Sunday, January 29
Irrigation canal on the north side of Blythe, California
Several fields along Midland Road are bright green with alfalfa.
A few are brown, having been freshly plowed. I’m told the crops around Blythe are alfalfa, bermuda hay, cotton, and sheep (wool and natural fertilizer). I don’t know in what order the crops are rotated. I’ve also seen groves of palms, including date palms (I think), and citrus trees.
Irrigation canals run alongside the fields.
The width of the canal is exaggerated in the photo below. The bright blue is refreshing to my eyes. The view of the mountains is softened by dust in the air from recent winds.
Today is laundry day.
Even though I feel like taking a nap after sleeping about twelve hours last night (!), I force myself to sort the dirty laundry. Sort and sit, sort and sit. Eventually the Perfect Tow Vehicle is loaded up with dirty clothes, towels, bedding, rugs, a container of quarters, the bag of trash, a doggie bed, Duck L’Orange, a water dish for Reg, tether, camera, empty water jugs, plastic shopping bags, a bottle of emergen-c dissolved in water for me, and, let’s see, what else?
Oh, and one cute, floppy-eared pup!
Although my strength fades quickly, I am determined to complete several tasks.
On the way out of Midland LTVA, I dump the bag of trash in the bin.
In town I do the laundry. Following routine, I give Reg a walk-around at the laundromat. The laundry folded or on hangers, I pack the PTV and we head up the street.
At Smart and Final I buy oatmeal, oranges, plums, bananas, protein bars, coffee, soup, and bagels.
It’s a beautifully warm day with no wind.
Crossing the parking lot, the PTV’s window comes into view and there’s Reggie’s happy face. This, of course, requires that I speak lovey-lovey through the window glass, my nose a few inches from his.
Our next stop is the water vending machine one block up the street. Reggie waits quietly in the PTV while I place the filled jugs along the bench seat. That job done, away we go for gas: $2.95 a gallon.
Without refrigeration, planning main meals is tricky.
I know! I’ll pick up a foot-long at Subway! That will be tomorrow’s meal.
I have the guy sprinkle the sandwich lightly with oil and vinegar. Mayo-based toppings might spoil.
Starting up the PTV again, I turn to my sweet companion.
“Reggie, you know what? You look like a guy who could use a burger. Are you my burger buddy today?”
Silly question.
The young woman at the Carl’s Jr. pick-up window hands me a bag holding a turkey burger and a plain, beef patty.
“Is your refrigerator fixed yet?” she asks, smiling.
Oh my, I’ve been waiting for that fridge so long, we’re becoming friends!
Monday, January 30
When the sun rises, spreading soft light over the harsh, desert landscape, one can imagine it accompanied by a gentle violin.
But not this morning!
Today we have a full-orchestra sunrise! Da-da-da-dum!
Today I need to prepare for tomorrow’s appointment.
When I tow the Best Little Trailer over to Valley Palms RV supply for the refrigerator installation and propane check, I’ll leave several items at our campsite at Midland LTVA. I want to give the workmen plenty of room.
For instance, the cabinet over the propane heater will be put on the blue mat. This will provide access to the channel that runs the length of the BLT and houses the propane line. (I’ll have to stack the drawers on the bed because I don’t want to leave the contents outside where critters can invade.) Stuff needs to be put away so I can move the cabinet tomorrow.
I’m the type that cleans house before the house cleaner person arrives.
Not that I’ve ever employed a house cleaner. Today I hope to have the ambition and energy to clean the Best Little Trailer. It seems proper that I do this for the arrival of our brand new refrigerator!
rvsue
NOTE: Please excuse me from appearing in the comments section. I’m not 100% back to full energy, although feeling stronger every day. Thank you for participating in my absence. — Sue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
I count eleven new Desert Lily plants around our campsite! (That’s a quarter in the photo to give you an idea of size.) Follow this link to see photos of Desert Lily blooms.
If you’re in the desert this time of year, be careful where you step (or drive) because the Desert Lily sprouts are easily overlooked and damaged.
CLICK LINK TO SHOP AMAZON NOW!
First?
Congratulations Cynthia, you are FIRST today!
1st? 2nd? 3rd???
Looks like 2nd!
Sure am glad you are feeling better!!!!
You always make me chuckle… but then some days you have me roaring on the floor!
Today was a ROTF day!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
HOLY MOLY 3rd and I didn’t even try!
Barb
Sue, thanks for answering my water question. I hope you feel better soon.
OK, I’ve gone back and read now… and yes that sunrise photo is “ta da” spectacular! But dear Sue, not a single photo of your burger buddy!!! I’m glad you’re feeling better, although it sounds like you’re doing more working than resting! Good luck on the refrigerator install – it will seem like a new luxury, I’m sure 🙂
No burger buddy photo due to battery dying in camera. 🙁
Boo-hoo! A Reggie burger picture is a sure spirit booster. Was sick with cold 14 days. Didn’t think you’d ever get sick because — what can possibly hit a moving target? Your fridge will give you a wonderful, healthy, totally together feeling, for sure.
Goody, goody, I am going to be in the top 10. Glad you are beginning to feel better.
I was hoping to get to the California desert this year, but that’s not going to happen. I’ll have to experience it by reading your lovely posts.
Glad you are feeling a little better. Hopefully you will be back to 100% soon.
We do the same thing, clean and organize before work is done on the Rv.
Sue and Reggie, as always you put a smile on my face and make me chuckle. All this with you not feeling well, so you can imagine what happens when you are 100%…..yep, i’m rolling on the floor with laughter.
Get to feeling better my friend and stay safe out there…..Judy
Hi Sue! Glad you are feeling better and hope you’ll be back to 100% soon. I was wondering about your cell antenna. From the pictures it looks like a directional antenna. Is the correct? And if that’s what you have, how do you like it? Is aiming it when you get to a camp spot a pain? I’m thinking of getting a directional, not omni, antenna and was just wondering how it’s working out for you.
Hi, it’s a Wilson directional antenna. See page accessed from header. Aiming is very easy with the read-out on my Jetpack. The antenna is for internet signal only (not phone); it boosts any available signal.
Okay, everybody… I’m going offline… Bye for now! Please answer any questions that arise. Thanks.
Enjoy your blog so much!!!
Beautiful photos!!! and we are so happy you are feeling better😊😊!!
HOWDY! Good to” see ” you and Reggie in my mailbox! Our day is similar, laundry day, but I get to wash and hang on a clothes line! Beautiful sunny day here too and believe it or not, HUMIDITY IS 37% in our corner Florida today, so the clothes should dry quickly. So happy tomorrow is FRIDGE DAY! YAY! We have been busy outside making more Mermaid Tears for the Farmers Market this Saturday, YaY! We missed a whole month there due to rain and cold weather, so it’s good to be back in gear again! I used to do the same thing, get ready to take a photo and duh..dead battery. I finally got smart and bought a second battery and kept it charged and in my camera bag. Now I can’t even find my camera bag hahaha! Can’t wait to hear about the install! We are excited for you!
Easy does it! Your burger buddy! How sweet!
HOOORAAAAYYYY!!!! Sue is on the mend and the frige is about to be replaced!
Didn’t know you were sick. Hope you are feeling better now. I am working my way back to Missouri. I am back in Glendale Az. Enjoyed my time at la pods south. At the ham radio quartzfest .one thing I learned. Stay away from there, if you have an aversion to crowds. Don’t mind people, but when there are more than the town I live at home, it becomes crowded.
Dave in Missouri.
La posa south.
Sue, I sure hope you get back to being yourself and soon. In spite of that, you always write such a beautiful blog that makes me feel as if I’m there. I can see you giving lovey dovey sweet words to Reggie through the glass and seeing the expression on his face when you ask him if he is your burger buddy. That sunrise! I can hear the orchestra too! Oh yes, and that laundry. Not only do I see it, but I can empathize.
Oh my, could I be first?
How about 20th! That’s a record to be proud of!
I’ll be so glad when you have a decent refrigerator. Then you can keep all the groceries you might want on hand. Hugs to Reggieman. Hope you start feeling 100% soon.
I used to love to walk or ride my horse across the desert. It’s far from empty land!
Hey, I made the top 30 whooo hooo! Love the sunrise photo!
Good luck on the frig install!
Hello and glad to hear that you are feeling a little better. I heard that orchestra way over here. That is gorgeous! That is what makes life wonderful! We are so lucky to have so much beauty to enjoy. You made me laugh with your daily adventure-more fun for me than you I’m sure. Sending well thoughts and virtual chicken soup:)
Hey Sue – hope you are feeling better. I know how a nasty cold can zap your energy. You seemed to have accomplished a lot in spite of it. Thanks for the post and the pics.
On a day when having energy is a given all you accomplished would seem good to have out of the way , and nice to enjoy the results of. Done when dragging yourself through it all is really an accomplishment. You must have been so glad when you had everything put away, with freshly laundered clothes and bedding to wear and be on. Just think- how nice it will be around this time tomorrow to have all that done and to have a fridge and maybe even a working heater. Wow, it’s been a long while since you’ve had all of that at once.
What gorgeous shades of blue water and green crops in the second photo. The desert lily plants have come a long way since the time you first showed one sprouting there. Thanks for all the work and time it took to put this post together. I hope your foot long sub was tasty and that you continue feeling stronger every day.
WHEW!!! After reading that laundry list (HAH!) of things you need to do laundry, no wonder you hate it so much! It’s like having a kid. LOL
I’m excited for you finally getting your new fridge installed. You won’t know what to do with that wonderful convenience after all this time.
Dear Sue,
Hope your health-o-meter is back to reading 100%.
I continue to read your blog faithfully as I always learn so much from your experiences. These days I have to admit that I play catch up with 2 or 3 installments at a time since I’m having a few adventures of my own.
Currently, I camped on Palm Canyon Road, just south of Quartzite. My intention was to rendezvous with some Rubber Tramps earlier this month but, alas, I had already spent loads of time with family in the Las Vegas area and my isolation meter was running low.
Quartzite is warmer than Vegas and I’m loving every minute that I spend in my lovely camp all on my own.
I did make it to one day of the Big Tent Show so now I can say “been there, done that”.
I have a few more days of glorious solitude before welcoming my sister and her friends to my camp for a night before heading into Phoenix for Super Bowl weekend. After that, more fun and games in Laughlin as party goers head back to California. And then, *whew – finally!* who knows where I’ll go?!
Anymore I think of myself as doing “City time” and the time I’m out in nature as Country time, or better: God’s Country time. I’ve actually surprised myself with the amount of city vs. country time that I need. I would have sworn that I would eschew the close living of RV parks, Elks Lodge parking lots and the like for the wide open spaces and solitude. I find myself pretty evenly split, mainly because I have so many family members scattered across the South and Southwest. I’m willing to put up with blacktop camping because it means reconnecting with people I love.
I do love my family. So far, because of my lifestyle, I’ve been able to visit my 97 year old Aunt Rita 3 times in the last 8 months that I’ve been fulltiming. You’d love her, Sue. She’s a pistol. World traveler-got into Russia as soon and the wall came down, same with China – as soon as they were issuing visas, she was signing up. Backpacked around the world at 65.
Wow, I DO ramble on….
Well, once again, thank you for this blog, Sue. I’m very certain I wouldn’t’ have nmade it out here in KOFA without you.
Sincerely,
A Fan
Hi Biz Crate, thanks for catching us up. I love hearing what other folks are doing!
Hi, Biz Crate,
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us! I remember it was not too long ago that you were searching for the perfect rig… 🙂
Hi Missy!! It’s good to see ya feeling better. Now take it easy for awhile. Don’t need to do it all in one day, ya know. I have 5 separate days of tests at the hospital for between 2/3 and 2/22. That will be fun….I’m looking in even if I don’t post much for awhile.
Good luck with all that.
Sending you and Detta hugs, Jim. You both are in my thoughts and prayers.
Wishing you all the best AZ Jim…we are not in the funnest part of life are we?? Hubby an I feel like we been sliding a bit of late too…of course, maybe moving away from this insane apt situation will help our health too!! I hope whatever is going on, that you can be easily fixed or helped, Jim!!
Thanks folks! I won’t go into all the medical info on this situation. It all started with a blood pressure differential between left and right arms of 35 points and in order to try and prevent a bad stroke the cardiologist is doing a battery of procedures. I had three minor strokes in the past so……… I’ll share with you what comes of all this stuff when I know. Meanwhile, I really appreciate your concern here in my second home with my fellow blogorinos. First set of tests comes Friday. Cheers!! PS Hi Missy and Reggie
Hi Sue, sunrise is gorgeous. We are through the eye of the needle for this winter and it has been a rodeo of emotions for me, much remembering and healing, very exhausting yet rewarding. Hope you feel better soon 🙃
Hope you are feeling better, Sue. And I hope Reggie has been a good nurse and behaves while you’re under the weather. My schnoodle always takes my illnesses as license to act up. Lol.
That fridge is going to be so nice!
Desert Lily reminds me of Queen’s Cup here in the northwest. Not just for its similar blossom but also its easily over looked plant. Usually just 2-3 leaves pushing up through the forest floor. They’re broad leaves though not narrow.
Well I think you would be needing a nap after doing laundry, going food shopping, getting water, making a burger run, then going back to camp & off loading most of the above, never mind cleaning the BLT. Not sure the burgers from Carl Jr’s made it too far however. I’ve been trying to shake off the tail end of a respiratory problem that started before Christmas and know some days doing something simple like food shopping for a few things makes me wish I’d stayed home. I was tired for you following you in and around Blythe. Please don’t overdue it, but as I look at the time you have already finished what you had to do and are sleeping with your burger buddy now. Thank you for the splendid sun rise photo. It brought a smile to my face.
Are there any blogorinos out there that have pick up campers do you know? I’d love to hear what they chose and why. I’m following Truck Camper Magazine and finding there are more brands then I had originally thought, and pop up truck campers as well. The Casitas in my price range don’t last long and people seem to take very good care of them when they own them insuring a quick sale. Here’s hoping the new fridge goes in easily and you and Reg are back at camp in short fashion. Get rest and feel better.
JazzLover
You will find an article in truck camper magazine that enumerates some of the questions you may want to ask about a truck camper. Depends on what you want to do, how you want to do it, where you want to travel, etc. The web site has some excellent articles and stories to read, although you begin to be able to read between the lines after awhile. Also, try to go look at some models, new and used. Just like with travel trailers, there is a lot of variation, and low price does not always mean the same thing.
Hi Mary CO, I’ve been going over the articles in truck camper magazine and gathering info on what’s available, quite a lot more than I’s thought. Need to be able to read between the lines as you say, as it’s like being a kid in a candy store at first. Totally agree about low price not always meaning the same thing. Thanks for your input, everything helps.
Hi, JazzLover,
Michael, one Sue’s blororinos, purchased a truck camper a couple years ago. His blog is named ZenOnWheels. In some of his earlier posts, he shares information about his rig.
Happy hunting for your perfect rig! 🙂
Evening Denise-Richmond VA. Think I remember seeing ZenOnWheels at some point in my reading, I will go search it out again and see what I can learn from what Michael says. Did not remember that he had a truck camper so it must have been a while back. One of the things to love about RVSue’s blog is the helpfulness of the blogorinos . Think the hunt is part of the happiness, thanks for your help.
Greetings from OnVacatiom4Evr…
Hi Sue… enjoyed my stay at Midland and it is undoubtedly best location I’ve been in to to experience beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Made it down to Yuma and now I’m heading east on my journey of discovery. Hope to meet up with you someday on the road.
Good luck on the refrigerator project.
Larry
Hi again, I hope it’s easy enough to get ready what you need to for hitching up to get to your appointment. I imagine Reggie is as charged up as usual, and that by now your camera’s battery is, too. Not knowing what time of morning or afternoon you need to be there, I’m guessing you’re already up for coffee, and wanted to wish you and your burger buddy a nice and successful day. It will likely be evening here before you have results or info to let us know if things went well with the install and heater check up/repair, or just to say Hello. I’ll try to check in now and again today, for that and news, comments, questions, etc.
ANOTHER GOOD MORNING!
As much as I’d like to reply to your comments (I really would like to!), I have a lot to do this morning before the 11 a.m. appointment. Yesterday I didn’t get much of anything done that I had planned; slept most of the day.
That means there’s a lot to do this morning! Clean, put away stuff, move stuff outside including the big cabinet, cover it all, secure the interior,hitch up, and dump tanks on the way out of Midland . . . . whew!
I’ll check in with you later.
Best wishes,
Sue
You have your priorities in order. Quoting Daniel Tiger (cartoon version of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood), “when you’re sick, rest is best”. And sometimes sick needs to be expanded to recovering. Paying attention to your body is always good whether you’re fulltiming or not.
By tonight you should be enjoying a fridge and have the propane problem resolved. Yippee. Bring on the rotisserie chicken that becomes multiple meals.
$2.95 a gallon for gas? Hope you didn’t buy much!
Less than 10 minutes west is the Flying J truck stop across the river in Arizona. Regular was $2.20 per gallon there when I went through yesterday.
If you went over to Quartzsite you’d find gas starting at $2.16 per gallon at the Chevron station in town, $2.19 at most other places,
OK, make hat 10 minutes east … I don’t get lost when navigating, only when writing about it.
Glad you are feeling better. How good it will be to have a working fridge again.
Recovering from pneumonia here, I’d say after three weeks I am fully recovered now.
Love your sunrise picture.
Good morning, Sue!
That sunrise was spectacular! I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Continue to rest as needed.
May the fridge installation and other repairs go smoothly! 🙂
Sending you and your little burger buddy love and healing hugs from me and Gracie pup! Take good care of yourself! 🙂
Sue, sure hope the new fridge and all the other stuff you are having done will be a success and you will be living in comfort again…well more comfort anyway!! We are planning to be gone for good from this miserable apt within the week…found a place within 3 miles of our daughter’s new place…which will help us help her more I think!! Hubby hired some guys to finish our packing and moving the most of it for us!! Even today the wicked ole witch downstairs and one of the clients were pestering hubby as he was despertly trying to get the garbage all arranged outside for pickup tomorrow AM early…we cannot be gone too quickly to suit us!!! After this altercation, we hurried off to town to do errands and when we got back a couple hours later, the lovely landlord had put up a huge sign FOR RENT in front of our door…and small print “do not disturb tenants”..heh, yea right…they just might get an earfull…heh…nope to the buyer beware!! I hope the sign will buy us some peace from these wicked women…I do feel so sorry for the clients…not likely to find any good help and wowee do they pay through the nose…even daughter today was noticing it seems all the evil people are moving into these parts…maybe so…one would wonder…
A BRIEF UPDATE:
Although the refrigerator install involved some time-consuming “complications,” it is in the Best Little Trailer and operating. Reg and I didn’t return home until 5 pm. Details in the next post!
I have several photos to edit.
Thank you for your comments. I hope you can enjoy this day!
Bye for now,
Sue
Wonderful news, Sue. Thank you for updating us. I’m looking forward to the report in your next posting.
With sunset just past 5 there you barely got home by then. What a long day for you and Reggie to be gone from home. I’m glad the fridge is in and running. Thanks for the update. I guess you still had the storage drawers ( and maybe their frame) to move before you could settle comfortably inside. I hope you can enjoy, today, too 🙂 , that you are relaxing a bit and are continually feeling better and stronger.
Whoopie!! Cold storage again! Who wants hot beer anyhow?
Hope you easily sail through the medical test tomorrow, Jim, hugs.
Hi RV Sue. I’m camping in the desert near Ehrenberg myself after a long cold wet and beautiful trip down the coast.
It’s so amazing here. Finally on the 2 month trip planned for. Very limited wifi so can’t keep up with you regularly. Congrats on finally getting your fridge. I hope your cold, or whatever it is, heals soon. I had a bad bout on the way down here, all gone now but it took a while.
Hope all the doggie lovers on this site get a chance to see the movie released this week called…A Dog’s Purpose…adapted from the book by the same name…I shed a few tears…but a great adult or kid feel good movie chronically the many lives of Bailey the Dog…
Test
end Test
Oh, no! Not a test! I didn’t study!!!