Midland Long Term Visitor Area, Blythe, California
The Best Little Trailer is happy to be camping again!
We pick up our story of camping next to friends, Del and his canine crew, at Midland. Reggie, Roger and I are no longer full-time RVers; this camping trip is our first since moving into our regular home in southeastern Arizona two years ago.
Our mornings begin with a walk across the desert.
BeeBee and Buddy are eager to start their morning walk. Reg is over with Skeeter and Del at the RV.
Del takes his crew one way and I take mine another. Without discussing it, we know our walks are to remain quiet times enjoying nature, canine companionship, exercise, and private reflection without the distraction of socializing.
The first few days . . .
Reg, Rog, and I take off for our walk while Del, BeeBee, Buddy, and Skeeter motor into town. Del enjoys breakfast every day at a small restaurant. However, Del’s routine changes with the closing of the restaurant due to the virus concern.
“Hi, BeeBee! Let me take a pic of your pretty face.”
In the new routine . . .
The boys and I make our way through the creosote and brittlebushes, while Del fixes and eats his breakfast. Then they head out on their walk, stopping by our camp for a brief good-morning. If we aren’t back from our walk by the time they head out, they catch us at camp on their return.
Here comes Skeeter. He’s matured a lot since we saw him last almost 2 yrs. ago.
The weather is ideal in mid-March for camping in the desert without generator or solar power. Temps are in the 80s during the day, 50s at night.
“No, we’re not going with you, Skeeter. We already went on our walk.”
As I mentioned previously . . .
The Perfect Tow Vehicle is retired now. She’s at home with the solar panel still on her roof and the storage batteries in her belly.
Our newly purchased 2013 Silverado takes over the job of towing the Best Little Trailer. She performs beautifully.
I figure we’ll do just fine with limited power for our camp.
(For those new to my blog, I don’t own nor do I want to own a generator.)
Here’s the plan . . . .
A little 12-volt charger for my phone can operate out of the dash of the Silverado (or the 12-volt receptacles in the BLT but I try not to rely on those in order to conserve the charge on the house battery).
The phone is my connection to the internet. (The laptop with Verizon mobile card will be used sparingly.) A battery-operated AM-FM radio provides another access to news of the “civilized” world.
That leaves only a few electrical power draws in the BLT — the panel of indicator lights on the propane refrigerator and the LED ceiling lights.
The former doesn’t draw much and I can eliminate the latter.
Brittlebush with ironwood tree behind our campsite
We won’t use the BLT’s LED lights at all.
What? No lights?
Occasionally I do need to find my way around the BLT after dark, to make a snack, read a conventional book, find things, and so forth, so I needed something for light.
While planning this trip, I recall a reader a few years ago raving about her solar camp light. A little research and I find it at Amazon:
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light
Well, that reader was right!
It’s a great item and not expensive.
I’m amazed at the light it provides. It gives a pleasant glow to the entire interior of the BLT or a bright light, depending upon which setting is chosen. And it lasts! (See description at end of post.)
The light hangs in a sunny window, its tiny solar panel soaking up the rays
Probably the light was originally designed for backpackers because its lightweight and collapsible, taking up very little space.
This light will be essential equipment when the crew and I try camping without the BLT. Someday I’ll take the boys camping with just the truck and camper top. (More about that in another post.)
Our walks over, everyone gets together for a pleasant chat.
Later . . . .
Every day we visit Del and his crew at their camp. We’re all very comfortable with each other.
Buddy rewards Del’s gentle touch with a look of devotion.
Reggie and Roger wander too far away.
We call them and they come running! Quickly I hold up the camera and take the shot without checking the composition. That’s why the top of the Big Marias and sky are cut off. Oh, well . . .
Notice how Reggie keeps his ears flat. Using aerodynamics to his advantage, he takes the lead!
Reggie and Roger race to camp! Desert dogs!
Bringing you up to the present . . . .
The crew and I have been home for a while now. Our green yard is brown and crunches under my feet. We’re outside every morning while I tend flower beds and keep up with home maintenance. The shelter-at-home recommendation has not been difficult for us because we’re homebodies anyway!
Thanks to loyal blogorinos.
You bring news, good cheer, interesting topics, and friendship to my blog. I read and appreciate your messages, as do many of your fellow readers.
I hope everyone is well and enjoying Memorial Day, remembering those who gave their lives to keep our nation free. Take a few moments to drop into comments and let us know what you’re up to, okay? It’s a pleasure to hear from frequent commenters as well as those who’ve been missing for a while.
I’ll wrap up the Midland camp report in the next post with more pics of the canine pals.
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
AND THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM HERE!
Here again is the link to the solar camp light that I used at this camp and that I recommend:
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light
For a few more dollars you get the light PLUS a charger for your phone:
MPOWERD Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light + Charger
“Our toughest, longest lasting light ever. Go further with the Luci Pro Series Outdoor 2.0 + Mobile Charging. With a two-way USB port, the Luci Pro Series charges from empty to full in just a few hours, and lasts 50 hours or more on a single solar charge. Or, top up the charge on your smartphone with the power of the sun.”
Other models from this company are available at Amazon. Have fun shopping! — Sue
Reg and Rog arrange the covers just how they like them for an afternoon nap.
~ ~ ~
So good to read your update!
Husband and I working from home.
I’m a homebody but silently feel like being a rebel when I’m told to stay home.
Weird, I know.
Planning our daughter’s wedding….. It’s been a bit difficult as original date was this June.
We did change it to August and if crowds are to be limited it’ll just be family.
Take care. Always a pleasure to read your posts.
Anna in N.C.
Hi, Anna,
You “silently feel like being a rebel.” Me, too! 🙂
Best wishes to you and family for the wedding . ..
Hi Sue and Boys….I haven’t commented in awhile and have made a few changes to my lifestyle. I bought a home in Yuma last winter. I still have my motorhome and plan on doing a few trip this summer. I hope all us well with you….
Hi, Pat,
Congratulations on the purchase of your Yuma home! I hope all is well with you, too.
I just found this comment I had posted in 2016…..kerin gordon says:
February 14, 2016 at 5:38 pm
wow i just read what i had written a couple years ago and i had alot of typos i didnt catch…anyway my los algodones dog passed away over a year ago and i was there yesterday getting some work done.while waiting i walked to the pharmacy and came upon such a site..a starving mange covered dog licking the street. when i approached him he was scared an appeared to have some blindness. i started to shake cuz what could i do..how could i get this dog across the border. I am a good liar I think. I double timed it back to soft dental and my car was blocked in. I asked the lady to move it and told her why and she said yes she knows…huh…so i asked her what she knows…people are so oblivious to what is around them. There were thousands of people there that day…many walking right past the dog. I went to where the dog was but he was gone..I drove up and down the street making illegal uturns then i saw him. I tried to pick him up in my coat but he went limp and snarled. I saw a man trying to fix his car and I asked him for a favor and he came over. He basicly just picked up the dog and put him in the car..amazing..then I tried to jump his truck to no avail…He needed an alternator I told him. It took awhile to cross the border and the dog laid in the back seat not moving and stinking horribly. When I got to the border I had to give him my expired passport, which was all I could find at home and my drivers license. I told him I found the dog in gila bend on the way here and was going to take him to the vet but the vet wasnt to be found..and he told me good luck..anyway the dog has eaten his weight twice over and sleeping alot…which is good. he had a bath and i applied mange lotion to kill it..which it also killed the ticks as well. this was the first dog i had seen with mange there or anywhere. He is like a skeleton very very skinny…Im crossing my fingers that he pulls through. i didnt take him to the vet because it would cost so much for all the tests and stressful for him to. I have some meds for him. wish me luck..i will post an update at a later date……..UPDATE IT IS NOW 2020 AND I REALIZED Q HAD CTVT, CANINE TUMOR VENERAL CANCER IN 2016. He also had cancer growning on the side of his nose…I thought it was also ctvt but it was not. I had the cancer removed from his face and sent biopsis of both cancers to England where they study ctvt. His tumor on his penis gets big and small…and has only been to the vet to remove the cancer on his nose…not to be seen for ctvt. He is just fine. He cries endlessly when I get home…or I guess I should say he talks. He is very demanding. He gets along with the cats, dogs, horses and chickens…but not with my new blind dog I got. He walks into Q and he is a neutered male but they just dont like each other. I guess since Q was the last new dog not counting my 3 lb chihuahua…who everyone pretty much ignores. Im glad to see this has a happy ending.
Great to hear from you! Like a little visit. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Mary,
Great to see you here. Are you still isolated on an island in Puget Sound? You really know how to social distance!
Nice post Sue. I’m also a homebody. Still remodeling our little home. It’s a nice balmy day in Show Low Az. This mountain town now is congested with all the valley people up for the long weekend. The exodus will begin soon enough. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Warm regards to you and The Crew.
What a wonderful surprise to see your post pop up.
Stay safe out there my friend, judy.
Hi, Judy,
Nice hearing from you again! You stay safe, too, while enjoying life.
Staying home for now, as we totally missed our Spring March to June RV trip, looks like our June to September plans are up in the air as well, too many of our favorite COE parks and Military bases still closed. Projects at the house are plentiful, and we’re healthy and want for nothing… so worried for the people who have lost their jobs because of this lockdown. Glad to see a blog post from you today.
Hi, Elaine,
Sorry you had to cancel your spring-into-summer trip. You probably told me once where you are but I’ve forgotten. I’m guessing Texas. Lots of great COE campgrounds in that state.
Ah, home projects…. always something to do!
So glad to hear you all had a great time. Sounds like you’re adapting to a different camp style just fine. I have a little solar light that I use when I camp too, will go back and see if it’s the same one. Katie (my sheltie) and I have been camping in the back yard here in Michigan as all the camping is closed for the moment, at least till mid June. Makes us sad, but we’re glad we have somewhere to sleep outside even if it is our own back yard. The birds still sing and we can see a few stars. Looking forward to reading more, Sue!
PS: This light is more useful than the one I have. I ordered it. I bet they see a run on them just from your post! 🙂
Thank you, Dawn!
Hi, Dawn and Katie,
I love that you camp in your backyard! Keep that camping spirit alive! 🙂
Great to read your post, so glad the trip went well. We are in Colorado probably for the summer. Social distancing as much as possible. We have had a number of parks cancel on us due to the virus, including the one on the coast of Oregon we had planned to spend the summer at. At least we are both healthy and social distancing as much as possible. It was great to see the pups.
Hi, Lisa,
How disappointing to miss the summer on the Oregon coast! Maybe another time, and maybe better than ever! Glad you both are healthy…
Hi. Wish I could be out there with you. This quarantine is getting old fast.
Pat
Hi, Pat,
We’re gonna’ be like horses let out of the barn in spring! 🙂
Hope your Memorial Day is relaxing. We are homebodies as well so the “Stay at Home” request is pretty mute point for us.
Hubby is still having up and down days. Otherwise, all is well here. Angel is having a difficult time this past month or so. She was having some respiratory issues and coughing quite a lot. The vet found fluid in her lungs and put her on an antibiotic and diuretic. She did pretty good for a few days, then started again. Now she is on a double dose & double frequency of the diuretic. She has to go about about every 1 1/2 hrs. She is doing better, but he said he almost lost her. With her retainage of fluid, I am concerned she has congestive heart failure in addition to her enlarged heart an the murmur.
I am so glad you took this trip, Sue. I love the stories. Rog & Reg look happy to be visiting their pals and are looking healthy. I assume you are felling good also. How is Pauline and her family doing?
I hope all the fellow blogorinos are healthy and enjoying the weekend.
Hi, Barbara,
Good to hear that Angel is doing better, but, gee, that is concerning, having to go so often. What a worry for you! I know you love her with all your heart and you give her lots of attention. May your little Angel overcome whatever ails her. She has her Momma to walk and a neighborhood to supervise!
Hope my post shows up. I would have been second had is gone through.
Congratulations on being second, Barbara! Hehehee.
Hi Sue, lovely photos of all of the Kids. I do envy you the yard work. I left a long note earlier today on the previous page. I am trying to get my laptop camera open to zoom visit with the birthday boy but it frustrating me so I came check out some soothing pics from here and here you be…thanks.
Back to some tech work… Remember our Fallen..
Take Care
Hi, Deena,
I did see your wonderfully long comment and enjoyed reading it very much. I’m amazed at your nephew’s interest in the crew. He sounds like a sweet 6-yr.old. I hope he had tons of fun at his pool party.
Reg and Rog say, “Happy Birthday, friend!”
Thanks for stopping in again, Deena. 🙂
Oh you might really enjoy the multi-colored Luci! You can have it cycle through all of them if you’re feeling festive, or just pick one. The blue & yellow are lovely. Fun for a change.
Hi, Liz,
I don’t know if mine does different colors. I’ll check it. Remember the disco balls? Wow, ages ago….. They were fine and fun, but strobe lights? No. 🙂
Was just wondering about you yesterday. Glad to hear you enjoyed your first foray into camping again.
Things have been pretty boring with this covid thing. Had been getting pretty busy before then with Master Gardener classes, working at Audubon, etc. But I am basically a homebody too so we’re surviving. Dilla left us just as this was getting started so it’s just Mona and me now. First time in thirty years I’ve had only one dog. I think we’re done with camping at this point. Have been spending alone time putting in some gardens. As you know, you can’t leave those alone for long.
Hi, Nora and Mona,
My sympathies to you on the passing of Dilla. I’m sure the loss is hard for both of you. (Not sure if “us” means there are three of you.)
We have much in common…. gardening (although you know what you’re doing), love of birds, a homebody, and knowing the joy of having two dogs.
Best wishes.
Just love it when a new “Sue” post shows up! We introverts are not having as much trouble with the stay at home, but I do miss the small pleasures of our wonderful Asian buffet which I fear will be a thing of the past, and of seeing friends for a breakfast get together. And of course, the large pleasure of being able to see our family. Hasn’t happened since Christmas and who knows when now? Thank goodness for Skype and FaceTime and Zoom.
Stay well.
Hi, Liz,
You’re right about us introverts. Ha! We have many advantages over the more social group. But then again they probably think the same about us!
You’re the second Liz on this thread. If a third appears, I’ll really be confused, more than usual!
Well wish for you, too, Liz.
Hi Sue
Always happy to hear from you!! Glad you are still posting with your lifestyle change from FT to house. Your new life insights are thought provoking as I contemplate a home base. Fortunately changes are part of life and I’m glad you are indulging your fiddle foot with this trip.
Please keep up your writing work. I lost track there for awhile and could not find the blog where your sister finally moved to the house. I assume you are writing and pixing discretely for her privacy. Good sister.
Hi, Sheryl,
I guess you missed the post where I wrote that my sister decided to return to FL to live.
Thinking of a home base, eh? Good luck with that decision (the most important one being location) and the many decisions that will follow.
Hi Sue, great to hear from you. Your camping trip sounds great. I have missed you, but the spring has been perfect for doing a million thing needing to be done in my yard and house. I have a small garden planted and it is sometimes doing good and other times fighting for its life against the weeds. I am afraid I am fighting a loosing battle witht he weeds. We bought new wood-look tile 5 years ago and we are getting it put down today in our Livingroom and kitchen. There is no need to get in a hurry getting this done, after all we are retired and have all the time in the world, right? This virus has made us stay home more. I am afraid that we are not home bodies. I have enjoyed it though. It is coming to an end in our part of the world. Everything is opening back up and the streets are full of traffic again. It was nice while it lasted. Enjoy your house and yard and summer. Whenever you feel like it feel free to do another blog, we will all be right here doing our thing and enjoying every day just like you.
Thank you, Jean, for the sweet words to me.
Wow, you have taken advantage of the shut-down! You can enjoy that great feeling of accomplishment for finishing that floor project. A huge job but I imagine it makes a nice improvement in your living space.
Keep enjoying life, Jean, whether at home or out-and-about!
So good to hear from you! Thanks for sharing as always. Having to stay home, so gardening, cooking and feeding the birds. Hoping to get back on the road when it is cooler and not so restrictive. The two dogs are bored as they love to travel as much as I do. Stay safe and keep us informed of your adventures at home as well as on the road.
Hi, Sharron,
Won’t it be wonderful when we can get back on the road again and involved in the activities that we love. I think there is a silver lining to these days. Folks have been forced to slow down.
Take care, Sharron and canine crew!
Seems ages ago I’ve read a blog post 🙂 What have I been doing? Well, I had to cancel two trips..one to New Jersey and one to Alaska. Trip to NJ was to attend Transplant Games of America in July (my sister had a liver transplant 15 years ago) and the trip to Alaska to see new great grandson were cancelled. The TGOA was postponed to July 2021 and I reschedule trip to Alaska to September hoping the virus won’t be so bad. I would hate to be asymptomatic and infect others on plane or take it to Alaska. I don’t know if a quarantine will be in place when I arrived in Alaska so have to plan on that if it happens. Now I read the virus may be in full bloom again in fall so I guess I’ll have to see about planned trip. Alaska airlines offered flights with cancellation without penalties so we booked our flight in late September. Keeping my fingers crossed for no virus, that I’m clean, and trip goes well.
While hunkered down at home, I’ve been sewing masks for family and friends. I’ve painted the spare room and now painting base boards throughout the house using the same color – Swiss Coffee white gloss. The flat color will go on the rest of walls throughout the house. It was a chore moving everything out of the room, prepping and finally painting…I forgot how much work painting entails. I don’t mind being at home and venturing out to grocery store twice a month. The rest of my extended family have had to cancel wedding plans, birthday parties, graduation and other family events. We all keep in touch virtually.
Before the virus, sister, niece and I took a road trip up highway 395. It was amazing trip. I finally camped and visited Alabama Hills! While in Victorville, we visited historic route 66 museum and saw Big Boy arrive…the train with the biggest engine. People were camped along the railroad track into the desert to get a glimpse of Big Boy. We visited ancient bristlecones, saw a parade in Big Pine and visited Mono Lake!! I loved that we could hike around the area. We traveled to Carson City and on to Virginia City, visited Lake Tahoe and drove back down through the desert of Nevada into Death Valley, Laughlin and back into Phoenix. Such beautiful country. Thank you for blogging about it or I would have never known about highway 395. We want to return and visit other sights we didn’t have time to see. We did the road trip in October and temperatures a couple of mornings were 23 degrees outside the frosted grounds and tent. We were perfectly fine in the tent sleeping on cots. My sleeping bag was rated to -40 below so I was toasty and warm all night. We made no camp reservations ahead of time but called ahead to see what was available and stopped when we wanted.
Before the virus, my daughter sold her old home and bought a new one in the historic district. She wanted a single floor bungalow like mine. She scored a nice house with big front and back yard. She moved in December and we helped her paint her house, move her things out of storage, clean up her yard. She removed the old tile floor for new, replaced all windows to energy efficient ones, replaced ceiling fans, landscape front and back yard. It was a big job and she did all her own contracting with various entities. Her house is gorgeous now and we had a cook out yesterday (the first time we had been to her house since February).
No more thrift store shopping for me for a while…boo hoo. Anyway take care and stay safe.
BTW we had been using those little collapsible solar lanterns for a while now. We use them for camping. I think we bought ours from REI. I bought a few more camping equipment from a resale store on highway 395…I don’t remember which town we stopped and saw the store. I bought a down vest, hiking boots, trekking poles for less than $100….score!!
I always love to find your newsy comments, Rita! So much reading entertainment!
I’m glad you enjoyed your Route 395 camping…. brought back fun memories for me. Your mention of your sleeping bag has me wondering if I should get one like that for truck camping. It would have to big enough for Reggie and Roger, too. 🙂
Sounds like your daughter is doing well with her new house. I’m happy for both of you.
Hi Rita! Like Sue, I am interested in the brand and model of your sleeping bag. Do you mind telling us which one you use?
we bought our sleeping bags and gear at REI outlet in Paradise Valley, AZ . I buy the store brand. If they’re defective in any way, you can return them to nearest REI.
What a treat to read about and see your camping trip pictures. Waiting for the next one. Cheers John in Duluth, MN
Cheers to you, too, John! Good hearing from you!
We could use more guys on this blog to keep it from becoming a “chick-fest.” 🙂
Loved having you check in with the blogorinos. I remember Del’s crew from times past. That Buddy is a handsome fella. We had one RV trip to CA canceled in March, but heading out mid-June for three months with lengthy stays in WY, MT, and OR. Also have reservation on Lake Louise in Banff, but may have to back out if the two-week quarantine remains. Again, thanks for posting. Stay in touch.
Yay! Another guy!
Hi, Joe, and you’re welcome,
What wonderful plans you have made! I hope you make it to Lake Louise. I never made it that far north. You be sure to let us know how your summer travel unfolds and I’ll be sure to keep in touch, too.
Thanks for the update Sue and Crew.
Glad to hear you all enjoyed yourselves and got to hang with Dela and his crew as well.
Hope to hear more soon on the camper for the new truck you got. Is your truck 4×4 as
well, just wondering. HA HA
Also glad to hear things are going with you all at home.
As always take care of yourselves and enjoy life.
God Bless,
S. Kaeseman
Hi, Steve,
I did promise to write about and show more of my truck and camper, didn’t I. I’ll get to that. Yeah, baby, it’s a 4×4. I haven’t used it yet as we’ve been on dry, flat ground . Maybe when the rainy season arrives I’ll find some place in which to get stuck in mud. 🙂
Your always respectful sign-offs make me feel like a lady. Nice.
Glad to see you are out and about Sue!! Thrilled each time you post!
My 20 years as an RVer came to a screeching halt last year when a huge hail storm tore through Texas. I grew up camping on the creek-banks in rural Texas, and gradually moving up the RV ladder to tent trailers, a small trailer with amenities, to a Class C, and the last 20 years had been in the Class A.
Because it was set up as a full-time rig, I had good insurance, and insurance paid in full, even eliminating the deductible, so I was very fortunate in the aftermath of the hailstorm.
This rig was a 33′ Class A Southwind, with a traditional “Jeep” Sahara as a toad. I HAVE “shopped” over the past year, but just couldn’t make a decision on what I wanted as a replacement ‘RV’ for my travels.
Over that year of shopping for a new rig, I gained some beautiful new grand-babies, and began taking a huge interest in the slow easy comfort of my own home, updating it, and doing some of the ”things” that made remaining here for longer periods of time more enticing and exciting.
My two little rescued pups, Princess & Timber are getting older, and we added a couple of lovely Ragdoll kittens to the family. Over the years, I’ve learned how to travel in so many ways, that I realized that I didn’t have to have any type of ‘rig’ for going places, so I opted to get a new Chrysler Pacifica with back seats that lie flat if needed for a trip if my heart is triggered to roam without notice.
After sorting through the things I was able to rescue from the motor home, I suddenly realized that I already owned everything I needed to be a gypsy, perhaps even a van dweller with plenty of room inside the new car to be comfortable.
Right now, I don’t miss all of the 30+ years of filling up, putting up, and maintaining a ‘traveling home or a rig of any kind. I had huge pleasures, but tons of upkeeps, and now, I just want to enjoy LIFE!
I traded in the Jeep and my ‘regular car’ on the Chrysler Pacifica with the huge flat interior, and stashed the cash for the motor home safelt away, …. just in case I change my mind!
So for now, I am in my home in Mt. Pleasant, TX with a huge wide open paved driveway; I am a member of Boondockers Welcome and I’ve been enjoying welcoming lots of RVing people as overnight guests, by furnishing them a quiet parking space with basic amenities if they pass my way. Because it was where I had parked my motor home, I have a great shady spot for people passing through, where they have water, electricity, and a place to dump. Belonging to Boondockers Welcome has been lots of fun. I have many members who have ‘stopped over’ for a night, sometimes a week, and been able to offer a ‘haven’ for some who needed a place to ‘recuperate’ either a free campsite over night, or a place to recuperate financially while they get a rig fixed, and people hurrying home to Canada during the COVID-19 shutdown, and it’s been a great opportunity to have old friends drop by.
The bonus is that members of Boondockers Welcome is that I can read what others have left in their references, so everyone “passing through” has their references already on the website, and I don’t have to worry about who might show up.
It keeps me ‘in the loop’ and when I see their rig parked in the spot where I used to park my RV, I feel the old ‘travelin fever’ feeling tugging at my heart!
If anyone belongs to Boondockers Welcome and passes through northeast Texas, you are welcome to park and stay a while.
Sue, your adventures truly ”changed my style” when you bought the Casita, and I have been traveling with you since you began your journey by selling your house and deciding which pups would travel with you. I felt your excitement when you were deciding what to keep, and ‘letting go’ in preparation for your trip, and your anticipation of picking up the Casita, so you were a HUGE influence on some ideas and new adventures at just the perfect time. I HEARTILY “THANK YOU” for the added fun and pleasures I’ve enjoyed because of your added insight, and for the times your adventures challenged me to get out of my comfort zone!! The lifestyle still calls me, and once my 2-3 year ‘layover’ and stay at home recuperation (post having the motor home totaled out) has passed, I know I will keep traveling, and I may end up with another RV!
Meanwhile, my only daughter, has two precious new babies (two under age 2) and I’m infatuated! In total I now have 14 grandchildren spread between Houston and Dallas, so I’m soaking up the joys of being able to visit them at random, and leaving when I want to ‘be at home alone’.
I’m always interested in everyone’s adventures, travels, and the choices made along the way. I’ve been here since “the beginning” and I’m still loving the adventure with Sue and all of her blog friends!! I’m hanging in here for all the same old reasons, ….. following Sue, and hearing all of the comments! Being a member of this group has been an education all in itself!!
I’m “sheltered” in place right now, staying in self-isolation, keeping ‘clean’, and away from everyone who might sniffle or sneeze, so that I can hold my new grandbabies and love my animals in comfort right now, but I’m totally sure my adventures aren’t over!!
Just wanted to tell you all that I’m still here, but without an RV, I’m living a different lifestyle and being a grandmother for a while! Please keep posting, and if you’re passing through northeast Texas, you are welcome to park in my driveway with hook-ups!!
I’m sinking back into the background and I’ll always be looking forward to Sue’s next new adventure, and an added opportunity to see the world through her eyes, instead of mine~~
May God Bless and keep each of you as we travel life’s highways!! I wish you all the best, and I feel so blessed to have been taking this trip with Sue and each of you!! Have a nice quiet weekend! STAY SAFE! BE WELL!
Wow, B! What an interesting and exciting comment, complete with natural disaster with a happy ending! Thanks for taking the time to share much with us. I’m sure I’m not the only one entertained by your news and your thoughts.
You wrote such nice things about this blog and its community. I feel blessed, too, to have you and all the blogorinos connected to my life.
Please don’t be “sinking into the background” for long. I’m looking forward to YOUR “next new adventure.” 🙂
It’s good to hear from you! The BLT looks natural in that picture. The view through the window behind the lantern looks nice, too. I’m glad you, Reggie and Roger had a good visit.
We suddenly went from March weather to July in a couple of days. I got another reminder about Ohio weather’s effect on my respiratory system, but it’s not especially bad. I’ve been riding my bicycles quite a bit, and that’s nice. Yesterday, I set up my tent for the first time in years. Sometime this summer, I’ll combine those interests.
Things are in reopening mode here. A friend and I went to see bison at a MetroPark today, then ate in a sit-down restaurant for the first time in a couple of months. There was social distance going on, but nobody trying to eat with a mask on. So far, so good.
I look forward to more posts.
Great hearing from you again, Calvin. I saw your previous comment. Hope you’re breathing easily these days.
I’ll be curious to hear about your upcoming tenting-with-bicycle this summer, whether in Ohio or out. I’ve never been to Ohio and know nothing of what it offers for camping. The closest I’ve been is touring Pennsylvania and becoming lost in West Virginia.
It must’ve been a pleasure dining in a restaurant again. I haven’t done that in many months, not being much for eating out. A few times I stopped at local restaurants for take-out, just to do my part in giving support.
It will be a joy when the country opens up and prosperity returns!
The interesting part of bike camping for me is my physical condition. I have a list of diagnoses, but I’m more physically active than most people who have them. Over the past several years, my issues have become worse and then I made a comeback. Ohio has State Parks reasonable distances apart. I get a discount via my disability, or they’d be out of my price range. (Commercial campgrounds aren’t my “thing.”) The camping part resembles backpacking, and I have confidence in my history and know-how of tent camping to venture into that.
I’ve never been strong on eating out either, which is how I’ve lived in a locked-down city without takeout or whatever. However, fast food is a reasonable resource for some purposes, including bicycle trips in this part of the world. Since my friend who had the car wanted to try out the reopening in a sit-down place, I had a good meal and a good time.
Good for you, Calvin, for keeping physically active and for looking forward to bike camping. Your confidence will serve you well.
So nice to see your message. Love the pictures of the landscape and of the boys, of course.
Your yard is crunchy ….mine needs an ark. I have had 6 inches of rain (rain gauge) since yesterday. We have been under a flood watch and it looks like it will continue.
Glad to see you are well. Hugs to the boys
Hi, A!
I don’t know your first name, whether you’re male or female, or where you are located, but I’m certainly happy to see you here! Thanks for the kind words about my photos and toward me and “the boys.”
If I kept up with national weather reports, I’d know where all that rain is falling. I hope it clears up soon for you.
Sue, I was thinking about you the other day, wondering if I had missed a post, then this morning was pleased to find one in my inbox. So glad you had a nice trip, especially before everything shut down. And so happy to see the “kids” looking healthy and I’ll bet they were happy to get out and about.
We left Green Vally in late February as we could see “something” coming and were able to spend a little time in Las Vegas and Reno before skedaddling home and getting toilet paper before it all went poof. I’m very sorry to say we decided the future of traveling 1500 miles to get to our AZ villa is too uncertain and we don’t want to keep putting the money out for expenses each month so we are selling it and will close in a few days. We had such a wonderful winter there but I know we’ll find some other way to spend our winters, although for now, it appears as if we’ll be right here in our Oregon house (and is anyone else finding how unexpectedly comfortable they are feeling by being housebound so much? I know I am.) We may return to AZ at some future date and if we do it will most likely to be a full-time resident.
Anyway, I’m spending some of my homebound time going back into my memory vaults and chronicling the reading I’ve done over the years. I know some of you are familiar with my blog but if not, I’ve been posting about influences on my reading life since I was 3 years old. You can click on my name for a link to my blog.
Hope to hear more from you Sue! Take care of yourself.
Robin
Hi, Robin,
You’re selling your Green Valley home! I must say, you and your husband have no trouble making decisions. (I can understand about the expenses.) You’re fortunate to be able to close on the sale so soon. I guess properties in that area are in demand.
Glad you are keeping in touch, Robin.
Hi Sue and Everyone!
So good to hear from you again! We have just been staying home as much as possible. I have worked my paper delivery 2 days a week through all of this. Being very, very careful. Rick is high risk, very high risk, so I don’t know when it is going to be safe for him to be out much again.
We are homebodies also, so this hasn’t been too bad. I miss seeing family. They live in higher risk counties here and we are waiting a little longer. I have stayed busy making face masks for us and family.
I recently found one a quilt shop in Washington state that has done a great job with You Tube videos to help people with making masks. It is called The Fabric Patch. The owner is a retired nurse practitioner and does a great job teaching these mask patterns. The last video they have done is a pattern with 18 sizes that an engineer who loves working with numbers made using a CAD program and it is great because once you get zeroed in on your size, you get a perfect fitting mask. The video on Youtube is called, The Perfect Fit “Jesse Mask”. I absolutely love it. I have made pleated masks before and used them but these are a little better.
Glad you had a nice time camping. I loved the story and the pictures! I am sure it feels good to know you have your little haven of paradise to go home to also!
Stay safe everyone!
Hi, Jolene,
Sounds like you are keeping busy with your mask projects!
You stay safe, too. Always happy to see you here. . . .
Thank you Jolene, for the information on masks. I just made a few for our family and a neighbor. I am hoping we will not need to use them long-term…but if so, it is nice to have some alternate ideas too as to making a better fit.
Elizabeth, nice to hear from you. In all honesty, I will probably be using them going forward even if we don’t need them for Covid, during cold and flu season. We all have these masks now if you have the fabric ones and if they can help reduce the numbers of flu cases in combo with the vaccine for those who take it and for those who can’t, maybe wearing a mask will help protect some of them as well. I am all for it! Take care!
Yes, I agree Jolene…will be handy in flu season too…and by the way, I am STILL chewing my xylitol gum (I use the Spry brand) when going into stores…I still think it has worked to kill germs in the past when people coughed close to me!! And if a mask will keep people away from me, strangers…then all the better I think!! I read someplace that it is not wise to wear them more than 10 minutes at a time however…and I do try to make my shopping trips very quick anyway…always have in recent years…so Hubby is ok etc. He just waits in the car for me now…am thankful he is still driving however.
Dear Sue…so nice to see your post again…and glad you had a fun trip!! So nice to have a good friend and even better when the dogs all like each other too!!
Today we are thinking of Memorial Day…being Hubby gave the best 6 years health-wise of his life to that…and in my opinion, I also served…by all the separations and hardships that the Navy dished out on us…unnecessary ones some were. I am grateful he served on a sub and not on foot as it was during Viet Nam. But he lived those times without hardly any sleep as he was one who kept the nuclear stuff in order. He was home in April each year…just in time for some Strawberry pie…most years I have made them as that is when usually the fresh ones from USA are beginning to arrive. But not this year yet…
Today? I fixed a cheese pizza from Trader Joe’s for him…cauliflower crust…he even likes it though veggies are not on his list. Daughter figured out that if they would stay gluten free, then cheese and milk products can be eaten…for a time he had to give up cheese…so he is celebrating cheese again today!! I am fixing other things as milk products don’t like me in any form. We are alone…this state governor wants to put people in prison or some other camp if they are seen much…so we are staying put. Do I feel safer? No! But one thing I do not mind about wearing masks when we have to go get food or meds, cause I do not like strangers getting too close anyway…so one bright side to that picture!! And another blessing to us was the good test results for Hubby at the doc last week…so we are rejoicing in improvements in some areas and staying on track in others.
Hi, Elizabeth,
You are such a creative and health-conscious cook! I bet your meals are delicious.
I enjoyed reading your news. Your hubby is celebrating cheese again. I do that almost every day! Ha!
Kind remark, Sue…but heh, certainly not all meals around here are that great. (It would be much better if we did not have to eat alternately…tho I do feel most of the alternate is actually healthier in general). Tonight is an example of a lot of meals since the lockdown…I have enough to eat here…but maybe not just that special ingredient I might get when running to town previous to virus. He wanted a grilled cheese sandwich…so I also opened a can of the chicken vienna sausages (yes not that healthy but it can be stored on shelf till needed and I do not eat any of them but the chicken ones)…put half in fridge for later…cut up several and fried in pan to warm…then put into a sandwich…being I cannot eat cheese. (and so far have not found any fake cheese that tastes good warm…tho’ 2 kinds taste ok cold). Then I fried some corn (you put a T. or so of butter in pan, drain the corn and add to pan and fry on low heat until it is with a kind of crust that forms…kind of like you might do onions, you know with a nice browned edge). Then some canned green beans, raw carrot and cucumber. Exciting huh?? Haha!! I was a much yummier cook when I could eat stuff like lasagna, etc!! You are so fortunate you can eat cheese…it does make life nicer!!
It’s lovely hearing from you, again! Thank you. Blessings, Lynn (Life with Lynnie… blog writer)
Blessings to you, too, Lynn!
Nice hearing from you. Glad to know all is well and your trip was enjoyable. Staying home hasn’t been a problem for us, especially since the children decided the grands could come visit.
Take care, stay safe. Sherry
Hi, Sherry,
I’m happy that you are able to be with your grandkids again. It must be especially hard for those who don’t know when they’ll be able to be with their grands.
Nice hearing from you, too!
Hi Sue, Jim passed away earlier this month. He now has his motorcycle he always wanted as in his last day he was raising his arms and revving that motor ready to head out to the wild blue yonder on it. I can just see him with his favorite old gray felt cowboy hat and worn out cowboy boots, wearing his favorite “Santa Fe” hospital gown (it was the color of the NM state flag) flappin’ in the breeze.
I have been de-stressing myself by sitting on the patio and watching the cherry tomatoes turn red, talking to mama bird tending to her little ones in the nest in the patio cover gutter and so on.
One plan I am hatching is traveling to Texas to take some family items to Jim’s nephew and using my pickup with camper to stay in – and was interested when you said you were planning on doing it too. It won’t be anything fancy, but I must have a cot to get a head start off the floor. And for some reason, I want a bean bag to put in a corner. Right now Iam limbering myself up so I can be much more flexible crawling around in there, then I am now. Am interested in seeing what you do. If all goes well, I will take a trip out to California later in the year to see my brother. Right now Eggie needs some work done on him so a neighbor and I will be working on that this winter, for a few trips later on.
Good catching up on you.
Oh, Emily, I’m sorry to hear your sad news. You lost your friend, Geri, not long ago, and now Jim has passed. You gave him good, loving care for a long time.
I have to go offline now but will return to reply to comments. I’ll write more later, Hon. Bye for now….
Hi again, Emily,
Your de-stressing is important. Watching and tending plants and birds is good therapy. I remember after my father died I would go out into the yard and just sit and stare at the trees and plants. Seemed like I was doing nothing, but it was the healing I needed.
You’re making plans and coming up with ideas. That’s a good sign. Take the time you need.
Your comment about wanting a cot “to get a head start off the floor” got me thinking about a cot, too, for the back of the Silverado. My knees do not like it when I crawl on them! We probably won’t go truck camping until the fall, after the rains. I’ll let you know how that goes. And I want a report on your truck camping to visit your brother. 🙂
Hey Sue and the crew…………I am guilty of being missing for quite some time so I have a good deal to catch up on. All is fine with us down under, coping with the virus restrictions as best we can. Glad all is well with you and that you are now home at the home base……………..love and hugs to you and those gorgeous canines……xxxx Glenda xx
Hey, Glenda, great to see you here again! I’m glad all is fine with you, especially considering the way we’re forced to live these days, all over the world.
Restrictions are being lifted here. I’m optimistic that this virus stuff will soon become a dark cloud in our rear view mirrors.
Thanks for the love and hugs! The crew and I send the same to you.
Enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for sharing about the solar light. I will be ordering one.
Hope you, Reggie and Roger had a great weekend.
Hi, Piper,
I’m pretty sure you’ll be pleased with the light. Thanks for ordering it from a link on my blog.
Yes, our weekend was good, spent at home, of course. I’m pleased to know you’re still reading here, Piper.
Thanks Sue, a ray of sunshine in these dark times.
You’re welcome, dale,
Wherever you are, I hope you can get out in the real sunshine and make yourself some Vit. D. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by . . . .
Hi Sue and Crew…so nice to see you out in your element!! Glad you are in Blythe with Del and Crew. The virus keeps us working from home, we are fortunate. We are going into week 12 of staying home except for necessary runs to the grocery store and Hobby Lobby…yes, that is a necessity since being home so much, I have picked up my old hobby of needlework. I gave up stitching over 10 years ago due to some issues with carpal tunnel. I am happy to be stitching again. DH has picked up a new hobby, painting miniatures so we are both content at home.
Sue, can’t wait to hear about your adventures camping with the truck camper. Glad to see the boys are doing well and enjoying life…you as well. Thanks for the update, always a happy day when I see your update in my Inbox!!
Hope all the Blogorinos are safe and happy at home.
Be well everyone!
Hi, Millie,
Isn’t it interesting what people have discovered since they’ve been kept at home? You have rediscovered a hobby that you find enjoyable after being away from it for several years. Good for you!
Thank you for your interest in the truck camper. A simpler form of camping is something I’ve always wanted to try, not for full-timing, but for short excursions. At least that’s how I plan to start out.
You be well and happy, too, Millie!
Great to see you posting again. We all have missed your stories of life with RVSue and crew.
Hope everyone is staying safe.
Love to you Sister and your crew..Sending BIG HUGS
BIG HUGS to you, Pauline! All is well here. Say hi to the family for me. You know I love y’all!
Heeeey Sue! So you love the little solar Luci lites, huh?? Bravo!! Sooo glad you found them useful!! 🙏🏼❤️ I believe it might have been me bragging them up.
Can’t bring you up to date quite yet. We’ve just spent 2 weeks North of Flag, and another week near the North Rim. No cell service! COLD!! 26° this morning leaving our camp near Jacob Lake, AZ. We are on the road through Kanab and then towards Virgin to maybe find a high camp outside of Leeds, UT.
Life has been Kind to us Sue. Kitty says “Meow, life with my humans is just purrfect!”
More soon for a full, 6 week report since we left the Kofa in early April.
Love Suzi, with my 2 boys- Larry & Kitty 🙋🏼♀️😻
Hi, Suzi, Larry and Kitty,
Glad to hear that life is still good for you . . . .
As soon as I read “north of Flag” I thought, “ooh, cold!” That Jacob Lake area is high elevation. I remember the twisting road going up, up, up from the desert floor on the east and then when leaving northward, that grand vista as you drop off the Kaibab Plateau, heading toward Fredonia. See the memories your posts bring back? 🙂
I look forward to a full report! Always fun to read! Carry on, intrepid travelers!
“Without discussing it, we know…” says a lot about a friendship. It’s great that you two and the canine crews had another chance to spend time together.
Having a frig that runs on propane is a very nice set up. I hope if you need to use a cooler and ice when truck camping whatever food you need is easily accessible.
Thanks for sharing part of your life again!
Hello Weather! Been wondering how you are getting through our stay home spell. Hope you are well, always enjoy what your write and your happy outlook on things. Take Care.
Hello, jazzlover, staying home has been a bit different than usual, of course,the benefits to nearby wildlife has often added much joy to it all. When typing becomes quite easily and comfortably done again for me I’ll describe a few especially nice recent experiences.
Hi, weather,
Thoughts of you keep popping up in my mind ever since you mentioned the muscle difficulty in your hand. I hope it’s a temporary condition that doesn’t hang around, that has, in fact, left!
Yes, I’ll be using a cooler when truck camping. I don’t like messing around with ice but it’s a case of doing what is required to do what is wanted. 🙂
Thanks for keeping in touch, weather. You bring light to this blog and to my life.
Your concern for, and caring about, my wellbeing touches my heart and makes me smile, Sue. Each day brings more comfort to the muscles that have needed to rest and heal.
You’ll cope well with a cooler/ice combo when you need to. You have shown yourself to be a resilient person many times, “making do” with little, when you found it necessary or wise to.
The last sentence in your reply is a gift to me that I’ll cherish and remember, xx oo
Glad you got to go off and visit with Del and his “crew”, such sweet looking companions. At one time not too long ago I had a Silverado 1500 about 15 years old, 4wd and a plow. I had to promise not to attempt to plow my curvy driveway with it. A good thing in retrospect. The truck was a workhorse and the 4wd much appreciated, traded it for some carpentry work. In looking for tops for the truck I found that the higher ones were better for camping, tho did not get one. Wanted a truck camper but that never happened. Now the plan is to find a van already outfitted for camping, with 3 way fridge, storage, nice bed, not easy to come by but I shall not give up the search.
Be interested in how it felt to go out again after being home for two years. Hope it was just what you expected. Have to go take the cover off the outside air conditioner, don’t think we’ll see any more snow for awhile. Take Care of you and the boys, as if you would do anything but! As always, Be Well .
Hi, jazzlover,
You know the Silverado is a sweet truck! It’s the first truck I’ve ever owned. I think it may be the first pick-up I’ve ever driven. I love the ride and the way it handles!
Good luck finding the van you want. I found my truck on craigslist. I don’t use craigslist, as a general rule, but I have a friend who was willing to accompany me for safety.
I appreciate your interest in my reaction to camping after 2 years in a house. I may write about that.
I’m so enjoying these updates. I just ordered myself one of those nifty charger/lights. I may never go camping again, but one never knows when a power outage might occur. Around here, that’s a real possibility.
Hi, Suzette,
Thank you for ordering the light from here. You won’t be disappointed. Blowing it up the first time is a bit awkward until you get the hang of it. Unlike many of the small solar items sold these days, this one really gathers up power to give several hours of light. Hopefully the power won’t be off for long!
Hi Sue,
How fun it must have been to meet up with your long time friend Del. It’s funny how for me, sometimes my original memories are better than when I go back and revisit a place or a person. Sometimes its the exact opposite and its much better. One of life’s mysteries.
Well, we spent two months in Huachuca AZ and it was very nice, we enjoyed it. It is a little remote for us and a bit of a trek to Sierra Vista for groceries, restaurants and other services. It started getting a bit warm and thought what would RV Sue do? Head to a higher elevation!
So here we are, back in Silver City NM! It felt like coming home! We plan to spend the Summer/Fall here and probably work our way back to SE Arizona for winter. Who knows, we might just settle down right here. Silver City has an old cowboy character, history, architecture, and an arty hippie vibe that just draws us in. Time will Tell……
Change Is In The Desert Winds…….
Wishing you Good Health & Happiness!
FloridaScott
Hi, FloridaScott!
I remember you saying you were in Huachuca City. Yes, the heat has arrived in SE Arizona!
Interesting how you are drawn to Silver City. Some places are like that, not the same for everyone, of course. Visit a few times and the town becomes home.
I pick up from your comment that you are enjoying your life. You’ve developed a rhythm for the year that suits you. Those days of you being in Florida longing for the road seem long, long ago. 🙂
Thanks for keeping in touch, Scott. Your travel updates are fun for me to read. A role reversal!
Just ordered two of those lights…one where it can also charge a cell phone…one for us and one for daughter. No, we cannot camp at this point…but one never knows when some light would be awfully nice to have, even in an apt. Daughter is going camping over July 4th so this might be nice for her!! Thanks for telling about this Sue!!
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. Thanks for shopping Amazon from here. 🙂
It already arrived and Hubby has been having fun messing with it!! Heh, don’t know as to when or how we might need it…but it is a clever device…and I am glad to have it. My daughter is looking forward to camping over the 4th with her kids with hers.
Hi Sue! Glad to hear you and the pups were able to go camping and a meet-up with Del and his crew.
We have been following the stay-at-home orders (not a problem for introverted me). Using the forced at home time to pack up the house and prep for sale. Lots of stuff, been here 37 years. You have influenced me to identify many items to be donated to the thrift stores and feel less angst because I think my item will be a gold nugget of a thrifting find. My mantra has been, “Somebody like RV Sue who is decorating their abode would LOVE to discover this exact item and it will bring them joy and pleasure!” . Additionally, many goods have been directed to a local homeless shelter which posts a “currently needed” list of items. This “moving out” thing is a big project.
Camping status:we cancelled our big September trip in the Scamp to the Ozarks. Will wait to see how things shake out with the virus situation. May plan some short, local trips in the fall.
Luci lights: we’ve been using them for a couple years. We have a frosted white we use in the screen enclosure. We have an amber one that stays on all night in the Scamp bath as a low level nightlight. And we have a red one we use at the astronomy camp. Very useful lights.
Enough blathering from me. Stay well and stay safe.
DeeDee
Hi, DeeDee,
As a shopper addicted to thrift store decorating, I heartily approve of your thinking behind donating good stuff. You’re right — someone will score your items and be delighted at the bargains.
Funny how I come across things that others have known about and even owned for years. Thanks for mentioning the Luci lights as being very useful. I’m glad to have another person confirm my recommendation. 🙂
Good luck with all you have to do to prepare your house for sale!
Hi Sue and all,
I realize how much I miss a new blog post when I see a new one pop up, and then I remember how glued to these posts and commenters I have been for the past 4 years. I also realized last night, that we are camped in one of Sues old camps, that was one of the first I ever booked marked long ago; Ponderosa Grove BLM CG outside of Kanab, UT. Sue, you had several I bookmarked early on; this one, Maple Grove, UT, Badger Mountain, and Kenney Flats, near Pagosa Springs, CO. There were others over the years, but these stand out for some reason. And here we are, at Ponderosa Grove. We took site # 1, first one in on the left. Reason being- it has SHADE!! And, although closest to the main road, it’s angular and large, and away from the other taken spots. For $2.50 a day, the shade won me over. More on this week later though….
I’m going to divide up my update on the past 2 months, into several comments. Otherwise I tend to ramble on and my post gets too long.
Our housesit and dog sit gig in Lake Havasu, was, Should I say, miserable? That might be too dramatic, as we did enjoy a full kitchen, pool, and “some” air conditioning in the home. But other than that, I want to say, it was brutally HOT all the time, forcing us to be indoors way more than either of us like, which made us cranky. Waking up to 80° is not my bag! 100’s during the day is not my thing either. The plus sides were nice clean reliable laundry machines, showers, dips in the pool when the sun wasn’t scalding, trips you good groceries, and cooking some of our favorite meals. Maybe that part was the highlight of our stay there? I made some of my cultural Hawaiian meals which we both love! We are far too much in those 3 weeks- then sat around quiet a bit trying to stay cool. HaHaHa. First world problems, I know. 😜
From Havasu we drove to a cool forest road at 8,000’ North of Flagstaff by 18 miles. Highway 180. We camped in an open “meadow” (established campsite) to take advantage of the full sun for warmth and heat. However, you are right about being COLD! I can’t say we didn’t know that up front, but we like Flagstaff, and we like to hike and explore the forests and mountains. However, we woke up to 32° or below, for about 17 days. “Careful what you ask for”, right?
I wanted to tell you Sue, we headed up to find your Sunset Crater camp, and we did. It was occupied as were the 2 on either side. However, the whole area was packed!! That and the main road up to Lockett Meadows, has turned into a haul road for rock and gravel. Coming and going the dust was absolutely horrendous! Even the trees lining the road were ghostly ash colored with dust. I liked your old camp so much, with its view North toward the Vermillion Cliffs, and we liked how it was away from all the dust on the main road. Maybe another time we’ll camp there. Sunset Crater was closed, due to the virus, so big disappointment there. Much of Flagstaff was closed, except for the usual necessities, and a few take out restaurant places. We did hike and tour around some, but we decided it was time to go and make our way North now that things are opening back up.
How we ended up in Kanab, at Ponderosa camp was a fluke. We were headed toward St George and then Virgin, to the Dixie Nat’l Forest, near Leeds. HaHa… We’ve decided we like Kanab- all in one day just passing through for fun. Lol.
Next comment will be how we ended up near the North Rim after Flagstaff. I wanted to see the scenery along Highway 89A, from Flag to Lee’s Ferry that you bragged about. And you were so right about all the above ground utility poles ruining every photo op along the way. But the Vermillion Cliffs were something to behold! We stopped at the Navajo Bridge for a walk, and took many photos of the canyon from there. We heard Lees Ferry was hot, and the CG was not open, so we kept going up to the Kaibab Plateau. We just kept driving up into the forest. More on that segment later, Sue.
For now, it’s time for a visit to Honeys Market for a few supplies. Then perhaps a drive up to Coral Pink Sands for a look. Have a great Day Sue, and friends!
Hugs, Suzi
You are so good to share all this with us, Suzi. Such an enjoyable and interesting read!
Remember you can walk across the road from your camp at Ponderosa Grove and find coral sand dunes (without 4-wheelers or lots of people).
I’m sorry the campsites were occupied across from Sunset Crater, probably because of the shut-down. At least now you know where they are for future travel through that area.
You’re really getting an education on maneuvering for the best camping weather. It can be a challenge! With many campsites unavailable these days, I think you’re doing very well!
Looking forward to more . . . . 🙂
Sue, thanks for that tidbit. I walked across the road early this morning and had that bit of sand to myself! I also eyeballed the camp as everyone slept this morning and confirmed our spot has the most room considering our trailer and tow vehicle since the sites are rather short. That and some folks moved in with the
Loudest generator a day ago, running it way past 10 pm and as early as 7 am this morning. Happily the sound carried to the end where the turn-around is and not our way too much.
I learned from you to pick camp sites with these things in mind, early on. Sometimes I drive Larry nuts with how choosy I am. But in the end, I think he’s grateful too. In the past, we’ve made a few mistakes parking in larger areas that invite others to “share”, and we were not so careless next time. Each camp provides us a bit of learning experience.
Today’s tour was out to the old Paria townsite East of town. The Vermillion cliffs and the fact that people settled in these harsh lands boggles our mind! Beauty and harshness at the same time, abounds. Utah is stunning!
Hugs to all, and ear scratches to your boys Sue.
More in another comment.
Suzi
Hi again, Suzi…
Glad you picked a site away from the site chosen by the generator
goons, people.Reggie loved running up and down those dunes across the road.
About large campsites…. Remember the time I painted a board with “Allen Party –>” ? It was a lovely campsite in aspens that would’ve been ruined with a close neighbor.
You’re right. Each campsite, as well as each move to a new camp, brings with it lessons that perfect the art of boondocking.
During this virus mess and due to badly handled things by local stores, plus even Amazon was out of some things…I tried out a couple of new online businesses. Vitacost…usually gets things to me in a couple days. Boxed.com takes about a week or so…but wow, just because I emailed and asked that they teach the packers how to pack boxes better…cause nearly all my canned chicken cans were dented…thus will need to be used up quicker…I made another order today…and lo and behold…they had given me $35 credit on my last order!! WOWEE…I will keep doing business with this one!! It is true that these companies are smaller and do not carry a great lot…but enough to make it worth my time anyway. I am hopeful they will increase the options as they grow. Not saying not to patronize Amazon which has carried about anything a person could dream of…and it helps folks like Sue too…but if you cannot find what you need… My goal in future is to NEVER again buy toilet paper locally…due to how badly they handled it…and hopefully Amazon and others will continue to carry…plus it comes right to the door!!
It’s great when you find a company/retailer that you can trust to treat you well. 🙂
Hi, Sue!
Thank you for sharing your trip report. It sounds like you all had a wonderful, relaxing escape to the desert. It was great that you could catch up with Del and his crew. Isn’t it wonderful to have a like-minded friend? You each have your routines and preferences that need no explanation. Del’s pups are precious. Seeing Reggie and Roger zooming around was sweet! The zoom-zoom brothers strike again! 🐾💕 🐾💕
It is hard to believe it had been two years since your last outing. I look forward to hearing about your plans to camp in the truck bed with its shell. The first thing that comes to mind is that you will be able to explore more remote areas without worrying about getting stuck and/or having the BLT attached. A new chapter in your great adventure! 😊
I have a bluebird box mounted on the patio pergola. A bluebird couple are on their third brood this season. For the past week, the bluebirds have been perching on the pergola looking in the kitchen windows as I am working at the table on my laptop. They would chatter to each other and take turns watching what Gracie pup and I were doing. Wednesday, Mr. Bluebird decided that I was not giving him enough attention. He started flying up to the window, suspended in air for a moment chattering at me. Today he upped his game, flying towards the window to tap his feet on the glass to get my attention. This started to bother Gracie pup and I was concerned that he was going to hurt himself. I put some blue painter’s tape on the windows (inside) and spaced the lines of tape about 4” apart. I read that birds don’t like to fly between vertical spaces. Mr. Bluebird checked them out a couple times and has now settled down. He went back to perching on top of the pergola to peer into the kitchen. Now he is giving me the stink eye! 😂
I hope you have a great weekend, Sue! Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! We are glad that you and the boys still have the “boondocking” routine down pat! You can literally throw them and a few supplies in the truck and be on your way! You have the best of both worlds now – camping and a home base – sweet!! 😊
Sending a hello and good wishes to all the blogorinos! Have a great weekend! Please stay safe and well! 😷
Hi again,
We actually loved our camp North of Flagstaff very much, even though we were cold in the mornings. The Wave 3 and having the propane stove on for coffee took care of being cold in short order. We both have good backpacker clothing, and we are able to keep warm. The road we were camped off of had hardly any traffic the entire 2 weeks. One or two vehicles a day passed by maybe, and only a camper or two here and there, but no one was in sight or even near us the whole time. It felt like we had the place all to ourselves, which is why we put up with the cold nights. It was a beautiful meadow, circled by lovely pines, but we had early morning sun because we weren’t right up against the trees. About our last 4-5 days, little gnats began to hatch and made it quite uncomfortable to sit or eat outside. Our little white egg at one time or another, was just peppered black with them. That was no fun, and that pushed us to make the decision to move on fairly soon. If there was a strong enough wind, it kept the gnats at bay, however then it was also too windy to cook or eat outside. Sometimes you pick the lesser of two evils, right?
One day we drove South on 17 from Flagstaff, to check out another popular boondocking area; Willard Springs. Sue, I think you’d have been amazed. Of course I didn’t see it when you stayed there several years ago, but it is now a well worn village of RVers, and what looked to be full-time residents. Not pretty. The dirt paths weaved through the trees and brush to every which camp, and we never knew if we were on a main road or another social path to a camp. It was so crowded! I think you are right in that many fulltimers were trapped and believed they had to shelter in place for fear of not finding an open forest to go to. We were not impressed and so I’ve crossed that one off for a future camp. I bet it was beautiful in there among the trees and meadows at one time.
Flagstaff is a great little town and we love to spend time exploring new towns and getting the lay of the land when we are in a place for a week or so. Unfortunately most everything we wanted to do/see was closed. We had heard about the caves that are fun to hike, and we weren’t camped far from them off the 180, but they were closed as well. If you or any fellow Blogerinos have heard of the Arizona Trail, we hiked that in a few places, as well as up on the rim near DeMotte CG. More on that segment later. We’ve also hiked part of the AZ trail down by LaCienegas WLR too, last year. The trail runs through that cute town of Patagonia, where we just had to eat pizza at the Velvet Elvis. (Not be be confusing- that was also last year.). There’s a fun history to the Velvet Elvis if anyone cares to google it. And the pizza and cold beers were fantastic!! Anyway….
We will have to go back to Flag when things are back open. There is an amazing Thai food place there that we love, and a few other places we missed this trip. Still, we were grateful to be out of Havasu’s heat, and be back in the pines again! And what a beautiful camp we had all to ourselves! It’s the little things that seem to make
life grand, right?
Next comment is about our journey to, and our stay at the North Rim of the GC area- oh, and those cookies Sue! The cookies at Jacob Lake. Oh my!! 😋❤️
WOW! I’m several days late, and a dollar short. How wonderful to read a new post from you, Sue, and I soaked up every word from every blogorino, too.
Thanks for the input on camping w/o your solar power. I’m wondering how long we could go on just battery power. Propane does seem to do most of the work, and we have a couple of little LED lanterns that would work for light. Other than charging and using our technology, we’d be fine, I’m sure.
A year and a half after my son’s work accident, they have just about completed the reconstruction on his hand. He has one more skin graft and possible a fat graft coming up. The results are not what they were hoping for, and the prosthetics will be limited (due to almost no thumb stub to attach to), but we’re still hoping for the best. He’s a bit dissapointed, but he and his wife have great attitudes and continue to put one foot in front of the other. He had been back to work since last Ocotober, but now is out again for a few months, due to the most recent surgery and upcoming skin graft.
Onward!
We’re currently having beautiful weather in Upstate NY. The lillies of the valley have past their booms, as well as the lilacs. We’re now enjoying iris and I’ve been busy putting in some annuals as well as a few vegis. I love to dig in the dirt.
Love to you, Sue, the boys and all the blogorinos. Thanks, everyone for sharing your stories. It’s nice to keep up.
Weather – I hope your hands are feeling better. Thinking of you.
Hi, Applegirl,
Your yard sounds lovely! I will be sending extra prayers for your son and family. May his surgeries go smoothly and bring positive results. 😊
Thanks, Denise. We appreciate your prayers.
😊
Thanks for the well wishes, Applegirl. Healing, as you know can take time. I do notice progress, thank God, until it’s fully healed I will still limit typing.
Saying prayers for your son now.
Thank you, Weather.
Progress is good…glad to hear it Weather…take it easy…we know you will return when you can…sending hugs,
Elizabeth
xx oo. 🙂
Hi Sue and crew, I’m a long time reader but never post. Another great light is called a sunlight solar light by Biolight. I have a bunch of these, and use them in the desert because they don’t blow away like the Luci lights tend to do sometimes. Here is the link:
https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/sunlight?variant=1142597386254
It is so nice to hear about your travels. The desert is certainly majestic but we do like the green of the East. Here in SW Va we had a cool spring but that meant the flowers lasted longer. The lilacs seemed to be in bloom for weeks. The irises around the pond are blooming and the blackberries, too, reminding me I have to fight with them again to take them out or at least keep them in check. Now we have the deepest voiced bullfrog we have ever heard and the whip poor wills are out, plus the fireflies are starting. The spinach and collards are still going but the cherry tomatoes will be a while. Patio gardening is our lot since putting up an 8 foot fence to keep out the deer is too much. Plus corn is out of the question since not only the raccoons will get it but once in a while a bear from the National Forest will show up, we are told. I hope you will show us some pictures of your garden, it will give us something to aspire to.
I’m going to have to look into those lights. A friend lost power for a few days (most recent Nashville tornado) and she picked up a few of the solar landscaping lights-the kind you stake into the ground. Worked good enough to get her by! I’ve also seen some hanging solar bulbs.
I’m also considering one of those solar chargers to keep handy for emergencies. Run about $500.
Howdy Sue, Reg, & Roger from Rogerson, ID! We are soon to be in Roger’s namesake home town. Sue, I’ve been wanting to continue my story but each time I want to write, it seems we are out of service. When that happens, I think back and appreciate your blog even more. I just recently read how you drove over Harrison Pass in the Ruby’s to make a post. I do not have this determination, and for yours- another star!
We just spent a lovely night in Ward Mountain CG South of Ely, NV. You know the place. We had to pay a whole $4 to camp among the junipers and pines, ALL ALONE! Darn! Running water provided me a chance for a wonderful Shampoo, a few hand washed things, boiling eggs, and some man chores for Larry. We awoke to the serenading of coyotes very close to us, which got Kitty’s eyes big and round. What a treat.
I need to finish my story of the North Rim area, and those cookies at the Jacob Lake Lodge before I forget the details. *Cheater; did you SERIOUSLY tow the BLT to Crazy Jug? 🙀
I’m really enjoying reading about your camping post, Suzi. Thanks for sharing. Do you have a blog?
Hi Cat Lady! No, no blog for me. We had thought about it- And are still thinking about it, but haven’t done anything in that direction yet. I journal everyday the old fashioned way, and we have a private FB travel page for all the close friends and family to keep track of us. I also have an Instagram page. I’m not sure I have the energy and determination to maintain a blog. It’s a ton of work and takes quite the commitment. Just ask RVSue! Thanks for asking though! ☺️
Hi, Suzicruzi!
Thank you for another trip update! I really enjoy armchair traveling with you, Larry, and Kitty. 😊
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is one of my favorite places! Breathtaking beauty and awe inspiring views. Was everything open when you all were there? The lodge/restaurant/small takeout deli & store outside the lodge? Were all the trails accessible – at least the ones that you all wanted to hike? I remember driving from the lodge to the lookout and trail areas. I must have stopped at least 30+ times to hop out of the car to take pictures of the wildflowers (some so very tiny!) and pretty tree scapes. One time a couple pulled over on the shoulder behind us to ask what I was taking pictures of. Surely a bear?! They were terribly disappointed when I filled them in. I was in heaven! 😊
The only disappointment to my trip was that we did not stop at Jacob’s Lake Lodge for some baked goodies! My mouth was watering reading about you stop for cookies.
Did you stay in the campground in the park or the one near Jacob’s Lake?
Thank you again for letting me and Gracie pup tag along! I look forward to the next chapter in your great adventure! Safe travels! 😊
Hi Denise! The North Rim was still closed to all access. 🙁 We made camp 10 mi South of Jacob Lake, along a forest road. Nearly every day we drove to one of the lookouts along the rim, but outside the confines of the park. One day we even hiked about 5 mi of the Arizona Trail. That trail had views to what they call, The East Rim, back in the direction from where we came over the Navajo Bridge, and the Vermillion Cliffs. Just Stunning!
I will post my next story soon— Stay tuned! Suzi 😁
Hi Suzi!
Glad that you all found a spot to boondock and were able to see some spectacular Grand Canyon views! I need to look up info and pictures of the East Rim! I look forward to reading the next installment of your great adventure!
Safe travel wishes are being sent for you, Larry, and Kitty. 😊
Hi Sue and Crew,
I recently came across your blog and have enjoyed reading about your dogs, life, etc. I also have dogs and I’m currently looking for a camper van so we can get out on the road. I was wondering if you could give me some input regarding taking care of dogs on the road. Mine are all seniors, as I am. They love to jump in the truck just to be going somewhere with me, but this will be different…we’ll be living permanently in a vehicle… and I’m a little nervous about how it will all work out. Do you stop frequently for potty breaks? Do you have a routine you’ve all adjusted to and they’re happy with it? When you’re stopped and you let them out there’s no worry about snakes, etc.? I’m sorry about the questions, I just want to be prepared. I guess I’m a natural worrier. Thank you.
Hi, Helen,
Welcome to my blog! I’ll try to answer your questions regarding travel with dogs. No need to apologize for questions.
The most important thing is to let go of your nervousness as dogs will pick up on that. There’s a reason I refer to my canine companions on the road as “my crew.” Take the attitude that your furry family members are fellow travelers who, you will soon discover, are as eager for what the new day brings as much as you are. They will adjust to their new way of life very quickly.
How often you stop for potty breaks is up to your dogs. They’ll let you know if they need to get out.
No, I didn’t worry about snakes but I was mindful of surroundings. When stepping out of the van or when walking with dogs on leash I gave a quick scan of the area. Over 7 years of travel in several different environments and we never had an encounter with a venomous snake. My dogs are not the type to go bounding through tall grass as larger dogs tend to do, so I don’t know about that.
Let go of the worry; your dogs will be fine. 🙂
Hello, Sue & Boys and everyone here visiting in Sue’s family room.
Prayers for all of us to be healthy, safe and having the best weather
possible in view of storms in various areas this weekend.
I just wanted to share some gossip from here with all of you. Overall, it
Has been quiet, very lowkey here just lots of folks travelling through with
curfews and the like lifted.
So, imagine my reaction to trying to read this AM and suddenly hearing a
great crowd just outside chanting. “Me Too, Me Too, Me Too”.
No Sunday School words escaped my lips. But some others did. I decided to just tough it out.
Two mornings ago, the chanting was “sinister, sinister, sinister”, whatever that means. Then, it changed to “Virginia, Virginia, Virginia.”. Has Biden finally named his choice for VP and her name is Virginia.
And one smart alek got the harebrained idea to just make loud obnoxious noises close to my RV. I was not having that! Nope, not gonna.
So I screamed, “shut up!!! don’t make me come out there!!!!!”.
Instant silence.
“braaawwwwwwkkkkkk” almost constantly can really shred your nerves.
So is it just me or do any of you have the same kind of chants from birds that visit your yards? And the loudest little froglet demon ever born to just annoy the heck out of me. But one poor little bird just makes me alternate between laughter and tears with her “call”. She doesn’t come every day but always the same call….
“ricky, ricky, ricky”. do you think it could be Lucy reincarnated as a bird?
So what happened to birds just chirping, calling, making song-like noises?
Well, that’s my gossip and I’m sticking to my story.
Sue, it is so marvelous to see you and the boys travelling and living the good life on the road again. It brings a sense of fun and normalcy to my day despite these turbulent times.
Keep on truckin’ is such a super motto!
Have a great week, everyone. Hugs, head scritches and treats for those adorable boys and peace, joy and sunshine to you, Sue, and to all of you.
Anne
Hahaha! Reminds me of a shirt I saw with a little mouse holding a can in his little paws that read “Whoop Ass” on the side. He had a big pi$$ed off look on his face and the caption read, “Don’t make me open this can.” Your unwanted visitors probably thought you found that can, lol.
So good to hear from you. Glad you are safe and had a nice visit with Dell. I am over 3K miles from home in Fl on my way to NWMontana. Spending a quiet rainy night settled in Rogerson! Had the nicest chat with the owner who said she just loved you . She was happy to hear a brief on you and of course Roger.
I workamp until the snow drives me out at a beautiful rv park 5 miles from Glacier. I’m usually there May 1st but as we all know we were hunkered down at home. Finally out a week ago. Good to be on the road again. My 15 yr old cat takes me for a walk almost every night on his harness and leash. Maybe skip tonight in this rain.
Good to read from all the blogerinos and their happenings. Be safe all you too Sue!
Oh my GOODNESS!! We are outside Rogerson by the reservoir! How sweet to know a neighbor of this blog is just down the street!! You are 7 miles away! And yes it has been cold, windy, and raining for the second day in a row here! Right now, at 3pm, it’s topped out at 43°. Did you get the snow flurries about 4 hours ago? It was too funny! We arrived late Friday, and choose a spot with SHADE, because it was 93°!! Today we had snow. HaHa! I’m guessing if you are still in Rogerson, you got it too!! We only planned a night, maybe 2, but with this storm front, we’ll stay another day and just relax. It’s been hot ever since we left the North Rim, and I’m enjoying the cool, damp air for a change. Kanab was so hot and dry.
Too funny we are in the same place (nearly) at the same time!! 😺😻
Suzi, Larry, & Kitty
It is truly a small world! Fellow blogorinos camping in the same “neighborhood!” What are the chances?! 😊 😊 😊 😊
How sweet that the Rogerson park owner thinks so highly of Sue! I remember how she and Sue both knew that Roger would be better suited to be part of Reggie’s family. 💕
Safe travels to Montana A Gal and a cat! 😊
Hi ‘Uall.
Great to see you stopping in Mick! Hope all’s well with you.
🙂
Hi, Mick,
I hope you are well – glad to see that you stopped by Sue’s virtual front porch for a visit. 😊
Glad you were able to get on the road for some desert camping before the temps rose so quickly! We do miss being out in the RV but are so blessed to have our little desert home. We agree that southeastern Arizona has a lot to be grateful for 🙂 Looks like Del and the pups are all doing well, always good news. Stay cool, stay safe.
G’morning Sue, and fellow blogerinos 💦☀️🌈. No, there is no sunshine and no rainbow- yet! Fingers crossed. So far today, it’s the 3rd day of rain outside Rogerson, ID. Rain, AND snowflakes. ❄️😬 Currently it’s 46° at 7:30 am; quite the change from 93° when we arrived Friday afternoon!
I’m taking this opportunity of good cell service to add to our story of our camp outside of Jacob Lake Arizona, up on the Kaibab Plateau, North of the North Rim of the GC. We knew the park was closed (covid) so we planned a forest camp South of the Hacob Lake Lodge. Somewhere in my research, I read a review of homemade cookies to die for at the little Lodge. Well, let me tell you!! Being not a sweet person (I’m a savory) and being that I have some arthritis, I do not partake in sugar. At the very least, rarely. Larry picked up 2 Oatmeal raisin on our way out from looking around and asking a few questions. I of course had a bite. 😳😳 What is this? A cookie I wanted more of, that’s what! In future visits, I managed to try a PB chocolate chip, and a plain chocolate chip. PB choc-chip for me please! Just wonderful!! In those few days, a week perhaps, I ate 4 cookies. My! 🤣🤣
Now to address Crazy Jug Point; mind you, you have to see it to believe it. Well now we are believers! Sue “claims” (😳😬🤣) to have towed the BLT out there in an effort to make camp on the rim out there. You can add Crazy Jug point into her search bar, to read her story. So…. like a faithful follower of this blog, and never finding Sue to lead us astray, one day I told Larry “let’s go see Crazy Jug Pt” “If RVSue could tow the BLT on those roads, surely they are drivable in the Van not towing”. So off we go. I carefully follow the directions Sue laid out in her blog story. Larry kept asking, “are you sure this is the right way?” I steered him on. The second and third turn got narrower and narrower. There was no place to turn around should someone or something block our way- Larry was quite silent. The overhanging branches were beginning to scrape the solar panels on the roof, and a few scratched along the sides of the mirrors and bumpers. The whole while I’m thinking silently; “Sue actually towed the BLT OUT HERE!?!” But I didn’t let on how nervous I was for us, I just kept reassuring Larry we were going the right way. You see, it became a challenge already. No way was I admitting that perhaps we were on the wrong road. 😬💦 The steep, very (large) rocky section really had us on edge. The road fell away in front of us into a 4×4 road; a rather steep, narrow, rutted, rocky section through dense brush and trees. There was no way to turn around. We were committed. Putting the Van in low, Larry did an amazing job of crawling down that section. Thankfully it wasn’t very long or far. I’m guessing 1/8mi? At the bottom, the road came to a T- one was to the point we were after, the other had a cattle guard and a sign pointing to Road 22, 7 miles. Oh thank God! Another way out! Later Larry admitted he didn’t think we’d make it out in our non-4 wheel drive van. We both breathed a huge sigh of relief! We knew 22 was a good road bc we had just come off of it earlier. That and the cattle guard was a dead give away that large trucks could make it in there. Whew! 😅
The views from Crazy Jug Pt were amazing and we were thrilled to be out there gazing across the rim of the Grand Canyon, enjoying a view most people will never see. I had read only 1/10 of the visitors to the Grand Canyon ever see the view from the North rim, let alone make the arduous drive to Crazy Jug, so we were pretty thrilled to have made it out there to experience it for ourselves. Thank you Sue!!! The drive out took us much longer, but it was also a much more enjoyable drive. 😉👍🏼 Surely Sue gave the correct directions in her blog, and I misinterpreted them and guided us the wrong way. The Ranger Station at Jacob Lake was closed the whole time, and no one at the
Lodge cafe and store was able to answer any of our questions prior, and there was no cell service to bring up google maps. All we had was our benchmark maps and Sues blog to go by, and by golly, that had to be good enough! We were seeking adventure, and that’s exactly what we got!! We are still together, the Van is in one piece, and we have some fantastic photos and videos to show for our efforts, and that’s all that counts, right? 👌🏼😁
Before this gets too long, we left the North Rim and Jacob Lake in great spirits, seeing quite a lot, despite the Park being closed. We drove through DeMotte CG and surprisingly it was open! Very few campers were there despite it being Memorial Day week, and all. We stopped on the upper loop and filled all our water jugs, and dumped our trash. Done! We had the chance to hike some of the AZ Trail that ran along the East Rim, as well. We met a through hiker, “slingshot” about 3 mi from where we had started. He was happy to chat with us as he said he hadn’t seen another human for days. We gave him a few of our trail snacks that we carry in our backpacks, which we have found to be most welcome treats to the through hikers. Fruit is much appreciated, and we always have Epic Bison Bars on us, that we give out too. After chatting awhile, he was anxious to get on his way to get to his next camp before dark. We exchanged trail names and Instagram accounts, and said g’bye for now. We have made some great acquaintances along some of the popular through-hiking trails.
Off we went on our next adventure towards Kanab, UT in search of we didn’t know what, except warmth. The stay on the Kaibab plateau was quite chilly at 8,000’. 8,040’ to be exact. The morning we left was 26° and the last of the water in our Big Berkey (our water purifier) was frozen outside. Always an adventure. . . ! Kanab here we come!!
To be continued. ..
In the mean time, Sue, I have a couple of questions for you; what inspired you to switch to your Silverado PU truck, from a Van? I’m guessing the PTV was getting up there in miles, and the truck came along at the right time at a screaming deal? Any plans to transfer your solar system to the truck? One more thing; how long did your Casita battery hold it’s charge when you went out to met Del in Midland? You used solar
Lights, and kept the draw to a minimum I understand. I’m sure you used a battery monitor plugged into the 12 v outlet from time to time to check- How did it go for you?Were you out there for a week? More? Did you have to fire up the truck and charge your Casita battery at all? Just curious how it all went for you-
Anyway, it’s time for me to get dressed and do something other than SIT! All this cold, windy rain, and all we’ve done is sit; – sit and read, stand and cook, sit and eat, wash- rinse-repeat! I need to get out and stretch my legs, but if this weather doesn’t pass, I’m going to need a rain suit and a guy line so I don’t blow away!! HaHa!!
Cheers! Suzi, Larry, and “ThatCat” (Kitty’s other name-HaHaHa 😺 )
* I proofed this but it’s sooo tiny on my phone, and I’ve been at it so long, my eyes are now crossed. Fix or ignore my typos, please!!
Thanks for your detailed report, Suzi! I hope you get a break in the weather so you all can stretch your legs and get a change of scenery. 😊
Love your reports, Suzi! Well, you survived the Crazy Jug Challenge! Good for you!
The route your took may not be the same one we took. Perhaps the vegetation was left to grow dense and close to the road since we went through there. My memory of that road is that it is flat. I don’t recall having to drive down into a ravine.
I’m thrilled that you camped at Ward Mtn.! How did you get from Kanab to Ely? Did you go through Caliente? Camp at Dave Deacon cg with the hot springs? As you may have guessed, I’m enjoying the details of your life on the road; you bring so many memories to mind. 🙂
I’ll try to address your questions in a post. Briefly, the battery lasted about 5 days. By that I mean the charge went down to 9 and then Del came over one day and charged it from his car battery with jumper cables. On the 7th day we went home.
Even after a tune-up (not to mention a rebuilt transmission) she still hesitated at times and I lost confidence in her reliability although she never failed me. I no longer need all the storage she provides and a truck with cap gives me the opportunity to try a new way of camping!
You’re managing the shut-down and temperature extremes very well. BTW, I haven’t had a cookie in YEARS and you got me craving them again!
Dear Sweet Sue, thanks for your vote of confidence! Jumping ahead of your question about route for a sec, let me tell you- SNAKES! And more snakes.. Not only big temperature swings, but due to the virus and many delays in traveling, we were subjected to snake encounters. Antelope Reservoir had rattlers in camp; 3 of them. And Lud Drexler? Ugh . . But they were ‘only’ large gophers; harmless, but nonetheless creepy! No walks for Kitty at that camp. Lol- and the thunder and lightning storm that then lasted two full days with huge gusts of wind! Good thing about the storm, the snakes vanished!
Let’s see, we left Kanab after finding out the museum, and Best Friends were closed; 2 big things we wanted to tour. We hiked to see the dinosaur tracks here and there, but it was too hot most days for my comfort, so we didn’t hang around long. We’d definitely like to go back and tour the things that were closed, another time. We liked the feel of Kanab.
Also, just to mention, Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP, has expanded. There’s a whole new section, to the left as you pass through the main entrance. It’s wide open, just pavement, with Ramada’s, and gravel parking pads. No trees and no charm like the older section. Anyway, upon leaving Ponderosa Grove CG, we drove to CPSD SP, paid the $10 day use fee, and got two glorious long hot showers, a dump, and all the water we needed. Totally worth it to us, if even just for those showers! Due to Covid, we have not been able to find open showers anywhere, so that was a major bonus to us! Sometimes State Parks really come in handy even if you don’t stay there.
We took route 89 North out of Kanab, and then the 14 West to Cedar City. 14 is a beautiful scenic Mountain drive that I wanted to see since we were past the snow melt months. Due to all the closures, we couldn’t get into Cedar Break National Monument, so we had to skip that. After stocking up on fresh produce in Cedar City, we dipped South to a camp off Leeds Canyon Road. That turned out to be a bust due to 1000’s of ground hornets!! We ended up at Oak Grove CG where Leeds Creek Road dead ends further up the canyon. That ended okay, but it was a long, stressful day. Let’s just say, Larry was not a happy camper when we found ourselves on a road with no place to turn around, getting bumpier and bumpier. We could only hope the CG was indeed open, and that we wouldn’t have driven the additional 6 miles of crap-road only to come to a gate across a narrow road. 😅😅 It was an old, old primitive FS camp, with a sketchy (older) fella and woman in an equally old pop up tent camper with rather loud 70’s rock and roll music playing for God and all to hear. (Could have been rap- lol! 😉) We were only staying one night, and too tired to drive out 11 miles to find something else. I took a walk later, past their camp, and waved when I made eye contact with the woman, but she turned away. I was thinking, “um, we are not welcome here”, and went back to Larry with my report of feeling unwelcome, plus stumbling upon wads and wads of TP in the bushes not 25 yards from the pit toilets. 😝 Larry being Larry, took a trash bag, his gloves, and his picker-upper, and wandered around and picked up trash, and eventually the big TP monument past the pop-up couple. Well of course, Larry says hello to the fella eventually, and the fella says he noticed that pile of TP too, and that he hadn’t gotten around to picking it up yet, and thanked L for doing so. Then they lamented about the “quality”
of certain campers who trash up the wilderness, blah, blah, blah..
In the end, the fella said, “I’ll turn down my music for you if it’s too loud”. In the end, “all’s well that ends well” if you catch my drift? We slept peacefully!! However we were out of there in the morning before they even woke up! 😆😆
From Leeds that day, we headed North on the 15, to Hwy 21 NE into Nevada to the Great Basin NP. We found one very small primitive CG open there, but full, and the small cafe open that is connected to the upper Visitor Center, but that Visitor Center was closed as well. A couple of uniformed rangers were having coffee in the cafe, so we were able to ask a few questions about hiking, and got a map. Apparently we could drive any roads in the park, and hike at will, but other than the little cafe and one tiny CG, nothing else was open. The water fill stations were all shut off except for a hidden one, in which the ranger told us about. We ended up leaving the park, and traveling West on the 50, and making a temporary camp at the BLM Recreation area at Sacramento Pass. Have you ever “had” to make camp next to an old schoolie, painted jet black with emerald green black-out curtains, that ran an industrial generator 24 hours a day? If so, then you know the one!! 😜 The next morning we took off early and went back into GBNP to so some high alpine hiking. Have you heard of the ancient Bristlecone Pines? Some of them are 3-5,000 years old!! To see them, one needs to hike at elevations above 10,000’, for about 1.5 miles (each way) which we gladly did! Even if you didn’t want to hike, the 12 mile drive up the mountain – Wheeler Peak drive, was amazing! Such gorgeous scenery! This is definitely an underrated National Park. The phenomenon of the Great Basin is also amazing. The park was nothing like what we expected. We were so glad we went. We have driven by this area many times in the past, and in our past motorcycling days, but have never stopped.
Well, this might be enough for one post. Hope I didn’t bore any of you to tears!
BTW, the last I heard, there’s a huge fire burning in the Kaibab, just short of Jacob Lake, and all of the North Rim and Jacob Lake had been evacuated. This was 2 days ago that I read that- Now that I have a good signal, I’ll put this down and go investigate right now.
Cheers!!
Gee whiz, Suzi, what a lot of trouble! I’m sorry you’ve run into so many closings and difficulties and campers-from-hell. It’s time to open up campgrounds and park facilities!
Snakes? We didn’t encounter one snake at those places. I remember from when I lived in FL that there were 2 mos. when snakes were on the move, March and Sept. I guess May is moving month for snakes in NV. Sheesh, I would’ve been creeped out, too. Ground hornets! Toilet Paper! 24-hr generator! You and Larry are due for a long stretch of idyllic camping. 🙂
We didn’t go to Great Basin. Now I wish we had. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for another interesting report, Suzi. Hi to Larry and Kitty…
Sue, something you might consider for your phone. Where I live we experience power outages more often than I like (because of all the trees) anyway after one particular night when the power was out for 8 hours, I started to investigate ways to stay cool. Temps that night were just in the middle 70’s but it was so oppressively, still I could not sleep.
Amazon has this battery operated fans , (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H8D391Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) These fans run on low speed for 13 hours. Just the ticket I needed, we loss power just last night with the TS Cristobal.
Because of this power issue I also decided to purchase a power pack to recharge the fans if necessary, and of course my phone if needed. The power charger charges them fast.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5LKV4T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just a bit of info for you to check out.
Wow, that was a lot of reading! Hi Sue, sure was fun seeing you again. I am confined to the abode as I am a high risk person nowadays for the “Virus” but I too have become a home body. Hi to my friend Weather❤.
Wow,it’s great to hear from you!!! 🙂
Stay safe and well, my friend.
Well, what a wonderful surprise! I’m very happy to see your here again, Shirlene. The last I remember was you going to Boise to visit your daughter (?). . . . I hope you will drop in more often than that. 🙂 Take care and enjoy life at home.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
Your comments are always appreciated. It’s a joy to read messages, suggestions, and reports from new blogorinos, from those who’ve been away for a while, and, of course, from our “regulars.” Please forgive me if I didn’t reply individually to your comment. Know that I loved hearing from you!
I hope everyone is well and happy . . .
Bye for now,
Sue
Hi, Sue,I know Arizona is huge, so the fires in your state are likely far from you. Still, I hope those aren’t a personal concern for you. All’s well here in central NY, just will be unusually high temps for the next week or so.
Hi, weather…. No fires near us. High temperatures are here, in the 100s and terribly dry. No rain for several weeks until a few days ago. The clouds gathered over the mountains while I waited on the porch, urging them to come our way. We got a nice deluge, brief but a signal, I hope, of monsoon rains to come!
Hope your hand is better and you’re keeping cool!
The experience of being on your porch as it rained sounds lovely. May He send many more of those to you soon.
Thanks, I am staying cool and almost completely healed.
Good to hear from you Sue…and Weather…glad all is well. We are as usual here.
Some friends sent me a link to watch what happened recently in Coeur d’Alene, Id. It would give you a little view of what I consider Paradise (though the year I lived there was 1966)…I am glad they defended the city and so far, all is intact THERE!! Those fortunate enough to live there, are indeed favored!!
Hi, Elizabeth… Yes, Coeur d’Alene is in a lovely area. Hope all is well with you and family.
Good morning, Sue and my fellow blogorinos!
I think it is a sign that like most of us, I am a bit stressed…
Yesterday after I finished working, I went to the post office to mail some bills. On the way home I stopped at the grocery for a few things.
Three trips to the car to bring in the bags…in the rain. I was on the porch with the first bag, trying to figure out why my door would not unlock. I was clicking my car remote to open the door. 🙄
For those of us still working, Happy Hump Day! 😊
Good morning, Denise! I hope the rain has washed your stress away. Speaking of car door fobs, I found myself frustrated with mine until I realized I was pointing it at my chest! Haha!
Hi, Sue!
I have done that with my tv remote! LOL! 😂
Ah, Denise…so true…this stress that seems to keep growing, one way or another, is impacting us all. I was thinking on the way with Hubby to see his dentist today, how now everything…absolutely EVERYTHING is going to take a whole lot longer to accomplish…we now have to be sure we have masks on us and put them on to go into any bldg or business…we have to shop differently…we only THOUGHT is was hard before…and adapt, adapt, adapt. Due to our allergies, I was constantly adapting anyway…and because the fake cheese I usually get was not in the store, in fact, in spite of the incompetence of stores, she found another fake cheese…best stuff we ever found…melts wonderfully…even picky husband is in love with the fake grilled cheese sandwiches we can make now. It is called Violife just like Cheddar Slices (vegan of course). So at least the shortages in some areas, are working out even better!! Nice of GOD to help us out there!! I feel others who have not had so many allergies etc to contend with and the constant adapting we have to do all the time…and now everyone is in somewhat the same boat…well, I think it is harder now for those who never had to adapt earlier!! So sending hugs to you alls and hoping things will be better…in spite of the difficulties!!
Hi, Elizabeth!
Thank you for sharing your review of the cheese substitute with us. It sounds good – I have added it to my grocery list. 😊
Sending you **hugs** Have a great day! 😊
Hi Denise…do let me know what you think. I am wondering what stores might have it in NC too cause my kids and grandkids, some of whom are vegan too, might like to try it out. I hope you will find it great too!!
Happy day…tis a nice breezy coolish day here (normal weather for June here).
Sending you hugs back!!
Will do, Elizabeth!
Thank you for the hugs! 😊
Elizabeth, have you a Natural Grocers in your area? I see it is affiliated with Vitamin Cottage. They might carry those cheeses, and many more not so easy to come food items.
While we were in Flagstaff I tried something new; Jackfruit in a BBQ sauce. We made fajita vegetables and onions on our Blackstone Griddle, and then made soft tacos with the vegetables and the jackfruit, shredded up. Looks like pulled chicken or pork, and we were shocked how GOOD and tasty it was!
I’m going to write down the name of that cheese you told Denise about. Thanks for the tip!
Suzi
I will have to hunt more, Suzi…thanks for the ideas!! I have seen jackfruit…and my daughter has tasted it…I have so many food allergies I have been afraid to try it, I admit!! I will keep your experience in mind though!!
Happy 4th of July weekend ,Sue,and everyone! I hope you all are well and enjoying yourselves. 💛
Happy 4th of July weekend, Sue, and everyone.I hope you are all well and enjoying yourselves.
Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! I hope you are all doing well and happy.
Happy 4th of July,hope you all enjoy it.
Looks like you had to wake up the blog, weather. Happy 4th of July to you!
And to anyone else who may show up, same to you….Happy 244th Birthday America!!!
Listening to Mt Rushmore concert!! Happy 4th to all!!
When we went past that area, because we had our 2 dogs with us (moving East) we could not go into the park…and not wanting to spend $$$, we went on…
Happy Independence day, everyone. God Bless America. Pray for our country.
Let Freedom Ring!
Happy 4th of July, everyone! 🇺🇸
Keeping our country and all of you in my prayers. Enjoy the holiday – stay safe!
Gracie pup and I will have a peaceful day at home. We will watch Richmond’s televised fireworks display tonight. 😊 🐾
Sue, what was your favorite resources for finding boondocks?
Hi Everyone,
So sorry that I’ve been a no show for the past few weeks. I’m now catching up on reading comments. I had a lot going on and was a bit overwhelmed. I got to catch my breath last week when I was able to go the beach for a week with my family. We always take a selfie on our last day. This year, we took it matching masks! In the future, we’ll always be able to know that year that picture was taken!
I hope that everyone has been doing well. I look forward to catching up with you as I read through the comments.
Hi Dawn…so nice you got a vacation with your loved ones!! THAT could be some of the best medicine and prevention of disease there is. Sounds like you had a good time. We are doing our usual thing…not much!! When we were over at daughter’s yesterday afternoon, you would think the dog was hilarious!! She was over the moon to see us…of course, dogs have little way to track time…but my daughter says, “She is more YOUR dog than mine.” Not really…she just thinks when we come if is to see HER!! haha!! Well, after all, we get the most hugs and kisses from her!!
Hi, Elizabeth!
Your daughter’s dig knows who gives her extra love and attention! That is so funny! She knows her grandma and grandpa like to spoil her!! Sending you a **hug** 😊
DOG!!
Hi Elizabeth,
So glad that you got to spend time with your daughter and your, excuse me, HER dog. 🙂 You are right. Relaxing time with family is the best medicine. We played a lot of games and started a lot of inside jokes. We even played that old game Clue!!! I even won once! Something I never usually do.
Glad you and your husband are staying well.
Hi, Dawn!
So glad that you and your family could escape to the beach and destress. I know the change of scenery was welcome!
I understand the feeling of being overwhelmed; I hope things are a bit better. *hugs*
Yesterday evening we had a pair of rabbits in the backyard along with at least two babies. The babies were playing – running between flower beds, and then hiding amongst the weeds in the lily garden. Now I am thankful that I am behind in weeding that flower bed. The overgrowth provides hiding places for the little ones. The baby bunnies are about the size of chipmunks – so tiny and cute!
It has been a very good year for the birds. The bluebirds have just hatched brood #3 in the nesting box on the patio pergola. For the past month – 6 weeks or so, the male bluebird has been tapping his feet on the kitchen window when he does not see me or Gracie. He starts this routine at 5:30AM…tap tap tap….a few minutes later…tap tap tap. Earlier in the morning he will perch atop the chimney and sing his greeting. It is as if he knows that I am in the living room and would hear him. Once I start my workday, I am sitting at the kitchen table with the window to my right. Mr Bluebird will fly up to the window, ready to tap out his greeting and then pulls back once he sees me. He then perches contentedly on top of the pergola, keeping an eye on us. I thank him for checking on me and Gracie pup. When we go outside he will chortle a greeting. I always tell him that Gracie and I came outside to check on him!
A very young red tail (?) hawk, juvenile cardinals, robins, and sparrows visit our yard for food, water, and shelter from the sun. The goldfinches love to perch on purple flowers in my perennial bed and eat the petals. What a pretty sight- a bright yellow bird on a purple flower! A Carolina wren has started a nest in a birdhouse just off the patio. I thought he decided on a different location because the nest building activity had stopped. I noticed more nest material yesterday…someone is making it nice and cozy. 😊
Good to see you, Dawn & Elizabeth stopping in for a visit. I hope you have a great day and wonderful weekend! 😊
Please stay safe and well! xo 😷
Hi Denise,
I so appreciate the wonder you have for the small animals in your back yard. You have provided such a glorious place for them to have their home and to frolic. Mr. Bluebird checking in on you each day sounds like the start to a wonderful fairy tale! You are such a blessing to them. Your yard sounds enchanting!
I hope that you too have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Dawn! 😊
Your bluebird sounds unusual, Denise…enjoyed your sharing! We so miss the wonderful singing a mockingbird shared with us when we lived in NC. My granddaughter and I shared a hug this week (first time in months)…as her mom was so afraid we would get sick. I am not a bit afraid…I generally do not catch stuff anyway. I told her I was not afraid of her germs and she told me she was not afraid of mine either!! I fear that this panic over all this, has done damage to our babies that won’t be repairable…to them no doubt it has felt a huge rejection, no matter what we say. And not hardly seeing them for months too. History is often seen differently when viewed in the future. I worry especially so for my grandbabies with all they have already gone thru due to their dad. My one comfort is that justice is being served to SOME of those who harm kids…and women. May justice continue!!
Cooking a new version of a recipe for my daughter and us tomorrow after hubby and I had it for supper tonight (if it tastes good, we never mind eating it again soon!!) My daughter and I love a lot of the same foods, some of which hubby does not like…so cooking for her is fun!! Happy weekend to all!!
Hi Elizabeth!
Yes, my little bluebird is special. 😊
Hugs are wonderful! 😊
I hope your new recipe turns out well! Even if the dish is not a keeper, I hope it tastes good enough to eat! I have had a few failed recipes where I had to pitch the whole thing! 😂
Thanks Denise!!…heh…eatable…but more work needed!! Yea, a few times I have had to throw out things too…but that is the cost of learning right?
😊
Hi Everyone!
Just checking in to see how Sue and Crew are doing during this HOT weather. Wondered if she is still boondocking or back at the house.
Take care all and stay cool!!
Don in HOT Okla.
Hi, Don!
It is nice to see you stopping by Sue’s virtual front porch! 😊
The last update was that Sue and the crew headed home after the first boondocks trip with her new PTV. Sue said she wanted to try camping with the crew using the bed of the truck (with its shell) and leaving the BLT home.
You take good care and stay hydrated! It is hot here in VA, too! ☀️
boondock trip….auto correct strikes again! 😂
Hi Denise
Thank you for the update. I miss reading her comments from time to time and I appreciate you bringing me up to speed.
Take care and stay cool!
Don in Okla.
😊
Hope all is ok Sue. It’s only been almost a month since you last posted, but not like you to miss a holiday (4th). Sending happy vibes to you.
While looking for some news that was not fake/political/virus related, I happened across some news I missed and wondered if everyone else did too. Michigan has so much going on that this was not on the national radar. On May 19th the Edenville dam breeched due to excessive rainfall. Wixom Lake flooded through the towns of Edenville & Sanford. The young man who is trying to get the word out is doing a fine job. Jordan Mowbray is documenting the devastation on youtube videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBuQM This link is his first video. He has posted video of the actual breech and interviews with residents, updates with drone footage and even a press conference.
I think he is doing a better job than what the news would present.
Stopped the farmer’s market for the summer. The last one in June was 95 but felt like 105 degrees. Not the best weather for selling flannel blankets! Even the farmers don’t have much to sell in July or August. My first attempt a vegetable gardening is almost done. Have to try again in September. Got some potatoes & many tomatoes that grew out of the compost pile. I guess I started too late for Florida. My carrots are puny:)
Now to find something to do that doesn’t revolve around food. Seems that’s most of what there is to do: shop, cook, clean-up after it and plan the next. Any suggestions on how to motivate yourself to do what you mostly avoid doing? Happy days to you!
That link didn’t work. Try this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0McdcZ9rArU&list=PLZsUw_orwxujGTGvP5pdePMn_90qd7HYf&index=9
Hi Barb,
The farmer’s market sounds HOT!!! It is also hot in NC. Thank you for the news story about the dam. I had not heard of it either. Mostly, I just look at headlines once a day and then get off of the news. It’s my way of trying to keep up with what is going on while not getting bogged down by all the negativity and negative spin.
It sounds like you’re having better luck with your garden than I am with my container garden. Glad you got some potatoes and tomatoes. I’m having trouble with my tomatoes in a huge pot on my porch. They get watered twice a day, because the leaves get so droopy. However, they’re turning yellow from the base up. It makes me a bit sad. However, my Gerber daisies are blooming away and my basil is growing like gang busters!
Glad to hear from you Barb!
Hi Dawn!
Do you follow Nina of Wheeling It? She has moved to France, but last post talked about her tomatoes and how she learned from a farmer down the road the trick of not overwatering. In FL that is not easy as it goes from way too dry to way too wet. There was a week there when the rain started up that the tomatoes were splitting from too much moisture. I managed to get enough to make some pizza sauce to use with my gf pizza crust. With homegrown oregano, homemade turkey sausage and farmer’s market honey to feed the yeast………..Oh my!
Hi Barb,
I don’t follow her but I might check out that post. Your pastas sauce and pizza sound scrumptious!
Hi, Barb!
Thank you for sharing the Michigan news story. I had not heard about it either. Like Dawn, I briefly look at the news to stay informed and then tune everything else out. The heat has done a number on many of my perennials, trees and shrubs. If we don’t get a passing shower tonight I will need to water tomorrow.
I hope you will have an opportunity to sell blankets in the coming months. Something that could be done that is not related to food? Maybe go thru the pantry to pitch out of date items? I don’t think purging is necessarily “fun” but it feels good to clear out stuff no longer needed. Good luck! 😊
Take good care – stay hydrated! 😊
Thanks Barb for your information…we listen moreso from youtube folks these days…you know the standard fare on the main news channels…not worth the time to listen frankly. I do not know if anyone really knows what is going on these days but some have shared things that at least give one hope that more good than bad is going on…we view the recent arrests and busts of pedo rings to be VERY good news indeed!! So gives us some hope…may GOD be with those who are trying to fix at least some of the awful problems of this world!!
I must admit not doing a great lot…I SHOULD be cleaning…but often that gets put aside…I did finally finish a crocheted shawl I began some years ago…and have plenty of all sorts of other handwork projects on hand…but motivation is lacking these days. My issues with food allergies and meds has flared up…but hopeful a chat with the doc today (online that is) will help it get resolved at some point. To a degree, one must research and “be their own doctor” it seems.
And have worked some on developing more recipes as well…need to get back to that and experimenting with making gluten free sourdough starter… Whatever we can do to be more independent of stores is a good thing I think too.
Hi Elizabeth – Nice to hear from you! I cancelled the dish years ago. Was watching attenna tv with only a few channels. One being abc. I have watched live stream from the internet and then watched the news to see the story changed right in front of my eyes. Unbelievable and no more. When the antenna died, that was the end of it. Youtube (TV 2.0) is getting there with their censorship of what they think you should know about. I can tell when talking to people, even family, where they get their information from, as alot of it is catchphrases and regurgitation from the news. How can you believe the so-called experts when their guidelines contradict what they’ve already said. We’re all under arrest as far as I’m concerned. I don’t go anywhere except the grocery store. Thank goodness I have a yard.
The above I mentioned about the flood. Seems that is politcal too. Who’s resposible? Who’s going to pay? The homeowner’s left to foot the bill and/or the state to take over and give them no say? Interesting and fitting-in with bad infrastructure, bureaucratic red-tape and state’s handling of issues being talked about. My dear sweet husband used to say “We could all be living in paradise if it wasn’t for all the b.s.” B.S. = you name it, it’ll fit.
Hope you feel better! How’s the knee? Hey, when you get that sourdough recipe figured out, can you let us know? Wish I could give you my email address. Any help there, Sue? To everyone – have a good day today!
Thanks Barb…heh, at the rate I am currently going, tis not going to be real soon on the gf sourdough…but I did learn this much in making buckwheat pancakes (gluten free…just a simple recipe that is egg, buckwheat, milk, baking powder etc) and we like them with lingonberry jam/sauce on top. If you leave the buckwheat which is mixed with water and maybe a teaspoon of sugar (I use coconut sugar) sitting out covered overnight (not tightly covered…loosely so….then proceed with the recipe in the AM and it tastes SO MUCH nicer…not sure why…as it is not REAL sourdough at that stage…so I do at least that much for that recipe now. But yea, if I ever get it figured out, will share with you. Sue can send you my email too if she likes, by the way. Thanks for asking about my knee…tis still going along well…and I am so grateful!! Hope everyone will have a good weekend…and find something meaningful to do while all locked up (we are back to square one again nearly here). We ran a couple errands today however…and saw few where we were…of course I wear a mask…stores under threat of governor if we try to go in without…
You need to stop by sometime. I think we live in the same area. The hounds would love to meet you and your two dogs.
Granddaughter requested some brownies…which usually I make from black beans for her…but this video came out from a Delish person and it was about using Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) so today I am making them (adding a few touches of my own, of course, per usual) but I feel some of those recipes are super great ideas…especially for vegans and allergy folks or just wanting to eat healthier. If anyone is interested, here is the link to that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDvfo-C5yZM Sue, if you think it is not ok to link to this, please remove this comment. Be warned, this woman uses gutter language as we used to call it…no idea why educated people feel the need to do this…but her ideas are good. If you do not want to watch, there is a link below the video to go straight to the recipes. And of course, if you wish, I am sure a lot of the ingredients can be found online at Amazon…using Sue’s link, of course.
The brownies passed everyone’s taste test here…however, we all think it was stronger in chocolate than we need so next time will half the cocoa and use less chocolate chips too…which then means you need to add 2 T more of your flour. I also added vanilla cause I feel chocolate needs it…going to use MORE of it next time too…maybe up to a tablespoon!! Bon Apetit!! You cannot tell it is made with chickpeas.
Thank you for sharing the recipe and your recommendations, Elizabeth!
Thought about you tonight and our chats about trying new recipes…
I had a major fail when making dinner tonight. I tried a simple recipe for a tomato sauce that folks have sung its high praises. It was not good. To make matters worse, the beef ravioli I put the sauce over was freezer burned. I ate one half of a ravioli, ended spitting the next piece out. Bleah!! Everything went in the trash; it was inedible. Stuff happens…. 😂
Sorry about the meal fail, Denise…as you say, stuff happens…I think often the ingredients fail before we ever get them. I used to make an awesome tomato soup when we lived in Virginia…the little man who sold his veggies at the small village gas station was an incredible gardener and I have not since had any tomatoes that tasted so nice. Nor has my soup tasted the same…in fact, have not made it in ages…if I could get tomatoes like his, no doubt it would be worth making…perhaps that was your situation too!! Hang in there!!
Hi Elizabeth!
You are missing Hanover tomatoes. Hanover County has something magical in the sandy soil that gives the tomatoes delightful flavor.
When you lived here, did you all ever go to the tomato festival held in Hanover? Usually held on one of the hottest days of the the year. Hanover tomatoes are for sale by the bag, the proceeds support the rescue squad. They always run out of tomatoes within the first hour. There are craft booths, games for the kids, and food vendors to enjoy. Last year over 43,000 attended the 1-day event.
Tomatoes grown in the City of Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, or Goochland Counties lack that special flavor. Now I am craving a BLT…some good bread, Light Hellman’s mayo, crispy thick cut bacon, an iceberg lettuce leaf or two, and a slab of Hanover tomato. Mmmm! 😊
Hmmm, we only lived in VA for 5 months though we had intended to stay indefinitely. But our child out West needed our help. Still does. We lived in the tiny village of Providence Forge which is where the fella selling the veggies lived too. I don’t know what kind of tomato but I would believe it was something special alright. Do you know if canned tomatoes of that type are sold anywhere? Tomato soup just does not taste near so good of any others. I too love tomato sandwiches with fresh from the garden tomatoes!!
Hi Elizabeth. Sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. That’s ok about the sourdough recipe. I’ve found a good gf bread in the freezer section @ WM & Publix that my daughter buys fresh in MN. It’s almost as good as mine. It’s Canyon Bakehouse Mountain White. It’s pricey, but easier than making it myself. With your brownies, I suspect the too much cocoa was to mask the bean taste. I have never been able to get over that myself. Don’t care for chickpeas (or hummis) and the pea flour mix I tried made the shortcakes taste like bean cakes. I tried it in a couple more things but eventually threw the rest out.
The virus numbers have shut the farmer’s market back down. Probably should not have opened for the two in June. They weren’t well attended though by vendor or customer.
Hi to Sue, Dawn & Denise! Everyone have a nice weekend!
Good morning, Barb!
I hope you have an enjoyable Sunday! 😊
Hi Barb,
The kind of gf bread from the store that we like best is easily gotten from Amazon…I cannot eat Tapioca which most readymade gf has in it…this one does not and actually tastes quite good. Our favorites are the 10 see bread, the hot dog and hamburger buns and the white bread versions. It is made with sourdough by the way. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Schar-Gluten-Artisan-Baker-Grains/dp/B074B6ZZDR/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=schar+bread+10+grain&qid=1595792785&s=grocery&sr=1-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyWDVMUlk2VTEzUEFOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjg1OTcyMUlQM1NGMkpUVlo1NyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDAyNDk4MlVIU0tVUkE2VEFEMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= and the other versions we do not care as much for. We generally get it locally for cheaper than Amazon however…but it is a convenient way to get it and it would help Sue too.
I like the Canyon bread too, and it makes really excellent stuffing. Our favorite gluten free “bread” is the Against the Grain frozen rolls. Its actually a Brazilian speciality, Pao de Queizo made from tapioca flour and mozzarella cheese. If you cannot eat tapioca there are recipes with potato starch. It is really expensive. My wife is lactose intolerant but she can eat these. We have also found the Freschetta gluten free frozen pizza is great, better than any other we have bought anywhere else or made ourselves. Living in our rural area I drive an hour each month to stock up on the rolls and some other weird frozen foods.
Thanks for the pizza idea…had not looked for anything new for awhile…hubby can eat it…I am allergic to milk etc too but though he has some gluten issues, if he leaves gluten alone, the milk products are fine…but if he eats gluten, then milk products bother him…and the medicals tend to think we are all made alike, but au contrare!!…but I stock such as he can eat alone…
THIS Pizza is a winner with Hubby…THANKS so much, rhodium!!
Hi Barb!
Thanks for sharing about the bread. I am fortunate in that gluten doesn’t affect me negatively. I’ll still look out for your recommendation, it sounds tasty. I hope that you had a great weekend. I’m looking forward to this coming weekend as I am going to visit with my parents on their front porch and eat lunch with them. This epidemic has really limited my visits with them.
Sue, I finally tried the Tillamook ice cream! Oooohhh my goodness!!! It was DIVINE! I had rocky road. I am definitely going to put that on my list to buy again. Has anyone tried the marionberry pie? I’ve never had a marion berry so, I don’t know what to expect.
Hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe!
Marionberries are like blackberries…maybe sweeter…yumminess!! I get Tillamook ice cream for Hubby sometimes…I used to also get him (prior to gluten issues) esp. in the ice cream cookie form called Tillamookies…haha!!
Hi Dawn!
Enjoy your visit with your folks! I hope you have a delicious lunch and comfortable weather. The BEST thing will be spending time together! 😊
I found Tillamook ice cream here maybe last year? I tried two flavors, one being the marionberry pie. I love berries and pie. The ice cream has a ribbon of crust that was similar to graham cracker crumbs which tasted bland to me. I did not care for it for that reason. Everyone’s taste is different – you may love it! I cannot remember the other flavor that I tried but know that I liked it. The store where I found it is pricey, so I rarely shop there. Your glowing review has me craving Tillamook Rocky Road! 😊
Prayers for all those in the path of Isaias…actually prayers for everyone! I think of you all every day, take care.
Just came across this video…very informative about what we are all possibly facing in one way or another:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ywj-PZTt4g
Hope everyone is well!! We are not sick so far!! Just our usual old age etc things.
Hi All, Hope this finds you all doing well and that you all are still having fun given the circumstances.
May God Bless each and every one of you and yours.
I know I don’t write much, but don’t think I don’t read the comments.
Take care of each other and yourselves as well.
Miss hearing from you Sue and Crew.
Respectfully,
Steve Kaeseman
Hi Everyone!
I hope that everyone had a restful weekend. I was able to visit with some good friends on the back porch Friday night and Saturday night, so I had a wonderful weekend. We had an earthquake, of all things, yesterday morning. It was about a 5.2. And, of course, I slept right through it! The funny thing was a few moms that I know both thought that at first it was their kids misbehaving! 😉
On a different note, it seems that my three tomato plants are dying. They have cherry tomatoes on the top, but all the leaves on the bottom have turned yellow and died. I am rather saddened by this. Also, to be honest, while still yummy, they don’t have the flavor that I was hoping for! What is going gangbusters is my gerber daisy. I got it a few months ago from a grocery store, and it just keeps blooming! There are several plants in the pot, one bloom is yellow and the other orange. The other night, something got to the blooms and pulled all the flowers apart so that only half a bloom remained on all blooms!
I hope that everyone is staying safe and doing well!
Gosh,Dawn, I wondered if you felt the earthquake. I’m glad you’re alright. Hadn’t your area recently had a tornado and hurricane,too? Such a strange and intense season this has been. My area in Central NY State has had record breaking heat for more than a month, thank God no disasters or damage causing storms though.
Hope your heat leaves soon Weather…ours has been not so bad this year…but our lovely apt owner is building TWO new bldgs surrounding us…so plenty of NOISE and DIRT to go around. STILL pay HUGE rent however…no one thinks we should be given a break under such I guess. I continue hunting for a different apt. It adds insult to injury, with us having to listen to the elephant upstairs on a regular basis!! Sigh…such a super noisy world. Hubby is too weak I feel, for us to manage in a place of our own…but I also look at such cause if it was set up well…it might work. Glad to hear from you here, Weather!
Hi,Elizabeth, I’m glad to hear from you, too. That’s awful about the noise. I pray for you to get some peace and quiet.
Hi Weather!
So nice to hear from you. No, I did not feel the quake at all. You are right that NC recently had tornadoes and a hurricane hit. However, those were towards the coast, so I didn’t experience them. We have had a lot of torrential thunderstorms with enormous amounts of rain.
I’m sorry that you have had such a record heat. Do you have an AC in your house? Are you and the kitties staying cool? How are your hands doing? Is your grand daughter (or is it son?) still going to college near you? Are they coming back to campus this semester? Or are they doing all on line classes?
Glad you are ok from the earthquake, Dawn. One of my kids felt it there in NC but the other family did not either…but they are more in the central part of the state too. My daughter who felt it said she thought her bed moved…and later she noticed that her electrical panel door was open…which she never leaves it open. We had a small earthquake during the decade we lived in NC too…I was in bed and it most definitely moved the bed. We were in a 4.6 one when we lived in Hawaii as young marrieds…it shook our 3rd floor apt quite well…scary!!
Sorry about your plants…seems I have not been largely successful the times I have tried growing things either…and bugs or animals can take it all in a heartbeat. My daughter here had some onions planted near the road…all gone…other stuff left…we are all puzzled…most likely a person took them. Deer usually do not eat such.
Hi Weather!
So nice to hear from you. No, I did not feel the quake at all. You are right that NC recently had tornadoes and a hurricane hit. However, those were towards the coast, so I didn’t experience them. We have had a lot of torrential thunderstorms with enormous amounts of rain.
I’m sorry that you have had such a record heat. Do you have an AC in your house? Are you and the kitties staying cool? How are your hands doing? Is your grand daughter (or is it son?) still going to college near you? Are they coming back to campus this semester? Or are they doing all on line classes?
Hi Elizabeth!
So sorry about all the construction and noisy neighbors. I know it is really intrusive when you are just trying to have a nice, quiet time. I remember one neighbor who lived beside me (we both had two story townhouse rentals). Yet, I could still hear him clomp around when he was upstairs!
Gosh, Dawn, I’m glad you’re alright. I wondered if you felt the earthquake. Hadn’t your area recently had a hurricane and tornado,too? Our area in Central NY State has had record breaking heat and a few strong storms for more than a month now.Thank God, no damaging storms though. What an intense season this has been!
We last night found this interesting site on Youtube about earthquakes, for those that are interested in such (and in our neck of the woods, we SHOULD be!!) It is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHE92x768p8h-fMrqhsnE1Q Apparently this man is good at figuring out where the next one should happen!!
Sue, are you out there somewhere? How are you? I just popped in to say, “hi, I miss you”, and see how you are doing? I see all the Blogerinos are all doing well- everyone is surviving the dang Covid, which is good news.
We had to take a short break off the road this Summer to get a few things done, but we are back at it and making the most of all the crowds in the forests and all the closures.
It’s awkward out here. I’m glad you and the boys are tucked safely away right now. Still, I miss your adventures, even if it’s just down the road to the thrift shop.
Aloha, Suzi, Kitty, and Larry
Hi Everyone!
I miss all of you! I hope that everyone is staying safe and well during these strange times. One thing that Covid caused me to do was go to a drive in movie for the first time in my life! Our local discount movie theater converted into a drive in! I saw a sci fi movie from 2005, Serenity. It was great fun! I’ve never had the opportunity to go to a drive in before. The only draw back is that I was out late (for me anyway), since you have to wait for sunset to start the movie! This movie was discounted, and I went with a friend. However, for me to go alone, the cost is $20. Not a price I’m willing to pay to go to see one movie.
Most of my visiting with friends have consisted of us meeting outside in yards or back porches six feet apart. I’ve also been walking a lot as a way to visit with folks.
What have the rest of you been up to? How are you all doing?
Glad to see you’re out camping again, Sue. I haven’t commented in two years but still look in on you from time to time. Have fun in the desert.
Don in Texas
Good morning Sue, Reg and Rog,
I had my first visitor since March 18th…my 38 yr old niece stopped by bring me a gift and to setup my old Nintendo 64. Nat had discovered last year that I had a box of Nintendo games and their consoles (ok, I know a little silly to have these banker boxes of games in the small apartment with very little storage…but I have fond memories of Partner and I relaxing and taking care of work related stress, just having a ball laughing, learning new skills, cheering each other to forward and making memories). Nat had gotten an adaptor to connect to my hdtv. We played being amazed at how our hands started remembering those skills. She posted on FB about the new things she found out about me and told all about the new cool aunt…my sisters reported they knew those things and their knew I was very competitive. LOL, It was a fun time spending live time with my niece. She now wants to set up regular game nites with the nephews (who can’t believe that I have a high rating for the racing games…I say let them come over next year, I only will allow those that I know have followed the rules (I notice their social interactions and I know that some are essential workers, God Bless Them) and I trust some more than others and they all know who they are…I want to pass my Grandmother’s age of 92. What have been some of those things that have come back into your life to survive our new times?
Sue, it is very hot here in Phoenix – 116. I see the somewhat cooler temps 90’s and slight chances of rain in the southeast corner of AZ. I hope that your rain barrel is full. I yell at the tv “yea, RVSue and the boys are getting some sprinkles that are hitting the ground.
I hope you are doing well and that Reggie and Roger are keeping things lively in the patio shade.
Take Care
Test
Received
x
I have been seeing some comments, but it’s confusing enough to believe I’m missing as many as I’m seeing. I am using a LinuxMint operating system with a Chrome browser, which may be a unique combination.
Thought I’d lost you and everyone on here Sue, I seem to be pulled toward the rabbit hole for various reasons but still have a lot of paring down to do at home so cannot fall into that place. Have given a lot of clothing to those who need and can wear them a good thing, now starting on the kitchen. I know where it all came from and working all those years just did not think about paring down. Now is the perfect time.
It takes a lot of work to stay positive these days, and I always thought I was fairly positive to begin with. Interesting how we are being tested in so many different ways now. Hope this finds you and the boys, busy and well. I miss SE Arizona even with triple digits, still have a few friends there. Take Care of you three! Be Well!
Hello?
Glad to hear, Sue. Was beginning to think something was wrong. Thought I spotted you in the comments on another blog. A Sue sighting so-to-speak. Hope it is an easy fix.
Hi Sue,
Hope all is well with you and Rog & Reg. I still can’t see the comment and really miss them even though my life is still pretty hectic. At least we have not gotten Covid-19, thank the Lord.
I pray too for fellow blorgorinos. I hope Rusty is okay. I think of him often.
Sue, thank you for the fyi…Glad you and the crew are well…I’ll just hang out at the patio door as a dust storm passes…hope your solution is an easy one for your sake and not too bothersome.
Take Care
Hi Sue,
I can’t see the comments any more. Hope it’s just a glitch.
Thinking of you today Sue, and remembering Spike with love.
Leaving us a note within the blog post so we can see it was a good idea. Hopefully fixing it will be easier than you expect it to be.
Well, it appears to be working now!! Good job, Sue…that is one thing I have no patience for!! Hope you and the boys are well!!
Hi, Elizabeth!
I have missed chatting with you! How are you and your family doing?
Gracie pup and I are holding our own. Gracie turned 11 last month! She is still a mischievous puppy at heart. I love my little pup! 🐾💕
Enjoy the rest of the weekend! 😊
Hi Denise,
Thanks for asking…nice to see you here again too!
Well, things are mostly as usual here. I got a couple books which I hope will help me to help Hubby get some better doing things naturally. Time will tell on that.
Wow, Gracie is at least middle aged now? Glad she is still acting like a puppy!! That makes life so fun!!
Hope all goes well for you!!
Test….
I posted a msg this afternoon – poof!
I hope everyone is well – I have missed chatting with Sue and her blogorino family.
Please stay safe and well! xo 😷
Well, my reply to you went to who knows where? Hope you are doing well, will attempt to replace what went airborne soon.
Hi, jazzlover!
It is so nice to see you here on Sue’s virtual front porch! I have missed chatting with you!
How are you doing? Gracie pup and I enjoyed the cooler temperature today. I think it was in the high 70s. I am ready for cooler sweater weather.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend! 😊
Oh my goodness, I just got this! Yesterday I got a December 2019 post. The last one I could see on your blog was the one before you went to where Del was. I was worried as there was no way to leave a comment and I never got this post about the trip. I am so glad to see at least in May all was well! Have there been any posts since then?
I got these two notifications also, hoping everything is alright. I miss Sue’s posts.
We finally decided, enough of this staying in place! We left AZ on Monday (it has been so hot) and are currently in Texas, then on to OK in a couple of weeks. I have missed traveling, doesn’t really matter where we go, we just had to go!
Hello again Sue and everyone, I’ve missed you
Weather, hope you are well and finding enough to do to not be bored. You have a peaceful way with words which is refreshing. Thought I had lost RVSue and Crew, thankful all is still here. Be Safe.
Thanks,jazzlover, I am well. This evening I sat on my back deck in awe of God’s creation, listening to the wind in the trees, watching birds soar above the lake’s water…thinking about how much I have to be grateful for. I,too, am thankful all is still here.
Poof,my previous reply disappeared. All’s well in my world full of God’s blessings, I,too,am grateful all is still here
Saaaammmeee. I miss everyone!!!
Well, this is progress. At least we have the comments back. I hope and pray Sue, Roger & Reggie, and everyone else is ok. Today is a day to remember, those who served and those who grieve.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
September 6th was Sue’s sister Pauline’s birthday. As you know, the blog/Comments were not up and running. How about a Belated Happy Birthday wish for Pauline….and many, many more.
Happy Belated Birthday Pauline!
Happy to see comments working again. RVSue has used her patience to work with WordPress again…may it be stable for a long time. May you be back to doing what makes you happy Sue, please give a pet to Reg and Rog.
Hope Everyone is in a safe place.
Take Care
Happy Belated Birthday Pauline! Hope it was a good one!
Hey-ya Sue and boys!
Good to see this thread back up and working. After sitting idle for a bit this Summer, the three of us are back on the road. We spent some time in the North Cascades and really enjoyed it. We stayed outside of Mazama,WA in a sweet little inexpensive FS campground for nearly a week. So much to see in that area!
We spent some time in a COE CG last week on Lake Koocanusa. Luckily we arrived the Tuesday before Labor Day weekend so we got one of the few spots there. F R E E 🤠
After that we had a lovely stay at McGregor Lk CG, with posted bear warnings, but that oh so clear turquoise blue water to dip our feet in! “Your” site was full, and there was lots of camper activity on that end. We did have a lake-side site with a path to the water.
Then on to try for a Boondock outside of Glacier NP. A no- go. The whole park is closed so it’s no wonder all the boondocks are full. Not only full, but really pretty dirty! Terrible. We had temps dip into the 20’s already up this far North in MT.
Now we are happily camped at Seeley Lk. in a sweet waterfront CG. River Point. Also FREE. I guess they go free around here on Sept 8th. We got here Friday morning at 8:50 am and drove the loop twice. (We had already been to 4 other CGs by then (up at 5 to go search) and on the second turn found a couple hitching up. We have a mighty fine piece of real estate on the lake for the next few days. We are so happy!!!
Hope you and the boys are well!!! Hugs,
Suzi, Larry, & of course , Kitty!! 😻
Hi Suzi, Larry & Kitty~
Thanks for your comment. Love your descriptions. Sounds wonderful, except the dirty part. So, so glad you are happy and enjoying yourselves!
Hi Sue~ Glad you got the comments back up. It’s nice to hear from everyone. Hope all are well, especially those dealing with fire, hurricanes (just some rain here) and health issues. Sending all prayers, hugs and lotsa love. Belated birthday wishes to Pauline and those we missed.
Happy Belated Birthday Pauline!!!
Hi Everyone! So excited to see that the comments were back up! Thanks so much Sue! I was afraid that this would not be the case. I need to have more faith! I’ve missed everyone! How are you all doing? Denise, so glad Gracie is acting like the forever puppy that she is. Weather, so glad to hear that everything is so beautiful in your neck of the woods. Elizabeth, I hope those books help! MB, wonder where you are and how you are doing. SuziCruzi, so glad to get an update. For everyone else, so great to hear from you again!
Things are going well in NC. The weather is thinking about becoming fall, but not quite yet! I had a wonderful thing happen…it looks like I get to go to the beach AGAIN in October!!!! This has never happened before. It’s always just one week in the summer that I love. For me, this is like having Christmas twice in one year! I am so grateful that I still have a job and that I have the opportunity to do this. Another piece of good news is that my diabetic foster cat went into remission and no longer needs insulin! My parents are still alive and well. So, I have so much to be grateful for!
Can’t wait to catch up with everyone!
Nice to hear from you again, Dawn! Will be hoping that the weather is great when you go to the beach!! We are still plagued with smoke from the fires on this coast. Was talking to my NC daughter yesterday…told her, “Well, it is not fun to be soaked with rain as you often are there, but I think it is nice not to have to worry about fires either!!” She agreed!!
Nothing but an “x” in a couple months, wondering how you’re doing Sue, if you and the boys are okay. Glad to see the blogerinos are still out there and staying safe.
Hope we’ll see a post soon and hear that all is well.
Hi Sue and Everyone! I kept checking and wondering what is going on. I sure miss you all. We are doing good so far. I hope you are all well. In case something happens and we can’t comment for awhile again, I created a group called RV Sue’s Gang on FB so if we get locked out of here we have a place to connect until RV Sue can get it fixed. So if you are on FB feel free to ask to join. I just hated the fact that we all might be lost from each other. Love to you Sue, Reggie, Roger and everyone else.
Couldn’t find RV Sue’s Gang on facebook??
Thanks for any help.
Susan
Susan, click on my name and I linked it to that group. As I said, I just want to make sure if comments go down again or anything, we don’t lose touch with each other while Sue fixes it. We can still try to comment here so that Sue might be able to see them, but we can also stay in touch there.
Done. I’m not sure what Facebook is giving as my name by now, but it has “Calvin” in it.
Joined. Thank you Jolene. I have read Sue’s blog for years but not a big commenter. Love keeping up, though.
Anna in NC
Thank you! That worked.
I’m working on a blog post. When I finish it and get it posted, we will discuss the future of this blog when there are two separate places for blogorinos to meet.
Thank you for your patience, loyalty, and kindnesses.
All is well here,
Bye for now,
Sue
Sue, we all want to be able to meet here. I have told everyone that has joined my group that we are to stay loyal to you and always come here to comment. Not my intention at all for anyone to be disloyal to you. I would never do that. There are times I have wanted to reach out to someone on here when the comments were down this summer. In those situations it would be nice to know how to be able to reach someone.
If you think for a minute that us having a connection point if needed can ever replace your blog, not a chance. I know you are a very private person and I respect that. For those of us more social, it was really tough when we couldn’t connect on here. This is our first choice though and always will be. We love you!!
Jolene,
I’m sorry the comments were down for a few weeks. That has been fixed and now that I know the cause I can say with confidence that it is unlikely to happen again.
I need time to reflect upon the existence of two comment sections — one connected to my blog where everyone has access to comment and one separate from my blog available only for FB users to comment.
In the past we discussed having a FB page as an alternative or back-up and we decided against it. Perhaps the general feeling of blogorinos has changed.
I’m working on a blog post so if you want to discuss this topic with me further, I’ll be happy to do so after the post appears.
Jolene. Why don’t you just create a FB group of which you can be an administrator, maybe called “RVSue Fans.” Sue can be a member and weigh in if she wants, but not have to worry about managing it. Ideal for when fans want to communicate with each other.
Sue can still do her blog as frequently (or infrequently) as she wishes. People can still comment on it but not fill it up with cross-fan discussions so it remains focused on her blog’s content.
It’s ultimately up to Sue. My interpretation is her goal was to have less daily responsibility for ongoing blog commentary and having to manage & monitor it. But maybe my understanding is wrong ir she’s changed her mind.
Hi Liz,
Sue is not on FB. She has said she doesn’t want to be on FB. That is certainly her choice. I created a group a year ago in July and kept it completely private. No one in it except one person and we didn’t use it then, just had it open in case. We came here.
Then we went months without a new blog post and then for a few weeks we couldn’t even comment that we could see from other people. So I then started thinking again, omgosh, if something has happened to Sue or if she decides she is not doing the blog anymore, we have no way to get a hold of friends we have made here on the blog in the comments section all these years. That really upset me.
I have had several people contact me personally because they know I am very active on FB and knew how to find me. So I decided to make that group not be secret anymore and just have the people who wanted to join, join it so that if something happened here we could still find each other. We don’t have all the email addresses that Sue has. We had no way to reach each other.
There was no ill intent at all intended. I will always come here and comment. I would encourage everyone in the group to keep coming here as well. I would encourage them to keep buying from Sue’s links. And in fact, if it would help and it would work for her, I would even post the Amazon link in the group I have set up now.
I have later today changed the name of the group to Blogorino Friends so as to not infringe on Sue’s name at all. I am really trying to be so sincere here about this as just a place so we don’t lose touch with each other. I had a friend of mine recently almost lose a 35 year old son to a massive heart attack. Not one of us knows when our time is up and it would be so sad to lose touch with people.
I chose a group over just a page because pages are harder to see posts on. It is so much easier in a group and they are easier to control. So that is all I can tell you. It is totally sincere. I want people to keep coming here. I will be here just like I was before but I had no idea what was going on for awhile and with the current situation in our world this year, I take nothing for granted anymore.
I was worried about you.
It’s nice to see you here!! How are you? You have been missed!
Fuji-maru, how are you? long time no hear but then sometimes I am a long time no post as well! Hope you are well.
Hi, Barb, jazzlover,
I’m OK.
I’ve been busy with moving and switching my website from Yahoo Japan to WordPress.
Glad to see a comment by you Sue! This year has been a crazy one. Take your time and we look forward to your next post.
Having two places to connect seems like a good thing. With no need for anyone to get hurt feelings. For me, the fb group will be easier to get to – having to scroll for a long way when there are so many comments to go through can be a pain. When Sue’s last post was in May, over four months ago, a lot of comments pile up. I will continue to read both.
I sure enjoy RVSue’s posts!
Hi, Susan…. To clarify before a thread begins about my feelings:
I’m not hurt in the least. It’s just that as creator and administrator of this blog I am aware of the inevitable ramifications such a huge change (which may not be apparent at present) will bring about.
Thanks for the input. Take care…
I guess I don’t see the problem? I don’t see any “huge” change – just another, easy to get to place for all of us to chat. I think everyone loves your blog! No doubt about that.
When there is no blog post for four months, it takes forever to get to the end.
So if we could all chat on the fb page, seems like a good solution to me.
You’re right, you can’t see what I see. Enjoy chatting on the FB page.
Talk to y’all later….
I didn’t say anything about who could see what.
I am sorry you took my comments wrong.
Love your blog posts and have followed for many years. And will continue to do so.
Yes, you did say something about who could see what and I did not take your comment wrong. My point was that there is a lot more to consider than what you are aware of. You see from a reader’s point of view only.
Enough’s enoughl.
We are just leaving Green River Itah and I thought of you and your blog post about camping here and getting wonderful melons. We got a watermelon, cantaloupe, Isreli, honey dew and crenshaw. The ladies are so good at choosing melons that are good today and some tomorrow and some 4 days from now. Hope you and yhe boys are well and enjoying cooler weather.
Thank you. I remember those melons well.
I’ll stick with RVSue’s blog. Don’t do Facebook or other social mediums. I can wait until she posts again. I look forward to your next post, Sue. Hugs to the fur babies.
So delighted to get back from a week in the mountains and see the blog comments up and running. I read every entry. Thanks for posting, everyone!
We’ll see what Sue has in store for the future. I won’t be following if it’s FB, but that’s OK. Life goes on and is ever changing.
Love and Blessings to all.
Thanks for the love and blessings Applegirl, I send the same to you and all, nice to see you here. I do not think I would follow Sue’s blog on FB either, we will have to wait and see what the future of this blog will be.
I do hope you all realize I never said anything about Sue’s blog going to FB. All this group is for is so that people who are on FB and want to stay connected if the blog is down or if something were to happen to Sue we were connected.
If something would have happened to Sue when commenting was down, unless someone has a link with their name or were already personally connected in some way, there would be no way to know how to contact someone for simply friendship and conversation. That is all this group is about.
I encourage everyone on there to continue to come here for conversation. When a new blog post comes up I will tell people there is a new post and to head to the blog. I could just link it but I won’t. I will tell people to come here to enter the blog so that it is the same as always.
There is no reason for Sue to change anything the way she is doing things. This is no different than any other group on FB and there are many groups I am in that Sue’s name has come up in conversation. This group is no different. Everyone will still come here.
There is no need for any confusion. Sue can do things the same way she always has and people on FB can interact like we have already been doing for years now. I will just keep my friends group linked with my name and anyone who wants to be connected on FB can be as well. But conversation will continue here as always.
And in all honesty, I can drive more people here to the blog from FB. It can be a benefit to Sue. I love Sue’s blog! I love the Blogorino’s. I am personal friends on FB with some already that I have been for years that come to this blog. It really is no big deal. We have emailed and PM’ed for years. There is no need to make this more than what it is; simply a way to stay connected.