RVing on the mesas on Easter weekend

Happy Passover and Happy Easter from Reggie and me!

~ ~ ~

Saturday, April 15

A beautiful, warm, and calm day on Snowbird Mesa near Overton, Nevada.  I prefer to call it Poverty Flats or Magnificent Mesa.

 I want to show you how folks camp on the mesa. 

Perhaps, while you look at these photos, you’ll feel like you’re camping on the mesa, too!

We’re out early in the morning and some of these shots are into the sun. 

In the next photo examine closely and you’ll see an RV on the left.  Another is on the right, just a speck in the distance.

The past few years I’ve noticed more travel trailers being towed by vans. 

Not many, but when we first hit the road in 2011, a van as tow vehicle was rarely seen.  I know some people will always love their trucks, but I love having a van!

Reggie and I go off “the beaten path.”

We find a slope not too steep for us.  It goes down to the wash that winds through the canyon.  We don’t go that far because it becomes treacherous with loose rocks.  Far enough for a good angle for the next photo . . . .

Slopes facing south are good for flower-hunting. 

That’s where we find tiny “nosegays,” like in the first photograph.  That cluster is about the size of a half-dollar.  Here’s a bigger cluster, about four inches in diameter.

Bristle Gilia

This next photo shows an interesting plant. Each branch has fuzzy gray blooms.  I’m quite sure the green bush next to it is sage, judging from the pleasant aroma when I crush a few leaves.

We climb up the slope and our camp and our closest neighbors come into view.

Speaking of neighbors . . . .

On the return to our campsite, two large toy-haulers pulled by diesel trucks move in next to us.  Out come the quads, the firewood, the cases of beer, and up goes the volume on the music.  Saturday of Easter weekend, the end of Spring Break, people are going to party!

Rather than be irritated on this holy weekend, I pull up stakes and move camp.

We return to Sand Mine Road on the other mesa!

Ahhhh. . . . peace and quiet . . . .

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.

Didn’t RVSue use up the 15-day camping limit?  Well, yes, I did.

I respect that rule.  But, gall darn it, I’m not going to suffer listening to engines and loud talking and boom-boom-boom “music” when I can have quietude and serenity instead.  No matter where I go on the mesa, that’s what will move in next to me because there’s a giant, invisible magnet on the bumper of the Best Little Trailer.

By our leaving, the party people are happy and Reggie and I are happy.  Win-win!

(And I’m not taking the last campsite over here.  There are plenty of other sites.  If I receive a fine, I’ll pay it without complaint.)

Sunday, April 16

I watch the sun rise. 

Reggie is still asleep beside me on the bed.  Later, while enjoying coffee, the wild burros begin their morning braying. Then a scratchy-clattering noise startles me.  Reggie wakes up, jumps up, and growls.  I jump up, too!

I find a wren sitting on the partially raised roof-vent cover.  For an instant we connect and then he flies away.

“Happy Easter!”

The desert lilies at our camp near Blythe a short while ago

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85 Responses to RVing on the mesas on Easter weekend

  1. A beautiful Easter Day to you and Reggie Man!

  2. Norman in San Diego says:

    First today?

  3. Nancy in California says:

    Happy Easter to Sue and Reggie! I hope you found a nice peaceful campsite to enjoy this beautiful day!!

  4. Pat Hall, City of Rocks says:

    Happy Easter!!!

  5. Kat and Cookie Dog in NYState says:

    Happy Easter Sue and Reggie!

  6. rvsueandcrew says:

    HELLO, BLOGORINOS!

    I’m going to fade into the background. Feel free to share topics of interest to you, while I take a break today. Please welcome new people, answer any questions that arise, and enjoy each other’s company.

    Thank you for the happy Easter greetings!
    Sue

  7. Cat Lady says:

    Happy Easter, Sue and Reggie.

  8. Happy Easter Sue…we don’t often comment but Ben and I love your blog. We often read it out loud either traveling some where or just sitting on our Casita. And laugh together. You always make us laugh.
    A few days ago I said to someone we met, “we read a blogger who is a solo traveler with her dog…”.
    “Oh, you mean RVSue?”
    Yep, that’s her.
    Thank you.

    • Rover Ronda (WA) says:

      I’m glad you commented today. I think it’s great you often read Sue’s blog out loud together and share in the laughter. I also think Sue’s writing is entertaining and funny. Although I don’t read it out loud I often laugh out loud😃 That’s cool you met another reader. Maybe some day we’ll meet on the road. Currently we only RV a few times a year. Someday….until then I “travel” with RVSue & Blogorinos. Thanks for commenting 😃

  9. Pat from Mich. says:

    I know what you mean about the magnet on the bumper. My son and I experience that in restaurants. We pick a place that looks fairly peaceful, then in comes a large family with squalling kids – sits next to us of course, sigh.

    • Judy in East Texas says:

      Oh I hate when that happens! I just want a little peace with my food…..is that too much to ask….ha ha ha
      Judy

      • beach boomer says:

        On a roadtrip, we pulled into an outdoor mall parking lot in the a.m. just before the market opened. There were acres of empty parking spaces, and I parked my minivan next to the market basket enclosure railing. Just as I was opening my door, a vehicle pulls in so tight that I was forced to pull in my door, crawl across the front seat, and slide sideways out my door! Just like being with the RVs on the mesa — bumper magnetic on!

  10. Virginis620 (AL) says:

    Hope the Easter bunny found y’all. Hugs ti both.

  11. Diane J says:

    Happy Easter to you and Reggie!…….enjoy your peace and quiet.

  12. Beverly says:

    A few years ago, a family was living in what looked like a pirate’s boat. The boat was an attraction for a couple years. LOVE Poverty Flats! The sky is forever entertaining from the mesa. If you ever go through Alamo, stop at the restaurant on the hill–I think it is called Windmill Ridge and order their ribs. Yum!

    • Rover Ronda (WA) says:

      Interesting, would have liked to have seen that boat. I bet that family had an adventurous life. I hope they’re still living somewhere unusual.

  13. Vicky in PA says:

    Happy Easter RVSue and Reggie. It’s a beautiful day here in Pennsylvania but I would rather be out there on the mesa! One day…

  14. Judy in East Texas says:

    Hi Sue and Reggie….I love where you ended up, it looks majestic. Isn’t it great that you can just pack up and head somewhere else instead of just sitting and miserable. Ahhhh the joys of boondocking. Have a wonderful and blessed day.
    Stay safe out there, judy

  15. Sherri D says:

    Oh my gosh I sure enjoyed the flower photos this cheery Easter morning. Thank you Sue! (and Reggie too)
    Happy Easter!

  16. Shawna says:

    HAPPY EASTER Sue and Reggie!

  17. Happy Easter to all Blogerinos! I thought I would hop in here with Easter greeting…traveled all the way from Florida in 9 days to get home…ahhhh feels good..but nothing like life on the road. We will be here in Long Beach for a month and then up in the high Desert before we head to Utah and the Boise for a month or two to visit younger daughter…what fun retirement is..but so busy..I don’t know how Sue keeps up with it…Hi to my friend Weather and enjoy your day everyone.

  18. Robin (from Oregon) says:

    Great post as usual. I have to admit when I first glanced at the topic, I had a dyslexic moment and thought was “RVing on the Mess of Easter Weekend.” HaHa! However, upon reading your post, the arrival of your next door neighbors was kind of a mess so maybe it was a psychic reading.

    Happy Easter to you and the Reggie-Man! We’ll be spending it cleaning up after our huge garage sale yesterday in preparation to put the house on the market so we can move down south somewhere.

    • Rover Ronda (WA) says:

      Wow, I read it as mess too at first.

      All the best for your move. I bet it feels good to have the garage sale behind you.

  19. ValGal (westernWA) says:

    Happy Easter and any holiday you celebrate, RV Sue and Blogarinos! WooHoo! Happy Spring!

    The nosegays are gorgeous!

    Have a fantastic day everyone!

  20. FloridaScott says:

    Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
    My, oh my, what a wonderful day
    Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

    Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
    It’s the truth, it’s actual
    Ev’rything is satisfactual
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
    Wonderful feeling, wonderful day, yes sir!

    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
    My, oh my, what a wonderful day
    Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

    Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
    It’s the truth, it’s actual
    Ev’rything is satisfactual
    Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
    Wonderful feeling, feeling this way

    Hi Sue & Reggie!

    Whats This got to do with Easter? Absolutely nothing. It’s such a Happy infectious song that I could not get it out of my head. Now you and all the Blogorinos will be singing it all day. Ha! Happy Easter!

    • Pauline in Mississippi says:

      Love that song!!!! Remember singing it in the station wagon with my sisters Susan and Nancy, Mother and Aunt Eleanor, Cousins Lana and Brenda on the ride from Cambridge New York to Bennington VT to get groceries every Saturday!!! Thanks for the memories, FloridaScott

      • rvsueandcrew says:

        Those were the days, my friend… We thought they’d never end…

        • Kathy (NC) says:

          Many, many years ago I sat in the BBC recording studio in Glasgow, Scotland and watched Mary Hopkin record this song for a TV show. Boyfriend was a musician in the BBC orchestra so I got to sit in on several recording sessions. Thanks for the memories of a very special and happy time!

  21. Elizabeth in WA says:

    You made the best choice, Sue…rules sometimes must be broken in life in keeping peace. Hope it remains peaceful for the weekend…then you could always return to where you were!! The things we do to keep peace with others…but I am like you…not a fighter, a retreater and leave-er for other places!! We well may end up like you…going from place to place…it is enticing!!

  22. Pam and Maya, still in NY says:

    Happy Easter, Happy Spring to Sue, Reggie and all the Blogerinos! Sue, I really enjoyed your beautiful flower photos! I’ve been thinking about my wonderful Easter two years ago at Roosevelt Lake in Arizona. ( which you had suggested to me) it was warm enough for Maya and I to swim at the beach. I hope I’m back there by next Easter!

  23. Mary in CO says:

    What a coincidence! We have one of those giant magnets on the bumper of our camper, too. Part of the problem comes from setting up camp too early in the day, but we have moved due to the same type of neighbors. Takes all kinds, I guess. Here at 9000 feet we’ve discovered the Pasquale flowers and some tiny little cactus blooming. They are an amazing sutprise. Did the Easter bunny leave Reggie anything?

  24. Ann M in VA says:

    Happy Easter, RV Sue and Reggie, and all the Blogorinos!! Beautiful sunny day in Va.

    Ann M

  25. Geri, Florida panhandle! says:

    HAPPY EASTER! So you had to move but very glad there was a peaceful place nearby!
    Beautiful day here, hope your day is beautiful too! <3

  26. Pauline in Mississippi says:

    Happy Easter Dear Sister! The first picture of the blue flower is beautiful but the last picture of the lilies is breathtaking. You are such a good photographer!!!!!
    Why do people want to sit right on top of other people!!! Always amazes me. Don’t blame you for moving.
    Hope you and Reggie have a wonderful peaceful day
    Love to both of you

  27. Karen LeMoine says:

    It’s a glorious Easter Day! Enjoying it with my 4 little chis while munching on a burger with fresh sweet strawberries on the side!Hope everyone is having a blessed peaceful weekend!

  28. Happy Passover, Resurrection Day and Easter to RvSue and Reggie and to all the Blogerooos who follow RvSue, to all have a pleasant day and be safe,,,,,,, 🐾👣👀

  29. Happy Easter to you and Reggie. Glad you found a peaceful spot to enjoy the weekend your way. The little flowers are so pretty.

  30. ApplegirlNY says:

    Easter Blessings to everyone. He has risen!

    I’m still having technical difficulties with the comment section of the blog – and I don’t see any ad links or any Amazon links at all anymore.

    Perhaps the issue is on my end, but I haven’t changed anything. Anyone with thoughts?

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Applegirl…. All links have been removed for the month of April. To shop Amazon, click on one of the ads at the bottom. You’ll see a search box when the page opens. Anything ordered through an ads portal earns me much larger commission this month. May 1st I’ll return to links and lists of what readers have purchased.

      I think the response to my support ticket is delayed due to the holiday. I’m sorry you’re still having problems with comments. I know they load very slowly.

    • weather says:

      Hi, Applegirl, my current thought about technical difficulty with the comment section is that it may have been resolved. As I type this I am able to see a comment I left on here earlier this morning. If this reply is one I can see after posting it, I’ll be more convinced of that.

      In any event, Sue, thank you for your efforts in maintenance and repair. I know all of that must be challenging and time consuming .

    • weather says:

      Oops, I guess the difficulty with comments hasn’t completely been resolved yet. I don’t see the reply I just left on my laptop’s screen.Things do seem headed in the right direction, though 🙂 . Sue,I hope aside from dealing problems with the blog that you’re having a nice morning and will have a wonderful day!

  31. Suzicruzi from Van., WA says:

    Hugs to you both! 🤗

  32. R. (Near Anza, CA) says:

    Happy and quiet easter RVSue. As to the flowers, check out Bristle Gilia and the fuzzy one could be desert lilac which has a wonderful scent. If you can take a closer picture of its branch we could identify it. Please.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Yes, the purple flowers are Bristle Gilia! Thank you! That fuzzy plant is over on the other mesa. In the morning I’ll look for one on this mesa. If I find it, I’ll sniff for lilac and also take a better, closer pic.

      You have taught us so much, R.!

      I like this website with its excellent photos of flowers, categorized by color. You may know of it… I’ll post a link for any readers who are interested. Amazing how many different flowers can be found in the Southwest!

      southwestdesertflora.com

      And here’s a photo of the Bristle Gilia at the Lake Mead Rec Area’s online newsletter.

      • R. (Idyllwild, CA) says:

        hi Sue, thanks for your kind words. Im learning too and this is a great link you included. This bush on the right looks like cheesebush. Would you please take a look and check it out for me. Thanks, I could be wrong of course.

  33. Dawn in MI says:

    Just beautiful, thank you for sharing. I’ve never seen desert lilies in bloom before. How wonderful, and those delicate blue/purple flowers at the beginning, just wonderful! Love the shot of your camp, all by yourself too. That’s the way I’d like to camp.

    Hope you had a peaceful Easter, sounds like you probably did. We did too. AND it’s my birthday today, so it was extra nice.

  34. Mark Greene says:

    Happy Easter Sue, The desert looks very peaceful. I would have had to move from all that noise and I consider myself a people person.
    We had a van all the years the kids were growing up, pulling our popup. I didn’t realize when I sold it how much the kids loved that van. My youngest said today she wants a van to live in and travel for several years. My second and third daughters have been texting me pictures of class Cs, thinking they want to live in a motorhome. My oldest writes a travel blog. I guess all that traveling we did has gotten in their blood.

    Mark,
    Salina Ks

  35. Pookie and Chuck in Todd Mission Tx says:

    happy easter to you sue and all the blogerinos here…….
    chuck and pookie

  36. Rover Ronda (WA) says:

    Happy Easter RVSue, Reggie & Blogorinos!🌷

  37. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    Happy Easter, Sue and Reggie!

    I love those tiny purple flowers. So delicate! I have to wonder if some folks started out with a different tow vehicle, only to realize the merits of a van. All of that extra storage comes in handy for full-timers. And then there are whose who were inspired by your blog… Glad that you found another peaceful spot to enjoy the rest of the weekend! 🙂

    Sending you both love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂

    • R. (Anza, CA) says:

      The fuzzy one should be desert lavender which has a wonderful scent and usually many bees buzzing around. I’m not sure why I said that was desert lilac. Maybe i saw too many ramona lilacs on my recent hike. I’m sorry about that.

  38. R. (Anza, CA) says:

    Love those photos. As to your flowers the first one is bristle gilia and the fuzzy one should be desert lavender which has a wonderful scent and usually has many bees buzzing around.

  39. suzicruzi from Van, WA. says:

    Happy Monday Sue,
    In reading all the comments of the past several posts, I was thinking how lucky you are to have so many people checking in that care about you. What a true blessing. I love your desert photos, and I’m literally counting the months left before I have a chance to witness some of these scenes myself. It’s been a challenge this year, Sue, living in the PNW. We’ve had a really rough, and very long Winter. We’ve yet to see a temperature above 68* in the Portland/Vancouver area. Yesterday we went hiking in the Gorge (you’ve driven and camped through there), expecting at least 69* and sunny. It was in the 50’s, overcast, and very, very windy, which made for very COLD temps above 3,000′ where we ended up. We love our Gorge, and we love the PNW, but we are truly counting down until we can escape in our little Casita! Cheers for a wonderful day for both you and Mr. Reggie. He’s just so darn cute, and so sweet, I’m so glad you have this little guy for your companion. And he’s glad he has you! xo

  40. weather says:

    Looking at the photo above “Speaking of Neighbors” I pictured it with the addition of trucks, toy haulers, quads, people walking around talking loud enough to hear each other over the loud music…

    Then I looked at the photo below that one, seeing how within that quiet serenity one would be startled by the noise of a wren rattling a bit of metal, and smiled about you having the moment of connection with the little bird before it flew away.

    Great decision to move to the Sand Mine Road campsite, Sue! What makes a holiday enjoyable is different for everyone. By moving you made that easier for all involved to do. Now that the weekend is past you can return to Magnificent Mesa if you want to.

    Really tiny flowers are often my favorite ones. The Bristle Gilia are beautiful. Thanks for the link to southwestdesertflora. I love that stuff, 🙂 !

  41. So glad that you had a beautiful Easter inspite of the clingers….the flowers are gorgeous! Love the desert in the spring!!

  42. Barb from Hoquiam! says:

    Hi Sue and Reggie too!
    How marvelous the flowers are! Here in the Pac NW our spring seems very delayed… I have photos from a few years ago that were all a-bloom… not so much this year, though things are coming along. Our blueberries are LOADED! And I got another blueberry from my daughter for my birthday!

    Glad you found a peaceful Easter!

    Hugs from Hoquiam,
    Barb

  43. Thank you for posting the beautiful photos of the desert flowers.

    I’ve been camping in the part of Clark county before. What is worse is to hike several miles in (mostly below Hoover Dam) set up a minimal camp and then have a rental boatload of jackasses (loud ‘music’, booze, drugs and all that go with it) show up right next door – just before dark. Ahhh…yeah. Moving is an option, but it is often a PITA, so I’m happy you are able to move with just some effort.

    Looking forward to my next visit and the really cool photos I know will be here….
    BTW – a nice couple we know left Alaska and moved to…Overton. I guess they got tired of the snow. It is a small world after all.

  44. Could you please put a “recent purchase” link at the bottom? My ad blocker will not allow any of the Amazon ads to display. Currently I don’t have a method to enter Amazon from your blog. Thanks.

    If you can’t disable adblocker, let me know. This situation is for April only. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      If you have Adblocker installed, you can disable it for this page only. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Open Adblocker and you’ll see where to disable. Thanks.

  45. SuziCruzi says:

    Hey Sue, thanks for the reply about Dale. Kind of leaves you wondering I guess. Let’s hope he finished his ride, and is safe and sound on another journey somewhere. 😊

  46. Cheryl Tucker in The Lower Thumb of MI says:

    Speaking of vans, my hubby and I had a full-size ’77 Chevy Van Conversion. We could sleep cozily in the back (full size), a dorm ‘fridge w/tiny freezer, small sink w/hand pump, reading lights all over the place, swivel Captain’s chairs (4), a rather large closet for storage. We went on our honeymoon in it and camped from MI, through Ludington, took the Ferry to see the
    Upper & Lower Wisconsin Dell’s, & everything in between; took our little black Cockapoo, GiGi With us. Had an absolute blast on the Ferry & the Dell’s. Cooked out a few times, went to a couple of motels, & and feasted at various restaurants when we felt like it.

    This was was way back in ’78, 4th of June. Weather was perfect for the only time for the 36 years of our marriage…but we are still just as happy as the day we got married!

    Just thought I’d share that “Van” experience with everyone. Thanks blogarino friends!

  47. weather says:

    Hi, Sue, perhaps the bush (cheesebush?) on the right R. referred to is in the photo beneath the one of Bristle Gilia. In the post you wrote that you think it is sage. Taking her lead I found desert cheesebush (ambrosia salsola), yet it’s described as having a foul smell. You found it’s scent to be pleasant. During my web search I saw a photo of Burrobush(ambrosia dumosa) that bore a strong resemblance to the bush in your photo. Both R. and you are far more likely to accurately identify it than I am, I’m just mentioning clues I found that may help.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Good morning, weather,

      Yes, that’s probably what R. meant. I looked at cheesebush and this plant is different. I researched more this morning and I’m leaning toward it being Low Sage or a similar variety of sage.. Crushing the leaves releases an aroma that is undeniably sage. I brought a sprig inside and compared the leaves with an illustration I found (wish I saved the site!).

      The low-growing mounds you see on the slopes in my photos of this area are the same plant.

      Isn’t it fun researching the fascinating desert! I enjoy having you and R. sharing my interest… 🙂

      • weather says:

        Yes, it is fun! I found an entire page of photos of low sage. Some of those photos show it growing on mesas that may be the ones you’ve recently been camped on, Neat!

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