Thursday, August 18
“Ya’ know? This Tucker Ponds sounds interesting,” I remark to the crew as I close the atlas. “Let’s take a little drive up there and see it.”
Bridget, Reggie, and I ride out of Park Creek Campground, south of South Fork, and take Route 160 southwest. We go through a tunnel.
Soon we come to the left turn for Forest Road #390.
The gravel/dirt road is narrow, only one lane most of the way. Holding my breath, I ignore the severe drop-off on the right side as the PTV carries us upward.
As soon as we arrive at a flat, wide-open meadow, I park the PTV.
“Let’s see what’s at the end of this spur.”
Reggie runs ahead. Bridget takes care of business and hurries to catch up.
“You found a boondock, Reg!”
There’s the fire ring. Hmm. . . a private spot but this site isn’t very level. I hear water. I bet it drops down to a river. I can’t see me backing the BLT up to that edge. . . . . too scary!
“Reggie, come back here! You’re too close!”
The next two photos are misleading.
In reality the gorge is much deeper than it looks in these pictures. I think the eye is fooled by the usual expectation of the height of trees. These trees are very tall, possibly more than a hundred feet!
In my long struggle to learn tree identification, I find an excellent website of the Colorado State Forest Service. Tree characteristics are described in a concise, clear manner and there are very helpful, accompanying photos.
Click this link, “Colorado’s Major Tree Species,” and see if you can figure out what kind of trees are in these photos. Maybe you already know!
I estimate our elevation at this boondock is somewhere around 9,500 feet. That’s Pass Creek down there, flowing through the gorge.
The crew and I board the PTV and continue on our way upward.
I spy another campsite. This one is also at the edge of the gorge, off a spur road. Someone is enjoying a secluded, private camp!
See the open, horizontal strip across the forest in the background? That’s Route 160 on its way to Wolf Creek Pass (elevation: 10,857 ft.), my nemesis of a few weeks ago.
At last we arrive at Tucker Ponds!
The ponds are on the left side of the road. I turn right to enter the campground which clings to a slope, giving several of the sites a view of the ponds.
No one is camped here.
The campground holds a collection of downed trees, tree stumps, brush, and those little cylinders that protect recently planted seedlings. The beetles have taken their toll and it will be a while before the campground regains its former beauty.
My photos don’t show what I just described. It’s difficult for me to photograph nature before she has a chance to beautify herself. I show you the best campsites here.
The pay station says $17 as the camping fee. The senior discount rate is left blank. I assume it’s half-off — $8.50 — because Tucker Ponds Campground is in Rio Grande National Forest. No reservations. The campground will close after Labor Day.
“Oh . . . deer!” I whisper to myself.
I stop the PTV and hold the camera out the side window as a doe and her fawn make their way up the slope, out of the campground, and into the woods.
Look at that cute hiney!
This blog could be referred to as “The Cute-Hiney Blog.”
I’m forever taking photos of cute bottoms!
“Well, crew, that field looks like fall is coming.”
I drive us out of the campground and across the road to the parking lot for the ponds. One other vehicle is here.
“Bridgie, I’m so glad you want to come with us.”
A path! The crew cannot resist a path!
Away they go with me following, taking a photo of . . . their cute behinds, of course!
We pass a couple fishing from a small dock.
Ducks greet us, curious about the guy in the green outfit, I guess.
The couple have a dachshund with them. Neither the doxie nor Reggie seems interested in each other, which is unusual, while Bridget hardly takes notice of the doxie, which isn’t unusual at all for her.
We walk about halfway around the pond.
The path leaves the pond and disappears into the woods.
Seems that Bridget is in charge today.
She stops, looks at the path, turns around, and, with nary a glance over her shoulder, heads back down the path toward the PTV. Oh, well. I guess we’re going . . . .
Reggie and I hurry to catch up.
Hey, another, excellent opportunity to grab a cute-hiney pic!
As we near the parking lot, I rush ahead of the crew, turn around, and shoot the next photo. I don’t know why Bridget and Reggie freeze at this point.
They look like statues!
No, not statues, something else . . .
You know those ceramic creamers that are cows with a hole in their back for pouring the milk (or cream) into? You pick the cow up by its tail, tilt it, and milk comes out of its mouth right into your coffee cup?
Now most people know that milk doesn’t come out of a cow’s mouth. Nevertheless, cow creamers were popular items at one time. Weird.
Anyway. . . .
Look at the photo again.
Doesn’t Reggie look like a dog creamer? Pick him up by the tail and pour!
Hmm . . . I bet I could sell Reggie Cow Creamers and make a killing.
And look at Bridget. How about Bridget replicas for door stops? Or maybe one on each side of one’s driveway!
Well, maybe not.
Okay, where was I? Oh, yeah.
Tucker Ponds, plural.
I toss the crew into the PTV, roll the windows down a bit, and, upon leaving, say, “You’ve had two walks this morning. Wait here while I go over to take a look at the other pond.”
Looks like the other pond, all right. Water, grass, trees, path, ducks, nice. Also a few people fishing from shore. Done! Back to the crew!
We rumble our way down the mountain to Route 160 and turn for home.
That was fun. Gosh, I never gave altitude a thought. Tucker Ponds is almost 10,000 feet (9,860 ft. actually).
I guess we’re not flatlanders any more!
rvsue
NOTE TO READERS: Some of you read this post looking for a pic of my cute hiney. Sorry to disappoint. — Sue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Two more cute hineys seen on the return to camp!
CLICK LINK TO SHOP AMAZON NOW!
Firdt?
ANOTHER TIE! CONGRATULATIONS, CYNTHIA!
1st?
YEP! HOORAY FOR RETIREDCAJUNLADY!
Ha ha, typing so fast I couldn’t even spell correctly!
Oh, I thought I caught you with your mouth full! 🙂
1st? now read
SECOND PLACE GOES TO DONNA!
I know I am not first, but I haven’t been this close to it in weeks ! lol Now back to actually reading the posting 🙂
SHERRI D TIES FOR SECOND PLACE!
Close…Man, you blogorinos are ON-TOP of your game!!
YOU MADE THIRD PLACE, MILLIE!
You are in a mood today, aren’t you Sue? Hineys, creamers, doorstops, and a tease about your own hiney. Now … if we could only get Reg or Bridget to grab the camera we might get lucky. Everyone seems to be doing very well at the higher elevations, but I’m thinking it makes you a little silly! 🙂
That could be the reason, Cynthia!
Really, I don’t want my blog to turn into we-went-here-then-we-went there. That’s hard to avoid during the summer when we travel a lot… Thus a little levity added to break up the travelogue… 🙂
I think part of the charm of your blog is that you share your conversations with Reggie and Bridget, and you share your conversations with yourself. The hineys, the Reggie pitcher, the Bridget driveway statues—all part of the appeal 🙂
Hi, MnDreamer,
When I started this blog I threw down the gauntlet on any self-respect I had remaining after being a middle school teacher for 11 years. I look at my posts and I think, “Gee, I sound like a complete fool. Oh, well.” Hahaha!
Seriously, I’m glad and thankful that you find my conversations charming.
I’d buy a Reggie milk pitcher, LOL! What a beautiful place. I’m going to have to get back to Colorado one of these days.
Hi, JanisP…. Great to see you here again! Do you miss Ecuador?
I miss some things about Ecuador, but am glad I moved back. Mostly I miss the cheap, wonderful fruits and veggies, and being able to buy a whole beef tenderloin for $2.30 a lb! And I REALLY miss passionfruit, which I loved and just aren’t available at any price here. I definitely don’t miss trying to communicate with my rudimentary Spanish, and having to call a $1 taxi, $.25 bus or walk everywhere.
I think I saw quite a few sub-alpine trees in your photos. One of my favorite for their shape. I always know what elevation I’m at when I see them (kinda high). 😀 Nice shot of the fawn–love seeing them.
Hi, Kristi & Daisie,
I checked that website again and those trees do look like the photo of a sub-alpine fir. I don’t know why I have such a hard time identifying trees.
Like you, I use aspens to estimate elevation. Usually see them at 9,000 feet or higher.
Top ten! Hineys everywhere today…
Oh my gosh . . . It’s Hiney Day! 🙂
Hmm, I thought Wednesday’s were Hump Day. LOL!
Hi, Rochelle!
“I could a been first if I had been here earlier.” *My best Yogi Berra imitation*
Love it!
My favorite Yogi quote is (I hope I don’t mess it up)…. “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
Favorite Yogi quote.
“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.”
Ok. Comment time. I was a die-hard Downton Abbey fan, but each Sunday night when the opening credits were on I had to laugh! It was a shot of a dog’s hiney as it walked! So much for Masterpiece Theater…
Now, your photos, Ms. Sue, are masterpieces. And what a beautiful theater you have in Colorado’s wilds. Absolutely gorgeous! Even hiney shots are truly wonderful. Cream pitchers and door stops? LOL! Girl, you sure that thin air isn’t playing mind games with you?
Thank you so much for a delightful post, Sue. Take care. Belly rubs, hiney pats, hugs, and prayers.
Hi, retiredcajunlady,
One of these days I need to rent Downtown Abbey. I’ve heard people talk about it for years. Since I don’t watch tv, haven’t had cable or satellite in decades, I haven’t seen it. British series are some of my favorites.
Hiney pats all around! 🙂
Just a thought…if you have Amazon Prime, all six seasons are free to watch right now. And the seasons are short…only about nine episodes per season. You can watch right on your computer.
Good to know! Streaming the shows onto my computer will use up a lot of data. 🙁 Thanks for letting us know about this, rcl.
I’ve only ever watched Downton Abbey on PBS video online. I don’t do tv. Just checked – Amazon Prime video has it.
Episode 1 (Original UK Version)
Thank you for sharing your travels! I can’t wait to hit the road myself it will be June of 2017. I was retired one year ago August 1st of this year and it is my dream to solo with my dog Gracie!
Regards
Cheryl (pupcamper)
Tennessee
Hi again, Cheryl! I’m happy to see you appear here again.
Only about 10 months to go! Gracie is a very fortunate dog to have such a future ahead of her. 🙂
When we were in Colorado a few weeks ago on two separate occasions we came across a mom and two fawns and both times one fawn would collapse in the road as if hiding with no cover and the other fawn and mom ran off. I thought that was odd.
That does seem odd, although I’m no authority on fawn behavior. It would seem that the fawn is endangering itself. Or maybe that’s a behavior of very young fawns that are not developed enough to run, relying more on camouflage for protection. In the road? Not good.
the blogorinos on this blog is too fast for me……
now to go back and read the story
chuck
That’s okay, chuck. I don’t move too fast either. 🙂
Love the tunnel shot! I lived in NJ as a child and we used to drive to Chicago to vacation at my grandmother’s house. One of the highlights of the trip was going thru the tunnels on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and there were a lot of them. I’m glad I grew up in a time when it took so little to get excited about 🙂
Me, too, Susan. We didn’t need a $300 gadget to stare at. I still get a thrill out of stuff like going through a tunnel!
Do you blow your horn? There is a tunnel on Hwy2 right across the river from Money Creek Campground where we camped recently. I’d say nearly half of the vehicles passing through honked their horns. I should’ve asked the camp host what they thought. Their site was the closest. Didn’t bother me. I just thought it was funny.
I only blow the horn if there’s a sign saying to do so, like it sometimes says, “turn on lights.”
I grew up in covered bridge country — upstate NY near the VT border. I remember whoever was driving would hit the horn before entering.
When I grew we held our breath on entering a tunnel until we drove out the other end. A challenge here in WA we have some long tunnels. I understand the honking for safety idea. This was a short tunnel. You can clearly see both ends. I wasn’t familiar with this honking for fun. I suppose the echo is entertaining. I’m just curious if it’s a thing across the country. ?
I went to college in upstate NY, Roberts Wesleyan College. One thing I noticed was the vast number of bridges covered or otherwise. There are a million ways to get from point A to point B.
Omg coincidentally as I comment here. We’re watching Adam the Woo’s The Daily Woo. He drives through a tunnel and says he just learned in Tennessee you’re supposed to honk when you go through tunnels.
My guess is that law was put in place due to one-lane tunnels. (I don’t know anything about the tunnels in Tennessee.)
It doesn’t make sense to honk one’s horn before entering the tunnel I showed in this post because it has two lanes. What would be the purpose of honking? With all the traffic there is on Route 160 the horn-blowing would be constant.
The old-timey covered bridges were/are one-lane, often unlit inside, so a honk before entering is important to signal anyone on the other end of the covered bridge.
The colors in the last picture of the two deer are beautiful. All the pictures are good today. Wow, closing after Labor Day. That is just a few days away.
Thanks, Jean, for the compliment on the photos.
I read that closing date online on a page about Tucker Ponds. I imagine the high campgrounds close first. I’ve noticed other campgrounds (NF) close on Sept. 21, some in October.
Casita camping this week on the Santiam River in OR – beautiful! And I just yesterday noticed a beautiful tree standing alone in the campground that has turned deep red and gold and I too said – looks like fall is on its way! I can’t believe it is late August already. Really enjoying your CO summer travels along with you and the crew-the colors should be stunning in the weeks ahead.
Hi, Molly…. “Casita camping this week on the Santiam River, OR.” Now doesn’t that sound wonderful!
Yes, this summer has whizzed by!
that bridgette is a gal with her own mind and not
afraid of anything……..I guess it comes with age…
chuck
Bridget has always been that way. Her way and that’s final! Spike was the only one with whom she’d compromise.
It was nice of you to show all the cute hiney photos. Looking at the pictures of blight in that area would just be too hard without something sweet to focus on. I’m glad you didn’t take pictures of the up close results until nature has a chance to refresh all of that. I at times come upon scenes that make me leave, thinking I’ll return when it’s done with it’s nap– as though whatever needs it’s beauty sleep.
At least you and the crew were lively and vigorous that day. It’s terrific how well you’ve all adjusted to higher elevations, in fact, seem to be thriving in it. Your ideas of what figurines of Reggie and Bridget could be used for are so funny 🙂 ! Ha! If I had one of each I’d put them near the stove. It would make cooking more fun if I thought of them-as in waiting for chicken.
Hi, weather,
I hope you had fun camping in your travel trailer, dreaming of places you’ll go with it. And your kitty had his/her first camping experience!
I’m surprised at how Bridget and Reggie can trot around at high elevations, never seeming to be short on breath or exhibiting any other symptoms. Reggie never seemed bothered and Bridget acclimated quickly. I have shortness of breath sometimes or brief tingles in my feet… No big deal. Getting out of the driver’s seat and walking helps.
I would take the BLT up that road to Tucker Ponds to boondock if the weather were warmer. As you can see from the present weather widget, it’s rarely into the 70s and it rains every day.
As summer’s really warm days seem to be almost done (in the USA anyway) do you plan to stay in lower elevations for the rest of your time in Colorado?
In one of you former posts you mentioned getting a solar shower. I tried one of those as well, but once I filled the bag with water, I had a hard time lifting it. I found this instead and it works great!! It’s a: BATTERY POWERED PORTABLE SHOWER made by Ivation. (I got it off of Amazon). It can be charged from your car, home, laptop. You put the submersible (sp) pump into a bucket of water and just hold the wand like a hand-held shower. It’s pretty nice.
I’ve seen those things, Sandy, and I have heard that they work well. My reason for purchasing the solar bag was mostly for producing warm water from the sun.
when I use mine, I heat water on my stove and put that in the bucket. Apparently I am a weakling and just can’t life that bag once it’s filled, LOL
No, you’re not a weakling. Water is heavy! Ask anyone who bought one of those 5-gallon containers for their water. Pfftt! I stick with one-gallon jugs.
What a great story and all the cute hineys too, but no, I wasn’t expecting to see yours, Sue!
Haha!
Lol I have one of those cow creamers. ? It was my grandma’s
Oh, that’s a treasure then! Cherish it!
I do cherish it and lovingly use it once in a while. I like cows. I think they are cute even as adults.
🙂
Cute hineys! And Bridget why she’s the side sitting garden gnome! Absolutely adorable!
Crunch time in NY…trying to square things away! Our boat is having issues…ferals are ready, but AO is not….incorrigible behavior lately. So if I miss a post or two…no worries.
Uh-oh…. AO is picking up the stress of moving. Hope you resolve the boat situation.
Thanks for the heads up on your potential absence from blogorinoland. Very thoughtful of you… You know how I worry about blogorinos who disappear!
Wishing all obstacles and annoyances outta’ the way!
“That’s Route 160 on its way to Wolf Creek Pass (elevation: 10,810 ft.), my nemesis of a few weeks ago.”
The sign at the top of the pass on US 160 and Wikipedia both claim the elevation is 10,857. Weatherundground has their reporting station at over 11,000′ and it is now freezing at night at those elevations.
Hmm… I got that elevation off my Colorado Benchmark atlas. Could it be that the sign is 47 feet tall? No, I guess not. 🙂
I’ll edit the post. Again. I can’t get anything past you, Ed! Haha!
Hi, Sue!
More ideas on the quest for a shower. I have a few ‘shepherd -hooks’ that are 6′ +/-. I found them at various hardware stores and at Joann’s craft stores. I use one that has two hooks. I use the 4’ers for holding the towel or clothes. They have held my solar shower. Sometimes I wedge it between things for stability when it is full. Perhaps between the planks on a picnic table? Or somewhere on the tongue of the BLT? There are big, hulking metal tripods for cooking over campfires (w/ Dutch Ovens) however, they are heavy and expensive. Perhaps this winter you might enlist a metal-smith to produce something for you. Or if you camp with Rusty again and he has a drill: Three 6′ or 7′ or 8′ lengths of half inch electrical pipe/casing attached together 3″ from top with a large eye bolt, star washer and wing nut. Adding wide spacers will add more stability. Stand upright, pull out the middle one, tighten the wing nut and … bingo! A tripod. Foldable and storable. All items found at most hardware stores.
I found and attached a flexible, metal extension hose to the shower in the rig so I can run it outside. But then you’d need to use your water heater. Of course, your propane, water from your tank and electricity for the water pump would be used. Did you mention once that you had the outside shower feature on the BLT? Also, if you leave filled water jugs out in the full sun on a table, van hood or insulated from the cool on the ground, they can warm up quite nicely. Extra sun reflector can be made with aluminum foil and cardboard.
A large coil of black, drip-irrigation tubing connected to any of your faucets can heat water to over 120* when in the sun. Lightweight and storable. I use the multi- selection (dial) garden hose attachment. It has shower, mist, fan and blast. With an on/off valve, it can be locked to spray at different pressures. Or use a shower wand/head that has the on/off feature. Great for washing bodies, hair, dishes, RV’s, pets.
I guess all this is my excuse to play in the sprinklers. Research! 😉 😀 🙂
The obvious solution would be for me to use the outdoor shower with some kind of privacy set up and use water from the BLT’s fresh water tank, heated by the hot water heater.
Except it means keeping water in the tank which I don’t always do.
Um… I have a drill. Don’t need to find a man to push the button on it. 🙂 Seriously, thanks for the well-detailed information… for me and others!
Didn’t imply that a man was required. I didn’t recall that you had a drill. I knew Rusty had one and he may be the only person you care to meet up with and borrow a drill from. Anywazzz ……
Did you ever have water pressure so high and a hose so small that you couldn’t catch the end of the hose as it flew around the yard? Ahhhh … good times playing in the water. ~~~~~ :0
I’m sorry. I reread my reply and it does sound snarky. I apologize, MV.
“Did you ever have water pressure so high and a hose so small that you couldn’t catch the end of the hose as it flew around the yard?”
No, but I have come across water pressure so high it blew apart my water bandit at a campground in Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA.
Camco 22484 Water Bandit – Lead Free
🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only hiney lover LOL! Our poms are so cute from behind with their curled tails. Poppy trots along so jauntily, while stocky little Liam lumbers along. His hiney is very furry and poufy and he has no neck – it’s so cute! I never tire of walking behind these two. Their behinds so match their personalities. Poppy is brisk, active, with a decisive trot; Liam is laid back, calm and slow.
I had one of those cow creamers but don’t know what happened to it. Yep, I think if you found a manufacturer and wholesaled some Reggie creamers you could make a fortune 🙂
Pomeranians are adorable! I can see their bottoms right now. They do have a cute way of walking, too.
Reggie creamers… Um, why does a dog have milk coming out of its mouth? Well, people did buy Chia pets. Remember those? And pet rocks?
Sue,
You’ve got to see the Pioneer Woman Floral Cow Creamer on Amazon. I searched cow creamers and boy do they have an assortment.
Thanks for the lovely photo moments. You are probably cold at nights at that altitude. Enjoy summer in the Rockies for as long as you can!
Which once again proves you can find anything on Amazon! Hi, Diane!
Pioneer Woman Floral Cow Creamer
Yes, there is such a thing as a dog creamer…. and I thought I had an original idea!
Harold Import Company Dog Creamer Coffee Tea Milk Syrup Dressing Server with Handle, 2 oz, Fine White Porcelain
I LOVE Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman.
Hi Sue and Crew.
I am enjoying your exploration of Colorado forests and all the pretty pictures. I’m dispersed camped in the Gunnison National Forest, near a little resort called Taylor Park. I’m not too far from you if you don’t conside the San Juan mountain range between us. It seems like the monsoons are kicking up more this year than prior seasons, and all this rain and chilly weather has got me thinking of moving lower (9500′ here, too.) Thanks for all the info on placed to see and camp.
You’re welcome, Dale,
Yeah, the daily rain is okay. I can stand rain and I know it’s needed. What makes it kind of depressing is rain mixed with cold mixed with dark skies,every single day, and it doesn’t look like it will end soon.
I can’t help but want to move somewhere where we can be WARM. Damp cold is hard on Reggie, even with his green jacket. Bridget doesn’t seem to mind at all. She even throws off the covers at night while Reg and I huddle together in a pocket of warmth under the comforter.
I have to ask the height of that tunnel. I’m always looking to be sure they are at least 10 ft. How tall is the casita. There is one local to me for sale. I’m too chicken to bite and it’s no bargain at 17500. That seems to be going rate. Might as well buy new although the price is not on their website. If I could believe I could reverse. I think I can until I try and nothing goes in the right direction.
I don’t know the height of the tunnel off hand. I have to close down this computer. Lots of lightning all of a sudden.
Forgive me, Joyce, for not answering your question. I’d have to do some research. I’ll try to give a better response at a later time.
Well, I looked but I didn’t find the height of the tunnel (See edlfrey’s reply to Deadeye, below). The Casita is under 10 ft.
The tunnel in the photo handles rigs of all sizes. Remember the photo I posted of the crowded RV park, chock full of big RVs? That’s only a few miles up Route 160 from the tunnel in this post. It’s safe to assume several of those big Class As and 5th wheels went through the tunnel on the way to the RV park.
Sue,
Your GPS may have an elevation selection function. Then you won’t have to guesstimate the elevation.
Lol,
Bruce
Hi, Bruce,
Thanks for mentioning that feature for the benefit of readers. As for me and my GPS, well I haven’t updated (or used) the thing in years. I wish I never bought it. Loads of folks love their GPS. Not me.
sue, me too on the GPS thing……paid about 200 for mine and the
first time it took me the wrong way I put it up……guess I need to
sell it….
chuck
Hahaaaa!!
I love your cute hiney post!!!!:)
I do remember those creamers…use to have a collection of them!!
Thank you for the smiles today!!! 🙂
You’re welcome, Betty-Shea! Those creamers were everywhere. The Holsteins were my favorites. Ha!
HineyMania! And no we don’t want to see yours as you well know! How about a bear butt -never saw one of those. Of course he would have to be going the other way which is a good thing:) And then there are squirrel butts, and antelope butts…Oh never mind -now you got me going..your fault. I am sure that we will see more interesting butts in the future.
Hi, Linda…. Stay tuned for butt updates! 🙂
Miss Bridget as a doorstop. I think NOT!!!!!
Perhaps one of those regal lion statues like the ones that stand outside the Art Institute of Chicago. But a mere pedestrian doorstop? Never.
Your loyalty to the Queen is admirable, Rick.
Hello all! Nice hiney pics. I’ve been avoiding hiney pucs for years. Not my best feature.
So I got good news today. I don’t need dialysis yet. She said our goal is to keep me off dialysis. To that end I will be on renal vitamins, avoid dehydration and eat a special diet. She is sending me to a dietitian. I am difficult because I have food restrictions from taking warfarin. Diet restrictions because I am diabetic. And now diet restrictions because I am in kidney failure. And on fluid restrictions because of my heart. With warfarin you have to avoid green vegetables. For diabetes they want you to eat lots of vegetables. Kidney diet has lots of fruit restrictions. So confusing! So I have to get a list of acceptable foods. This getting old thing is complex!
I’m also developing purpura, which is dark red ‘blood’ spots on my hands and arms, which is caused by warfarin. Scares me. If I have bleeding in my hands and arms, how do I know my brain won’t bleed?
But I’m happy about no dialysis. So that’s my news. Ta-ta!
Hi DG, thanks for checking in. I am sorry about the restrictive diets. You, however, seem to have such a great attitude about it. I’m glad you don’t have to be on dialysis. Did you see, a post or two ago some folks were asking your advice about airplane travel with O2? It’s always good to hear from you.
I missed that. I have lots of info on that topic! I’ll see if I can find posts or they can ask here. I’ll check back.
Hi, Ginger…
Tough seas to navigate with all those restrictions. I’m glad you aren’t facing dialysis! I’m curious about the fruit restrictions on a “kidney diet.”
Thanks for the update. I was wondering about your tests.
Ginger… When you have the information about travel with oxygen tanks gathered up, please put it under the most recent post. It would be a shame for it to be “buried” under an old post.
I will draw attention to the information you share. Virginia reads comments frequently and will see it, as will other readers interested in this topic. Thank you!
Travel with oxygen tanks.
1. You need a form completed by your doctor. I never saw this form, it was handled by my pulmonologist’s office. Your doctor can contact the airline on which you will be flying, and the airline will fax the form to the doctors office. I didn’t try it, but I would but you could call the airline yourself and they would fax or send you the form. But it must be completed by your doctor and faxed back to airline.
2. There is a separate agency, I think affiliated with FAA, that processes the forms and decides if you are eligible to fly.
3. Their main concern is that you have enough batteries to get you through the entire flight, with layovers. The amount of batteries is impacted by the mode of your oxygen machine. If you use the ‘continuous’ mode you will need many more batteries than if you use ‘pulse’ mode. But you cannot plan to plug in between flights. You must have enough battery power for the whole trip.
4. There is an absolute minimum of four batteries, at least there was on Delta. If you are on ‘pulse’ that will get you through approximately 12 hours, which is enough for virtually all domestic flights.
5. Of course your batteries have to all be juiced up. I had to borrow two batteries from my oxygen provider company and good thing I checked them, as they weren’t juiced up, so I did that.
6. You have to check in at ticket counter, and they asked to see the batteries. Check with ticket counter to make sure you are in aisle seats as it is very difficult to manuever your equipment to a middle or window seat.
7. Once I got the go ahead from ticket counter, they had special provisions at security which involved being searched. Make sure you go early to airport.
8. You will pre-board and, if you are lucky, the staff may assist you with getting your stuff in overhead. Your oxygen must go under the seat in front of you. I could barely fit my Simply Go unit. I know Eclipse are much bigger. Not sure if those would fit.
9. When you arrive at a layover or destination, I could not wait and get off last as I was blocking the other people in my row. So it was a bit embarrassing but I had to drag out my stuff and get myself together while people waited.
10. If you ask your flight attendant before landing, they will have a wheelchair there to help you get to your next flight. The wheelchair attendants expect a good tip.
Ok, I think that’s about it. Good luck!
Oh…I think the other agency that handles oxygen requests is called ‘Oxygen to go’. They said they would have phoned me to tell me I needed more batteries except my doctors office did not put my phone number on the form. But if you are in the planning stage and get contacted by ‘oxygen to go’ they are the official oxygen processing unit.
One more tip…
When I began my trip in Tucson I walked up to and through security and was thoroughly searched. It was a slow process. When I returned from Albany I got a wheelchair at ticket counter, and was wheeled through security. They have better provisions if you are in a wheelchair and I wasn’t searched and got through much faster. Gave the wheelchair guy $10 and we were both happy.
And last but not least….pack light! As light as possible. All these people who help you have to deal with your stuff and it adds up. I had a 17″ spinner suitcase, a small backpack, my oxygen machine and my cpap machine. It was a LOT. I filled up a whole overhead cabinet on one plane. I don’t know where I could cut back but travel as LIGHT as you possibly can. I had like 4 wash and wear outfits (including what I was wearing) and 1 nightgown. 2 pair s underwear. Wore my sandals and packed my sneakers in my suitcase. But then there are medications and toiletry items (all travel size)…but it all adds up.
No dialysis! Yay
As with anything and everything that has been thrown at you….you’ll figure it out! You always find a way! Stay strong. Thanks for the update.
Oh, that photo of Reggie beside the mirror is good! He looks cute as a bug in a rug; I mean, cute as a dog in a sweater. Of all the things to motivate me back “out there,” it’s your photos and the chance to try taking a few myself.
Good for you, gayle!
Sue, we will be on Hwy 160 from South Fork to Pagosa Springs in about 2 weeks. I drive a big motorhome and that tunnel in your photo gave me pause. It looks plenty big enough. What do you think?
Your photos are “eye watering”! Gorgeous.
Thank you for your blog.
Don
I don’t know what Sue might say but full size commercial tractor trailers go up & down Wolf Creek Pass all day, everyday. When I went over the pass a couple weeks ago I saw big Class A’s as well as tractor trailers.
Wolf Creek Pass has come a long way since C. W. McCall sang:
“Sign says clearance to the twelve-foot line, but the chickens was stacked to thirteen-nine. Well we shot that tunnel at a hundred-and-ten, like gas through a funnel and eggs through a hen, and we took that top row of chickens off slicker than scum off a Lousiana swamp.”
p.s. Sue, your math problems are getting really, really hard – I had one that required double digits and it was multiplication!
Thanks, Ed.
You’re welcome, Don. Thanks for complimenting me on my photos.
I really don’t have anything new to add to what Ed wrote. You won’t have any problem going through that tunnel.
Don, you may find the information at this link interesting. It’s an extensive description of US Hwy 160, including photos (scroll all the way down).
“Colorado Highways: US Hwy 160”
Thanks much.
Hi,
Yes, fawns will not move! In my neighborhood, come spring, we all are very careful when mowing. Just this last Spring, my husband was on the tractor mowing and saw a very young fawn curled up against a tree in the grass, mama nowhere in sight. It would let itself be run over, rather than move. Later that evening, I walked down and saw Mama deer come back for it. Love the pictures and the campgrounds! And your humor! 🙂
Terri
Thanks, Terri. I appreciate the information on fawn behavior.
Sue, I won’t post a link but if you google “Deaf puppy and deaf girl” you will find a story of a deaf girl who adopted a deaf terrier and taught him sign language. Really touching story that of course made me think of another beloved deaf canine. I thought it might make you smile.
Sweet story, Rick. Thanks for the smile.
Blogorinos and Sue……
I just saw on the news that there will be free admission to the National Parks this
weekend………..
I wish I was close to one, I would pay a visit……Im always up for a free admission.
chuck
With the senior discount pass, National Parks are free everyday! Yay!
Thanks, chuck, for letting folks know about this weekend.
I’ll be putting up a new post shortly.
Sue, am enjoying your travels thru Colorado. Wanted to tell u about the rock creek area south of Hansen Idaho (near twin falls). Lots of boondocking available. The fs flats area is free. Beautiful area but will advise lots of motorized activities on weekends. Just spent 4 wonderful days hiking etc. wonderful night skies. Looking forward to new trailer that will have outside shower. Someone asked previously (weather?) about how to tell about propane amt, good discussion about this on fiberglass rv in last day or two. Take care & looking forward to hear where u go south. It’s getting cold @ night!