Thursday, March 5
Change of plan! Bridget and I do not break camp today. One of the packages of my Amazon order did not arrive at the UPS Customer Center until late yesterday. The UPS place doesn’t open until 1:30 p.m., and that’s too late in the day to move camp.
That’s okay.
We can stay another day at our camp on BLM land between Parker and Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Mid-morning Bridget and I take a ride into town.
Our first stop is the Western Arizona Humane Society’s shelter. This is the same shelter we visited a few days ago. I check to see if any new dogs are available for adoption. There are none suitable to be Bridget’s pal.
From the shelter I drive around the corner to stop at the organization’s thrift store. Tables are set up outside, making several rows of items on display.
Bridget barks to be let out, as usual.
“You’re in luck, Bridge. You can shop along with me!”
I put her in her suit and she is thrilled to walk among the tables on-leash while I browse. I find a really neat tripod for $5 and then discover that my camera can’t be mounted on it.
Darn!
I don’t find anything else for the simple reason that I don’t need anything. It’s a beautiful, sunny day and moseying around looking at stuff is entertainment enough.
“Okay, you have to wait here, Bridge, while I go inside for a minute.” I toss her into the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
Inside I look for a movie DVD.
Not much to choose from. I buy “The Dream Team” with Michael Keaton and Peter Boyle. I’m pretty sure I watched it several years ago. It will be something for tonight and then I’ll give the DVD to Rusty for his collection. The cashier rings up my $1.50 purchase. Quite a spending spree!
After a stop at Carl’s Jr. for lunch, we head over to UPS.
We’re about a half-hour early. Bridget and I take a leisurely walk around the block. She prances on the sidewalk. After walks on desert rocks, a sidewalk is a big deal, I guess.
Back at UPS, I receive three big boxes without any hassle. I open them up in the parking lot to make sure everything has arrived. Good!
Our last errand is the grocery store.
I’m pleasantly surprised as I pull into Basha’s parking lot. The parking spaces have a roof! This is something I’ve wondered about ever since coming to the Southwest. Why not provide shade and protection from monsoon rain for customers and their cars?
“Isn’t this nice? You have a shady, cool spot to wait for me.” Bridget isn’t impressed.
I pick up a few items for us and a few items for Rusty.
I want to give him something for hanging my television the other day. It had come loose to the point of falling and putting it back is a job that requires three hands. And it was a devil of a job!
Plus I have another favor to ask of him . . . .
You may remember when my safety chain bounced loose from the hitch.
The Amazon order includes two safety latches. The problem is . . . How do you remove the S hook and put on the safety latches? Both are designed to foil anyone or anything trying to bend them.
Rusty tries several strategies without success.
We discuss the option of taking the trailer to a welding/fabrication type place where they have the equipment and tools to have the S hook removed. Even the safety latches are a problem because the links of the chain are a bit too narrow to accommodate them.
“It’s okay, Rusty. I can take it somewhere to have it done.”
Rusty refuses to give up.
At last he manages to hook the safety latch on the second link. The original S hook will have to remain until I find someone with the tools to remove it.
While Rusty works on the chain, Timber tries to play with Bridget.
You know how well that goes.
I unpack my new table, camera case, and Bridget’s sweater.
“Come here. Let me put this on you, honey. Oh, you are so pretty!”
I put her on top of the new table for a photo shoot.
“Gee, it looks small on you, babe. I ordered the largest size.” Oh well, maybe it will fit the new member of our crew better . . . .
Tomorrow will be a travel day.
Unless it’s too windy. I want to locate us in a camp from which I can continue the search for another pup.
A sunset from a few nights ago . . . .
rvsue
NOTE: I have a favor to ask you regarding something that has been weighing on my mind. It’s about the people who appear in my blog.
If you see someone and figure out that the person is someone you’ve read about on my blog, a natural reaction is to run up to that person and say, “I know YOU! I read about you on RVSue’s blog!”
Please restrain yourself from doing that. Being recognized by strangers can create a raw feeling of exposure which is very unsettling, if not downright scary, for people not expecting it or accustomed to it. I am scaling back writing about the people I meet, but I don’t want to remove posts from the past. So if you could keep this in mind, I’d appreciate it. Thank you.
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are links to a few of the items ordered by readers:
InterDesign Linus Pack Place
LED Solar Rechargeable Task Light
Blackburn Trakstand Mag 3 Trainer
Hardwood Purse Bead Loom, 11-Inch
Blue Highways: A Journey into America
Adjustable Height Aluminum Platform Step
Bumper sticker seen while in town
Number 1?
Congratulations, Steve!
I do love being first!!! great post Sue
huggs from
grandjan
Aww… You missed it by one minute.
Love the insight into your day, Sue. I’ve lived in Arizona for 24 years and have never seen a grocery store with covered parking like that, wish more would do it. Glad you have safety latches on the chain now. Bridget’s new sweater looks great on her.
Hi, Lisa W.,
Grocery stores can quit all their promotions, ads, circulars, plastic cards, etc…. Give us shade! That alone would make me choose a store over another. And in Arizona it’s appreciated year round. I hope Basha’s starts a trend.
I know, isn’t the Bashas’ shade great? I would have appreciated it even more when I had a pup. I couldn’t go shopping sometimes during the day for lack of shade (was back east, where it was hot AND humid).
Now I enjoy it just for the convenience, but with a pet it’s even more appreciated.
I don’t understand why stores haven’t provided shade. Sure, it’s an investment. Seems it would be more persuasive than advertising and would pay for itself in the long run… Go Basha’s!!
Well, my Basha’s here in Tucson doesn’t have shade.
Seems a better investment than planting trees here and there!! And takes no water too!! I would have loved such when needing to shop in NC in the summer too!!
The sweater looks like a good fit,yet it’s point is that Bridget feel good in it,guess you can tell from how she reacts.Cute- any time I see her,I smile.Sounds like a good day,hope your night is,too.
Hi, weather,
The sweater is snug. She might like it on a cool day and they do stretch out.
You have a good night, too.
Laughing like crazy when Bridget takes off with Timber close behind! I asked my friend why she can be so cozy with her dog when dogs don’t talk. “They don’t HAVE TO!” she said. Now I get it! BTW, are you looking only for a male rat terrier? I have no other suggestions, only wondering how wide your “doggie net” is.
I’d love a male rat terrier. A jack russell terrier that’s not hyper would be good, too. Mainly it’s what I don’t think will make a good fit… dogs too big, too strong, bred for hunting, bred for guarding, bred for herding. I like small to medium size terriers. Poodles require grooming… I want a dog that’s sturdy enough to go for walks on rocky terrain, but doesn’t have to be huge… a dog like Bridget would be great!
You sound sufficiently open-minded about your search. I have no bone to pick with your choices! (pun intended…)
Hi Sue,
Nice post as usual. The covered parking is a great idea in the warmer climate places. Specially when you have to leave the pups to shop. I know I will have to do that.
Today I packed up my beaded goose eggs. Yes I painstakingly bead these real eggs and they are beautiful…. guess they will be part of my stock to sell while living in the RV. I’m clearing all my personal chachkeys (stuff) off the shelves and tables so it will look good for people that come in and look at my home. It will be odd having people looking all over my place. It feels weird when I show my travel trailer too.
Oh well it’s part of the downsizing and I’ve read how good it feels when you get rid of the material things. Feeling freedom…
hugs, Deb
If you don’t mind my asking… How do you bead real eggs?
Well, I bought goose eggs that are cleaned out which have a small hole. Found a stand to glue it to ..like a napkin holder, or a candle stick etc. Then I use seed beads those tiny pretty beads and make each tiny bead sit without showing the bead holes. Some I use stones and broken jewelry, chains, gem stones and seed beads… covered completely using a toothpick and elmers glue. They are all different and I have painted eggs too. A few were cut with tiny hinges like a egg shaped box. Wish I could share a pic of some of them with you.. hope this kinda explained
I understand. You explained it well. Thank you. If I tried to do that I’d end up gluing beads all over my hands. I bet your creations are lovely.
🙂
Deb,
Maybe post some photos of them to Flickr.com, it is a free photo hosting site owned by Yahoo! Many bloggers have photos there. Your eggs sound really nice!
Have you ever seen curling? Curling with paper strands and seed pearls or crystals on them? Designs of leaves, flowers, etc., that look like lace. I would think curling designs glued to some eggs with seed pearls would be over-the-top-gorgeous!!! I did wedding toppers made of curlings years ago. Never tried it on eggs though, bet it would turn out great!
Do you mean quilling? I love to quill.
LOL, YES! I meant Quilling. I thought that Curling didn’t sound right somehow but when I wrote that it was late and the mind gave out on me. Curling, that is so funny, that is a sport on ice isn’t it?! Anyway, yes, Quilling! Thanks for helping me to correct it 🙂
Velda,
Have you ever tried double strans of paper in your quill stick? Take one white and one ivory or one black and one white and work the design as normal but with the double-sided layers of paper? It gives a 3-D look that is great! I had to widen the groove on the quill stick to do this but worth the end result. Just be sure to touch glue both ends of the papers and let dry before using them. It takes some planning but really nice for Weddings or New Babies.
I will have to look back through my supplies and samples. I can’t recall of I have used two tone or not. I want to get back to it one day.
Ha ha, funny mistake. Yep, stones with handles that get sent over the ice and people with brooms “sweeping” to help the stone go where they want it to. Very northern Wisconsin 😀
Yep, lol, that would be curling alright! Sometimes when they are sweeping those stones ya just want to blow on them to help them hurry along 😉 It is such an odd sport but one that always makes me smile.
Curling and Quilling…I am such a funny gal to have mixed those two up, one of my better blunders I must say 🙂
Do you use an egg sealer. It is a clear solution that hardens the shell and prevents air from permeating the egg. You usually use it on real eggs and they will keep for months.
Good job Rusty in reworking the safety chains, he did the best he could given the tools at hand! I was thinking you can hang both the S hook and the Safety hook. Maybe no harm in using both?
A pickle fork and a hammer might have worked to spread that S hook, if only Rusty had a 20lb vise mounted to a workbench to secure the operation. A shop with a portable angle grinder can cut the link so the S hook can be discarded. Meanwhile, it is good to know the safety chains are well built, and will stand up to significant stress.
Yes, Rusty did a great job with the tools he had to work with and without a vise or workbench. He hammered a pickle fork repeatedly without success. It stands to reason that the S hook on a safety chain is designed to withstand pressure to bend it.
I’ve got a Dremmel tool with cutting wheels that would have done the job, but no extension cord LOL. Oh well,,,,,,,,,,, me
Gee, Rusty… I have an extension cord we could’ve used…
LOL!! You two!!
Abbot and Costello…
Oh, the sweater looks good on Bridget. We tried sweaters on our schnauzer, and it seemed anytime we put one on him, he turned into a stone statue. 🙂 I finally discovered that I could distract him from the sweater by hooking up his leash and taking a walk. He was always so excited to go walk, so he would forget he was wearing the sweater.
That is so funny when dogs do that! Spike made me laugh when he wore his “personal flotation device”… He turned to stone. Haha! We took a float down the river and he didn’t move a muscle.
My brother used to have a cat that if you put something on its back (like say a cloth napkin), it would stretch out reaaaaallllly long (like a caricature of a dachsund with a major sway back) and not move a muscle. Like maybe then the napkin couldn’t “see” it. It was so funny we had to restrain ourselves from doing it too often.
That’s strange. It would be tempting to have the cat “put on a show” for guests.
We *mostly* restrained ourselves, since we were (chronologically) adults by then.
(Although if there is reincarnation, karma may bring me back as a cat that is endlessly and annoyingly dressed in doll clothes by a young brother and sister…)
Blue becomes Bridget! 🙂
It does, thank you. She wasn’t in the mood to pose in the sweater on this warm day.
Hi, Sue!
How cool…a desert shopping center with shaded parking – pun intended! 🙂
Bridget looks cute in her mini sweater! Nice pose on the new table. Rusty really is a good friend, helping remount the tv and to tackle those chains. An extra pair of hands and extra strength always come in handy.
We have had rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow today. Ugh. This weekend is time to set the clocks forward one hour for folks who are on daylight savings time. I hope springing forward will also launch us fast forward into Spring-like weather!!
Have a good evening and safe travels tomorrow! Hugs to you and Bridget from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
I hope Spring arrives soon for you, Denise and Gracie. 🙂
PS….love the sunset picture! 🙂
Oh I love that BLUE! Bridget looks pretty!
Hoping the wind is light tomorrow for you… and blessings for your travel.
Great insight on meeting people… with my TBI, I forget everyone. My favorite coffee guys name is CASE. I keep trying to rename him Chance. So dumb. I hope he knows… but it can be very unsettling… that one-sided OH I KNOW YOU! 🙁
Hugs from Hoquiam. Where today, well–Thank goodness it is nearly over. Cuz it was rotten.
Barb
Don’t feel bad. Lots of people mess up names. I do the same thing as you. For whatever reason I rename a person in my mind and then I can’t let go of it. And I haven’t had a brain injury!
Thanks for blessing our travel tomorrow.
Love the shot of Bridget with Timber running up behind her.
You can almost see her thinking “He’s behind me again, isn’t he? Why can’t these guys get a clue and leave a lady alone? And why does he have to run everywhere he goes? It’s most unbecoming.” 🙂
Seriously though she does look cute in her sweater even if it is a bit tight. Maybe it will stretch out a bit with time. Dexter (also Rat/Chi) absolutely refuses to wear any kind of sweater even here in the frozen steppes of Wisconsin. She will just sit there and stare darts at us refusing to move until we give up and take it off.
Some dogs think a sweater is a restriction. It’s weird. They turn to stone, like if they move the sweater will break or hurt them. I don’t know. I think it’s funny.
Yep, that’s Bridget. You could write her dialogue for me…
Speaking of Dexter I thought I’d share a story.
So last weekend we were lucky enough to have 3 of my GF’s nieces stay with us, ages 3, 4, and 6. Now living in a kid free house we don’t have a lot of toys and being the thrifty (cheap) folks that we are we took all the kids to the local thrift store. To their delight we told each of them to pick out a stuff animal. On a whim she grabbed a small stuffed Dalmatian puppy for Dexter.
Now normally when Dexter get a new toy she grabs it by the throat and shakes it violently and starts to tear at it. Just like how Rat Terriers kill rats. As a result we rarely have a dog toy last more than a few days.
But with this little stuffed puppy that is maybe half as big as she is she has been completely different. She carries it around with her everywhere and curls up with her new “puppy” nuzzling it gently as they lay together curled up in a ball. She has even taken it to bed with her the past couple of nights and slept with her muzzle laying across her new friend. Needless to say the cuteness meter around are house has been set at Max all week.
Great story Rick!
Oh, Rick, I want a rat terrier so baaaaaadddd!
Love that story… Ratties are unpredictable and so much fun.
He’s coming sweetie, just gotta let it happen.
Sorry, as I reread that it sounds a bit condescending. I know how much effort you are putting in to find a new crew member. What I should have said was “just keep doing what you’re doing and your hard work will pay off.” I do believe with all my heart that the perfect new family member is out there and you will find him.
I didn’t read your comment as condescending because I know you wouldn’t do that. I had another disappointment today regarding a pup so your encouragement is appreciated very much.
Well, looks like Bridgette stole the show, as usual. The shot of Timber wanting to play with her while she tries to ditch him is priceless! Love their adventures! Sweet puppies.
My blog wouldn’t be anywhere near as popular without the inclusion of “the canine crew.” I’m not kidding myself. A blog about RVSue would be blah without the canine antics. . . . 🙂
So glad you got all your goodies!
I wholeheartedly agree with you request about meeting people – to the readers & follower of your blog – these people feel like friends!!!
That sweater for Bridget is beautiful!!!
And she looks adorable wearing it!
Can’t wait to see where you end up next?!?!
On behalf of Bridget, thanks for the compliment.
Yeah, I hope people understand why I wrote that note. I hope people will just ignore someone they recognize from this blog. As it is, I’m not going to write much about people in the future…
I love the bumper sticker although I’m guilty of talking on the phone while driving. At least I use my bluetooth headset so it’s hands free.
Our new grand daughter, Shiloh, arrived last Sunday so I’m having fun being a doting Nana. We’re blessed that she’s healthy and mom and daughter are doing great. Dad and big sister are really proud.
Congratulations, Grandma! I’m happy for you, Paul, and the entire family, now enlarged by a precious little girl.
Just an fyi…all the research I have read indicates it is the talking on the phone that is the problem, not the hands. Drivers are distracted by the conversation and not as attentive to driving, whether they have Bluetooth or not.
Studies have shown that even with bluetooth your response time can be effected as much as having two drinks, which in most states would put you over the limit to drive.
Great post! Bridgee looks cute in her “cropped” sweater.
The Basha’s (It’s an AZ company…I know I sound like a commercial) that have their own lots all have the shade….anyway, the ones of been to. However, if they share the parking lot with other stores…then, no.
Sue, I have a question; have you ever used your AC when it was super-extreme hot out?
Like really hot – like it gets here in AZ in the summer? If so, how well did it work? How many degrees down from the outside temps did your AC get it down inside?
Hi, Cindy,
Interesting about Basha’s…
I don’t think I’ve used the A/C unit in over a year. I need to have electric hook-up for it. It cools very well. (I wouldn’t turn it on if it weren’t really hot outside.)
I’ve never done any measuring of the degrees like you asked for. I can say it cools quickly and enough that I have to turn it up or the BLT becomes too cold. I don’t know about Arizona summers. Maybe someone with Casita experience will comment on that.
Even so, I would be just as happy if I didn’t have the A/C unit. It’s extra weight to haul around which I don’t need. It was a standard feature on the BLT, not an option.
I’ve learned how to use elevation to my advantage. I don’t camp in places “like it gets here in AZ in the summer” so I don’t need air conditioning. I prefer open windows and fresh air with the sound of breeze through the pine boughs, owls hooting, etc.
Sue,
I see we posted simultaneously. Having taken the RV Air-con unit off my roof (last spring in LHC, as it happens), I can tell you it wasn’t especially difficult, and the “hole” it leaves behind is the exact size of a standard, 14″ square RV rooftop vent – so one of those can be slipped in in its place. I’d be happy to help you with yours (although I imagine you’re headed off somewhere and/or are happy to leave well enough alone…)
Well, The reason I asked is because I want to full-time, but still be able to come to AZ in the summer.
The AC on my moho doesn’t work here….as I found out the summer I bought it. It only cools about 15 degrees lower than what’s outside, then during the night it freezes up, because of the sudden moisture showing up at night…but still being so hot.
So, yeah…if anyone can comment on their FG unit doing kick-ass AC performance in AZ summer environment….then I’ll know that the FG trailers are TRUE 4-season RVs
🙂
I’m not Sue (and to make it worse, I took the Air-con off my rig), but I’ll just mention that it’s not possible to run an Air-conditioner unless you are either plugged in or running a generator.
I’ve been in a friend’s Class C when it was around 90º. He was parked in the shade (and plugged in at a campground). I thought it was coolish inside, but the noise (of the Air-con fan) would drive me batty. I’m not the norm though. I either get by with a fan and a wet towel, or I go somewhere else.
That said, I DO use the dash AC when I’m driving, because sometimes it’s really hot with the sun coming in, and that AC is not noisy/there is not much “penalty” for running it. I would miss that if I did not have it, whereas I don’t have much desire for a rooftop A/C in the camper.
As long as I have an A/C unit, I want to keep it. A situation may arise where I need to camp where it’s hot (such as to be near medical facilities) and the A/C would become necessary.
Yep…and to take it out, also affects the resale value.
Hey, guess what….I saw a 2004 17′ Casita today. It’s on an RV lot down the street from my house.
I wanted to see how an 11 year old one held up.
I love those push-button cabinet openers…..do they still install those?
What I didn’t like was the carpet lining on the walls, floor, inside all the cabinets and closet. I’m thinking they do that for condensation? But I didn’t like it….do they still put that in, as well?
Also, it smelled moldy in there….especially in the bathroom.
But the bath had lots of little hooks and little wire baskets, but the powder coat was all gone.
It was in fair condition…..but they still wanted $16 K for it!
I can tell you from living in a Casita that the carpet is soon appreciated. I wouldn’t want anything else. It makes my home cozy and holds the heat from the heater. The less hard surfaces in an interior, the better. The carpet in cabinets keeps items from sliding all over the place.
I can hang things anywhere by pushing a carpet hook into it. Imagine trying to hang things on fiberglass walls. The push-button knobs are still in Casitas.
That makes sense.
Then why does it smell moldy? What did the previous owners do wrong?
Maybe they left windows or a ceiling vent open.
Typically a moldy smell in RV’s comes from leaks. Water (leaks) plus (especially) no air flow mean mold/mustiness.
Carpet/fur/fabric on the wall might exacerbate a problem (although the “rat fur” type covering is a non-absorbent synthetic, I believe) over glossy fiberglass (and/or glossy fiberglass would be easier to clean up), but to my mind I’m not buying any RV with leaks/mold anyway. So if you like the “cozy” type walls, then you could consider them a good “litmus strip” for any problems.
(I like the more glossy/hard walls – my Boler had closed cell foam with a vinyl like covering, but I also like glossy gelcoat. So naturally my current rig has partial fabric walls. But they don’t smell like anything, so a musty or moldy smell is not “normal” for fabric walls.
PS: My rig has glossy fiberglass walls in the bathroom – I use “Command adhesive” to hang things on them – hooks, soap dish, racks, etc. – they make a lot of different “command” things now. Or adhesive Dual Lock (which is like improved Velcro).
But… I also use curtain hooks as RV Sue describes because the closet has carpeted walls. As I write I realize I have the full medley of walls now: Glossy fiberglass, carpet, fabric, wood, and wallboard. Whee! Makes it sound like a palace, but really it’s basically just a van 😀
I’m glad the Command strips work for you, Pen. I never have good luck with them. I tried to put up a “caddy” in the bathroom on the fiberglass wall with Command strips. Didn’t hold.
Yeah…I just learned today that the Boler has a duel core hull like the Oliver.
I also was thinking there was an absorbing of moisture in the carpet, and a leak in the bath.
So, Sidewinder…..how do you hang stuff on the walls of your Boler? Have you tried to those 3MM sticky hooks?
I read that sticky velcro works….
I hear you (both) on wanting to keep it. In my case I can easily put it back if needed for either re-sale or if I decide to go live in Florida in summer (heaven forbid, but you never know).
For a shorter trip (say a two-week dive trip to Florida in summer), I’d probably do what I see some van folks do, which is make a board that fits in the passenger side “roll up” side window and mount a cheap Wal-Mart AC unit in it, then sell/give away the unit when leaving.
So far fans and wheels have been my friends, but if the mod were not reversible I might have made a different choice. And again, to each their own 🙂
I like my sleek roof now, plus the extra skylight/vent, but “to each their own” is a big part of the fun of RV’s (and houses, boats, cars. etc.)
That’s right, Pen!
Okay, replying here as I’m out of “reply” options above. I just wanted to say that although fiberglass trailers are less leak prone than other types (they don’t have the many seams and joints that some do), they can still leak around penetrations (windows, roof vent, etc.). I looked at quite a few that had leak/mold issues, and you can always find folks on Fiberglass RV forum doing “fixer upper” projects on older trailers that they purposely bought in mold condition because they wanted a project.
As I said though, they are great trailers and not prone to the many leaks that some other types are – but they are not totally immune either. I hate must and mold (or any “smells”) so I avoided any that didn’t smell neutral to me. Smells can be hard to get rid of (or maybe they can be eliminated…. but how do you know for sure at time of purchase?).
I really liked my wee fiberglass “egg” trailer (only reason I’m not RV-ing in it now is that I wanted to be able to tow something else).
Cindy,
The Bolers I know of have a “single hull” with a closed-cell foam interior wall covering that has an off-white vinyl surface (known as “ensolite” in fiberglass RV circles, although technically that is only the foam part). U-haul and Burro trailers are “double hulled” with fiberglass interiors (although it is really more of a liner, not a structural “hull”). Older Scamps have the same Ensolite as Bolers; newer Scamps have “rat fur.” Older Casitas have carpeting, and I think newer ones have “rat fur” (so called – it’s something like a trunk carpet type of thing – very low nap, no pattern, not like shag). So if you like a shiny, gelcoated interior, then Oliver, Burro, U-haul or maybe one of the other brands I am not familiar with. For a closed cell foam/vinyl wall a Boler, older Trillium, or older Scamp. For the low nap “fur” wall a newer Casita or newer Scamp. I hope that’s accurate (memory…been a while!) and helpful.
Thank you, Sidewinder!
A lady I met on FGRV was kind enough to send me her phone number today when I inquired on their forum about Casitas and Ollies. She’s just put up her Casita for sale, and has a new Ollie on order. She loves Casitas, but wants a bigger one.
She told me about the Boler being dual cored. But, she wasn’t certain.
Thank you for the thorough explanatio!
Boo hoo, Sue and Bridget’s leaving tomorrow, I think Bridget was getting used to me, I know Sue likes me, uh Dad,,,,,,,, Timber
Timber is always sad when we go. He likes having company, even company that won’t play.
Sue did you say you have a TV? Is it for watching DVDs? Do have have any kind of satellite tv dish system? Would you have enough battery power to run one? I recall you have a satellite radio system, but dont recall a discussion about satellite TV.
Hi, Lisa G,
The BLT has an antenna built-in. If in the right location, I can pick up television stations and watch tv for a couple of hours on my battery power. (In Yuma it picks up 5 stations, all in Spanish.)
I dislike TV so much that I rarely see if I have reception. I use the television to watch movie DVDs and do that infrequently.
Always look forward to reading your blog. My husband and I were full timers for 10 years. You are such a good story teller. I can visualize all the places. ( the pictures help too (lol).)
Thank you, Tina J., for the nice message with a compliment my writing. Ten years living on the road… I hope I have that many. Nice hearing from you!
Hi Sue,
I’m glad you got your Amazon order. I love the color of Bridget’s sweater. We are also between Parker and Lake Havasu for a couple days before heading back over to Joshua Tree NP to meet friends for my birthday. We are in a state park so no chance of our disturbing your peace and quiet. Beautiful full moon tonight. The coyotes are yipping up a storm. It sounds like they are right in the campground though I suspect the sound carries a long way.
Happy travels tomorrow.
Hi, Marilu,
Those coyotes may be very close. I’ve had them yipping 50 feet from the BLT’s window while in a campground. They come around places like campgrounds because people feed the birds, the seeds fall to the ground, then the ground-feeding birds come into the campground — quail, doves, and such — and that brings the coyotes into the campground.
Having lived in Tucson I know how we all look around for the smallest amount of shade before parking our cars! I think Basha’s is on to something! It would be even better if they used those for solar!
Like everyone else I’m waiting to see that post when you proclaim the newest member of the crew! It certainly seems like you are getting closer.
Hi, Deborah,
I’ve spared my readers some of the instances of “almost got him!” It seems no matter how hard I try, someone adopts the dog I have my heart set on. It’s very frustrating.
What an emotional roller coaster. Geez, remember the “good old days” when you just went to the pound or shelter and there was a selection and you picked one? I realize the good old days were not all good (poor candidates took pups, etc.), but I know I’d have a darned hard time finding a new pup now between the various rescue scenarios and the fact that as an RV-er I’d have a hard time “proving my worth” on a faceless application (no fenced yard, etc. – never mind that I wouldn’t be leaving my pup IN that fenced yard while I went to work all day, etc.)
I’ll keep thinking good thoughts for you and your future new guy.
Thanks, Pen. Yes, it has been an emotional roller coaster… from hope to disappointment, hope to disappointment… I have images of all the dogs I missed out on, rolling around in my brain…
http://mohave.craigslist.org/pet/4912835733.html
Hi Sue
Forgive me, I could not resist…
gypsy
Cute, but not my kind of dog…. I can see myself picking burrs and goatsheads out of that beautiful fur… 🙂
And here I thought tripod camera mounts were all the same…
I have no idea if the tripod was for a camera. Or maybe it was so old (though in perfect condition) that it wasn’t made standard for all cameras…
Some tripods have adapters on them for quick disconnects. You might be able to remove it.
I didn’t buy it. I fiddled with it to see if it could be taken apart or adjusted somehow…nope.
Oh Bridget. my goodness. She does not look happy with that sweater. I have been trying to knit a sweater for my dog. The first one turned out too big. The new one… is too small. I’m trying to add on to it.
Hi, Linda,
Bridget might like the sweater. What she doesn’t like is being forced to pose for the camera!
Good luck with the sweater. I tried knitting once. The scarf ended up in the shape of a trapezoid.
Ha ha, stylish new trend!
I see someone ordered Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon. It’s one of my favorites and I’ve read it every 5 years or so since it came out in 1982. I also like his book River Horse. If you like reading travel essays, both of these are good! Tell the little Miss she looks dynamite in the sapphire blue sweater!
Hi, SusanS,
Thanks for including your location. It’s fun knowing where readers are when they appear here.
I’ve heard about Blue Highways for years. I guess it’s time I read it.
Your dog is out there! Today I was checking Facebook listings for two local animal controls..Tracy has a Rat Terrier and Manteca has a Cairn terrier, both young…the Cairn terrier looks just like my Silky terrier Arlo..so keep looking! Your dog is waiting!
You are right to limit too much information about people you meet, it would indeed be creepy to have a total stranger approach you and act like an old friend….so make up names! I am reading a book about AWOL, a man the hiked the Appalacian trail, they give names to the thru hikers…so I bet you could come up with wonderful names for people what with your sharp wit and crack shot sense of humor!
Hi, Lee J.,
It isn’t a person’s name that causes the awkward encounters. It’s any clue I might give in mentioning meeting a person… a description or photo of their dog, a remark about their rig, just the fact that I met someone who spends the winter in a certain location.
People figure out that someone they come across is the same person I wrote about and then… “Did you talk to RVSue? I read about someone like you.” or something like that. If the person doesn’t go online much, then they worry about what I might have written about them, imagine the worst, and so it goes. I see them again and they’re mad at me. I’m going to be very careful what I write in the future now that my blog is this popular.
Wow…has that actually happened? And someone got mad?
Bummer…..
Well, you are a celebrity, now…it’s true.
Maybe upset would be a better word. The person doesn’t know a blog from a hole in the ground; therefore imagination takes over.
Bridget, you just look so pretty in periwinkle! Enjoy! Take Care Sue and Bridget
Thanks, Diane. Bridget is a brunette and brunettes wear the rich, bright colors well. 🙂
I hope you do a “show and tell” on the camera case! –Dave
Here it is, Dave.
Case Logic DCB-304 Compact System/Hybrid Camera Case (Black)
I’m pleased with it!
Thanks Sue….nice price too!
🙂
The Walmart in the west of Yuma, on Avenue B, has two or three rows of parking shaded. I bet there’s some competition for those spaces in the summer!
Hi, Ted,
I went to that Wal-Mart once and didn’t notice the covered spaces. I must’ve had my mind on what I wanted to find in Wally World.
Hi Sue, Love the pic of Bridget in her sweater. Too bad it’s snug. It looks great on her. Sounds like you and Rusty have had a great visit. It is nice to have few connections along the road. Like family.
We’re heading home from Florida. In North Carolina visiting family for a couple of days and then back to the real world. We had a wonderful time getting out of the very frigid weather and met some great people. Loved the Casita. It’s all we need.
Hi, Applegirl NY,
You had good timing for getting away from the very cold weather and now, going back, Spring is almost sprung! That’s great that you enjoyed the Casita and find it sufficient for your needs. They are so easy to tow, park, make U-turns, back in, and store.
I think I gained a pound! No no no! I am supposed to be walking an hour a day, which I haven’t been doing due to my continuous nausea, but I guess I will have to start. Of course I’ve also been eating chocolate. You wouldn’t think you would have to work at dieting when you have 1/15th of a stomach!
What you eat is half the battle…I know, I have Lap-band…I can put on weight because the only thing that goes down well is junk food…cookies and chips have no trouble passing in my stomach, but give me a good piece of steak….NO…one bite and I am stuck…Atkins Diet Shakes are good for you, lots of protein, vitamins and calcium, and they pass like water…take care DG, drink chocolate diet shakes instead, helps the chocolate craving. Oh by the way, check sugar content on everything.
No worries DeGin…..its your muscles toning up!
Hi from snowy Southaven, MS. We got two inches of ice then three inches of snow on top of it Wednesday night. The temperature has not been above freezing so most of it is still there. What a mess. It pretty much shut the whole Memphis area down completely. We have no plows and very little salt to put down. But the sun is shining today and it should melt. So envy your place in Arizona.
Bridget looks good in blue. My Yorkie always had several sweaters for the winter. He would get cold and I would keep a sweater on him all the time. He now has a new Mom who bought him a whole wordrobe. I think he must have been a dapper dan in another life. He loved to look good. My female Lab loves coats. She has a blue one also.
Covered parking is a great idea. We could sure use it here. It would have helped this week with the snow. Be safe and enjoy everyday.
Hi, Jean,
Winter storms are tough on the south. I’m glad to hear you have sunshine to melt the ice.
I don’t think Bridget will have much use for her sweater until next fall, except if we climb into mountains soon in the spring. I wanted to pick up a sweater at Wal-Mart, one like she had before. They’re cheaper and fit better. All sold out.
Several of our high schools here in Santa Clarita Valley have covered parking – and solar panels on top! It makes me happy every time I see them. In the southern states I think it should be the law that public buildings are powered at least 50% by solar and/or wind – we certainly have enough of both!! Sorry….. Glad your packages all arrived and that Rusty was able to get the new hook attached. Wonderful when changes in plans put you in a better “place” before moving on. If you haven’t seen it, Doc Hollywood is a fun and sweet movie, and one likely to be found in the “cheap seats”. Safe travels.
Hi, Jodee,
Remember when solar was going to eliminate fossil fuel energy? I thought solar would become established much more quickly…. Seems like it’s taking a long time for it to be affordable and widespread. It will be wonderful when generators are a thing of the past.
DesertGinger,
I left you a response to your Van question on the last posting where you asked it. It was late into the night when I got to post, sorry. Anyway… Yep, very excited about picking it up this Sunday then, if the weather plays nice, I will head out on Monday or Tuesday to Daytona Beach for Bike Week 🙂 10 Wonderful days of camping.
I’m sure glad the search for a new tow vech is finally over! It seems like I looked for one forever before finding the right one!
I saw it. What is an explorer conversion package? And how expensive are we talking?
Gin,
An Explorer Conversion Package is an upgraded add-on package to a Passenger or Cargo Van making it more like a Camper for longer trips and camping stays. They have Swivel Captain Chairs, Leather Seats, Extra Lighting Options, Queen Rear Bed, Rear AC/Heat, Shore Power Options, TV/DVD/Surround Sound, 12-Volt Outlets, USB stuff and a Tow Package are some of the option add-ons.
Prices range across the board based on the make and model year, mileage, general wear. You know, like any used vehicle you look until you find the one that fits your needs best at a good price. If you are interested do a Google search or check out Craigslist or Ebay Motors. There are lots of them there and at all different prices. I like the Chevys best but all of them have pros and cons.
Hi, Pamela K.,
I’m happy for you that you have obtained a perfect tow vehicle. If I don’t think to tell you right before you leave, have fun camping at Daytona Beach!
Sue,
Thanks!
I do love Daytona Beach. Spent many a childhood summer vacations there. Took my son there back in 2005, like old home week to me…always a pleasure. Hubby has to stay back and work, Son is off doing his own thing, so it is Solo for me.
A ~My Time~ for 10 days straight.
Not bad at all 🙂
Oh you lucky girl! Rock Daytona Beach!!!
🙂 In the words of Ben Stein…I Shall Do My Best!
I hear it’s my birthday, Happy birthday to me. The big 65. Yeah I know not all that exciting is it.
Happy, Happy birthday, Alan!
Congratulations Alan, may all your birthday dreams come true plus a couple of dreams you didn’t know you had.
So, that’s the age when you forget when you were born!
🙂
Happy birthday, Alan!
Problem is now the warranty has expired. 🙂
Dang!
🙂
Yay Alan! Welcome aboard! So glad to have you with us!
Happy Birthday,Alan!From now on you can add to being a distinguished photographer,another feather in your cap-being distinguished 🙂 Hope you celebrate the milestone with something you enjoy.
Happy Birthday, Alan! I hope you are celebrating!
Alan, We’re a wishin you a Big Happy 65th Birthday and 45 more to go. ,,,,us
Happy birthday wishes Alan!
Happiest B’day to you Alan!!!
The Big 65… That is a landmark B’day. Just think, Uncle Sam and Aunt Ira both give some of your money to you…that’s a good thing 🙂 I like getting those checks 😉
Happy Birthday and welcome to Medicare!
Sue, you have my permission to mention that you saw me as much as you want to. I need the alibi.
Okay,Bret!:)
Hi Sue,I hope you like your new camp and that all involved with moving to it went smoothly.With the less hemmed in view shallower snow allows,the pups were happier than ever to be out.Bet Bridget feels the same way w/only you and her there.Enjoy!
Hi Weather, I hope the view continues to get better and snow banks continue to sink to the horizon, so that you and your troupe can continue to enjoy life as usual, just more free to be outside where deep breathing is such a refreshing thing to do and fills the soul. I wish for you a very happy and joyous weekend! Hugs from Cali.
Hi, weather! After romping in the snow, your pups probably eat and sleep well. Yes, we arrived at our new camp without any problems and I’m happy with it. Bridget is, too!
Sue, Timber is mopin’ around and been cryin’ and lookin’ to see ifin you n’ the Bridge is comin’ back, we went for a big walk, but he kep wantin’ to go down the road to look for you n’ bridget. ,,,,me
Oh, I’m sorry he’s sad. He loves having guests, even Bridget. The safety chains worked great! Easy on, easy off… Thanks again, Rusty.
Anytime Sue, you have a great time up there,,,, nite,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
What a great time had by all! Sorry to hear Timber is sad! It’s okay boy! You’ll meet up again!
Hmm..Bridget’s sweater…kind of made me chuckle…but don’t tell Bridgee babeee! Perhaps it was the look in her eyes!
Glad Rusty was able to fix the chain and the TV.
Timber is sad every time we leave after camping nearby.
Hi Sue
thats nice that you can stay another day…..I luv those mountains in the background.
keep looking for your additonal part of your family…you will find him someday. dont get
in a rush. I have been looking for a little female for 3 years now for Pookey. either too expensive or not what I want so I’ll be patient and keep looking….
talking about movies we have seen more than once…..Pale Rider just came on TV…now this is a movie Ive seen 5 or 6 times but now just watch the beginning that shows the fight with the axe handles….a classic scene. I love a good piece of hickory. Cant wait for your next post….you and Bridget stay safe…
Hi, Chuck,
I just finished the post about today. I’m checking comments before I hit the publish button. Thank you for reminding me to be patient. I hope you find the one you are looking for.
Congrats! Good looking boy there. He looks like he will fit right in with the crew.
Thank you, George. Nice to see you here!