Thursday, February 26
Today is a travel day!
“In you go, doodlebug. It’s time to hit the road!”
Bridge takes her position as co-pilot by sitting in the doggie bed between the front seats.
“Okay, baby, we’re off on a new adventure!”
It’s about nine miles from our boondock in the Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness (above) to the entrance ramp of Interstate 10. I turn west to back-track about ten miles. Then I take the Route 177 exit, north to Desert Center.
I didn’t bother cooking breakfast this morning, and I’m hungry.
I pull into a little store/gas station and buy a cup of coffee and a pastry. From there Bridget and I head northeast across the Mojave Desert.
This is desert driving as I’ve always imagined.
The road cuts a straight line for many miles across flat terrain. No one is ahead of us and no one is behind us. Suddenly a low-to-the-pavement, red sports car flies by. Where the heck did HE come from!
I poke along at 55 mph. The Coxcomb Mountains (above) are the western horizon. Route 177 ends and becomes Route 62 to go eastward. At the northernmost end of the Granite Mountains we cross Granite Pass at a whopping 1,432 feet elevation.
Bridget is antsy for a walk-around.
“Sorry, honey. I can’t pull off here.” For miles the shoulders of the road are loose sand. Signs appear regularly warning motorists.
Gradually a big truck catches up with us and passes. It’s a Little Debbie truck!
A road sign indicates a road to the left is ahead. The Little Debbie truck pulls into a large parking area. The Perfect Tow Vehicle follows.
“C’mon, you can get out now,” I tell the Bridge as I grab my camera.
We’re at the intersection with Iron Mountain Road.
Which, of course, goes to the Iron Mountains (okay, Benchmarkers… Find it on the map).
Two truckers jump out. One has a camera, too. We meet at the only structure in the area, a pole with hand-made signs for destinations, near and far. At the top, far out of reach, is a mailbox.
“I wonder if they get much mail,” the trucker says jokingly.
Having snapped our photos, we stand together, talking and breathing in the pleasant air of the desert.
I keep an eye on Bridget as she enjoys the freedom to explore around us.
I learn that Little Debbie snacks come from Tennessee to a distribution center in Kingman, Arizona. Fifty-five trucks haul Little Debbies and Sunbelt granola out of Kingman to warehouses and stores.
“We go all over the West. The truck’s empty now. We’re coming back from covering the southern California territory.”
We wish each other safe travels, board our vehicles — Bridget is happy now — and resume our journeys. I wave to the truckers as they drive out of the lot.
Route 62 parallels the Colorado Aquaduct for many miles.
Somewhere around Freda or maybe it was Rice, both blink-and-you’ll-miss-it towns, an oddity appears — The Shoe Fence, as a sign proclaims. The collection of shoes and what-not extends about four times further than the photo indicates.
When Bridget and I reach Vidal Junction, I park in another large lot.
I had brought my window down and noticed that something didn’t sound right. I’d better check the hitch area.
“Well, Bridgie baby, you get another walk-around!”
After Bridget has smelled the brittlebush flowers and given them some of her special fertilizer, I inspect the hitch.
Aha! That’s what I heard! I wonder how that happened.
One of the safety chains has come unhooked!
Hmm . . . .Maybe it was that dip coming out of the other parking area . . . Oh, well. No harm done. I hook up the chain and we’re back on the road.
Now we’re approaching the Colorado River on Route 95.
We cross the bridge that leads into busy Parker. Route 95 goes through town and takes us to Wal-Mart! I load up on supplies which I put inside the Best Little Trailer. Route 95 north goes past Bluewater Casino at the northernmost tip of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
Hoo-boy. Now we’re in Tourist Country!
Motor homes and park models cluster along the banks of the Colorado, the latter a gorgeous shade of blue today. Traffic is fast through here. I stop for gas at $2.59 a gallon (Thank you, Arizona!) and further up the road, going toward Lake Havasu City, I take the following photos of the river.
I wonder what those two black things are at the top of that hill. (See photo below, upper right).
I zoom in with my Panasonic LUMIX camera, adjust the focus, and “Got em!”
Turkey vultures! They have the best real estate of all!
rvsue
Note: As you may have guessed by now, Bridget and I are on our way to visit Rusty and Timber who presently are camped between Parker and Lake Havasu City. (See post of September 2, 2012, “Rusty and Timber together again!“)
I’ll tell you about our new camp near Rusty and Timber in the next post.
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
I appreciate every purchase, large or small or in-between.
“FLASHBACK”
McKenzie River Campground, Oregon — Summer 2012
Good morning Sue and Bridget. Hope you have a great day!
Thanks, Judy L. Same to you….and congratulations!
Good morning Sue,
Am I first?
Sorry, Ilse. Better luck next time. 🙂 Hope you had a good morning.
Number 3??
Now I’ve had the time to go back and read your great post….Loved the photo of the sign post with arrows, reminded me of the one in the M*A*S*H show! A relic of a simpler, bygone era. At least, if you get off the interstate you can still finds these throwbacks…
Can’t wait to see what Rusty has done with his camper project. Guinness gives Timber (and Bridget) a big shout out–Woof, woof!
And you reminded me of the sign post in that show… Thanks for calling this post “great.” 🙂
How nice to hook up with Rusty and Timber again! I wonder if your camping spot will have a river view?! It’s beautiful! Have a great time!
Thanks, JanisP,
No, we don’t have a river view and I’m glad for that. The river side of Route 95 is like city-living. The state parks are jammed up with campers along this stretch of the Colorado River.
TeeHee… our first GA July 4th found us in the Tennessee mountains at a little town where Little Debbie is headquartered.
And my llamas are currently up the Mackenzie River doing trekking…
Have fun with Rusty and Timber!!!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
llamas? Did you tell us you had llamas? What’s that trekking all about, Barb?
I must’ve been tuned into your subconscious when I wrote this post. …
YEP. Tried to insert a photo of my babies… but it wouldn’t work… this was the scene in Phoenix yesterday
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/surprise/2015/02/26/sun-city-llamas-on-the-loose-abrk/24068713/
Looks just like a couple of ours… I raised pack llamas for hiking trips in SW WA. That was where our farm was, and we lived just off of DNR land. It was fun. I miss it greatly-but since my accident all the extras involved was too much… My guys Snickers and L’il Dude are up the Mackenzie River, and others are in Kalama WA (otherwise known as K-llama) Grin.
Hope you have a wonderful visit with Rusty and Timber. My grandkids will be here on Sunday (yay!) which will be nice.
Hugs from Hoquiam.
Barb
Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the news story. Those two llamas are beautiful– one black, one white — a contrast in the unnatural environment of a Phoenix street…
What an interesting life, Barb. I can understand you missing your “guys.”
I know you’ll have a grand time with the grand kids!
Great Idea Sue, a visit with Rusty and Timber…I am so looking forward to it….Keep your eye on the skies…Those Turkey Vultures are migrating right now…you might see hundreds of them…what a great picture. I love those birds, they do us such great service, although yucky, but it would be a world full of flies, and rotten smells if it weren’t for those big things to clean up…Happy trails, I expect you will be out of harms way from the winds and rains for a few days….Yippee!
Hi, Shirlene,
The forecast for this location doesn’t look severe… winds up to 19 mph (the forecast as I type this) and a couple days of rain. We’ll do fine. I hope you do, too.
I love Highway 62. I have shots of the direction sign, the shoe fence and more. And, of course, it leads to Joshua Tree.
Hi, Al,
Routes 177 and 62 are a pleasant alternative to Interstate 10 going to Blythe, Quartzsite, then north on Route 95 to Parker. I’m glad we took the “blue” roads.
You mentioned the blue roads.If you haven’t read it yet read Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon.One of my favorite books and maybe one of the greatest accounts of the solitary vagabond life.I read it every couple of years.
Good Morning Blogerinos! Have a Happy Day all! TGIF for those of us who have to commute somewhere daily. We are off to day 31 of 42 of radiation for hubby. It’s a beautiful day with sunshine for a while but now clouds coming in dimming the light coming in the south facing window, as we anticipate sprinkles and possible thunder boomers, which here are tame by the standard known by those in midwest and east, but always enjoyed by us.
Sending you off with prayers for a safe and comfortable journey…you have to know how much of a gift and how amazing you are!
Good thoughts going your way, Velda, for you and your husband…
Velda, you and your husband are in my prayers. Sending you warm wishes and a hug! 🙂
Thank you Sue, Denise, and Shirlene. We had another uneventful day. Now for a restful weekend dreaming of camping to come.
Uneventful = good 🙂 You and Hubby are in my prayers
Thank you Badger Rick.
New follower of your blog–I started with your first entry in 2012 and slowly made my way through your blog until catching up with current events this week. I’m hoping to do fulltime RVing later this summer and I make copious notes from your blog. I, too, will be traveling with canine companionship and enjoy reading about your sidekick. They truly make the journey more worthwhile. Stay safe, dear lady.
Welcome, Kristi & Daisie!
It’s always a thrill for me to hear from one of my readers for the first time. Thanks for reading my old posts. I hope my blog is helpful as you plan for your own travels.
BTW, a note to anyone reading this, something I’ve been wanting to mention…
Now that we’ve been on the road over three years, I caution you about trusting my information and photos of our previous camps. Those camps and the information I gave about them may have changed. Let my posts give you ideas where to camp and then do your own research.
Thanks for stopping by, Kristi & Daisie. I hope we will hear from you again!
Hi Sue,
Kind of fun to read your route and slowly realize you were heading “my” way. Not that two hermits are likely going to visit over the back fence, mind you ;), but fun to read anyway. Isn’t it amazing how GREEN everything is? And maybe a bit more rain in the next few days. What amazes me is how long just a little rain “lasts.” I thought the green-up would dissipate in a few days or a week, since there was not much volume of rain, but nope. I guess these desert plants know how to hang onto moisture when they get it.
Both a UPS *and* a Fedex hub in town – can be dangerous for the wallet 😀
(Not that I’m saying you don’t have self control – speaking for myself mostly.)
Hi, Pen,
Yes, the desert is greener than I expected, across the Mojave, very green creosote as shown in the second pic above. More rain on the way is a very good thing!
Thanks for reminding me about the UPS Customer Center in Lake Havasu City. It had slipped my mind that there is one here and I do have a wish list of things I want to order. I missed my annual Amazon fix when in Yuma!
They’re a friendly bunch there. Easy in and out parking as well (with just the van) (or could park on street if towing). Posted open hours are 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. M-F, but they are also open from some early hour (which I would not know about 😀 ) until noon, even though the morning time frame is not posted on the door.
Thanks… very helpful, Pen!
YaY! We get to visit Rusty and Timber again! Great photos as usual! Have a great visit! Hi Rusty!! Hi Timber !! Hi Sue !! Hi Doodlebug !!! Howdy Blogerino’s!!
(((Group Hug !)))
Hi Geri…hugs back from California!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi, Geri!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi, Geri!
Thank you for the group hug! Sending it back your way! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Geri,,,, Timber n’ me
Hi Sue and Bridget
Have a nice visit with Rusty and Timber!!! Stay safe ladies.
Thanks, Wendy. I hope all is well with you today!
Whats the deal with the shoe fence? Grab a pair, leave a pair?? Almost as yucky as the Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo.
Wonderful pics as usual, love the vultures! You have a great camera. Enjoy your visit with Rusty and Timber.
Hi, Terri from Texas,
I don’t know that people take shoes from the fence. I never thought of that.
“Um… gee… I think I’ll drive across the Mojave and pick out a pair of sneakers. See ya’ in a bit.” Haha!
Thanks re the pics. Yeah, my camera does well, especially considering the operator focuses the lens wearing bifocals slipping down her nose…. 🙂
Sue it may be time for you to put spring-loaded safety latches on your wish list. They will keep chain hooks from accidentally disconnecting. It is good that you discovered the disconnection when you did.
Hi, Ed,
I didn’t know about “spring-loaded safety latches” for the chains. Is this what you mean?
Curt Manufacturing 81550 5/16 In Clevis Safety Latch Hook Grade 43 14,000 Lb
I’m putting together an Amazon order today and want to include them. Thank you for the advice.
That is a monster hook. This one would be better:
Curt Manufacturing 81277 7/16 In S-Hook With Safety Latch 5000Lb Capacity Bulk
Sue,
Yes, that is what I was talking about but I agree with the recommendation made by Mick’nTN.
Thanks, Mick and Ed. In the morning I’m going to measure what that hook has to fit around to make sure it’s big enough.
Going to meet up with Rusty and Timber. I hope you have a great time catching up!
Hi, Marcia GB in MA,
Thanks. We have been catching up… It’s been almost a year since I visited Rusty and Timber.
I guessed they were turkey vultures before I scrolled down and discovered I was right! I knew they weren’t hummingbirds – lol 🙂 Can’t wait to hear/see the latest on how Rusty and Timber are doing.
Hi, Cynthia from San Clemente, CA,
Are you new here? I do know Cynthia has commented here before but I don’t know if that was you. Anyway…. Nice to see you here!
If those were hummingbirds, I’d hate to see turkey vultures! 🙂
Gorgeous photos , seeing the Colorado looking as good as it does makes me happy,glad and surprised.I expect to hear that and more is how Rusty,you and the pups feel getting together again.What amazing journeys each of you four have had,including everything that led to the the way you met ,what’s happened because of that,and since.So much in that,and the Colorado,is stuff legends are made of,movies and books are written about.
People don’t expect to find such things when reading a blog.Yours really is cut of a different and unique cloth,above what’s found anywhere else in the genre…The turkey vultures are simply beautiful,it’s perfect that they have the best seat and view there.Like so much that’s great in life,though, they don’t get the credit,admiration and gratitude they deserve,they’re magnificent creatures.
Nice that”coincidence” made you get through what-can -be -intense-Granite Pass with no wind or traffic to speak of.And have the window down to hear the loose chain.Poor doodle bug had to wait,she deserved the extra walk-around she ended up getting because of that.Prettiest pic today-her with the yellow flowers.Gotta love the serendipity in your days that puts little gifts in them.
The past few years have been amazing for all four of us. It’s good to see Rusty and Timber again.
You mention that people don’t expect what they find at my blog. Neither do I! Ha! When I started this blog I thought it would be a simple record of my travels with a bit of nonsense and a bit of serious reflection thrown in the mix. As it developed, more and more has appeared… I’m happy it has evolved to include many subjects of interest to a variety of people, and not restricted to “all things RV.” It’s fun! I do learn a lot and so do readers.
Bridget is cute in that photo. She looks like she’s a little embarrassed, as if she’s wondering if I took a photo of her while doing her business. She had a great travel day. The “rest stops” are her reward.
Wishing you and your troupe happy serendipity!
Thank you,Sue,for that delightful wish for us. 🙂
Hope you are all enjoying each other.Timber is such a big boy to have as a pal ,gotta wonder what he and littler Bridget think of each other.I know you’ll be telling us soon about the visit.I’ll bet even sharing this blog that way is fun for Rusty and you.Sending blessings to both of you and on your time together.
Bridget and Timber are not pals. Timber kept whining when we all sat together soon after our arrival. Rusty figured out what was wrong…Timber wanted to see Spike as they were friends.
🙁
Aw,animals feel so many of the same ways that we do for and about each other,our friends,and families that they are part of.I didn’t expect Bridget to be pals with Timber,glad she has you to be with-which is all she needs to be happy.Spike is still a great little guy that makes us all love him even from the distance/dimension he’s in -talk about a great travel buddy-he has that role down pat 🙂
it’s difficult to tell from the photo but turkey vultures have yellow legs and feet. A California Condor does not. Of course they are quite a bit bigger than the vulture.
In any case, good eye!
When I first saw Sue’s photo I thought of a Condor also. All of the Condors I have seen are tagged on their wings and I could see their numbers on the tags from a distance. I do not see tags on these birds so they must be turkey vultures.
Excellent photos, Sue. Amazing how you can zoom in these birds.
Thanks, wildflower in prescott,
I wish I’d hung around to take more photos of them so we could be sure of their identification. I had my mind on finding Rusty and a camp, and it never occurred to me that they might be condors.
If you decide to try the North Rim of the Grand Canyon again you will have good chance of seeing a Condor and getting some excellent photos.
We camped at Lees Ferry. When we left and headed westward, they were releasing condors. I went into a little store and the people inside said, “You just missed it!” A condor had swooped over the store a few minutes before.
you’re right! I forgot about the tags
Wow! That would be cool if they were California Condors! It’s possible, according to their range described at this link. I wish I had seen their legs and feet. I waited a long time with the camera ready, hoping they would stretch out their wings or do something more than sit on the rock enjoying the sunshine.
California Condor
Scroll down to listen to their “typical voice.” Kind of scary-sounding!
They are too bulky for Turkey vultures. They look like young Condors. Possibly a pair of siblings.
Love your location, so many places to see that are real close.
Couldn’t they be turkey vultures with their feathers fluffed out? They are hunkered down. In the pictures I’ve seen of young condors, their beaks aren’t red, they’re black. Not to make an issue of it…
Oh my, I never in all my life thought I’d be debating turkey vultures vs. condors! Ha! Thanks for that, Alan.
I love travel days, (well I guess I love almost every day following along in your life) I had no idea that you were headed to see Rusty and Timber but sometimes I’m a bit slow on the uptake.
But this is such an odd coincidence. Just last night I was telling someone at work about this guy who built his own truck camper and gave it a fiberglass skin and was wishing that Rusty had someway to post pictures of his project. So I log in this morning and find out that your headed to see him. How cool is that???
The turkey vulture shot really shows off your zoom capabilities and I bet there’s a story we will never know behind the shoe fence. Have a great trip and enjoy your visit.
Hi,Rick,
That is an interesting coincidence. Or you’re very tuned into RVSue and her canine crew!
I will take photos of Rusty’s camper for the next post. He amazes me. Not only does he have the skills and creativity, he has the ambition to do the work!
I love travel days, too. I always make sure I’m in the right mood for it because I want to enjoy every mile. Having you ride along with us makes it even more fun, Rick..
Oh my goodness! You & Bridget are going to be soooo close to us! But, of course, I know we won’t see you as we are not camped where you would be comfortable
Hi, Kathy and Gil,
It’s great how we can be very different yet get along well. I’m glad you enjoy Laughlin and the casinos. I’d rather lie down next to a creosote bush in the hot sun. Be that as it may . . .. .
Good luck choosing your next rig. Sounds like you’re pretty sure what you want.
Ha ha – I think I might have to borrow that line 😀
The line “and I head northeast across the Mojave Desert” sounds like something from a Louis L’Amour novel!
I busted out laughing upon reading your comment, Rob. This is the second time my blog has been compared to the works of L’Amour. Gee, I wish I could describe what I see that well. At least I have photos to make up for that deficiency!
Safety chains. You probably know this but just in case. The chains should cross under the tongue and of course be attached to the vehicle hook down. I lived in Lake Havasu City for three years and when you are in that area around July and August, OMG think HOT! It get’s hotter there than most of the desert. I’m glad you made a safe move and all is well. Be sure to tell Rusty and Timber hi from me.
Oh sure, Jim. The chains are crossed and hooked under the tongue, right where I was shown during the orientation at the Casita factory. I’m surprised that one jiggled loose…. one of those situations where “I couldn’t make it do that if I tried.”
Ed suggests spring-loaded safety latches. Sounds like a good idea.
Seeing all this dark rock, I bet it does get terribly hot here, like you say. It’s very comfortable now, as it probably is in Surprise.
Hello to Detta. Always delights me to see you here, Jim.
I ended up staying around LHC until early June last year (due to needing the “second half” of some specialty vehicle work done), and man-oh-man was it HOT. Just brutal. I mean, 108º for a high is bad enough, but at 1 a.m. it was still 99º! Yeah, it was dry, but so is an oven.
The day I left I drove a long hitch, and so my first night’s stop was in the Sierra Nevada. Got down to around 42º and I was thrilled. Blankets! Pulled all the way up! Yesssss!
Sure is nice this time of year though (plus spring and fall too).
Pen…. Write this down and stick it on the wall, okay? Read it out loud every day.
I Will Not Camp Near Lake Havasu City in June Ever Again
🙂
Check! 😀 😀
Back at cha , bro,,,,,us
The water is so blue. Anxious to see what Rusty has done to his truck. Hope he will let you post some pictures of it.
Hi, Jean,
Rusty is very open about how he lives. That’s one of the things I like about him. I guess his openness comes from having a good spirit.
I’ll include photos of his camper work in the next post.
If you’re will to put up with it, here’s another of my little yarns.
When we adults think season of the year, we think in terms of months. We might even think about the allergy or arthritis problems that accompany such changes of time.
I remember as a kid how we told time of year. Not by calendar as parents did but rather by a phenomenon which we encountered outside in our play fields. Now, first you need to know that almost without exception every city block had at least one empty lot. These lots became the community property of all the kids that lived in the block in which it was located. They became the war theater when we fought our imaginary wars, the baseball field which once teams were formed, became the world series of our block.
Sometimes the girls played with us until the games became too rough but mostly they were content to either be our audience or adjourn to one of their home porches to play with their dolls or Jacks, hopscotch, or other things more befitting their feminine gender. We boys knew they were different than us but hadn’t yet determined how that was exactly and didn’t really care anyhow.
Now, about those seasons. Seasons were determined and named for their significance as they related to young gentlemen such as us. There was top season, kite season, fruit box coaster season (that required sacrificing a pair of skates), glider plane season (not compatible with the windy kite season) and often just ad-lib season (any kid could offer suggestions for a proper project).
We also had a sort of “floating” season. That was fort season. It was a time when we found our building materials in the trash, laying in the alleys and other places as well (this often consisted of something in Dad’s garage which was requisitioned for the good of the neighborhood fort which would be used for multi purposes including defense of the homes in our block from enemy attack. We were not sure who the enemy was but were convinced we would know him when we saw him. Our only fear was that the enemy would appear after the street lights came on and were all confined to our barracks (homes).
Most of these seasons had a capability to become aggressive, killer tops in which after one player started his top turning, others tried to spike it with theirs. Kites that were intentionally brought down by having another fly into and damage it. The aggressive actions usually wrought even more harmful ramifications. I recall only one bloody nose and the participants, once torn apart by others shook hands and it was over.
Our seasons were far less boring than those of our parents and were perfect for kids. Kids deserve to be kids….how else could they have these memories as old men?
Oh, Jim, what lovely memories! Most kids today have no idea what jacks are, how to play stickball or hopscotch, yet alone even want to bother with playing with paper dolls! Thank you for sharing and making me misty eyed in a good way. Sending you and Detta hugs! 🙂
Fun to look back at those times… Thanks for another great story, Jim!
Ah heck AZ Jim, We’re still kids in our hearts, Awhile back, right after turning 55, ’bout 11 years ago, a friend asked how old I was and I told him,,, and he said, your just a kid. LOL, well if in you think like one, you’ll never get old, in your head ,,,,,,,,,,, me
I can always count on you Missy, thanks for the paragraphs.
Fruit box coasters! That takes me back. I painted mine green. We had such fun.
What a fun travel day! The sign was neat as was the shoe fence.
Oh my the Colorado River looks so inviting!
Making a rendezvous with Rusty and Timber is always special! Have a great time!
Thanks, Cinandjules,
The Colorado River is a beautiful shade of blue, as you can see in the photos. I wonder what it looks like when at it’s highest level. *sigh*
I love looking at all your warm pictures. This winter just seems colder than usual. Hope I get to see these beautiful places someday as well.
Hope you find Rusty and Timber well.
Hi, Judy L.,
I had to look up where Horn Lake is located and I found that it is a suburb of Memphis. My sister, Pauline, lives southeast of you in Rienzi.
I, too, hope you have the chance to see these beautiful places. In the meantime, keep warm. Nice to have you stop by….
My mother was born and raised in Reinzi. I still have family there so I know where that is. I am from Corinth, Ms. We live close to Memphis now but still in Mississippi.
Keep the pictures coming. I look forward to all your travels
Small world, Judy! I’ll email Pauline to tell her about your comment. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/?watch?v=7E88RUqyjts tell me bout the good old days
Thanks,AZJim.There where times, while raising my son alone,so difficult it seemed wrong was all too much of what I saw.Needing to be reminded that there is good in this world,I’d listen to that song and go on with a lighter heart,comforted by renewed hope…That’s what you do for me now,not just your stories,you..
just knowing that you’re out there,that you exist,still having Detta beside you after all these years,calling Sue Missy,caring about all that you do…you’re a real beauty of a man,Jim,often bring the nice kind of tears to my eyes.Please don’t feel you need to reply,I just wanted you to know.
oops,for some reason that link might bring up a whole page,scroll down 8 columns to country videos to find winona judd,grandpa tell me bout the good old days
Thanks, Weather, for the lovely song memory…LOVE that song. MY Grandpa was the ultimate best story teller…so that song could have been written for him. I love listening to the Judds too. I do remember some parts of even my growing up years as the good ole days…and they seem not repeatable in our society as it is now. But we keep doing our best to encourage relationships, kindness, good deeds etc. Some of my fondest memories are of working side-by-side with my mom and her parents preparing the crops Grampie grew. We laughed and laughed and just loved that time. I have not seen this happening now that we are the grandparents. I wish…
How nice for you to have such a lighthearted time with them to look back on Elizabeth.Songs and stories can give us such great things to think about.Carly Simon sang one,Anticipation,with the lyric”These are the good old days” to remind one to appreciate what’s with us now,to not miss the journey’s gifts by only longing for a destination or what was.
You leaving a note is a great example of that very thing.When you had the free time to leave notes each day,I knew that each one was special,not only because I enjoyed it,also because things change for us all.
We are,for those that enjoy us,the good old days,and are that for each other right now.Thank you ,dear ,for your note and the thought and affection you give to me and others here when you can,it’s good to hear from you.
Aw, Weather you always have such sweet things to say!! I have not commented much for awhile as I had nothing to say I suppose. But we have been quite busy and then we are sick, again and this time VERY bad. I think we will survive but this bug is very strong. Went to a dinner at friends last Friday evening over a week ago now and someone came ill and last I heard we all, except maybe one person, have fallen ill!! High fever, very painful, coughing that exhausts. I am on the upswing, but hubby is now beginning the fever…so sorry not to say hi…my eyes hurt too much to be online a lot for several days. In fact I got up a bit ago, around 4 AM due to coughing. I sure hope no one else catches this…but unfortunately I know we exposed one friend before we realized we were ill. There is much to be said for living hermit like!!
May you and hubby feel only good health being restored to you ,and enjoy having whatsoever is lovely as you do, until we get to “see” each other or read notes by either of us to Sue and her nice community here again .
You have been missed, Elizabeth. Good to see you here this morning, although we understand not feeling well enough to type here. Wishing you and your husband good health….That is a miserable “bug’ that’s been going around. Sounds like the one AZ Jim and Detta had.
No need to reply to this.
I can only say “thank you”. I am so pleased you feel that way Weather. I feel at home here, and as I have indicated in the past, you are one of the reasons. I have called you a word craftsman and you most certainly are that. *Hug*
🙂 aw shucks,that felt good
Hello Sue
Great post. I spent 3 months at several different BLM boondocks in the area last year before returning to Susanville. Brings back good memories. Maybe I can get back on the road if agent orange claim gets settled. In the meantime, thanks for continuing to share your adventure.
Hi, JW,
I clicked on your name which took me to your blog. I read the post “A Long Time Comin’….” A very personal and sincere essay… I give you credit for the self-examination you shared.
I’m glad you are with us. I do hope the day arrives when you are able to hit the road for your own vagabond adventures!
And I hope to visit Susanville again someday …
JW, I also went to your blog to read that post. I really enjoyed and agree with your conclusions.
Awesome blog post Sue, thanks for sharing. I see so much personality of this area in your choice of photos. The cluster of civilization along the River, the character of the Mohave, interesting sign posts and traffic, and of course, some wildlife. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, K & B in CO,
Great compliment! Thank you very much. That’s what I hoped my photos would convey.
Hi, Sue,
Love this post and the pictures. Little Debbies, the homemade mile post marker, the shoe fence, turkey vultures, the Colorado River, and news of a visit with Rusty and Timber. Exciting! Glad that you heard that something wasn’t quite right and investigated.
Have fun visiting Rusty and Timber! I am looking forward to seeing and hearing about Rusty’s latest updates to his rig. It is hard to believe that it was a year ago that you all got together. Seems like just yesterday that Rusty had to “rescue” you when you got locked in the BLT! Aaah…time just keeps flying by! Hope all four of you enjoy the evening – hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂
Hi,Denise,
You have a good memory of our adventures. Yes, time goes by too quickly!
This post does have a lot of variety which is fun for me to write, although these kinds of posts take more time and effort. How many posts can I write about the Bridge and me walking a wash …. Gee whiz… Time to move!
Have a good night, Denise. Snuggles to Gracie . . . .
🙂
Oh, and by the way, we enjoy reading about the wash…whether you are walking one or going on a laundromat adventure! Just another day in the life of Sue and Miss Bridge. 🙂
I do write often about both kinds!
Seeing that Little Debbie truck made me think of that episode of “I Love Lucy” when Lucy and Ethel worked on the production line at the chocolate factory and couldn’t keep up. They were stuffing their mouths, pockets, and under their uniform hats and still the line went whizzing by. So funny! And it made me wonder if Little Debbie has a camper force of workers like Amazon!!! I’d eat all my profits and they’d kick me to the curb.
It is uncanny how tuned-in Bridget is to you. She was so cute besides the pee-pee bush with that look on her face.
Happy trails, Sue! You’re living the life for a whole bunch of us.
Hi, Nancy,
That is a classic episode of I Love Lucy…. like Lassie going for help when Timmy fell in the well…
Yeah, Little Debbies are the most disgusting, habit-forming creations. I wouldn’t want to be left alone with hundreds of them rolling past me on a conveyor belt…. It wouldn’t be pretty, I can tell you that.
“The pee-pee bush”… Such a cute phrase!
Thanks for “living the life” along with me and Bridge.
Hi Sue,
Nice price on your gas in Arizona at $2.59. I bought gas today and it was $3.68 in San Diego.
Sure enjoying the pictures. I don’t see any freeways full of traffic, very nice.
Norman
$3.68? Ooh, Norman, the pain!
Actually we didn’t leave California because of the gas prices,even though that could be a reason. One reason we left was because it’s too early in the year to explore the eastern Sierra Nevada which I want to do.
But now that we’re in Arizona, these gas prices are sweet.
Well, you know me and traffic…. I don’t want to do that no’ mo’.
Good to hear from you. I’m happy you like the photos.
Fabulous pictures – as always!!
I LOVE the pole at the stop w/the truckers!
Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us!
You’re welcome, as always, Lynn.
It was a pleasant break to have that little interaction with the trucker. I like to talk to people about the way they make their living.
I know there are bad truckers in the world. I’ve also come across some very good people who drive trucks. I always try to consider them when on the road and often I get a smile, a wave, or a flash of lights as a thank you.
I’ve been wondering about Rusty and Timber for months.
Was going to ask if you have heard from them, now I know.
Thanks for the great blog!
You’re welcome, Dedra. Thanks for complimenting me on my blog.
I told Rusty I’d visit him this year so here we are!
Hi Sue! Once again, you had me completely captivated by your post. I am so happy I found your blog and no telling how I even got here. The signs pole and the shoe fence are both pretty neat. I love learning about all these new places as well as other things shared by the blogorinos. Hugs to you, Geri! Y’all make my day! :D:D:D:D
Hi Chaunte,
Always a delight to captivate! I’m happy you found my blog, too. 🙂
Little Debbie’s are miracle food. They have nothing in them except fat, sugar and flour and they taste SO GOOD.
Today is a great post with great comments. Loved AZ Jim’s story about seasons for kids. Loved the pic of the shoe fence and the road sign totem pole.
Sue! Couple questions…
The giant flea market in Quartzsite….open during weekdays? Can you go in with dog on leash?
And I’m sorry….but can you tell me again the name of the dentist in Algodones?
I have Tuesday and Wednesday off and an planning to come out.
Hi Ginger
We stopped by Quartzite about three weeks ago. Flea markets were open but not much there. I think the season is coming to an end. No problem taking your pooch.
Ginger…
I went to the Ja-Bal Clinic. See “A friendly welcome to Los Algodones.” Google Ja-Bal and you will find their website.
I can’t say whether Ja-Bal is the best . .. All I had was a cleaning and a simple extraction and that went well.
Not turkey vultures, but something way more interesting. California Condors
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_condor
Hi, Steve,
For a discussion of whether they are turkey vultures or California Condors, see the comments(above) by Linda, wildflower in Prescott, Alan Out and About, and myself. There’s a link there with a close-up of a condor’s lovely face.
We didn’t come up with a firm identification. 🙂
Hard to tell though without a size comparison. They would have had tags on them if Condors and I don’t see those. I’m used to turkey Vultures having less head showing. Condors are huge. Any how…… Enjoy AZ.
Out of range for Condors. Sorry…I got excited.
Actually they do range into Arizona… I guess we’ll never know for sure unless I see them again and they allow me to photograph their legs and feet (again, see previous comments.)
I’m always happy when someone gets excited over something in my blog. Thanks for writing, Steve!
I would not be too concerned about seeing their legs. If they were California Condors, even young, they would have wing tags that could be easily seen.
As of May 2013, there were approximately 435 California condors in the world, about 237 of which are free-flying in California, Arizona and Baja California, Mexico.
Hi Sue-this is my first time responding to your blog, which I started following about a year ago. You are living the dream that I hope to live in a few years after retirement. It is great fun to be able to live the life vicariously through your blog. I’m also learning about the West, which is so different from Tennessee! By the way, I attended grade school and college in Collegedale, Tn where the Little Debbie snack cakes are made. “Little Debbie” herself was one grade above me. She was the granddaughter of the founder of the company. My uncle worked there for many years and in fact invented the machine that makes the Swiss Cake Rolls! Anyway, just made a purchase this week from Amazon from your blog. I hope you keep us along on your journey for a long time!
Welcome to comments, Alesa! It’s a pleasure to see you here and to learn you’ve been riding with us for about a year. I hope my blog helps you form a mental picture of how you will get the most out of your retirement.
How interesting that you went to school with Little Debbie, and your uncle invented the Swiss Cake Roll machine. Love the connection with my blog … This must’ve been a special post for you.
Thank you for your Amazon purchases made through my links! It’s thoughtful of you to do so. Nice hearing from you!
Looking forward to an update on Rusty and Timber. Safe travels.
Hi, Beverly,
I’ll work on that post today. Overcast skies, rain and wind on the way– just the kind of weather that keeps us inside with me at the computer.
Hope all is well wherever you are. Thanks for writing!
Sue, had to laugh thinking about the Little Debbie company. Our brother-in-law must be their top customer!! Suppose that might have something to do with growing up in Atlanta?? I had never heard of them until he introduced us to them. You know, growing up in California, our big event as school kids was getting to go to the Wonder Bread factory tours each year and get samples (always some hostess cupcakes which would be eaten long before we got back to the school)….YUMMY….pure sugar, chocolate and wheat and not much else, just like the Little Debbie products. My mom loved anything with sugar in it, so we were not deprived of it…not a wonder we all have bad teeth huh? Oh well, no one knew any better much back then…fun while it lasted anyway 🙂
Hi, Elizabeth,
I think I read somewhere that when the Hostess Twinkies company went bankrupt it was the Little Debbie company that bought it. Twinkies and Little Debbies are much the same…. oh, those creme centers…. 🙂
The winning bid for Hostess Twinkies was $410 million (no other qualified bids were submitted) by a joint venture of the private equity firms Apollo Global Management (APO) and Metropoulos & Co.
McKee Foods, the maker of Little Debbie’s, acquired the regional Drake’s snack cake brand from bankrupt Hostess Brands.
Are you saying that Hostess Twinkies did or didn’t go to Little Debbie?
Hostess Twinkies did NOT go to Little Debbie!
Hostess Twinkies was bought by the two equity firms that had nothing to do with McKee Foods.
Little Debbie is not a company it is just the brand name of a product made by McKee Foods. McKee Foods bought Drake’s snack cake brand ( a product similar to Twinkies) from Hostess.
OMG! When I said I lived in the area growing up……..I lived at Iron Mountain! Yes, there is a small community (much smaller now) at the end of that road. We moved there on the 4th of July in 1961 and Dad retired in 1986. I rode a school bus in high school from Iron to Eagle Mtn (above Desert Center) so that route you liked was my daily commute of nearly 50 miles. We got groceries once a month in Indio or Blythe, both 90 miles away. The large pipes on the hill carry water from the river to the L.A. basin – the water is pumped up and over the mountain range. Where you pulled off we used to gather on Friday evenings in the summer, hang a lantern on what is now that giant sign post, build a small fire, pull out the ice chests, and watch all the traffic going to the river. Small town entertainment at its best! Our mailing address was Vidal, where a worker went each day to pick up everybody’s mail. Parker was a little river town with a scary Native American police force that you did NOT mess with 🙂 So you’ve really traveled my past on this leg of your journey. So fun.
Hi, JodeeinSoCal,
This is so neat! You certainly do know where we went in this post. No corrections?
You know, I almost drove to the town of Iron Mountain just to see what it was like. It’s visible from Route 62, as you know. There was a sawhorse in the road with a “Road Closed’ sign on it.
I enjoyed reading about the way people live in a place that’s so far from things like supplies and postal delivery. Young people in rural areas complain about being “in the middle of nowhere”… You and your friends, hanging out at that post on Friday evenings, could say that and mean it!
Now I know you a lot better, having seen where you grew up. 🙂 Fun for you and for me, too!
You got it so perfectly that before you said Iron Mountain I knew that was the turn out on the left 🙂 Yes, the camp is no longer open to the public. I think most of the workers’ families now live in Parker and Lake Havasu City, with some of the workers staying in their company house a view days a week. But when we were there is was a wonderful community with a rec hall, town bbq’s and movie nights, a community pool, horse corrals, and even a small airstrip for the two private planes. I should write a book about it 🙂
Desert Ginger,
I don’t know what area of Tucson you live in but if you haven’t been to the Desert Museum, it is wonderful! It takes walking but the paths are very smooth. Dogs are not allowed. IG you aren’t walking too far yet, put it on your “to do” list.
Got gas today here in Arizona. I have a Safeway card so with each purchase at the grocery you acquire credits. I went to my neighborhood Chevron and pumped my $1.65 gas. I got .90 cents per gallon discount. If you shop Safeway, use that card.
That’s quite a deal, Jim! I’ve ignored the Safeway gas stations… I’ll look into that.
You don’t even need the Safeway stations, Chevron honors the Safeway discount too. When you pull up to the pump the message reads Safeway card? You just swipe it first, it tells you how much discount then you swipe your credit or Chevron card and the rest is history.
Deja Vu – Is fun listening to your dialog of what I just experienced. We just came through that area a month ago heading west to Southern California. Jagger and I stopped in Parker at the Buckskin Mountain State Park for a few days. It’s a nice area. Thanks again for sharing your travels.
You’re welcome, Gary. It’s my pleasure. This area is crossed by many– snowbirds, full-timers, weekenders . . . .
Good Morning Sue, What a great post this was, the blogorinos are truly a family, such caring, and sharing going on here…We owe it all to you and your encouragement for this to be more than just letters on the page… All you blogorinos, new to here and all the faithful hanger-on blogorinos…..Love to you ALL and big hugs…you make my day!
Hello, also to Weather….well…you know how I feel…lol.
I just found your blog! What a lovely life you have. Definitely an out of the box thinker. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to reading more about your adventures.
Welcome, Jill! Yes, I do have a “lovely life” and I’m glad you found my blog so you can ride along with us!
Will do so with relish (and mustard!).
California Condor vote check.Hi,Shirlene,I’m surprised and glad to see you on here during a weekend,as you often are busy on them having fun bird viewing and such.My frozen road had me change plans for today.Hope and am praying that whatever has you free to check in here is as dull yet so-o pleasant and that you’re feeling great.
At first look I accepted the turkey vulture idea without much thought.Now that I’ve had a chance to enlarge the photo of the guys and birds on the peak I think the scale of it all shows that only a condor has the size to look as big.I Also did that with the close up and saw that their feet looked exactly like a condor’s.As I suspect that we’ve both(and now Sue!) had the rare pleasure of seeing a condor ,I wanted to know what you thought.
Yes,thanks,I do know, and am smiling ,about that way that you feel,hugs n’ luv back 🙂
Good Morning Weather, yes it is an unusual day for me to be at work, but one of my employees called in sick, so it is my turn..but as you guessed, I did get in some bird watching…..We are the only ones here right?…anyway…I came in early to check on the Bald Eagle that has been seen in a nest at one of the buildings in the HUGE medical complex in which I work…So early this morning, in I came with my bonoculars…stage myself on a second floor of a bridge linking complexes and there I was, watching, watching, watching for the eagle to return to the nest…I only saw two crows in the nest, but where there is a Bald Eagle, there will be crows…They have a hate, hate relationship and tend to rob each others nest..so I am not sure whose nest that may be. So only here until noon, but I am glad I got to see your comment. I was also able to see the new post from Sue with Rusty and Timber…Poor Bridget, her nose is out of joint for a while..but she will learn to share..I guess Timber has too much energy for her…ha….love and hugs back…see you on next post…. 🙂 😉
P.S. Sorry, but Turkey Vultures get my vote….No tags…usually only one is seen, and that is rare…
I would have been excited to have seen the Little Debbie truck as I was raised less than two miles from the headquarters in Collegedale, TN.
Enjoyed the comments about I Love Lucy’s chocolate show…… between high school and college I worked on the line in the McKee factory filling pastries and watching all those calories fly by. Not much was automated in the 60’s. When the machinery broke down, we passed time by throwing cakes at each other!
Just met Marilu from Northern California..we are camping neighbors.
Sue, you are mentioned so often when someone notices our Casita….something like “do you ever read RVSue’s blog?”
Have fun with Timber and Rusty!