeled their store front,sales room and offices so much that it looks like they work in a palace when you compare the place to most peoples homes.They surely couldn’t afford to waste money adding luxury if they were in need!be well,dear 🙂
Heh, well if the oil company has THAT much extra money, too true….save all you can dearie!! Thanks for well wishes…trying to get hubby’s cold…so far just sore throat…but will keep doing what I can to get it to go away!!
praying,as ever,that you stay well,g’nite
See Bridget this is what happens when you are in every photo – you get to narrate the post! And a fine job you did girl 🙂 I’m also glad to see that you and other canines are welcome there so we can take Tessa when we visit.
Great photos Sue, I love the huge variety and the lovely grounds. I imagine many of the visitors would be so envious to see the view out your own back door!
It is nice that dogs are allowed there. One woman had three with her. I didn’t see dog doo-doo anywhere.
Hehee….a dog riding in a stroller WON’T make a mess someplace….at least that eh??
Good morning, Sue and Bridget!
What a lovely tour. Bridget is a
terrific guest blogger. She really
knows her stuff! We’re looking
forward to the butterfly pics too!
Have a great day and pet the Bridge
for us!
Safe and happy travels,
Chaunte, Shea, GiGi and Spike
Same to you, Chaunte and crew! Hope your morning is good, y’all are well and happy!
Hi Sue,
I absolutely love the pictures, especially the one of Bridget looking up at you as you photograph the water feature. I’m amazed they let dogs come in but happy they did!
Keep sharing pictures of this place-you won’t bore us!
Hi, Terri from Texas,
It is especially nice that dogs are allowed. One of the side benefits of such a policy is an atmosphere of friendliness immediately perceived by those of us who love our dogs and want to share our days with them. I realize dogs can cause problems in certain venues and therefore they are barred from entering. Even so, the dog-friendly places are more appealing to me.
I appreciate your positive remark about the photos!
Bridget, thank you for the tour. You did a wonderful job. I enjoyed the pictures very much, especially while I am looking out at a frozen lake and falling snow. It is very beautiful outside though.
Hi, Val R.,
The photos in the post must be an extreme contrast to what you see out your window. Happy to bring some of the SW to you!
WOW, Bridget, you sure had a great time looking at all the neat stuff with Sue and she takes great pictures Too. Bridget, you out did your self, This is a great post, ,,,,,,,, Oh, Tell Sue, Rusty says Hi Too! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,Timber
Bridget says thanks to Timber! Hi, Rusty…
Bridget, you did a great job as our tour guide. Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about it. I can only imagine how hard it was for you to type this up using just your two front paws. Also you seem to have become a great pilot of the PPV (Perfect Push Vehicle).
Humans are so funny, why on earth would they build a big water dish in the middle of a park, (sorry Arr-bore-EE-tum) and than not let anyone drink out of it? However the image of Spike taking a soak in it has put a smile on my face that I think will last all day. We live just a few block from the University of Wisconsin Arr-bore-EE-tum and while it is a very cool place with the worlds oldest restored prairie for some stupid reason they don’t want dogs there. Very rude.
Sue, great pictures even if the light wasn’t perfect you managed to convey your trip to perfection. Speaking of perfection I hope you get good news on door #3 soon. I’m still praying/chanting for a speedy resolution. “Noooooooo Zooooooooonks, Noooooooo Zooooooooonks.”.
Take care,
Hi, Rick,
Take a moment… You do realize you just wrote two very sincere paragraphs to a DOG, don’t you? 🙂
On behalf of Bridget, thanks for the compliment on her tour performance (and typing ability).
No news on the door… It looks like we face another weekend here, unless I can find something better. Keep praying and chanting!
Why yes I am aware that I just wrote to a dog. (Actually not just any dog, but that’s beside the point.)
What I’m wondering now is are YOU aware that for both you and I the vast majority of our conversations are TALKING to a dog?
That’s because dogs don’t interrupt and they never argue!
Don’t you love talking to dogs?? I do!!! Heh…went over to daughter’s and besides playing with our granddaughter we had fun with their doggie…poor thing still not all well from his raccoon injuries!! But still pretty plucky and playful anyway. Being hairless, has been wearing his pajamas….looks so cute!!
Oh my, picturing a hairless rat terrier in jammies… I’m overdosing on cuteness!
Hi Sue, your post today was hilarious! I laughed my way through it…Bridget has such a good sence of humor and a good sense of what you would like and would not like…You could not find a better partner for your adventure. I hope that Bridget leads more tours for us, as sometimes a different point of view (lower) is always a good thing. May the rest of your day bring you as much joy to you as I had reading it.
Hi Weather, Stay warm there Sister….we are expecting rain, of course, the low temperature of possibly 59 degrees….ain’t Cali glorious.
Hello to all my fellow Blogorinos…blessings to you all.
Hi Shirlene,thanks,I’m actually feeling cozy-and even warmer now because of finding your note.Drive defensively like the smart woman that you are with all the rain,I remember the highways there when people only used to sun and dry pavement acted like they’d never driven before!-sure reminded me to stay aware,keep a space cushion between vehicles,etc.Hope you’re well and enjoy the chance to wear a sweater ,praying for and love you,weather
As I have said before, a message from you is like a warm bowel of chicken soup on a cold day….Tomorrow the rain should hit and I promise to keep my head down and my eyes open…I gave my Jeep to my daughter so she could take it with her to Idaho and be safe in the snow…boy I sure miss it, especially on rainy days and when I know you are out romping in yours…stay warm and cozy tonight with your troupe, I will be thinking of you.
Hi, Shirlene,
Always good to know some laughs were the result of a post. Thanks for letting me know. Stay safe!
OMG! Hilarius! By far the best blog that I read. Thanks RVSue and Bridget too.
You’re welcome, Kelley. Bridget is at her best when she’s in charge.
Well, I got 85 on my final, which is a passing grade. Not as good as I would like but I passed! Schools over! Yay! Now if I can get a job…..
Great job,Ginger!Doing that well with what you’ve gone through during the course is extremely impressive,I’m so proud of you!
🙂
Very well done, Ginger! What weather says is true…
So proud Ginger, like Weather said with all that you have been through you should be very proud of yourself. Well done, and I have complete faith that your perfect job awaits you.
Congrats, DesertGinger! You need to celebrate your accomplishment!
Whoo-Hoo! Proud of you! 🙂
Congratulations, Ginger!! And so soon after all your health issues too!! WELL done!!
Good for you DG!!! So happy to hear that you passed and passed with a good grade! I am sure you will get a job real soon, Congrats!! Many moons ago I took the course. Passed it (no clue what my grade was). It was a lot of work and a BIG amount of studying. I needed a vacation after that :-). You done GOOD!
Great job, Bridget. That’s one down on the list of skills needed to take over this blog. Bide your time. Once Sue gets the ITV repaired to your satisfaction, and you master the camera, then you can say adios to that pesky woman. Will you be changing the blog’s name to RVBridgeandsue or just dump her name altogether?
Power to the Canine Nation!
Um.. The SoTFT…
You’ve heard the expression “when pigs fly?” Well, Bridget takes over this blog “when dogs drive!”
“RVBridget and her one person crew”… Hmmpff!
LOL….no one like you! I vote you for a Golden Globe Award for best Blog on the internet.
🙂
Well YOU were the one that said she is at her best when she is in charge. 🙂
Great job Bridget!
You narrated it perfectly! You look so comfy in your car! Don’t mind what people say…bout you being spoiled! You are just living in a custom that you used to!
I miss you and dear ole Spike in the canine corner! Are you doing okay…little one? Just know you are on the minds and hearts of many!
I think RVSue should let you take us on tours more often! You’re a natural! Stay warm!
A star is born!
When Bridget has a sidekick, then the Canine Corner will be revived!
Thank you for your sweet concern and kind words for the Bridge (as Spike used to call her).
Dear Bridget, I loved your guest blog! Hope you do that again soon! It is nice to hear your viewpoint on things, being the experienced continental traveler that you are! Have you considered putting a little sign on your stroller that says “MY LEG HURTS. THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN!”
That way, you don’t have to hear any rude “you’re spoiled” comments! I mean, the world is tough enough! Love, Gayle
What a great idea Gayle! Love the sarcasm.
Yeah, people can be so rude. Can you imagine someone coming up to you and saying right in your face, “You wouldn’t be spoiled, would you?”
Oh, Gayle! Laughing out loud here!
Me, too! Hilarious, Gayle! 🙂
Bridget, you are clever you got in free got a free ride too!! I love desert plants so thank RVSue for all these great photos of what y’all saw…
You’re welcome, Sondra. 🙂
Ooops. Our power just went out. The Pineapple Express is roaring through our neighborhood–20 to 40 MPH winds.
Bridge, you are a world-class tour guide! Well done, Little Lady. And heck no. You are NOT spoiled!
Bye from dark Camano Island.
Stay warm and safe!
Hi, Sue,
Thanks for adding the link for the arboretum. Wow! What a cool place! I would love to visit and explore! So many plants, flowers, textures to photograph…heaven!
Hope you and Bridget have a good night! Sending up more prayers that you get an update and resolution regarding your door soon! Hugs from me and Gracie pup! N’nite.
🙂
Hi Bridget. Thank you for the wonderful tour and for letting Sue share her pictures, too! I am so glad they still allow you to visit with your human. Go back again when you can. It is a wonderful place. Happy tails to you.
You’re welcome, Norm. If in this part of Arizona again, we will visit the arboretum.
Fantastic job Bridget! Now maybe RVSue will let you edit her blogs???? I think that all of us here on your Mom’s FANTASTIC blog would like to see you take over more often. It would give you something to do and it would help you keep your brain going so you won’t sleep the day away. You could consider doing the dishes next! Loved your post!!
Thanks, Krystina!
Good Morning Sue from rainy So. Cal. Boy that is some storm that is hitting us right now…rained harder than I have seen since 2010…sewers and drains do not know what to do….If it is coming your way Sue, keep your head down…There are high winds that are also accompanying the storm and they are “rude”, noisy and just down right making a mess of things. Your little egg should keep you safe and warm, just stay away from the flash floods. Take care this weekend.
Good morning, Shirlene,
Storms interrupt the flow of daily life, but it’s great that California is getting lots of rain. I’ve been wondering how the California blogorinos are doing. Good to hear from you, Shirlene!
Hope you and the others there will be safe with this storm, Shirlene!!
As the midnight blue sky lightens blossom pink air comes alive,turns trees russet,leaves chestnut brown,then itself back to clear within seconds.A flash of time so brief it would seem imagined without having seen it before.In parks,deserts,forests,lakesides and fields I’ve watched for and found it since childhood.Never growing old every chance to experience is unlike all others,this one feels especially like a treat because I hadn’t intended to see it.On impulse I’d put boots on and gone outside unaware of what time any clock read again.
That happens a lot -being called out there to see something that would be missed by a few seconds hesitation .Never ignored,those moments connect me to Life in a way nothing else quite can or ever does.Staying there I watched one squirrel racing up a tree while beyond it geese began their fishing in the waves.Hearing waves while seeing snow melt on an old wooden stair rail is improbably beautiful,sunrise shows autumn is yet here,lingering like I am with my coffee.
Recently I heard a guy on tv insisting that people can only accomplish what they’re meant to in life by structuring all their time,bless his heart. Life itself is wild,seems to me that trying to tame it and passion diminishes it’s meaning,ruins it’s very purpose and people in the process.Good morning Sue,as so many parts of your journey seem to be “up in the air” lately,once again,it looks you’re doing it perfectly.Letting it unfold gifts you treasure more than most people alive.May today hold special ones for you both.
🙂 🙂 🙂
🙂 back at ‘cha
Good morning, weather,
As always, I enjoyed your rich descriptions, happy that you responded to the call and didn’t miss more delightful gifts from nature. You photograph with words — “seeing snow melt on an old wooden stair rail” — Reading those words I imagined how I’d frame the scene with my camera! Thank you for taking me to that special moment.
Typical television skewering of Truth. Get busy making a schedule! Instead of “letting it unfold” … 🙂
Yes, the door situation is still “up in the air” as I type this. We shall see what this day brings.
Having read and enjoyed your reply,I’m still grinning at the unlikelihood of ever seeing this place captured by your skill with a lens-knowing how currently “done you are” with New York state,snow or not 🙂
That is why we rely on you dear Weather to bring these beautiful moments to us with your “photos” with words…someday I hope our paths cross and how wonderous it would be…
Hopes often become realized in life,friend,when I read of your giving your daughter the jeep my instantaneous reaction was to tell you this Sweet,Shirlene,what an awesome thing to do!We’ll ride in mine together next time I’m in California!
Since we’re both hoping our paths cross I’m pretty sure they will-you’re right-it would/will be wondrous ….happy sigh and hugs
I cannot tell you how much I missed my Jeep this morning, driving rain and wet, and while on the freeway, somebody in the car next to me ran screaming through a puddle on the freeway and it splashed my window so that I could not see for a few seconds! At 55 miles per hour, that was really scary…Those waves of water would have never reached my Jeep windows..but my little low lying thunderbird took it full force in the windshield..but all was fine. I hope you are in California within the next 15 months, or I may not be here, finding my dream RV, and off towards Florida and parts unknown…either way, we will meet somewhere and I will be looking forward to that Jeep ride…But I am peaceful knowing that my youngest daughter will have something “tank-like” around her for the inclimate weather in Idaho…hugs and love back to you…have a great weekend with your troupe and stay warm and happy.
It’s normal here to see traffic on a highway slow to a crawl in heavy rain,most people here,and in Idaho, have learned to respect the elements they contend with you’re right to be at peace,your daughter will be fine.Glad you know how to handle that baby blue T-bird. SoCal,Florida and places unknown are all nice,see you there …
🙂
Well, there’s much of NY I haven’t experienced. You’re right, though. I’m not likely to return to the Northeast.
What a kid I can be-when I read that and noticed that you said “not likely” as opposed to “certainly not ever going to” …I was all smiles!Sweet dreams later,I just glimpsed one 😉
Bridget, thank you so much for your guest post. As always, you are looking beautiful. Sending you some scratches and a kiss. 🙂
You’re welcome, Teri. What a sweet comment for my sweet girl.
Love this post. I would love to work at a place like that. Good job Bridgett. Hope the door is getting fixed today ( Friday).
Thanks, Jean. That would be a great work environment. I often wished I’d chosen horticulture instead of education. Oh well . . .
I suppose that’s true. In horticulture when one of your charges gets out of line you can just pull them up by the roots.
I love the first photo of Bridget in her buggy smiling up at you. Amazing how they pick up the vocal clues… and turn around to help you lift her up. LOL Mugsy does similar. When I am giving her a bath, I tell her to come and get in the bath. She comes over and turns around… and when I get my hands around her, she gives this funny little fake hop to help me I guess. It is not as if her feet leave the ground. Does Bridget do that?
Looks like a fun place to visit and great that they allow dogs.
Hi, Connie,
No, Bridget is “dead weight” when I pick her up. That hop is a Mugsy original!
Lovely tour Bridget! You look so happy! You do a very good job, possibly you could have a second career being a tour guide. First career being RVSue’s right hand girl of course.
Hey! Do you know if Rusty kept his PO Box?
No, I don’t, Dawn. Would you be willing to let me give him your email address so he can tell you directly?
absolutely RVSue. Please do.
t2.rome-rs.on@hotmail.com
Hi Sue,
Are you still at the same camp?Looked at rain radar of the US this morning,if it was accurate you may have had a clear sky sunrise.Mine was,I’m struck by the tenacity of autumn evidenced in trees that retain leaves,the lake with no ice behaving as though it’s summertime here.Still thinking of you taking pics of butterflies in December …the troupe are the only small things landing on weeds here-and yippee! -they come inside to play with me afterward ,too.Have fun with Bridget today
Thanks, weather… You have fun with your little buddies, too.
Yes, we’re still at the same camp. We don’t have many choices of camps near the body shop in Globe. The rain began gently in the hours before daybreak, starting and stopping. Now at mid-morning it’s coming down steadily. I have the curtain on the back window pushed aside in order to keep an eye on the wash that’s collecting the run-off.
Yes.. Butterflies in December. I finished (or I should say, Bridget finished) a new post a few minutes ago. 🙂
In spite of the wind tunnel, your trees still have leaves… That is tenacity!
That steady rain is likely the one that will make desert blooms around you a bit later on your journey(said Pollyanna)-hope you both can make the most of an enforced lazy day.About the trees-I really do believe the love around here is what’s made autumn stay so long …love “Bridget’s new post” ,just saw it-by the time you upgrade her car to a deluxe version that fits an extra passenger if needed,you’ll certainly both have more than earned whatever it costs !
We should visit the arboretum in late spring when everything is blooming. Rain has stopped, allowing the water to soak into the wash. I doubt this is the end of it…
Hi Sue and Bridget,
I’ve enjoyed your post and all of the comments. I’m keeping fingers crossed that the ITV got it’s makeover yesterday and you are now free to move about. It sounds like our storm may have moved on down California and out into the southwest so I hope you are able to get to get high and dry.
You we’re wondering earlier up in the comments about how your California Blogorinos were doing. Speaking from the Northern California coastal mountains, we are doing fine and more than a little thankful to have this much rain. Folks in my town were wandering around grinning from ear to ear and dripping wet. We can always spot a tourist because they carry umbrellas in the rain. In my yard I measured 6 inches in 30 hours. There was some flooding in the usual lowland areas but nothing we weren’t used too before the currant drought.
Southern California seems to have more damage because they have paved over so much of the land and the rivers and fires have ravaged the hillsides. Southern California is no longer able to handle these kind of storms without major damage. There are simply too many people for the land and we have not used it’s resources very wisely.
Now it’s time to click on Sue’s Amazon link to see if there is any more shopping I should do.
Hi, Marilu,
Interesting update on the California storm situation. Thanks for sharing that with us. Excellent point about the pavement and too many people on the land leading to problems. You can only push Mother Nature so far.
Six inches of rain in 30 hours… That’s good news…
You reminded me of living in Florida. During the winter the natives (and resident transplants like myself) wear sweaters and long pants. The tourists walk the beach in bathing suits and run around town in tank tops and shorts.
I appreciate your thoughts toward us, the ITV, and our camp. Thanks also for mentioning shopping at Amazon. 🙂