Sunday, July 10
Sunrise at Kenney Flats, between Pagosa Springs and Chromo, Colorado
Today we leave this peaceful boondock.
My first view out the window of the Best Little Trailer is a pink and blue sky over four deer grazing in the meadow by the pond. I’ll remember this . . . .
Bridget is awake, too. I rummage for my camera for a through-the-window shot. Bridget barks impatiently. She wants potty break now!
The deer hear the bark and dash for the cover of the woods. Darn!
I take the photo above while standing outside with Bridget.
Thus begins moving day . . . .
The crew and I are on the road early, heading south on Route 84. We pass a herd of horses.
Aww . . . . The little one is still asleep.
At Chromo we cross the Navajo River.
I start a second bottle of water. Being well hydrated helps one cope with altitude and today we will climb to Cumbres Pass.
The can of oxygen rests on the console of the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
We enter New Mexico.
By the time we reach Chama, I need a pit stop!
Bridget and Reggie are in good spirits, happy for a brief run-around. As I climb into the driver’s seat I experience slight shortness of breath. My feet are tingling.
What’s this? We aren’t even at 8,000 feet! (Elevation at Chama is 7,875.)
I grab the can of Boost oxygen and take four deep breaths.
“Okay, guys, let’s do this!”
The PTV follows Route 17 northeastward, bringing us to the Colorado border. The pass is only a few miles further. A sign announces a historical marker ahead.
This would be a good time to check Bridget and Reggie . . . .
I pull off the road into a large parking area and let out the crew.
Bridget and Reggie roam around, happy to be free.
I feel great, too!
A woman in her 30s or 40s exits her vehicle and walks up to me as I approach the historical marker.
She talks animatedly into a phone pressed to the side of her head.
When a few feet from me, she puts down the phone and asks, “Do you know the way to Aztec?”
“Uh, Azetec, New Mexico?”
She responds with fast, pressured speech.
“Yeah. I think I made a wrong turn. I left Wichita two days ago, been driving non-stop, my car broke down, crazy! I haven’t slept, do you know the way to Aztec? I got mixed up in Chama and I see this sign, Welcome to Colorado, hey, I don’t want to go to Colorado! I see this place to stop and —
“I have a map,” I interject in the non-stop stream of verbiage. “Let me go get it and I’ll show –”
“YOU HAVE A MAP?” she exclaims, as if a map is the most amazing thing that a person traveling would have in their possession.
“You DON’T have a map?” I reply as she follows me over to the PTV.
Driving from Wichita, Kansas, to northwestern New Mexico and she doesn’t have a map. This woman is rolling on three wheels . . . .
“Well, I have electronics, but . . . yakkety yak yak yak yak . . . .”
I open up my New Mexico Benchmark atlas and place it on the hood of the PTV.
“Let me see. Here it is — Aztec. Okay . . . ” I turn the page of my atlas. “Here is where we are now.”
I look up. The woman isn’t looking at the map! Her head is turning this way and that and she’s jabbering away.
Uh-oh. What we have here is a person under the influence . . . . She’s probably been taking stuff to stay awake . . . .
I switch over to my You Will Listen And You Will Obey voice, developed during my middle school teaching days.
“Look Here. Right Here. Look At My Finger. This Is Where We Are Now. You Go Back To Chama and Turn Onto Route 64 Toward Dulce And . . . .”
Hoo-boy, I’m losing her again.
“I GOT IT! I GO TO CHAMA AND 64 TAKES ME TO AZTEC! THANK YOU SO MUCH!”
Up goes the phone to her head again.
She wanders toward her car, talking, talking, talking.
Oh, dear. Well, I’ve done my part. At least she’ll get off the side of this mountain and will be in New Mexico. God help her, she has another 100 miles or so to go . . . .
I read the historical marker about Bill Williams and Cumbres Pass.
I place Bridget and Reggie inside the PTV.
The two cuties wiggle around on the passenger seat as I stand in the open door.
Hey, this is the perfect time for the oxygen!
I grab the throw and throw it — English can be a hoot sometimes — I throw the little blanket over our heads forming a mini tent. Bridget and Reggie think this is funny and we snuggle together, cheek to jowl. I talk lovey nonsense next to the noodle-heads.
Suddenly my right hand appears inside our tent holding the Boost oxygen can.
I press the button about 10 times. The crew wiggles around for a bit, as if this is part of the fun, but by the tenth PSSSSTTTT! they become suspicious and they’re outta’ there!
I don’t know if they inhaled any more oxygen.
Even though the can emits 95% oxygen, it mixes with the air in the space, and, heck, have you ever seen a dog take a deep breath? They never do!
Before pulling out onto the road again, I take a few more inhalations from the can.
And we’re on our way!
I don’t have photos of the next part of the day’s journey because I have to drive the winding, steep road and also monitor the crew and I might want more oxygen.
The PTV does a magnificent job! I keep her at 40-45 mph in second gear, which she maintains without difficulty. About five van-lengths from the summit her speed drops to 30 and then down to 25 and we’re at the top . . . .
“WE MADE IT!”
Gee, that was easy.
~ ~ ~
Fast forward . . . .
We make camp at Mogote Campground along the Conojes River, west of Antonita, Colorado.
Mogote is a few miles past the more popular and more picturesque Aspen Glade Campground.
Mogote Campground is $20 regular/$10 with senior discount. Elevation is 8,400 feet. Right away I turn on the Verizon jetpack. No internet.
I pay for one night.
I choose a site on the upper loop, away from the river, which turns out to be a good decision. Later the camp host tells me “the flies and mosquitoes are bad” by the river.
A persistent, cool breeze keeps the bugs away from the sites on the upper loop.
It’s peaceful here, so quiet and the sound of the wind through the pines so soothing that I fall asleep in my lounger.
The crew sleeps, too – Reggie curled on my lap and Bridget in her doggie bed.
We sleep for two hours!
Deep, mouth-wide-open sleep!
Later I notice Bridget skipping around like a young pup. Reggie and I feel peppy, too.
“Golly, Bridge. Maybe we oughtta’ snort oxygen more often.”
In the next post . . .
We find a cool, mountain camp!
rvsue
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Conejos River near Horca, Colorado
Good morning, Sue! Now I will read post ?
YAY! KGDAN IS FIRST TODAY!
Wow both you and Sue are up early. Now I will go read the post. Glad Bridge is feeling better. Lower alti. will do that.
Or maybe it was the nap. Naps have a way of rejuvenating an older body be it dog or human.
You’re right. Boy, did we sleep!
Hi, Linda,
We often are up before 5:30. HEY, YOU’RE IN SECOND PLACE TODAY! 🙂
Wow, I was wore out just reading about that lost woman!
KRISTI & DAISIE TIE FOR SECOND PLACE!
Beautiful, beautiful! You are inching your way into the part of New Mexico that plays a huge part in Garcia family history. Hope you will continue east to see the beautiful northeastern scenery. We have tons of ancestors and stories about the area around Holman and Mora. In Las Truchas there still remains a church built in part by family members as required for their land grant from Spain. The Sangre de Christo mtns are gorgeous. Enjoy!
Not this year, Kathy, although your family history and its setting is intriguing. We’re back in Colorado for a while…
Top Ten! Hoorah! I’ll be baaaack!!!
Hi, Renee!
Hi Sue, I said hello, but it never posted. Odd
Gee, that’s not right! Sorry about that, Ilse. You should get a consolation prize…
Like being able to breathe again! I read about your recent episode at the ER. Stay well, friend!
This was a hilarious post, Sue! I laughed out loud reading about Bridget, Reggie, and you, under the blanket snorting oxygen! Not to mention the yakity yak yak lost woman with no map, then to top it all off, the mouth wide open nap! Thanks for the great post!
You’re welcome, Renee. Your response is just what I wanted to hear before going offline. You have me smiling!
Ha ha. Wait, I forgot to mention Bridget’s impatience and needing to go out in the morning and startling the deer. I could just see you jump and scrambling for your camera.
HI EVERBODY!
I’d love to stay and chat. Today is another moving day. That makes 3 consecutive days moving camp!
A note to Bob McQuade: I’m very sorry about Jenny passing, although her time had come at 16 years of age. Even so, it’s tough saying goodbye. Beyond the tears are wonderful memories…. Take care, travel safely.
I don’t know when I will be able to go online again. Until then, enjoy the company of your fellow blogorinos. If you’re new here or an “old timer,” feel welcome in Blogorinoland.
Bye y’all,
Sue
P.S. Be well, be safe, be happy today!
Hi Sue. So glad that you all made it over the pass with no noticable problems. A good toot of O2 and a nap seem like a lovely combination. Hmmm….maybe that’s what I need today! 😉
Good morning! So glad you got over the pass & into New Mexico. Loved the header pic of the crew. I think oxygen bars were a big deal for awhile–never went into one but I think people inhaled oxygen. Maybe the patrons were looking to get frisky! That chick who was looking for Aztec might have been better off with a can of oxygen–she definitely needed to clear her mind. I’ve met people who are wired like that most of the time & they haven’t relied on substances to achieve that state.
Boy, naps are the best, especially the chin-on-your-chest kind. Mine are usually accompanied by snoring. The grandkids get a kick out of that… I think they place bets on whether or not I’ll drool-hahaha!!
New Mexico is such a beautiful place–right up there with Oregon for us. Enjoy all the beauty & the wonderful people. Happy trails!
Amazing location! I always have loved New Mexico It is so much more than desert and cactus and you present it beautifully, thank you.
As usual I can’t wait to hear what lies ahead. Thanks!
Wow Sue–You always seem to find the best spots.
We were just at the Blissfest, a weekend-long folk festival in Bliss, Michigan. My husband and I volunteer and while I was working at the main stage gate, a gaunt but smiling 40-ish year old woman walked up to me (smiling ‘blissfully’) and said (in a dreamy voice), “I’m feeling so much love here….I haven’t slept all night.” I asked what she had done during the night and she told me that she had spent several hours hanging at the drum circle, ‘feeling the love’ and that she had forgotten her tent poles, so didn’t have a place to sleep, but it didn’t matter anyway. She didn’t know where her ‘stuff’ was (out in the woods), but was planning to look for it so she could find something to nice to wear because she was signed up to sing and recite some of her poetry during the open mike time. Whew.
I meet people like her and wonder how they make it through life…but somehow they do.
We’re camped in Marquette, MI, on our way to our son’s wedding next month in Sonoma, CA. 🙂 I’ve had pneumonia since early May, so am doing my best to recover (it might help if we stopped for a breather). I’ve never been sick for so long and wish it would go away!!
I pray you get the rest you need and kick that pneumonia. It’s a tough bug. Hang in there.
Congratulations to you and your son. We were in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County recently. We relaxed at the beach and several wineries. We especially liked Chateau Diana. They allow dogs on the property.
Thanks Ronda. I’m doing my best to get better!! I’m excited to go to Sonoma–I’ve never been to northern California before and understand that it’s beautiful country.
Oh boy. You do have to wonder how some get through life like that.
🙂 It takes all kinds of people to make the world go around. I hope she’s OK…
Feelin the love…. Good for her, but makes me nervous. I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go round. Hope you feel better so you can enjoy your son’s wedding. Take care.
This girl doesn’t know where her stuff is and Sue’s nutcase doesn’t know where she is going nor how to get there. Makes you wonder how folks get through their life. Better them than me.
I’m very glad to hear you all made it over the pass in good health.
If the girl had the patience to look at the map she probably couldn’t have read it anyway. So many young people can’t read maps.
My Dad taught my brothers and me to read maps at a very young age. I could read a map before I could read “chapter” books. We had our own map in the back seat when traveling. I think his goal was to avoid the question, “Are we there yet?” The lessons served us well whatever his reasons.
Same here on the maps, Rover Ronda. We moved to Idaho from California when I was 10 years old (that’s 50 years ago!). Our summer vacations and sometimes Christmas was driving back to southern California from Idaho. I knew the map by heart and by 11, my mother would ask me directions to test me, without the use of the map, and I was right.
That’s great Renee! I’m sure your mother was proud of you. And your friends were probably glad to know they could trust you to navigate when you were old enough to travel on your own.
Did your friends always want to ride with you? The only time my friends wanted to ride with me was when I drove my dad’s cherry red ’56 ford pickup. Then I was cool. White dodge omni hatchback = not cool. No matter how good my navigation skills. Lol
Hi Sue,
What a cowinkie dinkie, I did the Cumbres and Toltec rail ride yesterday, missed waving at you from the train by a day.
It’s a great trip, I did the bus up to Antonito and train back to Chama. Lunch is included in the price of the train ticket, either a full turkey dinner or a full meatloaf dinner. You can also opt for soup and salad, which is what I did.
The bus from Chama travels route 17 to Antonito and the train back goes over mountains through tunnels and over trestles to Chama. About midway back the train stops in Osier, Co. for lunch at the dining hall. After lunch the train climbs to Cumbres, 10015 feet, and makes the second of two stops to take on water for the engine. Then it’s on to Chama. We saw some wildlife, but the scenery is the real reason for the trip. Just beautiful.
The girls had an adventure, too. They went to doggie daycare and came out none the worse for wear.
Looks like you and the crew handled the pass in fine fashion. Can’t wait for your next camp. Kids and I are off to Dolores river tomorrow.
Sue
Thanks for a new post.
I have to admit that the eternal teacher in you educated, another student. Ever since I first read about, one of my childhood Hero’s, I have loved stories about Bill Williams. Today i have learned a new fact about him, that i have never known. and to think that since i have loved stories about him when i first learned of his existence, back in the fourth grade 64 years ago, that i learned another fact.
The story about the lost lady was funny, I know a few people like that. you reach a point like you did, I usually just tell somebody like that go back 25 miles, and ask the bald headed guy at the first service station on the left. He knows how to get there the best.
Funny Dave, I’ll have to remember that bald guy trick, sounds perfect.
Hi Sue, loved the post today. Glad you and the crew made it over the pass with no problems. Yay for oxygen in a can! Looks like you chose a nice peaceful place to relax after the upward climb.
Oh no Reggie is in your lab? I sure hope he didn’t do any experiments after huffing oxygen. He might act like that lady you met without a map, kids and labs are dangerous. LOL thanks for making me laugh.
I saw you said lab and thought what??? Went and looked and yes very funny. We can chuckle until ” teacher” comes back and fixes it after laughing too. Sunny typical near 100 July day in northern CA but I’m sure thinking about people in MN with flooding and those in other stormy places and pray all stay safe.
Hah! Having a “blanket” party snorting O2! You guys are goofy!
As for the yakity yak….how unprepared. To rely on electronics with no back up? Thanks to you she isn’t driving in circles in a pullout trying to decide which way to go! Sheesh!
Safe travels!
There are tragic stories of people getting lost and not surviving because they relied on a GPS.
Hey fellow blogorinos…I just ordered a new 10 inch HD Fire from Amazon at a huge savings..
Today might be the day to order things on your wish list if you are a prime member while the sale is ongoing.
Might be a good bonus for Sue too!
Great minds think alike, Lee! I ordered a Paperwhite today! 🙂
You should gave the yakity yak woman a few snorts of oxygen; might have helped…..
Ladybug, I was thinking the same thing. I can’t even begin to imagine why on earth she would need to drive non-stop so far. I just hope she makes it there alive.
HELLO AGAIN!
I stop on the side of the road for a quick check of the blog. Good thing I did! I feel like the teacher who left the room for a minute and comes back to hilarious laughter! Okay, class…
(I fixed “lab” to “lap.”)
I’m glad y’all are having fun!
Sue
Hi Gang! You know over the years here there’s been my comments and discussions about Hummingbirds. I thought maybe I’d share this with you….
As many of you know I am in Surprise Arizona, think northwest Phoenix metro. I want to talk about pets for a moment. Detta, my wonderful wife, has both Glaucoma and Macular degeneration; she takes prescription eye drops about 7 times a day to retain what vision she has. When she walks with her cane she has a major balance problem. We cannot have a pet, cat or dog, under her feet, a slip could be very bad for her. We have always had pets but now we cannot.
This brings me to my next subject. Birds. Now in Arizona during summer we don’t have lots of birds. We always have the little sparrow and many mourning dove, white wing doves and Eurasian collared doves. We provide two sources of fresh water for them. We cannot feed them because of the pigeons which not only take all the food but make the neighbors angry due to them sticking around and making messes all over. However, the doves seem to do ok on their own with a water source, which we do provide. I even freeze a small ice block for afternoon water cool down.
This brings me to my subject. Hummingbirds. I have erected a feeder in my patio for the little fellows. I expected, years ago to see dozens of them flock to it daily. First I had a problem with woodpeckers that in their efforts to steal nectar would spill it all over the patio slab. I changed feeder to a style they couldn’t spill. They gave up and are at this moment pecking a hole in your house.
We only have one species hummer here most of the time. The Anna hummingbird. They tough out the heat and do not migrate. I used to see dozens of them in videos on the net sharing a feeder. Not here. We have about four regulars at our nectar “bar”. We have only named one, Shorty. Shorty is the “owner” of our feeder. His name is as a result of his short stature. He is not short on possessiveness however. He lights down on one of the nearby trees or bushes and watches “his” feeder. Others come, quickly feed but when shorty spots them, off they go with him right on their tail.
I change the nectar, mix of sugar and water (4 to one) ever three or four days. They tell me if you leave it too long, it ferments and fearing drunken Hummers I change it. If you are in the southwest deserts, you have hummers. If you want to help nature along, feed ‘em and enjoy the show.
What a nice story. The hummingbirds are lucky to have you.
Hi AZ Jim, good for you for watering and feeding your “pets”. Seems like every hummingbird feeder we’ve had has a “shorty” who takes over. Amazing little creatures!
Nice read, Az Jim. Humming birds are wonderful. This summer for the first time, I saw one perched. I’m sure many of you have seen that, but I’ve only seen them flying and flitting about. It was nice to see one up close and in one place for a few minutes.
I used to have a feeder, but they never went to it, only to my flowers, so I stopped putting one out, but now I’m thinking maybe I should give it another try.
“To rely on electronics with no backup?” Interesting statement Cinandjules! I just finished a book called One Second After by William Forstchen about a family dealing with the aftermath of an EMP strike in America. Scary stuff. Fictional story but real research. This whole country relies on electronics with no backup all the time every day. On another note, love love love the post today! Glad to see Colorado from your point of view, RV Sue. Beautiful!
Along the same lines….
A few weeks ago, I saw a one-panel cartoon of an earth that was destroyed by galactic war – no power, the city was in ruins. Atop a pile of rubble sat a metallic, robot-like Martian, reading a book. A real paper book. Beside him in the rubble were smart phones and tablets – all were dead and useless.
I love Charma. .. The grocery store has an Ace hardware store in it and bought a handsaw there. Then camped in a state park near there on a reservoir. It was just before Halloween and they were doing hay rides on weekends. I worked on a wooden step and shelves for my closet. Great memories only 2 months on the road.
You have great travels and hug the crew!
Carlene
Don’t like auto fix… Chama! Yes!
Auto fix drives me crazy! I know what I want to say! LOL
Hello, Sue and Crew!
You have just passed into heaven on earth! The sunrise says it all!
When we lived in Pueblo, Colorado for umpteen years, we drove to northern New Mexico for short vacations. The area holds precious memories for my husband and me.
Sounds like the wildlife may have changed a bit, though. A walking Jibber-Jabber is a rare sighting, Sue!
Your post is hilarious. Just bring a blanket and two trusting puppies for a really good time!
You’d said you’d turn back if you found it best to, I’m glad the happier best came true. The three of you made and enjoyed it, Cumbres pass is another good(and funny 🙂 ) memory and challenge well met, Yippee! Maybe the trip to Aztec wasn’t the only “trip” the mapless woman was on. You being there to help her was part of how the saying “God watches over fools and little children” played out that day.Wherever you are making home now, I hope it’s lovely.
Oh the horse photo with Reggie’s dark silhouette in the foreground got me to chuckling while reading your post, ,,, and I’ve met with the road lost, higher than a kite, folks, “hey, excuse me, hello, you want help or not,,, okay, be safe and buy a map,,, “,,,,,,, Huh, so the air in a can looks to be helping you even at lower elevations, does it calm down your heart or make it race? ,,,,,,,,, the last picture of the lake is so Beautiful and clear looking, Sue,,,,,, have a good evening and hug your baby’s for us, ,,,, Rusty n Piper 🙂
OH MY SIDES ARE HURTING, ,, WHAT’S REGGIE DOIN’ IN YOUR LAB, ,,,,, LOL,,,,,,, 🙂
Snorting oxygen LOL
Hi Sue- You are hoot young lady! I can just picture you and the crew sniffing oxygen under the blanket. Made me laugh AGAIN. Beautiful photos of a beautiful area. Have a great day and beware of Yakety Yaks:)
Hi, Sue!
I am so proud of you – you tackled that Pass! Go Girl!!!
This post was a hoot! That woman probably got her self turned around again. Hang.Up.The.Phone.And.Pay.Attention!!! Man, after the first time she was “lost in space”, I would have left her to her own devices. Driving cross country with no map,,,duh….yeah…electronics are ok IF you have a signal, and IF they are accurate. After printed MapQuest directions took me out of my way once, and to a dead end another time, I depend on a good ‘0le trusty map. They never let you down – you just need to make sure that YOU are reading them right side up! Ha!
Your oxygen tent maneuver had me giggling! Near the 1oth hiss of oxygen, I could “see” Bridget rolling her eyes and Reggie getting squirmy! I am so that that that did the trick for you. I am very happy that you had an enjoyable trip over the pass. 🙂
Today is Amazon’s Prime Sale. On the advice of you and so many of the blogorinos, I ordered a Paperwhite! I hope it hits your sales report (white, wi-fi only, no ads). I love to read and still love to hold a book in my hand. But….I hope to be able to check out many of the top selling books that I would love to read, but not necessarily keep to read again. I am hoping that my library (or others in the area) will have many of these books available electronically.
HEY BLOGORINOS – Does anyone use the Amazon Prime Reading membership? If so, do they offer current, best sellers for “free” under the membership? Books that would be listed on the New York Times best seller list, among others. Are you happy with what they offer? Thanks in advance for your input!
BLOGORINOS….Do you have a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in your area? Today they are giving away a free entrée (sandwich OR salad OR drink OR frosted lemonade) for FREE until 7PM. Just show up dressed like a cow! Sounds complicated – not! Wear a white t-shirt, attach a couple cut out paper “spots”, darkened with marker or pencil. Or go online…do a search for “Cow Mask” and “Cow Mask – Printable”. The first will give you a cute cow mask that you can print out, the second will give you a cow’s nose, ears, tail, spots, and a “Eat Mor Chicken” sign that also can be printed. I used the cow mask and taped the sign to my shirt. Free dinner – cannot beat that!! Good luck! 🙂
I am sending you wishes for a restful, peaceful evening, Sue! I will miss you while you are offline, but please do enjoy the break! I look forward to seeing where you take us next! Hugs to you, Miss Bridge, and Reggie from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
PS – This past Saturday was delightful! I spotted my first hummingbird in my garden, and then I noticed that the second nest of baby bluebirds are healthy and have left the nest. Mom and Dad were feeding the three little ones high up, in one of my loblolly pine trees in the back yard. These two awe-inspiring encounters made me count my blessings and send up more thanks for the wonderful creatures that share their habitat with us. *happy sigh** 🙂
I am glad the PTV handled the pass like a champ!!! Yay PTV!!
On Amazon app I have downloaded free books to my Samsung Galaxy Tab E tablet, just assortment of the Bible, all the different versions including Orthodox Hebrew and Greek, ,,, no longer looking for a Sign, just waiting for the Call, ,,,,,, 🙂
Thank you for your two cents, Rusty. I greatly appreciate it! 🙂
Keep on taking good care of yourself – I hope your leg is continuing to heal. Hugs to you and Miss Piper from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
Well thanks Denise, my leg is looking like it should and the scabs fell off 2 days ago, still putting the sav on twice a day, but it is great and not swollen, ,,,,, 😉
Rusty
Do a search for E-sword You might find it what you like. I use it all the time. Once downloaded it resides on your computer.
Dave
Thanks Dave,,,, I downloaded Bible Gateway and I love it I can have GW next to NKJV or any version of all side by side to read the difference between them and it has Audio too, so I can understand Hebrew and Greek, + it a bunch of Bible Commatary’s ,,,,,, it’s Night and the Dawn is approaching as you know, ,,,,,, not looking for a Sign, just waiting for the Call, ,,,,,,,,, 🙂 Rusty n Piper
Hi Denise, I have Amazon Prime and they do have quite a few free reads. I noticed that with the new 9.99/mo Kindle Unlimited that the selection is not quite as much as it used to be. Don’t forget you can do Overrdrive through your local library and borrow from them that way. Pretty cool stuff. I find that generally the freebies through Prime and Kindle Unlimited are not NY Times best sellers. You can usually purchase those at a discount, however. Right now I have Kindle Unlimited as a free trial, and it is nice. for $9.99/ month it’s great for summer reading. I may drop it when fall arrives, if I’m not reading several books in a week. The nice thing is that you can pick it up for just a month at a time without a long term commitment. I do like free however, so I try to use Overdrive and Prime.
Thank you for your insight, Applegirl! I am looking forward to using Overdrive. I had a hunch that the Prime Books offer was similar to movies that you can watch for free…I was excited to find out about that offer, but was then disappointed with the selection. Thanks again! 🙂
I see the Paperwhite on the orders report! Thank you, Denise!
Yay! You are most welcome, Sue. Using your Amazon link is just another way to show my appreciation of your allowing me to be an armchair companion on your great adventure! Thank you! 🙂
I’m glad you made it over the pass with a little help from the O2 can. I was holding my breath for a moment while reading this. Whatever it takes is my philosophy and it sounds like the PTV and the crew handled it just fine. Whew!
I hope the poor, clueless yackity yacker made it to Aztec and if she did I hope she realized where she was when she got there. It’s good to have the old graphite based methods to back up the electronics even though I don’t know how I lived without Google Maps the first 60 years of my life.
Hi Sue, I used to get headaches after driving up in altitude. The cure is to just stop and get out of your PTV and walk around a little bit. Then drive some more miles and do the same thing. I guess this allows the human body to acclimate to the high altitude. I was driving from almost sea level to 9500 feet. I only had to stop and walk around maybe half a dozen times.
Ok….just shopped more at the Amazon Prime Sale. If anyone needs necessities such as socks, shoes, clothes, undies, etc., there is a nice selection on sale, too. The 30% off discount will not show up until you check out. Amazon has a good price, plus the additional discount, it is hard to beat. I stocked up on a few necessities. Gracie pup has been sighing loudly….my bargain shopping has kept me from lavishing her with attention. Ok…stepping away from the computer. 🙂
Hope everyone has a good evening! 🙂
Thank you, Denise, for drawing attention to the one-day Prime Sale and for your purchases made through the links on my blog. You make a great salesperson! 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Sue n Crew! Thanks for mare and foal pics! Sniffing O2 huh…..and forcing the crew to join you…..HMmmm! Geri and I were on same road and same pullover yeeaarrrsss ago enroute to our friends workkamping campground Trujillo Meadows
in Colorado. Treats to the crew!
Not the same, but the woman you encountered behaved like she had a dizzy head.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=big%20empty%20lyrics
Hi sue…..
you’re sure moving at a fast pace……gotta get my
colorado maps back out and see where ya are tonite…
thanks for the post and the pictures…
chuck
You made me laugh before bed tonight. The loopy fellow traveler you met along the way shows another side effect of altitude sickness. It goes along with what I say about life in the high mountain towns of the west. You are generally tough as nails or a little loopy. Or both ?
Wow, I can breathe easier knowing you made it so far, Sue!! We are enjoying our short stay in old stomping grounds with our 2 best friends from that time…and to boot, the eternal hot summer weather is staying away and it has been plumb perfect so far…and we are grateful!!
If you can’t find your chicken Vienna sausages let me know. I can send you however many fit in a med size priority mail box.
Oh thank you so much Cin…so kind of you…we are over in another part of the state and lo and behold…heh, found GOBS in a Winco store…same price too (44cents)…so I got LOTS!!! There is a Winco over in our region too…but had not looked there…now I know!!
Hoarding chicken Vienna sausage! Hahhhhh. Glad you found them!
yea…heh…that and toilet paper…whenever you get sick…wow, are you ever glad you had some extra things like this around!!
I’m glad you three made it through the pass, I knew you could. I like the O2 in a can idea, never see it around here, but we could have used it on the summit of pikes peak a few years ago–it wasn’t just the scenery that was breathtaking.
Happy travels,
I could feel my ears pop just reading the post! Gonna run out and get ME a can of that oxygen if it makes you feel like that! 😉 I will be working in air so thick you feel as if you are under water. Bet you know exactly what I’m talking about. I looked at those CO pictures and just took a deeeeep breath! No bites on the farm yet. Because it is a fairly “specialized” property, it’s going to take just the right person. I’m trying to stay positive and enjoy the beauty around me right now…..reminding myself that I am free to go anytime…..just would be a lot better if I could wait for the farm to sell. Plus, I am warring with myself about “responsibility” for an uncle. He has other family but I have taken care of him during some lengthy and involved hospital stays and done the home care afterward. He also lives in “my house”…..the one my parents left me. It’ll work out. Had a day recently where I just wanted to throw a camper shell on the back of my F150….put my dogs and cat inside with me…..and say, “See ya!”. 🙂 Thanks for the blog. It helps.
My daughter never carries a map…she relies on electronics to guide her i.e. she used it to find Bear Canyon Lake. I on the other hand looked at google maps before we left and knew it was approximately 12 miles west of Woods Canyon Lake (I guess it’s the same as hand held electronics). We had no signal for internet but my daughter still could get the map….probably using the satellite instead of internet. Anyway, as long as you have power to hand held gadget I guess you can get around but if it crashes…a good road map is handy. BTW I do remember taking a picture of my sisters and I at that yellow Welcome to New Mexico sign on our way to Madison, Wisconsin so I’ve been through Chama & Cumbres Pass 🙂
BTW Rita, I’m glad the bear didn’t get you!
GOOD MORNING, BLOGORINOS!
Thank you for your kind words for me and the crew. We found a free camp yesterday!
It was a very busy day. I was too “pooped” to comment here, although I did enjoy reading what you wrote. I hope to put together a new post before this day is over.
Best wishes for a great day!
Sue
So glad you made it over the pass! As for the lady with no maps, in Williams, AZ we once met a family from California heading for a two week holiday in Orlando, FL. They had a cellphone each and a satnav but absolutely no maps. We always wondered if they actually made it. Have fun!
I have traveled up to 1700 miles through several states with no map several times. I depend on my Garmin Navigator. So far so good. I do have the lifetime updates. Maybe I have always just been lucky…
This is a lovely post. The scenery photos are really pretty. I can’t get over how goofy some folks get when they are traveling. A GPS will get you lost, never travel without a map and/or very good directions. My car has GPS and will have you driving around in circles sometimes. I was in Cinti. last summer, 3 miles from my sister’s house. I knew where I was going, but the nav was still on from when I had been over in KY. Forgot to change my destination and the thing was going crazy. DH & I were laughing hysterically.
Some times, it is just fun to play tricks on it. Almost as good as asking Siri to play knock-knock jokes.
Well the landscapers finally got out in the community today. Thank goodness. Angel and I can now go for a walk without me losing sight of her. The grass has been taller than her the last few days. Makes it hard to take care of business.
Got to get back to work. looking forward to the next post.
Sue, you’re a hard woman to keep up with this week! No moss going on you guys. Looking forward to hearing where you land. Take care.
Oh, Sue. Reading your posts keeps my hope alive. We have been ‘going tomorrow’ for the last few days, and yet each day has ended with us still not going. Today’s problem? A new battery for the car. That wouldn’t have stopped us if we’d known that was the problem but the store we bought battery from told us it was the alternator, and a few hours later the Honda dealer told us nope, it was the battery. We now have a new battery, and TOMORROW is when we finally leave.
MAYBE.
I am too wary to assume anything. LOL. The nice part of being retired is that there is no ticking clock, other than my internal clock that is saying, “Let me out of here.”
But honestly, one of the things that slowed us down was the horror in Dallas. We live here. We love it. And we kind of went off the skids for a few days.
Do I dare say, tomorrow? I do dare.
But your silhouette of Reggie warmed my heart and your other pictures–as always–gave me images to focus on, until we can get there ourselves.
As always, thank you dear heart. You help so many of us, whether we are planning a life like yours or simply living through you vicariously. Bless you and your journey.
Kisstab – Chick,
I took a peek at your website and thought you might be interested in lighter towels that fold up compactly. Check out REI’s microfiber towels. We use a couple of the larger ones for bath towels and they often dry in less than 30 minutes! They dry much, much faster than the terry kind we used to always use and have hanging around drying for hours and hours. You do have to get used to the idea of not having that big fluffy towel to dry off with, but these do the job just fine. Loving the microfiber!
Good luck on getting away soon – maybe tomorrow!
Kitt
Love the microfiber towels. But you do have to realize that they work different than terry cloth. Instead of wiping the towel quickly across your body go slowly and let the microfiber absorb the water. Once I figured that out I’ll never camp with wet cotton towels again.
We have sea to summit tek towels. Love em, they have a drying clasp, pack nicely in a little pouch and available thru Amazon .
I’ll get them, but I’ll wait until we’re back from our trip so they won’t be sitting on the porch! And of course, I’ll use Sue’s Amazon ‘door!’
Thank you!
That is important, and something I didn’t realize. I bought some many years ago was very disappointed in them. Thank you SO much for teaching me what I need to know to continue traveling light!
I have microfiber that is like terry that we use, but the problem is that if they get any kind of twig or leaf on them, it sticks like glue! I was about to go back to cotton, so am glad you pointed out a different kind!
And thank you so much for checking out my site. It’s very new, but I am looking forward to filling it with campground reports and pictures!
Good Night to everyone, Sad we are…We had to put our lovely and classy 14 year old Dixie the chance to cross the Rainbow Bridge this evening to meet up with her old crew, Ticket, Mason, Daisy, Foster and Rocket…cats not mentioned, she didn’t care about cats! She was fine this morning, using the doggie diapers well, but this afternoon took a turn for the worse…wouldn’t eat or drink, stuff coming out of her nose, panting, shedding immensely, wouldn’t/couldn’t get up so when I called our very gentle vet, he said it was time and it was a peaceful passing. Since some of us have been through this you, understand the tears and sadness that will last for a few days, then memories and pictures will soothe our soul. Our other dog, Olive, who looks like a big black cotton ball, is sorta wandering around, lost, but yet happy, to get all the attention! Thank you for listening!
Kay from KC MO!
So sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one Kay. May her memory be a blessing.
So sorry for your loss and sadness.
So very sorry about your loss!! One never gets over missing the special furry ones!! Hope you can find some nice ways to remember your best pal, Kay!! I agree with Rick…may her memory be for a blessing!! Glad you have another dog to console you too!! Told our spiritual counselor once that I felt at least this very wonderful last dog we had, I so hoped would be in the next life. He said, “Well, why not? Life does not end here!!” Even if wrong, I am consoled to think it so!!
So very sorry for your loss….
Hello, Kay… The first day is really tough. You’re heartbroken. May you, your husband, and Olive have the comfort of knowing you did what was best for sweet Dixie over those 14 years in your family. I’m sorry for the pain you feel.
I’m so sorry you lost your family member. I do love imagining my dogs waiting for me at the rainbow bridge, checking each other out as their pack gets larger.
Poor Olive. I hope she adjusts well.
Saddened to hear the news. Hugs to you and Olive!
GOOD MORNING, Y’ALL!
Thank you for your comments. Rather than reply individually to each one, I worked on a new post which will appear in a few minutes.
Sue
I can only imagine how much time this website takes for you to maintain…. particularly if you read EVERY reply!!! So many!!
I LOVE the way you detail every thought. I can’t remember the day I had a memory like that!! Such attention to detail. It makes for a great read!! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into sharing your experiences and life. It’s VERY inspiring. I can’t wait until I get my rig going!!
Thanks again…
Lauri
Hoot! Howl! HaHa! LOL!
OK…that’s from me…my teacher daughter would say; LOLOLOL! HA! HowllyHootHowl!
Wow…that’s funny 🙂
Hi Sue,
I am currently exploring the idea of full-time RVing (the purging is done and the house is on the market) I am considering a small travel trailer, maybe 16-19′ and like you, I am a non-lonely loner. My main concerns stem from having to learn SO much about the actual workings of a travel trailer, solar panels, boondocking, etc. How did you learn it all? I assume it takes time to adapt and a few bumps along the way in the form of a learning curve? I DO carry a paper RandMcNally atlas wherever I go (can’t even count the times it has been invaluable!!) and I do have an adventurous spirit which I seem to have transferred to my Westie, Sawyer. What words of wisdom can you give me, or do I just jump in with both feet?
I truly appreciate the candor in your blogs and you give me hope that I CAN do this…
Hi, Sally and welcome! Congratulations on downsizing and putting your house on the market. Those are big steps!
To answer your question about learning the “actual workings of a travel trailer”….
First off, be aware that lumping all the workings together that you need to learn is overwhelming. You learn what you need to know, one thing at a time.
I didn’t have experience when I picked up the Best Little Trailer. I read as much as I could, as I’m sure you are doing. When you buy your travel trailer, you will be given an orientation if you buy new. If you buy used, be sure to have the owner show you everything and answer your questions. If you can make your first camp with friends or family nearby, people who know about travel trailers, that will be helpful. If that’s not possible or practical, remember that most RVers love to help newbies. 🙂
Do you “just jump in with both feet?” I say, “Yes, sort of.” Do what I mentioned in the previous paragraph and then learn as you go along. That’s what I did. I encourage you to read my blog from its beginning. It starts at the time when I’m still dreaming and planning and continues up until the present, including how I learned. You will find comments under posts very informative.
Yes, you CAN do this, and you have the bonus of being a never-lonely kind of person.
Again, don’t let yourself become overwhelmed. You only need to make it through the next few minutes, the next hour, through the night, through the next day. Taking your journey step-by-step, living in the present, builds confidence, enabling you to fully enjoy each turn of the road. Good luck!
Feel free to ask questions here any time, Sally…
Does the Rand McNally atlas show campgrounds (national forest, BLM, NWR, etc.), rv parks, and public lands? If not, invest in some Benchmarks for the states you plan to visit.
Sally, RV Sue gave you great advice, and as you have already discovered, her blog is filled with even more.
I thought I’d add that the BEST advice we got as new trailer-owners [and forgot to do!!!] is to video the orientation, or the previous owner showing you how things work. I had my iPhone ready to do that, and then got so excited that I forgot to actually do it.