Wednesday, May 6
“Brrrr! Where did this cold come from! Let’s go!”
The mighty and Perfect Tow Vehicle carries Bridget, Reggie, me and the Best Little Trailer away from Prineville Reservoir and over the mountain to Route 20, southeast of Bend, Oregon. On the way we pass a few vacation homes and a ranch with a field of handsome horses.
Driving northwest toward Bend, a light rain falls.
Up ahead a sheet of white obscures the landscape. What is that? Could that be snow?
I’m given an answer soon . . .
Hail!
We approach Bend and the hail (very tiny pellets) goes to snow and then rain and back to hail. As I pull into the Safeway parking lot, the precipitation conveniently pauses long enough to allow the crew a quick walk-about.
Bridget and Reggie happily return to the warmth of the PTV while I shop.
Nice store! The aroma of Chinese food emanates from the deli. I’m drawn in — gee, I haven’t had Chinese food in years!
I follow my nose.
Tantalizing dishes are borne out of the kitchen and set in the case over which customers salivate as they wait. When it’s my turn, I choose a plate of Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Chinese noodles.
By the time the crew and I reach Big River Campground, south of Bend, the intermittent rain-hail-snow has stopped.
I set up a basic camp in a site by the river.
The crew and I walk around the campground loop.
This is a small, rustic, Deschutes National Forest campground ($10 regular/$5 senior pass).
At the self-pay station I drop a check for $10 (2 nights) in the iron ranger. We hurry back to the BLT. The Wave 3 heater keeps us warm. (And the Chinese food is delicious!)
Thursday, May 7
I open the door of the BLT and peek outside. More snow and hail in the night!
This next photo shows the campsite next to ours.
Bridget ventures out for a potty run in “our back yard” between the BLT and the river.
I put a leash on Reggie and we step outside.
“Hey, big boy. Do you remember walking in snow?”
He sniffs and sniffs, as if the snow isn’t there.
“You want to walk in this? You’re a pretty tough guy, Reggie.”
This is the Big River.
It flows through western Oregon for twelve miles — deep and wide and deceptively fast-moving.
Reggie and I don’t walk far on the riverbank.
(Bridget is smart. She’s in the BLT where it’s warm.) The ever-curious Reggie wants to see everything.
“C’mon, enough of this! We can come out later. I want a cup of coffee!”
rvsue
NOTE: This post was written two days later. No more snow and it’s warm again with highs in the low 70s.
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
“Bridgie, honey. Isn’t your bottom cold, sitting in the snow?”
“Iron Ranger”…you are too funny.
Hi, John K, number one commenter today!
I didn’t make up the term “iron ranger.”
Hmmmm, interesting link. Well, you had me chuckling…
Bridget must have buns of steel–the ground looks cold. Reg appears quite nonchalant about the snow/hail. It almost looks as if the river has a bit of mist over it–does that mean it’s warmer than the air? A very nice little campground for tucking in & enjoying the Wave & Chinese food.
Hi, Dawn,
Even though it was a cold morning — the sun was barely up — that river is very cold, much colder than the air.
“Buns of steel”… That’s right! 🙂
Obviously, that whole fog/mist thing is very confusing to me!
I must be close to being first
3rd….not bad. LOL.. I bet that spot is beautiful when it is warm and really green.! Great pictures.
Love you!!
Almost! 🙂 Love you, too, Pauline!
Good morning Sue,
What a great life you have provided for yourself and your pups. And what a great adventure you are providing for the rest of us. I’ll bet that a few years ago you never dreamed life would be this full of wonder and enjoyment. Thank you for all you are doing to give encouragement for others to step out of the box and live life with passion.
You’re welcome, JW, and thank you for your comment. No, I had no idea how full and wonderful my life would become. To be honest, my thoughts at that time were more on how I could enjoy retirement on a smaller income. Choosing to retire to the road was one of the best decisions of my life.
Hello, I saw in this post that you use the Wave heater, would you tell me where you put it when it is in use? I think I want it on the table, but am not sure that is its best use.
Thank you , and I enjoy following your journey. H
You’re welcome, Holly,
Great to have you here! Click on this link and you’ll see how and where my Wave 3 was installed. I’m pleased with its location near the floor (since heat rises) and in the center of the BLT.
November 3, 2011 post:
Catalytic Heater Installation
I didn’t want the heater to be portable, as I don’t have much table-top room or floor space. The only disadvantage, which doesn’t bother me but might bother someone else, is having to kneel down in order to start it.
Hi Sue,
You may have changed this by now (or just prefer it the way it is), but just so people know, since the linked post gives the impression your CO detector is up near the ceiling. Since CO is “neutral” (doesn’t really rise or fall), it’s best to put a CO detector in a middle type height location, and/or at head level when sleeping.
Your location may not be that far from head level (it’s hard to see for sure) but I figured I’d mention it.
Along the same lines: Smoke rises, so smoke detector on the ceiling, and propane sinks, so that one goes by the floor (this is why the all-in-one detectors seem like a bad compromise to me – because by definition they will be at the wrong level for two of the functions).
(I commented here since there is no way to comment on the linked post anymore.)
I removed my furnace (noisy, power hog, plus it used up a huge space I now use for storage) and have a Wave 3 on legs. I would prefer it hard-mounted but did it this way so I could try it out first (just hooked up the hose to the former furnace fitting, along with a shut off valve). I’m glad I did it this way as there was not one single obvious place to mount it (especially before trying it out) and now I also realize the 3 is just a bit too small for my taste – so looking at where to hard mount a 6 or perhaps two 3’s (since they are fairly “localized” in their heat output).
For now “wheels” are making the 3 work just fine 😀
Although, speaking of chilly, I’m way down in AZ at around 4,000′ and I think it got into the 30’s last night. Brrrr! Not that I’m really complaining, as I’m “stuck” here for a bit yet taking care of some appointments and just hoping it doesn’t get too hot too soon. Still, that was surprisingly chilly for early May here.
Hi, Pen,
Good information throughout… Thank you.
My CO detector is about a foot below the ceiling. The propane detector is near the floor because, as you mentioned, propane sinks.
I do believe it’s nearly impossible to stay in perfect weather all the time, even with wheels. The “extremes” help us appreciate the ideal temperatures, right?
They do! While months of too-cold or too-hot are a drag, a few days or weeks of it just hones my appreciation for ideal weather. And I’ll still take chilly over broiling any day 🙂
On the CO detector, I did a bit more research, and now I’m reading that since it’s the same “weight” as air, perhaps mounting height is not as critical as I made it out to be. Still, since one wants the best chance to “catch” any problem, especially when sleeping, I will keep mine at around head level when sleeping. But from what I am now reading perhaps there is no need to move yours. OTOH, I have seen where people purposely mount them at the ceiling, thinking that is where they should go, and that’s not the case (but it is where smoke detectors go).
I appreciate you explaining all this, Pen.
Oh! Just love the last picture!!! So cute!!
Wacky weather is everywhere…
Hi, Betty Shea,
Throw out all pre-conceived notions of what the weather “should” be!
Well Sue, looks like you must have driven right over the Cascade Mtn Range without even mentioning it! I guess with all that snow and hail you couldn’t wait to get through there. And I know wherever you are today you probably have gorgeous weather.
Love the pictures of Reggie, watching his progress as he gets to know new environments and learns about this new lifestyle he has. He is a lucky guy, getting to live this unique life with you and the Bridge. Looks like a nice spot!
I have a question for you about your gravity chair recliner. What brand is it? I’ve had two, but each only lasted a couple years (summer use only) before various parts broke down. I figure you use yours day in and day out so it must be pretty sturdy.
Lesson learned is: sometimes cheap stuff is, well cheap! Wish I just paid for a good one in the first place.
Hi, Alison PNW,
I didn’t mention crossing the Cascades because we haven’t done that. We’re on the east side, south of Bend. I took out some of my description I originally posted (actually not mine, taken from wikipedia) because it was misleading and didn’t jive with what I see on the map.
I don’t know if the chair I have is any better than what you’ve owned. I’ve only had it about 2 years and the one before that lasted 3 years and I don’t know what brand it was (bought it in a Sports America store. Both chairs costs somewhere in the range of $50-$60.
This link is for the one I have at present… in dark blue. I can’t say it’s an improvement over what you’ve had. It’s holding up fine for me so far and I have a bad habit of leaving it outside in the rain and snow.
Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair, Beige
Is it easy for you to get in & out of this chair? So many people have them but for those of us who are clumsy, I worry.
It’s easy for me to get in and out of the chair. Here’s a tip…. When you set out the chair it most likely will be in a semi-reclined position. Put one foot on the front bar that is on the ground. Keep that foot there and while holding the chair arms, put the other foot on the raised bar in front and press it down. This will position the chair correctly to make getting into it easier.
Of course, what’s easy for me might not be easy for you.
Actually it is cold in NV, UT, CO in the last two weeks. Went camping and hiking to Great Basin NP in NV and wind, rain, snow in higher elevations, 40 degrees in the morning cut my visit short.
Well, keep warm Sue and Crew
Sue, I hope you won’t mind. This is for other blogorinos who were thinking about towing Honda CRV with RV. It won’t be possible with all new Hondas any longer. 2015 Hondas have symmetrical transmission (?) and cannot be towed with 4 wheels flat. Manual transmission is the only way to go. That changes everything for me. Casita is now my option.
Hi, R.,
I can imagine it was pretty cold in Great Basin! I was surprised by this cold because Bend is only at approximately 3,600 feet. Of course there’s that dang latitude…
No, I don’t mind you posting that info. It may prevent someone from making a decision they’d come to regret. Aha… a potential Casita owner!
And be very careful even with manual Hondas that you check the manual of the exact car you want to use. Our 2004 says not to tow it 4 down and it is a manual transmission.
My kind of campsite – trees, water and not very many people nearby. Glad the hail/snow didn’t last. We are busy here in my part of Texas ending the drought in dramatic style. I think Bridget’s face says what she’s thinking about sitting in that spot! The snapshot of her under the BLT in a previous post was right up there with my favorite cow picture. She’s so funny!
Hi, Susan,
Good to learn that Texas is receiving some precipitation! I’m glad you like Bridget’s photos. Honestly, I love her but she is one weird dog.
Texas and Oklahoma are getting precipitation alright. Spoke to sister in law just north of OK city a hour ago and they and Texas have had storms this week with 4 to 8 inches of rain at a time. One area in Texas had 8 inches in 3 hours. Some areas around OK city have been evacuated because volume of rain compromised a dam! Now that’s a drought buster!
Wow! I didn’t know… Thanks for the report, Velda.
We are concerned about tonight as much of Texas, OK, and Kansas are under tornado watch tonight. At least two families had people trapped in underground tornado shelters by debris and one woman drowned because the debris kept her from lifting the lid as unprecedented rainfall began filling the shelter. A family with children were screaming and water rising when neighbor heard them and removed debris to allow door to lift up. Many shelters in newer homes are built in the garage floor so flat and vulnerable to debris combined with water. My sister in law is fortunate her shelter is raised about a foot in a mound,and the door is angled but she said it shook her,to realize her,shelter could be a death trap with heavy rain after winds brought debris. Said it was something she, a lifelong Oklahoman, had never heard of.
I grew up in Oklahoma. Momma used to make us get under the house in the crawl space. Then they built a new shopping center nearby with a storm shelter and we started going there. In one especially bad storm we were all in the shelter and the Arkansas river flooded. The shelter filled with water. We were all standing on the tables, screaming, when the fire depth came to rescue us. This was almost 60 years ago.
Ginger, where did you live? My husband and his sis were born in Bartlesville.
What horrible situations! I’ve never heard of that either.
Yikes! That’s traumatic stuff!
I’ll take earthquakes any day over tornados!
Me? I’ll take a light dusting of snow that melts by noon.
Been awhile since I have written but enjoying your travels. We are heading out next week for a 3 mos trip and heading into ID, OR, WA, so keeping track of areas you’re at. Sure looks nice and peaceful. Hoping all the crazy weather is over with by time we get there. Loving the doggie adventures, our Yorkiepoo is a great traveler as well. Stay safe and well!
Hi Pauline,
Welcome back to comments! Happy to see you again…. Oh, you should have good weather over 3 months. The month of May will settle down soon. (Here I go predicting the weather when it’s become very unpredictable!). I wish you a wonderful time in those three states that I love. It’s more fun with a dog (or two or more) along, as you know.
Thanks Sue, I’ll take your predictions for good weather. lol. Nugget is a good little traveler, loves to enjoy new sights and smells as much as we do. Heading to VA & AZ 1st, then Arches etc. Like you, no time table, just enjoy life! I am not a blog person but appreciate yours! Continued good adventures!
Should we tell her about the campground in Bluff, on the way to Arches! Sand Island Campground just a few miles south of Bluff, and is a quick drive to Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Mesa Verde and about 2 miles from yummy Navajo Tacos at Twin Rocks Cafe! Arches is about 4 hours north of Bluff! And it has one of the largest, most amazing petroglyph wall in the campground! If I remember right, it is a BLM campground! You are going to love the southwest!
This is our 4th trip cross country and we have seen all those places. My 1st time was in ’88, with SIL and 2 nieces, no men. My 1st wow was Garden of the Gods, then Bryce. It was such a spiritual moment to witness the vastness and beauty, we have gone back each trip and again this time! Bryce will always be my #1 favorite place.
Sand Island. One of our favorite camping spots.
Oh yeah!
Well, what a switch…snow in May!! Glad you are situated well there.
Hi, Elizabeth . . . It was a surprise for me, too. Our elevation isn’t that high and, well, it’s May!
Maybe it’s my wild imagination but I believe Reggie got his first time in snow out of the way some time ago? I don’t wanna do a search project but I seem to remember that being a subject before. Anyhow, Nice pics as usual and you guys have fun there.
Oh for heaven sakes! Of course! At Ward Mountain! Gee, my memory has taken a nosedive lately. I’ll have to fix the post. Thanks, Jim.
I had a nice plan to go from Great Basin NP to Ward Mountain campground but with wind, snow, rain, thunderstorms I decided to skip it this time.
Weather on Ward Mountain at this time of year is likely cold, maybe snowing, as it’s over 7,000 feet. I didn’t mind the weather, but “wind, snow, rain, thunderstorms” would have me making the same decision you made.
Probably Reggie had his first snow fix from Santa Fe, it does snow there in winter.
When do you think are you going to have 2 million visits on your blog? Did you noticed the number as of now is 1,968,042. Very, very soon. Aren’t you surprised?
Well, the blog this past week received 17,148 visits and 28,654 page views. I’ll let someone else do the math.
Am I surprised? The first million was a surprise. Now, to tell the truth, I don’t pay much attention to it, although I am pleased, very pleased, that people continue to read my blog and new people keep appearing.
Just a slight dusting. Reg man is so cute! Lovely site…once again.
Safeway actually does have good Chinese food. Jules loves the chow mein aka lo mein for you Caucasians! 😉
My sister just sent me some oyster sauce….doesn’t really taste like oysters…kind of like the sauce in broccoli beef. I use it with tofu, hamburger and mushrooms over rice..mom called it peasant food.
Speaking of Happy Mother’s Day to all!
Hi Cinandjules,
I wondered how you would rate Safeway’s Chinese food. I’ve passed it up before, mostly because it looked like it had been sitting a while, trays almost empty. This was freshly cooked and very good! Of course, I’ve been craving more ever since….
That sweet little thing! I think Bridget wanted you to feel sorry for her and carry her back to the BLT! 😉
Hi, Shawna,
Sometimes, when there’s no close place in which to hide from the camera, Bridget will sit down when I point the lens at her. It’s like the universal hesitancy of females to have their backsides recorded for posterity (pun intended!).
What a great pic “Hey,big boy…” is- to depict how springtime,puppyhood and travel are the essence of change.Snow on newly sprouted green grass ,Reggie with his baby like look- acting too grown up to let a little cold stop his mission to explore ,and so recently you were in a desert…There are few things that equal the feel of being set apart from the world than being beneath tall pines in the mist are there?So fleeting,and so lovely…you captured that and the reflections it gives,both on water and inside one with just a few your photos.Beautiful,Sue.
Seeing the horses as I opened the page was a nice treat.I imagine coming upon as you drove was ,too.And having kung pao chicken after so long without Chinese food at all.If you bought only enough for one meal you are a model of restraint.I deliberately get enough of seldom available favorites to make sure left overs last for a bit.Good thing you have the PTV storage,your four season’s wardrobe must be getting a workout.Are you back into a light shirt yet?
When we make our “run” to Wegmans in Syracuse…we get enough Chinese food to feed a small army!
The sushi only lasts a day…we generally eat that first! The sesame seaweed salad is to die for!
🙂 It’s hard to resist not getting that much! The sweet/sour benefits of living as far out in the sticks as we do,huh?A treat to bring certain pleasures home to enjoy in our isolated havens and so long in between the times when we do.
..sweet and sour benefits of living in da sticks…..great wording!
Getting dark over here t storms perhaps…can decide if it wants to be humid or what! AND them damn noseeums are out! Jules planted her herbs and Johnny something or rather …and got CHEWED alive!
AO and me are inside….hah!
Hey CinandJules – great minds and all that. As I read about Sue’s Chinese meal I was thinking hmmmm, a run to the Wegmans’ Chinese buffet would be good right now. lol!
You fly ….I buy!
Our run is 85 miles one way!
Hi, weather,
I wore a short-sleeved shirt yesterday. I have several durable, long-sleeved shirts that suit both warm and cool weather. When warm, I roll up the sleeves.
My mention of Chinese food has revved up the appetites of several readers! I should have posted a photo. And I wish I’d bought more for left-overs. I’ll remember to do that in the future.
Thank you for the compliment on my photo. Another special view from another special camp!
Photos only if you provide enough napkins to clean the drool off of my iPad!
Snow & hail are certainly no fun to drive in, but do make for lovely pictures. The site looks like it would be awesome anytime, though. Bridget is just too funny the way she sits down in the snow. Better her, than me.
Reggie is a whole other story. Should have named him Mr. Curiosity.
Hi, Barbara,
This snow-hail-rain was so light that it didn’t interfere with driving at all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen hail pellets so tiny.
As for Bridget sitting in the snow, maybe I underestimate the insulation value of the fur on her bottom. 🙂
Dear Sue
I have been keeping posts as new to catch up when I had time to digest the information and photos. This afternoon I have not been disappointed. Thank you for sharing your travelogue. Janet
You’re welcome, Janet. I’m happy you find it interesting. 🙂
Weather at this time of year is unpredictable. We got a bit of snow here in the higher elevations of Prescott. But it is quickly melting.
Hi, wildflower,
I remember Rusty cautioning me, back in my early boondocking days, not to be in such a big hurry to camp near Prescott in May… if not snow, then rain and mud. Pretty area though!
And now a word about license plates…
In the throes of the great depression in 1931 Arizona’s copper mines has either seriously laid off workers or closed due to lack of demand. The state made a study to see if vehicle license plates could be made of the red metal and perhaps convince other states to do likewise. Sample plates were made and lacquered to protect against tarnishing. The samples were baked at 170 degrees for 72 hours and then soaked for 24 hours in water and passed with flying colors.
The cost of each plate was under 15 cents which compared favorably with the steel in current use. The license plates were manufactured and went into service in 1932. They were subsequently used in ’33 and 34 also.
Isn’t it Ironic that only 10 years later we couldn’t get enough copper fast enough to make the needs of our military? Today you can still find some of the original plates and they sell on Ebay for up to $250.
With the current run on copper theft, I can’t imagine a copper license plate lasting long on a car now.
Didn’t know that! Thanks for sharing!
This is very interesting Jim. I love your stories.
You’re always there with an interesting tidbit. Love it.
Another interesting bit of history… Thanks, Jim!
Seeing snow on the ground went a long way to cooling me off, it’s been in the high 80s past 3 days here! Whew! Guess Spring is over and summer is here!
Pretty camp! Honestly, that Reggie is quite the explorer! Gotta find just the right spot and read all the “local ” news! Bridget… Cold butt, go get warm girl! Loved the news Sue and the photos too! Good to see you!
Hi, Geri,
I’m glad you enjoyed this post. We aim to cool! 🙂
Mainly just to be a Pain in the Astoria, I’ll say that although you mentioned certain editing, I’m still reading references to Bend being in “western” Oregon. Everything east of the Cascades is referred to as eastern Oregon, including the Deschutes River. I know you know that, but others might not. I’ll go now. 🙂
Thanks Ed. I was getting a little confused.
Aww… Where’s Ed Frey when I need him? I bet he’d be on my side (the western side, that is) because I’m technically correct. Haha!
I didn’t know that. I look at the state of Oregon and Bend is west of the middle of the state, which is the criterion I use. Too bad the Cascades aren’t smack-dab in the center of the state to help people know what’s eastern Oregon and what’s western Oregon. Hee-hee. 😉
That’s my story (and blog title) and I’m stickin’ to it!
I’ve always heard of Bend and the Deschutes River being located in Central Oregon. Maybe because Oregon is such a wide state. Nice pictures of the river.
Okay, “central Oregon” makes sense. I’ll change the title. 🙂
Hi Sue,
Had to laugh as there is nothing like a cold bottom sitting in the snow. Snow in May, very nice.
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful adventures.
Norman
You’re welcome, Norm. Keep laughing!
We had the same weather Wed. night the 6th while we were camped near you (well not that near) at LaPine State Park in just south of Bend. I called it “snail” as it was pellets of snow, but not as hard as hail. I only have the DeLorme Oregon atlas, and can’t find the Big River on it….. We’re heading east to go back home now, and have hunkered down in Rawlins WY as 5 inches of snow is predicted tonight…..11 inches predicted in Cheyenne, on our route back. Oh well, eventually we’ll get there…..We’ve been staying in lots of Oregon state parks as my hubby has their “special access pass”, which entitles him (as a disabled vet)to an extraordinary 10 nights of free camping in their parks per month!!! Very generous of Oregon……I found out about this last year before our trip, sent in the paperwork, and got the pass…..The ranger even thanked him for “his service”! We were so impressed!!! Too bad we had to head back home.
Enjoy your stay in Oregon!
Whoa! I don’t envy you that stretch of interstate between Rawlins and Cheyenne with it snowing hard and the ever-present wind that you’re sure to encounter. I know you’ll be careful.
That’s a fantastic pass for disabled vets!.. “10 nights of free camping in their parks per month”… 120 free nights of camping in Oregon state parks in a year… Wow!
Safe travels, cc!
Is that Reggie under the picnic table? The fifth picture of the campground looks like the doggie bed is under the table. Ms. Bridget is walking to the table and a leash is hanging from the end of the table in that picture.
When it’s cold outside and I’m in the mood for Chinese food, I love to also get Hot and Sour soup with the other dishes. My latest favorite soup to eat on cold days is Pho (pronounced fuh) with seafood toppings. It’s a Vietnamese soup with rice noodles. Now I’m getting hungry.
The other day we had winter weather in the SF Bay Area. Sadly, it didn’t rain long enough to soak the yard. It was just a cold and cloudy day- typical of winter in the Bay Area. Today is sunny and low 70s.
Stay warm and safe travels!
Hi, Monica,
I wondered who would notice the doggie bed and leash. No, that isn’t Reggie under the picnic table. It’s Mr. Flea! I put the bed under the table the day before because it was a shady under there and one of the crew always has to be close to me. I forgot I’d put it and Mr. Flea under there and so they were snowed on overnight. The leash I tossed on the table and that’s where it ended up. Mysteries solved! 🙂
The Pho soup sounds interesting.
A frozen Mr Flea. Reggie should enjoy gnawing on a frozen flea.
Pho is a North Vietnamese soup that the Vietnam Cong carried with them when they invaded South Vietnam. It’s an interesting soup….they never let the pot get empty. From the day they start it, they just keep adding to it…forever. I used to work for a man at UCSF who was married to a woman from the Vietnamese Royal family. They, of course, fled South Vietnam when it was invaded. According to him, his wife’s family brought the soup to the U.S. during the war. I used to live above a Pho shop at 22nd and Irving. You don’t want to know what I learned about Pho, but I never eat it. Of course, maybe it was just that one shop’s practices but…it’s not for me.
Chloe is in getting her seasonal wash and trim. I did a grocery shop for my ‘road’ food, and went to Lowe’s for an outdoor extension cord so I can plug my cpap in at campsites. Went by AAA and picked up some campground guides and other goodies. I’m gradually getting everything done. I have an editing job to do today, and maybe some laundry. Might skip swimming; it is cool here too.
Did I ever tell you guys about the last year I went camping? This was years ago. My first camping trip of that year we went up to Arnold, in the lower Sierras, on Memorial Day weekend. We woke up the next morning, in our tent, in 4 inches of snow. It had not snowed that late in the season for over 100 years.
The second trip that year was to Clearlake on Labor Day weekend. The day after we arrived it was 116, and the next two days were 118. Again, record breaking heat, hadn’t been that hot in over100 years. We spent a lot of that trip hanging out in a bar that had air conditioning.
Kind of killed my urge to camp.
But now it’s back!
Hi, Ginger,
No wonder you were turned off camping! Well, it’s countdown to lift-off! Hope you were able to round up all the things you want and need for your journey.
I’m supposed to be meeting up one of these days with a friend in Redmond (a few miles up the road from Bend) to help him renovate his trailer. But crazy weather like yours has been keeping me away. Even without snow, sleet, hail or whatever falling from the sky, the nights are still freezing. So I’ve been hanging farther south. I guess I’ll just have to man up and suffer the cold.
Hi, Al,
The temperature goes back and forth like a metronome. Wait too long for the nights to warm up and then the days are hot. I figure I’ll do my best to manage temps using elevation and then, come what may, we’re ready for it. Good luck with the renovations. Nice of you to help your friend.
Sue, This is the first time I can remember when our weather is warmer than yours. It’s a beautiful day in the Adirondacks. We’re up here for the Mother’s day weekend. We all had dinner out last night, kids left this morning, and now hubby and I can enjoy the peace and quiet of the rest of our time.
Cinandjules – we don’t have too many bugs here in Wells/Speculator, so maybe they’re all further up north. Nice and breezy and warm. Finally this long winter is over!!!!
I just gave them mapquest directions to your place! 🙂
They usually come out after the rain…or if you mess with the pine needles. If it’s breezy…they won’t come out!
Sometimes we have to put a huge box fan on the porch if we want to sit out! It interrupts their flight…same with Mosquitos
Warmer in the ADKs? Well, to be fair, today is the 9th and it’s in the 70s here. The cold was a few days ago…
Have a wonderful, quiet weekend!
Nice camp by the big river, we had pea size hail here last night and this morn. Maybe the Bridge like Spike likes the cool on her bum,,,,,,,,, And that Reggie Man looks like he likes to explore even in the snow.,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Oh, before I forget, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to you, SUE and all the MOTHERS that follow this blog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Ah,,,,,,,,, All the Mothers everywhere.,,,,,,,,,,, Give those babies a motherly Big HUG.,,,,,,,,,,,,,, rusty
Thanks, Rusty…. You had hail, too… This hail was weird, very tiny, which is the best kind of hail to have…. No damage!
All these years putting money in one I never knew they were
called iron ranger. How interesting! Thank you for the information.
My sister calls her truck…the iron horse LOL
You’re welcome, Dedra.
Hi Sue – after a winter of wistfully reading about your warm camp sites, there you are with snow and here we are with, well I think it might have it 90 today. And tomorrow forecasts for 96!!!!!! Western NYS in early May. After this winter I will NOT complain, haha! My bod is soaking up the heat and wishing it could store it for next winter.
Wow, 90s in New York state in May? That’s crazy! I imagine everyone is tearing into storage for shorts and skimpy tops!
Beautiful camps these past weeks you’ve shown us. Sista Ann, who lives on the rez, posted beautiful fluffy white wild flowers blanketing the land for miles and mentioned nature must want snow & sure enough it snowed last night and was still snowing this morning. She said it was in the low 20’s. She’s got her wood stove going and her three dogs dashing out for potty breaks and coming right back into the warm house. Our nearest neighbor on the rez is about five miles away and we are tucked behind low rolling hills. Cousin Mae, who lives up on a Mesa behind us, delayed shearing her sheep until after Memorial day….she was going to do that this past weekend but Ann advised her against it until it gets warmer….good thing…they are in freezing temps. If grandma were alive, she’d have her goats in cashmere sweaters LOL I came home from boarding school one year and saw her goats in sweaters (human sweaters)…I took a look and saw they were quality sweaters…cashmere!! Anyway, I love the changing weather as you are traveling northward.
Another fascinating comment from Rita! Thank you for entertaining me and giving us a glimpse of life on the rez. I love the part about your grandma putting cashmere sweaters on the goats.
That is a mental picture! Somehow I’ve also pictured pairs of “librarian glasses” with the bead strings so you can let them hang down over your cashmere sweater. 😀
I love the way you write!
And, I, too, LOVE Chinese Food!
YUM!
And I love the way you pack a lot of cheer into a little message. 🙂
Hi Sue,
We met in Q in Scenic Roads campground in 2013. I’m writing a book on “RV Tips for Women Traveling Alone.” It includes a chapter on “Recipes for A Four Foot Kitchen.” (If you remember, I travel in a truck camper. ) Rusty’s recipes for Mountain Man bread and gravy are classic campfire recipes I want to include, but I need to ask his permission to use them, giving him credit. How can I reach him? By the way, Scamper says hi.
You have my permission to use what I wrote on Sue’s blog, But I am unable to take credit for the main recipe, for it has been used by all the cooks in France and abroad , I just use my inspiration from GOD to cook as the mountain men did and experiment with the ideas to give flavor to the bread, biscuits or sweet bread. The sauce,(gravy , roux), most folks know how to make from scratch.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, rusty
Thank you, Rusty.
Thanks Rusty. That is a nice looking herd of horses. Reggie is turning into a very curious fellow and Brig sitting in the snow was cute.