Thursday, October 30
After breakfast I scurry around to break camp. (Bridget and I arrived yesterday at Cholla Campground on Roosevelt Lake in east-central Arizona.) We’re moving to another campsite because this one places the refrigerator in the sun all afternoon, plus it’s unpleasant stepping out the door into the sun’s glare.
I find a lovely, double site on the other side of Christmas Cholla loop.
Jack told me that it’s okay to take a double site and it doesn’t require an additional fee. I find one with the right orientation to the afternoon sun. A water spigot is nearby and it’s a short walk to a trash bin. It’s a lovely, spacious campsite.
I back in and unhitch.
I set up a sitting area on the outdoor mat. (I put out the awning later in the day.)
I set up a second sitting area by the picnic table.
As you can see in the above photo (somewhat), I position the Perfect Tow Vehicle so that it isn’t aligned with the Best Little Trailer. Instead I park it with the back end of the PTV forming a “wall” for the sitting area. This blocks the view from the street.
The picnic shelter/lounge area is circled by desert trees.
There are three palo verde, three mesquite trees, and several smaller ironwood trees. The spaces are filled in with rabbit brush with fading yellow-gold blooms. Very pretty!
“Okay, that’s enough for now. We need to go buy a Tonto Pass. Come along, Keemo-sabe.”
I place Bridget on the bench seat and away we go to Butcher Hook.
I know, weird name. Butcher Hook is a gas station-bait house-grocery-restaurant-saloon-whatever. A sign on the door reads, “Tonto Recreation Area Passes sold here.”
“Be right back, pumpkin.”
The young woman cashier explains how the large cardboard passes are to be used.
“You scratch off the year, the month, the day, and the time of your arrival and put it on your dash or hang it from your mirror.”
“I’m confused,” I reply. “How many days do you get with each pass?”
“One,” she explains.
“What? You mean to say that people have to buy one of these cards for every day? (The cards are at least the size of a business envelope.) My gosh, that’s an awful lot of trees!”
I think of the 200 sites in Cholla Campground alone, when full that’s 200 cards every day.
“Gee, you must have boxes and boxes of these things.”
“Yeah, we do,” she says with a wry twist to her mouth.
I buy seven passes for $21.00.
Bridget and I return to the campground.
On the way I make a detour to see the boat ramp and take photos for the previous post.
I park the PTV in our campsite, plug in the cord connecting the PTV’s battery with the house battery, and take another look at our new home.
“Yeah, this is nice,” I smile. “I like this.”
I grab my Paperwhite and some refreshment and climb into the lounger.
Four black ravens chortle in the sky above as they circle in pairs. Chortle doesn’t exactly explain the strange sound of ravens. It’s more like they’re belching under water.
After a while I fix myself a salad and eat it at the picnic table. The day is warm — low 80s, I guess — but it’s pleasantly cool in the shade.
I take a basin over to the water spigot and fill it up. I wash and dry dishes while standing at the end of the picnic table.
Later a man appears at our door.
It’s Jack!
“Hey, I saw you at Wal-Mart in Payson!” he exclaims. “Well, I didn’t actually see YOU. I saw your rig. You were already inside. Then I went inside but I still didn’t see you. When I came out, you were gone.”
We sit in the chairs under the awning and chat.
Jack’s campsite is in the next loop.
In the evening, around eight o’clock, Bridget is asleep in bed after being pushed around the campground in her stroller. I’m happily looking at my laptop.
I hear the unmistakeable rumble of a diesel truck followed by the squeak of metal. Uh-oh. Sounds like we’ve got new neighbors arriving.
“YOU’VE GOT TO COME THIS WAY!. MOVE OVER FURTHER!” the woman yells. “THIS WAY!”
“I CAN’T SEE WHERE YOU ARE!” the man yells.
On and on it goes . . . .
“OKAY, THAT’S IT!” the woman yells. “KEEP COMIN’, KEEP COMIN’, OKAY, OKAY, STOP!”
The yelling is followed by slamming doors and clanking this and clanking that. The diesel truck rumbles into position. Doors slam. More yelling.
Ahhh . . . . At last they’re settled in their site.
Friday, October 31
Bridget and I enjoy the start of a pleasant morning. It’s another beautiful day, we have a beautiful campsite, all is well. Someone is running a generator, but that’s okay. That’s part of campground living.
I’m reading in the lounger and Bridget is well into her morning nap. We’re happy, happy, happy.
And then the new neighbors turn on a radio.
It has that distinctive sound of an AM station. I can hear the static and every word of the frenzied announcer’s voice.
“Oh, nooooo!” I groan. I try to ignore it but I can’t focus on what I’m reading. I get up, walk across to their fifth wheel, and call at their open door, “Excuse me. Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Would you please turn down the radio?”
“I can do that,” she replies, looking down her nose from her open door. No “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize…”
Oh well, at least she’s going to turn it down. I don’t need an apology.
Before long TWO more fifth-wheels arrive.
We’re surrounded! Conversations are conducted via yells through a window as one stays inside and the other stays outside. A man and a woman trot from one campsite to another, exclaiming over their covered dishes. Diesel trucks roar, someone repeatedly calls a dog, a woman stands in the street yakking on a cellphone, more hollering, on and on it goes. No one talks at normal volume.
Meanwhile, I’m almost in tears from the constant noise. I try to tolerate it, but I can’t!
I don’t begrudge them their get-together, but do they have to be so LOUD?
Well, I have a choice.
I can stay here and suffer or I can move us to another campsite.
I fold up the chairs, roll up the mats, take up the awning, secure the inside of the BLT, crank up the hitch, back up the PTV, hitch up, pull up the rear jacks, remove the chocks, and just as I’m about to pull out, a man appears.
His name is Rick and he’s camped a few sites away. He asks about the Wilson antenna and we talk, standing next to the PTV. Rick has solar power, too.
“So where ya’ headed?” he asks.
“To the other side of the campground,” I reply. “I can’t take that any more,” I explain with a nod toward the neighbors.
“Oh yeah,” he acknowledges. “And the generator noise,” he groans.
As he leaves he calls back to me, purposefully louder than necessary and sporting a big grin, “GOOD LUCK FINDING A QUIET CAMPSITE!”
I back the PTV into another campsite in a different loop.
I unhitch and set up our new home. The chairs, the mat, everything is in place. I plop into a chair with a bottle of water, look around, listen to the silence, and smile.
“It’s nice here, isn’t it, Bridge. I like this.”
rvsue
Thanks for shopping Amazon from my blog!
Ugh!!! Sue, so sorry!!
Some people can be very inconsiderate!
I’m glad you & Bridget found another quiet spot!
Can’t wait to see & hear what happens next!
Hi, Lynn,
I’m glad I decided to move. I immediately relaxed and felt better.
Those are the same people who use their cell phone in public. They think they are the only important people in the world.
Augggghhh! What is it with having to shout! Must people be so LOUD?
Soooo glad you settled into a quiet site. My nerves un-jangled as I read that.
Life is good in the toad 😉
Hi: so what is your toad! actually like. Remember, I set up a cargo trailer with 3 windows, insulation, 12v lites and plug, bunk and storage. I, for one, really love smaller spaces. Might have gotten a t@b but could not find one used in my area. Of course, I am not full timing but even my base is a studio apt inside a steel bldg. Jan
Hi, Jan,
“I, for one, really love smaller spaces.”
We, for two, really love smaller spaces. 🙂
But then we have the whole outdoors, also.
I don’t know if you saw this in the comments of the previous post, but small/nimble rigs were mentioned, and so I related something funny that had just happened to me. I was at a shop that specializes in RV’s, having some work done, and the owner and I got to talking. He commented that they’d previously had another of my same rig in for some projects. I guess he must have indicated they were full-timers. So I said something like, “Oh, you don’t see that too often in such a compact rig.” And that was when he told me that they actually used it as their toad! (They had a large Class A for the main rig.)
It struck me funny for some reason. I didn’t think I had a toad, but now it turns out I do! 😉 🙂
Jan,
I also meant to comment: I like your cargo trailer concept, and I, too, was attracted to the T@b. And if I had a land space, I have long thought I would like something like a pole building that would be mostly workshop, storage for gear, etc. — with a tiny corner walled off and made into a studio. That plus Montana sounds heavenly!
When I was a kid it happened to turn out that I had a rather large “my room” (bedroom). It was basically the attic, so had sloping ceilings and interesting shape. But I guess I found it too large, because I moved my bed into the closet, pretended it was a ship cabin, and “lived” there instead.
There is an outfit down in Texas that builds “Barndominiums”. I, too, plan on building a big shop with an apartment in the corner. Or maybe a shop with RV hookups inside and just pull the RV inside and live in it. Lots of decisions.
Hi, Pen,
What is Toadie anyway? I thought you bought a Class C. Then you wrote that someone was using your rig as a toad. ?
It is a C, but it’s the type that people often call a “B+” Meaning it is technically a C (because it is built on a cutaway Ford van chassis, with the cab from Ford, but the body being built entirely by the RV manufacturer); but unlike most C’s, it’s still almost van-sized. So basically it’s more like an overgrown van than it is like a big Class C. So some people have decided to call them B+, although technically a B still has the original van body. I guess “C-” wouldn’t have the same ring to it 🙂
It’d be a big, granddaddy toad though! Heck, it weighs around 10,000# If I were going to have a toad (besides this one, ha ha), I think I’d want either a sporty, fun-to-drive, manual transmission car (say like a Mini) or a 4WD-something that could explore the back roads. To each their own though (I mean, unless I can hear it in my campsite…;)
Some folks are just born rude. Glad you found a better site.
Sorry Jim, but with all respect I have to disagree. No one is born rude.
They are patiently taught and shown how to be rude by their parents or other influences in their lives.
Amen to that, Rick!
Sorry, Rick, but with all due respect I have to agree with Jim. We’re all born rude and selfish and need to be patiently taught to be otherwise. Of course it’s much worse when those negative traits are reinforced by parents and upbringing. Unfortunately, that happens way too often and it’s practically impossible to teach proper behavior to adults.
Then there are those of us who are hard of hearing and don’t really know about our volume. That is a mutual reason for boondocking. We don’t bother others a mile or more away and they don’t bother us.
Mutual consideration: Something that apparently doesn’t come to mind for many folks (but obviously does for you). I think that what really gets to me (along with the actual noise) is the fact that, Hello! I exist! Did it ever even occur to you that someone else might not WANT to listen to your same music (that is blaring)? Or the details of your conversation (bellowed).
You have an actual reason (not being aware of volume, fair enough), and yet you are considerate. That’s the main thing to me.
The opposite: Last week, when I was at a (formerly) peaceful primitive Forest Service campground way out in the mountains, my neighbors ran a generator about 10′ from my rig (in between us, on the picnic table). All Day Long. And all evening long too, for that matter. Basically dawn until 10 p.m. Prior to that I’d been listening to birds, wind in the trees, etc.
I tried to imagine they needed it. Just so I could be less annoyed. I pictured them running oxygen or some other necessary medical machine, and thought about how wonderful it was they were still able to get out to their favorite campground. Maybe one last time, etc. Because you never know. And I’m just lucky I don’t need that (yet).
Well, finally I politely asked them if they were going to continue running it from dawn to dark (because I was thinking about moving campsites, although I had a really nice one), and they said they were using it because they liked to sit inside and watch TV. They were two strapping, healthy guys. When they said “Oh, does it bother you?” I really think it had never occurred to them that it might. I said yes, and that a couple hours here or there would be fine (well not really, but … tolerable), but that it got a bit old when it was on all the time. I wondered if perhaps they could move it to the opposite side of their rig (no campsites on that side). I looked forward to them running it a bit less now that they knew it was bothering someone. Nope! Back inside to the TV and it stayed on dawn to dark, on the picnic table between our rigs. Ugh!
The really annoying thing is that the morning they left (ahhh, bird songs! Wind in the trees!), I was leaving too, so I only had about 45 minutes of peace, while I was packing up. Hmmph.
Sue: Ha, funny about babies not keeping their voices down. I think you “won” the born rude vs. born polite argument with that one. Hee!
I have to agree! I am very hard of hearing and been told more than once that I speak too loud! I am unaware that I am speaking in a louder than normal voice, but I guess I do! I try to remember this when we are around other folks now!
I agree… “We’re all born rude and selfish.” Never known a baby to keep his voice down lest he disturb the ‘rents. 🙂
Thanks Thor ‘n Drew,
Sometimes I need to remind myself that due to the fact that I have never really been around kids as an adult gives me a skewed perspective. You are right, it is up to parents to teach us how to correctly interact with others. Still sad that it seems all to often this is somehow missed.
As if I need to remind RVSue, the teacher — the most powerful way for someone to learn is modeling that which you want them to learn. It is more powerful than reading it, being told it, or being punished if you don’t do it. So the best-mannered students and children of my friends are those who REPLICATE their parents’ polite behavior. Not much correction is needed when they actually LIVE it. (IMHO, that is!)
Well, discounting how we acquire “rude”, consideration of others is a taught behavior. Hopefully Sue get’s a few days peace and quiet after the weekenders go back to their jobs.
You remind me of two families boondocking near us on the North Fork of the Virgin River, Utah. One family had about 8 children and I hardly noticed what they were doing, they were so quiet.
Another family with 2 children moved in and everyone knew exactly what they were doing, right down to whether they wanted ketchup or mustard on their hot dogs. Every word was a shout. The parents never talked, they yelled. The kids were the same.
I’m going to relate a funny story some friends told me. They are now a retired couple, but fifteen years or so ago they were a couple with two young children. They are “outdoorsy” active types, and often went camping with the kids, typically to “primitive” type campgrounds in the mountains. They had a car and tents. It was always stressed to the children (plus shown by example) that campground etiquette called for soft voices, low lights outside (if any) and consideration for your neighbors’ outdoor experience. This is how the kids were raised, and woodsy camping was a fond tradition.
One night late, long after everyone had gone to bed and all was quiet and dark, in comes a new rig. But do they slip in quietly and settle down? NooOOOooo. They come in making tons of noise, shouting repeatedly as they get backed in and positioned (not tenters). Then out come the super bright, hissing lanterns, on goes the music, and up starts the party. By now it’s close to midnight. My friend went over and politely asked them if they could keep it down a bit. Nope, the party went on full tilt until 3 a.m. or so, and no-one got much sleep. Tents don’t let you ignore much. My friend had those sleep-deprived fantasies you tend to get, about how to quiet them down, but of course didn’t play them out. Until….
The next morning, when the kids woke up at 6 a.m., as usual. Only this morning was different…
My friend got out her pots and pans and wooden spoons, and encouraged the two kids to go on out and make noise! Play rambunctiously! Maybe even use the pans as a drum set? They were so well raised she had to lead the way. “COME ON OUT KIDS! IT’S A BEAUTIFUL MORNING! LET’S HAVE A DRUM PARTY!”
The kids were dumbfounded. Was this really happening? They could use the pans for a DRUM set? ?!!!???
(Note that they were not disturbing any other “innocent” campers with this behavior.)
My friends said that the kids (now adults) still tell the story of that one morning, when the world momentarily was all backwards, and they were encouraged to run outside and make noise in the morning 😀
I never have the nerve to do that sort of thing, but I do sometimes have those late night “planning moments” as I think of what I might like to do!
But like you say, another family can show up with 8 kids and you know they are there, but in a nice way. You don’t know every time they have an itch or use a condiment.
That story beats all, Pen. I hate to think what I might do in that situation.
PS: I liked Rick’s send off (probably fell on deaf ears, but still satisfyingly funny between comrades).
Yeah, Rick was camped next to a cheap generator. As another person with solar, he’s probably accustomed to peace and quiet, too.
Oh, Sidewinder Pen, you took off so soon that I didn’t get a chance to “thank you” for the gift. We’re down to one box and Timber says hi ,,,,,,,me
Ha ha – I wondered if you might get hooked 😀 Sorry 😉 😉 Just so happens I’m eating one now, while reading the comments.
BTW, I stopped back that next night with a spare rectangle of insulation, but then didn’t see you. And as it turns out I left at around 1 a.m. because of a scary thing that was happening: People came in repeatedly in those “Polaris” type ATV’s, and screamed around the camping area at high speed really close to my rig and that of others. Going in circles and spinning out. The air was thick with dust, and it was loud, but the scary thing was seeing their headlights come SO close to my rig, and the way they were slewing out of control. Made me feel trapped and worried they might slam into my rig when out of control. They would go away and then come back a half hour later (happened three times), just as I was falling back asleep. I finally gave up and left in the middle of the night — ugh! Glad that doesn’t happen very often.
Maybe we’ll cross paths again before too long. Looks like it’s almost safe to “descend to lower altitude” (I’m a heat wimp.)
Pats to Timber!
I re-read this and realized it might make people wonder just what we were referring to. And plus it was an example of great service from Amazon.
I had ordered two cases of a certain kind of macaroni and cheese I really like. Comfort food 🙂 (And sometimes hard to find in local stores.) When they arrived, I saw it was not the “flavor” I had ordered, and there were ingredients in it I cannot eat. I contacted Amazon and they apologized and offered to send the correct item overnight at no charge to me. Typically when something like this happens they will have a “tag” you can download to send the wrong item back (free of charge); but in this case they said they cannot accept food items back, and that I dispose of it as I saw fit.
It just so happened that a couple of hours before, I had pulled into the same boondock where Rusty and Timber were camped, and I had just spent an enjoyable early evening chatting with them. So I asked him if he might like the “extra” mac and cheese. So we both ended up with a couple of cases of tasty mac and cheese, for those times when a bit of instant comfort food fills the bill.
I have been cooking up some fantastic grub with them cheze n’ mack box’s , like , adding French cut green beans n’ tuna or add spiced up chili with garlic and such, been hiking up the hills near here to work off the pasta, Timber would look for more, even after he ate hafe a kettle. We left for the same reason.
Aha, I wondered if that’s why you weren’t there that night, since we had loosely talked about meeting up again. I got there just before sunset, and all was quiet until around 10:30 p.m. (when I was all tucked in and falling asleep). That was really gross and dangerous behavior on the part of the “Polaris” riders. I ended up driving around a bit to find another spot (since it was so late at night, and dark). Ugh!
Your culinary concoctions sound delicious! I “jazz” them up too in various ways. You’ll have to watch that Timber is not ordering more on Amazon when you are not looking 😉
LOL, Some times I’ll be outside and I’ll hear him in the camper making weird sounds and I look to see what’s he up to and when I open the door, Timber moves from where the PC is to the bed real fast. I try to see what he’s looking at. I think he’s looking or trying to watch a video of dogs or he’s got friend out there some where in cyber land. I’m going to change the pass word cause my GBs are missing, LOL
Ps, yes we moved up towards Chloride and on the way my trans cooler lines started leaking, it’s good I carry extra stuff to make emergency repairs, went up to big Wash road , but it was washed out bad, so I headed back and found a cool spot not to far from the junction of I-40 n’ 95, on the Old 95 road and stayed there till the 30th. Moved to Creaggy Wash BLM, left there Friday and did my shopping n’ water n’ dump and came down river to where we are now, where the power lines cross the Hwy 95 , We’re up on the side of the hill, but I may move down to a old spot here, a little lower, It’s real rocky where we’re at.
Thanks for the updates on your camp moves, Rusty. We may visit you before spring, sometime after we go to Yuma. I’m curious about that area, and, of course, it’s always nice to spend time with you and Timber.
Another Great Post! Peace and Quiet are necessary for a good life
Thanks, Katy! Good hearing from you.
Umm, Sue, the calendar I have clearly declares the last day of October as being Friday. Please don’t tell me I worked the wrong shift at the wrong location on the wrong day. I’m not sure how I would explain my timecard entries to my boss. I’ve done that already, ya know, and it really messes up payroll. Are you messin’ with my head? I don’t mind if you’re off a day or two but the voices in my head would have a big problem with it.
Hope your new spot is the quiet haven you seek.
Audrey
Hi, Audrey,
Thanks for correcting me. I changed the dates. That shows how rattled I was… even later, recalling the noise in order to write this blog post.
Some tv shows are that way too. Everyone yells. I mean, after all, my tv has a loudness control that I could use if I really wanted to hear people at yell level. I don’t so the channel button is used instead
Glad you found your peace and quiet. And lovely new home
Hi, Carla,
You bring up a relevant point. I don’t watch television. On the rare instance that I did, I noticed the unnecessary yelling on the shows. Huh? Why?
Maybe people surround themselves with noise all the time and shouting above it becomes a habit.
I’ve noticed the new rule is radio advertising is to mention the 800 telephone THREE TIMES in 30 seconds. Do they really believe we are going to rush straight to our phones?
No wonder people pay for Sirius.
Hi Sue!
Happy Halloween! I see those Level 4 clingers got you so discombobulated that you forgot what day of the week it is. LOL I’m happy to hear that your new site is much more peaceful! I just love the look on the Bridge’s face sitting there in her big girl bed so pretty! Is her leg any better? This entire campground looks wonderful and with the amenities it has! I’ll definitely have to add this to my list of must camp here sometime!
Hope you and Bridgett have a quiet peaceful stay for the remainder of stay.
Safe and Happy travels~
Chaunte’
Hi, Chaunte,
I think I’m seeing some improvement with Bridget’s leg. She doesn’t have the pain any more and her limp comes and goes. Nice of you to ask . . . and on behalf of Bridget, thanks for the compliment. 🙂
What a silly way to collect campground fees. Especially since I’ll bet with budget cuts that they only come around and check on the weekends. You would like to think that they would be better off just having a self pay station and trusting that people would respect that.
But in that same vein I’m so sorry that your perfect camp was invaded by Oblivions from the planet Oblivia. So sad that people can be so self absorbed that they don’t notice or don’t care how their actions effect others.
You made the right decision to go somewhere quieter. Also seems nice to run into Jack again. I hope the worst of the weekend crowds will not spoil what still seems like a perfect place to spend some time and unwind.
BTW: I can’t tell you how jealous I am of you living a lifestyle where you can lose track of the day and date. Oh how I dream of someday being able to do that. 🙂
Hi, Rick,
It’s true… I usually have no idea what day of the week it is. The only time I pay attention is when I’m thinking of changing camps. I try to avoid moving on a Saturday.
I knew Jack was coming this way. It was a surprise to discover we arrived here on the same day. He stayed at Lone Rock while Bridget and I spent three days in the Flagstaff camp I call Camp Ponderosa.
Yeah, the fee system is weird. The system is designed to handle day use fees and boat fees, as well as camping fees. The Tonto Pass is good at 9 recreation areas in Tonto National Forest.
At $3 a day for seniors… providing cleaning, maintenance, repair and remodeling of buildings and grounds, trash pick-up, and a big card printed on both sides for every RV, every day… I’d be curious to see the $$$ figures.
So much rudeness in this world. It is terrible.
I find myself reading your blog, and halfway through it feeling dread that it almost at the end. That is excellent writing my friend!
I wish you would write a book. I would most definitely buy it!
Safe travels, peace and joy to you and baby girl!
Mert and Asia Mae aka Mae Mae 😉
Hi, Mert,
Many times when I’m writing about our day and there is much I want to tell, I’ll look at the length of the post and wonder if it’s way too long. In the future I’ll think, “Well, Mert won’t mind.”
Thanks for the nice compliment. I hope your day includes smiles.
lurking in the shadows, but never miss a post and of course the comments.. Sue you could write a news paper and we would still be on the edge of our seats reading every word, and like some above dream of the day that we can lose ourselves in the beauty of the world and not watch a calendar or time.. now being Canadian when its my turn to start I will have to watch the calendar we have to be in Canada for at least 6 months and in our own province for 120 days to keep our health insurance.. I hope in 8 to 10 yrs this will be different for us.. love your posts / pictures and so glad Bridget is doing better .. 🙂
That 6 month requirement does make a big impact on the RVing of Canadians.
Thanks for the compliment on my posts and photos!
yes 6 months in Canada does make a big difference especially when probably only 3 of those months don’t have cold weather / snow no matter where you are 🙂 .. hope you are finding quiet love the area, its amazing how you can go from desert to trees. When I went to Vegas, we took the tour to see the grand canyon very impressed on how the scenery and the environment changed.. amazing.. that when I feel in love with the desert.. 🙂 stay safe and warm hugs to Brigitte.
My day has forced smiles.
Of course u know my moms condition with the Alzheimer’s. Dad has not been week now, ct scan has found mass in abdomen and kidney. We go Monday for further testing. He does not know the extent of what was found. We felt there ws no reason to let him set and worry for 3 days. He worries enough about everything else.
It’s tough when parents get older. ( mom turned 87 oct 30. Dad will be 88 in May) it’s a sad deal for sure. But we will get through it.
And no… I wouldn’t mind at all if u wrote 42 pages of blog. I love it!! We use to camp twice a year every year growing up at Koa campground at myrtle beach 2-3 weeks at a time. And also in the mountains in north carlina and Tennessee. I can still smell the aromas of the pines, the ocean. The camp fires grills etc.
someday. I will be back out there god willing ( and the creek don’t rise)
Much peace, health and happiness to you and pretty girl brige.
Mert and Mae Mae ( Asia Mae)
Your parents are so lucky to have you (well maybe not pure luck as they obviously raised you to be a good person). I’m glad you are there for them now, but also hope you are able to get out and ramble again when the time is right.
Thanks, I wouldn’t change a thing. They have always been here for me. Now it’s the least I can do and be here for them.
You are a strong woman, Mert. It’s your love, respect, and devotion to your parents that has made you strong, although I bet there are times when you feel very weak and overwhelmed. You do have a lot of responsibility.
I look forward to you telling me about your travels, when that time comes.
Somedays ( considering my health issues too) it’s very overwhelming. And my baby girl Asia Mae seems to be my only bright spot and smile. But I will get through it. Thank you for the compliment. I do what I can to help them. It’s the least I can do. They were and are wonderful parents. And I most defiantly will right about my travels when I am able to get out there again. My biggest fear is SNAKES!! Petrified of them. I can’t even see a pic of one or watch them on tv. Seen one a cple weeks ago at bottom of my steps ( almost stepped on it) — heart failure #992. Thank goodness my dad had just pulled into the driveway to pick me up. He has seen that look of pure terror on my face and the scream I let out enough to know what was going down … So at the age of 88. He gets out of the car and says ” where’s it at, and where is the shovel” :). Thank god for dad’s.
Write… Not right. My vision is bad. So is spell check lol
“heart failure #992” made me laugh. Can’t we all identify with that feeling where you can hardly believe it wasn’t shocked into stopping! I’m not overly afraid of snakes, but one time I opened the door to a shed to go inside and a big black snake fell onto my head and shoulders (it must have been on top of the door). I shrieked and probably had a “heart failure #675.” Jeepers.
That’s horrible! Nightmare material!
What is it about camping and the outdoors that makes everyone yell as a means to conversation. We find the same thing. Boy are people loud! Hope you new site is better:)
Hi, John and Pam,
Yes, our new site is better. The part that I really don’t understand is the radio. Why go to a campground and turn on a radio? At high volume? I don’t get it.
I’m with you Sue, I don’t understand it either. It’s not camping just bring their chaos with them.
Like you, Sue, I cherish quiet. When I lived in Costa Rica in a townhouse nothing could prepare me for the noises. My backyard neighbor, a doctor from South America, used to play the Beatles every weekend at a volume that would have anyone I was on the phone with ask that I turn down MY music! I think he used Beatles music to learn English – or drive his neighbors crazy! Not sure which one for sure. Sometimes it would be the same song over and over and over again. I nicknamed him Beatles Boy for obvious reasons. Sometimes I played my own Beatles collection back at him. I found myself staying up rather late at night just to surround myself in precious silence. It was the only time when everyone was quiet. I could feel myself expand out into that silence. I still keep those same night owl hours and still reveal in the quiet. Since I had a head injury a few years ago I’ve found myself a whole lot less tolerant of noise. Things that don’t bother others are like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. I so appreciate your need to move so as to get away from those sounds. Personally, I’ll never understand how others are able to tolerate those sounds!
Hi, Deborah,
I do believe there are individuals who are what I call “noise sensitive.” I know I am and secluded boondocking has made me more so.
Your statement “Things that don’t bother others are like fingernails on a chalkboard to me” had me nodding my head with understanding.
With these folks you don’t need to be “noise sensitive” to become irritated by their presence. That campground loop is the only one without a campground host, which should have raised a red flag with me. That’s going to draw inconsiderate people.
A nice $3 / day campsite that close to Phoenix and you expected a quite weekend?
Ya, not going to happen, Mick.
Well true, but …
I might have anticipated a busy/full campground, but that doesn’t mean people have to shout. Heck, they should be quieter at those times since there are more people nearby! Or go someplace away from other people if they can’t speak in conversational tones.
Guess I’m not very tolerant (curmudgeon alert!), but too, I was raised to speak quietly when others are in earshot. Why should they have to listen to me and my daily minutiae?
Hi, Pen,
The woman’s reaction to my request to turn down the radio told me a lot. She had absolutely no concern that she had been spoiling other campers’ peace. I would guess she thinks I’m an “old biddy” who doesn’t know how to have “fun.”
Hi, Mick,
I see your point. The people here are very quiet, for the most part. Of course, it only takes a few to ruin things for everyone. Yelling from one campsite to their friends in another… I couldn’t believe it!
I do hope this 3rd site will be quiet Sue…you know I so well understand!! Sometimes I feel like screaming…if it would help. But nothing you can do or say seems to matter much. And they might come and vandalize your property or you even, these days. Tis best to move on if you can. I am hopeful we will not be another summer here…though hubby loves being so close to the sea…but I am going to begin looking in earnest come Spring if it sounds like he wants to stay put. I think it will be endurable during the winter….so long as it is cold and rainy at least.
Our daughter saw yet another specialist this week as her problem cropped up AGAIN. No one yet seems very concerned though the pain can drive her to her knees. Either stupid or lazy says I. If they don’t know the answer….at least they could try to find out!! Anyway, looks like we may need to stay around for a long while yet. But somehow we will find a way to be fine. Just have to hunt more for quieter locale.
Hi, Elizabeth,
Gee, how frustrating and difficult for your daughter. . . to be in pain and not able to figure out why. I wish her well.
I hope you find a happy resolution to the noise issue. It would be a shame though to give up the enjoyment of being close to the sea.
Some friends who live nearby found an awesome place…she said she nearly gave up too (but hated the noise in the apts they lived in too, I guess some issues like we had with STOMPER above us)…they found a HUGE basement, furnished, but large enough to store their stuff too, in a gorgeous house beside the water, and the owners are gone a lot of the time (retired) plus are snowbirds. They love it. So I am thinking, hmmmmm, maybe we could find something like that too. He said when he sits up in bed each morning, he looks out on the water…can’t get any better than that!!
And… curious… those fancy dancy horns…. I would have given them a push at least once or twice. CLINGERS…
A said them CLINGERS were on the move…
The next sign should be placed right smack in front of the PTV facing the street…
” I’m in Quarantine… Doctors suspect EBOLA…. Keep moving to be safe.”
You’d be alone for at least 21 days….
Hi, Kay,
Well, they weren’t clingers, being in a designated campsite. They just seemed like clingers because I could hear their conversations when inside the BLT.
We spent several weeks at Cholla in this late March and April and found the weekends to be nearly unbearable with noisey groups. Even though the campground loops were only about 1/3 full the weekend party of loud locals was hard to tolerate. And it is MUCH worse down at the beach dispersed camping. Hang on, most of the noise will roll out Sunday afternoon. Watch the dump station days and hours. It’s closed most of the time, got to pay attention to the days and hours to be able to dump tanks. And filling water there is a little weird. No fresh water at dump station.
Hi, Sue,
I noticed the sign for dump station hours/days. I’ve never seen anything like that before.
I’m writing this on a quiet Saturday morning after a quiet night. I’ll add that when I count my blessings!
It’s too bad you had that experience here… Sounds like Spring Break type partying…
Lots going on. It’s a good thing you’ve gotten so versed in the hookup and unhook routine. I do agree that a lot of people are rude, but I believe they are also becoming more and more selfish. They only care about themselves…to hell what others think or need. The thought that their actions actually have an effect on others doesn’t matter anymore. Just my opinion.
Anyway, I’m glad (hoping) you found another beautiful site, and hopefully you can have some peace and quiet. Thanks for sharing and Belly rubs to Bridget.
Yup, the “Me Society” or generation. They only think of themselves.
I agree with you both…it is all about ME, ME, ME, isn’t it?? Driving proves this as well as the noise everywhere. Why do they all need to be the center of attention all the time anyway??
It is called “Bubbleheads” people get so wrapped up in themselves as in “a bubble around them”…..
Hi, Teresa,
I think your opinion is actually factual. Oh well . . . Yes, this site is very nice. I’ve camped in enough campgrounds to recognize a good design. Some campgrounds make one wonder if the designer ever camped. You know… the door of your camper opens up to the bushes and the picnic table is on the other side… Your picnic table gives you a view of the neighbor’s picnic table… That sort of thing.
The sites here are very well laid out, each one has its charm and natural privacy screens.
Looking at your double site made me happy that you and Bridget had yourselves two sitting areas in which to relax, then the hard of hearing arrived. They had to have been, why else yell to each other and turn up a radio so everyone can hear it, and am at that! Have to agree with Badger Rick, rudeness is a learned behavior worked at by those who believe they are the only ones who matter. Your Kleinn air horns came to mind but you are kinder than I would have been when confronted by such inconsiderateness. You made the right choice as you always do. Enjoy the silence.
Those who have never experienced the complete joy of silence will never
understand just how wonderful silence can be…..
Elizabeth
Wow, I never thought of silence that way! So true! I remember the first time I experienced total silence. I thought to myself, “Something’s wrong, what is it?” Finally figured it out. Then I got a case of anxiety listening for noise that was sure to come — and I wanted to be ready for it! Then I thought — all this silence is really noisy! Took a while to acclimate to it. But now I think that silence is a gift.
Interesting, Gayle. I never thought of silence as an acquired taste. I’m glad you’ve received that gift. 🙂
Hi, JazzLover,
I’m happy to see you here again!
I know you didn’t mean it, but the “hard of hearing” folks are not obnoxious like these people. Most likely the woman’s hearing was fine, since she was in her 40s.
I don’t know that I’m so kind. Hahaha! I would’ve used the air horns in a flash if there weren’t other people around to hear them. Those horns could be heard in all 6 campground loops!
Good Morning Sue,
No, I did not mean those folks who truly have difficulty hearing through no fault of their own and apologize if I offended anyone. I started my reply last night, had to go to work, came home this morning and thanks to transformer that’s being hit by high winds lost my earlier reply to you.
I’m sure that woman’s hearing was fine as you said, it was her consideration of those around her that was lacking.
Yes, you are that kind as you have proven before in word and deed. Point in fact, pushing little sweetie face all over the pucker brush. The sweetie face comment was for the backwards glance she gave you which could have meant one of many things, ” I Love You Mom”, “Why did you stop?” “Is it time for supper, a nap?” It has to be about the best shot of Bridget to date for me. Thank you for allowing us to come with you. Be Well
I found you last fall on CasitaClub.com while researching fiberglass trailers. Had to go back to the beginning to see how the journey began and how you arrived at where you were then and picked up so much useful information from you and your knowledgeable followers that I was hooked.
Oops, last paragraph was supposed to be the 3rd one.
I missed wishing you a good morning, too! So I’ll make it a “good afternoon, Jazzlover!”
I’m glad you found Bridget, me and this group of wonderful people who “talk” here. I’m also glad that you discovered how informative and entertaining they are. The more people who take the time to drop in and share their perspective, knowledge, and experience, the more dynamic, interesting, and helpful my blog becomes.
Thank you for joining us and becoming a part of that!
Didn’t those four black ravens of which you speak remind you that today is Halloween? The ravens were not chortling nor were they belching. What WERE they saying, then?
“Nevermore, nevermore,” quoth the ravens.
As in “nevermore will I listen to these people shout?” 🙂
LATER…. Right now a big raven is sitting on the picnic table having a conversation with himself!
And he said: “Who’s that knocking at my chamber door?”
I just couldn’t let it go. Guess I’ll head over to Amazon now and give you a break!
Wow! You had such a beautiful site before you had noisy neighbors! Sorry you had
to move. When I saw the lovely first site with your chairs in both areas, I thought, maybe you do not realize that others seeing all those chairs, might decide the several
chairs indicated you would welcome visitors?????
Generally that does indicate that visitors will be welcomed…according to my training
when my FT life began 30 years ago…..
Sometimes of course, stuff just happens that overreach plans….. Boon docking was
always my preference, as far away from others as possible. Frequently others would
park way too close for my comfort.
The most memorable was a guy, who seemed to be attracted to me…. wanted to park
as close as possible…. Each time he came around I went out and told him I would
appreciate his consideration for my privacy….. Finally it was necessary to let him
know that he was very annoying and to get the hell away from me! He did go away
and never returned.
That was my training when I began my FT life 30 years ago… I hate it that it appears
my travel days are over! I remember a lady I met when I first started RVing with a
big Motorhome who was 83 years old when we met. I was in awe of her! I am now
83 and just cannot physically do all that is necessary to continue the great life! As a
result, I am having to deal with possibilities for what is next? Not Fun!!!
Just keep on keepin on Sue…… You are doing great out there with your furkid….
Do what you choose and you will never regret your choices….
Love….and Hugs…. From Elizabeth, and Clyde too!
Hi, Elizabeth,
Well, no one could see my chairs because I use the Perfect Tow Vehicle to block the view of my campsite. It makes the “sitting room” very cozy and private. I’m glad I bought an extension cord to go between the PTV and BLT allowing me to position the PTV any way I want.
I sympathize with you facing the reality of no more full-timing. I can’t imagine giving up this lifestyle. You do have other compensations, I’m sure you’re aware… like entertaining your neighbors with your musical talent! 🙂
Thanks for your words of encouragement. Hugs to you and Clyde!
Well it was a nice spot, to bad you had to move your camp. we hope it’s just as good with out the racket. some folks don’t know camp educate. Have a great night. ,,,,,us
Hi, Rusty and Timber,
It was a peaceful night in our new site. I hope you had the same!
It has been nice till the Wind came. We’re on the 6th tares across from the Dam and the California aquaduct take out, above the power poles and there are three other campers and we’ve got a lot of space between us all, the only thing we hear is the wind. ,,,,me
Well I did almost meet you as I filled the motorcycle gas tank at that gas station where you purchased your Tonto Passes… And we ate dinner in the little restaurant on the back of that same lot…. It was a little after noon, so I’m certain you had already come and gone by then…. Sorry about the neighbors..
How was dinner at the Butcher Hook? What kind of restaurant is it?
I love it! That reminds me of the time my husband and I were tent camping with the kids up Utica Reservoir in CA. This was about 8-9 years ago; it was around the time that Sunset magazine did their first piece on camping at Union and Utica reservoirs (Sadly, some moron wrote that article). Majority of the campers that stay at Utica are kayakers looking for tranquil settings (at least it was the case back then). Well, Thursday early afternoon two Airstreams snagged a spot not too far from ours. Most people set up camp, but these folks instead positioned two huge speakers on one of the huge slabs of rocks that over looks the lake (speakers pointed out to the lake). I looked at my husband with my “oh no” look. Yes, those fools blasted the lake with music that I’m sure could be heard to the far ends of Utica and over to Union. Shaking my head, I said to my husband that I’m no longer subscribing to Sunset magazine and thank God we are leaving. There was another time 23 years ago that we were camping in a remote place on BLM site when a couple of vans pull up next to us. Those folks dragged out a sofa, not a loveseat, but a huge sofa and started to party. Makes you wonder if some folks ever look at the nature or think of listening to the sounds of nature when they go camping. 😉 I do hope your new campsite is peaceful.
Hi, Monica,
Oh my gosh, the huge speakers… That’s my worst nightmare! I wish you’d had a tooter like mine. You could’ve blasted THEM!
Look at nature? These roving bands of morons don’t have any idea about nature. A sofa to party next to you on BLM land? The self-centered behavior boggles the mind.
I’m going to have to get one of those tooters. 🙂
🙂
Unfortunately, there are inconsiderate people everywhere you go these days. I feel your frustration Sue – my husband and I are planning to full-time in the next 4-6 months and we currently have neighbors from H*** above our apartment! Every day that we listen to their noise it reminds us to be nomadic so that we can just pull up stakes and move to someplace quiet whenever we encounter selfish, noisy clingers!! I hope you and Bridget can enjoy your new peaceful site.
Our last apt was like that, Vicky…we suspect they were dealers and “ladies of the night”…for a 1 bedroom apt there was a huge amount of people coming and going constantly. The main woman STOMPED up to 20 hours a day. I nearly went mad before we got out of there. Here we hear some noises from downstairs and then there is the community center with the loud, raucous, wild weekend parties and until the rain began, people often very close to the apt on the street below yelling, hollering, slamming car doors…oh yes, and when locking the car doors, rarely does one beep suffice…usually at least 3!! We live in a crazy world. You are fortunate you see an end to your situation. We cannot live in an RV for awhile yet, or probably would be by now. I hope we can move by the time the rains quite next year.
Hi, Vicky,
My situation is a great example of the benefit of having wheels under one’s house.
Good morning, Sue,
As I was reading and looking at your pictures, I was thinking you had the perfect site with two cozy outdoor rooms. And then the peace robbers came along…. Hope you found a quieter site and are back to enjoying the scenery.
I don’t know why some folks are so self absorbed and clueless. I agree with fellow blogorino’s comments…..rude, rude, rude. 🙁
Last night I had about 23 trick or treaters show up. Usually, I crate Gracie for the hour and a half or so that the kids show up…and she would not be happy. This year, I had the front door cracked open so she could monitor our front porch through the glass storm door. Well, my little Miss did a wonderful job! She loved seeing the kids and did not bark or scare them. I then moved a baby gate between her and the door so she could watch me give out candy. Gracie was such a good girl!
Hope you and Bridget cutie have a great day! 🙂
Gee, I thought I replied to your comment and now I see it’s not here!
Little Gracie enjoyed Halloween… How cute. All those strange, dressed-up people came to her house to see her. She must have felt special.
Hello again, Sue and fellow blogorinos,
November 1….wow! Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it!
Reminder…change your clocks for daylight savings (fall back one hour) before you go to bed tonight. Also, change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
🙂
Ahhhhh another reason to love Arizona…..we don’t do clock changes here. Hawaii and we here in Arizona don’t do that daylight saving thing.
Uh, I don’t have a clock. As for the computer and phone, they’re on their own.
It was really quiet at Ghost Town Rd., Congress Az……but the weekend might bring some noise. The road is really well graded and smooth. Thanks to your blog I had a wonderful experience camping there otherwise I would never have known it was there. As always, Thanks For Sharing!
You’re welcome, Sharron,
I’m glad you had a good experience camping on Ghost Town Road. It can be rowdy there with the locals partying.
Hmmm. Maybe they were hoping you’d move so they could have the double site together. I know a lot of extroverted people who just can’t take silence and have to have that constant hum of noise and activity around them to feel normal. Seems most of us here are of the other variety, me included.
When I look through the pictures of your campsites, I always notice the gear in use. Love the info you’ve provided about your solar, Wilson antenna, and tooter. If you ever are at a loss for things to blog about, hearing how and why you picked the items you have, your favorites, things you made a mistake on, things you wouldn’t be without – all that would be really interesting to me. I’m still window shopping RVs, figuring I’m gonna know it when I see it, but already picking up ‘stuff”.
Thinking of you as fall rolls in here in Maryland.
I agree that would interest me as well. For instance I have always found it interesting that you don’t carry a small foldable table and camp stove so that you can cook outside. I understand living on less but it seems like it would be nice to cook outside sometimes.
Here’s why…
My house is so small that cooking inside isn’t that different from cooking outside. I almost always have the door open behind me. The outdoors is so close to my stove that sometimes I have to watch that the burner’s flame isn’t blown out. Why complicate life by setting up a cooking area a short distance away?
Also, when you don’t eat much meat…never any red meat.. having a grill means carrying around equipment one rarely is inclined to use. It would be different if I were cooking for a family of meat-eaters.
When I first started camping I grilled outside. The novelty wore off.
Hi, Noelle,
I plan to write about those things you mentioned and posting it on a separate page easily accessed from the header.
I’m getting overage notices from Verizon which keeps me from doing extra stuff right now.
Thanks for the reminder.
Here are a few things I “wouldn’t be without” or that I simply love to have:
emergency air compressor, fix-a-flat, lounger, good camera, Wilson antenna, camp chairs (for sitting up straight and for guests), KEEN trail shoes and KEEN waterproof sandals (the latter I can wear into a shower or wade into a stream), Bearpaw boots, a monocular, an outdoor rug (essential for that powdery, black, volcanic soil and also to keep mud out), a shovel, a ladder, an anti-sway bar, a paperwhite e-reader and a whole lot more . . . . You can see why I like the storage room provided by the PTV!
Sorry you r having overage issues with Verizon – I hear that lots. I am grandfathered in with Verizon unlimited data on my cell. I’ve wondered if that will be useful when traveling as a hot spot, but I hear folks say Verizon slows down unlimited data when a lot is used – I have no idea what constitutes a lot, nor how slow is slow.
Thanks for the impromptu list of things you love having with you – I look forward to you developing that area on your blog in the future! A monocular – now that one is surprising – will have to look into it.
I like to watch local critters while relaxing. I often use the monocular to scan the mountainsides . . .
Since I’m a blogger, the zoom on my new camera substitutes for the monocular sometimes. Might as well grab a photo while looking. A good example is the squirrel photo in a recent post.
I prefer a monocular over binoculars because it’s compact enough to fit in my pocket or camera case when out-and-about. They’re inexpensive… less than $15..
I have lounger envy! I have got to figure out a way to bring one along. Not that you have any problem, what with that magic PTV that expands (invisibly) to hold everything 😀
That and an outdoor rug would really be nice — and they both pose storage challenges. I’ve come close to buying both at times. That lounger! Oooh, reading in that outside looks soooo nice.
The lounger and the outdoor mat are way up at the top of my list! I hope you figure out a way to carry both.
Also… If you do buy a lounger, go ahead and purchase the little tray that affixes to the side and works both for right-handers and left-handers. It eliminates the need for a table nearby for drink, e-reader, camera, monocular, eyeglasses, or anything else you like handy while relaxing.
I left off one of my most important and well-loved items… BENCHMARK MAPS! How could I forget them?
Sad to say I have a brother-in-law who has no regard for others when he’s camping. He thinks everyone wants to hear his music, including playing his guitar into the night.
We, on the other hand, use hand signals when we’re setting up and I do a lot of running back to the driver’s side of the truck if my hand signals can’t be seen (or are ignored) 😉
We have changed campsites because of neighbors (for one reason or another). Not fun, but necessary sometimes.
Yep, you do what you have to do.
Ha! Your brother-in-law…..I’ve often wondered about people who play musical instruments in a campground or wherever there’s a captive audience. It takes a lot of ego, it seems to me, to think that one’s uninvited playing is a delight to anyone within hearing distance. I guess I say that because rarely have these musicians been very good. 🙂
Haha…well they might be as good as most these days however…most I do not consider music at all. Was telling Hubby today that not too many years back no one would have paid some of these performers any attention whatsoever. My how times change!!
Reminds me of a FB photo that showed two people playing guitars and singing. A kitty looks into the camera lens and says:
“Save me.”
Sue and Bridget,
Sorry you and Bridget had to move from your second lovely campsite. Hopefully the other loop you moved to is going to be more quite and peaceful. I would guess it to be a hard thing to find at times, especially on the weekends. I have an opinion about all that noise and yelling. For me I can pretty much take it or leave it unless it is super over the top and a lot of cursing. Disrespect of wildlife or nature gets to me when I see or hear that happening or litter thrown about, or unattended campfires, etc. Families and kids, not a biggie as long as they are watched after and cared for, not running and playing helter-skelter through my site or teasing my pets. I guess the bottom line for me is knowing that most all of THEM will be heading back to their jobs or their schools come Monday…and I grin…knowing it is not me that has to be ~correct~ all week long. Jobs and schools, city leaders, homeowner associations, even churches used to be a lot more tolerant about behaviors in general, not many are anymore. There is a prevailing ~conform or get out of the way~ attitude that has a lot of people tied up and up tight. Cutting loose a little on the weekends is what makes a weekend ~A Weekend~. Most campgrounds and Parks have their rules posted and stated quite times. Within those times frames quiet is a must. Otherwise quiet is~ A Gift~. IMHO.
Hi, Pamela,
I think the reason that jobs, schools, city leaders, homeowner associations, and so forth are less tolerant these days is because people no longer “police” themselves. It isn’t a matter of conforming. It’s a matter of being considerate of others and mindful of the prevailing standards of the group.
One doesn’t put a car up on blocks and tie a goat to the front porch in a tidy, manicured community. It’s not being “up tight” for the residents to protect their investment.
I don’t agree at all with your closing comment about quiet times, as if one should only be quiet after 10 p.m. because that’s what the rules state. That line of thinking is “I can do whatever I can get away with. After all, it’s not quiet time!”
If people need to “cut loose (i.e. be noisy, get drunk, whatever)” they can go places where they don’t infringe on those people who need peace and quiet.
Sue,
Cutting loose may have been the wrong term used by me. Letting ones hair down a little may have been a better term. I was simply saying that there are extremes at both ends of the spectrum. Everyday you read or watch the news and one group is trying to seek out total control over another. Fair and reasonable standards of behavior are totally called for in all of society. That said, extremism is never good for either sector of society. The masses are not always right or correct. The ~I’m Special and Flawless~ style of thinking has gotten many people, and countries, into conflicts that could have and should have been avoided. RV parks, Campgrounds and the like are nothing more than a little micro-slice of society. And yes, homeowner associations, schools, civic leaders, even the police at times run a muck, sometimes too often. Yes, I agree about monitoring one’s own self, always a good thing. But I also believe in one having much freedom in their daily lives with undue intrusion, influence or rules imposed by others…assuming, of course, that they hold themselves to a high standard of personal accountability. Otherwise society has to and should seek to have them comply to moderate standards. The history books are full of so-called leaders who primed the masses into certain levels of conformity. Certain names in history come to mind as standouts and they were regarded at-the-time as being Leaders Among Men, worthy of leading the masses in what is social and what is not. I guess my point is pretty simple really. For you, your site is your home, regardless of where it is. For most an RV Park, Campground or Common lands are places the masses go to let their hair down some, more than they would at home or school or work, etc. Klemper and I talked about this very issue many times during our 16 years of full-time RVing. I guess, for us, we found a good balance somewhere between ~This Too Shall Pass~ and ~Time To Roll It Down The Road Again~. In all the years we have been in this lifestyle we have only complained to the camp site authorities four times about rowdy neighbors. Two of the four times were while RVing at local casinos…staying there only at the request of our client companies. We just go-with-the-flow or move on and not look back or give it another thought. Life’s too short to sweat the same change. Live and let live makes for a balanced community regardless of where is.
Sue, this is not to offend you, not at all, and certainly is nothing personal. Just a personal take on the way we see and interact with the many other campers we come across in our travels. As long as what people are doing is within the law then we are pretty much good with that. If behaviors are outside of the law then they need to take it elsewhere. Never in front of me and never near any of my camp sites or my personal belongings, not ever. I have no shame about calling that spade a Spade regardless of who they are!
You said, “I don’t agree at all with your closing comment about quiet times, as if one should only be quiet after 10 p.m. because that’s what the rules state. That line of thinking is “I can do whatever I can get away with. After all, it’s not quiet time!”
No, actually, it is not my line of thinking that I can do whatever I can get away with. Not at all! It is, however, my thinking that I can and do govern myself quite well within normal standards and by doing so I have shown you respect and kindness as my small Gift to you. It is a a way of thinking that says that I am ready, able and willing to provide others a balanced level of peace and balanced quiet without giving up all of my own rights over to someone else. Quiet Enjoyment has always been a key mainstay within any form of Real Estate. Whether it be owned or leased, short or long term and any lawyer will tell anyone that once you pay for or homestead a camp site you DO have certain rights that go a long with it. Peace and quiet, yes, total silence and total privacy usually falls outside of that right. Anyway, that’s my personal viewpoint. It doesn’t make me a bad person or a bad camper. And anyone that would seek out to tell me so would be met with a quick look at my camper’s front door. I don’t willingly disrespect others and I would never allow anyone to else to come to my camp site and do that to me either. Outside of my own camp site then that is a grayer area but never a place to be confronted another person ever. Again, gray areas are a key place where the need for fair and balanced is called for. Reasonable people DO reasonable things and have reasonable behaviors…all those things we learned or should have learned in Grade School. All too often I see and hear people who have never moved on past Junior High style thinking. It always amazes me how they ever hold jobs or stay out of jail, in general, many don’t. So no, I do not have that style of thinking at all. It surprises me that you would think so. WOW, I am a quite surprised at that…didn’t see that one coming my way!
I’m not Sue, but I read her quote about ‘That line of thinking is “I can do whatever…”‘ as an abstract example (as in “one can do what one wants”) rather than her saying that you specifically were saying or acting that way. “That line of thinking” as an introduction implied to me that the following bit was a theoretical thing that other people might use (not you specifically).
I kind of feel the same way. Meaning that what I don’t like is the inference some people make that because quiet time is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., then any other time is open season on noise/shouting/blaring music/generators running all day/TV’s outside blasting the game/etc.
I don’t care what people do in many ways. Live and let live, mutual consent, etc. But if it is something noisy, well, it’s hard to shut my ears.
PS: Not to stifle discussion though!
Pamela… Pen explained what I meant. I was not referring to you personally. I’m sorry for not making my statement clearer.
I don’t really care what people do at their campsite as long as they keep it out of my campsite. Sound carries into my campsite. Normal noise of living is acceptable. Yelling into my campsite over several hours is infringing on my space.
Sue and Pen,
Cool, I’m good with that.
Thanks for clearing it up for me. 🙂
Aww, life IS good, another beautiful day to find joy in. Can’t wait to see your newest camp site on the other loop. Oh, BTW, what is a Paperwhite? Is that like a Kindle, a book reader of some kind? I had never heard of the term before. A reader is something that’s on my Santa List. Reading small print takes its toll after a few chapters so I have been thinking of getting one. People who have them seem to really love them and there are all kinds of book choices, etc, which can be loaded into them. Or is the Paper white a kind of computer tablet? Light weight of traveling with.
Hugs and give Bridge ear rubs from me, such a cutie-pie baby girl!
A Paperwhite is an improved kindle e-reader. You can choose a book at Amazon.com and the book is transferred wirelessly to your Paperwhite in seconds! And Amazon makes books available for free or very low cost (99-cent deals). You also can get a card from your library and “borrow” books, transmitted from the library to your Paperwhite. It’s nice to have a personal library that’s lighter and more compact than the average book.
The Paperwhite can be read outside with no glare. You can read it in the dark because it is backlit. You can change the font style and size, you can find the meaning of a word simply by touching the word, you can shop from your Paperwhite, read book reviews, subscribe to magazines…. oh… lots of cool features.
Here’s a link for you:
Kindle Paperwhite, 6″ High-Resolution Display (212 ppi) with Built-in Light, Wi-Fi – Includes Special Offers
Again, I apologize for the offensive comment. I should’ve been more careful with my wording.
Sue,
That Paperwhite looks every bit of what I was seeking to find! Has all the features I need and then some extras 🙂 I will take a good look at it for sure. Maybe, since winter is right around the corner, I will get it now and beat the holiday rush crowds. I am thinking about opening a new bank account at another bank simply for Amazon purchases just so I can help support your Amazon linked association. If I do, that will be the first time I have ever shopped on line! I know…back to the future isn’t it?! My son buys stuff on line all the time, he is in TX now. So I guess it is time to caught up with the younger crowd, lol. The thought gives me jitters I must say. Oh well, we shall see.
Sue, about your comment…not to give it another thought! Good heavens, we all do those sort of things from time to time. You have been under so much weight of late. Besides, friends give friends the benefit of friendship. You are GOOD people, you and your bloggers. I like it here. Gaze at the stars for me too, summer temps that you have there! It’s cold here in Georgia, last night and again tonight. I dug out my heavy motorcycle leathers today!! I’m not ready for Winter yet…
Sleep well my friend.
Nite-Nite.
I think the key words you use here Sue is important: “people no longer police themselves”….and most assuredly if I were to infringe on these who have abused us sound-wise in our area, just say playing MY MUSIC as loud and in their space as was theirs in ours…not for one moment do I think it would have gone unnoticed. We were raised to first of all consider others before ourselves, in every way, and to not infringe any of ourselves upon others, noise included. The saying we heard was: “My rights end where your nose begins.” And being noses and ears are quite close…well, that says it. And another saying I like is: “Good fences make good neighbors”. We were also taught to keep disagreements between ourselves as kids AT HOME…we were taught that fighting in public was not acceptable. I raised mine the same way. I did not want them to fight at all…but if you have more than one child, it will happen sometimes. But the greater price for them to pay was if it was done in public as that showed a lack of respect to others, who did not deserve it. But this type of thinking is pretty much extinct now. Obviously. I never in my life thought I would as an older person request to be seated in a restaurant away from those with children…but sometimes I do today…and we are not keen on going out with some of our grandchildren either. They have not been taught to sit on their chairs until leaving the restaurant, and be quiet so as not to bother others. It is embarrassing to be with them. A toddler is expected to act as a toddler….but by the time they are in school…they need to conform a little. Boils down to just plain manners!!
I’ve seen that behavior in restaurants…. Children RUNNING next to people eating, climbing on chairs at empty tables leaving them askew, putting their hands on the tabletops, poking around the decor, etc. I’ve sent children back to their table and parents. Oh, the dirty looks! 🙂
Yep….true!!
Gee Sue,five homes in eight days -that’s a lot of moving!Throw in drives,tasks,stores-
all the nerve wracking upsets and frustration -you,my friend,must simply be exhausted!
Particularly since you had nested into your site so well(it looked terrific ,the way you set things up) that leaving it threw disappointment onto your already burdened
mind,nerves and heart.I’m ever so sorry those weird loops have been on the journey,it must feel like you’ve been driving endless switchbacks.I hope you managed to sleep well,and/or have strong enough coffee this morning for a fresh start to this day!
Historically when ready to attack,those in battle yelled as they charged- to fray the nerves of the enemy,and to put themselves into an aggressive state.Today people live
that way.The peace you have within is an achievement few ever reach.For you and I and those similarly blessed it’s normal.Others have no idea what that’s like,their normal isn’t something to be admired or wished for in my book!In fact I often watch them thinking”God,I’d hate to live in their head!”
My point is that though I know you’ve been frustrated,please remember not to direct that at yourself.Being brought to the verge of tears and beyond by what feels like( and
is) assaultive behavior is indicative of your finer than most composition,not a sign of weakness!Once someone said to me”you need to get a thicker skin.” My immediate response was “And deform myself with callous?Never!” It’s a fallen earth we live in,I
love humanity,am sorry most live unknowingly as adrenalin junkies,like you,must do what I can to avoid their effects.It’s a difficult path at times to reach the rarefied air
we prefer.We both know it’s worth it. Thank you for always showing it can be done.
Well written, dear Weather…and so true!! Never thought about the yelling in quite that context but it makes total sense!! I have thought about how much adrenaline is burned through all the “fight or flight” we are thrown into in our crazy lives….when it should not be needed…better manners and respect for others would help us all!! I am not sure we are given an endless amount of adrenaline either. No wonder as we get old, we simply want peace and quiet. Yea, some of us are somewhat hard of hearing by now and have to talk louder…but we can be sensitive to others still….even so!! Vibrations are what cause most of my grief. I am somewhat hearing damaged, but for some reason I can feel vibrations that no one around me can. Sometimes it does not feel like a gift. Often know when earthquakes happen and are a very long distance away. I am grateful however that ever since we left our house in NC, which was Fall of 2012, at least that constant background vibration has not been in our other locations! We were not far from a military base there, and think it must have had something to do with that. And I have been somewhat healthier leaving that vibration behind too. Thanks for sharing your insights!! Enjoy reading them!! Have a quiet and peaceful day!! We shall try to as well.
Indeed Elizabeth, it’s called Adrenal Fatigue. Found in groups as diverse as front line soldiers (different than P.T.S.D.) and long time cocaine addicts.
Hi Elizabeth,thanks my day was peaceful,I hope yours was too,sweet lady.Interesting that vibration is something you’re sensitive to,I also feel it very easily.To hold certain things-like electric knives- or be too near some neon lights,etc. feels hideous.And I’ve often known there was an earthquake well before verifying it on the news,while others around me felt nothing.Not as much fun as the other things we have in common,yet nice to know we’re not the only one,isn’t it?Hope rain or silver wind chimes provide you peace so you have a- Good Night 🙂
Thank you Weather…yes, nice to know others can often sense what we can, indeed. Hubby used to tell me that it was in my head, those vibrations and yes to a degree they WERE…but he never understood until it got SO LOUD, that even he could feel them too. Loud is not quite the right term as I am not sure it was in the realm of actual hearing…seemed to be but maybe not. Heh, funny thing called experience!! Tis a good teacher too.
Hi, weather,
Oh, the times I’ve been told to grow a thicker skin, as if it is wrong to be sensitive to ill-mannered behaviors and mean-spirited remarks.
I know what you mean about people who have no inkling that one can enjoy and crave inner quietude. It’s difficult to maintain inner peace when bombarded by loud noise, coarse behaviors, and harsh language.
Like you wrote… I’m glad I’m me and they’re them. 🙂
You made another interesting connection between the battle-cry of warriors and the yells of modern-day assailants. I’ll remember that.
I’m at peace again. Beautiful Arizona sunrise, red and pink streamers from horizon to horizon!
It’s wonderful that you so readily arose into being at peace again,your description of the sunrise transported me to your morning’s experience…I so enjoy all that- for us both and all that recognize life’s beauty.And agree about it’s being intruded on by bombardments
There is a correlation between people that raise their voices in venues and situations where it’s inappropriate and people that tell someone they need a thicker skin.Both are trying to make you tolerate unacceptable behavior-of their own or of someone else.
The first by overt aggression,knowing they’ll seldom be confronted about it while knowing full well that they are wrong.
You encountered a perfect example of that.Those people know that bars,tailgate or house parties,football bleachers,etc. are society’s provision for “kicking up your heels,shaking off the shackles,being rowdy ‘cuz it feels good”-call it what you want,it’s always been around.And so have people that disregard what’s right. Whether it’s a place meant for people to enjoy nature’s beauty and quiet,a sticks and bricks community,or their own family’s home they choose to do what feels good to themselves and defy others to correct them.I do correct them.
The second-those that dare to imply that we should tolerate what has clearly been described by us as disturbing-that we should grow thicker skin- are manipulators.They intend to erase the line between right and wrong for themselves and others by establishing a hierarchy wherein we with higher standards are a subspecies who should learn to conform.I readily correct them as well.
People within both the categories I have described hope their methods unnerve us so they will be free to go unchecked along their destructive to others paths.My instantaneous reaction is to make my spine into steel and my expression match it.Perhaps
if during my encounters with such ,I hadn’t been protecting ones
unable to do it for themselves I wouldn’t have become quite so aggressive by nature,so ready and able to defend what I choose to.I’m glad to have become this way.
Well,that’s enough to make clear my opinion of certain voices.On a much lighter note the views outside today were lit through a cloudy sky -by more pale rays than usual,and so softened into grays,fern greens, peach hues and brown tones usually seen in early spring.A misty rain added to the effect from time to time.The fun in that for the troupe is being towel dried each time we come back in.They love us all being rubbed as I laugh at what a mess we are again!And tomorrow sunrise will be at an early hour again Yippee!
Hope you see stars through your window again when you go to bed tonight,Sue.Squeeze Keemosabe for me 🙂
Well put Weather…and I agree!!
What a quaint site…..so inviting and cozy!
Only to be interrupted by obnoxious people and their noise! That’s okay because…it only means that “better” is ahead! Things happen for a reason and in the moment one doesn’t realize what that reason is…..we will just wait and see…where you finally settled in.
By the way….Jules and I used hand signals when backing into spaces. If the driver, that would be me, can’t see her in the side view mirror…she is standing in the wrong spot. As far as communicating when we were farther apart…we used walkie talkies… Instead of yelling…cuz with the wind…they aren’t gonna hear you scream anyway!
Have a lovely quiet, peaceful and relaxing day!
The snow is falling…..heads up Denise!
Hi, Cinandjules,
Hand signals and walkie-talkies… good alternatives to shouting!
BTW, I’ve had this on my mind for a while…
Whatever happened to R. (Western Colorado)? The last I remember she was in upstate NY. Did I miss a comment from her? I hope she’s okay. I enjoyed her participation on this blog and many times she helped me with plant identification.
Not that a person has to comment forever…. Just wondering…
Hmm …last I remember she was here to pick Cortland apples! From there she was headed South. I’ll go back and look!
Okay….sept 20th she was in Saratoga Springs headed to New Hampshire to camp!
October 3rd she seemed a bit rushed as she just used “R”. She was up at Lake Placid…didn’t have time to read blogorino’s post but was checking in.
She might have changed her name like Alan Rabe is now Alan Out and About and Michael is now Zen on Wheels.
Or she’s headed back to Colorado and is trying to beat winter!
I miss her too! Hope she is well and happy. I would enjoy it if she were to start commenting again. (R. Western Colorado: you are missed!)
She’s back!! 🙂 Yippee! Be sure to check the most recent comments,R. has one there now.I wanted to let Sue be first responder there to welcome her home,so put this note here.You’ve been missed R.,glad to see you’re still hiking this world,can’t wait to hear all about it!
One of the really good things about camping is if you don’t like your neighbors you can move. It’s to bad you have to but people can be so inconsiderate and NOISY. I love the sound of silence, my little condo is my heaven of peace and quiet.
I hope you and Bridget are enjoying your new campsite with quieter neighbors, it certainly is a beautiful area and the weather is nice.
Hi, Willow,
I’m very happy for you, that your condo is a sanctuary, your “heaven of peace and quiet.” I bet Elizabeth in WA wishes she could say the same….
Yes, it’s great to have the option to move away from disturbance. So far, so good at our new campsite. Our neighbors know how to talk appropriately.
Yes, you are so right Sue…and Willow….I was shocked to read a condo was quiet. Well, maybe better built? And better neighbors both. Hubby says as much noise as we have heard at the last apt and somewhat this one too….is because they were not built quite right. We used to watch those shows where they fix up old houses…and sometimes they would put something either in ceilings or floors and TEST it even…and no sounds could pass through….amazing!!
I don’t know if you are the one that is unlucky or I have been the lucky one. I can not remember the last time I had extremely noisy/rude neighbors.
The RV Park that I am in now is just off the Interstate so it is a popular overnight stopover and gets a lot of that. The RV Park that I stayed at in Taos was a tourist stopover that catered to 3-5 day stays. In neither of those Parks did I have the neighbors from hell that you seem to acquire on a reoccurring basis.
Your bad luck does give you good blogging material however. That gets the bloggarino juices flowing and prompts a lot of good stories about the similar rude treatment that they have been subjected to over the years.
Better luck with your next camp selection. The only advice that I can think to give is drive much, much farther off the ‘beaten path’ to distance yourself from people. ONLY distance is going to help, you certainly can not expect different behavior from the people in this country with today’s culture much less from people that will listen to AM radio.
Hi, Ed,
Well, since my blog is about my daily life and I continue to live daily, I don’t need noisy neighbors for something to blog about. 😉
Having read your blog for quite some time, I see some differences that may explain why I encounter noisy/rude people more than you do.
1) What you tolerate, I can’t.
2) You camp around a better class of people. In other words, you camp in commercial RV parks, not public campgrounds, the latter a magnet for party-people.
3) Related to #2, the parks you stay at are more closely supervised. The manager of the commercial RV park is more likely to intervene in a disturbance. Campgrounds don’t always have a host and when they do, they are volunteers/part-timers. The obnoxious people stay away from RV parks, choosing rather to camp where the supervision is slight or non-existent.
That’s my analysis, based on limited experience, as I rarely camp in an commercial RV park.
I was thinking along the same lines as I read this. I’ve been in a lot of campgrounds with super noisy big parties (ten cars at a site, bottles breaking, etc.). They were all public campgrounds, many with no hosts (and perhaps no ranger on site). And going by the stories posted in the comments, I don’t think it’s just you and me.
On the other hand, the few times I’ve been in commercial parks, the clientele has been mostly quiet older folk in Class A’s, and the supervision/management was quite apparent (ironically, since there was little needed).
LOL! I love it!
Those loud campers…whaddaya gonna do?
Move, obviously 🙂
Oh, and that’s AZ for ya…bass ackwards as all get out. I liked the old way of getting Tonto passes, better. But, AZ IS pretty!
Just curious Cindy, do you live here in Arizona too?
And what was the “old way of getting Tonto passes?”
How much more easy to move a casita than to have to sell your home and move to another location where it’s another crap shoot as to whether you will have considerate neighbors!! I have had a neighbor will an industrial light shining all night and a dog that was tied up outside and never let in or allowed to run who barked night and day, I moved to what I thought was a quiet dirt road to have the local yahoo’s shoot guns outside my house at night, come and peer in my windows at night (I was 200′ off the road), cut down my trees and hunt on my land. Ugh! To be able to pick up and move as you did, what a blessing is the freedom of choice!
Sue, I am looking at living as you and many other folks do, modern nomads, and I could use some advice. You have a lot of good information that you seem willing to share. I am trying to figure out what it costs to live as you do, your recurring expenses section was helpful. I know everyone is going to have different expenses but what do you think you average a month for gas and site fees? Do you know if Casita’s can be customized at all? Could you recommend a site online that gives information about getting started with living an RV life full time? I am sure some of this is in your blog, unfortunately I don’t have an internet connection at home and have to use the library’s wifi which makes looking through the whole blog with replies very time consuming.
It looks gorgeous there, wish I were……….
Ta
Nancy
Nancy, at the top of the page there are links for Money 2012, 2013 and 2014. Sue lists her recurring expenses but also breaks down monthly expenses like food, camping, propane, etc.
She is a few months behind (No pressure Sue) but I doubt they have changed that much from 2013.
Like you I am in the research/dream/God get me out of here phase. But here are a few links I have found helpful.
http://www.rv-dreams.com/fulltimingbudgets.html
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/
http://www.casitaforum.com/invboard/
Love the journey.
I’ve bookmarked those sites to read latter, whew, a lot to read!! The Casita’s seem very popular, I am looking at the Escape 17B too. I wonder how long they hold up, can you still live in them 20 years down the road (so to speak)?
Back home I had a 34 year old fiberglass “egg” trailer, and it was still going strong. The only “built in” things I would have done to bring it on the road full time were a new axle and brakes on that axle. It sounds dramatic, but is a common thing to do and not expensive.
Now, I would also have done other things (solar/LED lighting/etc.) but those are things you pretty much need to do to any rig if you want it to be up to “modern boondocking” standards. There are two reasons for this: One is that electrical systems have come a long way, but the other is that most rigs – even new ones – are basically made to go from electrical hookup to electrical hookup. So a dedicated boondocker will find themselves making improvements to just about any rig in this department, not just an “old” one.
Also, in older things, condition is everything. But my trailer was not a rare flower: Many people are using 1970’s fiberglass “eggs” on a regular basis.
“A few months behind”… I’ll say she is! What a slacker!
Thanks Badger Rick I’ll check it out. I know expenses vary greatly depending on how you live but Sue’s camper is about the size and weight of the ones I am considering and although my expense are bound to be different than Sue’s at least it gives me an idea. I have never camped in a camper so it’s all new to me.
I’m not Sue (and yet I’m replying), and on top of that I’m going to give one of those annoying “it depends” replies. But the reason I say that is it’s a bit like asking “how much does it cost to live in a house?” Not that everyone couldn’t add up their expenses and have a definite number, but just that the range would be huge! I know people who have monthly house payments that are almost as much as I spent in my most frugal years. And I’m sure there are people who spend more than the former and also folks who get by on less than I did.
I think a lot of it (fixed location or nomadic) comes down to what type of person one is. Are you content/happy to live a bit lower on the totem pole? Can you tolerate a bit of discomfort or hassle (e.g. tiny space that has to be converted; stooping when you enter/exit; fewer mod cons; “uneven” heat; or whatever). Are you maybe even happiest that way? Or do you prefer to be comfortable all the time (in the fancy sense of the word).
Are you willing/able/happy to try to figure out how to fix something when it goes awry, or would you prefer to take it someplace and have them just make it better (or buy a new one)? Are you happy buying bulk ingredients and cooking at home, or do you like to eat out or high on the hog? Same clothes as long as they last or new/fashion/shopping more often? Like to upgrade your tech stuff to stay cutting edge – or keep it as long as it still mostly does the job?
I could drone on (perhaps I already have, LOL), but you get the idea. The above are mostly questions that apply equally to fixed location living. And I find that it’s a big determinant in expense:happiness ratio. You can probably tell I fall on the “lower” end of the scale, but I’m content. I suppose I could get used to living a bit higher on the hog (couldn’t we all?), but I don’t crave it. Maybe I wouldn’t even like it, who knows. Anyway, I can get by on less and still live a life I enjoy.
More directly RV related: Would you want full hookups every night? Do you feel deprived or uncomfortable if you have to monitor your water and power usage in order to keep track and conserve? What if you needed to take a sponge bath instead of a shower? How about heating water on the stove vs. an “automatic” water heater? What if one corner of the rig is chilly while another is hot? How would you feel having grass/dirt/dust/ground outside your door vs. a poured slab of concrete? What about driving an older rig or towing an older trailer? If it’s sound, is it fine? Or do you prefer new? (Not that new is always a more expensive choice in the long run, so this does not apply across the board necessarily.) Are you willing to learn/fix things yourself? Even interested?
Again, not an exhaustive list, but it gives you the idea of things to think about to see where you fall on the scale of “I live on $500 per month and am happy” to “$10,000 per month allows me to be comfortable …. if I watch it.” There is just such a huge variation possible. Of course this is good, as it means there are lots of ways to do it 🙂 I love that there can be such variety, and I get to think about all the options and figure out where I fit. Such a privilege to be able to, and I don’t take it for granted.
A great post to think about. I have always had a desire to raise sheep-did so for 25 years. The closest that I came to my dream was in western SD. The sacrifice was living 8 yrs in a 21ft rv with the dog water pail freezing most winter nites-at least she and the cat made good foot warmers.
Focus on what makes you happy and also what you can just as well do without. What better example we all have than RVSue
I hope we cross paths some day, Jan. You sound like someone I would enjoy meeting. (‘course hanging out here in Blogorino-land is great too!)
Thank you–me too.
Very well put, Jan… “Focus on what makes you happy and also what you can just as well do without.”
Reminds me of how sorry I am that I listened to all those financial “experts” who said that you can’t retire well unless you have at least a $2-million investment portfolio! I’m living well on less — thank you anyway, Wall Street.
Thanks,, Rick, Pen, and Jan for sharing your insights.
Yes Sidewinder Pen, I knew when I posted it that it a question with many possible answers depending on your life style. I am serious about wanting to live full time in a camper, just never have before and so any vague ball park answer will at least give me some points of reference. I live simply, I always have, it is my choice even when I could have lived more extravagantly. I do like the things I use to be well designed, functional, and ascetically pleasing, that usually means more expensive, but I find they last longer and are a pleasure to use, therefor worth it, I just buy very little. Yes, I do like good food, but I always buy bulk, unprocessed food, and I am a good cook and like to eat at home, however I eat organic foods and I wonder how available they will be. I much prefer nature to concrete, almost all my homes have been in rural areas. I am a good problem solver, and can learn most things I put my mind to. I wonder how I am going to indulge my biggest addiction, books, when on the road, I can’t possibly afford all the books I read, all of which I get from the inter library loan here where I am living. I will miss showers every day, but I can handle not having one, I love to swim and it seems that there are many camping ground with lakes and rivers. I have thought pretty extensively about whether this is going to be right for me since the cost of doing it will mean that I would no longer have the means to buy a home in the areas I might want to live. Well, you never know until you try. Thanks for your thoughts.
Some things to think about..
How is your health? If you have any problems that need a regular/consistent doctor, this may be a problem.
Do you have any friends or neighbors you count on? Remember that in emergencies (battery dead, etc) you won’t have friends or neighbors nearby to help.
You will need to figure out how to manage your business..where to bank, register car, etc.
However, also consider…this is a cheap way to live. I don’t know what your income is, but you may be able to save money. If you stay on the road long enough, perhaps you will never want to buy a home. When the day came you needed to get off the road, perhaps renting an apartment or house somewhere will do.
In the meantime you have been seeing the world and living free.
Desert Ginger,
I wondered about the health care aspect of this kind of life. The only med I take is for hypothyroidism, so I only need to be tested once a year to be sure the prescription is still the right dose, but it hasn’t changed in ten years. Otherwise no major health issues. I have mostly lived alone, maintained my own home and land, grew all my vegetables and medicinal plants for medicines, pretty self sufficient, there are things I will have to pay people to do that I either don’t have the skills, or strength to do, but so what. I have a small but stable income, I think it will cover living this way, that’s what I’m trying to get a handle on. I rent now, it is a modest rental, but still more than any mortgage I ever had, and I really don’t like living in an apartment at all. I have extensive management experience in a wide variety of venues so I don’t see that aspect as challenging other than the learning curve period. This is the first day I have ever put anything on a blog and I am finding it very comforting – thanks for all your thoughts and advice.
Well then welcome, Nancy K! You picked a great first place to comment. You are a Blogorino now (what we call ourselves here in RVSue’s little corner of the world).
Desert Ginger: You make a good point, and given your recent “escapades,” I can see why it is on your mind. While perfect health is not a requirement, an illness or malady while solo on the road can be an issue for the reasons you mention. And there is no perfect answer. I guess I would say that if one is in good enough shape to go, and wants to, then think about how you would handle such things, come up with at least a minimum plan (which of course will likely need adjusting as things occur), and forge ahead if you can.
And of course thank your lucky stars for good health, if you have it.
One thing I really respect about you: Although you have had some serious challenges lately, and things aren’t exactly how you might have chosen, you face things with good cheer and determination, and make the best of it (such as, you can’t travel right now, but instead you are embracing your local community, which is also a neat thing).
Thank you so much!
Reading this, I’d say you are going to love “the Casita life” (or whatever rig you choose), and you sound like someone who could do it on a smaller budget and still enjoy life immensely. You mentioned liking to have fewer but higher quality things: That works out because you typically have small spaces and weight considerations. So it lends itself to whittling down to just your favorites, and they might as well be high quality. Being open to learning how to take care of/diagnose/fix things yourself will make you more independent and can save a lot of money (from the cost of the shop, to the need to drive to it, etc.).
I love books too, and always swore by “real” ones, but I will say that an e-reader is fantastic for the mobile life. Hundreds of books at your fingertips (on your e-reader) and they weigh nothing and take up no space. These days I like to be able to jack up the size of the print as well – handy!
I love to swim too! In addition to lakes and similar for swimming, many towns have community centers with pools, if that suits you. Side benefit is sauna, hot shower, etc. Oftentimes you can go for the day for a small fee ($10 or less, say).
I like to buy organic when I can, and I have a few “special” dietary needs. Thus I am always on the lookout for co-ops and the like. While they are not everywhere, they are many places, and of course with dry goods you can stock up. I have also found that ordering cases of things online can work out well (especially dried things that are light to carry). There are also lots of farmer’s markets which are a local social experience in addition to a great food source. Also certain websites (not sure if it is okay to mention them, but just know they are out there) can be used to look at maps showing where there are local farms that sell produce, meat, etc.
In short, based I what you have written so far, I think you’ll love it, and I also think you will be able to travel and live enjoyably AND economically. Go you!
Nancy….
As I read your comment about your preferences, I was thinking, “Gee, this woman is designed for living the full-time life on a modest budget!”
In other words, I can see you adapting very well and enjoying the process.
I don’t have any skill with auto mechanics and I’ve done okay. I also had no adult experience with camping before I picked up the Best Little Trailer and started out… 🙂
Thanks for the warm encouragement and welcome Sidewinder Pen and RVSue,
My first home was 450sf, cute as a bug and built by a cabinet maker, so very efficient, my last home was 620sf, everything near to hand yet roomy enough for me, in between two medium sized homes. I liked the small homes best! I know a 17′ camper is quite a bit smaller than that but I think it will be fine, I sold almost everything the last time I moved so I am whittled down to almost camper size now. I would think anywhere you camp that the outdoors becomes your extended living space, and I love being outdoors. A thought about the campgrounds and noisy campers – in a large campground like the one your in now I would think they could easily have a “quiet” area of the campground where people who wish to experience quiet and natural sounds could camp, and people with generators (can’t stand the noise AND vibration!!), lots of kids, loud radios and the like could have their own area too. It’s the first snow here (Maine) today!
It does sound like you were “made” for the small RV life 🙂
I like your idea for the campgrounds, since it seems inevitable that some folks will be noisy. I have been to music festivals where they had the camping fields divided that way: One for late-night partyers and then a second “quiet” one. That worked really well. The only issue I see is that many campgrounds are not big enough for enough separation, and then they are practically encouraging people to be loud in the “loud loop” — but it may still be very loud in the quiet loop just from the proximity. So for that reason maybe better in more cramped campgrounds just to stick to regular etiquette of being quiet (good luck, I know).
I am thinking that the “noisy” area would be for people who created more noise because they had the dread generator, lots of kids, were musicians, or something like that, not because they were inconsiderate loud mouthed yahoos. I think there is a distinction between people who create noise as result of the style of camping they prefer, and people who create noise because they are noisy, self centered, and don’t consider whether other people are bothered by their noise. Also there is a type of people I have known who grew up in large families who were never taught about having boundaries, or noise etiquette who normally speak at nearly a shout, and are just not aware of it.
Nancy…
The average for gas depends on how much driving you do, of course. It’s not necessary to drive as much as I do. You can see how much I spend on gas in my money reports.
As for campground fees, it’s a rare day when I pay to camp because I have no other options. In other words, I could camp for free year ’round if I had to. Most of the time I camp for free. Again you can see that in my money reports.
I need to add up the categories and compare 2012, 2013, and 2014 expenditures. I know I’m spending more than my first year, not because I have to (other than things like replacing tires), but because I want to.
Thank you Sue, I need to just hunker down and read your money posts month by month. I am a little swamped trying to figure everything out, how to do it, when to do it, what to do it in ad infinitum, so it really helps me that you have detailed info on all kinds of things, thank you for sharing it all. I am hoping to be able to boondock most of the time, it will take a little time to get the lay of the nomad landscape , where to go and when is a good time to go there and so on. That’s why your posts are so helpful to me, I get to go with you step by step and find out how to get the passes, length of stay allowed, campsites, temperature all great info, many many thanks!
RVSue makes it so much easier. I had been traveling for awhile, and did plenty of “drive by” boondocking (i.e. stopping somewhere along the road for one night on a road trip), but had never really set up camp boondocking like she does. I was a bit unsure of how/where/when, maybe like you are.
Well, I made it easy on myself: I looked at a map of the surrounding area, and then looked at Sue’s blog. I found an “easy” boondocking spot where she had spent time in the past and just “copied” where she went (it’s an area that many people do use). Just to make for a little challenge, I rolled in after dark (heh, just because I have a hard time getting going early in the morning!). Worked like a charm and that’s what I continued to do for awhile: Go “easy” places. Maybe not the most clever or scenic, but… easy (and not hideous either). After a while I got a bit more adventurous, and eventually I was able to find my own spots. So you don’t need to be an expert right away (especially when RVSue and other bloggers make it easy to learn the ropes).
It just so happened that RV Sue was at that first boondock and we met briefly. It’s also how I got my “handle” here: It was at Sidewinder Road (we tend to come up with some name attachment that reminds her who we are – a location or something else unique).
Yes, SP I was thinking along the same lines, look at some of the info RVSue has posted and head there first to boondock while I get my bearings (when you boondock while sailing it’s called gunkholing !).
Hey, another sailor 🙂 Now I pretty much know you will like the boondocking life 😀 BLM land (and the like) is the closest thing I have found to anchoring out, land-wise. Campgrounds feel more like marinas to me.
Geez! When you started describing the neighbors, I smiled because that’s what I put up with everyday with my new neighbors. The man of the house has the loud voice of Homer Simpson. He has two dogs, a labradoodle and a Shizu type of dog. The labradoodle has the most obnoxious bark you’ve ever heard and the smaller dog screeches like she’s hurt. “Homer” will go into his backyard at ten or eleven at night and yell at the dogs. The dogs stay outside most of the day and probably don’t even know what a leash us. No walks or rides in the car. Just backyard barking at anything that moves all day long. I hate living here now! I want out! They turn on their patio lights at night and my dining room lights up as if it’s daytime! Over the years I have noticed that camping is not what it used to be. They bring their entire house with them! We try to go to the old tenting-type campgrounds that haven’t beem improved since 1950 where the little tiny winding roads cannot accommodate the monster RVs. I hope that your new spot is peaceful, Sue. People like yThat just set me off. (Can you tell?). Lol. Chris B
I know what you mean Chris. The neighbors that moved next to us about 1 1/2 years ago have 3-4 little yappers and I can’t as much as step on one leaf in my backyard without setting them off. I have basically quit going in our backyard because of this. I have mentioned to the wife that when we go to campgrounds we have never been next to dogs as obnoxious as the ones that we live next to. We are on the road about 100 days per year thank goodness. When were gone we also get away from the stench of their “medicinal” grow that stinks up the neighborhood for 6 months a year. The only good thing is that they’re renters so I hope they will be moving on someday.
Hmmm, Jeff, sounds like they are in the wrong state for growing such stuff…here in WA tis A-Ok now. Maybe you need to anonymously send some information to them and perhaps they will decide to move to “greener” pastures soon. I love dogs but we have lived where there was never ending barking too. Nearly drove all the neighbors mad. Some tried to reason with the owners, but that was simply wasted time and effort. Everyone kept their distance from them…they eventually moved away. We all felt very sorry for the dog. Was eventually given away thankfully (hope he got a good home).
You know the strange part of that house with the dog problems was there was NEVER EVER good people in there, even though we lived there almost 10 years and there was a change over nearly every 18 months to 2 years…finally just before we left, I began calling the landlord every time that wild, untamed, big dog got loose. EVERY TIME…late at night too. I finally had it one night trying to reason with him and told him that it amazed me in all the years that we had lived there he had managed to not have one single time he rented it to good neighborly type people. I told him it must have been his plan to fail so badly at that. Told him he needed to investigate people more before renting to them and told him he needed to talk to our landlord if he did not know how to do that properly. Heehee…that was the remark that FINALLY got his attention (found out later that there was probably some bad blood between him and our landlady)!!
Hi, Chris B.,
Boy, do I feel your pain. I really do! I’ve had the neighbor who lights up my property like it’s a car dealership. I’ve had the neighbor who tells me what I should do to prune my shrubs (Good heavens, she had her lawn guy prune them when I wasn’t home, thus destroying my privacy screen!). I’ve had the neighbor who wouldn’t give me a minute’s peace…yak,yak, yak..
One neighbor let his grass grow up to his thighs (in snaky Florida — There are places for natural landscaping. This wasn’t one of them.). One day I almost fainted– He was walking behind a lawn mower! Wow! My prayers have been answered! I watch him mow about three lanes when his wife sticks her head out the back door and yells, “The game’s on!”
The guy turns off the mower and goes inside. That mower sat there for months! They used to throw their beer cans out the back door into the grass! Oh my, do I ever feel your pain!!!!
I also remember the “I want out!” exasperation. When you finally get out, oh is it sweet.
I can imagine the conversation as the loud people came in:
He: “Oh no somebody’s got the nice double site we wanted”.
She: “Hey I recognize that rig. That’s RVSUE I read her blog. I know a way to get that spot we want. Tell Bill and Betty to park over there when they get here and I’ll bet you a Buckhorn beer I can have her out of there in no time. Now where did I put that radio….”
Ha!
There’s some truth in that scenario, Jeff. I seem to attract the kind of people I want to avoid. More than once…. several times more than once… I’ve asked myself, “Now why did they set up next to me when there are all these other people they could annoy?”
Boo-hoo… Why me? 🙂
Well, who can say why after dark when they cannot see you, but my daughter who is even shorter than I am…and that is VERY short…says it is because we are not tall!! Heh…
I got so lucky when I camped last week in the Peaks of Otter campground along the Blue ridge Parkway. I got in round 3-ish set up my little van which is dragging out my chair and table, I don’t like soggy picnic tables so I usually use my own table.
about an hr later as I was having my evening meal along comes a huge 5th wheel with more slides than a water park! They did the shouting thing trying to get it in a level area lucky for me they never could get it in the site..so they had to move 3 sites down I could see them but later when I finished my meal I pulled my van around into my site to block the view and got my privacy back….soon more behemoth’s arrived and they grouped around them! It became a village in no time…generators till 10. I don’t understand the need to bring every comfort of “modern day life” on a camping trip what happened to roughing it just a little?
Hi, Sondra,
As with anything, people have different perspectives of the same thing. Some are camping (whether in a tent or an RV) and others are RVing. The two groups share a location and the experience of one group is bound to be compromised. Guess which group?
The term campground is misleading.
Thank goodness that campsite had more open spots to choose from. I think most people who behave rudely have no idea their behavior is poor. I don’t think they think about it, they only think about what they want. I think they are just very self-absorbed. Isn’t that how most kids are raised now?
I’m having a slow day; still not feeling great. I found someone to come and clean today, and I’m happy about that. Did the coffee and donut thing this morning; not very many donuts were eaten! I just left them in clubhouse. Don’t need a bunch of donuts to tempt me.
Good idea Ginger leaving donuts behind…sugar is very non-helpful ingested when needing to heal!! Rest well….best healing thing to do!! Hope you feel better soon!!
I thought about you this morning, Ginger, hoping you were up to your hostess obligation.
I’m glad someone helped you with housework. Feel better soon!
This post describes the majority of my campground experiences. Which is precisely why I avoid them.
Me, too!
One of the reasons we’re in a campground (in addition to amenities) is hunters. I’m uneasy camping in national forests when people are shooting guns nearby and I have no idea if they are careful about what they’re shooting at. It also cuts me to hear the gunshots when one has admired and photographed the wildlife being shot.
Gunfire in the forest always scares me. Get this…we were snorkeling in Maui last October in an area that’s known for snorkeling right off the shoreline. There were people there swimming around with spear guns! Yikes!
Um, Chris… “snorkeling in Maui?”
Somehow I can’t drum up much sympathy… 😉
If you were able to find another peaceful spot, why couldn’t those morons have set up camp over there in the first place, leaving you in your settled peace? Ah, because they were morons?
When living in our apartment, we had across the parking lot neighbors we called “The Loud People”. No hearing problems, just loud. Unbelievably loud. Every conversation was shouted. We could talk face to face at normal levels so we knew they didn’t have a medical problem. Nope. Just LOUD. At least most of the times my daughters and I could laugh about it because it was so ludicrous. (We didn’t have wheels to take us away so it was laugh or cry. I did do some crying.)
I don’t understand it – why go to the great outdoors just to live as if you were back in your house? Why make so much noise that it goes beyond your own space? Why don’t people recognize the beauty of quiet? [And why is that lady bug sitting up there on the picture frame on the wall. Off topic, sorry! Really, why is she there?]
Hi, Pat,
That lady bug knows winter is on its way. She’s looking for a warm, peaceful campsite (full hookups not necessary).
The Loud People. They’re reproducing at an alarming rate.
LOL I agree 100% on that note. It’s getting hard to even find solitude.
They are, as I’ve mentioned, The Oblivions.
Then there are The Stupid! They are the folks who bring a chain saw to Yosemite National Park and start cutting wood in the campground!!!
My friend from high school who is a superior court judge posted this on his FB wall. It cracked me up!
“When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is difficult only for the others.
It is the same when you are stupid.”
I asked him what happened to make him post that and he said that it was too good not to post then added, “Court starts in eight minutes. There’s a good chance I’ll see something — or someone — stupid very soon.” LOL!
Oh, my! I’ve had the Lumberjack Neighbor, too!
Sue, Thanks so much for sharing this campground with us blogorinos….I can totally relate to needing to stay more in the front country during hunting season…. I am such a slow reader that I’ve only caught up to August 2013 in reading your blogs, but you are already helping us think outside our “box” for camping spots. So far no boondocks yet, but we stayed in some pretty remote FS and BLM campgrounds with our “class B+” motorhome. I hope that Miss Bridget’s leg is feeling better!
Hi, cc & c,
With your class B+ rig, you have access to lots of boondocks! Keep that in mind when on you are on your way to a remote campground. I’ve found wonderful sites that way.
If you have a map (or app) that shows public lands (so you know whether you are in a national forest, refuge, or on BLM) and there are no signs indicating camping is not allowed…. Then take a look and find that special spot of your own . . . . . It’s fun! 🙂
Why do people have to run their blasted generators . . . and radios . . . and yell . . . and on and on. You know!!! I hope your remaining days are quiet. Is it really too much to ask for? Just makes you want to park out in the middle of nowhere all by yourself. Oh yeah ~~ you do!!!!! Take care, Sue.
Hi, Paula,
That’s the joy of camping alone. I love “the middle of nowhere.”
I use my generator when I need to, don’t leave it run all the time… and of course, it is only when I am boondocking. Now, when the clingers invade my space… I use it and my air horns and once started the diesel engine… it took about 30 minutes and they left. Back to work on the PITA update and I think I’ll make a salad.
Hi, Kay,
PITA update? Haha! The joys of blogging, eh?
Ya… that PITA building cost hubby a trip to the ER and in a couple of days… to an eye clinic for removal of “rust ring” on the eyeball… grrrr
Good heavens! Forgive me for laughing (above)… That’s terrible!
Yes, it is a PITA building. I’m sorry that happened to Nameless. I never heard of rust ring on the eyeball. I wish him well through the procedure …
Sounds very familiar at least you didn’t get an argument over the radio some people get very upset if they can’t have their favorite noise ! Then there is their kids and pets running through your campsite; say anything and they look at you as if you have two heads! This takes all the fun out of camping for me. Glad you were able to find another site that was quiet.
Hi, Kay,
“This takes all the fun out of camping for me.” Boondocking is perfect for you!
Hi Sue. Haven’t commented in a while, but I have to say, I have had extra time on my hands lately and have been clicking on other blogs from the links in your comments section in the hopes of learning more as I get close to my RV journeys. I admire you for taking the high road. It is amazing how some people use you to promote their sites then gripe about everything you do.
Feel free to delete this, just wanted you to know it was noticed, and not tolerated in that I won’t be clicking on that blog again. Geez. Some people should look in the mirror… And grow some compassion and understanding of others. I have to say I half expected the outcome and was just waiting for that shoe to drop. I hate it when I am right about questionable character though. I always hope for the best.
Hi, Edie,
I won’t delete your comment because it is a message borne out of concern and affection for me and my blog. You are very perceptive.
I don’t read many blogs any more. I just don’t have the time and it uses up my data allotment.
I’ll share what I’ve experienced. . . .
When I used to read blogs every day during the first couple years of my own blog, I was disappointed and hurt (although only momentarily!) to see me and my blog maligned in other blogs (both in their comments section and in their actual posts!). This was done by bloggers (and a few of their followers) whom I had always treated with respect and kindness in my comments to them or I had never commented on their blog at all.
Being discussed across the internet in a negative manner quickly fixed my Pollyanna attitude about the world of blogging! It does make me sad though that seemingly good people would do that. I hope by sharing what happened to me will prepare new bloggers for the dark side of blogging.
I know fledgling bloggers post comments here to introduce their blog. I don’t mind that at all, as long as this comments section doesn’t turn into a referral place instead of the blogorino communty I’ve worked hard to create. (I could change my blog’s settings so the “name” at the top of a comment would not become a link.)
I wish much success to all bloggers willing to invest the time and energy required!
Keep your “hope for the best,” Edie. Thanks for writing.
Hi Sue,
I wish you could pick and choose which links display with the names. Lol. 🙂
Zen on wheels I really enjoyed. No agenda but to share a different perspective. I make it a point to not comment on any other blogs. But I would have on his.
Note to other blogorinos, remember if you comment on a blog that has a “commercial” angle, you risk your email getting sold and becoming part of a marketing scheme and may get spam out the wazoo.
I believe whole heartedly that Sue would never sell email addresses, but others do not have the same scruples.
Sue, Marg said it best, you are a class act!!
Thanks for reminding folks to be careful. You are right to believe that I would never sell email addresses!
As for links . . . .I wouldn’t know what links are friendly and which ones aren’t. Instead I’ll assume everyone is!
HI SUE
Just wanted you to know that i agree with Edie……..you are a CLASS ACT!!!!!!
Me toooo!
A single shaft of sunlight blazes through leaves below,impossibly orange they’re glowing.Even close by branches seem to notice,point them out.It’s stunning.As quickly as it came it disappears as wind blown clouds bring back the shadows.The wind’s blown a lot around here,like fronds off a nearby wild bush.So sparse that it looks like a golden palm tree.it’s a springboard rather than a perch.Instead of jumping from tree to tree a squirrel’s become an acrobat.He turns and twists mid-leap ,grips a twig,then does it all again from the next one.I couldn’t be prouder if I’d raised him myself,feel as though I should applaud.The wonder of it all is that he didn’t develop art,skill and beauty to impress me,he did it to survive.
To me that makes him even more awesome-so heroic,strong,and smart.He should be a legend,have his story told,have songs about him sang and taught to children.But then I think the same about my friends.One called me yesterday to let me know the current head count for a Thanksgiving party I bring part of the meal to every year.Some of her husband’s daughters will be coming.She’s making room at her house for them to stay a couple of nights.These aren’t the kind of women that will help,high maintenance types they come for entertainment.
My friend lost vision in one eye years ago,has battled diabetes all her life-and won.She too,has learned to turn and twist,grip what she can,go on-take leaps of faith,endure.
Her song will never be taught to children,her story’s not a legend in these parts,but every time we visit I applaud her in a way,like telling her that her heart and strength make God Himself proud to see,explaining why I say such things.She’s always so surprised.
To her it’s just another day in her life,an unremarkable season.To me it’s an honor just to know her,help her rest when I can,ride around and talk.Like it’s an honor to know you.Even heroes get tired when life makes them turn,I hope you can stay put a couple of days,that the blue sky,mountain,water views soothe your soul,renew your strength.
Your next leap will be amaze me -they all do,even if you just see it as another day.Taking care of Bridget so her limp becomes occasional not constant,make sure love not pain is what she feels ,write posts that keep dreams alive for those longing for so much…Good morning,Sue.Did you happen to notice if the playground there has swings?That’s where I’d take my sandwich to if they did…
Another beautifully woven tapestry, weather. . . You can compare a squirrel and a friend with such love, admiration, and poetry!
Quite a contrast between what you feel and do for your friend against the high maintenance of the two additional guests for Thanksgiving. And your friend takes it all in her stride, unaware of her own magnificent spirit of giving.
Thank you for your wish for me and Bridget. Although the blue sky has evolved into gray from clouds that crept in overnight, those clouds make it pleasantly cool this morning and the sun is shining through, nevertheless.
I may go for a swing before we leave. I won’t take a sandwich on a swing though. I’d either lose my grip and fall off the swing or choke on the sandwich! Haha!
Good morning, dear weather. Thank you for what you give to me and all who read your words with understanding. Your friend is blessed to have you in her life.
🙂 deep happy sigh…
To Weather: I started reading the posts from the bottom up, so I scrolled up to read your post after I saw RVSue’s comment. I can certainly see what RVSue is talking about. I thought your post read like a prayer. It is said we are supposed to live our lives as if they were one continuous prayer — and I think you’ve got it!!
What an astonishingly nice thing to say,thank you!
Thankful that you provide such a nice place to share ideas and events, Sue…there is so much to learn and you show a lot too in the places you go, etc. Will be very helpful if ever we live in a similar way to you!! Thanks again!!
Lovely way to weave a story, Weather…and now we can all think of you helping your friend on a most busy of days!! And she is so fortunate having an understanding friend like you are too!! Who loves to help and just be there I would think, whenever she needs to talk. It is not easy to find friends we are completely comfortable with in all areas of life. A treasure for sure when one is found. My closest friend of over 35 years passed in February. But due to her loss of memory, we had not been able to chat those last 2 years…it was a gradual loss. I have quite a few other friends, but you know, I won’t live 35 more years I am sure…to have that again. And then hubby and I have been married over 42 years now…same thing…we really must enjoy every single part of life we can. And then people like you and some others on here, show up here…and in our day-to-day life!! A blessing for sure!! I enjoy reading what all everyone has to say here…even if I don’t agree or totally understand, yet there are things to be learned evenso. Reminds me of a pastor we had years ago, who in personality was as cold as a block of ice…yet he was an incredible teacher. Learned more from him than any other teacher ever and he taught us how to study Scripture for ourselves….a huge gift. Lots of times too, if we know “the rest of the story” (yep used to love to listen to Paul Harvey too…heehee)…we might come away with a totally different opinion on a person or event. One of my long time friends is not cared much for by hardly anyone…yet she is a real jewel…and I do not know how she has survived all she has over all the years…I stand in awe of her and how she has continued to be such a giving person even though others use her so badly. She once told her onery husband: “Well, all GOD’s debts don’t come due in Oct.” I have thought on that one many times….so true. Well, may we all have loyal friends and find much to be thankful for this soon-to-come holiday!! Glad you come here to write!!
You know ,Elizabeth,I think we could sit somewhere and talk for hours and it would feel like only a few minutes had passed by-
though we might shed a few tears over tender memories mainly it would be so nice.What a great sentence”We really must enjoy every part of life we can.” I believe that’s why it was given to us.Today I thought with gratitude about having been given the haven of friendships everywhere I’ve been in life,a rich blessing indeed.How lovely that you describe it as a treasure!I think I’ll use that as part of this Thanksgiving’s grace,thank you-for that and all you shared .And the chuckle I got from some “cold as a block of ice” can be learned from.Good night for now kind and witty lady 🙂
Thanks Weather….heh, it would be fun to chat in person, indeed!! You are a kind person and with much encouragement to others….doing a great job of that. Many ways to stay happy aren’t there?? Have a great day today…mine is going to be busy!!
Sorry for not answering you earlier ,Elizabeth,and hope your busy day went well.Thank you for saying “great job” and your welcoming response about a chat together.One really never knows what gifts are ahead -perhaps sometime we’ll get the chance to do that,yet the very idea making us happy to consider is a gift already 🙂
I’m reading poetry this morning. My friend has an English class and I’m helping her. But nothing I have read compares to Weather’s comments. I think what makes Weather’s comments so moving is the depth of her observation; she not only sees things many of us pass by, she considers the things she sees and turns them into metaphors that she uses to describe her feelings about friends, life, love. It’s very magical. Such a blessing to have Weather here.
Dear Ginger,you have been a gift to me in many ways,that note’s another one,thank you.I noticed recently that you had mentioned cowboy boots again,I smiled for days about it.If anyone on earth can reach their dream of dancing again ,it’s you!
Hi Sue,
I thought of you, Bridget and Spike often when traveling to the northeast , then southeast and finally back west. I’m so pleased to read your blog again and see you and Bridget are enjoying your travels.
Wherever I went and if camped I always look for quiet places and have to admit I never had a problem but my biggest issue I had was with a nasty pit toilet when staying in Radeke Cabin in White Mountain NF in NH.
One week ago I stayed at the campground in Capital Reef NP in UT and although this campground was full but very quiet. I decided to move the next day since there is no privacy for tenters. It is such lovely setting in this amazing national park. Too bad all campsites are wide opened.
Regarding fees, I skipped it once(27.50). I know, I know, I’m so bad. In NY state parks were on limited off season schedule in October. I arrived at 4 pm and the fee both was closed. The sign read “Pay in the morning.” Well I had to leave before 8 am and no one was there until 8:30. What I suppose to do? What would you do?
Hi, R. (Western Colorado/now back in Colorado),
How wonderful to see you here again and to know you returned to the West, safe and sound! You were missed. 🙂
What would I do in that situation? If the only way and time to pay was when someone was manning the fee booth and no one was there when I arrived nor when I left, I would’ve done exactly what you did.
I base this on my opinion that it is not up to me to arrange for fee collection. In other words, if an entity wants to collect a fee, then it is that entity’s responsibility to make it reasonably convenient for me to pay the fee.
I ran into a similar situation at Lone Rock. The fee collection machine was broken making it impossible for me to pay the fee where I was camping. I’m not going to drive to another location, looking for someone to take my money.
If the park you mentioned had a system in place for me to pay in the absence of a human — you know, the official envelopes and secure drop box — then I would’ve paid. Actually it’s moot what I’d do because I can’t see myself camping where the fee is $27.50. (Ha! That’s why I’ll never go East.)
The park management must be aware that there are times when a person arrives and leaves without ever seeing someone to pay.
You did right.
Girl….your ears must have been ringing!
See above…the BOLF (be on the lookout for) was initiated last night!
Sounds like you had a great trip! Nice to see you again R.
Welcome back, R. We missed you!
Welcome back, R. (Western Colorado),
Great to hear from you again and a bit about your travels. We missed you here 🙂
Although I’m big on privacy, I’m almost starting to feel like we blogorinos need some (optional) secret signal in case we cross paths on the road. There are quite a few folks here I would enjoy meeting if we ended up in the same place (not so much a “drop-in invasion” but rather like ships passing and stopping to honk horns and chat over the rail type of thing).
Anyway, glad all is well!
How about blogorino bumper stickers!
“I RVSUE HOW BOUT YOU”
Well that’s not quite “secret signal” enough for me, but I probably skew a bit to the far end of the scale in that regard. They would probably be really popular for “normal” folks 😀
Hi R! Welcome back, we missed you.
Well, we’re back home… what a day.
Hope you all had a good day!
And I hope all went well with you and your husband . . .
Hi, Sue,
Hope you are having a good evening!
Having an extra hour of sleep was sweet…one of the few benefits of the time change. I know….AZ does not participate in daylight savings time. 🙂
It has been a cold, windy day here. Tonight, we have a cloudless sky, so the stars are shining brightly. It is supposed to dip down to freezing temps and below tonight…time to put the flannel sheets on the bed! If I put Gracie in a basket, put on a pair of ruby red slippers and click my heels twice, do you think I can wish us to be whisked away to the warm AZ desert?! 🙂
Cinandjules….thanks for the snow warning! How much of the white stuff did you all get? SW Virginia received 3-6″ of slushy snow yesterday…but it was expected. I don’t think that Central VA will receive snow for a while yet. The leaves have JUST hit peak color the past few days….crazy weather!
Well this week in southern AZ is getting pretty cool. Don’t know temp right now but must be at least low 50s. I’ve needed a jacket to walk dog at night or early morning. Afternoons warm up to 70s.
Good morning, DesertGinger,
Hope you have a good day! 🙂
Hi, Denise,
Yes, we did have a good evening. Thanks for the wish! It was a little cooler here also last night. Nothing near freezing though!
Sue , are you able to get into your mail, cause if you can, I can send you photos of our camps between L.H.C. and Parker ,,,,,Rusty
Hi, Rusty,
Thanks for asking first. I can get in my email but I’m running overages this month. For that reason I’m not opening my email account. I’d love to see your photos. Wait until after the 9th when a new data cycle starts for me.
Yikes, lots of comments to catch up on & the time change is killin’ me! Just wanted to say that I believe we’ve become a nation of yellers! Thankful we don’t have TV–Jim ran video on his laptop from a network news show & the anchor was yelling! We have a small lobby at work & it getss very crowded after school. And yes, the parents that aren’t completely absorbed in their devices (don’t get me started on that!) are yelling at their kids! People can’t even go out into nature & keep their voices down! Sheesh!
Kay, I think your air horn idea is definitely something to think about. Okay, time for bed. ‘Night all–so glad you & Bridget have a nice quiet place to rest your heads, Sue!
Good morning, Dawn… I hope you had a good night’s rest. 🙂
Got quite a chuckle out of this one – I was there with you all the way!
Another Dawn! Good morning . . .
Good morning, Sue and Bridget!
Hope you have a great day! Sunny and cold here…it was 29 at home this morning and I had frost on the car. Brrrrr!
Good morning, Denise,
It seems early to me for Richmond to have the temperature drop that low. I don’t really know Virginia’s weather… Hope that was an oddity for November. Otherwise you have a very long winter ahead of you!
Good Morning Everyone,
We have a VISITOR!!! And, I have a box of Cinnabon’s too. Breakfast today: 1 Cinnabon, 2 cups of coffee.
Hubby and his eye had a very watery night. He’s back laying in bed because I got to play “Nurse Kay” and my weapon was a little white bottle with drops that went plop plop into that eye.
Okay, time for breakfast…
Darn. I want a Cinnabon.
Come on over… they are yummy, with a nice cup of coffee….
Hi, Sue –
I have not commented before but I just wanted to say how much I do enjoy your blog. I hope to go full-time, or partly full-time, when I retire in several years. I am learning a lot from your blog, and I really appreciate all of your photos and frank commentary about the campgrounds and roads. Not that I will remember all of it, but watching what you go through is helping me formulate my own plans.
Sally
Hi, Sally,
Great to hear from you! My day is always brightened when I read that someone enjoys my blog and is learning from it. You are fortunate to have several years in which to plan for a wonderful retirement that’s perfect for you! It’s a pleasure for me to provide you with photos and information, as well as a bunch of great people willing to share.
If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask us. Thanks for dropping in, Sally.
Hi Sue,Since I’m late getting back here “Good Morning” barely fits.Earlier I wrote a comment,then erased it and left.I felt it was too exuberant to post since most folks don’t wear sunglasses while reading,Tee Hee.It’s just so wonderful out that I’m finding it hard to calm down again,but I’m going to give a try, so the brightness doesn’t make the screen glare.More milkweed pods have opened here so the view has the white shadows like lacy ribbon everywhere- in seagull’s wings,whitecaps, wispy floating seeds .There,that was fairly sedate.How are you and Bridget today?Does she notice if a raven is nearby?My pups ignore quiet things, such as butterflies,yet chase noisy bees.I doubt that a raven would land on our table-that must be amazing to be near.Happy strolling or driving 🙂 weather
Hi, weather,
I’m glad your spirits are bright and happy! No need to censor your exuberance!
Bridget didn’t notice the raven because she was asleep inside and the raven was uncharacteristically quiet. Coincidentally in the fifth book of the Outlander series I’m reading (set in the 18th century) a single raven is mentioned as being a good omen. Two ravens, a bad omen. I saw four the other day. Either all hell is going to break loose or I’ll be as exuberant as you! 🙂
Always good hearing from you, weather. I can relate to someone who gets happy over milkweed pods opening.
Thank you for being glad for my happiness,and for giving me license to express exuberance.It takes another wild child to appreciate that 🙂 Four is the number of light that comes from heaven, the day moonlight,starlight and sunlight were placed in the skies …You can tell I see exuberance in your future,yet I really enjoyed the laugh at “all hell is going to break loose” .I’m chuckling still!
P.S. Since we’ve both mentioned hell ,I will again.You probably already know this,yet it’s worth mentioning.It would be a cold day in hell before I’d approach you at your campsite.If for any reason I happened to be nearby ,at most I might leave a note to let you know about it,expecting no response,just leaving the door to meet open,so to speak.Guess I take “No drop in visits,please” literally because I feel the same way.
Ahhh…. the water softener is now working!!!! Calgon, it’s time for our date!!!!! How’s those Solar showers Sue? I’m curious if someone shows up to clean them….
Sue, I know it’s hard for you to answer each person but I placed my first order through you on amazon.com and I wanted to make sure it counted for you. It’s a book called “I need some help here”. I want to make sure I’m doing it correctly.