Friday, January 15
Sonoran Desert boondock, Why, Arizona
The crew and I hit the road early, heading out of Ogilby Road Camp, Winterhaven, California. We fly across Yuma on Interstate-8 and don’t stop until we reach Wellton, Arizona.
Wellton is a town popular with RVers.
A huge RV park is located on the north side of the interstate. If you turn south off the interstate you go into Coyote Wash (not into the wash, that’s the name of the place) which is the location of a long-time boondocking area.
Right before one arrives at the Coyote Wash boondocking area, there’s a parking lot.
We stop and I let Bridget and Reggie out for a potty run. In the nick of time, I might add. Then I fill up five one-gallon jugs of water at the handy vending machine. Water is only 50 cents for five gallons! I paid 30 cents a gallon in Blythe, California.
Hello, Arizona!
I gas up the Perfet Tow Vehicle and we get back on the interstate. Onward we go through Dateland, Sentinel, past the turn for Painted Rocks, all the way to Gila Bend. With firm resolve I drive right by Carl’s Jr and point the PTV onto Route 85 south.
The road to Ajo is familiar to me.
We stop for another walk-about at the roadside shelter about 20 miles before reaching Ajo. I drop a bag of trash in the receptacle and we continue on our way. Soon I’m setting up the camp you see in the opening photo.
After the long ride Bridget and Reggie are ecstatic to arrive at a new camp!
We’re living among the saguaros again. Here’s photo taken during “the golden hour.”
Saturday, January 16
First thing this morning, after breakfast, Bridget, Reggie and I spill out of the Best Little Trailer into the outdoor room of our new home.
“Ya’ know? I should fix the sugar water and set up the hummingbird feeder. I see the perfect place for it.”
Our campsite has a circular driveway.
Someone placed rocks around the saguaro and creosote bushes. They look nice, plus they protect the plants from vehicle wheels. Isn’t Bridgee pretty in the photo above?
I don’t know if we’ll get any hummers here.
It may take a few days. Cactus wrens are abundant. They flit and swoop from cactus to mesquite to cactus. They make a sound that says “desert” better than any other. Click the link above to hear it and see if you aren’t transported here.
Of course, the crew and I follow our routine and go for a walk.
The first walk in a new camp is always a treat! This environment, however, presents danger for Bridget and Reggie. The diabolical cholla (pronounced choy-ya) lives here!
Ooooh…. spooooky.
The above monster aside, cholla cacti have a deceptively soft appearance.
I think you’ll agree that they are attractive plants when seen in sunshine.
Ha! You’re not fooling me, you nasty cholla!
I allow Reggie to walk no more than six to ten feet from me, and I keep a firm hold on his shortened tether, ready to yank him away from any cholla pieces lying in our path.
I marvel at Bridget’s avoidance of cholla. How did she learn that? She’s never caught one in a paw that I can remember. I certainly didn’t train her. She doesn’t go near a cholla and we walk past several of them. That girl amazes me.
Besides the saguaros and cholla cacti, this camp has organ pipes!
This one has seen some stress, yet it’s recovered.
Several of the photos of our walk don’t come out well. It isn’t until we’re close to our campsite that I realize I’ve had the camera on the wrong setting.
We hang out on the blue mat and then I’m hit with a burst of ambition. More specifically, I’m hit with a desire for fresh vegetables for the fridge.
“Hey, guys! Let’s go into town!”
Bridget trots over to the side door of the Perfect Tow Vehicle and I pitch her in.
Reggie, still on his 20-foot tether, runs in circles around me while I twirl to keep my feet untangled, executes the chihuahuan long jump through the open door of the BLT, comes flying out again, races to me with his ears back and eyes bright, and immediately lies down at my feet, rolling over on his back and sticking his paws upward in delighted submission.
“I’ll take that to mean you want to go to town.”
Off we go!
One of the many things I like about the desert — well, the desert floor, that is — is when you want to go somewhere, you GO! The road goes directly there. None of this endless winding around that’s typical of other areas.
The desert doesn’t fool around. Everything is straightforward, not cute or coy. You want to go somewhere? OKAY THEN!
Go there like you mean it!
Arriving at Ajo we slow to 25 mph like good citizens.
At Olsen’s IGA market I choose a parking space way at the end. This is a futile attempt to prevent every shopper there from hearing the ridiculous noise of the crew as I hustle into the store.
Ajo, among other things, is an artsy-fartsy town.
It follows that the food selection is on the natural, organic, healthy side. Great! I go nuts. Well, I don’t buy nuts because I have a ton of them back at camp.
The produce section offers up interesting choices.
I grab red leaf lettuce, a yellow pepper, a red onion, a white onion (why, I don’t know… I like the colors), a bouquet of Swiss chard, bok choy (huh?), a cuke, a big head of broccoli (of course), a bunch of radishes, an avocado, and a bag of mung bean sprouts. . . Yes, you heard me. Mung bean sprouts. Why? Because they were there! How often does one come upon mung bean sprouts in a little country store?
The Swiss chard is gone by one o’clock, consumed for lunch.
Supper is stir-fry. Reggie and Bridget insist on tasting the mung bean sprouts out of my mess of stir-fry.
“Okay, just one. Here ya’ go.”
They gobble it up. What a weird pair.
I mentioned in the comments that the internet connection is slow here.
I work on this post, on and off, all afternoon, sitting at the table at the back of the BLT. I happen to glance up and see that the sun is setting.
“Oh, my God!”
You’ve seen breathtaking sunsets. Well, this one is more than breathtaking. It’s practically heart-stopping. I snap these photos, upload them, and put a frame around them. That’s all I do.
I can’t take credit for this splendor!
Unbelievable color spreading up from the horizon, filling the sky!
Imagine — just imagine — standing under this . . . .
“Oh, my God!”
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
I can’t help myself. Here’s one more look at that sunset.
Sunsets are beautiful!
Aren’t they incredible?
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING FIRST TODAY, LAURA!
Me? First? Doing Happy Dance…. in the very very cold midwest! It is 3 degrees F outside here today…brrrr!
Wow is all I can say.
Hi, Cactipete,
I tell you, my heart almost stopped. Tonight’s sunset is the best I’ve ever experienced.
Nice to see you here. You picked a good post (of cacti) to show up under. 🙂
Just logged on and your post popped up! Sure wish I could be with you there in my
“old stomping grounds”…… My hitch itch is SEVERE!!!
However, I do enjoy your blog and all your wonderful pictures and posts!
Hugs for you Miss Sue, your “furkids” and all the blogerino’s…..
From Elizabeth aka E2 and Clyde Cat….
Oh, E2, I wish you could be here, too. I’m pleased to bring you these photos. Hugs to you and Clyde Cat!
WOW FANTASTIC PICTURES! The whole sky is on fire. I live here in Arizona and don’t see such magnificent panoramas of the heavens!!!
Hi, Barbara in phoenix,
You moved! You used to be in Scottsdale. Thank you re the photos. I was fortunate to be here on this date to see and photograph that sunset. You don’t see great sunsets from where you are? I thought they were seen from all over Arizona.
Yes on occasion I encounter an unusually beautiful sunset. Sue your photography tops them all! These are art gallery quality. Welcome back to Arizona, I’m looking forward to traveling along with you and the crew and on your many adventures this winter season.
Thank you, Barbara.
Sue I completely agree. Your photos are professional quality. You’re extremely talented. I know the real credit goes to our creator but all your pics are very good. You just topped yourself on these. WOW. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us. I’m still stuck here in Indiana until March, and we don’t have anything even close to those incredible sunsets.
Thank you, Nancy.
Been following you for some time Sue. We are former Casita owners starting out with a new rig (Airstream) in February. Destination Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. You are an inspiration to all of us who adventure in this great land. Robere & Jacqueline. Bend, OR
Hi, Robere & Jacqueline,
Thank you for riding with us all this time. Best wishes for your travels with your new Airstream!
Bridget and I toured Organ Pipe Cactus NM last year (before Reggie joined our family). The drive through the monument is like floating through a dream. I imagine it’s fun to hike the trails, too.
Thanks also for your kind words.
Beautiful pics, love the sunset. Next year I am going back to Ajo and Why area. It is so pretty there. Enjoy your new camp!!!
Thanks, Pat H. There’s something about Ajo that urges people to return.
Oh my goodness. I was impressed by the beauty of your golden hour opening picture only to have you end up with those sunsets. Absolutely magnificent.
Bridget does look lovely. Looks like the crew made another easy boondocking transition.
Yummy swisschard and bok choy. Eat those greens! I always use a bit of garlic and olive oil like I grew up on in my grandma’s Italian kitchen. I had broccoli rabe made that way tonight. Noting like a wonderful produce department to get you going.
Hi, Applegirl,
I was kicking myself this afternoon that I forgot to buy fresh garlic for my stir-fry! I’m thinking about making a special trip into town tomorrow to buy some. I love broccoli sauteed in olive oil with garlic cloves, until the broccoli is brown and crispy. I learned that from an Italian friend about 40 years ago. She also taught me how to make blue cheese dressing and pesto in a blender. Love that stuff!
Thanks for the compliments on the photos and also for noting the loveliness of HRH.
We’re trying to eat lost more veggies and that broccoli sautéed in garlic oil sounds yummy.
Gorgeous sunset, by the way.
Lots more veggies, not lost 🙁
Would you share the blue cheese and pesto dressing recipe? It sounds delicious.
Marilyn
Oh, Marilyn… That was many, many years ago and I haven’t owned a blender in decades. I’ve forgotten the recipes. All I remember is the blue cheese dressing required olive oil, an egg, and lots of garlic along with the blue cheese of course. I remember my friend buying big bunches of basil at produce stands and making several jars of pesto at a time. She always recommended authentic Locatelli romano cheese for pesto. Hers always tasted better than mine! She was killed in a car accident a few years later. One of the nicest, most self-sacrificing person I’ve known in my life. I’m sorry I lost her recipes.
Broccoli rabe? What is that?
It’s a form of broccoli that is a bit leafier than regular broccoli and a bit more bitter. I love it. I also cook regular broccoli like you do getting it browned. Yummy. We grew up on Swiss chard, escarole, beet greens and anything else that got dragged in from the garden. Dandelion greens in salads too.
My mother cooked that stuff, too… beet greens with the tiny beets attached, and dandelion greens. We picked elderberries and she made pies. And, oh yeah, rhubarb. Bleagh!
Send me the rhubarb! I love the stuff! I grew up eating what we simply called rhubarb sauce and toast for breakfast. Mom also made rhubarb pies with or without strawberries depending on season. Although my grandmother died when I was two, I grew up knowing she grew rhubarb at every house they lived in.
Velda, I love rhubarb, too, but I do understand those that do not like it. I think it’s a texture thing. Also, Sue, maybe it’s linked to those taste-buds receptors that put you off of cilantro – another one of my favorites.
I wish I’d known about those taste bud receptors when my mother put rhubarb pie in front of me when I was a kid! What a great excuse!
It looks to me like you are in the same camp as last January, just about the same dates. I’ll be trailing along soon as I head east and into the iffy conditions of spring in southeastern AZ.
You’re right, my observant friend. This is the same camp we were in last January. I wondered if you’d be coming this way again this year. Yuma and Ogilby Road are fine — nice and warm and convenient. But there comes a time when one just wants to get out of there. Know what I mean?
Anyway…. Moving around southeastern AZ at this time of year into spring is a crapshoot. But, oh, the sunsets…
Darn! No Greek God Honey & Vanilla yogurt at Olsen’s…. Better buy some before you leave Yuma.
No, I will not be in the Ajo/Why area. I’ll be going to my ‘domicile’ in Sierra Vista. It switches back and forth between winter and spring there during that time that people think of as being spring.
You toyed with the idea of visiting that part of the state last year. Give it a try, although I will grant you that your preferred camps are few and far between. I’ll suggest the area south of Patagonia which I think I told you about once before. Great veggie market in Patagonia that carried Greek God Honey & Vanilla (they make a point of having it for me every week). Shopping for other stuff is best done in Nogales.
Or, Portal & Cave Creek (not the Cave Creek near Phoenix). A birders paradise! Not close to much of anything but you would enjoy it until you had to leave for supplies.
Don’t arrive at either of those suggested locations before March or expect to be cold!
I appreciate the info, Ed. I do want to go over there.
Beautiful! I enjoyed your posting of this camp area last time you were here. I am so happy to see you return to this pretty and peaceful desert area. Enjoy and thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Monica! And I am so happy to see you return here!
OMG is right!! Those pix are amazing. I laughed out loud imagining Reggies response to going to town. I could picture it perfectly with your description. I love finding your post in my inbox.
Reggie was so funny! I don’t know what got into him. All of a sudden he’s zooming around… He’s a character. His big thing now is to lie in bed on his back with his feet (paws) on the wall. Then he pushes against the wall, driving himself like a little bulldozer through the covers. I can’t explain it. It’s too hilarious.
I think Reggie remembers going for a ride and getting hamburgers where you got them at Carl’s Jr. My dogs remember the shape, colors of fast food stores where we’ve gotten hamburgers for them and Ralphie will whine if he sees them. Reggie thinks you’re taking him to get a hamburger at Carl’s Jr. so he’s super excited and thanked you by rolling on his back and being submissive. Reggie is adorable.
I am always disappointed when taking a sunset picture. It never does justice to what my eyes see. But with a picture that breathtaking, the sunset must have been awesome.
Mark,
Salina, ks
Hi, Mark,
Great to see you here from good ol Salina, Kansas! You’ve been with us for quite some time now.
You’re so right about trying to fit sunsets into photos, and yes, this one was awesome. It didn’t last very long. Good thing. I might be lying outside right now under a saguaro!
I read all your posts, just have not had much time to read the comments. It has been a busy year, slowing down now until spring. We traded in the popup for a diesel pusher this past August. Made a few trips to Kansas City and one to New York. We will be heading back to the East coast this summer and plan to make a trip to Estes Park where we spent our honeymoon camping in our Winnebago 30 years ago. Our youngest is a senior this year so we hope to head to a warmer climate next winter when she will be in college. I sure have enjoyed riding along with you these past couple of years. Thanks for sharing the ride.
You’re welcome, Mark. You’re a long-time camper! I’m in my 5th year of camping and you were camping 30 years ago! How romantic, returning to the scene of your honeymoon. Thanks for letting me know you’re still riding with us.
Wow–it really has been five years! I remember finding your blog when you started it, and it got me through an awful time in my life. I’ve told you before–you gave me hope and you gave my dream. Thank you, Sue. Five more for me, but I’m seeing the future.
You’re welcome, DeAnne! We’re into our 5th year on the road. It will be 5 years come August of this year.
Wishing you hope and all that is good, most of all, happiness…
Now you got me wondering how long I have been following along. I know it was sometime before you got solar. I remember making some posts during that time.
It must have been very close to the beginning of this blog which I started in April 2011. I picked up the BLT at the Casita factory in August 2011. Solar was installed in November. I remember you posting back then. I had so few commenters that I was better at remembering names!
Wow, just Wow!! Awesome sunset..just a little bit of God’s handiwork!! Thanks for sharing…Jan
You’re welcome, Jan from Oregon. It’s my pleasure! I’m glad you appreciate the sunset… quite a gift, isn’t it… 🙂
So beautiful! I really really wish I was there. It is 7 below zero here and will get down to 14 below zero tonight. I had to turn off my refrigerator, it just couldn’t work right with these sub-zero temps. Bummer. Suppose to have 35 below zero windchills tomorrow. Won’t get above zero until Monday. Luckily all of my heaters are working well and keeping the rv warm and comfy. Keep those beautiful photos coming, Sue!
Gosh, Chris… You’re still hanging in there. I’m astounded. Be careful going outside in that kind of weather. Of course, you’re from MN… You know how to handle severe cold. I had to say that.
This winter won’t last forever. In the meantime, I’ll keep sending you photos of the desert. Take care!
Slow internet speed means relax….she isn’t going to be able to post…tonight!
That is by far the best photo of a sunset!
Bok choy…NOW you’re talking my type of food! Baby bok choy or the regular?
Wonder how Bridgee babee knows? Maybe she’s just a princess and doesn’t like to step on anything. Reg man being silly! Don’t you know everything in CA is wayyyy more expensive?
Hmm…. that saguaro in the first photo……..oh never mind?
Enjoy
Hi, Cinandjules,
I think the bok choy is regular. It’s about 15 inches long. I cut a stalk with leaves into pieces and put it in the stir-fry. Gives a nice crunch, as you know. Funny, when I was cooking it I thought of you… Hmm… I wonder if Cindy cooks with food like bok choy…
Thanks re the photo of the sunset. Nothing to it when the subject is that spectacular!
Have a good night!
Silly gurl…that’s like wondering if I eat RICE! ?
That’s regular bok choy…..the closer you get to the stalk equals bitter. Have you ever tried Napa cabbage? That is a good one for stir fry, soup or salad. Freshness for both is crisp stalks not bendy!
Need some green bags?
Oh and it was the 2nd saguaro…..my mistake.
I don’t know if I’ve tried Napa cabbage or not. Do you get that at the auto parts store?
Oh, just kidding. That was bad. Is Napa the one that’s white and wrinkly?
I’ve used up the green bags, but don’t send me any. I don’t know how long we will be in this area. As it is, I’m eating so many vegetables now that I don’t have to consider long term storage. I just have to run to the store all the time…
Yeah, I knew you meant the 2nd saguaro..
Yeppers… white and wrinkly….the cabbage!? Hard to find in the stores…..a Mennonite family (farm stand) grows it and it is the best tasting.
We go to the store every 15 days….all of our veggies last for weeks. Actually the farmers market “veggies” last longer than that. Jules uses the green bags faithfully!
And Napa cabbage is kind of long instead of ball shaped. Its nice and mild.
Yes, Napa cabbage is delicious. I love all of those leafy things. I do think the supermarkets offer a much better variety than they did long ago. It’s a pleasant thing to have choices.
I know the big rage now is kale, and although I do enjoy it and cook it quite a bit, I find there are much tastier options out there, that are less stringy.
A great weeknight dinner – especially in the summer is any of the above mentioned greens, sauteed in garlic and olive oil, toss in a diced fresh tomato and some navy beans or cannelloni beans, heat up for 5 mins, toss with some wonderful grated cheese and serve – beans and green! Grandma Rose, I’m thinking of you right now!
I like to make massaged kale salad almost more than cooked. Easy and I love how soft my hands are after from the olive oil!
Massaged kale is my fave, much better than cooked.
You massage kale? I’d like to kick it to the curb (if I had a curb). 🙂
Sue, you have to get the right kind of kale. Not curly kale. This kind is called lacinata kale, or dinosaur kale. Bigger more open leafs. Then you slice leaves into strips, put in a big bowl with some olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and massage it. Rub it, squish it. It is so delicious.
Oh. I see. I wondered how massaging that awful stuff could make it taste good. Thanks for teaching me, Ginger. I hope you are having a good day.
Green bags? Spill please.
Debbie Meyer green bags…and now containers keep vegetables fresh longer.
We use them faithfully. They are reusable and as long as you wrap your vegs in a paper towel…it keeps. Change out the paper towel once is gets damp.
Our green onions and mushrooms will last a month. No more throwing out veg once a week.
As with anything people have mixed reviews…we know they work and saves $$ in the long run.
Absolutely stunning
It was, michelle. Some things are so beautiful that simply looking at them is an emotional experience. It’s wonderful that we have cameras to capture these special moments.
It looks like it’s time to head to Arizona. The weather was so cold and windy I thought it might not be worth it this year but that sunset has changed my mind. Absolutely out of this world! Thank you for sharing it, Sue.
You’re welcome, Marilu. It’s cold and windy in northern Cal… I assume that’s not the usual weather for this time of year?
Wow is that a wonderful Arizona sunset! Boon docking in the Arizona desert! I wish I was there! I am here in Naples Florida, and am just getting started on downsizing for my eventual full time RV experience. I’ve wanted to do this since I was 16! 30 years and surviving my husband (Cancer) and I am so ready to sell this house and get on the road!
I did one cross country trip about 20 years ago in a Chevy Cavalier with a CB one of my friends installed for me. That trip was a hoot! I do hear you about being a loner, The hens are always squawking at the two schools I support (Computer Tech), and I usually can’t wait to get the heck out of dodge lol! I am so glad I found your blog! I am looking at a Class C, with a toad, just because I’ve got a 17 yr old kitty named Smokey that will be coming along for the ride as long as she’s still on God’s green earth. Keep posting the pics, I miss the west coast! Take care and stay safe!
Donna
Hi, Donna! Welcome to my blog! I’m very glad you found me and the crew.
Your full-timing experience will be super sweet for having to wait for your dream to come true. Yes, if you’re going with a Class C, you need a toad for all the fun excursions you’ll take.
Your cross country trip does sound like a memorable experience… Good that you did that. 🙂
Best wishes to you and Smokey… Hope to hear from you again!
Ah, my cross country excursion! I was working for a Limo service in the New York tri state area and one of my co workers was a trucker. He installed the CB in the Cavalier and advised me on the best route out of NY. I took the Jersey Turnpike down to Pennsylvania, then the PA turnpike into Hershey Pa, where I picked up 81 into 40 west way down in Knoxville TN. I took 40 west all the way into Kingman AZ, where I picked up a trucker on the CB going into Vegas. I’d been to Vegas already and had researched where I was going to stay (since I was in a 4 wheeler) and spent 4 months in Vegas working and seeing what I could see. I have a great pic of Hoover Dam taken from a Cessna as we flew by it on a tour. That pic will go with me on my RV adventure for sure!
We have a storm about to come through here in FL. with a much needed cool front on the other end.
I am planning on being full time RVing by the summer of 2017, or before if I can. I’ll do Daytona Bike week March 2017 and then do my old haunts in NY and make Sturgis in Aug 2017. After that the PCH!
Have a wonderful desert evening!
Donna
A storm is coming to Florida? I’ll be sure to look it up on the weather sites. I have a sister in south Florida and several blogorinos are there right now. I hope it’s a mild one, bringing the cool temps only….
Isn’t it fun looking forward to travels? I’ve been to Daytona and Sturgis and NY…. Don’t know what PCH is. I thought it was a mind-altering drug. 🙂
Well, travel can be mind-altering, right? It does tend to change one’s thinking in a good way.
I’m going to guess Pacific Coast Highway as a “now I’m as west as I can get, yeah!” destination 🙂
Donna, welcome aboard and I can already tell you will have a grand time. You sound like a natural road tripper 🙂
Hope you are ok. Heard storm very bad over night. Some RV friends had to go to campground shelter during storm with nearby tornado.
Just wonderful sunset photos!!! WOW!!
Clicked on the cactus wren site and was playing the bird songs when here came my big ol cat tearing around the corner looking for the bird!!! He was sure disappointed!!
Oh, that’s funny, Don! I love the way you explained that… I can see your “big ol cat” coming around the corner and skidding to a stop, looking confused. Thanks for the laugh.
I noticed that today you “pitched” Bridget into the PTV 😀 Also funny about “Bulldozer Reggie.” I love how they get odd little rituals like that. My guy used to paw a certain stone around the house backwards while whimpering/cooing at it (?!!??) Funny/sweet.
That sunset!!!
Hi, Pen,
That is so cute! It’s like he had an imaginary friend. It must’ve been awful when he left. Our little canine pals heap up the sweet memories for us. Maybe someday you’ll have another….
Yeah, I need to get myself a thesaurus! I toss them in, chuck them in, pitch them in…. 🙂
Maybe…. 🙂
Nice to be with people who understand 🙂
As such beauty…thanks for sharing!! A real Sanctuary there!!
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. I hope you have a peaceful evening.
My husband and I thought the sunset pictures were absolutely wonderful. Robbie
How nice of you to come here and let me know that, Robbie! I’m happy you enjoyed them.
Y’all have a good night! I’m signing off…. Sue
awesome photos……….those photos is the main reason I go fishing in early morning
or late afternoon since I cant see them at the house that is surrounded by tall pines
and mighty oaks……….
I was at the store yesterday and was gonna buy a head of lettuce but noticed the
price was $2.99 per head so I ended up buying a small bag for 99 cents…..that is
the problem with being retired…….prices going up while my SS doesnt….
I love Why…….dont ask me why!
chuck
Good morning, chuck!
Fishing at sunrise or at sunset — one of the simple joys of living in the country. It’s nice to know the price of sunrises and sunsets will not go up! I wonder if the very popular Renaissance Festival affects grocery prices. It’s my guess the local businesses need to “make hay while the sun shines.” If that’s the case, it can make it rough on residents watching their budgets.
That is an interesting name — Todd Mission TX… I looked it up and see that you are in SE Texas… a long way from here!
Thank you for noting my photos. I hope you have a great day, Chuck!
we are about 3 miles down CR201 west of the renaissance festival…we need to be another 60 miles north of here….I
find I am staying at home more and more these days and yes
we are a looonnnggg way from Why, Az….:)
chuck
You’re here in spirit, chuck… It’s like we’re sitting around the same campfire.
I’m thinking about trying growing greens in a container for that reason.
Hi Sue,
Wonderful sunsets and stir fry’s. What a wonderful life living in the desert. The Southwest truly is a Paradise.
Norman
Hi, Norman,
Yes, the Southwest offers a lot to enjoy, especially in the winter. You remind me to be thankful for what I have — stir frys and sunsets — something for the belly and something for the soul.
Enjoy your day!
Skip was sure that was you in Olsens. Enjoy your time in this beautiful desert.
Errrrggh! Why is it that when one goes to the store looking like HELL, one is always recognized? It’s a cosmic rule or something. 🙂 Hi, Jean and Skip… You enjoy your time here, too!
Ha, isn’t that the truth? You pause before leaving…. hmmm, can I get away with this “outfit”? Oh probably, and after all, I won’t see anyone I know…. (of course this is when you DO see someone). I hate dressing up and/or changing clothes, so I expect to show up on People of Walmart* at any time.
*Website to which people send in photos of people they think look outlandish/weird/nevershouldagoneout — I haven’t looked at it in years so no idea if it’s still the same. I’d be horrified if I ever showed up on it, but in reality my “outfits” are probably not interesting enough, whew.
Awesome in Ajo. Bonus, a camp with organ pipes. Seems I remember we had plenty of action at our hummingbird feeder at the LTVA near Why. We really enjoyed staying in that area last year. Maybe we will get there sometime next month, who knows. We will be wandering.
Wandering is a good thing. 🙂
Good morning, Kevin in CO! There’s an LTVA in Why? I know there is an inexpensive camping area ($35 for a week)… whatever….
No hummingbirds yet. Maybe they have enough food where you stayed last year. Your comment gives me hope, though, that one will stray this way.
Happy travels!
You were correct to question the LTVA near Why.
There are only two LTVAs in AZ; Imperial Dam LTVA near Yuma and La Posa LTVA near Quartzsite. There are 6 in CA.
Um, correct. We found a BLM area south of Why and stayed there. I thought it a LTVA, but no, it is just a camping area with the typical 14 day limit. We liked camping in the Ajo-Why-Organ Pipe area, and we had lots of action at the h-bird feeder.
With all the rain during the holidays in AZ, how is the desert bloom? Any sign of color on the Ocotillos?
The first photo of the desert during the golden hour was great. The sunset photos are unbelievable! I wish that I was there!
Chris
The weather is good in Quartzsite right now… 🙂
That red sky is so captivating. Even the photographs gave me such a sense of tranquility. I can only imagine the awe of witnessing it in person. I hope you continue to be amazed for many more sunsets.
Good morning, Rose! You’re another one who has been riding along with me and the crew for a long time now. Always good to see you here. I hope you are “amazed for many more sunsets,” too.
Indeed I have followed you for years. I admire your writing style and love to visit the natural areas through your blog/eyes. I am an educator and know you too once inspired young lives. I am nearing retirement and can’t wait to experience the freedom of being able to go when and where I want to despite a school calendar!! Haha. Although, I don’t plan to be a full time rv’er we are toying with the idea of part time.
Fantastic sunset pictures! Funny, I was thinking about Ajo today. One of the Bichon Brothers, Charley, got into that awful Cholla cactus this morning. We ended up driving into Yuma to a veterinary clinic. They put Charley out so they could get all the spines out of his paw and mouth. It was pretty awful. I will be much more careful around that stuff now. That was when I started thinking about Ajo, and trying to remember if it was less prevalent there. It certainly is in abundance here.
Oh, nooooo…. That’s horrible! I’m so sorry for Charley and for you, as I’m sure you suffered along with him in a different way. You have four to keep track of which isn’t easy in cholla country.
Our camp is in a cholla garden. Not all areas around Ajo have this much cholla. We’re here because of the seclusion. I was ready to pack up and leave if it looked like the cholla was going to be a problem. Our first walk was a test. Reggie is so small that it’s easy to pull him away from danger.
Best wishes to you, Mike, and to the boys! Sending a hug to Charley…
I know this spot, it is indeed a special place. I camped out there on 12/23 though 12/28 prior to my border crossing into Mexico for the New Years. I had hung a pair of stockings on the truck mirror hoping Santa would drop something in during his flyby, but he missed me.
Hi, LoupGarou,
Ha, ha, I could do if I were Santa. 🙂
Shhhh— Don’t tell anyone where we are… I need a place like this, a place to keep private. 🙂
Good to hear from you, LoupGarou! I hope all is well in your world…
too late.
I almost missed you leaving your last camp. I had to hustle to pack up my large green shade tree and large hammock into the back of my pickup and catch up with you and the Crew. I’m settled in now, 3 spaces over from you there.
Yeah, I’m pretty high now – on LSD –
(Loving Sue’s Descriptions).
Actually, I wish I were there. It’s gotten cold again here in sunny Georgia. At least the days are pretty decent except like today when the wind drops the “feels like” temperature t0 some very unpleasant number.
So, from the last blog entry’s comments on foods, I am going to order some manually operated things for the kitchen thanks to Desert Ginger’s comment. And will order a solar oven – wish me luck with that endeavor.
But the very best news of all – I just heard back from Mick in TN and he’s going to help me (advisory) get the proper things for my solar power needs (through Amazon, of course). i am so excited. As I told Mick, I begin reading reviews and my eyes glaze over. I am not electrically minded (or is that electrically operated? Oh well). At any rate, all of my wanting to and being able to go off grid is totally thanks to you, the Crew and everyone who comments here and has taught me so very much.
Oh, look!!! There’s that road runner again! didja see ‘im?
made ya look!!
ok, so i’m bored as it’s too cold here in sunny georgia to do anything but write silly emails to friends.
The kittens send best regards to the Crew.
That sunset photo is just totally stunning.
Anne and the 2 miscreants, Calvin and Hobbs
No need to worry, i won’t tell a sole. From the tire tracks, I only got one visitor during the nights I was there and I think you know who it was.
Hi, Dear RVSue and canine Crew,
I’ve wanted to experience such a beautiful sunset in Ajo/Why area, but experienced a little bit beautiful sunset on the road in Organ Pipe Cactus NM about 2 years ago. Among the mountains, in the dale around there, sundown was earlier and sunset sky is smaller than usual. I passed through Why and Ajo at almost full-moon night and parked overnight at a truck stop in Gila Bend.
Foreigners who have came from over the sea like me and my wife, were difficult to boondock right there you are. In Arizona but near the Mexican border, we couldn’t stop to feel like something evil’s lurking in the dark. Spooky shadows of the diabolical cholla and strange rocks might attack us in midnight even if staying in our motorhome. In addition, on the floor, there are a bunch of spines and thorns of cholla cacti and so on, brought by sole. So, the only way we could do was escape.
BTW, no Greek God Honey & Vanilla yogurt in Japan. I can’t try it.
I’m so jealous of you who are in such a warm region. I wanna go there if I could. It might snow tonight in Tokyo, Japan.
Yes, yes, I added the place where you droped a bag of trash in the receptacle, into the interactive Google My Maps preparing for my next journey.
Good evening, Fuji-maru!
Your comment is very interesting! You describe your experience here so well. It’s obvious that you have a talent for writing. I’m sorry you didn’t feel comfortable staying here, it being close to the border and also with cholla all around. It’s great to have a motorhome to take one away whenever one wants to go!
Oh my, snow in Japan and here I am in all this warmth. You warm my blog by coming here, Fuji-maru. Wishing you and your companion a good night!
Thank you, Sue
I’ve come here to get warm. 🙂 It has been snowing since last night. Rare snow throws Tokyo metropolitan into disorder.
Shadow of the saguaro looks like a giant in the night. Did you find the saguaro with a short nose like me yet?
FYI, blogorinos, You’d better not say Ajo in Japan. Pronunciation of “Ajo” means Homer; bonehead in Japan.
Have a good day and sunset!
Interesting about pronunciation of Ajo in Japan! Haha!
Also interesting to hear about your snowfall and how it affects Tokyo. Be safe and warm, Fuji-maru!
A saguaro with a short nose… Hmm… I’ll see if I can find it and post a photo of it.
OH THAT SUNSET! So beautiful!
Yes, absolutely gorgeous! A joy to share it with you, Jan…
Beautiful sunset pictures. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy your stir fry
Adventures too. So enjoy your blog.
“Stir-fry Adventures” — Sounds like the title of a blog. Living full-time on the road is kind of like a stir-fry. Many various experiences all put together to make a delicious life!
I enjoy seeing you here, Deb. I hope all is well with you.
Great to see your desert shots, especially the sunsets. Do you feel lonely out there in the evenings?
Hi, Gary!
I assume you are over the flu if you are able to type a message here. I hope so!
Do I feel lonely out here in the evenings? Not at all. Just the opposite! I’m never lonely, no matter where I am. Not bragging. That’s the way I am. Maybe loneliness has more to do with the person, than with the place they are in.
I’m glad you enjoy the sunset photos. Wishing you and Jagger a wonderful day!
Hi Sue! I love it that you are back in Ajo. I’ve been following along long enough now that I recognize it and that makes me smile. I am doing all I can to ensure that I will be somewhere in the desert next winter. In the spirit of that idea……yesterday (16th) was my 56th birthday. And my awesome friends showed their support for my dream through their gifts……like a machete type tool that can also be used as saw…..like for getting saplings out of the road. 🙂 And a first aid kit…..uh…..in case something happens with the machete! LOL! Oh….and some pepper spray, just in case. And the first aid kit even has a compass! As I said, I have some wonderful friends who support my dream even though they may not understand it. I am so very fortunate. Have a wonderful day out there! MB in VA…..for now. 🙂
Happy, Happy Birthday, MB! Sounds like you received some very thoughtful gifts! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
How fortunate that you have means and the spirit of adventure to begin a traveling lifestyle while still in your 50’s!! I’m happy for you and sooooo jealous. Good fortune as you spend the year on preparations.
Happy Birthday, MB! How nice that you received gifts for your travels! You are right about your friends not really understanding your dream, even though they support it. My friends were the same way. I think they thought I was being foolish… a bit dotty, as the Brits say.
Interesting choices of gifts… A typical reaction to the idea of a woman doing something adventurous on her own — Defense! Maybe the machete is also for defending yourself against all the scary, bad things people imagine one encounters when moving out of the comfort zone of traditional living. Your experiences will enlighten them and perhaps influence them to try new and unconventional things!
I’m very happy for you, MB, that your birthday was spent with friends. May this year be especially wonderful for you!
Interesting observation. Although of course tools and the like are great to have along no matter who you are, it does seem to be true that if a woman heads out, the defense-item gifts are sure to follow.
I remember years (decades!) ago, my Mom and I headed out on a trip in my little Toyota/camper. My uncle was more or less horrified, and INSISTED that we bring along some pepper spray he pressed onto us through the open window as we headed out (never mind it wasn’t even legal to bring into Canada…). I hadn’t thought to be particularly scared before that. Naturally he also went on about how the two of us were going to be ALONE (can two people be alone?), and how maybe we should really re-think this whole thing and stay home (thank goodness we didn’t, as it remains one of the highlights of that all-too-short era in which my Mom and I were “friends as adults” before a medical event took it away).
Just to top it off, he had driven by himself (actually meaning just one person in this case) from California to the Midwest (where we were) and did he bring along pepper spray for himself — or have people scared for him thrusting self-defense items in his side door as he left? NooOOooo.
Conditioning is really quite a force.
PS: MB, not to take away from the fact that you have cool friends who are excited for you to head out and do your thing. That’s nifty.
That story of your uncle is a perfect illustration of what I was thinking. He was being protective, probably not realizing he could instill unnecessary fear. Sometimes protectiveness is a method to exert control. Not always… sometimes. How much better to instill and encourage confidence in another person!
Thanks for writing, Pen.
Thank you Sue!
Happy Birthday, MB from VA!
My 55th birthday has passed by last month with nothing. Nothing is good occasionally.
I ‘ve passed VA on the way to Washington D.C. from the Kill Devil Hills, NC through the northbound I-95 about two years ago. Want to stay in VA and come by the HQ of RVIA in a suburb of Reston, VA in my next RV journey. 🙂
Fuji-maru in Japan
WOW!!
And so glad to hear your guys protest when you leave them in the car. Mine go to full voice.
Hi, Nora now in New Orleans!
Gee, wouldn’t it be something to park next to each other at a supermarket and let our crews howl at each other. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who brings a ruckus to the grocery store!
I hope you are enjoying your day…
What wonderful sunset pictures!! And I love the picture of pretty Bridget. You and the Swiss Chard reminded me of Mother. However I don’t remember liking it and haven’t had it since I left home. She cooked it…how do you eat it?
Reggie sounds like such a fun guy and he is so cute! Bridget is one smart gal. Love hearing about and seeing both of them
Love and hugs to all
Hi, Pauline!
How I cook it — I don’t have a steamer so what I did is put a little water in a saucepan and placed the bunch of chard on top. The pan was small for the amount of chard — I had to fold it over to make it fit, knowing it would shrink. Then I put a lid on the pot and cooked it until it was softened, not too long. I didn’t cut it up because I didn’t want a lot of goodness leaking out into the water.
How I eat it — Cooked chard reminds me of spinach (a popular green in our family, right?). Instead of butter, I put vinegar on it. Cut it up and enjoy!
Love and hugs to you and all the family…
Of course…Vinegar! That is what I put on my spinach and on my boiled cabbage! I might give swiss chard a try again.
White vinegar? Apple vinegar? How much? Do you put it on in the pan so vinegar gets hot, or after?
Apple cider vinegar, sprinkled on at the table, no heating. Use it like a condiment, as much or as little as you like.
Pauline, I wash greens well, trimming stem ends then cutting off most of stem and dicing separately. I then sauté onion and garlic in either olive oil or along with diced bacon, adding stems when onion is beginning to color. After a few minutes I add the rest of the torn greens and enough chicken or vegetable broth or water to create steam, and simmer until all greens and stems are tender, tossing several times to even out cooking. I do add a splash of vinegar to make calcium more available. At the end, if I have it, I dice smoked turkey from deli or ham and stir in over heat for a minute, then serve. The broth is delicious esp with cornbread and very nutritious. Learned above from a local chef who was doing a demo at a local health food store before kale became popular. Salt and pepper to taste.
I like the steps you take in making this dish… dicing the stems separately and adding them to the onion and garlic before adding the greens… I bet you are an outstanding cook, Velda. Thanks for writing this.
Velda, thanks for your instructions!!! I have an Instant Pot and love cooking with it so I may try your recipe in that with some chicken.
I hope they help you enjoy greens ” like Mom made”! I just got my Instant Pot for Christmas and love it. Made Congee/Jok/rice porridge for supper last night, which was easy for hubby to purée for his needed consistency. It’s great comfort food. I cooked chicken thighs with onion, garlic, ginger carrot, celery and vegetable broth. Waited for natural steam release then took chicken out to remove bone and skin. I used idea I saw on YouTube and put rice in VitaMix with some broth and ran until coarsely ground, then added to pot with more vegetables diced. Added broth and water to a little below max and ran on porridge setting. Still a little soupy when done ( essential to do natural release so rice does not come through vent) and I let it sit on warm cycle about 30 min and it thickened nicely. Creamy and delicious. Raining here, how are things for you?
Jook is my favorite. Chicken and shitake mushrooms with ginger and scallions topped with green onions.
YUMM, have to remember to pick up mushrooms at store for next batch !
They are usually dried…soak them in hot water for an hour.
Shitakes….is an acquired taste….try one before you put them into the Jook.
Jules doesn’t like them
Oh my! The sunset pictures are beautiful!
You made my day!
Have a blessed one.
You have a blessed day, too, Glinda. Thanks for stopping by with your reaction to the sunset…
WOW! I’ve NEVER before seen, or seen a picture of, a sunset like that – absolutely & stunningly beautiful!
Hi, Eileen!
I suspect this sunset is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m glad I could share it with you.
You have really interesting vegetation to look at here! I love the cactii! Great job with all those veggies! Great colorful nutrition!!! Oh my, the sunset! It calls for prayer and song to celebrate God’s creation! I think you will totally enjoy this site! Robin
This is our second time camping at this place. I remember last time we were here, the sunsets were outstanding, making it fun to take photos.
I was inspired by all the recent life stories and comments on this blog… people eating for their health and sharing the wisdom gained from researching nutrition.. I hope many of my readers were inspired also. It’s so easy to fall into a habit of eating junk!
Wishing you health and happiness, Robin…
Thank you Sue! Hug your furbabies for me as I hug mine!
Wow! Just WOW… gorgeous sunset.
Gotta love those Chihuahua crosses. They border on schitzo sometimes. 😉 I can just picture Reggie tearing about and leaping into the PTV. Chiweenie Charlie does that magnificent leap, too. I always tell him what a good jumper he is, and no doubt about it, he is. I marvel at how such a long dog can do that.
Please tell Bridget she looked absolutely lovely in her photo.
Hugs to all.
Hi, Shawna… Speaking of Chihuahua crosses… Mine is pestering me for a walk! Be back later…
LATER… I never paid much attention to Chi-mix dogs before Reg came into our lives. I should look up chi-weenies. An interesting combination… Mr Schizoid is presently asleep. Whew!
Wishing you and Charlie a good evening…
After reading this post, it took all of my willpower to not get my pop-up out of storage and head back to AZ. Love the photos, great one of Bridget! I love the description of Reggie wanting to go to town!
Hi, Pam and Maya…
“Head back to AZ”… I wonder where you are now… ?
Reggie’s performance had me laughing. He does that to me several times each day!
OMG. LOVE LOVE LOVE this camp. Loved the first photo…loved the rest, and then almost stopped breathing at the sunset. So glad you are there. Wish I was too!
Hi, Dawn in MI,
I almost stopped breathing, too! This is a great camp, even if we have to watch out for cholla. Thanks for mentioning my photos.
Wow Sue , those are some great looking Sunsets,,, Great to see the Sonoran Desert thru your Camera ,, That little Reggie gettin’ all excited to go for a ride,, wish you could video your pups,, that would be great,,,, have a great time down in the Sonoran,,,,,,,,,,,,
You have a great time, too, “somewhere in Arizona.” 🙂
Hi, Sue and all,
I’ve been a lurker for a long time, but decided to join the fun today.
I love your new boondock, and all the saguros, and the cholla is beautiful, although dangerous. I thought I’d never be happy in the desert (farm country Illinois, you know…corn, beans, wheat, etc) but I’m sure rethinking that!
Your sweet Bridget and rascally Reggie are adorable!
Linda
Welcome, Linda! 🙂
Thanks, Denise,
I may not post a lot, but I enjoy reading everyone else’s.
A small bit about me.
Retired from banking, we camp at a small campground, where Rich fishes, and I tend my flowers (: .
We’ve camped for oh, probably 35 years, first a Lake Shelbyville, which is a huge beautiful man-made lake about 3 hours from here. We were all into water-skiing, swimming, etc.
But now girls are grown up and our grandkids are so much into summer and winter sports, that it was time to downsize, and camp closer to home.
Our campground is a ‘conservation campground’, so no hunting, so we have numerous deer and other critters and birds to watch. We checked on everything yesterday (9 degrees,…brr), and you wouldn’t believe the geese that have stayed the winter!
Hi, Linda from Central Illinois,
Welcome! And thank you for reading my blog “for a long time.” I’m glad you’ve joined us here.
I appreciate very much you including your location. A lot of Lindas drop in here and a location helps us keep y’all straight!
The desert is such an interesting environment. I hope you will experience someday.
Hi Linda,…
and welcome as you claim your status as blogorino today!!! I too spent my high school years on the plains of Northern Illinois… for some reason I always knew the desert was calling my name. Once you experience Deserts of the Southwest, you become fascinated by the diversity of the flora and fauna .And you just want to see all the variety that is out there!
… not to mention the sunsets!
Good morning, Sue,
Oh, how I love this camp! The BLT snuggled in, nice and cozy amongst the saguaros – so sweet! Beautiful golden hour photos, and that sunset was truly breathtaking! I wonder what special atmospheric, spiritual , or other mystery ingredient creates those wonderful desert AZ light shows! If I was there, the experience would have brought emotional, happy tears – wow! God’s handiwork at its best! Thank you for sharing!
Bridget looks beautiful in her portrait next to your garden – sweet girl! Reggie is too cute! I could see him zooming around, being joyously silly! Will you take your rake on your next walk to clear the path of cholla? Glad that Miss Bridge has a 6th sense and knows to avoid them – good girl!
That IGA is a winner! I remember you stopping there last year. Maybe the arsty crowd encourages them cater to the community with a nice produce section. Win-win! 🙂
It is snowing here! I love the quiet, still peacefulness of a snowfall! I have almost 1″ on the pergola. The snow should taper off in the next few hours. Not sticking to the roads, but creating a pretty scene in my backyard. Almost like God decided to sprinkle some powedered sugar for a hint of sweetness and beauty! Love it! Snow/ice melt is on the back steps, and Gracie has had fun playing in the fluffy stuff. Life is Good!
Enjoy your day! Sending you and the Crew hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
Hi, Denise,
Here is it almost evening before I get around to responding to your good morning greeting. The day swept me away from the computer. Your peaceful snowfall sounds lovely and what fun to watch Gracie play in it!
I hope you enjoyed your day. Have a great evening!
Oh, I forgot:
Those sunsets are just amazing!
🙂
All the beauty there would be wasted on someone that didn’t appreciate it the way that you do, I’m so-o glad it was “saved” for you. Boundless generosity, on His part and yours, to share it with us. I’m sending huge wishes for your privacy and special camps to keep being preserved for you.
Yes, Bridgee does look pretty! I’m glad she avoids the cholla and that the short leash helps you keep Reggie away from it. Thanks for the cactus wren link, that did add to my being transported there. I say add because you always manage that with your posts .
Hi, weather,
I hope you have had a wonderful day so far. When I think of you at your lake, I see scenes out of Kincaide paintings… like the bridge where you saw swans and geese. I wonder if you still see them. And your house with warm light in the windows and finches singing, a contrast to the frosty exterior. I hope mama cat and kitties are okay. I trust you’ve continued to look out for them, as you are one who cares.
You see the sunset as I saw it — a generous gift and one too beautiful not to share!
Thank you for your wish for our privacy and special camps, and for commenting on that wish. I’m glad you clicked on the cactus wren link. It’s fun for me to look at the statistics page for a post. It tells me how many people listened to a bird song I linked. The amazing power of the internet!
Have a good night, dear encourager.
Hi, Sue, thanks , I did have a good day and night. Ice has formed, melted, reformed and shifted to different parts of the cove here and whole lake so the winged beauties move accordingly. On days that I don’t see them here by driving a bit I can keep track of them. Their presence this late in the season (in 9 weeks it will be spring) shows that they’ve decided to remain because enough access to food and shelter from storms can be found, what a wonder they are!
Though the mama cat and three kitties were given other homes they chose to come back here and remain together, they moved themselves into my back porch. It’s enclosed yet to allow entry for any critters that need a warm place I leave the door from the outside part way open year round. Because of the low temps outside (5 below wind chill as I type) I keep a heavy quilt across the opening leaving 10 inches by the floor unobstructed for them to enter and exit through. I keep cushioned furniture, a dish of warm water and large bowl of food there, refilling more frequently when occasional other critters come in for a meal and/or warm visit. It’s amazing what a source of constant gratitude those eight cute little eyes are , especially when like last night wind is gusting at 40mph and they’re closed. Fast asleep and safe they remind me to say thank You for shelter, abundance and life itself.
Little Gene Simmons is the newest source of delight at my friends’ home 🙂 They need to go somewhere Thursday so I’ll get to dog -baby- sit him there. This long reply contains my recipe for how to enjoy lots of animals while only residing with a few. I eat too plainly to offer recipes involving food. My coffee, however, is a culinary masterpiece-dark roast with vanilla beans in the mix. I hope yours and your day is good.
Good morning, weather,
You always bring clean, fresh air into my blog. It’s a delight to open my laptop in the morning and find you’re already here. Thank you for responding to my wonderings — “the winged beauties,” the mama cat and three kitties, and the lucky dog adopted by your lucky friend.
I wish more folks would create safe havens for wild creatures like you do, especially in regions where conditions are harsh in winter. Maybe by explaining here what you do, others will begin doing something similar. I bet those sleeping kittens are adorable as all kittens are.
I look forward to hearing how the dog-baby-sitting goes!
I hope your day is peaceful and bright.
Light and sweetness made my day peaceful and bright, thank you for hoping that it would be and for keeping this page that way.
You’re welcome, weather. 🙂
Weather,
How adorable mama kitty and her kittens all came back to be together. Your porch is open to any critter that seeks warmth and food. So sweet of you!
That wind chill was horrible all day!
Our ferals are inside their coolers tonight. They have an insulated wood shed…but when it gets too cold they go inside their Omaha steak coolers, Mylar lined and stuffed with straw.
If you sprinkle a bit of sugar in the water, it won’t freeze so fast…and also gives them added calories which help them stay warmer. We use small thermos’ you get at the dollar store. Only have to change it twice a day.
Thanks for the nice note, I thought about you when I was replying to Sue. I pay a lot more attention to the wind chill temps than I do to the regular ones forecasted or put on the news, too. There’s one very small old shed here, really only suitable for yard tools and another that works well to keep firewood in, neither would provide decent shelter during the real cold though. I like your set up, it sounds ideal, and is so thoughtful of you to have provided for the ferals! I didn’t know sugar would slow water’s freezing. I’d have to buy some to try that as I don’t use it so don’t have any here. Changing it often doesn’t bother me because I refresh their food a lot anyway and it gives me a chance to check on them ,see who, how many and what’s around. It’s a couple steps from my kitchen, not like I have to shovel a path outside to get there like you probably do. Last February was much colder than anything we’ll endure this year(Yay! for all of us!) so I think what’s working now will do . Stay safe and warm 🙂
Ours was an open wood shed w/outhouse.
I closed it in, added small windows, and a cat door. Has everything but a tv!
Trust me they would rather be IN the house with us. Munchkin was screaming at me this morning…she just wanted to be held….and about pulled my fleece pants down in the process!
Very blustery again today! You stay warm!
Your ferals have it made, literally, thanks to you. As much as you love them, I get the whole won’t- use -the- litter -box -wild -thing reason you can’t bring them in the house. I really think they have the best of both worlds as is. Free to roam at will while provided for…My indoor cat came from a house where she was kept inside but a mean person lived there , too. She would have no idea how to fend for herself if loose outside for any length of time. She is happy yet has no way of knowing what she’s missed. I hope when I leave here(away from a road with cars driving fast on it) to be able to grant her supervised freedom in the natural world. Ok, I’ll quit leaving notes now, this thread is getting long and I need to deal with the driveway and stuff, best of luck with yours 🙂
Watching the eastern horizon I saw peach and cherry blossom shades at sunrise, glad that there wasn’t more red I relaxed for a while with more coffee. The schools in this and the surrounding counties are closed because though less severe than yesterday it’ll be cold, windy and snowy out again. Imagine how happy the kids and teachers are, this makes it a four day weekend for them.
While outside looking around I noticed the snow is the wrong kind to make snowballs or snowmen with or even to go sledding or tobogganing in. It’s not dense or wet enough I’m glad about that, hopefully the children will play inside. This a frost bite in minutes kind of day-fun to go out and quickly see how pretty everything looks, and as much fun to come back inside .
Good morning, Sue, I hope your loop and road holds enough things to keep you and crew interested and enthusiastic to walk through. As idyllic and gorgeous as your setting and temperatures are Reggie must miss the long leash and I know Bridget perks up when there’s something new to explore. Have you taken the trip into town for fresh garlic yet? Or had any roadrunner zoom by visits?
Good morning, weather,
Oh, I remember those “snow days!” I loved them as a kid and I loved them as a teacher. Parents who have to be at work regardless of weather are the ones who may not appreciate having the children out of school.
No roadrunners here. At least I haven’t seen one. They seem to inhabit the drier areas of the desert, like our recent camps at Winterhaven and Blythe. I saw them there. Reggie had a chance yesterday to run on long-leash and Bridget explored a new route for our walk… I’ll blog about that. We haven’t gone into town for garlic. It’s nicer to stay home. 🙂
Wishing you coziness and contentment… Thank you for being a guardian of the creatures around your home.
The Bridge cracks me up! That look on her face … like, “Get this photo now cuz I may not be in the mood for it tomorrow!” The sunset shots are spectacular. I’m headed over to Google to find out why some are so red, orange and purple and others, not so much. Hope you have more of those gorgeous ones in the days to come.
Hi, Cynthia from San Clemente, CA…
I haven’t educated myself into the cause of gorgeous sunsets. I just accept them with gratitude. I do know that clouds make all the difference. Today the blue sky was cloudless, only a few have gathered where the sun sets, which it is doing right now! It’s yellow-gold today… pretty. Maybe you’ll see it from where you are…
Stunning sunset!!!! Woke up to 4″ of fresh snow, which is fine with me, but that sunset is breathtaking!
I think I’m going to start a spreadsheet of all of these gorgeous places you go so that when it’s time to hit the road some day, I’ll have some good suggested destinations. It also makes me feel like I’m doing something proactive towards the dream, especially since it won’t be happening any time soon! LOL!
Ah yes, the a capela dog chorus! My border collies Katie and Roscoe do the same thing- serenading loud and long for all the world to hear!!! Love the vision of Reggie’s happy back-dance!!
Happy Birthday, MB!
a quick way to start your spreadsheet is waiting on the tabs at the top of the home page called “Money” where Sue describes where she was for every month up till August 2014. it says the road and campground name. you can then go to the actual posting using her search box and get more details and photos. i have copied all these recaps and will use them in my travels too. have fun! bess
Thanks for the tip, bess.
Hi, Dineen in Bozeman!
Do keep in mind when you compile information from my blog about camping spots that the fees I mentioned may have gone up and the condition of the camp (and the road to it) may have gone down. Always do online research before going out of your way to a camp I’ve written about…
I understand about doing stuff to keep the dream alive and real. I did all sorts of things, read a lot of blogs, researched rigs, put pictures of a Casita on my desktop…. anything to hang on to the dream!
Katie and Roscoe…. cute names together. Nice hearing from you again..
Wow! There’s a really interesting National Geographic article about sunsets at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131027-sunset-sky-change-color-red-clouds-science/
It says there’s always a beautiful sunset, but we don’t always see it from the ground. Reminds me of life; there’s always beauty, but we don’t always have eyes to see it.
your comment about life and sunsets is very true! bess
Thank you for sharing that interesting article, Cynthia. 🙂
Thanks for the link, Cynthia. I like this quote from the meteorologist, Stephen Corfidi (the last paragraph):
” The more you look at things, the more you realize how unique your own experience is as a human on this planet, at this particular place and time.”
Just breathtaking photos my dear…a real high spot in my day.
Yesterday the wind was so bad we watched the large pine tree in the front yard make the ground heave. We thought the tree was a goner but amazingly the wind abruptly stopped and
The tree survived. The view to the west is stunning, the mountains seem to go straight up and are covered with snow. One must find beauty to soften the grief.
So sorry you are grieving Lee J. It is a tumultuous process. I pray it smoothed out in time.
I am so sorry you are suffering the sudden loss of your nephew, Lee J. I’m glad you found some respite from grief in the sunset and in those snow-covered mountains of Nevada.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE AND PHOTOS! ! Yes, I was shouting. Lol.
YOU’RE WELCOME! 🙂
I am a lover of sunsets…but we never see anything this beautiful in Florida. We have a 13′ Scamp and I truly enjoy your travels.
Thanks for letting me know you like to read about our travels, Carol. I bet your Scamp is cute. I see them sometimes while en route to a new camp. I hope you enjoy yours.
Cholla, known as the jumping cactus! because people swear they didn’t touch the cactus and yet it is sticking to them. i have a Cholla story:
30+ years ago, Barry, our daughter then age 2 1/2 and i went on 3 month snowbirding trip to the Southwest in our camper. we were in the campground outside Tucson near the Desert Museum. Barry decided to pitch our little tent alongside our camper so that he could have a space for him to meditate. while hammering in the pegs, a cholla jumping into his butt and he let out a scream. he hobbled inside the camper and showed me the stickers. he laid on hsi stomach and i pulled his shorts down to reveal 27 spines. i used the tweezers and pulled to his groaning in pain. the spines have a little hook at the end that when you pull on the spine, the embedded hook won’t let go. a pick of skin is pulled up into a cone of flesh about one inch high. once you pull out the spine, there is a drop of blood on the wound. and the wound hurts for several days afterwards.
i still can hear Barry crying out with each of the 27 spines removal and me feeling so sorry for him.
Gosh, that has to win the prize for Most Horrible Cholla Event!
here is another Cholla story:
our friend Laura was hiking on an open path and a cholla jumped onto her butt. someone tool a stick and flung the cholla off, where it promptly attached itself to her bare ankle. screaming in pain, her companion tried to remove it with the stick and then she flicked the cholla to the other leg. she had to walk back to her car to get the tweezers to get the spines out. and apply some band-aids and Bactine.
my grandson loves me to tell him about these two stories of “sitting on a cactus.”
chollas: so pretty and sweet looking, glowing in the light. so attractive and so formidable. i support you in keeping Reggie safe and Bridget is such a smart doggie!
No words!!!
Those photos of the sunset leave me speechless !!
Lynn B. (Baltimore, MD)
🙂
Oh Sue…GASP!! This is the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen too. Words are inadequate to describe the feelings it stirred in me. My heart aches when I think of having to wait another 1-1.5 yrs before I can retire and come west to live in the midst of such beauty as the AZ desert where you are now. We had a winter weather mix yesterday and when I got up this morning the bare trees had turned to glass, glittering in the morning sun. Lovely in an icy kinda way, but I like your place “more better”.
Good thing my dinner is in the oven (pie crust version of Greek Spinach pie) ’cause I was getting mighty hungry reading all those yummy sounding ways to cook greens. Thanks for the tips, everyone. Sue…I have broccoli and garlic in the frig and will make it your way on Monday.
I may have a chance to comment more often now as I bought a new laptop (MacBook Air) for my birthday and can enjoy your blog over the weekend from home base.
Hope you attract some hummers to your new home soon. Virtual kisses to the fur kids, and a hug for Sue.
Warm wishes,
Carew
Waiting is tough… I remember! And then, it seemed to come on suddenly, it was time to go!
I hope you had a happy birthday. Buying yourself a new laptop helps. 🙂
When you make the broccoli, put a lot in the pan! It cooks down much smaller and you’ll want a big serving, it’s so good. Thank you for the nice note. I don’t remember where you are, where a “winter weather mix” is happening…
Hi again Sue,
Thanks…the B-Day was good. I just keep repeating..”its only a number” and “consider the alternative”, and every day is a gift! My friends sent lovely cards, and I made my “famous” carrot cake for the office as it is my favorite, my bosses favorite (he also celebrates birthday on Jan. 6th) and my coworkers LOVE it too.
I’m in Portland, Maine where winter can be long, cold, snowy, and sometimes icy. Thanks to elnino, we had a milder start.
I will be sure to use plenty of broccoli as you advise.
Nite nite,
Catew
Maybe you could put (ME) after your name to help jog our memories…
i got myself a MacBook Air for Christmas! Love it but I’m still learning how to use it.
That’s cool DG. Let us know how the transition goes. Nice to hear from ya.
The hardest part is realizing it’s not a touch screen like the iPad!
WOW!!! Quite the sunset!! B-e-a-u-t-I-f-u-l!!! Loved those sunsets when I was in Wellton last winter at the Tier Drop RV Park. The very best!! And the best RV park ever. I was exhausted all the time from having soooo much fun….all this for $295 a month plus your electric. The people were absolutely the BEST. I so miss not going back this year but then there is Little Miss Nora…. 🙂
I remember how much you enjoyed the people and activities at that park, Krystina. Your Nora is more important to you right now. I know you adore that little girl!
Hey Sue and blog family…a question. I will be approaching old lady status by the time I’m free to RV (70 yrs). If my health is good, any reason why I should reconsider full time RV life? Are there any western states that would restrict my freedom to drive? I’d hate to invest in a rig and end up living in a park instead of roaming. Now she asks, right? I look, act, and feel younger than my years so hope I’m not courting crazy here to pursue the dream.
Have a blissful evening all,
Carew
Go for it, Catew!!!
I’m overcoming health issues right now which has set my time line back two years. Now I’m ready to sell the house, find my perfect RV , then hit the road for ten years. I wish you the best.
I hope those health issues fade very quickly for you, wildflower!
Thanks so much for the encouragement. If you can do it, wildflower, so can I. Maybe we can caravan!
A speedy continued recovery to you.
🙂 catew
Hi, catew,
The platitude, “You’re only as old as you feel” applies here! I wish I could give you a good answer regarding driving privileges. I haven’t heard anything about age restrictions for driving in the western states. Maybe someone will fill us in on that.
If you invest in a rig, buy one that you can sell when it’s time to go off the road.
No, if you are able and have your health, you are not “courting crazy.”
Bliss to you, too!
Many, many thanks for your warm response and good advice, as usual ,re a rig with resale value.
catew
For AZ:
Starting at 65, drivers must renew every five years, with a vision test each time. At age 70, renewal can no longer be done by mail. (This seems rather redundant, how can you do a vision test by mail?)
For CO:
Starting at age 66, drivers can renew by mail only with a doctor’s or optometrist’s certification that they had passed an eye exam within six months.
For ID:
Starting at age 69, they must renew in person at the county sheriff’s office and pass an eye exam.
For NV:
Starting at age 71, drivers cannot renew by mail unless they include a doctor’s note saying they’re physically fit to drive plus a vision-screening report.
Regardless of age, all drivers must renew in person every eight years, receiving an eye exam, and staff can require anyone to take a written or road test if they suspect mental or physical impairments that may affect driving.
For NM:
Starting at age 75, drivers must renew annually although it’s free. Drivers of any age must take a vision test with each renewal.
For UT:
Starting at age 65, drivers must get an eye exam with each renewal. Drivers of any age may have their license restricted to driving at certain times or certain places rather than having it revoked.
I have not listed ALL the western states, only those that I usually drive in. As you can see, every state is a little different. Then there is also the question of where will your ‘domicile’ be, that is usually where you will be licensed. South Dakota is a popular ‘domicile’ for Fulltimers : Licenses are renewed every five years, with no special provisions for older drivers.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Ed! And yippee for South Dakota!
Well then…guess I will choose SD as my legal residence for full time RV life! Thanks for responding with such good info and detail, edlfrey!
CateW
Another plus for SD. no vehicle inspection. So once you get your plates and license there is no reason to go back unless you want to.
Those are the reasons I chose SD. I think I have to go back before my license expires in 2017. Registrations are renewed by mail. I don’t think driver’s licenses are. I have to check that. I don’t care…. going to SD at lease once every 5 years sounds like a fun plan!
Nope, drivers licenses can be renewed via DOV website. But you are right 5 years is ok.
Okay, thanks for letting me know. I can come up with plenty of other reasons to go to SD. Ha!
#1 is They have cute young Rangers!
Well, one is, anyway. Ha!
I don’t know of any states that restrict driving based on age. Basically, if you can pass the occasional tests (when you get license or renew it) you are good to go. Actually, from when I worked “slightly” in that field, the more usual problem is that people are driving (and licensed to do so) until past the point when they are no longer safe on the road. It’s best when one has the acceptance and grace to bow out when health/skills necessitate (but not before then – and not specifically by age).
Good point, Pen.
Part of everyone’s first aid kit who venture into the desert should include pliers, tweezers, and leather gloves. Chollas will jump. Truth. I’ve seen them. Oh, and a magnifying glass helps to see the little tiny spines stuck in the skin.
Of course Bridget knows what cacti are. She went to the ArborEEEtum.
Ha, ha! And led a tour at the Arboreeetum!
…. while riding in her car!
I have lived a good portion of my life in the desert and have been around cholla and prickly pear a lot. Those are the two cactus that have the very small Glochid needles that you can not see but hurt a LOT. The best thing that you can do is keep your distance. I have yet to see a cholla ‘jump’, if there are no pictures then it didn’t happen!
I have never carried pliers, I find that a comb is the best tool for removing the cholla links. Never wear leather gloves unless it is cold and if I did I still would not be touching the cactus with my hands. The gloves will become covered with the glochid thorns – not good. IF you do get those glocids in you put a couple layers of Elmers Glue over the area, let dry and peal off. OR, your first aid kit does have Duct Tape so apply that and then rip off. A magnifying glass and tweezers requires two hands which in many cases are not available and the tweezers may push in as many small barbs as they remove.
You know, Ed? You told me about using a comb to remove cholla barbs last year and I forgot all about that. I have a comb sitting out where I’ll remember to take it with us when we walk in the morning. Thank you for sharing strategies for dealing with cholla.
Comb! You taught me. I ‘ll never escape from boondocking at the cactus area in my next journey as long as keeping a comb.
Too funny!
Somehow I can HEAR Bridgee saying arborEEEtum!
I don’t know what it is about Bridget saying that word — I laugh whenever I think of it! It’s sooooo Bridget.
YOU laugh?
It was how she told the story, riding in her car (chariot, smiling, looking back at you….and then she gets all sassy and says….in case you don’t know how to say it…………….it’s ar bor EEE tum….got it?
What a goof!
Bridget has an attitude of superiority which isn’t totally unjustified. 🙂
“Reggie, still on his 20-foot tether, runs in circles around me while I twirl to keep my feet untangled, executes the chihuahuan long jump through the open door of the BLT,”
Ha ha, I can just see him flying around. Such incredible beautiful sunsets, a great motivator to get rid of my stuff and hit the road. After church today I stopped at the local ‘whole wallet’ natural foods store. I got some black tea Ginger kombucha and some Ginger covered in dark chocolate. My plan was to have the dark chocolate on hand if the kombucha taste did not suit me. Well I liked them both! Now I have to learn to make my own kombucha since the store stuff is pricey. Just another thing on my list, also growing greens in a window box…….clever! Thanks for sharing the beauty of this place.
Hi, Lisa,
I looked for kombucha in the store. Didn’t find it. That “ginger covered in dark chocolate” sounds very good. Chocolate gives me terrible headaches… sometimes I can eat the dark kind with no problems. I am so tempted!
I bet when you opened up “RVSue and her canine crew” the other day you didn’t know you’d end up wanting to make your own kombucha. Never know what we’ll talk about here!
I do believe that was the best sunset photo I have seen here in the three + yrs of following along this great journey. Your camp is so inviting…would love to be there. Enjoyed the bird sound also.
I watched a show last night on a local PBS channel. Deserts of America. When they showed the Sonoran, I said to my hubby, “I’ve seen this on RV Sue’s blog. Some rock formations shown were similar to pics seen her & on the Bayfield Bunch…..It showed many interesting creatures. Did you know that a road runner can run as fast as 32 miles per hour? I didn’t
Wonderful inspiring comments on the previous post. Didn’t get a chance to leave one. I copied down the URLs and various healthful tips. Misplaced them, so now have to go back and read again. It was a very informative comment section. I too am trying to walk more and eat less. With our Canadian dollar being so low, vegetable prices are skyrocketing. Cauliflower was priced at $6.99 the other day. I can do without one.
Enjoy your new location.
Gee whiz… $6.99 for a head of cauliflower? Incredible!
Yes, the comments under the previous post were very inspiring. They have me fixing a much better menu for myself. Good luck establishing healthy habits and healthy diet!
Love those roadrunners. I can’t think of any creature that makes me smile the way they do! It never fails. I see one running across the road, I smile.
Thank you for the compliment on the sunset photo. It wasn’t my handiwork that made it so glorious! 🙂
These photos are amazing. Great job capturing the essence of the Sonoran. It will be a beautiful spring bloom.
Hi, Julie, Molly & gizmo… Thank you!
One of our favorite spots. I was impressed with the selection of produce at Olsen’s as well – good stuff! Amazing sunset, great pics.
Hi, Jodee,
Olsen’s also has an impressive selection of teas and spices. It’s a good little store. It was tough walking by the bakery counter (I saw those Spanish pastries I love and looked away) and at the end where the fried chicken is…
INCREDIBLE PHOTOS as usual. I actually got to watch that sunset and even as great as your pictures are Sue, they can’t compare to seeing the real thing in person. Thanks so much for sharing.
You’re welcome, David. I’m glad you saw the sunset! You’re right — Photos are inadequate. Thanks for the compliment. I hope you are enjoying Quartzsite!
Good Mornig! Dear RVSue and canine Crew, and blogorinos,
Can’t wait your next post and photos. But it’s time to go the world of my dreams. It’s a tiny and vast one, may be. o:48 am now, Miiidnight in Japan. I must say Good Night. I’ll come here to get warm again.
Have a good day!
And you have a good night, Fuji-maru! Sweet dreams!
? Welcome Home! I don’t know why, but Ajo just seems like it should be your home base! Maybe because we camped there with you and The Bayfield Bunch, but it is such a comfortable and pretty area! We also had several amazing sunsets while we were there! Looks like the Bridge is all comfey and relaxed there too and looking all lovely!
The photographs of the sunset were amazing! Loved them all, but what a way to end this post!
Sorry we haven’t commented recently but Chuck and I have been busy with our glass projects! Suncatchers, wind chimes, etc., etc. ! Having fun! YAY, fun is good! Love you Sue! Hug your furbabies from us!
Good morning, Geri and Chuck!
I’m relieved to see you here and in your usual good spirits! I hope this means you weren’t bothered by the recent Florida storms.
Thank you for the warm “Welcome Home” and the compliment on the photos. Yes, Ajo is a special place and even more because of the memories of sharing it with friends. I’m so glad we had that time here!
I’m glad you both are having fun with your glass projects. I still think you should take photos and post them online, when you have a collection to show the world. You have an eye for art. I’m sure you are creating beautiful items.
Love you, too!
The storm that rolled through Friday night was pretty fierce! I have never seen lightning like that! Scared me spotless! Just wave after wave of lightning that never stopped for 45 minutes, then the rain came! Lol! Don’t have a rain gauge, but left a 4 cup measuring cup outside and we got a pint of rain! Hahahahaha!
Second storm pretty much missed us except for dropping rain, another pint! They have closed the bay to oystering until all the rivers and creeks that are flooding finish dumping into the bay! El Nino is working overtime everywhere!
I will send you some pictures in your email of our glass projects! ?
I look forward to seeing your creations, Geri…
Enjoyed our trek from Quartzsite to Ajo with you all. Great $3 wine and camaraderie.
That’s right! Y’all were there too! How could I have forgotten that? That was so much fun! From Quartzsite to Sues Pond and finally Ajo! Good times! We miss everyone out West so much! But we are doing okay here! I ma be having back surgery soon! Yay! Will let y’all know when I know! Hug each other from us! ?
That picture…should be on the cover of Arizona Highways!! We’re drying out, after being in the direct path of the tornado that, sadly, killed 2 people and caused so much destruction. Camping at Myakka River S.P. We all spent part of the night, people and dogs, in the bathrooms until the all clear was given. Just a good time to remind all to have an emergency plan on place. A NOAH all weather radio with back-up batteries is irreplaceable. Feeling very blessed!
We’re thankful you made it through the storm, Judy! It must have been a unique experience, sharing the bathroom with fellow campers and their dogs, for part of the night.
Thanks for complimenting my photos. I hope you can resume your enjoyment of Florida!
I have chased many sunsets, and I have captured some that are truly breathtaking, but yours is a masterpiece capture!!! God’s beautiful canvas, painted just for you and the crew!! There is a rush of excitement when I feel I have captured something amazing. I am sure you felt that with those sunset shots, as they are truly AMAZING!!
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Yaya
What a very nice compliment! Thank you, Yaya…. That sunset is a gift for all of us.
So beautiful, so smart, so regal. What a gal.
BTW – Minus 9 on my way to work today. As I type this it’s gotten all the way up to 4! The warmest it’s been in 3 days.
I spent about 45 minutes this morning just staring at the first picture of your camp. Thanks for that. Helps more than you know. 🙂
You’re welcome, Rick. And you have helped me this morning, more than you know. 🙂
Don’t ever let em’ get ya down sweetie. Life’s too short as it is.
Hi Sue, I am glad the comment is gone, it ruined my ZEN! Happy trails 🙂
This situation has ruined my Zen for over a day. Thank you for understanding.
What, nastiness that I wasn’t a apart of. I don’t believe it. And I missed it to boot. 🙂
Well anyway. Glad to see you are in your little peace of heaven.
I may have to stop in there when I finally head to NM. It is either Yuma or Ajo area.
Best wishes and enjoy!
Thank you, Alan, and best wishes to you, too.
If you’ve never been to Ajo (and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument), then I vote for Ajo. Worth the slight detour on the way to NM.
The Sonoran desert is known as the green desert, because it gets more rain, and therefore has more flora, than other deserts. It is the only place where you can find the glorious saguaro cacti. The Sonoran desert is why I moved to Tucson; it is such a beautiful desert.
That sunset is totally amazing. I wish I could be home now. I’m still at Tabby’s in southern CA. She is having her babies today. And expects to be home with them by the weekend. I am just waiting on…,don’t know what. Medical tests I guess. I see my cardiologist again on Thursday and plan to get more info on when he wants to do my heart surgery. If it is not soon…then I want to go home for awhile.
So…I think I’ll try to call his office and inquire about my tests. Then I’m off to the hospital to meet the babies sometime this afternoon.
Everyone have a great day!
What Hospital D.G.
Hoag in Newport Beach
I love the way you share with us, Ginger. I read your comments and feel like we just met up for coffee and a chat. I can understand you feeling unsettled right now, what with surgery in your future (but you don’t know when), being in the midst of a momentous event (a friend having two babies), and not being at home in your own routine to comfort and sustain you.
I hope you get the results of your tests soon. Are the babies girls or boys?
Two boys. However, changed their minds at hospital (Hoag Shirleen) and no babies today.
I called my doctor’s office and am awaiting call back. No one seems to know what I am waiting on.
The mountains in your photos are so neat looking…are they like they look….solid rock/granite with no trees or veg on them? Haven’t been to that part of the state….wanna see!
Hi, Penny in AR,
I’m no geologist… 🙂 The hill next to our camp is volcanic rock, very little dirt, mostly boulders. Desert plants grow among the boulders, widely spaced. Maybe someone who knows more will give you a better answer.
I like your curiosity. Yes, do come see!
I understand almost none of this and offer it up only in response to your request.
Where Sue is camped is not ‘in’ the Batamote Mountains but would appear to be the southern part of that main range. The geology should be the same or very similar and Sue was as descriptive as probably needed when she said “hill next to our camp is volcanic rock”.
“The Batamote Mountains represent a 14-16-million-year-old eroded shield volcano complex in the Basin and Range province near Ajo, Arizona. Volcanic deposits and field relations indicate that mid-Tertiary eruptions initially involved mild explosions from at least six vents, evidenced by near-surface intrusive units surrounded by ash, oxidized cinders, and spatter deposits. The associated lava flows partly cover the pre-Batamote basement silicic volcanic rocks. At least three subsequent effusive phases emplaced multiple flows from a minimum of six vents on the cinder cone deposits and earlier lava flows. The last volcanic event involved fire-fountains that produced several short, thin, agglutinated flows, forming the steeper summit of the volcano. Extension and normal faulting caused rocks in the central portion of the Batamote Mountains to collapse; subsequent erosion of summit material left the amphitheater morphology seen today. “
Yeah, that’s what I meant.
Thanks Sue and Ed!
To join the chorus, the sunset photos were truly magnificent. And to answer (sort of) the person who asked about camping when 70, I would think your doctor would have the best take on this. I’m 77 & now am in Florida with my 19′ trailer; when my vision & common sense deteriorates, then I’ll quit. But not until then! My doctor says I am the healthiest 77 year old he knows. I’ll be staying at a non-electric campground soon so I am working up to “boon docking”
Thank you regarding the photos, Maryanne… I’m glad you haven’t quit based upon a number, much wiser to use “vision and common sense” as indicators. You are very blessed as I’m sure you’re aware. Best wishes to you!
Those gorgeous sunset photos dragged me back out of the shadows. Absolutely stunning. How lucky you are to be able to witness such beauty!
I’ve been reading these last several weeks but not saying much. I guess I’ve been feeling sorry for myself. Reality has come home to roost, and it’s become obvious that I am never going to have a life on the road. It’s just not going to happen for me. I’m trying not to be sad about it. But, it’s been hard not to wallow in self-pity. Things are better now that the holidays are over and I’m not so stressed. I’m back to just being plain ol’ envious. Soon, I hope to be back to being supportive with maybe just a tiny twinge of green around the edges. 🙂
I really loved seeing how someone had put that protective ring around the cactus. Very encouraging.
Suzette
Suzette…….I am much like you in realizing I will not ever be able to
go out west and do some boondocking…Im 71 but dont travel too well
after taking a trip to Virginia back in June….I barely made it home…
we will just keep reading Sue’s great post and acting like we are looking
over her shoulder…..
chuck
I share your same fears Suzette. My health just gets worse and worse. Now that I am n oxygen 24/7 I seriously doubt I’ll be doing much camping in my future, unless my heart surgery allows me to get off oxygen. Sometimes life doesn’t go as we wanted; then it’s time to make a new plan. I hope the best for you.
Hi, Suzette,
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling down. It’s only natural to be “down in the dumps” when one’s dreams have to be adjusted in a way we don’t want. Maybe an alternative will become apparent. Life is full of surprises.
Yes, I am very fortunate to witness Arizona sunsets and to have a way to share them with you. And also glad you shared your disappointment with us. We’re here in the good times as well as the not-so-good times… Take care.
Wow…I miss a couple of days of reading your blog and then the best sunset pictures ever! I love seeing the desert pictures and cannot wait to experience it myself! But the cholla scares me! Each one of your desert pictures looks like a carefully created arrangement of shapes and textures. Just lovely!
Thank you, Laurie in NC… That’s a nice compliment about the “arrangements” in my photos. The next batch won’t be as well arranged. Sometimes I simply record what we’re doing, snapping here and there….
Fantastic photos Sue! Both the sunset and the cactus. Not to forget the fur kids.
I remember years ago in New Mexico taking some sunset photos and if you were a little late, no problem, just make it out the next evening and it be a replay.
Thank you, Sharon!
Nothing beats a gorgeous sunset when you are out boondocking. As an artist, if I attempted to recreate it on paper, it would look artificial, even though the colors would be exact. Mother nature always out does herself and you, Sue, captured it perfectly with your lens.
Thanks, Renee… I know what you mean about painting scenes of brilliant color and ending up with something that looks unbelievable, unreal.
With photography it’s easy for people to think the colors are photoshopped. I rarely fool with the colors of my photos in editing. Sometimes I increase the saturation if the photos were taken in bright sun or in very poor light. There’s a feature called “boost” which allows one to intensify the color all the way to neon. I never touch that one. Fakery!! I depend upon nature to provide! 🙂
Lovely sunset. Occasionally I see some beautiful sunsets from my neighbors backyard that are vibrant but nothing like these. I need to start back taking pictures. It is so cold here 14 deg this morning. I hate cold weather. Love your new spot and yes those cactus are beautiful and The look very deceptive. I was riding a horse that went down and I jumped off with a first base slide into a rock on my forehead and into a small patch of cactus. Not any fun. That is why the cowboys wore long pands and chaps among other reasons.
Enjoy your new place you and your fur-babies.
Hugs
Good Mornig! Dear RVSue and canine Crew, and blogorinos,
I hope today is a good day too! Zzzzzz…
All roads lead to Ajo.
And you have certainly found the most beautiful camp spot! I don’t understand how you do it but I am content to enjoy the photographic results. Including a spectacular sunset.
Mindy, our dog of uncertain age and parentage, wants something. Usually we go through a pantomime of me walking towards the kitchen or front door in order to discern what it is she wants. She’s already had breakfast, two – TWO – animalitos, and a potty break. She doesn’t want more breakfast. I suspect that she wants more animalitos; we could not get the regular kind (which both she and I like) so our Sue bought the frosted kind. Mindy has decided that she likes those very much, thank yew. But two is enough.
I will probably have to go to work today. The idea is mildly threatenting because it means I must solve a problem for someone. I don’t know, yet, what that problem is. Nor do I know what steps others may have taken to solve it that I must first unravel before I can fix the real problem (“my cousin bob is real good with computers” is a phrase guaranteed to strike fear into my heart). I always fix the problems, and usually send them a bill that is based on a fee that is almost 7-times the Federal hourly minimum wage and they always pay it. And call me back. Apparently there are not many engineers locally that understand Cisco… including several that went through the local Community College government-sponsored retraining classes designed to actually teach them how to understand Cisco. Our tax money at work. I’m hoping that they will all soon return to their normal careers framing houses and operating heavy equipment. Heck, operating heavy equipment sounds like fun to me, actually.
Oops… I see that I am still in the “stream of consciousness” mood that your previous blog (kumbacha) put me into. 🙂
Outside is snow, fog and grayness.
I’d rather be in Ajo… if I could just find the right road….
WDR
Good Morning Sue, lovely camp and Bridget looks great! I heard that the saguaros take 60 years to get old enough to grow one arm…so you are living amoung some mighty old vegetation. I find that amazing that some of those saguaros are that old and still standing upright.
I just finished my mint hot chocolate, changed up from coffee, lets see how well I make it through the day. But had what was left of a boysenberry scone from yesterday…I only eat half at a time. It was yummy. I know, I know were are trying to eat better, but I do get points for the boysenberries right? But my Nutri Bullet is sitting on my kitched sink, ready for work. On my way to Trader Joe;s right after work to get veggies and fruit to put in it and make it work for me. Love those Nutri bullet blasts. I don’t like to eat veggies, but I will drink them mixed with fruit with no trouble. Nice way to get the things that I need and enjoy it at the same time. So enjoy you Zen today….. Enjoy your veggies. Hugs to the pups 🙂
Hi to blogorinos…good night Fuji-Maru!
🙂
Hi Sue! Well, I guess it was the sunset that made me finally subscribe. That is absolutely gorgeous! I have been checking your blog for quite sometime, but am always playing catch-up, so it was time. I am planning to sell my house and go full time rving. I have been researching for quite a while now to learn as much as I can before I take the plunge and that is how I came across you entertaining blog. Love those dogs! My lab is going with me and of course she knows something is up. The mind reader! I don’t know when I will get out there but I am ready to go. Thanks for the sunset-that did it! If I see you on the road you will know it is me with the big idiot grin on my face waving like crazy and a fat yellow lab smiling:)
Hi, Linda! Great to see you here… You give me the opportunity to finally say, “Welcome to my blog!” You are now a blogorino. 🙂
I’m glad you liked the sunset photo. I hope you will keep in touch — Help us out by listing your state’s abbreviation or some other identifier behind your name. I think we have over 8 Lindas who comment and it can be a bit confusing! Thank you for subscribing to my blog.
Hug that “fat yellow lab” for me!
Read this post early Easter morning. Awesome feelings to see these photos. Just love your blog!!