Sunday, May 12
That ol’ corny saying is true, “There’s a first time for everything.” Well, RVSue and her canine crew move this morning to Cadillac Ranch RV Park in Bluff, Utah. The crew and I have never stayed in a private RV park before!
Of course, I always look at the financial angle.
I need to dump waste tanks, as well as fill up the water tank and the water jugs (Chuck tells me the water tastes good at Cadillac Ranch). To do these things costs at least $10, maybe more, at most places.
One night at Cadillac Ranch costs $25. One night at Sand Island Campground costs $5. So for an additional $20 I’m getting $10 worth of dump and water. The other $10 gives us electric hook-up (air conditioning!) and . . . drum roll please . . .
A shower!
Did you feel the earth beneath you shake? Did your heart skip a few beats? I almost titled this post, “Breaking news! RVSue takes a shower!”
Quite a momentous occasion!
Chuck and Geri move into Cadillac Ranch, too.
I forgot to take a pic when the BLT was set up next to their fifth wheel.
Camp manager Diana gives us neighboring campsites.
She suggests I park in the opposite direction so our doors and awnings face each other. I set up the pen between our homes-on-wheels for my crew and theirs. Later we combine our efforts for dinner. We walk Radar, Doogie Bowser, Spike, and Bridget around the park. American coots, a heron, and ibises frequent the park’s pond. A pet emu lives in back of the park.
Monday, May 13
Cadillac Ranch is a quiet place. The crew and I sleep well. Geri and I enjoy some conversation while sitting in camp chairs outside. I take care of the tasks for the BLT, break camp, and the crew and I head back to Sand Island where I back the BLT into the same site we had before.
rvsue
Canine Corner: “RV Friends” by Bridget
Today is my day to blog. Spike wants to butt in, of course. Too bad. For once, he’s going to have to wait his turn.
Spike and I have two RV friends, Doogie Bowser and Radar.
DOOGIE
Doogie (that’s what we call him because we’re pals) looks like he might be one of those stuck-up kind of dogs, but, believe me he’s not. He’s a friendly, down-to-earth guy. He is very loyal to Mr. Chuck, which I think is kind of rude to Ms. Geri, but she doesn’t seem to mind.
Anyway, Doogie has this trick he does to get treats. He stands on his back legs and puts on his cute face. What a funny guy!
ME AND RADAR
Radar has teddy bear fur. He can make his ears stick out straight from the sides of his head. And he has funny little eyes that slant. At first I thought he was weird. Now that I’ve had a chance to get to know him, I think he’s cute. When we were out walking, he kissed me! He loves Ms. Geri very much, kind of like how I love RVSue.
Too funny. When we’re traveling and we’re in need of a shower we’ve been known to stop at the local town swimming pool and go for a dip. Usually it’s reasonably inexpensive way to get some exercise, have some fun in the pool, and finish it off with a nice hot shower!
Too funny. When we’re traveling and we’re in need of a shower we’ve been known to stop at the local town swimming pool and go for a dip. Usually it’s reasonably inexpensive way to get some exercise, have some fun in the pool, and finish it off with a nice hot shower!
I’ve heard the YWCA or YMCA is another alternative. Pay to swim in the pool and use the showers.
Hi There RVSue and Canine Crew, I write articles for RVT.com and am wondering if I may interview you for that publication? Here is an interview that I did recently. http://www.rvt.com/blog/rv-lifestyle/meet-the-gypsy-journalist/#.URQGrovOphA.blogger
Sincerely, Levonne Gaddy (To my friends, it’s just Levonne)Book: “This Restless Life: A dream chased through California parks in an RV” “This is an entrancing book— heartfelt, inspiring, beautiful and engagingly written.” Review by Allison TitcombMy Website and Blog Levonne’s Art and Such Etsy Store Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 18:58:25 +0000 To: levonnegaddy@hotmail.com
Sure, no problem. Let me move into a location with better internet signal. I’ll get in touch with you.
Hello again! First thing I had in Calee was an avocado filled with tiny salad shrimp. Thought of you!
A shower……………whoeeeeee! I’m a shower girl whether it be at a RV park or in our RV. That’s what I like about hook ups….having the opportunity to have water and a sewage hose. But yes it comes with a huge added expense. Hope you enjoyed your shower.
Looking back…glad to see Spike got to soak. Lock out- do you have access to the fuel tank door on the PTV without having to hit a switch inside? If so…You can secure it to the inside with a piece of duct tape.
The crew look like they are enjoying themselves.
Welcome back! I missed you! I assume you are back in NY?
I don’t know how an avocado filled with shrimp reminds you of me but I’ll accept that. 🙂
I do have access to the fuel tank door without having to hit a switch. Thanks for the idea. I need to take care of that.
Got back yesterday afternoon. Missed reading this blog the whole time I was there.
We blogged about avocados and how they just didn’t taste right….you mentioned the weather being so cold might be part of the reason.
For some reason…they don’t have the IQF (individual quick frozen) salad shrimp back here either.
Pretty sad that my suitcase was filled with 48 pounds of food you can’t get here!
I remember! The Case of the Missing Avocado in the PTV!
Nice to see the 4 leggers enjoying themselves on a playdate. Kind of a rv’ers parents day out! Max, my Chu-weenie, is enjoying the Canine corner posts.
Hi Ruth . . . I do like to get away from the little poopies ever so often.
A shower would be nice right about now, I am in Jawbone just outside of Mojave, CA. The wind is doing its’ desert thing, gusts up to 40 MPH last night.
Enjoy your showers Sue.
Bob
Hi Bob!
I KNOW what you mean! The wind is kicking up dust around here, too. The last time I went through wind like this, I washed my hair in a basin and the water turned brown from the dirt blown into my hair.
Hi Sue ~~ I’ve been following you for a while now and have learned so much about the RV lifestyle. My husband and I are ready to take the leap to full time RVing. Our house is under contract and closes the end of the month. We purchased a MH and a Jeep to tow behind it. My husband’s retirement date is May 24th (7 days left to work). We are spending June in Denver before we head out to destinations unknown. All of this garble just to say ~~ I’m not sure how I’m going to get used to NOT taking 20 minute showers. I think it’s going to be fun (certainly entertaining) to see how we each adapt to our new environment. We can hardly wait! ~~ Paula
I think that is the beauty of Sue’s blog. We take what we need from it. When I first started following Sue, I thought her lifestyle was perfect, and it is for HER. As I have planned my rv retirement, I have learned more about myself and what probably won’t work for me. Hearing of Sue’s travels has made me look at things with perspective, and I am never going to change the fact that I love to eat out and watch television. Will I have solar? Yes. Will I stay in public campgrounds? Yes. Sue’s adventures give me the freedom to make my own choices.
Very well put, DeAnne. I, too, evolved from my first idea of how I would full-time it. At first I saw myself in a Class C traveling like Tioga George. Everyone needs to find out what is a perfect fit for them.
Reading between your lines I see a woman with a vision for her own retirement lifestyle who is moving toward it with confidence. I’m happy for you.
What an exciting time this is for you, Paula, and for your husband. Sounds like your ducks are lining up in a neat row.
Stay adaptable and you’ll have a great time! Congratulations!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh the feeling of luxury….I remember dry camping once for several days when it was dusty and hot. When I left I stopped at a motel and the feeling of that hot shower still makes me smile…Sometimes it pays to treat yourself regardless of cost. One never knows when the road might end….Have fun!!!!
Hi Jim!
The air conditioning was nice, too. It’s getting pretty hot in southeastern Utah.
Is the shower in the Casita not working? I thought their bathroom was very adequate when I tried one out.
The shower works fine. I don’t like using it. I’d rather take a sponge bath from tubs of water.
OK Thank you. I keep considering a Casita to downsize some more and that was a concern for me. I appreciate the response.
Glad you got to enjoy a long (hope it was long) hot shower!
It was very enjoyable!
Doogie Bowser and Radar enjoyed spending time with Spike and Bridget almost as much as Chuck and I enjoyed spending time with you! Too bad it’s gotta end, but that road keeps on calling doesn’t it? Good to see you Sue, take care and we love you!
Love you, too! Bluff will always be a special place for me because of you.
Sounds like Bridget is having as much fun as Sue!
Hi Teri . . . Bridget is still nervous about being separated from me, but I think she’s enjoyed having canine pals.
As always, I so enjoyed reading this post. I’m a ways from being able to retire and travel full time, but I’m dreaming of it full time! I see that my camping expereinces in our 13 foot Scamp have been pretty luxurious compared to you. We always stay in State campgrounds or private campgrounds that have full hookups and nice warm showers. We’re branching out this June to do some dry camping in Eastern Washington. I thought of you when I was doing the planning! You’re the best blogger out there, RV Sue!
Laurie . . . You’re so sweet. Thank you. I’m glad my blog has shown you some more options. I hear eastern Washington is beautiful.
Speaking of dry camping, I just got home from a three-day stay in a beautiful state park. Had the whole loop to myself and great hiking trails. Anyway, I used my new Wave 6 catalytic heater and just love it!!!! It’s SILENT! And, of course, no battery depletion. I ran it several hours a day and it didn’t even make a dent in my propane level. 🙂
That’s great! I’m glad you like it.
The other day you said you staked down your outdoor rug. Do you literally stake it — like putting a hole in each corner — or put a heavy rock on each corner (or a couple of heavy dogs, mentioning no names here)! Winds are all around it seems, can you leave that nice rug out all night or not?
Hi Gayle,
I stake the rug with metal tent stakes that have a plastic disc at the top. The outdoor rug has a loop at each corner. Sometimes a corner stake will hit rock underground, so I can’t pound it in all the way. When that happens I place a rock or rocks at the stake so no one trips over it.
Once the rug is put down, it stays down until I break camp. Only once was wind so bad close to the ground that I put a rock on each side halfway between the stakes, because the wind was getting under the mat.
In short, you can stake the mat down and forget about it.
Oh no, a shower, say it ain’t so…..lol. Sounds like you spent some time in the lap of luxury. I’m sure the satellite voyeurs missed the bath show you give them when out boondocking…you know they have eyes everywhere.
Bridget, glad you aren’t as stuck up as Sue says you are ;-). Bet it was fun being around some furry friends for a change of pace.