Saturday, February 28
Bridget and I are inside the Best Little Trailer almost all day at our camp on Bureau of Land Management land east of the Colorado River between Parker and Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
I place my annual order with Amazon.
When I bought my Panasonic camera from Amazon, I neglected to include a case with that order and the camera doesn’t fit well into the case I have. I order a case in which it will fit.
Upon the advice of readers, I also order safety latches to keep the chains from unhooking at the hitch while we’re going down the highway. You can see them here: S-Hook With Safety Latch, 5000Lb Capacity
For a long time I’ve wanted a folding table.
We often camp where there is no picnic table. I have a little side table. I want a bigger table to use like a picnic table. The bigger table will give me room for basins for washing and rinsing dishes, stuff that’s collected and needs to be sorted, food I’m preparing, projects I’m working on, etc.
This is the table I choose: Lifetime 4-Foot Commercial Adjustable Height Folding Table
I also order Bridget another sweater.
I didn’t tell you the bad thing I did. Recently, while walking with Bridget in the wash near our camp in the Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness, the cool morning air warms. I remove Bridget’s sweater, and, in order to have my hands free to take a photo, I tuck it under my arm.
Well, you can guess what happens.
In the fervor of photographing, I forget about her sweater in my armpit. Somewhere it falls. We walk the wash again that day, but I never do find it. (I know, “leave no trace.” I’m bad.)
Anyway . . . I order Bridget another pretty sweater, a bright blue one. I’ll have her model it for you when it arrives.
Later, Rusty and I admire the sunset together.
Before retiring to our respective homes for the night, Rusty loans me two movie DVDs.
I insert a DVD into my 15-inch television. Bridget and I climb into bed. She situates herself under the covers alongside me. I adjust the pillows behind my back for comfort and hit the play button on the remote.
The movie is “Open Range.”
The lead actors are Kevin Costner, Annette Benning, and Robert Duvall. I saw it years ago. Rarely do I watch a movie a second time. The scenery (filmed in Canada), the acting, and the story of “Open Range” make it worth watching again.
Sunday, March 1
No wind this morning!
Rusty, Timber, Bridget, and I pop out of our homes like prairie dogs out of their burrows. I take the photos you see in this post.
Rusty lets Timber off the tether.
Timber is a very high energy dog and needs to run.
We keep an eye on Timber as he races around us. He stops briefly to mark the bushes on the perimeter and by the BLT, and then resumes running. He’s enjoying being free!
He tries to interact with Miss Bridget without success.
Bridget makes it very clear to Timber that she will tolerate his presence, but she is not going to play.
Rusty decides to re-position his truck in preparation for the expected storm.
“The direction of the storm’s wind is changing,” he explains.
Timber hops into the cab of the truck.
He doesn’t want the truck to leave without him. That happened once when he became lost in Utah . . . . Timber loves going for rides in the truck with Rusty.
A little before noon, a light rain begins and stops shortly thereafter.
I fix myself a green salad for lunch. While eating at my laptop table, I finish this blog post.
Hmm . . . Now what shall I do? Continue reading the book on my Paperwhite or watch another movie?
rvsue
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
If you find a really stylish coyote, we’ll know where she got the sweater. 🙂
That’s funny, Jenny. Your comment is a good one for first place.
I can’t get past the laying in bed with the dog, propped on pillows. Ahhhhhhhhh 🙂
It is a pretty good life. 🙂
Good day! It sounds like you are having a wonderful visit, and in such a beautiful place.
I wanted to mention a book I just got on Amazon, Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Wow, it is great, a real makes you think book and moving! It was one of the good Amazon book deals….
That is a wonderful read and I was going to recommend it but now I can just second what you’ve said. The story takes the reader to many of our favorite parks in the west
I woke up in the middle of the night, started reading and finished it about 8:00 this morning! I got mine through bookbub.
It is a good book. Apparently, since it kept you awake until morning!
BTW, blogorinos, you will get the same good price by going through my links to Amazon as you get through Bookbub and other similar services.
Hi, Lee J.,
Since my recommendation, 52 readers have ordered Take Me With You through my blog. I hope every one of them enjoys it!
I thought I’d try another one of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books, Walk With Me, and I couldn’t finish it. It’s written as if for adolescents. I don’t recommend it for adults.
Great to see Rusty and Timber. They really seem happy doing what they are mean”t to do. Thanks Sue.
WTXCal
You’re welcome, WTXCal.
Did you make popcorn? A good movie deserves popcorn with butter of course. Loved the pictures today. They convey so well Timbers energy, as well as the beauty around you and of friendship. It’s interesting that Miss B and Timber have met before and she keeps the same attitude about him. Have a good day. We are mixing sunshine and clouds but still no rain in the valley in northern CA.
Those photos of them together really capture the doggy body language! Never having had a dog, for me that is an education!
Hi, Gayle,
…. Especially the 3rd and 5th photos.
Hi, Velda in Roseville CA,
I often do fix myself a batch of popcorn when I have the munchies in the evening. No butter. 🙁
No rain yet? It’s been raining here, off and on, today.
Not a drop of rain here, though snow on ski slopes up near Tahoe. Been sunny interspersed with clouds all day here. I don’t have a lot of vices, but butter on popcorn is one!!!
Enjoy that buttered popcorn, Velda. I have my “vices,” too…. like peanut butter, to mention one.
Hi Sue–its almost like you are on vacation! It is so heartwarming to see Rusty and Timber. I know it covers a huge area, but I do like the Lake Havasu area.
We are in for some interesting weather next week here in middle Tennessee. It will be between 62-65 on Tuesday and then around 35 with SNOW on Wednesday! What a roller coaster we have been on this winter. Can’t wait to be in the warm desert during the winters.
Hi, DeAnne in TN,
That is weird weather! At this point you don’t need any more snow days or your summer break will be delayed too far. I assume that’s what your school system does to make up snow days.
Yes, we are in an interesting position. The kiddos have more snow days than the teachers. We had to work three days the kids were out. But, the kids have a couple of days to make up, yet the teachers have already worked! The district and the union are duking it out, but so far no summer break taken. Anyway…its so funny that you called me by my “full name” today. 😉
Ha! Just imagine three days of the school filled with students and administrators and no teachers!
Enjoyed Take Me With You . I agree with what you said a little slow in the beginning.
But I didn’t want to stop reading it . I enjoyed it very much. I lost a son at 19 and
Felt his pain. But the boys rescued him as much as he rescued them.
always anxious to see your new place and pictures. Enjoy your time with an old
Friend. We never have too many of them.
Hi, Deb D.,
That is a true test of the authenticity and sincerity of the author’s voice that you related to his pain. There is no sorry big enough to convey my regret that you suffer such a loss, Deb.
I haven’t been able to bring myself to read it. I read the plot summary. I lost my daughter at 18 and my nephew at 23. Not sure I can handle it.
Oh, dear God, Ginger. I’m sorry.
Hello Sue, and thank you again for sharing your days with us. It sounds like you are having a great visit with Rusty and Timber. Even if Miss Bridget is being a little stand-offish over the 4 legged visitor. We have a thundercoat for our pup, Pepper. She wears it when we have our monsoons here in SE AZ in the summer. But we have started putting her in it on cold nights in the winter. I really should get her a sweater instead.
And now you know where you can find one for free!
Hi, Lisa W.,
That pretty sweater of Bridget’s that I lost only cost about $5 at Wal-Mart and it fit her perfectly. She liked wearing it. I bet your Pepper would like a sweater, too, on cold nights.
Love Bridget’s expressions, she is a diva. We too have one of those Lifetime tables. We use it on our pontoon boat. It’s a perfect prep space for meals and shades the cooler and trash bin we put underneath.
I appreciate you confirming my choice of table., Captain K.
I’m really happy that Timber is able to be free from a tether at times. Very happy actually !
Hi, Kelly,
Yes, Timber is a mix of breeds developed for work that requires a lot of energy. I had to take several photos of him before I captured the ones shown in this post. The others are a blur. Timber is always in motion, it seems, when not asleep.
I had one of those Lifetime tables….good buy! It’s VERY heavy but that’s what makes it such a good strong table.
Hi, JanisP in Ecuador,
This one is a little over 26 lbs. which is as heavy as I want to go for a table. It does look sturdy and the customer reviews are positive, like yours.
OMGosh I didn’t know that table adjusted! My son in law stole mine-for his t shirt business… 🙂 I really appreciate the way it is made. Need to get another one!
My pups KNOW grandkids are coming. I just know they do. I am already exhausted and the kids aren’t even here yet!
Stay safe and toasty. Tell Rusty and Timber hello. Bridget too. Reunions are wonderful aren’t they?
Hugs from Hoquiam
Barb
Hi, Barb,
Puppies and grandchildren… Lots of activity at your house! 🙂
What a great photo the second one is,of Timber among the desert brush.Often people give credit to composition,light and shadow in photography as what gives it quality or appeal.Your gift,as shown in that pic, is in capturing the innate essence of a living being or place.
Sounds like a laid back visit ,having friends you can relax around is nice.I like the table you picked,and had hoped you would remember the camera case.I can’t get tell you how impressed by and glad I am about Rusty’s truck/home being so well planned and made.
In the wild or just without safe homes,I get that most animals need to adapt by being submissive,still ,I don’t like that they have to.I’m glad to see Bridget being assertive enough to refuse what she’s not comfortable with.You’ve given her that,good job.
Thank you for the lovely compliment on my photography.
I don’t think I can take credit for Bridget’s assertiveness, other than letting her become who she was designed to be. 🙂
BTW, I didn’t forget to order the stroller for Bridget as I mentioned previously. Since she doesn’t need a stroller at present, I’ll wait until the new crew member joins us. He may influence which stroller I choose.
Hopefully you won’t need a stroller,old or new,again,you’re smart to not use what storage space and funds you have until/ unless you need to.You set a good example for people to follow in so many ways that you live and make choices.Odds of having buyer’s remorse-huge,odds of not getting it now causing a crisis-around zero,right?I thought about wasting both, preparing for disasters winter MIGHT bring,hoped for the best instead and received it.Haven’t needed anything more than what I already had.Hope your day is a good one!
Like you, I do make careful consideration before purchasing anything.
However, having a small home with limited storage, I am learning an important lesson in simpler living. I need to control the tendency, borne of my frugality. to keep an item because “gee, I might have a need for this someday.” That’s the origin of clutter! Regular purging of the PTV is necessary.
==========
Are you planning to remove your original hooks? And put the carabiner thing in their place? I don’t know if it will fit in the same chain link with your original hooks? Or maybe you’ll have to use the next link down? Either way, you’ll want to slide your chain link down under the little spring in your carabiner affair. (And you’d probably figure that out on your own :o) At 5,000 # each, they’ll be plenty strong all by themselves — didn’t even know they made things like that — good idea!
==========
Our F350 came with a brand-new gooseneck hitch with the removeable ball (original bed surface; nothing to trip over) so we went with one of these kingpin adapters to tow our fifth wheel:
http://www.etrailer.com/Gooseneck-and-Fifth-Wheel-Adapters/Convert-A-Ball/CAB-C5G.html
The adapter has safety chains with beefy hooks, but there is a spring catch affair to make sure they can’t come off the spring-loaded loops they hook through accidentally . . . I hook my brake-away switch cable into one of them as well. It’s super easy to hook up and unhook regardless of terrain angles so that’s a big plus for crazies like me who like to get well off the beaten path. :o) I’ve had to move my friend’s fifth wheel three times in the last two weeks so I’m getting lots of practice.
JIM & ANNIE ~ Stuck in Boise for only 34 more weeks and one day!
==========
Hi, Jim,
I’m not sure if the latches I ordered will fit on my chains or not. They’re inexpensive enough that I went ahead and ordered them and I’ll see if I can use them.
I’m sure the contraption you call a “kingpin adapter” is very clever and something of interest to people who tow fifth wheels. I don’t know anything about fivers. .. . Thanks for sharing info for those who do!
You are in a fun area. Been there, done that. Hey, Missy, you talk about seeing movies more than once. I have only a few I love enough to see twice. One is being recorded this moment on Turner Classic Movies, Fiddler on the Roof, I have watched Sound of Music more than once, Brian’s Song, The King And I and Goodfellas. Some would say boring but to each his own. Enjoy your visit with Rusty and Timber. Be careful…..
Hi, Jim,
Good movie choices… If you love a film, why not watch it again as often as you please. 🙂
There are quite a few movies that I will watch any time they come on tv. I mean, do you only listen to a song you like once?
Goodfellas is the only mafia movie that actually comes pretty close to portraying what their life is like. And yes, I know about that, without going into detail.
The only movies I have seen more than once: Gone With The Wind and my all time favorite African Queen…Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn!!! I’ve seen that one 5 or 6 times. Never read a book twice, see a TV show twice either. I love the pictures of Timber!! Free indeed. Bridget is happy being Bridget.
Glad you and Rusty are having a nice reunion.
Hugs to you and Bridget…..Love you, My Sister.
Hi, Pauline,
I’ve watched African Queen a couple of times, too. Funny how those two excellent actors keep an audience riveted to every word and action that goes on in a small boat with very little else…. compared with all the special effects, grand sets and landscapes, and shock that goes into big “blockbuster” movies of recent years.
Love you, too…
ATTENTION JUDY L FROM HORN LAKE: My husband was born and raised in Rienzi….I have lived here 22 years. Maybe we know your family!! My in-laws Wid and Susie Nash knew just about everyone!! We live between Rienzi and Jacinto on Hwy 356.
Pauline, My family still lives all around there. The last name is Parvin. All of immediate family are gone now. The cousins and family are still going strong.
:-). Wouldn’t it be neat if you knew some of them. I loved the area I stayed there lots with grandparents when growing up
Laughter being good medicine and all, Sue, I loved those shots of Timber and Bridget…laughed and laughed!! Dogs are so funny without even trying to be!! Timber reminds me of our last dog in ways, though he is surely more energetic than she was and sounds like he has to be watched carefully so he won’t wander off again.
I am remembering one thing about our last dog that was quite unique…when we were eating, we could leave our plate of food anyplace she could reach it…couch, chair, floor, etc….and tell her to leave it alone. She never ever disobeyed…she knew we shared anyway I suppose. Most breeds cannot do that when it comes to food however.
I am a twinge better today so I think I will live…couple days earlier was not so sure. I am probably going to not go out much now for quite some time. Not wanting another illness soon…
Feel better, Elizabeth!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Denise!
Hi, Elizabeth,
I know you will take good care of yourself and allow your body to gather strength again. I’m glad the worst is over!
Your dog sounds like the obedient kind that would rather please you than anything else in the world. It’s no wonder you miss her.
Yes, both Rusty and I kept an eye on Timber while he ran off some of his energy. Rusty has trained him well. That photo of an alert Timber surrounded by desert greenery shows his reaction to Rusty calling his name. Right after I clicked the shutter, Timber ran over to Rusty and that’s when I took the third photo.
Our dog was mostly Blue Heeler….so yes, that breed from our experiences having had several of them over many years, seem to only live to please you. And are very smart so training them is a breeze. Actually, it was a couple of older dogs we had when we got her that house trained her. We had a pet door and she just followed them everywhere they went and did what they did. I think she lived so long simply because she did not want to leave us. She was my shadow everywhere I went in the house. She was funny a bit too…she loved to squeeze in beside me on the recliner…but ONLY on the LEFT side…refused to sit on the right. If I told her to hop up on the right, she would, and then would hope right down. Funny creature…
Hi, Sue,
Sounds you, Rusty and Timber are enjoying your visit. Miss Bridget cracked me up. If she could talk….”Timber, I TOLD you I DON’T want to play. LEAVE ME ALONE. Oh yeah and leave my Mom alone, too!!!” Her missing stink-eye has returned, this time aimed at Timber, not you!! Heehee!
I really appreciate and enjoy the links that you add to your posts, whether it is info about an area or a bird. Always interesting! Speaking of birds, I seem to have a new bird in my yard. Yesterday, I heard I call that I have never heard before. Or, perhaps a “regular” has found some new sheet music! Of course I could not locate the little songster, so I could not look him up in my Audubon (sp?) book. The mystery continues….
Hope you and all your blogorinos have a good evening! We are on the same weather roller coaster here….ice and freezing rain today, turning to rain tonight. High in the 60s later this week, only to drop 35 degrees by the next day. Wheeee!!
Repeat movies: I will watch Casablanca, Doctor Zhivago, The Thin Man movies, The Bishop’s Wife (the original), and anything with Cary Grant, William Powell, Myrna Loy or Barbara Stanwyck in it…whenever there is an opportunity (usually on TCM). I never get tired of them! Gracie and I send you and Miss Bridget hugs! 🙂
Hi, Denise and Gracie,
If you don’t have a chance to look at that “new” bird close enough to identify in your Audubon guide, but you can narrow it down to one or two, go to Cornell’s All About Birds website.
You can look up your “guess,” scroll down and listen to the song for that bird. That might give you the identification.
Thanks for the feedback on the links I post. It’s good to know readers are looking at them.
Well, as for this winter’s weather, it certainly has been interesting!
Thanks for Cornell Bird link! 🙂
Hi Missy, You know the Hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards? The accomplish this due to reversible wings. If you think about it you’ve seen them feeding from a blossom and then backing out to go to another blossom. They are interesting little birds.
Rain falling pretty good here in Laughlin but no wind. Very cozy snuggled in the Casita.
Just finished a very good book, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I could not put it down! It is a fictional account of life in France during WWII and the underground network to rescue downed allied pilots and Jewish children. It gives an idea of how rough life was during the German occupation and describes the bravery of women trying to survive.
kgdan
how is life in Laughlin? used to go there many years ago and I loved it….do you enter any of the casinos? Im not sure I could stay out of them if I was camped there…ha!
We love Laughlin in the winter. We enjoy the beautiful desert scenery, being on the banks of the Colorado River and, yes, we like the casinos. All the amenities are here. Would not be an RV Sue kind of place but we enjoy it. We also like her lifestyle & likewise partake of it at other times. We love the choices of our life.
Hi, Kathy and Gil,
Rain here all night long. We’re cozy here, too.
That book does sound interesting. I remember seeing it at a reduced price.
Hi Sue
I am glad you now show the Shop Amazon
thingy at the bottom now. I’m sitting at the airport and am frustrated, because my GPS wants to act up all the time. I checked my emails and read your post. Then I went to Amazon from there and ordered a new TomTom. Perfect. Now I have to pick up my passengers for the return trip to Sequim.
Cheers,
Ilse
Hi, Ilse,
Cheers to you, too! And an extra cheers for ordering the TomTom through my blog’s link to Amazon.
Isn’t it amazing that you can sit in an airport, while people you know are flying through the air, and order a device that will tell you where you are and where you want to go, and you place that order on a device you hold in your hand, the order is received at the Amazon place several states away and relayed to a person in a warehouse for shipping, a commission is tabulated and sent electronically to my bank, somewhere in the cosmos, and here I am now reading about it as I sit in Arizona and write a message to you in northern Washington.
And I remember being amazed at the invention of color TV! 🙂
Color TV? I remember the unbelievable event of seeing my first black & white TV test pattern.
I remember our 1st TV screen with a wide black bar across the bottom, and the picture would roll and roll or flip and flip. The task was to figure out which TUBE burned out.
Was in Sequim couple years ago and had best lunch of my life at a bistro downtown. Can’t remember name of it — but wow! Creme brûlée was good, too!
Was probably the Alderwood Bistro, a great place.
I am just reading your blog haven’t read it for a while. I am so happy to hear about Rusty and Timber I have been worried about them since he moved out of the mobile home . I sent him a housewarming gift when he moved in and then when you posted he left I was a little concerned. Bridget is such a big baby and she rules the roost so to speak.The photos are great.
Hi, Sherry,
Good to have you back and to see you here. Thanks re the photos.
You can be assured that your gift to Rusty was put to good use while he was in the mobile home for a year, and either he still is using it or another vet is.
Yes, Bridget is the Big Hen who rules this roost. You should see how she stamps her feet with impatience and even yips at me while I obediently fix her breakfast as fast as I can! 🙂
Your photos are wonderful!!!
Thank you!
I hope you survived the storm ok!
We’re in the middle of crazy snow/sleet/freezing rain/ice/rain storms here in the East!!!
ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
Hi, Lynn,
We really shouldn’t call the steady rain we’re experiencing here a “storm” when compared to what you have going on…
Thanks for complimenting me on the pictures.
Hi Sue, The table you ordered is just the thing my husband Dale and I are looking for. We moved here from Wisconsin over 6 months ago, sold a lot of our furniture and really down-sized our lifestyle as in going from an American 4-Square to a single-wide. Any way that table is just the thing! Have a nice night.
Hi, Julie,
Love the name of your town — Applegate. 🙂 I’ll assume your winter in Oregon is milder than the one going on in Wisconsin.
I can’t tell from your comment if you miss a table you gave up or if you plan to purchase one like I did. I appreciate you letting me know I chose a good table.
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Sue
Very enjoyable post again as usual. Nice seeing Timber and Bridget’s interaction. Dogs are funny and they sure do have their own unique personality. My chi Lily loves all dogs and people and can’t wait to be noticed and friendly where Rosie my bichon/shitzu is layed back regarding other dogs. She will go as far away as the leash will allow when we meet up with other pups.
To continue my saga regarding my life… this couple <very nice people) spent a couple hours sitting in my trailer during a fairly hard rain fall. Looking into every cupboard and all… shake on the deal and I run home to get the title. I hand write two receipts and he gives me 1000.00 cash with the rest when he picks up the camper. Anyway I was very happy and then in the morning he called and backed out saying it was small and he is going to upgrade his truck… My heart sank… but he was a REAL gentleman. He says "I want you to keep $300 for your trouble" Wow… what a wonderful human! So he came and got the balance and I was grateful for how it turned out. It pays to be a nice person… lol He and his wife took a liking to me. 🙂
All in all it was a lucrative weekend yard sale.
Today my park had a memorial service for all the folks who passed away this past year. A table of all their pictures… by the lake at our club house… we released beautiful heart shaped silver balloons singing I'll fly a way…. buckets of tears flowed. It was good for me. Someone told me tears were liquid love.
Love how you share your lovely day with all of us. The feeling of the desert in your photo's is a awesome glimpses into your world. I likey! hugs Deb
HI, Deb,
And thank you for sharing your day with us. I’m glad the memorial service was good for you. It sounds like it was a lovely remembrance, and you were with people who are coping with loss, too.
Yes, there are honest and sincere people in the world, and you’re one of them. That couple did the honorable and right thing by you.
Thank you
Deb,
The memorial service sounds nice, seems like you have a nice community there. AND in one weekend you are $700 ahead and the perfect new buyer for your trailer is still out there. Don’t give up hope, there are lots of people out there like me that WANT a smaller trailer, your perfect buyer awaits.
Hi Rick, I think Deb is $300 ahead and like you say, her buyer will come along.
your Miss B sounds like my LuLu….when Pookie comes around she growls at him to stay away til she’s ready to play…..
great reading and pictures as usual, Sue…..its good to see that you’re not a total recluse….but your like me. I only go around folks that I know and like. At 70 Im not up to meeting new people…..
Chuck
Hi, Chuck,
Lulu and I have something in common, too! 🙂
Another lovely day……
Bridgee’s lavender mock turtleneck sweater that showed her sleek body…is lost somewhere in the desert?
Annual AMAZON shopping spree eh? How fun was that? Nice table!
Glad you all are enjoying ech others company! Bridget’s stink eye is classic! Safe under the BLT….watching Timber’s every move!
Have a wonderful night!
Bridget wants you to know that it wasn’t a “mock” turtleneck. She only wears the real thing! 🙂
Wore…..past tense! Bwahhhhhh
Cute! Don’t you wear a fanny pack? Hook it to the belt!
The little camo pack I had I gave to Dale, remember him? — the man biking across Arizona. I wouldn’t have had it on anyway, it was a short walk in the wash.
That right!
Wonder how Dale is doing. Hopefully he made it to his destination …
I wish he would let us know. I should have taken down his cell phone number.
Great to catch up with Rusty and Timber. That is one beautiful dog!!
Robert Duvall has always been one of my favorite actors. My very first job after college – when there were no teaching jobs to be had and I ended up working in an office back in 1970 – I worked with his father. Lovely man who was known as Admiral Duvall as he was a retired Admiral. He was so proud of his actor son, but wasn’t too sure about that role in MASH. LOL He was also proud of his daughter who taught at the Gulliard School of Music in NYC. A very talented family it seems.
Interesting about the Duvalls . . .
I hardly ever watch movies twice, except for those I watch many times! First one that pops to mind is Dirty Dancing, which I have seen at least 10 times and will see many more. Love Actually, which we usually watch every Christmas, along with A Christmas Story. Recently saw a sing-a-long version of Sound of Music, which was great fun. Some movies just beg to be repeated and become traditions.
Funny how the movie Dirty Dancing is one that seems to fit the personality you’ve shown here, Ginger, and I mean that in a good way. 🙂
Yep, that’s me
We have that same table and love it. In fact we have 2 smaller lifetime tables in the RV. We use them as computer tables and also as extra eating space either at the end of the dinette table or in front of the sofa. Lifetime makes a good solid product.
Good to know, Caroline! Thank you.
What a great post RVSue! Rusty’s Camper looks super…he is so talented. Over the moon about the pics of Timber and HRH. Bridget knows exactly what she will tolerate LOL. Great that you can spend time with Rusty. I too will meet up with an “on the road” friend…Micky who I met at America’s Mailbox and one of your Blogorinos! She will be visiting me here sometime soon!
I took my RV to Starlight Solar in Yuma so they could check the horrible install of my solar that was done at America’s Mailbox in SD. They were HORRIFIED! They had to rewire the entire thing because it was a huge fire hazard…to the tune of $483. Larry took photos and video of it all and is going to do a write of everything that was not right.
To all of the blogorinos…Think about it at least twice before you have anything done in their repair shop. It took 2 weeks for them to do the solar and while I was waiting 2 other folks had similar horrible experiences.
Starlight Solar rocks! They have a stop watch so when the are actually not working on your rig they stop it so you are only paying for the actual time they are working. I highly recommend them. Live and learn.
Hi, Krystina,
You performed a valuable service when you wrote this comment. I, too, recommend Starlight Solar in Yuma. And I also recommend SunBum RV for service and repairs of rigs, and they’re located right around the corner from Starlight Solar.
If I remember correctly, you’ll be moving out of the park at Wellton soon. Best wishes for your next camp!
Just passed through Wellton. Is your park the one right by the freeway?
I have a couple of good books to recommend. I just finished “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah and “Crash and Burn” by Lisa Gardner. Both were very good reads. They were different kind of reads, but both good. The Nightingale was about two women in France during WWII and Crash and Burn was a mystery.
Rusty’s truck is looking good and I know it is alot more comfortable than before. I am so happy for he and Rusty.
Hi, Jean,
I saw The Nightingale at a reduced price and now I wish I’d bought it, as you’re the second reader to recommend it here. Thanks for mentioning both books. I’m always looking for suggestions and I know other blogorinos are,too.
Thank you Sue,
Have a wonderful day.
You, too, JW! I appreciate your help.
Good Morning Sue,
Wow, it rained buckets here last night and about 2:00 am, a thunder clap nearly tossed me out of bed…just one..but enough to wake me and keep me awake for a while waiting for another one…so I guess we are sending this your way…you and Rusty need to “circle the wagons” and isn’t it fun to be part of a circle for a minute? I have a question about ordering from Amazon from you, I have Amazon Prime, which I love because of the free shipping, but I wonder if you still get credit even though I have Prime?…also, I don’t know if streaming from your kindle takes data, but the movies are free from prime…but I suppose you know all that…anyway I was just hoping that you still get credit when I use Prime. Have a good day, tomorrow the sun will be out here for the rest of the week, and 80 by the weekend. Sorry for all my blogoriono friends in the snow, but it will be over soon, I hope…then there is the MELT! Oh my.
Good morning, Shirlene,
We had a steady rain all night long with very few and very brief breaks. It’s still raining, although not as heavily, as I type this. Fog obscures the view of the hills and mountains all around us. We’re cloaked in white.
Yes, I get credit for your purchases made with Amazon Prime’s free shipping. Thank you for thinking of me!
I don’t do streaming as it does take too much of my data allotment. You have a good day, too.
is the London Bridge really out by Lake Havasu City? another landmark I missed years past….
Yes, it is, Chuck. Here’s some background on London Bridge.
http://www.golakehavasu.com/about-us/london_bridge1.aspx
Side note on the London Bridge. The developer didn’t really know what London Bridge was. He had mistaken it with the landmark Tower Bridge and that is what he thought he was getting. He was not very happy when it arrived but what could he do, it was his fault.
Yeah, it is just a rumor that the developer denied, but who really knows.
London Bridge is a center piece at Lake Havasu City. I lived there for almost four years. It’s a beautiful old structure.
Timber cracks me up, whether he’s racing around the creosote bushes or ready to go in the pick up. His face is so expressive and you’ve really captured that in this post. I still get all sappy just thinking about his lost and found story. I watched the storm front move across the ocean yesterday and still thought “I love to watch the storms in the desert”. Hope it was/is a good show and that all are safe and relatively dry.
Safe and dry here…. The rain has stopped for now, the fog lingers. It’s colder than I’ve felt in a long time, a damp cold . ..
Watching a storm move across the ocean… Reminds me of the storm that hit us when camped at Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park.
Hope you received plenty of rain in SoCal and in the mountains…
Yet another wonderful post. I just love the pics of Princess Bridget and Timber interacting and Timber racing around. He reminds me of my old dog Pete who was GSD/Australian cattle dog, always on the go and always looking to play. But the shot that really put a smile on my face was the last one. Timber back in the passenger seat with his Dad at the wheel. Both of them on the road and living the life they were meant to live. Like a fairy tale where everyone lives happily ever after.
So interesting that you bought a table. I have been researching a folding table for myself that I could take car camping now but would still work for when I hit the road full time. The one you bought is larger than the ones I have been looking at but I like how yours could be table or workbench height. So I will be interested to see how it works for you. As always thanks for everything, squeeze the Bridge for me.
Hi, Rick,
Since I already have a side table, I went with a 4-footer. I figured if I’m gonna’ buy a table, I’m gonna’ buy a TABLE. 🙂
Yeah, Timber looks natural sitting in the co-pilot seat.
We have two (3) tables. Coleman Pack-Away Outdoor 4-in-1 Table (31in x 15in), it is two tables. Also have the Lifetime 48in. The Lifetime is built to be used, folds up easily and with a piece of carpet works as a “shop” table! The 4-in-1 Coleman seems fragile, but we have used it a lot over 2 years. Have kept in in the plastic and box it came in. From 6.5ft banquet dining to coffee tables in a few minutes.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000003098-Pack-Away-Outdoor-Table/dp/B00GVK7YT8
Since I am one who always touts our beautiful sunny days here in Gods Country, Arizona and since so many of our fellow Blogorinos are suffering with terrible weather I thought it fitting to admit it is raining, no sun, kinda cool (52) here right now. I hope this makes those of you living in the snow regions feel a little better.
As long as everyone is safe and warm….it’s all good!
The west needs some rain…JUST not all at once!
Thanks for the weather update AZJim…you and Detta have a great day!
Will do…:)
Yes Jim, it does make those of us in cold country feel kinda better. At 52, we’d be looking for our bathing suits!. Was 24 here on Monday, a real heat wave. Enjoy your piece of heaven that is Arizona and thanks for the weather report.
JazzLover
Hi Sue,
That Bridgette makes me laugh so much, she is such a princess. I have a male dominate animals house, both cats male, dog male even my lizard is male.. To see Bridgette’s reaction makes me want a female just for that. lol.. Beautiful pictures, it so nice to see you and Rusty spending some time together and that all is good with him, I remember his little train in the outside of his house. Ok so I really did think about what you said about a Class C etc.. So started really looking at it, like you I have to plan and save .. I have 8 years to get me ready for retirement, and like you very small pension. So if you don’t mind how did you end up saving for the cargo van and the trailer? for me it seems I have to put away about 600 a month to be able to do that.. scary stuff, but through all these blogs I am really learning. thanks again for sharing, its been such a pleasure rolling through the days with you and Bridgette. 🙂
You are pricing in some significant inflation over the next 8 years if you need $600/mo savings. Either that or it is your intent to buy both the Casita and the Van new. I think you can probably get a used van and used Casita for less than $57,600 eight years from now but I could be wrong.
Also the rig choice affects the numbers considerably…
thanks edlfrey, right now a trailer new about a 17 to 20 foot 24,000 without tax, cargo van even used run about 22,000.. that is just what I am seeing now. yes I guess I overestimated, but looking a very small pension I don’t want any issues either that I would have to fix in the first yr or so.. Its not just a feasible way to live but its my dream also.. I like simple and don’t need a lot to survive 🙂 but I like a beautiful view from my window 🙂
Hi, Dancer,
How did I save for the Perfect Tow Vehicle and the Best Little Trailer?
I didn’t buy anything that wasn’t necessary. Not even if an item cost only 25 cents. If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, I didn’t spend the money, I saved it. That’s the way I lived for about six years. The last year or two, when I realized that I had saved enough to set myself up with the Casita, a tow vehicle, solar set-up, and so forth, I allowed myself a few extras.
During the saving years, I figured out how to eat cheaply. I gave up eating meat. I had breakfasts that cost about 50 cents or less to make. I never ate lunch on a weekday. I never ate in a restaurant or a fast food restaurant, unless I was invited by coworkers and couldn’t refuse. I bought inexpensive vegetables and eggs for supper. I let my friend and his friends grow vegetables on my land which they shared with me. I never bought a Starbucks coffee or a pack of gum or anything that wasn’t necessary.
For six years I did not run my heat pump for air conditioning (and this was in Georgia!). I relied on two oscillating fans. I only turned on a light when it was needed and I was near it. I disconnected the automatic safety light on a pole outside my home. I stopped using my central heating. I bought a space heater and set it wherever I was going to be in my house and dressed warmly, sleeping in layers of clothing. I did not run hot water more than necessary. I stopped using my dishwasher. I did not buy a cell phone when everyone else I knew was buying them and urging me to do the same.
I did not pay for entertainments of any kind. I gave up TV which gave me the money I used to spend for cable to save. I did not replace things that wore out. I had to have clothes for work so I bought them in thrift stores. I wore my hair in a way that required very little maintenance. I didn’t buy jewelry. I didn’t buy books. I did not own a camera and wouldn’t buy even a cheap one. I had my dogs and they were my comfort and my entertainment. I bought them what they needed.
I never went on a vacation trip and never took any road trips. I drove to work and back, to the grocery store and any other necessary place, and nowhere else.
I lived that way for about six years, as I wrote above. The last two years or so I was kinder to myself because I knew I was going to make my dream come true.
People say they can’t do things because they can’t afford it. Then in the next breath they’re spending money on things they don’t need. If you want something badly enough, you do what it takes to make it happen.
Good luck, Dancer. It tickles me that Bridget gives you some laughs. 🙂
wow I knew you were an amazing lady, but this story shows me that you are most amazing. yes I can see how you did it now. Yes I am frugal but I still have a son at home, so can’t be that frugal, but like you never buy anything I don’t’ have to not for me anyway. thank you so much for sharing with me / us. This is what I thought how you did it, because I started planning to go this way. Your site always puts a smile on my face and realizes just what a beautiful world we live in. Thank you again Sue.. Dance under the stars and be free 🙂 yes I just adore Bridget and I miss Spike 🙂 but I look forward to the day you and your new mate find each other. stay safe
You’re welcome, Dancer.
That is SERIOUS determination!
Rock on Desert woman!
🙂
Fantastic summary Sue. I really admire you. Your approach to full timing sounds a lot like what I’m doing right now. Thank you for inspiring me and because of your blog I believe this time next year I should be in my very own RV which I’m planning to own outright without applying for any loans.
Meanwhile I love my very inexpensive tenting experiences.
I admire you camping in a tent, R. I might have done that when younger, not now. Yes, the freedom of this lifestyle includes freedom from debt. You are wise to wait for the right time.
http://geogypsytraveler.com/2015/03/01/birding-at-the-salton-sea/ This is the post about the Salton Sea that I thought was interesting……..
Gaelyn is an excellent photographer and she has a camera to drool for!
First Bridget+Timber pic:
Bridget – “I’m lookin’ at you, fool.”
Timber – “Kissy kissy.”
Second B+T pic:
B – “I’m STILL lookin’ at you, fool.”
T – “Kissy kissy kissy.”
I’m currently in Kingman, AZ, at Trotter’s RV Repair getting (you guessed it) some repairs done on my 16′ Scamp. [Sue, me thinks your fridge probs went viral.] Destination from here is north of San Francisco so I can hug the coast through CA, OR and up into WA. I’m following all sorts of convoluted non-Interstate roads on maps (plural) to try and find a way to get there so I don’t have a nervous breakdown in city traffic. Once I hit Bakersfield, CA, the route onward looks complicated. Maybe I can find a nice California winery around Bakersfield to hire me as an out-of-state wine tester for a year or two – you know, until my anti-traffic nerves settle.
JJ
Hi, JJ,
You’re seeing on your California map what I saw on mine re route planning becoming more complicated. Driving willy-nilly around that state can put one in a bind of traffic due to being “trapped” by mountains. I plan to go back to California at a time when the mountain camps are warmer. Good luck!
Also good luck with the repair to your Scamp…
Not so complicated. Take CA 166 west to CA 227 north to CA 1 along the coast until joining with US 101 which you can follow to Seattle, WA
I see 166 west going to 101 south of Santa Maria. I’m still looking for 227. Could you mention a town or at least what part of California to help me find it please? Remember I can’t be dependent upon state parks and I don’t do RV parks. There has to be alternatives along any route I plan. Thanks.
OOps… I see you were replying to JJ. (Comments are out of order on my admin page.) 101 takes you to San Francisco traffic.
Sue,
CA166 runs into US101 north of Santa Maria which I failed to include in my directions to reach CA1. I was intent on getting JJ on CA1 and the coast. CA227 takes off from US101 at Arroyo Grande, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA where you can get on CA1. Yes, US101 and CA1 both go thru San Francisco but CA1 is a very civilized highway thru the ‘city’, not as much like an Interstate that US101 is.
Yes, I was originally directing my reply to JJ. I don’t think there is any camping along the coast other than State Parks and RV Parks. California is not boondocker friendly along the coast and not much better until you get into National Forests. There is some Camping on the Carrizo Plain (use that as a Search term) that I think can be accessed from CA166.
Thanks a lot, Ed. Good to know that about CA1.
Thx Ed. Part of my goal is to stay E of I5 until I’m about even with Sacramento, slide over to Santa Rosa and slide onto CA1 from there. This would allow me to sneak into both Sequoia and Yosemite Ntl Parks for short stays along the way. I only plan to hit the Pacific coast once as a full-timer, as my water thing is mostly lakes. Right now, I’m more concerned about decent (dry, warm, breezy only) weather traveling through beautiful CA than anything else. Oh, and expense, too. I’m hoping to save $$ by Walmart hopping where parking is permitted in some of the more modest-sized cities in between lovely boondocking camps. We shall see….
JJ
You might find some of my route description for the first couple days of a trip that I wrote about. Use link http://edwardfrey.com/roadtrips/trip5.html and then click on the MAP button if you want to see the route drawn on a map. The map is interactive so you can zoom in and out or drag it around. The map is true to the written route description or the best that I could do.
Oh my, Ed. That route you took from Reno to Bodega Bay is perfect for me … goes under Sacramento, lands above San Francisco, no interstate driving, some Walmart overnight parking you mentioned going up the coast.
I LOVE YOU MAN!!! JJ
Timber is awesome.
He’s quite a dog!
Good morning Sue,
Your list of ways to save money was full of good ideas that are more fun to read about than live through,I know.I’m impressed yet not surprised,and am sure you could have added to the list.Other than the friend vegetable growing part,I’ve lived that way most of my life.That’s in large part how I was able to afford my son’s education,the fields of interest I’ve been involved in,the homes I’ve had and travel I’ve done.For a while during one particular pinch I did things that might make you grin.
Bought the cheapest laundry powder/detergent-used it as shampoo/hand/body/face/shower /dish/floor/clothes soap-. Used a few hours on days off from both jobs to pick fruits and vegetables for a local grower in exchange for free bags of his fresh produce each time.Went to the library to learn how to install my own brake pads and ignition switches,etc. to not have the mechanics bill.Lived in a small portion of my home to let someone use the rest and pay me rent or save costs on utilities.-to name a few.
Funny that folks will say “Oh,you’re so lucky to have—–or that you got to go to—–”
Well,enough about that for now.Has it stopped raining and being cloudy there ?We are getting intermittent breaks of a touch warmer temps that allow things to melt and thaw.You mentioned clutter yesterday. A joy for me to replace winter’s beauty will be getting my recyclables out of the house.The snow banks have made it impossible to put them by the road for weeks,surprising how many things it takes to take care of my little troupe.Hope it’s nice enough out for you and Bridget to enjoy time exploring today.I hope to run errands while the roads are safe so will see a lot of wildlife that’s been hiding recently 🙂
Good morning, weather,
I’m surprised by the amount of rain that has fallen on this part of the desert in the past 48 hours. I thought the monsoon season was summer! It’s not raining this morning …
You add excellent ways to save/make money to the list I started. The struggles of those years make this time of our lives sweet! This may seem silly to some, but I’ll tell you anyway. After a life of scrimping, I get a big thrill out of being able to walk into a convenience store and buy a cup of coffee and a pastry to go with it. Really! Just having the freedom to do that, to treat myself (single mothers understand this), to buy a table because it’s the one I want and not because it’s the cheapest, things like that give me great delight!
Your recycling piling up… A result of winter I hadn’t thought of…
About exploring… I would like to leave camp today to buy some propane in town, to pick up more water, and to explore the area. It depends upon the condition of the ground to drive out of here. The PTV wouldn’t have any trouble on this saturated ground, but I don’t want to make a mess of the lane and this campsite. I can always wait another day, if need be. The desert does dry out quickly, so who knows…
Enjoy the pleasure of driving on dry roads lined with snowbanks, breaking out of your “den” along with the wildlife…
Weather, my friend, becareful out there, I know the excitement of getting out and about and getting things done is what your heart desires….I hope you do see wildlife peaking out from behind all those snow banks, and maybe lunch with a friend to make the day complete…hugs to you and happy wiggles for the troupe.
Hi Sue. Great photos of Timber & Bridget–that girl knows how to put a pup in his place! I was relieved to hear that Timber never gets far away & comes immediately when Rusty calls. Ari can become very distracted by scent on the ground & her nose often distracts her. Jim has her trained to come to the whistle & if that doesn’t work, a tone from her electronic collar. It’s a relief for us to know we can keep her safe. The table looks perfect–I put it on my wish list & will go back through your blog to order it when we get home. I’m ashamed to admit that I asked Jim to pack our 6′ long table & we haven’t used it once. It’s perfect for at-home projects but much too cumbersome to use while boondocking. We had a day-long windstorm here at Pancho Villa SP in Columbus, NM & it’s raining right now. We’ll go into town for errands & to see the museum at the depot & then come home & veg. That’s always fun on a rainy day. Take good care–hope the storm has bypassed you & Rusty.
Hi, Dawn,
You’re at Pancho Villa! Haven’t been there myself. Spring winds in the Southwest can be surprisingly powerful. It’s a good idea to check the forecast for wind and gusts before pulling out of camp or before setting up a camp. I look for natural windbreaks, although in some parts of the desert there aren’t any! Sounds like the rainclouds that were here, have moved into NM….
If you hadn’t packed the big table, you might have missed it. Now you know it’s not right. Nothing to be ashamed of. I’m forever changing what I haul around. If I haven’t used it in a year, it may be time to get rid of it.
Enjoy the museum and when you come home, relax to the sound of rain on the roof. 🙂
Good Morning Sue,
Wow, did we have an exciting day here in Huntington Beach yesterday….I have NEVER seen MY beach covered with white….We had a freak hail storm yesterday and it looked like some place back east…The whole beach was white, the streets had 1/2″ of hail piled up…Main street looked like a post card…What the heck!!!! Anyway, I don’t know if that storm is headed your way, they said it was working its way more to the South. But if it comes your way, what fun it was for a few hours…Still in the 40’s this morning, but sun is out and sunrise was one of God’s best… I hope you are able to take Bridget on a ride today and get the supplies that you need to make your stay more comfortable…and about what you went through to save…you are a better woman than me…you deserve all that you have now and all that you are able to get in the way of revenue from Amazon….I hope to continue to add to the booty….Enjoy your life and buy what you need and want with glee. Blogorinos unite!
Good morning, Shirlene,
You were blessed with a remarkable sight! As for here, the sky is clearing up nicely. It’s sunny and bright.
Thank you for your thoughtful words.
Sunny and bright, well then off you go!…..or maybe not….maybe you are working on a new post? Good for us, more pictures….oooohhhh, ahhhhhhh. I am really busy, but it breaks up my day….hugs.
Another very interesting post with great photos. Just to let you know, desert lilies are blooming. This morning woke up to 42 degrees. Lots of snow on the top of mountains.
Hi, R.,
Coming here I knew I’d miss a lot of wildflowers. You’re in a great place to see them. Enjoy!
I love to read about the frugal things you did to get where you are today. My husband and I bought our first house in 1993-cost about 74000. About 2 years in on paying the mortgage I thought Why do this for the next 30 years, its crazy! I doubled the payment, giving up other things we could have bought. We paid it off in 9 years and then took the money we would have been paying for a mortgage and bought 15 acres in the country. 2 years later we were able to sell our house for much more than we paid for it and took the money to build us a house on our country property. We were then able to move there and pay off the house in about 3 years. We then got rid of our 22 year old bmw 325 (best car I ever had) and were able to buy a sturdier used Demo. My Dad, a child of the depression, always said never buy anything that you don’t have the money to pay for in the bank! Of course, he didn’t mean a house-although I do remember my parents burning their mortgage! Frugality rocks!
Way to go, Terri!
Hey Sue. A Casita just came up on our Rolling Oldies Trash to Treasures page on FB. Would you care if someone sent a link to it? It is in AZ. I thought I would ask… but it is cool if you don’t want to… it could get insane. I just know they don’t come up often used (cuz peoples like them! 🙂 ).
Hugs from a GORGEOUS HOQUIAM!
Barb
I don’t mind, Barb. Thank you for asking.
Hey! Sue. Haven’t said anything in awhile. Hope you were on high ground last couple of days! It rained for 24 straight hours up here where I’m at and we had Hail! Pea size but HAIL! don’t see that very often. Desert sure smells good after a good shower, don’t it? Anyway, just saying Hi! Scratch the babies behind their ears for me. later. the rat
No hail here but lots of rain… steady rain for several hours. Hope you didn’t have any leaks! 🙂