Sunday, January 11
Bridget and I walk from our campsite to the fee pay station at the entrance of Painted Rock Campground, west of Gila Bend, Arizona. The morning sun is warm on our faces as we meander around the creosote, rabbitbrush, and ratanay bushes. We’re both feeling good.
I don’t know what it is about the harness and leash that gives Bridget a case of happy toes. She loves being on-leash! Here she is walking with . . . What IS that thing? A demon dog?
We encounter a man in short pants coming the other way.
“Beautiful morning, isn’t it!” he calls out cheerily as he approaches. “This sun is GREAT!”
“Yes, it is,” I respond, smiling and squinting into the sunshine. “I remember my childhood in upstate New York. Sure does make me appreciate these days.”
“We’re Canadian, so . . . ” He hesitates.
“So . . . there ya’ go!” We laugh with camaraderie and continue on our way.
Later in the morning Bridget and I walk out into the desert.
I put my Keen trail shoes back on. “C’mon, little explorer. Let’s do the wash.”
Since our campsite is at the far end of the campground, we quickly step outside its boundaries directly into the desert plain. Bridget can run loose. We cross three narrow washes on our way to the big wash.
We walked over here yesterday, but it was too overcast for photos. The palo verde trees grow well here, very thickly branched. They look deceptively soft.
This wash is like a superhighway across the desert. I’m happy to see that there aren’t any tire tracks. I see a pile of rabbit droppings and tracks in the sand . . . . likely coyote or fox.
Bushes grow out of the rocky berms. I notice several entrances to rodent tunnels.
Walking the desert is very calming. No raucous ravens here. A few cactus wrens scratch the ground.
Bridget waits while I take photos. I turn around quickly and catch this one before she can make a stinky face. I’m not too steady with the camera. The element of surprise is the main thing . . . .
I want to go further, but . . . .
Who am I to make that decision? I look behind me and Bridget is headed back the way we came.
“Gosh, Bridge. Quittin’ already?”
She sits on her fanny, waiting for me to catch up.
Again she waits before we climb out of the wash.
It amazes me that Bridget’s paws aren’t torn up with the rough rocks outside the wash. Thorny little plants only an inch or two high are all over the place. She trots through it with ease.
Without any help from me, Bridget leads us home.
A new commenter on this blog asked this question under the previous post:
“One of the motivations for reading your blog was to learn about what we would do (my wife and I) if we took off in our TC for long trips. How would we entertain ourselves day to day? I am retired 4 years now, and keeping myself busy and entertained here at home is hard enough, even with all the projects, the internet, tv, etc.”
I’m not a good one to give an answer to that question.
Here’s why I’m not. My guess is this reader has a task-driven personality. I don’t. My idea of a task is adjusting the reclining angle of my lounger. “Read, relax, and ruminate” probably isn’t this man’s idea of a full day!
Maybe you would like to share some ideas in response to his question:
“How would we entertain ourselves day to day?”
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
TO OPEN COMMENTS, CLICK ON THE POST’S TITLE, “DOIN’ THE WASH”
Doubt if I am first. Palo Verdes are some of my favorite AZ trees. Bridget definitely set the mood and distance of the hike today.
Oh my word! I’ve never been first, I really like to read through the post before commenting. 🙂
Hi, Lisa W.,
When we walked the wash, we’d already walked all the way to the fee station. It was getting warm. Bridget knows when she’s had enough. This post could have been titled “Sittin’ in the wash!” Ha!
Lots of sunshine in your pictures as you and Bridget roamed the trails…er, the washes. I remember the washes from being in the Arizona desert a number of years ago. Brings back good memories of my limited exploration of the desert.
Hi, CRedd in Tx,
Yes, this was a beautiful, sunny day, exactly what the snowbirds come here for.
Always happy to bring back good memories…
I like hiking.
Give me a good book and I’m happy.
I like how you used the words task-driven personality.
That me when I’m home (stick/brick home), always have some work to be done.
Get in my Casita and go. I’m relaxed. A new adventure.
Thank you for your blog.
Hi, Dedra,
There are so many things to do when camping, RVing, traveling…
A lot can depend on how you camp. If you’re in one of these big RV parks they have activities and hobby groups, get-togethers and entertainment going on all the time. For some, that’s just the ticket!
Others are like you and me… happy with a good book.
Oh my, give me the book!! 🙂
I full timed for 5 yrs & I was NEVER BORED!!! I never ran out of things to do! Hobbies (needlepoint/cross stitch); reading (I got library cards wherever I knew I’d be staying a few months); Internet surfing; meeting & talking to other campers; taking long walks w/my best friend, Lady (my GSD); even just sitting outside watching the world go by!!!
I do have one question for you, Sue:
Aren’t you worried about snakes & scorpions & other dangerous animals harming Bridget when you’re both wandering around the desert???
We had rattle snakes when I was staying Golden, CO for a year, so I could NEVER have Lady off the leash!!!
Hi, Lynn,
I’m never bored either! In fact, I never get to do all I want to do!
No, I don’t worry about snakes and scorpions or other critters. The snakes are mostly underground now. If they come out, they’re not going to be really active. I haven’t seen (or felt) a scorpion in all the time we’ve traipsed around the desert… four winters now.
I do stay away from piles of boulders.
Wellllll….. Look at skinny Minnie Bridget!
Can sure see she’s dropped some weight and in good shape.
Way to go Bridget!! And quite the little leader as well;)
Beautiful place Sue! Hope all is well
Trying to stay warm here. We have black Ice now. 9 car pileup on the interstate this evening here. ( I 64) no injuries reported, thank goodness.
Dad for testing tomorrow to see if C has spread praying to The Lord that it hasn’t.
Hoping to get myself to the dr soon. Major shunt tubing issues.
Peace love and happiness to you all
Mert
Hi, Mert,
That black ice is treacherous. I remember it from my years in Georgia. I hope you get good results from your Dad’s test.
Good Lord, you have a lot to deal with… Yes, get yourself checked.
Take care….
Peace, love, and happiness to you too Mert, and wellness to you and yours.
I will include you and your dad in my prayer list with my friend “Mert” from Nashville, who is having complications from knee replacement and had to have more surgery tomorrow.
Since retirement about 12 months ago I am only just learning to “waste time extravagantly without guilt” to fill in my time – along with reading – various craftie things – takes time to learn that tomorrow is another day Scarlet. .LOL …….Bridget is so cute…waiting for you….cheers
Love that phrase, Leslie…. It does take time to debrief from work and schedules. As DeAnne mentioned under a previous post, when she retires she’s going to sleep in!
I never was very “crafty.” This blog and photography takes up a lot of my time. Most of the time I enjoy the former and all the time I enjoy the latter!
Cheers to you, too.
Yep–and not feel guilty about it one bit! Sunrises are probably highly overrated! Hahaha
My answer…. I would so love the time to be bored for a hot minute 😉
Oh, you dear soul… I bet you would!
I’m with Mert….I’d love to be bored…but then again I doubt I would be. So much to see, so little time. So many books to read, paintings to try, music to play, naps to take. I think the new reader should just try a couple of weeks and see how it goes!
I would just like to slow my mind down to about 250 😉
Have a wonderful night everyone. Stay warm if u are in the frozen land as I 🙂
You rest well, Mert!
Hi, Dawn,
Sometimes a structured hobby is good. You know, where you get together with others with a similar interest, like a rock club. Another thing is to sign up with a wildlife refuge. Commit to a month or more, camp in a gorgeous setting, perform a valuable service, meet people, have tasks to complete that are enjoyable…..
Wildlife refuge – that sounds perfect!
We have been retired for three years….in order to afford going places we want to see more of, we volunteer. Most places give you a full hookup plus other amenities. The best part is you have fairly interesting things to do most every day. Voluntxeer.gov is a great resource.
So enjoy your adventures Sue. AND Bridget!
Hi, gail,
I wrote the reply above your comment before reading your suggestion. Thanks for suggesting that link. And, yes, you can save camp fees and still have full hookups.
Good morning Gail, Sue and all blogerino’s! Chuck and I do the same! We volunteer at State Parks ( they really need and appreciate volunteers) and workamped at private RV parks! It keeps us busy and since each place is a 3 to 6 month commitment, we get to explore each place we go and meet new people! We have found out, after Zion, that we prefer the smaller more intimate parks! Zion River Resort is indeed beautiful, just too big to suit us! Every place we have been, we work 20 hours or so per week and are compensated with a nice place to camp, usually with full hook ups. We have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and see places we would never have been able to afford to go to otherwise! Perhaps you new reader might find volunteering a fun way to begin his retirement!
Hi Geri, well, just got back from Crystal River, took a look at the RV Park you are at, but could not find you…whew..was it cold there on Thursday…what the heck is with 26 degrees in Crystal River…Had a great time, wish we could have said hi, but too little time, too many manatees…lol. We will see you there again one of these times since we will be wintering there in 2 years…safe travels until then.
Sorry we missed you! Yes, it was freezing Thurs so I stayed in, snuggled up with a good book and hot chi tea!
I don’t find it necessary to keep myself busy and entertained. I worked for about 50 years which I think is enough for a life time. Now I prefer to do nothing, or nearly so, and if I don’t finish it today then there is tomorrow.
Way to go, Ed!!! haha!
Ed, you are my hero!
I’m with you Ed.
Hi Sue and Bridget. Happy to see you are enjoying your camp, so am I. I know people so wound up that they don’t know to do anything but see what is next on the schedule. I have been disabled since 2007 and thought I would go crazy since I had worked for nearly 30 years. The “Wanderlust Lifestyle” offers numerous opportunities. You travel and see marvelous sites you don’t get to see on your everyday commute to work. You have time to “catch up on that reading”. While visiting parks many have nature trails with interesting things to see. You never know what you may learn just from observing nature. Also, on these nature trails you can get that necessary exercise we all need. If you get bored with all of these things, you can always kick back, relax and marvel at the wonder of this beautiful universe in which we live. We haven’t started our adventure yet; Hubby still working. Hopefully it will only be on the back burner for a short time. Happy Travels Sue and stay safe.
Hi, GypsyPurl,
You are so right… It seems like the traveling and camping in different places provides a great deal of diversion on any given day. It helps if you’re the kind of person who can be entertained with small things, being observant, watching birds, gazing up at the clouds, doing nothing!
I hope you won’t have to delay your adventure too long!
To this gentlemen, I would say, try taking really long epic hikes. When I retire, I want to take several epic hikes per week. Like between 5 – 13 miles a day. If he’s not a hiker, than, try biking. There’s photography, stargazing…counting the cacti. I WON’T suggest ATVing. He he. And there’s always plenty to do in most towns, even just window shopping.
Here’s a list. Boy oh, boy! If I had more free time I’d be delving more into these things:
*piddling on the camper, van, RV
*Sorting through stuff and downsizing
*nature photography
*rockhounding
*reading
*writing
*blogging
*eating out at different restaurants
Great comment, Gloria! I’m glad to see you here again. I made such a short reply to your recent comment in which you explained the desire to camp on top of a private mountain. Boy, could I relate! I was weary that day, thus the quick reply.
Oh yeah, the list could go on and on… There’s geocaching. Not something I’m interested in. Lots of people love it. Another thing that might interest a man is learning to cook over a campfire. You know, with a cast iron dutch oven… stews and cobblers and so forth.
Hummm, if a man doesn’t know how to cook over a campfire maybe he should start by learning how to cook over a stove.
Yeah, at least I should.
I have LOTS of time now to work on the quilt I started 38 years ago, but, I’m in no hurry.
Bridget looks like a stick! Love it.
With all the things we can spend time on – internet, reading, hobbies, TV, napping, cooking, meditating, exercise, etc. etc. etc, to keep us busy – there is more than enough to do in any 24 hour day. People are what they are, if he’s bored at home he will be bored on the road. Where we are has nothing to do with our basic outlook on life. JMO 🙂
Hi, Fred,
You’re right. I think people need to be on the road for an extended time to realize all there is to do. I remember before I left my teaching job I was told to buy board games and a deck of cards so I’d have something to do. Like it’s a dead zone. Once you get “out there,” you see the possibilities.
I have a long list of stuff I want to do and try and for some reason I didn’t have a long list when I lived in a regular house.
You on the ball, Fred, I’m always tinkerin’ and making the camper better to suit us, never bored, only when I’m setting in the doc’s office,,,,,,,,,,,
Love that picture of Bridget’s shadow, don’t mess with her!! It will be a while before I can retire, but have to agree with you. I want to just sit in my chair and watch the clouds drift by and not have ANY tasks to do 🙂
Tinabeane
Hi, Tina,
You may be the “read, relax and ruminate” type like me. Gee, somebody has to do it!
Yeah, is that Bridget’s alter-ego? Scary.
I’m never bored. I hike a lot and read a lot; have begun studying Latin, something I bypassed in my early education; always attempting to optimize my limited living/storage space. It’s all good. 🙂
Hi, mockturtle,
You’re studying Latin! I loved Latin in school, running through the conjugations “bonus, bona, bonum” and all that. Took it for four years. Couldn’t get the hang of French. Latin is cut n’ dried, learn the rules, and a lot easier to pronounce than French!
LOL, yes, I took two years of French and three of Spanish. Never could understand spoken French, though I could read and write it. Spanish is a lot easier to apprehend.
I can read some Spanish if it’s not too technical. I’m intimidated to speak it. I speak too slow and sound ridiculous. You know how Spanish speakers talk so darn fast!
mockturtle, reminds me of a French film I saw long time ago (after studying French for quite a while). I thought, “I can understand almost every French word that Charlotte Rampling says!” When I thought about it, it was because she spoke French with a British accent. Mockturtle, I, too, think it’s the accent!
Sue, I chuckle every so often at how many things you and I have in common besides 1948 and ’66! I also,took several years of Latin in HS and wanted nothing to do with the French classes. I learn so much from you here. I have long been able to be happy alone, having dumped the roommate scene part way through college to live alone in apartments. Then lived alone after college all but a year or so until we got married. So now for nearly 39 years, I have not had a whole lot of alone time. I expect someday to be alone again which won’t make me happy but watching you and others,I will relearn the skill. I know it’s there from the quiet week I spent alone at night in my van rv outside the hospital when hubby had his big surgery June 2013. I quickly, knowing he was being watched over by able nurses ( well most of them any how) , adapted to enjoy the quiet out behind the Kiwanis house, the only rv in the small park, at the University hospital through the dark night. So I pass along my thanks to all of you who show me the way ahead when that day comes. I read, crocheted, answered email, and skipped tv (hubby forgot to tell me how to use the HD box for the little Tv so I gave that battle up the first night). I grew up going to Girl Scout camp two weeks each summer so long ago learned the skill of enjoying quiet and nature and look forward to doing so again, ESP if hubby can win the current battle and we can get out again.
OMG Velda,… if you have to relearn the skill I’m sure you will. Best to you and yours.
Thanks Carrie!
Sue,
I love this post. It just seems to define relaxing in the sun of the desert. I find the wash areas to be most interesting as I knew very little about them before your blog. I guess I mainly saw them as just run-off areas for seasonal rains, like in Texas or Florida.
About the new readers question…
My husband and I keep busy in many ways as a team effort and and some ways we go solo about. He is very task-driven. So he tries to keep current with his chores of RV items and such. And, believe it or not, he loves doing the laundry! He used to do it for his Mom while she worked, then later in the military, and still now does it for me. He finds it task-related relaxing…go fig. Together we love to see the local sights, landmarks, car shows and flea-markets/farmer’s markets. Live music and theather in the round are a real favorite too. We like to hike, he more so then me…he just gets around better than I do. Me, I love photograph and finding a good landscape view is when I hike the best. Both of used to love riding bicycles as kids…so we took up that passion again a few years ago. Recently we took up Vespa scootering since bicycles were wearing me out too much. We both love cooking out doors and each of us has our own styles…campfire/cast iron, camp cooking, backpacking style cooking too. I collect very small backpacking stove…Trangia, Solo, Esbet, tiny grills and such. All good and yeilds different flavors from the foods cooked.
If I had one thing to give as an answer to your new reader it would be this:
Look to your past, your childhood and early life. What were your passions then? Find a way to update them and rekindle them in your new retired life. Real passions seldom go way, they just get misplaced in hustles of adult life…so become an Adult/Kid again 🙂 and enjoy!
Fantastic answer, Pamela K.! You make me want to jump up out of my lounger and get going! Haha!
Great suggestions… The last paragraph is thought-provoking. When I was a kid I wanted to be a writer…. well, whaddya know…
Thank you Sue. I hope my awnswers can be of help to him and others maybe having the same questions. I really do believe that our real passions are formed early in our lives, childhood/young adults. Then life happens and the passions get moved to the back and replaced with Grown-Up/Family responsibilities and we often forget about them. When retired is a great time to drag those out of the dust and brush them up anew 😉 One of my friends, he loved building model cars as a kid. Now he builds model police cars and with today’s graphic software he can make them look perfect like real police cars for any police department in the U.S. and Canada. He even has a full web site and markets them online. Many police officers buy from him for retirement gifts, etc. And all because he loved it as a kid !!! How wonderful is that? I think it is so very cool he took up his passion and updated it in a new way 🙂
That is neat… like he was meant to do that!
Pamela, right on. I am recently rekindling many of my old passions. When I retired, I had 35 years of projects to catch up on for my wife, things put off by career demands. I enjoyed catching up there, now its time for hobbies.
K&B,
Oh my goodness, it certainly is time for your hobbies now, after 35 years of honey-do-lists to complete. My dear husband is always short on taking vare of his honey-do-lists. After a time I just take to trying to fix stuff myself. Sometimes with success and other times more money than I could have ever hoped to spend correcting my own mistakes and I offer no apoligies.
~Well, Honey, if you would have…~ pretty much ends that quilt thing. 😉
Ok, that’s it…I cannot type today worth a lick! Heading off for a nap to refresh my typos.
Love it! All of it Pamela! I was going to suggest the last part – today’s graphic software, 3-D… learn CAD (Computer Aided Design)! That’s where the model cars can be done with a computer. And it’s really, really difficult, so I’m told. Going there someday myself. That’d task you off your assk. 😉
Sue, lovely post as always. Bridge without the stink-eye, lol. She is so smart and looks beautiful and healthy. I’m happy ya’ll are where you’re happy and comfortable. 🙂
Great camp Sue and Bridget looks great leading you home,,,,,,,,,,Hey #3
Hi, Rusty,
Bridget amazes me how she will make turns in the desert, following our exact route on the return trip. You know how some parts of the desert look the same in all directions…
I was so happy to read your comment on how efficient your propane heater is. 🙂
The only thing is kinda hard on it, sometimes I can’t see if it started or not and shut it off, wait 5 minutes and try to start it again and whoosh, it’s lit. I guess I must count slower , then turn the nob to on,, low or high. it dose this once in a while, but I love it, better than burnin’ wood, so far,,,,,,,,,,,
I know what you mean. It’s hard to see the red-orange spreading across the pad when there’s a lot of light.
I push it in at “Start” and count “one thousand one, one thousand two”…. up to “one thousand ten.” Then keeping it pushed in at “Start,” I click the prieta button 3 or 4 times until it lights.
Immediately I swivel the knob all the way around to high and usually leave it there. I read that it’s recommended to leave it on high for a few minutes at least. In other words, don’t go from “start” to “low.”
Yeah, propane’s lighter than wood. 🙂
I just hooked up my Wave 3 a week or so ago, and I can say “same here!” If it’s dark out I turn out any light so I can watch for the orange glow or listen for the hiss of “gas is continuing to flow” (which means it is staying on). But yeah, that moment of letting go of the pilot light knob and then turning to high… can be slightly tricky!
I read the same thing about immediately going to high for ten minutes – supposed to heat up the catalytic pad more evenly or something to that effect (then one can turn down to low).
Anyway, I’m liking the Wave a lot. Even with proper ventilation the Little Buddy (radiant heater, so pilot light stays on the whole time) had much more of a “combustion” smell – more like having a stove burner on. The Wave doesn’t do that (pilot flame does not stay on, for those who don’t have one). Of course I have the same two points of ventilation with the Wave as I did with the Little Buddy.
Also nice to not be using the disposable green canisters now (Wave runs off big propane tank). Of course you both already know this as you have had your Waves longer than I have!
Hi Sidewinder Pen and Sue, thanks for your information on the Wave 3 heater, it dose have getting use to. in time , I’ll be a wiz at it, and thanks again you two,,,,,,,,,,
oh well #6
I think you’re #4 Rusty!
Jim, Ari & I have been on the road for a week now & we’re as happy as clams at high tide. We’re enjoying listening to music, taking walks, watching the climbers here at Sawtooth Canyon & catching up with email & blogs. We love it here–lots of people here this weekend but now it’s just us, the camp hosts & some climbers in a site up the road who arrived this afternoon. Tomorrow we’re gonna play poker & I’m going to start a new knitting project–action-packed day! We’re getting to know each other again–this is the first time we’ve both been ‘home’ together–and this has been really very nice. Looking forward to seeing stars tomorrow night–it’s been cloudy & rainy all night & most of the day today. We plan to stay until our water runs out. For us it’s read, relax & reflect. Bridget is looking quite perky these days–I love how she finds her way home! Have fun, Sue & Bridge!
What a happy comment, Dawn! You make me smile, imagining you at Sawtooth Canyon, enjoying different things as well as enjoying each other… That’s wonderful!
Yes, Sawtooth does draw a lot of climbers. They seem to come in bunches and then, poof, the campground is nearly empty again.
If you’re still here…. What’s the temperature?
Good morning Sue. The temp right now is 44 & the high today is expected to be 59 with some clouds. It’s going to be clearer during the day beginning tomorrow which means the nights will be down around freezing. But no rain in the forecast for at least 10 days.
You’re right–everyone left yesterday morning by about 10 & we were wonderfully alone (I understand now why you enjoy solitude so much) until about 3, when 4 tents of climbers came in.
Love that shadow!
Never ever bored. To many interesting things to see, study, do.
Sue, want to thank you. I hope your site stays up for a long time. I hope to use some info you have so graciously shared when I get on the road full time. I didn’t know I could afford it and you have paved the way. I have studied your financials and general lifestyle. I find it hard getting those remote locations but again, you have shown the many possibilities.
Am sure you have been to ths site ( since you mentioned high costs) but if not have fun….many different terriers under the change breed button.
http://ratterrier.rescueme.org/Arizona
Hi, Jan,
I am familiar with that site. I do appreciate the link though. I plan to look at it in a few minutes.
I’ve lost my ambition to seek a new crew member, at least for this week. The experience at the Yuma shelter and then driving after such a short rest, the kerfluffle on this blog… whew!
I’m thrilled that my money info helped you see the possibilities for you and your budget. It’s the combination of the dollar numbers along with my day-today life showing how few expenses I have ….. entertaining myself “on the cheap,” not buying stuff I don’t need, and, of course, finding free camps.
I do recommend Benchmark maps if you want to camp on public lands and find inexpensive BLM, National Forest, and Corps of Engineers camps.
Thanks , will do.
I visit that dog site about every day….I am searching a different small breed.
I cannot answer the question of boredom because I have three children! Never a boring moment here, lol. This is my first time commenting but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your posts. I first stumbled across your blog when Nina from wheelingit posted about solo full time women. Since then I went back and read your entire blog. Let me say, you are so brave and I wholeheartedly admire you. You kept me sane while my house sat on the market for 7 long months. It has since sold, we’ve done a major downsize (4400 sq ft to 1100!) and once I find my rig, I will be traveling full time with my 3 daughters in tow. My husband will join us from time to time, as work permits. I am also a former upstate gal, born in Glens Falls, my grandmother died in Warrensburg. I definitely know the misery of those winters. I hope our paths will cross sometime in the near future :-). My daughters know all about poor Spikey (I sobbed like a baby when you lost him) and sweet Bridge. We are anxiously awaiting your new addition! Best of luck on your search.
Welcome, Debbie from VA! I’m very glad to see you here!
Interesting first comment… Thank you for reading my entire blog. That’s a lot of reading! Good job with the house sale and downsizing. Sounds like you have a good plan for your future…
Glens Falls isn’t far from where I was born in Vermont, over the border from Cambridge, NY. Those winters are beautiful — covered bridges, frozen ponds, icicles hanging from the eaves, winter wonderland and all that — and also “misery,” as you say!
I appreciate you sharing my grief over Spike. I thought I was doing fine today. Then Bridget trotted ahead and suddenly I saw Spike’s bony behind alongside her…with his nub of a tail, his jaunty walk… I lost my grip for a while. A new pup will help, no doubt.
When I/we retire I’d love to split my day into many activities that I don’t give myself enough time for now. An hour each and I could nearly fill my day! Drinking coffee, long walk, photography, spinning, dyeing wool, knitting, weaving, another long walk, oil painting, planning more long distance walks. I have enough supplies stocked up, except for the coffee, to keep me busy for years.
Oh THAT wash…I thought it was a trip to the laundromat! You know me and the wash!
Bridge is looking so slim and trim! Love the Heiny shots too! Does my butt look big wearing this harness? No Bridge honest!
Jules has been retired for 14 years and I’ve been retired for 5. We have yet to come across being bored! As some have already mentioned…I think it all depends on the person. I’ve always been a firm believer of “living your dash”….no should have, would have, could have at this establishment!
For those who never heard of this…living your dash is the time between the day you were born to the day that you die… 1961-????
Quickest answer to pop in my head was “the same as you would anywhere else,have wheels will travel,the world will still be yours,you’ll just be well enough to enjoy it all more!” Humans weren’t built to be confined within any particular walls,shelter is where one protects self from the elements if need be.Life outside those walls feeds and rejuvenates us,free mind time within them is then spent on what tasks or entertainment chosen -with a clearer brain,keener senses and health.
Love the post ,Sue,for it’s story and beauty,and especially for the utter refreshment you brought through it.You continually amaze me by using sheer resolve to keep dispensing your gifts.Thank you for the relief that gave me this evening,and for the shining example you set.
“Life outside those walls feeds us and rejuvenates use…” Love your answer, weather! 🙂
Hi, Sue,
Bridget is looking positively skinny! She does cast a scary shadow, though! Thanks for taking us along on your hike. You are in another pretty area!
Do you have a pedometer to track how far you all hike per day? I know if you hike an established trail, the mileage is noted. Just wondering…. 🙂
If I was retired, I would:
– read more
– spend most of my time outside
– take more short hikes
– probably still get up early to enjoy the sunrise, but would start incorporating an afternoon nap
– exercise more
– volunteer more
– travel as much as my budget would allow
– spend more time on my hobbies of photography, gardening, and designing and making jewelry
– do as much or as little as I wish!
Not sure that I would have time to be bored. Like most things, you get out of it what you put into it. If you are happy and content, you will be happy and content wherever you are. However, doing one thing such as soaking up nature’s beauty certainly brings more happiness than others, such as doing chores. 🙂
By the way…the cheesecake I made for my friend’s husband was a hit – he loved it! My sister told him that we almost took a fork out of my glovebox to try it on the drive over to their house. It smelled so heavenly!
Have a good evening, Sue! Back to the grind of work tomorrow for me…gotta get through Monday to make it to Friday! By the way…I’m doin’ the wash, too – the kind that requires fabric softener! Hugs to you and Bridget from me and Gracie! N’nite. 🙂
My husband and I have a comment to our friends who claim to be retired. In order to enjoy your current life, you have to RETIRE! You live in the moment; enjoying each precious second. Forget about plans and be spontaneous. You are the CEO of your life. Hopefully, your spouse joins the ride of playing in this vast land where there are never-ending sites to see….sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, clouds, and creations beyond your wildest dreams. Your previous life was a stepping stone to get you to where you are today. (This is the best I can do 🙂 )
Hear! Hear! Bev!!
Great to see Bridget looking so well and fit.
Love the pictures. You get better at it every day.
Relief of stress is like pealing and onion. It goes on over time one layer at a time and comes of the same way. Hard to know what you want until you peal enough layers off to see who you are without all that stress.
My goal for this year is to peal my onion and see who is really there.
You and Bridget stay happy.
Tom
Bridget is looking spectacular!!! (Do you remember about the explanation points?) The devil dog, however, is saying “You better never run out of food for me.”
We’re off to Pismo Beach tomorrow. Time to get the Hotel on the road again.
When my husband and I lived in California our favorite places to camp with our kids was the desert. You bring back many wonderful memories from those days! My husband is waiting for his retirement papers now! We have been preparing for full timing for the past few years and can’t wait to start. The house has been on the market for 10months now! We are so looking forward to hanging out together after 30 years of spending only 1 week a month together. He is also task driven due to the type of work he did and was wondering what he will do in those down times. So He has decided that he needs to learn how to play the quitar and banjo! I love to quilt and always have a hand project going which is so relaxing sitting in a camp chair watching the sun go down!
We have a little 4lb Yorkie who thinks she is a big dog and chases everything that runs! I doubt she will ever be off leash! You and Bridget enjoy those wonderful sunrises and sunsets!!
I’m learning the mandolin. Seems whenever I camp at a Florida state park there’s a group getting together and picking out a tune. When we’re lucky we find a great voice joining in too.
When we go camping, I find a spot with nothing to do.. 🙂 Hubby needs down time away from working the border, so I am so blessed to find places thanks to you, Sue. We love the Kofa’s and stopped by the Painted rock too. We did a day trip a few years ago, it was a great pit stop to head to the Kofa’s. We love to play backgammon and of coarse I find myself searching for wood to have a camp fire!!
You would love Peppersauce, just hang a right after passing over the small wash.
Wishes and Peace
Joan
ps. dont forget that rivit 🙂
Having recently crossed the finish line and stepped into the world of retirement, I’m hoping to find time for boredom. I will be a most time RVer staying in the S&B desert house until the heat chases me and the Scamp to the northlands seeking cooler temps.
At home it seems I’m always engaged in a chore, project, or repair and feel guilty about not having a major accomplishment each day. Nothing could be farther from the truth when I’m out with the Scamp. I happen to enjoy my own company and the solitude I seek in Mother Nature. I’ve become quite accomplished at doing nothing all day long when I’m with the RV. Highlights of my days might be burying my nose in a book, watching the wildlife, studying the sky, daydreaming about my next camp destination, and if I feel a sudden surge of energy I may be inclined to wander about my camp or even take a hike and do some exploring. Never do I feel like the day is a failure if I don’t accomplish anything.
Perhaps retirement and being able to get out into the boonies more frequently will change this behavior, but I doubt it. I’ve waited a lifetime for these days. There is so much to explore, learn, and see. When I can no longer take listening to the gentle breezes and the wildflower just beyond my chair is fully bloomed, I can always pack up, hitch up and take off to see what lies around the bend in the road. Chances are the breeze will sing new tune, the wildflowers will be a different color, and if I’m lucky I may even get to watch a mother wren build a nest or feed her young at my new camp. If this is boredom, then bring it on! The ordinary joy of being with Mother Nature brings me no greater feeling of accomplishment.
I think that maybe this new reader may be looking too hard to find entertainment in his life. He’s looking far and beyond when it is right at his feet. If he is having difficulty occupying his time at home perhaps he should take on a new perspective. He may discover that he appreciates the same views more from a totally different different angle (metaphorically speaking). He’ll never know unless he tries it!
This is a great topic and hearing how others spend their RVing days is interesting and fun.
Keep the blog rollin’. Your stories and pictures make for a highlight in my day. As always, be well and stay safe.
Audrey
What to do with your time. I never have that problem. Here are some things I do…walk my dog. Clean my trailer. Go to gym. Shop for groceries, read books. Do work online; I do editing but there are lots of things you can do. Go out to see sights. Go to events at clubhouse in park. Take classes. When I am healthier I will go line dancing. I’m thinking of getting Netflix. I don’t have tv but could watch Netflix on my iPad.
I don’t travel right now, just in my trailer in my park. Because of that I can be part of my coffee group. We get together twice a week. We have bingo, poker….stuff like that in clubhouse. We have a pool which re-opened today. Was closed due to so cold. So now I can go swimming or to hot tub.
And of course I have lots of doctor visits and physical therapy.
Then there’s business like bank trips, bill paying, etc.
And I work for HRBlock for next few months.
I don’t seem to get bored or have a lot of lag time.
I think it comes down to attitude and preference. You can make your life as busy, or not, as you like. If I were traveling I would follow the good weather of course, but beyond that I might follow events. I would be checking Internet and finding things that might be of interest. Zack ?Brown performing in Phoenix, or an Indian pow-wow in New Mexico. I would probably have a blog. I’m sure I would find plenty to do.
My thoughts and prayers are with you today. You’re gonna be great……
When I retired in 2008, I immediately cleaned my closet…tossed the suits, heels, etc in plastic bags and hauled them to Goodwill. I saved a few nicer items to go to women’s shelter. Then I cleaned house top to bottom. After that I was bored & restless, so I took several temp & part time jobs thinking that will cure my itchy feet, felling restless. I don’t know if traveling full time is for me. I like the familiarity of home & surroundings….I don’t want to give up my home to travel full time. Over time I find I’m a little less bored and restless and beginning to enjoy doing nothing. Sometimes I sit for long periods sitting in my back yard relaxing, thinking about things, watching birds, watching my pets play. I especially love to have a leisurely cup or two of coffee in the morning and in the evening read, play on-line games, or catch up on things around the house. I’m slowly learning to be retired 🙂
Rita, I understand exactly how you feel. I cannot see us full timing, but we plan much longer trips now that we have a new truck and camper.
I’m thinking maybe I can handle camping here and there over a three month period in summer and come home at start of winter. Maybe I’d like that…I’ll have to think about it and try.
Love the photo of Bridget and the demon dog. Good shot! I have really enjoyed keeping up with you and Bridget. I am also a retired school teacher with a 16′ FD Casita. I’m living in Texas and am looking forward to camping more. Please keep posting, I would miss hearing from you and Bridget. God bless
Sue, Thanks for asking your readers to comment, and thanks to the blog readers for all your thoughtful comments.
Sue is right, I have a task oriented personality, a drive that I picked up from my parents. Dad taught me, “its not worth doing, unless its worth doing right”. Life has been quite an adjustment for me, coming from 35 years as an engineer and manager in the high tech industry (microprocessor design). My work was nothing but task after task, with hundreds more planned.
Since I retired, I remodeled the kitchen, 3 baths, upped my game in the yard, walk 3-5 miles every day, read 250 novels, volunteer photography for the USFS, and most recently, read all of Sue’s blog :-).
I am impressed by all the great places Sue has visited, and have always dreamed of full timing. However, full timing will not work, as our family ties will draw us back home often.
Speaking of tasks. I went back through this blog and have made a list of my favorite camping sites that Sue has visited. It is an amazing collection of locations. My wife and I have stayed in many of them, and we may get out to see more soon.
Sound like you know how to keep busy, and as an avid reader and photographer also get in some relaxation time. Your question sure sparked some good conversation here once Sue posed it to us 🙂 Retirement looks different to everyone, mine of two years has been a combination of busy and relaxed as well. No need to be full-time to see lots of those wonderful places, and I hope you both get to enjoy many of them!
Hi, K &B in CO,
Surprise!
Your question gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on how we spend our currency of retirement time. You helped me to write this post and to inspire lots of interesting responses from readers. Thank you very much!
Wow! You have accomplished a lot, both before and after your retirement day. I guessed correctly when I used the term task-driven. There’s nothing wrong with that… Somebody has to get stuff done! 🙂
Thank you for introducing yourself here and for becoming part of the conversation. Best wishes to you and your wife.
I had to come back and share this with you all. Because it is so funny and so true…
My husband came later to read my post. He looked at me as if he was in shock…
~WHAT~, no mention of FISHING?! You live to go out fishing!!
~And what about GOLF? No 9 holes, 18 holes, not even Put-Putt?! What about that?
~And then there is all the nights with the telescope in the night sky! And scooter picnics, eating out on the cheap. We love those!~
…He laughs and declares, We DO do alot of stuff for two people who just always seem to hang-out together, don’t we?
And then I tell him, “Yes, we do, and this weekend it’s YOUR turn to pick what we do. He replys, “Nope, you are our Cruise Director and I’m just fine with that!” 🙂
He’s a wise man, that guy of mine. 15 years Full-Timing and hardly a dull moment. 😉
I am so jealous of your wonderful relationship with your husband. Newish I had one!
Great discussion. I have a happy pup story to share tonight off local news. Two actually. First a pit mix female who was rescued from a horrid existence. She healed and then languished in her kennel at the rescue because of anxiety issues. Someone took her sad face picture amd it went viral! Soon her perfect match, forever home was found. Problem, it was 1800 miles across the US and she is too anxious to fly. Up steps a young man who volunteers to drive her all the way to her new home. He was shown with tears as he wished her a happy life at her new home. Said she never let out a bark the entire trip and acted as of she knew it was going to be no more kennels for her. Kept her head on his lap much of trip. Happy ending as she was greeted with treats at her new forever home.
Second happy pup story. A week or two ago, a local man, shall we say lost his marbles and had a shoot put with police before setting his house on fire while he and 4 dogs were inside. One dog jumped from second story to the Police. Two others made it out but sadly one did not survive. The happy story tonight was all 3 survivors are recovering and tonight were shown getting their makeovers at a grooming place that volunteered and the 3 will be up for forever homes as of later this week when spay/neuter is complete. I suspect due to being stars of tonight’s story they will each soon have forever homes, far from the scary fire and former life. Total 4 pups with happy endings. Yay.
Hi Sue! I have an off the topic question. Does your Wilson antenna increase your speed or does it only help keep you from being “dropped”? Though I am not traveling yet, I live in an area that has poor reception. I have a wireless card that works pretty well but is slow sometimes. I just started a new (part time for now
) job on the computer and was wondering if the Wilson would increase my speed. BTW…..I am stepping WAY outta my comfort zone by learning to do this new job with one thought in mind. Once learned…..I can do it anywhere there is internet. 😀
Sue or Mick might be best to answer, but I will take a shot… The wilson antenna will do both, improve reception, and perceived internet speed. Better signal will reduce how often the communication link is dropped. It will also improve speed, in that poor signal strength causes packet errors, and thus packet retransmission attempts. Packet errors and retries will appear as a slow internet connection. Hope this helps.
It does! Thank you for the information! I hope all is well in CO. I have two friends who live there. One near Littleton and one near the big city of Fair Play. Beautiful country. I hope to get out there again this summer. Have a great day and thanks again for the time and info. MB in VA
K & B,
When you stated your vocation, computer guru came to mind. Perhaps you could ply your trade on the road? That would be an enormous service to provide much needed help for those of us that muddle through our way with devices and this inter-web thingy. Maybe while you’re at a camp, you could swap services or collect a fee. Private or public classes. Campfire Consultations 🙂
Where ’bouts in Colorado?
North of Denver is where we live. I would rather be around GJ, but family ties power our lives at this time.
As for computer consulting, I would be happy to volunteer my knowledge. We will be heading to sw AZ soon, maybe I will hang out a shingle 😉
Demon dog….great shadow!
When you said you were going to “do the wash”, I thought you were going to load up and hit the laundry. Always a great time at the coin-op laundry. We were doing laundry at a coin-op somewhere, can’t remember now and there was a young mother in there with her little boy. He was 5 or 6 maybe and was a little terror. I looked up and he was on top of one of the big washers and had opened a little door on the top and was preparing his pants so that he could whiz down into that door. I spoke up real quick and she jerked him down from there and gave him what for. He sat quietly the rest of the time. Ahhh, good times.
I love your pictures of your walks with Bridget. With regard to your question I’ll give you an example of a typical camping day for me. I’ve just come back from a 10 day trip to Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort SC. Beautiful park if anyone ever comes this way. Also spent 10 days at Lake Hartwell just before Christmas arriving home Christmas Eve. So 20 days since mid Jan. So I guess you’d call me a partil RV’er. My day starts with getting up whenever I feel like it. Then coffee, sometimes breakfast, read my email, FB, news and check for weather. So I know what to wear when I go out. Then around 10 I’ll take a nice long walk. I’ll greet those nice little furry friends that my fellow campers travel with and give a wave. Then I’ll read some from my Kindle. Now its time for lunch. I really like to cook so lunch is my main meal. After lunch it’s siesta time. Following my nap then I’ll go out and take my afternoon walk. After this I’ll read some more. I might do fishing or biking occasionally. Then if I’m hungry I’ll have leftovers and snacks. When days our longer I’ll take an evening walk. I’m learning to play the mountain dulcimer as well. Now for some people this may all sound boring but for me I enjoy solitude and nature. 2014 had been a great year for me as I’ve learned to backup on my own. Not that I am proficient at it. Also learned to hitch and unhitch the trailer. My daughter showed me how to start a campfire. So now my camping experience has been enhanced and expanded with these new skills. Sue you and Bridget have a great camping day in our wonderful USA.
I haven’t read all the comments, so I’ll apologize in advance if I’m being repetitious. I like a balance between relaxing and getting things done. When we are on the road, hiking, reading and relaxing are at the top of the list. When you own an RV there are always tasks to be accomplished. We try to keep up with them as best we can without compromising our enjoyment of our surroundings. I think the non-RVing public doesn’t always consider that we have the same everyday chores we have at home: meals to be made and dishes to wash, grocery shopping, laundry, tidying up the camper, disposing of the trash and recycling, bills to be paid, things to be repaired, etc. We recently met a guy who was out for the first time in his large class A and he was complaining that it was just as much work as being at home! And then, of course, for those who are so inclined, there’s always paid or volunteer work at public or private campgrounds. The point I’m trying to make is that there is enough to keep most of us as idle or busy as we we want to be.
I can’t even compare my home to my Class A….SO.MUCH.SMALLER.
I wish I would have known about this before. I COULD live in our motorhome. Very easily. I woudln’t mind selling our house and just living in it. 🙂 The husband has to have his garage though lol
Barb, Rusty here, On your hubbies garage, tow it behind the class a, I see a lot of folks with big motorhomes with just as big closed in cargo trailers and one time, one of them parked near us and out camp a small car, then he was in working in the garage and she was doing a painting with watercolors. if I had the funds, I’d have a garage behind us for my train hobbies. ,,,,,,,,,
” and out came a car”, not camp
good idea Rusty!
i just had to laugh! 😀 Reading about “task driven” (what a great way to say that) personality lol I had a dream last night that I applied for a job. I was so excited! Then, all of a sudden I realized “Hey! I’m retired! What am I DOING?!!?” and I never went back lol My big task for the day is usually cleaning my CPAP mask and humidifier 😀 Then, sweeping every day. (takes about 1 minute, I love when I’m not at home, my floor at home is a log bigger) Clean the dishes and counters. Occasionally clean a window or two and I’m ready for that book. I just found 3 (THREE!) Ann Rule books I hadn’t read so I’m set for a while lol
then, ‘propane is lighter than wood’ lol
have a great day Sue 🙂
Bridget takes good care of you ,that is so cute how she leads you back home.
What’s funny? I read the title, and immediately thought, “it’s laundry day!” Ha!! I can relate to you for sure. My idea of keeping busy is sodoku, candy crush, turning the pages in my book, numbrix, taking pictures of birds…Wow, I’m a busy person. I think I’ll take a nap:-) I love your pictures and story as always. Safe travels and hugs to Bridget.
I don’t really “do” activities, & am not a joiner, but I seldom am bored. There’s always puttering around to do, paperwork, reading, needlework (although I haven’t done that for a while), facebook/e-mail… My biggest problem is that, even after 9 years of retirement, I still feel I need to be doing something during the day. The school/work timetable is still strong in me. ONCE this winter I have just sat outside with a book. I do get tired of doing that cooking/clean-up nonsense, so I’d much rather be disassembling a picket fence or some such thing. With the lot we bought, I’ve been doing a lot of yard clean-up, so that’s a good thing, but also need to get the Jeep off-road!
Reading K&B’s comment this morning I was so glad for him because his choices thus far have given him a life that embodies the best elements my gut reaction(above) to the question posed.His very first comment on this blog already has had a good influence,how cool is that?!I was glad for all of us that you,Sue,had made it a topic here as “An unexamined life is not worth living” came to mind.By having us consider what we occupy our time with you prompt us into an important direction.
My mother when tucking me in would remind me of how blessed we were by mentioning that most little girls on earth had no lovely pillow to put their head on at night.Her example led so many to consider the plight of the less fortunate.Often while raising my son we discussed the untold advantages we’d been given living among a wealthy society.Now he discusses that with his students ,encouraging them to include giving in their lives.My point in mentioning this little series is how far reaching an influence we have,usually unaware of it,in our lives.
Yours,Sue,does so much good on this earth.As I sat considering all the benefits of that people receive,I realized again the importance of considering that while making choices every day and going forward.Life and the time spent living it are precious. Choosing the elements to include in them I remain grateful for the example you set to consider the needs of others and share what we have been given with them.Whether that involves knowledge,resources,love or our gifts perhaps ultimately it comes down to using our influence to enrich or save lives,spread hope …
You inspire me again by not having wasted what you have on less than that,friend.
Hi, weather,
I kept the laptop closed most of today, fighting a headache with hydration, food, exercise, and sleep. Finally it went away, leaving me with a renewed sense of how glorious it is to be alive without a throbbing pain in the upper right temple!
You boost me every time you write, and repeatedly give me much upon which to reflect. I hope you are enjoying a peaceful evening in whatever way suits you. I’m honored you call me friend.
It’s wonderful that you are back to feeling so well,I’m sorry that you endured such pain for hours.I’m so pleased that you had the wisdom to give taking good care of yourself priority.Your last sentence is one I’ll profoundly treasure,Sue,thank you.
Most see a wash as a cut of soft sand through the desert, but there is such a unique and varied world there and I love that you shared some of that with us – thanks! Bridget’s alter ego is definitely intimidating.
When I think back on those who had a real impact on my view of life I note that it was more often the good questions they asked, than the statements they made, that provided the best information. Being bored is not the opposite of being active – one can most certainly be both at the same time. Just as one can find great relaxation in doing rather than only being. For me, I have no plan for activities when we go full time in June. I’m bringing my life with me so I’ll just keep living it – with a much better view 🙂
Love your post, Jodee — just like “bored is not the opposite of being active” the same thing is realizing that peace is not just the absence of war. And “everywhere you go, there you are!” I don’t know anything about being bored while camping because my “rig” is nothing more than a screen room and my minivan. We spend most of the day just trying to stay alive — like a Buddhist monk — chop wood, carry water! Occasional nap, read for 1/2 hr. then back to cooking, washing up, blah-blah. I must be doing something wrong!
Im always busy but it’s not always what I want to do…I have very long “gotta do” list right now..BUT if left to a day on my own I like to hop from one thing to another often stumble over my unfinished task on my way to do another…ADD Probably (attention deficient)
…when Im out camping I love to explore, hike, birding, photographing, sitting down with a book probably wont happen unless its a field guide book or a trail guide although on my last trip where I had no electricity going to bed at sunset got me a little bored so I was reading those leaflets you pick up here and there…next time I must take a book for nigh time reading a flashlight takes care of that!. My sister retired 3 yrs ago she actually worked an extra 6 months at her second job because she was so afraid to retire and have nothing to do…can hardly catch that girl on the phone these days!
Comment edited
Sorry, Bob, I felt it best to edit your comment. I read it as wry humor, innocently written in jest. At this time that topic is off-limits here, even well-intentioned, casual references to it. I trust you understand why.
Good Morning Sue, I am happily back from Vacay, glad to be here again and having a nice cup of coffee while reading comments…It is like my Los Angeles Times, only good and warm feelings reading this daily publication. I missed all the conversation while I was in Florida, but was able to read your posts…I am happy to see you and Bridget are happy and feeling the sun on your faces..I came home to rain for two days…I am not sure if it is coming your way, but it is not a cold storm, just may keep you in your cozy Casita for a minute…Enjoy your day as I continue to read comments and enjoy mine…
Hi to all blogorinos, I missed ya’ll.
And here I thought we were going to get a lesson on doing laundry out in the desert 🙂
Your words and pictures illustrate so well your peaceful life – thank you for sharing with us!
I’ve been officially ‘retired’ now for a few weeks and I’m loving it! I do find myself a little anxious at times, thinking I’m forgetting something. Shouldn’t I have a contract by now? I need to start planning my schedule for this quarter. Oh, yeah, I don’t do that any more – I’m retired! I’m sure I’ll get over that subconscious expectation of work, it’s just I’m a little off kilter right now since I’ve worked for the last 30 years.
Cari – After 5 yrs of retirement, I still find myself out and about enjoying stuff, and then suddenly I say, “Oh, my! I have to get back to my computer!” NO, I DON’T!!!! It’s an old reflex that took 18 years to set, and still I freeze. The payoff is when is say to myself, “No, I can stay here and piddle around as long as I want!!! I’m retired!!!” Takes a while to retrain oneself.
Keeping busy is a result of what we do with our minds. A thinking person, engaged in their surroundings will never be bored – even if they aren’t doing exactly what they want at every given moment.
We can be very “active” when we are still, we can be “absent” while we are very busy and visa-versa. When my sons told me they were bored, I told them it was because their brains were lazy.
From the sound of the reader’s question, I don’t think they will have any trouble finding things to do, regardless of whether the tasks are physical, mental or spiritual. People who are engaged, stay engaged – even if there is an adjustment period.
Yes, Bridget’s demon friend reminded me of the Hounds of the Baskervilles!
Good morning everybody! Be back later. LOVE the comments! Sue
A little retirement info about how retirement has worked for us. We both retired in 1991. So, We have had a lot of time to enjoy life without the suit and tie (in my case) and routine of the work regime. We traveled the entire western half of the US. Saw things we hadn’t seen before and of course did many tasks we wanted or needed to do, but you know what killed most of our time (and still does)? Enjoying life, and getting up with no great plans other than relaxing. Some people tend to think you have to be a buzzsaw of activity to handle retirement. Not us. We can loaf like champions and love every minute of it. Oh, we have things we must do but once they have been vanquished we loaf again, you know to the victor goes the spoils. Sit yourself down and watch the birds eat the treats you throw them, or the sunset. Never feel guilty about just plain loafing.
🙂
I like your philosophy, Jim! I’ve worked and been on the go for so long I feel guilty if I’m not doing something productive. Thanks for the reminder that it’s okay to stop and do nothing!
I’m not retired yet. But when I’m not quilting, gardening, hiking, working, or taking classes in pursuit of my third career, I enjoy reading blogs from RVers. Through Sue’s blog I learned about the Tonto NF. From other bloggers, I have enjoyed reading their recent adventures hiking Zion and Capitol Reef’s many spectacular washes. I recently found a blogger that takes beautiful pictures of his adventures while traveling Colorado and New Mexico. Since I grew up on the east coast, I’m not familiar with the beauty of the West. It is through reading the blogs of others sharing their hiking and camping trips that I get information for my future RV trips. I’ll research and learn about places that I never even knew existed and then file them on my bucket list of must see and do. When camping, I enjoy just watching nature and soaking up the beauty that surrounds me at that moment, be that just sitting around the camp or hiking.
The best thing to do is take care of the dogs.
I thought I would share a very cool activity I have been reading info about but I have not attended one yet. Seems there are groups, not clubs, that plan a Sunrise Breakfast Group. They get together once every month or so and do the following (you can be as active or as non-active as you like in attending)…
They pre-define a date and place for viewing a great Sunrise. Sometimes it is a local park, a great hill on someone’s property or a overlook area. They bring laterns, small tables, camp chairs, and coolers of preped-food and tiny cook stoves or grills. They arrive JUST BEFORE Sunrise. Set up the tables and take out the chairs and food by latern light. Next they relax, some just watch the Sunrise and many bring cameras and tripods for capturing the glory they are about to behold. Fresh coffee or tea is a commong item in the coolers while they gaze at the view. AFTER the Sunrise, they take out their pre-preped breakfast foods and cook them right there as a group activity! How cool is that?! And then they eat and talk about the wonderful colors they have just gazed upon, showing photos from Iphones, palms pads, cameras and note pads! Well, I don’t know about you, but I would love doing that in several of the locations we have camped. Just knowing that such groups are forming around the country and in cities is exciting to me and I’m going to seek out one or more of those groups to attend while traveling. Years ago Panama City Beach folks would do something similar on the beach and from private roof top decks. Those were mainly Sunset viewings, fun but tended to last longer into the evening. Anyway, since many of us here enjoy Sunrises, Photography, Breakfasts out, I thought it was worth mentioning this new twist to the group. Many of you love your alone time but you also like a group setting now and then so this might be perfect. It sure sounds perfect to me and my hubby! So, how do you go about finding these Sunrise groups? Google by city and also go to Meet Up and several are there. Oh, and the age of the people are as varied as the foods they bring 🙂 One group I read about has a real Chef who attends! He will often bring his Camp Chef to the Meet Ups and try out his latest dishes for all to sample! Yum and YUM again! I just think it’s FAB 🙂
Hope you all like the idea and maybe form your own versions of a Sunrise group.
I see a few of you have been to KOFA and may be going back or want to go.
Well I have a challenge for you.
Find the King Of Arizona Gold Mine Cemetery. It isn’t pretty but it is an eye opening experience. It is not any where near Palm Canyon .
Hint: Look at KOFA on google maps earth mode. Start zooming in and you’ll see a little white area that is the private property for the Rob Roy mine and the KOFA mine. There is no restriction, you can drive thru it all you want. It just isn’t part of the wilderness area.
Hi Alan,
Can’t seem to catch up and keep missing you here. Left you a query on the last post.
You remember right, I do mostly B&W but if the image screams color I do it. But I have to send the negs off to be developed while I do the B&W negs myself. I haven’t setup a website as yet but am considering facebook so I can keep in touch with the family. I will be here until spring maybe thru June. After that I will be heading towards the Great Sand Dunes Nat. Mon. The hot springs is on the way and I will hopefully spend a couple of days around there. I am only semi-retired and have to work around that. In the meantime I have a ton of negs I have to scan and setup a developing station for new stuff.
Thanks for showing the interest.
On last year’s 6-month RV/cruise trip, I organized pictures. Boxes and boxes of kids and grandkids pics! I took along a negative scanner for those real old ones and made DVDs for each of our 3 kids and 8 grandkids – over 9,000 pictures detailing each person’s life from their earliest pictures to the present. Recalling the great memories that the pictures brought and Costco-printing a big collage for each grandkid of my favorite pics that now grace the walls of my RV was a pleasure. Best of all, the endeavor encouraged family members to “donate” their pics that I hadn’t seen — now I get to integrate those and make even better memory DVDs! Bored?? There aren’t enuf hours in the days!!!! 🙂
Wow Kat! Quite a task but one I know you did lovingly. Must have kept you busy awhile.
Wow what a great idea!
I worry because I’m like you, Sue — kicking back in a lawn chair with a book and going for a little walk or hike and cooking a nice meal is a nice day for me. My husband is much more “gotta be doing something” — with both of us having full-time jobs, is not a problem. Retirement? ???@@&*%(%$???
Sue,
Bridget’s shadow does give one pause (paws?).
There sure are a lot of folks here that are from Washington. You are our ‘webcam’ in the desert. Yup, moss gets pretty old real quick. Do we all just stay up here for the 1 or 2 fabulous months the Rhodies bloom? At least rain doesn’t have to be shoveled. 🙂
This crowd source type of post really does bring to mind things past forgotten and new interests. So many viewpoints and much information offered. If, in the future, you send out another challenge, maybe one could be on “What’s in your R.V. toolbox; must haves” or one about storage and organizing items that actually work. You have shared what works for you (for now) and your tools have even been demonstrated. This subject comes up here now and then, however, this adventure is always improving.
Like everybody else, we find there is lots to do. I only had 4 math courses in college, so I am trying to learn the math and physics for general relativity. But even without any specific goals, the birds and the lakes or ocean and the sunsets and campfires and hikes and general books to read and dog walks and the coyotes howling at the full moon make for enjoyable, interesting days. It is just as hard to lose weight, however.
The answer to the gentleman’s question is to be happy with what he chooses to do. He needs a plan.
In your case, I read about all your adventures. Your blog not only is a hobby, but an income source from the orders. RVSue and Bridget are very busy making memories and blogging. Not to mention the photos. I appreciate seeing the interaction between you and the blog readers. It’s like a social group or a community, all sharing ideas and adventures. I love being a part of this “group”. I can’t wait to see what the next adventure will be. And, I have learned so much from this blog.
P.S. Bridget probably decided to go back because of the coyote or fox tracks. LOL
Wednesday morning is my surgery. I’m getting pretty nervous. This is a big deal! Im worried about not eating for a month. Worried about all of it, which isn’t really like me. Of course I cheerfully went off to have my knee replaced and that turned into a nightmare. I hope this goes better!
Praying for you, DeGin, you will be a new person soon.
Praying for you Ginger. A good friend here had the surgery, lost over 100 lbs, got off all meds, and looks fabulous! You will too. You can do this.
Praying that all goes well for you DesertGinger.
Praying fervently for all to be well with you dear Ginger and really looking forward to a day when we can stand in the moment,look back or to what’s ahead with nothing but smiles on our faces about all of it.For right now,may what brings you peace be found holding you
Not to worry DG, I had it done, no problem not eating for a while, you will not have much of a stomach to fill up….but when you get to have the first bite of real food, cherish it and remember how good it feels…you will be fine…I lost over 50 pounds without a struggle, just do exactly what they tell you….REALLY…do exactly what you are told and all will be fine. I will be thinking of you Wednesday.
Yay! new pictures on the way…..travel safe.
Sending you loving thoughts and prayers, DesertGinger. AND…a BIG HUG!!! 🙂
Good morning, Ginger! We are with you in spirit, patting your hand from afar, listen closely… Can you hear us? “There, there, sweetie, everything will come out fine. You’ll see!” 🙂
Sending love and hugs…
Thanks everyone! Love you guys.
Desert Ginger,
Positive energy, prayers and good wishes are flowing to you from all around the world. Can you feel it? We will be here waiting to hear from a happier healthier you.
Hugs,
Sending hugs and prayers to you. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and the wonderful new adventures that await you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow.
Positive thoughts sent your way!
Don’t forget your ipad and the charger!
Thanks Cindy; I won’t. Thanks everyone!
I completely get why Bridget loves being on-leash. She doesn’t need to worry about you wandering off and getting lost!
Blessings to all of you! Each morning I read your comments after enjoying Sue’s blog and pictures. You inspire to enjoy every moment of the day and make the best better.
🙂 We enjoy everyones contribution to this blog..at least I do…
Cloudier days soften colors and make scant shadows less harsh so hold their own unique beauty.Today the cloudless sky is allowing the sunlight here to be so bright that the view is actually sparkling!So are the pups eyes each time they run outside and back in.As the “real feel” temp is -15 they’re doing that more often than usual because I limit time outside to less than 5 minutes per trip.It’s wonderful how they adapt and meet such days with only enthusiasm.Good morning Sue,I hope that mood’s capturing you,too,whatever your sky is offering.And that only the benefits of what you did yesterday to enhance your total health are what you’re feeling now.Sending you and Bridget Happy Tuesday hugs ‘n love 🙂 !
Good Morning Weather, I hope you are enjoying your coffee as much as I. I hope your words uplift Sue as much as they uplift and make my day. May your day be as sweet as the words you write.
Thank you ,may yours be that way,too,and as warm as your note to me was
Hope you got settled in nicely where ever you are Sue,-came in to leave a note in case you have enough bars to read it.The clear sky here may not blanket the area from the cold,yet it’s making up for that with starlight.I saw one twinkle and just smiled at it instead of making a wish.It’s so nice to only want exactly what I have at the moment.May this evening be that way for you,n’nite friend,you’ve had a busy day,sleep well and warmly,weather
Hi, weather! We’re at our new camp and I “only want exactly what I have at the moment.” Thanks for the welcome to our new home this evening. I have a post almost ready…. You can go to bed. It’ll be here in the morning. N’nite! 🙂
telling a kid “the rest of us will be staying up and having fun ,you just calmly tuck yourself in” rarely works,wonder if it will this time.Thanks for the happy note and news,as you’re obviously even busier than I thought,no reply expected or needed 😉
Good Morning Sue, I hope you are feeling better today and have the strength to compose another one of your wonderful posts…Since the clouds have moved in here, your pictures of blue skies warms my thoughts and cheers up my day…but then again you are so good at doing just that with you words and your pictures…Bridget is looking great! You are taking such good care of her.
GOOD MORNING!
What a wonderful collection of messages here! Forgive me for not responding individually to the most recent comments. If I reply to one, I’m soon yakking with everyone and before I know it, the morning is gone.
I need to start breaking camp. Bridget and I are traveling today and I want an early start.
Enjoy this day and each other!
Sue
If you are healthy enough…go backpacking. One big reason I like RVing is that you are Self Contained, a little house on wheels where you can go anywhere the road will allow you to go. But Backpacking enhances the spirit even more. With your house on your back you are free to go anywhere you like. That is the ultimate idea and way of life for me. If you want to learn the basics of Backpacking just read any of Colin Fletcher’s books named the Complete Walker series. He makes it simple and exciting. When you go out with a friend you loose yourself in time having so much fun. But with the one you love it is bliss itself of becoming one with her or him and one with the universe. Everything is broken down into the simple things that gives us time for reflection and to see into the future. Contrary to what most people may think it is not that primitive. Technology has given us light weight tools to accomplish a dream come true. Give it a try and see if you like it.
Wow, Joe, I love your answer! I, too, am a huge believer in backpacking outings. That was the main reason I started collection small packpacing stoves a few years ago. Yes, the tech stuff such as locators and such are very important as you can imagine. For any newbe packing, even a day pack outing, needs to always take hicking poles, food, water, a pack stove, survival bivi and some form of fire tool with them too 😉 Most trips go good as planned but having those items with them can be a lifesaver if storms/cold temps, injury or being lost happens. Yes, I hope they take up your suggestion and give packing a try! Contrary to popular belief you do not need to be fast at it or even extremely sure-footed on some trails which for me is really nice. I think many more people would try it if they knew that you do not have to be super fit to enjoy it, just wise about where you go packing.
ROFL at myself now! ~packpacing stoves ?!, kicking poles ?!~
Oh well, grease form my BLT samie was on my figures…silly things like that happen. Must be time for my nap 😉
Be safe Missy, looking forward to the next stop. Bridget needs new scents to discover.
After a very long all-nighter, I have now had several good hours of rest. Note that my typing and spelling has returned to a better state, I was a complete mess trying to type early this afternoon.
Sue,
Looking forward to your newest adventure and camp. Safe travels today.
Des Gin,
While we cannot all be there with you in person we are in spirit. All of us here are wraping you in our many prayer blankets to keep you ever safe and cozy.
For everyone who has a heavy heart or illnesses,
Please know that while I do not often comment or reply to you I do keep you in my thoughts. May all of you be forever far from Harm’s way.
We all have different levels of an adventurous spirit, for me personally it has taken on somewhat of an addictive nature. Each journey must take me higher up the mountain, deeper into the hidden canyons, etc.
Each new journey, every new discovery, becomes a painting that is alive flowing on the canvas in real time. I set no time limit as I and nature become intertwined, being moved along by the common love between me and the rest of creation.
The adventures to me are no less than a true love story; I surrender all that I am, all that I have; in return all of nature comes to life as we move as one across the canvas.