Spike, Bridget, and I make another trip into Quartzsite.
“Okay, enough hanging around camp. Let’s go to town!”
Our main purpose is to pick up a bag of kibble to supplement the new meat diet the crew is on.
Photo for purpose of illustration. Do NOT try this at home. Take the wrapper off first!
Let me tell you, they LOVE having turkey for supper every day.
When I put the ground turkey in the big frying pan, Spike commences to bark and hop up and down like he’s on springs. Bridget waits patiently, her eyes glued on me.
Anyway . . .
We pull into the market on Main Street.
In fact we stop at both markets on Main Street. Neither one has kibble I want to feed to my crew. It’s ersatz kibble. You know the kind. Stupid brands like Big Red. I don’t buy any.
We do have a bag of kibble at home that’s fairly high quality (The first two ingredients listed are meat.). Trouble is, the crew isn’t fond of it. Oh well, I’m not always fond of what I eat either. (Update: They’re eating it.)
Well, as I’m cruising around one of the tiny markets . . .
Why a photo of a cactus here? Because I don’t have one of dog bones, that’s why.
I happen to look in the meat case, and what do I see? Dog bones! Big beef bones with meat hanging on them for $1.69 a pound!
I ask the butcher to wrap up the two smallest bones, which are still big bones for the crew.
Bridget and Spike are gonna’ have a grand time with these!
Before leaving the parking lot, I fill up some water jugs from a dispenser by the door.
A normal person would cruise the tents and booths that have overtaken Quartzsite.
People drive many miles for this. Maybe if someone urged me to go, drove through the traffic and pedestrians (without hitting any), found a parking spot and parked the vehicle, held my hand and pulled me along, I would do the Quartzsite thing.
By myself, the whole scene gives me the heebie-jeebies. I drive by, zippity-do-dah, right on out of town and back to our camp in the desert.
Returning to Kofa Wildlife Refuge, while bouncing up Palm Canyon Road . . .
I spy a Casita camped over by a wash. Hmm . . . I wonder who that is.
Darling, dapper Diego (Click to enlarge.)
A man and woman are sitting outside. The woman waves. I wave back.
Hey, that looks like Chris and Clete!
Chris recognizes me at the same moment I recognize her. She leaps up from her chair and sprints to the road, while I hit the brakes and jump out of the Perfect Tow Vehicle. Her husband Clete follows.
Diego trots gracefully toward me and toward the barking of the crew.
Of course, he’s graceful!
Have you ever met a clumsy Italian Greyhound?
I let Bridget and Spike out of the PTV to play with Diego, whom they met two years ago at a Casita gathering at Quartzsite. Incidentally, I met Chris and Clete at the same gathering.
Diego’s gentle face
Well, we chew the fat and share a few laughs.
The afternoon before the morning Chris and Clete break camp, Chris comes over and we talk and laugh and talk and laugh . . . .
Chris has that effect on me. Maybe she does that to everyone. I know I always laugh more around her.
I can’t wait to give Bridget and Spike their beef bones.
I make a big production out of it.
“C’mon, guys, have I got a treat for you!” I sit in my camp chair, the wrapped bones in my lap. Bridget and Spike rush over and sit at my feet, eyes expectantly on the prize.
“You’re gonna’ LOVE this,” I predict in a tone meant to tantalize.
Slowly I unwrap the butcher paper.
Bridget’s expression is intense. Spike is about to burst with anticipation.
“Here ya’ go, Bridget. One for you.” She sniffs the bone and hesitates, so I place it at her feet.
“Here’s yours, Spike.”
His eyes are as big as cue balls.
His jaws rip the bone out of my hands. He carries his treasure over to the new dog bed, sets himself down, and tears into it with the ferocity of a wild beast.
Notice the two-fisted grip.
“Bridget? Don’t you like yours, honey?”
Bridget gives the bone another half-hearted sniff, then looks at me as if to say, “You want me to chew on that thing? Ewww. It’s disgusting!” She walks off.
Oh well, now Spike has two bones. I’m sure he won’t mind!
I watch Spike work on that bone for several minutes before going inside to put away the groceries.
Bridget doesn’t seem disappointed. She watches me tidy up the kitchen. Then we go outside again. (Bridget’s my shadow.) Spike is unaware of our presence.
He’s really working that thing over!
Well, Spike chews on those two bones for the rest of the afternoon, taking quick breaks to get a drink of water, to relieve himself, and to eat his turkey supper.
Back at it some more!
The guy chews that bone until dark when I gently interrupt, pick him up and carry him inside. I put the bones in a plastic bag and place the bag in the refrigerator.
The next morning . . .
There he goes! Getting down to the marrow!
I sip my coffee and watch Spike gnaw on the bone. Nothing matters except the bone. Nothing exists except the bone. Right now Spike is truly, completely, happily a dog.
As for Bridget? Well, that’s another story . . . .
Winter sky after sunset, looking westward from our camp at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
rvsue
NOTE: I don’t know about you, but I thoroughly enjoyed the avalanche of comments written in response to the previous post. Several readers commented for the first time. Readers who haven’t commented in a long time appeared again. And, of course, many of the “regulars” joined in, too.
If you read the previous entry soon after it was posted , you might enjoy taking a second look at the comments. As I type this there are over 220 comments! I appreciate all who took the time to add their personal touch to my blog. You’re the greatest!
THANKS TO ALL WHO SHOP AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are a few of the purchases made recently . . .
Goal Zero Black Nomad Solar Panel
Sunday Afternoons Play Hat
Amplified HD Digital Outdoor HDTV Antenna with Motorized 360 Degree Rotation
Kal Nutritional Yeast Flakes
Volcano Collapsible Cook Stove
AmeriBag Classic Leather Healthy Back Bag
“FLASHBACK”
Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota, July 2012
The Best Little Trailer and the best little girl (photo taken moments before a storm arrived)
First again!
Gosh, Phil! How did you do that? You showed up a millisecond after I pushed the publish button! Congratulations!
My first comment was just a placeholder, here is the real one.
About being so quick to post, just lucky I guess. I get home from work at the same time everyday and the first thing I do is check your site for a new post. It must just coincide perfectly with your schedule of posting, me being over here in the Eastern Time Zone and all.
That Canine Crew of yours is surely a big part of your daily life and blog topics. They make for great entertainment and great companionship. It seems nearly every one of your readers has a pet of some sorts, myself included.
My wife and I are expecting to be full-timing no later than the summer of 2018, when I turn Social Security age. We are considering the pros and cons of not bringing along any pets on our travels. We had two cats until recently. We lost Jack (at age 17) last January. Jill is still with us (at age 16), but 2018 is a long way away.
My question is: Do you encounter many full-timers out there without pets?
Hi again, Phil,
First off, let me say that I don’t encounter a large number of full-timers, not like some people do.
You’re right… More often than not, the full-timers I meet have a dog or cat. However, not all full-timers have a pet. Les, whom I met recently at Sidewinder Road, is an example.
Maybe readers will answer your question better than I have. A bunch of full-timers are meeting right now at the RTR at Quartzsite. Maybe one of them will give us the percentage of full-timers without pets at their get-together.
We know one full-time couple in each camp (with pets and without). We currently have a dog but likely won’t hit the road for five to eight years (depending on whether we go when I’m 62 or when she is). Our dog in nine now and may not be around when the time comes. My wife has told me we won’t be getting another one, so I guess we’ll be in the petless group. On the other hand, there is still time to wear her down. 🙂
Hi Phil,
I know this comment is late but maybe you will still see. I don’t full time but I camp BUT for 6 years I lived in an RV park with my ex husband and I also worked there.
In that park we would get full timers and those didn’t have pets because they weren’t allowed. However, when I was working and taking phone calls I got many calls for people looking for campsites that did have pets.
I personally now have a dog and I can’t ever see myself without a dog. Personally I feel that pets are good for us and especially as we get older.
Each to their own but especially if a person is going to be doing the dispersed camping thing, I think a pet would be great.
We don’t boondock as often as SUE but we do meet a lot of fulltimer and our guess is better tha 60% have pets, mostly dogs. We travel with two and have had up to three and a cat.
Chuck n Geri n K9Kids in central FL.
Phil… See Sherry’s comment further down this page.
The ever-fastidious Miss Bridget! So funny! 😀
I hate to say it, but Bridget isn’t really a dog. Know what I mean?
We agree!!!!
Second’s not bad…we try harder. Great pictures. It’s raining in Vancouver area and possibly some snow for Mt. Hood. Finally.
Aww, Jeannie. You’re third. But that’s good. Third is good.
Besides, you have Mt. Hood. Not everyone has a magnificent mountain! 🙂
One thing about that beautiful mountain if you’re within 100 miles there she is, shining white with her winter coat. Breathtaking.
Kari Lake of the Fox News team of Hook and Lake on channel 10 in Phoenix was asking her little boy, Leo, how his little league Baseball team did in a recent game. He replied “Well Mom we came in second place.” When Kari mentioned in baseball there are only two teams, he answered “Yeah, we lost!”
That kid knows how to put spin on his news!
Isn’t it funny how each dog can have a completely different personality? We presently have 3 dogs, and each one is different. Love the flashback photo.
That was our first big storm living in the BLT. I’d like to go back to South Dakota. We had fun there.
Just wait til ole Spike decides to bring that gooey bone into the BLT and more so into the bed!
Bridget on the other hand is a dainty little lady! I laughed at Spike all sprawled out chomping away! Watch for the poopies as the marrow can be too rich!
So much for spike being the protector dog….meh thinks he’s preoccupied!
Thanks for the smiles!
You’re welcome, Cinandjules.
No, those old bones are NOT coming inside the BLT! I may sleep with dogs, but I do have some standards. 🙂
Sue,
One thing I didn’t mention in my prior post is, although I am definitely still in the rat race, we downsized recently from a 3000 sq foot house in the city to the 800 sq foot house much more in the country. I like the new (very old) house much better!
I know dogs like both Bridget and Spike. Some are “people” (they think and act) and some are “dogs”. 🙂
Wow! Congratulations on the down-sizing!
LOL Spike looks so adorable gnawing on that bone of his. I give my dogs bigger bones so they don’t swallow a big chunk. I also buy pig ears..they love, love, love pig ears and work on it for days. I don’t blame you at all for by passing Quartsite stalls…I accidentally stop there with sistas and we got curious and walked the stalls…I think I’m more into old furniture redos or make overs and homemade canned goodies i.e. jelly, honey, preserves that kind of stuff. Also love to browse books. I reading a collection of essays in book form called ‘High Tide in Tucson.’ Very interesting.
Hi, Rita,
These bones look like the joint bones. You know, the rounded part (that’s medical terminology).
I stopped looking for beef bones in stores because, when I lived in Georgia, a butcher said, “We aren’t allowed to sell bones.” I said, “Well what if someone wanted them to make soup?” He just shrugged.
Next I asked at the deli counter if they had any “ends” or scraps that I could have for my dogs. Same answer: “We aren’t allowed.”
Anyway, that’s why I was so surprised to see a sign over the bones, “Dog bones $1.69.”
Appears to be a variance in state laws?? The reasoning doesn’t jump out at me though. (loved Bridget turning up her nose at what nature meant as “dog food”)
Hi, Connie,
I didn’t ask the butcher any more questions. Maybe it was only the rules of that store. Didn’t see dog bones in any other stores in GA though.
Rita, Please be careful on the country of ORIGIN on the Pigs Ears.Make sure they are not from China and if no origin mentioned, PASS on “distributed by” as you don’t know where they are from. JMHO.
Absolutely agree!
Pig ears are fattening also! While we are on the topic of treats for our gang……..Raw hides can cause a blockage in their tummy….the same with greenies.
Off the subject…..with all the problems with EVERYTHING made in China…..why do we still get stuff from there? I try to buy items made in the USofA. End of rant
I tried pig ears with the crew a long time ago. I don’t know if it was Spike or Bridget… one of them started to choke on a piece that broke off. The ears were brittle. So I never bought them any more.
Hi Sue, I found your blog after I went to the Rice Casita store right before Thanksgiving. Tomorrow I’ll be sending a deposit on my 17′ Spirit Deluxe. I have a couple of questions for you, hope you don’t mind. Do you use your outside shower for non dog related duties? The awning did not seem very sturdy to me, do you use it much?
You may have covered this in your blog. I’m trying to catch up-I read your current blog and then several older ones-I’ve read to Oct. 10,2011. Your blog is like an encyclopedia of Casita camping. Thank you so much for sharing your life and times.
Casita owner by March, Jerrie
Hi, Jerrie,
I don’t use the outside shower hardly at all. I’ve washed produce with it, as well as Spike. That’s about it.
The awning/mechanism is sturdy enough. Any awning has to be treated with care and secured well because the wind can catch them easily.
I don’t use the awning much, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t. It depends upon how you travel and camp. Most of the year I’m moving a lot. So I don’t bother to put out the awning and secure it. However, many people camp in one place for a month or more at a time. Often people camp where there is no shade. In those instances an awning is very important. So it depends upon your style of camping/RVing.
As I’ve said before, I don’t use my awning a lot, but when I need it, I’m very glad I have it.
Thank you for reading my blog and working to catch up. 🙂 And congratulations on your Casita Commitment Day! Sending in that deposit makes it real!
We also have a Spirit Deluxe-2002 model. We use the outside shower hose as needed–mostly while boondocking. We have had to replace a connection to stop a leak but so far it has worked fine. We do use the awning frequently–almost always when there is no wind. So far we have not had any problems with it.
I make no bones about it, I love reading your blog everyday.
Now for some reason I’m hungry and I’m going to go eat dinner … ; )
Hi, Brian. . . Nice, little message that makes me smile.
I was going to comment yesterday, but reading in the evening I saw that you had already been inundated with comments. I’m reading from Oklahoma-its rainy and 37, but by Sunday it is supposed to be in the upper 60’s and sunny. Maybe that means it will be upper 50’s? lol I’m a transplant from Ohio and new to RVing. My husband and I have camped a few times in Central Oklahoma, but it isn’t very scenic. Are there any places in Oklahoma that you would recommend?
Hi, Michelle,
Well, upper 60s isn’t bad. And if turns out to be in the 50s, that’s still better than a lot of folks have it. 🙂
I’m not the person to ask about Oklahoma. I’ve driven through the state but I haven’t camped in it. This is a question for your fellow readers.
OKAY, READERS, YOUR INPUT PLEASE:
Have you camped in Oklahoma and what places would you recommend?
Texhoma Lake ! Loved it. Quartz Mountain Recreational Area, great
Eastern Oklahoma is beautiful, they call it “Green Country”. A chain of lakes, some have trout, paddlefish, all have good fishing. Rolling Ozark type hills, Indian Casinos if you are in to that. Camping is available but I’ve not camped here. I do see campgrounds everywhere though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Country_(Oklahoma)
Lots of beautiful scenery.
I might be biased… Lol
What a beautiful dog Diego is! And happy Spike with his bones, now Bridget what’s going on? HA! I enjoyed the dog conversations in your last post Sue, and you know what was said was true. I like that you are always so aware of your companions feelings and needs. I do beleive we who are close to our dogs know what they are thinking and they know what we are feeling. A dog gives us unconditional love, what more precious gift is there?
Glad you got out of Quartzite and loved the pictures as usual, thank you.
You’re welcome, Diane.
“I like that you are always so aware of your companions feelings and needs.” If I’m not aware, Spike makes sure I get a clue!
Sorry to come back with this issue, but when we click on an image it doesn’t open a bigger image… its stays the same size. This operation is than useless.
REMINDER: Clicking on small photos will enlarge them in a new window. Also, holding down ctrl and + keys at the same time will enlarge the entire page, including fonts.
I know, «ctrl +» will magnifies my screen (I use FireFox, I have this function built in) … but not the definition of the image. Your image has the same pixels.
See what I mean on: http://lifeontheopenroad.blogspot.ca/ If you click on her images they open double their initial size, from 400×300 to 800×600 pixels.
Same with: http://www.wheelingit.us/
or http://www.technomadia.com/
With a little help from your friends, I hope you can find the solution… there’s always room for improvement.
Sergio
Okay, Sergio…
I’ll move up the pixels from 640 to 800. When I loaded my photos previously at 800 px, I received complaints. Maybe most people have better connections now and it won’t be a problem.
Keep in mind that the photos created for the sites you linked were taken with cameras with much stronger lenses than mine. I can’t compete with that.
Now everybody, go use the links Sergio provided to see how much better these folks’ pics are compared to mine. *sob*
I won’t say what I am thinking but I will say. You do a wonderful job on your blog. I like it no matter how you do put it together. I didn’t go “check out” the other blog as I am satisfied with things now.
You’re a honey, Jim. Thanks. I will try to do better with the photos though.
Better???? You’re already up there with Ansel Adams! Your ability to capture the colors/scenery is amazing!
!!! 🙂
We’ve had a 17″ Casita for 5 years. My husband and I are on the California border getting ready to cross into Baja and spend my second winter (his 12th) camping south of La Paz on the Sea of Cortez side. We’ll be boating, fishing, whale-watching, hiking, etc. I’ll be glad to be warm. We’ll come back in time to do our taxes (ugh).
Re: the awning. It’s ok. One way to hold it down is fill bags with rocks and hang them on each post. We have also hung water bags. If it’s windy, we tie it down. If you do it right the awning will hold up quite well. We also sometimes run a rope across from front to back for extra strength. We’ve weathered some pretty fierce wind storm.
Sue, I love reading your blog. You write in a very engaging way. We’ve been to a lot of the places you have been in Utah (our home), Idaho, Wyoming. You’ve given me ideas for other places – particularly in Arizona. Someday I want to go through all your blogs and list the places you’ve been – sort of like an index. (Has anyone already done that?)
Hasta luego
Penny
Hi, Penny,
(Now there are two Pennys who comment here!)
Thank you for the compliment on my writing. If you’d like a summary of the places the crew and I have camped, run through the months under “Money” under the header photo. I include a summary of our camps by month and they are in bold case so you can find them easily.
Sooo interested in your Baja adventures! We plan to visit the Gonzaga Bay area late Feb. Any suggested campgrounds? Suggested destinations for first time Sea of Cortez visitors? We camped south of Ensenada last year and loved it.
kgdan,
My husband has camped at Papa Fernandez near Punta Willard. But we go further south. We enjoy spending time at Santaspac in the Bahia Conception which is a big bay south of Mulege. It is full of islands that are fun to boat and snorkel around. There are a number of beaches in the area that people winter on. We started going down when we were still working and had only 2 weeks or so. It’s right off highway 1 so is easy to get to.
My addition to the pet discussion. We prefer cats. Ours is 17. She loves to travel with us but she is going downhill. Don’t know how much longer we will have her. When she is gone we will get another one. I can’t imagine a home without a pet.
We full time without pets. Just as happened to Phil, over the 3 years prior to full timing the last of our pets died and we decided to go on the road petless and see what we thought. It turns out after 3 years on the road that we like it mainly because we can be gone from the rig to hike or bike or kayak for long periods of time without feeling guilty. Where are you Phil in SoFLA? I’m in Myakka State Park and just left Oscar Scherer State park.
Sue, your commenters are amazing. I know NO ONE with a blog who gets 200 comments to a post.
Hi, Sherry,
Yes, my blog has wonderful commenters. In truth though, about half of the 200 comments are my replies.
Pets do influence decisions. One has to weigh companionship vs. freedom.
Hi Spike,
You are outnumbered by the gals, but you do a good job of holding your own.
BTW, your fur is looking good in the pics by Sue.
Have met Spikey in person and he is one cool dude! Somehow puts up with Bridget, the sweet, but when close to water, he is soak KING!
Hey, Tom . . . RVSue and the Bridge are a handful, I tell ya’… Hafta’ make like I’m goin’ by their rules to keep ’em happy, but I’m the boss dog . . . . Spike
Bridget (being a brilliant female) KNOWS that you love her and therefore doesn’t need the reinforcement of the bone. Spike (being a typical male!) KNOWS that you love him but doesn’t mind your added show of affection by way of something he will enjoy devouring.
If you’re ever in the mood for a giggle, check out YouTube/Sad Dog Diary by zefrank1 – he has one on dogs AND cats. Both are (somewhat perversely) hilarious. Now when I catch my dog looking at me, I can’t help but wonder if he’s writing an entry for his diary! When I read about the adventures of your crew, I can’t help but think that CERTAINLY Bridget has written several entries. Spike, probably not – but he’s been meaning to start a diary!!
hugs,
Lacy (ps – comments on your previous post? AWESOME numbers or WHAT!)
PSS – almost forgot: I FINALLY remembered to go thru your blog to order something on Amazon. FINALLY!!!!! I won’t tell you how many palm to forehead slaps I’ve gone through to get to this point…………..
Thank you, Lacy! No more hitting yourself!
Terriers are an intense breed of dogs. Our two (jack russells) are 14 and 10 and they both still jump when it’s dinner or treat time. Not as high as they once did, maybe… but they still jump. 🙂 They love to go in the RV; it’s the perfect dog’s life. A combination of adventure and naps. LOL
I enjoy your posts mostly because you are where we have been in the past and where we will be again in the near future. I never realized just how many free camping there is until I started going through your essays. Thanks for those… and for the nice photos.
Craig
Hi, Craig the Kayaker, 🙂
You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure to bring back memories for you!
220 comments…………is that a record Sue…………..I waded through most of them but didn’t add to your list. Enjoyed the reading very much!
Hi, Glenda,
233 the last time I checked. Of course about half of those are mine. It is fun to read the comments of a wide range of folks who come to my blog, especially when they share about themselves. I hope it will continue! (I’d love to hear about your life in Australia… hint, hint.) 🙂
Okay…confession time!! The first thing I thought when I saw your top picture on this post was what the heck are all those chairs doing out at Sue’s camp??? She says she likes her peace and quiet and then she goes and has a party without inviting her closest 200 commenters from the yesterday’s blog post…what gives???? LOL Hugs as usual!!
Hi, Sheri,
I figured I get that reaction when I took the photo. Hmm . . . Somebody’s gonna’ comment on the chairs . . .
I put them out for friends, Bill and Ann, who are neighbors. I leave them out . . . one chair is for catching morning rays, another for napping and daydreaming, another for reading in the afternoon with the sun at my back… Oh my, everything for a reason!
I have been enjoying your blog for a while but haven’t commented. I finally today got around to reading your “About” page and could so relate to who you are! I live in McDonough GA – I have friends in Athens – they owned Inoko’s, the Japanese restaurant. I am also a loner, though I was also a mother in my heart. Never found a Mr. Right who wanted to marry so I just went to China and brought home a couple of kids! They are 16 now, one 17 next month, and I think about the future a lot. While I would love a little cabin in the woods above Asheville, I do not have any retirement and I have not much income as my job has sketchy work and I can’t get another job due to a heart arrhythmia that keeps me from driving sometimes and keeps me from working other days and my boss is tolerant of this and I work from home. So I will need low costs when I retire. And I have always wanted to see this country and I SO love camping and feel most at home in the midst of nature. I think I would love the life you are living. I do currently have three cats and three dogs, so I would have to whittle that down first LOL! You have inspired me to try to save as much as I can here and there – hide it from myself – and possibly live that lovely vagabond life. I do feel a bit nervous about safety but I was encouraged to hear you have never had any trouble. I could even technically take my medical transcription work with me if I still needed to work since I work remotely. I am so enjoying the tales of you and Bridget and Spike – love that photo with the bone with his little feet splayed out behind him! Keep up the good posts and photos! It is such a treat when there is an RVSue blog post to read!
Jan,
If you would like to read about the Fulltime RV life of a woman that is a translation transcriber I suggest these two links. She started with two cats but is now petless.
http://travelswithmiranda.uskeba.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Travels-With-Miranda/113179724570
Thank you Ed! That is right up my alley!
Hi, Jan,
I used to work with a teacher from McDonough. Small world, eh? I enjoyed reading your comment. You shared a lot about yourself. You showed some gumption, adopting children and raising them without a spouse.
I wish you well as you make a plan for retirement. It’s good to mull over the possibilities, as well as the difficulties you might encounter.
Thank you for the compliment on my posts and pics. Yeah, that photo of Spikey is my favorite of this batch . . .
By the way, when I said whittle down my pets, I did not mean get rid of them! I would NEVER part voluntarily with any of my pets and I couldn’t stand for anyone to think that! They are my family. I meant not to acquire any more as these leave me due to hopefully very old age! And actually my daughter has already asked me who gets the pets when they move out on their own! So if need be they will always have a home, though I think I am too selfish to part with them.
Oh, I knew what you meant, Jan. Unfortunately, it’s a fact that our pets have a short lifespan. 🙁
HA! I do believe, RVSue has found just the perfect thing to keep ol Spikey home!!
And, I am not surprised Miss Bridge turned her nose. She strikes me as a woman who would rather go to Spa and be pampered… my the RVSue Spa (lap).
Well, the last time I replied to your blog post, I mentioned I was walking out the door to take my husband to the hospital. Two hours after my comment, my husband was wheeled into ICU with a staff of 8 at his side.
He earned the admit to the ICU because he tested positive for influenza A, AND because he is a diabetic. CDC requirement, because of the influenza A on board, he is tested for N1H1 and another “rainbow” lab is ordered, stat. I leave to come home having been operating on an hour and half sleep for the past day.
Minutes later, the lab calls his ICU room informs the doctor the glucose level is 1000, and he is positive for N1H1. Hospital calls me immediately. I am 5 minutes from them and 5 minutes from home. I am told this news, and drive right past our home to the Walmart. It is 4:00AM.
I dash in and grab 20 bucks worth of Lysol and 10 bucks worth peroxide. Home by 4:25 AM. I am so tired, I see my bed and about to drop. I begin to spray the bed with Lysol, the pillows, the air working my way into the bathroom. I wait 30 minutes, strip the bed and head to the washer, in goes the sheets, pillows and Clorox and tide. The button is dialed to Sanitized, and pushed. The hospital calls. My heart sank. The voice on the other end informs me my husband’s blood sugar has reached 1260. The are increasing the insulin drip. I am told to go to sleep.
I have to be at a hearing at 8AM. It’s almost 5:30, going to sleep now may not be a good idea. I rubber glove myself and grab another bottle of Lysol spray and new roll of paper towels and head to the master bathroom.
At some point, I must have fall to sleep on the job. My niece found me with spray in one hand, paper towel in the other sitting leaned up against the sink cabinet. I must have sleep darn good as I had no problem staying awake for the next 17 hours.
I’d like to share something very important with everyone. If you are, or you know someone who is a diabetic and you learn the flu is visiting them, please, please check on them. Swine flu and influenza A will cause the blood sugars to rise fast to dangerous levels causing the person to be constantly thirsty. Take the person to the closest ER or call an ambulance. I had checked his glucose level when I came home and it registered 550, I gave him 80 units and walked him to the car. 25 minutes later, he was at 960.
My husband had gone into diabetic ketoacidosis (pronounced: kee-toe-as-ih-DOE-siss), or DKA. DKA is a very serious condition that can lead to coma or death if it’s not treated.
I am happy to share, my fast thinking and knowledge saved his life. The flu is rapid this year, and especially dangerous to those people who suffer from diabetes and other medical problems. Carry Lysol Wipes with you when visiting super markets and such places. Clean the handles of carts, wipe down your steering wheels, door knobs and radio buttons in your vehicles. The refrigerator doors, commode handles.. everything. Remember, some people are “carriers” and may not come down with the flu itself. The card pad where we swipe our credit / debit cards… are infected with more germs than you could imagine. Please use Lysol wipe on the keypad while your items are being scanned, doing so will help prevent you from becoming ill.
The Number place to catch the flu: Walmart!
Kay, Thankfully your fast thinking got hubby to the hospital. Take care of yourself too.
Good heavens, Kay! What an ordeal… scary! I hope your husband is doing much better today.
I don’t know how you kept going and going and going. You could’ve fallen asleep while driving.
Thanks for the important information. You’ve done us a service. Like Mary said . . . Take care of yourself. Keep in touch.
Kay is right!
Walmart: wipe your cart, use the Purell and stay clear of hacking and hewing folks!
You know how you feel when you go to town….and mingle.
You most definitely captured Spike’s joy with that bone. It makes sense that Lady Bridget wouldn’t be joining in…she might get dirty!!
You’re such a good mom!!
Hi, Pam,
Bridget is a dainty girl, but I thought her canine nature would surface in the presence of a meaty bone. Now I’m convinced she’s not a real dog!
RvSue and adorable crew….you out did yourselves in this blog…I smiled and laughed …more smiles and laughs and more “awes” at Spikey enjoying his bones…!!!
Hi, Betty-Shea. . . It’s fun to read you got some laughs out of this post. . . Thanks for letting me know!
We came t h i s close to heading to Quartzsite after our week here in Palm Springs, but in the end I decided it didn’t really look like my scene, as interesting as it does appear to be on paper. So, we’re moving on to Malibu, CA instead, where winter rates make the one RV park there relatively affordable. (I’m a bit of a wimp I admit – I badly desire hookups in the winter when days are short and nights are cold!) The draw is the both the ocean (of course) and the Santa Monica National Recreation Area, which is literally in the backyard of the RV park. Not to mention an awesome seafood shack we can walk to as well.
Your story about the dog bones made me both smile and feel a bit sad. Our much loved dog, Lady, would literally go into a trance when I would give her a bone, and stay there until the bone was demolished. We lost her to kidney disease a year ago, and it was the first time in my life I truly understood what it was to grieve. Even still, I can only go so far in my thoughts of her before having to retreat from them.
Hugs to you and the crew from still warm and sunny Coachella Valley!
Hi, Tamara,
Your camp sounds like a paradise, especially at this time of year. I suspect many readers of this blog ache to be near a sunny beach eating seafood, instead of dealing with snow and cold. You are blessed!
Thanks for writing. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you!
Hi Sue, Pauline sent me to your site! enjoy looking at it. 40 years ago I spent 2years traveling out West in a VW bus with two dogs, no money, and lots of wonderful memories. Enjoy.
Speaking of wonderful memories…. I recall a guy who often had me giggling instead of paying attention to the teacher. 🙂 Great to hear from you, John Paul!
“So, we’re moving on to Malibu, CA instead, where winter rates make the one RV park there relatively affordable.”
I went to your web site and found Malibu Beach RV Park listed among your recommended Parks. I assume this is the one that you are referring to as being relatively affordable. I looked at the rates that they have posted on their web site and I have to say that “relatively affordable” is relative.
RVSue and I both live a Fulltime RV lifestyle on about the same yearly income (excluding Amazon earnings) but do so in much different ways. She pays almost nothing to rent her spaces whereas I rent a different RV Park space almost every month. Sadly, neither of us could stay at the Malibu Beach RV Park for very long. RVSue because that is not the way she lives and me because I could not afford it. Most of their Weekly rates are more than I am willing to pay for a month.
I suspect that you made a very good decision to give Q a miss and move on to Malibu. I don’t think you would have enjoyed staying in Q. As RVSue says, you are blessed!
We always enjoy Quartzsite, local stores and lots of vendors. We stay at La Posa West, cause Suzie likes the security of other people nearby. And I can wander about these vendors, just to go for a walk. No need to drive the crowded roadways.
Spike sure is enjoying that bone!
Hi, George and Suzie,
On the way home from Quartzsite I saw a man walking into town from La Posa West. That’s a good place to park if you want to visit the booths and take in the Big Q experience. I love how people use RVing to carve out enjoyable days for themselves. Hope all is well with you and yours . . .
I love the dog bone story!! We give our dog (part corgie, part German Shepherd) a partial leg bone of a cow whenever we go on a trip and leave him behind. He doesn’t even miss us! When we left for the Grand Canyon for two weeks I gave him the bone and all I got was a little growl when I went to say goodbye to him. He didn’t want me anywhere NEAR that bone! I am fortunate that I can get him his bones from our meat market for free and it is usually enormous! My husband calls the back porch “the bone yard”. Also been meaning to mention what might possibly be a cheaper cell phone deal for you. I have Tracfone for my cell service. Tracfone, by the way, owns straight talk, also. The two, however, don’t share anything, not even phones. You have to buy their phones, but you can purchase minutes and then enroll in their service protection plan for a little over 6.00 a month. That way you can use your minutes whenever you want (they do roll over from year to year) and only pay the 6.00 monthly fee. I don’t use cell phones much, my husband doesn’t even HAVE one. He calls it “the electronic leash”! I can make 1 hours worth of minutes last a long, long time and only pay 6.00 per month. It could be worth your while to check it out-although their service is in India I don’t think its much different than other cell phone services. Just FYI! Here in Texas, between Houston and San Antonio, it was 18 degrees Tues. morning. Now it is 68 degrees, raining, and terribly humid. Yuck! Although we love the rain, since we are still in drought mode (at least 8n years and counting). Keep the posts and the pics coming-love em all!
Hi, Terri,
Spike would be ecstatic with a cow leg bone! He’d be over the moon! “Bone yard” — funny.
He’s so proud of his bones. Today Bill and Ann came over to our campsite with their two dogs — Samantha the beagle and Julie the dachshund. We three adults are standing in a group talking with the dogs at our feet. Spike goes over to his bone and brings it back to the other dogs, lies down and starts chewing in front of them. He was obviously showing off — “Look what I have and you don’t.”
I should look into that Tracfone service. I have a Tracfone with Straight Talk and it’s costing me a lot more than $6 a month. I’m like you. I hardly ever use the phone.
Glad Texas is getting some rain.
I’ve been to Quartzsite during the big RV show three years. I have never been to the big tent. Shopping is not my thing. I go to meet up with friends I see only during this time. They all go shopping, though, and one brought me back a tiny flyswatter with an extendable length handle I have used and appreciated.
Another sign that Bridget is not a dog–she sits on one hip with her legs to one side just like we “ladies” were taught to do when sitting on the ground.
Hi, Linda,
So you’re a tag-along-with-the-shoppers kind of person, too! I’ve always been one of those. That’s what I meant when I wrote that someone has to take me to see the vendor booths. . .
Bridget’s not going to sit in a squat like Spike does. Like you said, she’s a lady!
My dog sits like that too-the dog trainer at my class called that “a lazy sit” and stressed that it was an undesirable trait. I just thought it was cause his front legs were shorter than his back legs! (They are). I really don’t care! Btw, sorry for the double post!
Well, Terri, your dog trainer may think the side-sit is undesirable. I think it’s cute! And I’m thankful that the leg Bridget throws out to the side when she sits is a leg that functions. Remember the scare when she injured it chasing a chipmunk? I took a chance not putting her through surgery . . . .
There is nothing undesirable about a side sit! Bridget’s side sit is part of her character!
Hi Sue,
After the last couple of post I thought I would chime in.
I read your every post and have been following for a couple of years now, just never comment much because you have your regulars.
Just thought I would let you know the wife and I enjoy your travels and following along with you and the crew.
Stay safe and keep up the great job, you’re a great writer.
Take Care
Mike
PS. What ever happened with the curtain project?
Haha! I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about the curtains! You have a good memory, Mike, for insignificant details like my window treatments. 🙂 I’ll post a photo soon.
Gee, I hope it doesn’t seem like the “regulars” are a clique… how very middle school! Two comments makes you a regular, okay? I encourage men to comment. I like what the women have to say but I don’t want this to turn into a “chick blog.” So please drop in any time . . .
Thanks for the compliment on my writing. I appreciate your long-time loyalty to my blog.
Hi, Sue! I’ve bought a bunch of stuff on Amazon this week from your site..hope it helps you a bit.. We are in Parker (BLM, of course) and will be heading for Qsite next week for the RV and gem show. Nice to see that you and crew are doing well!
Thanks a lot, Bruce, for ordering through my blog. The first few days of January didn’t bode well for sales. Now they’ve picked up again. I appreciate that . . . and you!
Enjoy the gem show . . .
I know you’re over by Kofa, but I swear I just saw a rig *exactly* like yours just down the road from us in Yuma. Am I seeing things? Haven’t commented much recently with all my travels, but thoroughly enjoyed your year-end round up series.l I’ve got lots of ideas for WA now!
Nina
Um, Nina… You spilled the beans! YES, it’s us! And I can see YOU, too!
I still admire your way of travel…off the grid and away from my people. A way that I plan to follow starting this coming May 2014.
You must be very excited as the day draws close. You’ve done your research. Soon you’ll take off! I wish you the best.
Hi RVSue..LilNomad here..thanks for my Volcano Cook stove, tire covers and books..hehe ordered via your site I think you got the credit. Im still working the corp 9-5 gig but hope to get on the road someday. I’ll be in the 25ft Airstream bbq’ing on the Volcano hehe
LilNomad
Hi, LilNomad,
You beat the odds…. TWO of your orders in the List of Six. Thank you!