Beware the night stalker . . .
Our first day at this camp Spike wears himself out poking around the trees and bushes, marking territory all the way around the perimeter, and investigating every smell and every crook and cranny in downed logs. You know, the complete, male-dog repertoire.
That night Spike drops into a deep sleep and barely stirs until mid-morning. After breakfast and some quick surveillance, he hops back into bed and settles into the first of several naps throughout the day.
Well, now Spike’s schedule is upside down.
Last night he’s in and out of bed, climbing over Bridget and me, whining at the door, barking to be picked up and put back in bed, rattling the blinds to look out the window, gotta’ have a midnight snack, pour me more water! He does everything he can come up with to keep Bridget and me from getting any sleep.
After walking him around the BLT a couple of times and responding to his every demand, I give up. I turn on the laptop. Oh great. 1:05 a.m. Thanks a lot, Spike.
As you know, once you enter cyberspace, ordinary time goes haywire.
I look at the tiny clock in the task bar.
4:10 a.m.? How did THAT happen?
Now MY schedule is upside down. I nap like a baby today. I’ll probably be up half the night tonight.
If I don’t get my 9-10 hours of sleep, I can get very cranky . . .
“Yes, YOU! I’m talking about YOU, Spike!”
The crew and I follow a path into the woods.
The path is an old road in the process of being reclaimed by the forest. We enter cool shade created by the huge spruce trees. Hmm . . . a place to take a break.
A short while after that, we come to a clearing.
The bare ground and fire rings indicate it’s a camping area for RVs. Tucked in among the trees is a Class A motor home. I’m pretty sure it belongs to Ranger Mike because he told me I’d be his neighbor at our new campsite.
Of course, Spike sees the RV and jogs right over there to check it out.
I want to turn around and go back to our camp, but I know Spike wouldn’t hear me call. I don’t want to chase after him because that’s when Ranger Mike would come home. I can see it now, “What the heck are you doing snooping around my RV?”
“Oh, uh, hi, Ranger Mike . . .”
I sit on a stump and wait.
The phrase “bump on a log” comes to mind. Sweet Bridget sits patiently nearby. Dear God, don’t let him make a mess tearing things apart or lifting his leg on any of Ranger Mike’s stuff. And while you’re at it, detain Ranger Mike . . . please.
Several minutes later Spike trots over to us, a self-satisfied grin on his face. Oh boy. I don’t wanna’ know.
Y’all may think Spike is cute, but be aware that he does have his dark side.
“Dang! We’re outta’ milk!”
Looks like tomorrow the hillbillies go to town . . .
rvsue
THANK YOU, RVSUE SHOPPERS! Curious what fellow readers are buying? Here’s a sampling of recent orders, most of which I covet myself, especially the first one!
Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion, Volume 1
Sunday Afternoons Sun Tripper Cap
Capri 3-Piece Rug Set
Blue Ox Baseplate for Ford F-150
Samsung Galaxy Proclaim Android Prepaid Phone
Zebra Print Deluxe Posture Chair with Loop Arms
I change my hours around a bit during summer. I love to stay up late and sleep late. In another month it will be up at 5:30 and bed by 9:00.
Hi DeAnne,
Yes, I kept those same hours . . . the teacher schedule. I don’t miss it!
I loved hearing about your night (and day)! Best not to know what Spike got up to…and I usually feel like Ma Kettle when I go to town–remember her? I loved Ma Kettle!
Hi Mary Ann,
Oh yeah, Ma and Pa Kettle. I think of myself more in the mold of Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies.
Ooohh Weeee, Thar Mr. Spike ,,,,,,,,,Timber
Rusty, Timber sounds a lot like Jed Clampett 🙂
That’s nuttin’, Sometimes ah axs like Jethro wen it comes ta chewin tobacco and lookin et them girldogs, Miss Mary Ann,,,,Timber,,,,,,, and Rusty says Hi too
Maybe Timber is really a double-naught spy-dog!
AHoooooool
Hi Sue, I’m catching up on your blog and took a look at your June expenses. Less than $800 – fantastic! Do you use a software program to track your finances or do you just keep a written journal?
Hi, Vicky,
I do neither. I simply get a receipt for everything I buy and stash them in a compartment of my purse. At the end of the month, calculator in hand, I empty out the purse and tally up the categories. Very old school.
Spike is your social director. “Come visit Ranger Mike! I’m going to leave him a gift!”
Ol’ Spike will have us thrown off this mountain!
Spikey, you can live with us (the K9Kidz) any time if RVSue keeps pickin’ on you. We are in the gender MAJORITY in the MotherShip so Bridget can’t go whining to Sue about ‘stuff’. Let us know at this web posting place and we’ll arrange transportation!!!! Doogie Bowser and Radar in NM!
The (mis)adventures of Mr Spike! What a character! Love the close-up photos of him. Our kids have us wrapped around their paws!
What a nice walk for you and the crew. The weather looks nice…at least in the shade.
Okay…lady are you listening? Take your hand sanitizer with you tomorrow..and don’t forget to wipe down the cart! Got it?
Have a wonderful evening. Hope you get some sleep tonight.
Okay, I promise! I always have it in my purse. Now that I’ve been properly scolded, maybe I’ll remember to take it out and use it.
You have a great night, too.
Just a reminder…not a scolding. Err I guess it sounded like a scolding..sorry. I just don’t want you to feel like crap for two days.
Hahaha! Am I that sensitive? I don’t mind a good scolding now and then.
Sounds like Spike is in total control of the situation. He certainly has you and Bridget on short leashes! Haha! Glad the crew provides lots of entertainment. Hope everyone gets back on schedule real soon:)
The trouble with Spike is you can’t reason with him. It’s his way or the highway.
As it should be. He,being a well trained dog, knows that it is his responsibility to keep Sue and Bridgett organized and that they tow the line!!!!!!! You are finding some gorgeous
campsites!!!!
Hmmm….I wonder if maybe the change in altitude might have affected him a bit, with all the running around he did?
Did Spike pay you to say that? LOL Just kidding . . .
I cannot squeal on Mr. Spikey. :X By the way, I haven’t heard any mention of streams at the new camp. Perhaps he was enacting the revenge of the water dog??
Are you Spike’s defense attorney? 🙂
Yes, there’s a tiny stream at the edge of our campsite that Spike can soak in any time he wants. He has no reason to be obnoxious. I rest my case.
Hi LadyBug! You are hereby appointed Spikes Defence Attorney. There are occaisional times when the girls gang up on him, unjustly I’m sure! Be glad to assist as a material witness as to outstanding character! Chuck
Spike for President!!
I was thinking the same thing. Waking up frequently is a well known effect of altitudes for us humans.
(just call me an expert witness)
Is it time for a dog shaming post?
Maybe so! Speaking of shame… I put in these green widget boxes (below). When I set up the widgets I specified the topics for the books… camping, RVing, hiking . .. Beyond that I have no control.
I don’t know what your screen shows, but my screen features the book, “Sex in a Tent.” Sheesh.
I literally laughed out loud. Oh darn, mine says Rescue in the Wild. Although, those two books could kind of go together. Hmmm….
RVSue and her canine crew XXX!
Seems to me something about a tight jeaned ranger awhile back also……
Sex sells! :))))
Must have gotten too cold in the tent or they have set off on an adventure it’s now Appalachian Trail Guide to Maine. Have followed you from the beginning but never commented, but Spikey just got to me. Owned by a Fox Terrier and loving it! Don’t think Bridget will ever succeed in making him a gentleman (dog)!
Well, hello, Ron Ranger! Welcome to the comments section, where almost anything goes! Including Sex in a Tent!
Thank you for reading my blog since I first started writing it. It’s been a trip! You know by now that Spike is gonna’ be Spike, no matter how hard the Bridge and I try to reform him.
My Amazon book is Scholastic Reader Level 1 – Outdoor Adventures. Is Amazon trying to tell me something?
Oh dear. Poor Reine. These are highly sophisticated widgets that choose books according to your level. I’m sure you’ll make good progress if you practice.
I’ve progressed to The Total Outdoorsman Manual…and they must have a lot of the Paracord Survival Bracelet to sell cause I see it too.
Sex in a tent! hah hah Is that a story or an instructional? Oh that is too funny.
My widget says Map……….. and Paracord survival bracelet 🙁
There’s a sequel to Sex in a Tent. It’s called How to Sh*t in a Tent. No kidding. And I always thought Amazon was a class act.
LOL
LOL… I’m lovin your life !
Me, too, Marcia. I just caught myself giggling about how good I have it.
My book is Off the Map which, given that I have also been following Bob Wells’ vandwelling blog, seems appropriate.
Gee, I’m wanting these books!
I’m getting an ad for “Off the Map, Adventuring in the Great American Wilderness and Beyond”.
subtitled “RVSue and Crew Part II: Sue encounters one too many ATVs.
That last title is a horror story.
I am sad. I see no green widget boxes. I see: Books! Get us on Kindle! Outdoorsy stuff!
None of them are active links, though. It’s unfortunate, I’d love to see Sex in a Tent.
‘It’s unfortunate, I’d love to see Sex in a Tent.’
—Quote of the day!! LOLOLOL
Gee, I’ve been thinking about placing quotes in the sidebar. Yours would be a good starter, Ladybug!
If you go to the bottom of the page and hit your “reload” icon the Amazon ad will cycle through the books.
On some screens there is a curved arrow on the end of the address (URL) bar. Click it to refresh and you can scroll through the ads.
Or if you really want Sex in a Tent, search for it! LOL
Quote of the year!! 😉
Hi Sue,
I came across this site that discusses discusses FS rangers and BLM ‘camping’ that you SHOULD read FYI.
All the best,
Barrie
http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/
Sorry, forgot the link… 🙂
Barrie
Hi Barrie…
I read Bob’s blog regularly. (We camped as neighbors at Saddleback Mountain, Tonopah, AZ and Bob visited my camp at Congress, AZ a short while ago.)
As I have come to expect from anything Bob posts, his handling of the topic of harassment of full-timers is thorough and well-written. Bob is a master at providing information and advice. I wish what he wrote were not true. Unfortunately it is.
I considered tempering my recent praise of rangers on this blog in order to provide a more balanced view, but decided against it. My blog is more of an entertainment blog. Bob’s blog is more of an informational blog. (He and I have discussed this.) Together our blogs give a balanced view of full-timing on public lands and interactions with rangers.
Bob’s concerns are valid and his advice is sound so I encourage readers to visit his blog. (I tried to comment when it first appeared but the comment “captcha” thingy wasn’t working right and I never did get back over there.)
Thanks for the link, Barrie.
MINE SAYS “THROUGH A DOGS EARS”. HA HA
I haven’t seen that one yet. Sounds like a “must have.”
Love the story about Spike. He has such a innocent face, should I believe this story? 🙂
You can believe this story. What you shouldn’t believe is Spike’s innocent-looking face.
Finally….sex in a tent! and a Weiita Headlamp 500 Lumens Cree LED…yikes!
Both at the same time?
No, not at the same time! Sex first, then turn on the light!
Sex in a tent was the book and the headlamp was the “handy items”.
Not what I meant. 🙂 The headlamp could be worn when . . . oh, never mind.
What? You didn’t think that was my Amazon order did you? heh heh
You’re killing me! If someone decided to wear a headlamp during………. yeah…you’re right…never mind. 🙂
Looks like RV Sue’s blog has gone wild today! I don’t know where my widgets are & feel left out ::sniffle:: Your comment of Spike doing his male repertoire thing and then all the comments after that defending him. Too funny.
Hope you get your days & nights straightened out. Don’t cha know that internet thangy can make you lose all track of time? HA
Hi Patti!
Widgets are all the way to the bottom of this page (green boxes). There’s also one in the sidebar.
Duh me, I found my widgets 🙂 I had something for a 12V battery clip-on. Maybe to hook up the headlamp for er uh, you know…..sex in a tent? Teeeheeee
Rvsue:
Went to bed last night after reading your blog and the naughty comments. Had a dream someone broke into my Casita to be. I think it might have been Ranger Mike.
So today I’m running around living la vida loca and all I can think about is, RVSue is going to get milk today. I can hardly wait to find out if she got milk. The suspense is killing me.
Phyllis from Oklahoma
Hilarious, Phyllis . . . Love your sense of humor!
Past your camp yesterday 7-2, coming down the canyon after a long ride (ruff road) to see some of the spring mountain flowers on the east side of the mountain. My wife said “hey some one’s in our camping place”. I saw your trailer, I had seen it on sunday lower in the canyon. Check out my mountain flowers photos on facebook. The “Mountain” is the best place in the world. (my world). I blundered on to your blog while looking for info on Danish knoll. Enjoy the Mountain. Stan.
Hi Stan (and wife)… Welcome to my blog! I’m happy you’re with us.
I think I saw you and your wife when you parked on the bridge at Bluebell… tan pick-up? I thought, “Hmm… I bet they read my blog” because the lady in the truck was looking at the BLT and not the creek! 🙂
I don’t go on facebook. It’s fun searching for and photographing the wildflowers on this mountain, isn’t it…
Is it just me, or am I not the only one hitting the reload button to get a cool book title and a handy item to go with it?
It’s like a slot machine!
I know about “sex on the Beach”, but it’s a drink not anything to read. Sex in a tent, huh? Uh….I’m sure it’s done.
Hi Jim! Have a great 4th of July weekend!
Hello RV Sue and the famous Crew! I had to go back and read forward to catch up. Our trip has experienced one delay after another… the morning of the “grocery shopping” for the trip, I received a long distance strange call. Needless to say, I was plucked from the retirement bench to save a large property. I am such a sucker for those who find themselves blindsided by evil, greedy employees. Oh well, what’s a few more weeks? I will just whip out my magic wand and be ready for the road by the 15th. Thank goodness for RV’s…. Technology….. and RVSue and the Crew…. I will travel in comfort, high-tech style and have the best highway entertainment with RV Sue and her lovable crew.
Spike, are the high elevations getting to you? Or, are you just getting yourself in shape for the winter camp patrol duties?
Happy 4th of July and keep a watchful eye on smoke signals.
Kay
Hi Kay!
That’s a new one — “the best highway entertainment.” 🙂 Happy 4th to you, too!
HAPPY 4TH SUE!!!!
Same to you, Ron!
Happy July 4th Sue! Hope it is a sane, relaxing day for you!
Do I EVER work very hard? Haha! Happy 4th to you, Chuck, Radar and the Doog!