Friday, July 11
Today’s the day we go to Flaming Gorge! First the crew and I walk down our campsite’s lane. We’ll have some morning exercise and then we can leave for the Gorge.
(Do you see the prettiest flower of all in the photo below?)
“Come along, Spike. You can stop to smell the flowers later.”
Forest Road 062 runs from Highway 191 across open land. It’s about 8 a.m. The air is still fresh and the birds are singing.
Soon the road enters a wooded area of aspens and evergreens. Bridget and Spike are happy to be exploring on this beautiful morning. We walk together.
We come to a pleasant campsite away from the road (below left). It doesn’t look like much in the photo, but in reality it’s very nice. The site is a fairly level, pull-through. Further up the road we discover another campsite. (below right) Both campsites are woodsy with a lot of open area and no close neighbors. (Click to enlarge photos.)
The Uinta Highline Trail intersects with this road.
Later I read at utah.com, “Simply stated, this is not only the great mountain trail of Utah, it’s one of the best in the nation.” According to the website, the trail from one end to the other is 60 miles with an elevation gain of 12,ooo feet. It takes about a week. Hikers, dogs, and people are allowed. It can be done in sections.
On the left side of the road is the trail and a board with a map and regulations. On the right side is a vault toilet, a fire ring, and room to park. One could car camp or tent camp in a level area off to the right, out of the photo’s frame.
Continuing along the way, I stop frequently to take photos of plants and flowers.
The road is narrower here. It’s now rutted, red dirt with some mud puddles from last night’s rain.
Spike: “Did somebody say mud puddle?”
While I’m taking the photo above, a couple in their forties approaches from around the bend in the road. They’re holding hands.
As a conversation starter, I smile and remark, “Hello. My dog has arthritis and a cool soak makes him feel better.” They smile at Spike. “It’s pretty here, isn’t it,” I add.
The couple tell me they live in Vernal and come to the forest often. The man extols living in this part of the world.
“I’ve lived here all my life. I looked at other places to live, but you live there and then you have to drive really far to have something like this. We’ve got a camper, a boat, ATVs, and bikes. Everything is here.”
“I’m curious,” I say. “I see a lot of campers with no one around. What, people drop them off and leave?”
“They’re not supposed to do that but they do,” he replies. ” There’s a 16-day limit.”
“That’s better than a 14-day limit,” I begin.
He finishes my thought.
“Yeah, because with 16 days you get two whole weekends. What people do is they bring their trailer up here on the 4th of July weekend and leave it through the July 24th weekend.”
“Oh, the 24th . . . ”
“That’s when Utah became a state.” (It’s called Pioneer Day, commemorating the day when Brigham Young and the first Mormon pioneers came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.) “It’s a big camping weekend.”
They continue on their walk in the direction from which we came.
“Okay, mud puppy. Spa treatment is over.”
I’d better make this a long walk. Give that mud time to dry up and fall off. I think that little soak gave Spike some pep.
“Are you having a good time, Spikey?”
I pat him on the shoulder to let him know the mud is okay. He reacts with a bit of spring in his step.
We come to a fork in the road.
To the right is a fifth-wheel with lots of toys and four ATVs on the grass. Small children run and play. To the left is a dead-end to another big campsite.
The crew and I turn around to head back the way we came.
As we pause for a moment about halfway to our campsite, I hear water. That sounds like a creek. I wonder where it is. It’s off to our right down that slope somewhere. Oh geez. I’d like to see that creek. Better be careful though. Don’t want to get lost like that time in Idaho.
We proceed further until I notice an animal trail.
I bet that goes down to the creek! “This way, guys. Let’s check this out.”
We follow the trail all the way to a moist area with tall grass. The creek’s gurgle tells me we’re very close. Bridget and Spike refuse to go any further.
I can’t blame them. It’s not fun walking through wet grass as tall as you are.
“Okay, be good puppies and STAY. I’ll be back in a minute.”
There it is! Gosh, if Spike could hear, he’d be in this creek in a flash.
I watch and listen for a few moments, take some pictures, and return to my crew waiting for me.
Bridget leads us on the animal trail all the way to the road.
Soon we pass our absentee neighbor’s campsite. “We’re almost home! Just a little more to go.”
At home Bridget and Spike slurp up a big drink and collapse on the bed for a nap. I go online to catch up on the blog. I fix myself some lunch. I step outside into the noonday sun.
What a beautiful day. I love it here. I don’t want to go to the Gorge today. We can do that tomorrow. Tomorrow’s Saturday and it’ll be good to get away from the weekend people around camp. They’ll probably show up later this afternoon.
Bridget and Spike join me outside and lie in the cool grass in the shade of the pine.
Butterflies! I grab my camera and before I know it, I’ve chased butterflies among the wildflowers for over an hour. I relax in my lounger with a drink and watch the vehicles coming down the hill on Highway 191, people on their way to the Gorge. A rain shower sends us back inside.
Flaming Gorge can wait ’til another day . . . .
Later the elk (shown in the previous post) appear in the meadow and I go wild taking more photos!
Next post — The crew and I finally go to Flaming Gorge!
rvsue
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Definitely not in a hurry!! LOL
You’re first, Ladybug! Be happy!
This area is so beautiful! I love it here. Your pretty little Bridget flower was the best one in the picture!! Spikey laying down in the puddle in the road made me smile! Just love it here! Can’t wait to see more!
Hi, jolene,
I forgot that Bridget was in that shot. I edited the photo and uploaded it to WordPress. That’s when I first noticed her in the flowers. She likes to sit surrounded by flowers.
Beautiful photos Sue. I laughed at Spike in the mud puddle. You a a good doggie mom letting him soak whenever he gets a chance. Some might draw the line at mud.
Can’t wait to read about Flaming Gorge.
Juley
Hi, Juley,
I’m looking at my Flaming Gorge photos now. They came out really well. I’m anxious to show them to y’all!
I’m #4. Yes!!!!!!!!!! And now I need go back and read your post.
Good night Sue. Goodnight Crew.
Goodnight, R.
Pretty day, pretty way, awesome buds! HAPPY SUE!
HUGS FROM HOQUIAM!
BARB
HUGS FROM THE UINTA MOUNTAINS!
SUE
Ahhhh, lovely photos! And, Spikey – you crack me up.
The RV injector problem, supposedly fixed. HOWEVER, they (the truck repair place) screwed up our bedroom slide, it now opens on it’s own and will not stay closed. The so called fix for the AC in the dash, blew warm air and the RV overheats more now than ever before. And, to boot… we have NO BRAKE LIGHTS.
Needless to say, I am not a happy camper. Ended up at another truck repair shop and spent 8 hours there, they managed to get cold AC, but still over heating and still no brake lights.
I’m am going to pull my van out of the retirement, and find me a travel trailer and SELL the motorhome. And, the reason is simple. Repair shops are interested in one thing. Charging customers $125 an hour and NOT fixing the problem!
Careful in those Mountains RVSue, just spoke with a friend who tells me a couple of people were killed and others injured by lighting in Colorado. Sad.
We’re bunkered down until Monday, when I will call Winnebago.
Have a great, safe, wonderful night.
Thank you, Kay, for your kind wishes toward me. I’m amazed that you still have the presence of mind to do anything, let alone type up a comment on this blog.
Your first paragraph… That’s so bad it’s unreal. How can you take an RV to a shop and end up with all those problems? You have to have brake lights! What a mess . . .
I hope you can put yourself in a mental zone that will allow you to relax Sunday. You’ve expended a lot of energy trying to make your way through a repair jungle while managing each day without the use of your home.
Keep in touch. You know we’re wishing a resolution to all these repair problems. . . and soon!
Kay I sure can understand the frustration! We picked up our new coach in May, 1st night and slide won’t retract, no dash air, and no coach air!! It all worked perfect at factory!! It’s still in the shop and they can’t figure out what’s causing the problems!! So long story we haven’t seen it since then and not sure when we will! We are not in it full time yet but were getting ready to take a long trip but have had to cancel!! Hang in there!!
That’s horrible, Sue! What a travesty! I’m stunned. You picked it up in MAY and you still are waiting in mid-July? I’m heartsick that you had to cancel your trip.
Thanks for mentioning the name of your motorhome…what on earth reason did they have to mess with the slide??? CRAZY…hope you can find a way to get home safely!! So sorry to hear about the so-called repair shops!!
I’ll tell ya, American Repair Shops / Services are NOT what they used to be back in the day when they care about the customers. Funny thing is, back in the day there was not internet, no real way to tell the world how they were, and yet, they CARED and took care of the customer. Now days, they stand there and look at you and simply say “we didn’t do anything” We don’t know why its like that, it worked when we test drove it.
Grrrrr…. unless disconnected the mileage, they did not test drive it!
My brother has his own mechanical repair shop…at his house. Keeps a low profile, does not let very many rigs park at one time on his place…therefore his neighbors do not care he is working there. He got so sick of working for cheats and thieves so went out on his own quite a few years ago. Generally has more work than he can do. Being honest and by word of mouth is the best business to have…surely there are others out there, here and there too…finding them is not easy. My brother does not even have a computer!! These 2 guys on their blogs are good to report good and bad shops, etc:http://gypsyjournalrv.com/category/nicksblog/ and http://ourrvadventures.com/ ….you may be able to find help better via them in future…hopefully you will not need it. Sue, if you do not want these addresses here…please remove… I am glad there are bloggers out there…and I know Sue has reported on those who have helped her too….if we ever get into RVing…we will use that information. Of course, one hopes that one does not need help…but it happens from time to time!!
You should contact the Better Business Bureau or maybe the state Attorney General’s office.
Also Google the name of the repair place. Usually there are opportunities to write a review. I consult these reviews when shopping for a service.
I did check the reviews, there were none. The company is a huge chain in several states.
This morning was googling the slide problem, sounds like it may be a piston so will contact the HWH company in the morning. Hubby can change it out depending on tools needed, he doesn’t have his tools all with us right now.
The check engine light has flashed on again, so I don’t think they fix it all correctly either. I am just darn mad at these darn repair shops, hubby wants to get off the road just to go back into the mechanic business because he’s PO’d more than me over it all.
I will reveal the name of the chain, the store and the techs once I am fully repaired and the insurance claim is done. For now, stay away from any name that is BIG and services TRUCKS and in 11 states.
Kay… I didn’t mean for you to check the reviews. I meant if you Google the name of the repair shop, sites will come up where you can write your own review in order to warn others. That is, if you have any energy left after this ordeal is over!
Attention anyone wondering which RV rig to buy! Did you hear that?! Trading a motorhome for a trailer — keep it simple or it will cost you. You might have saved somebody a lot of trouble by posting your experience!
Exactly. I know one should never say “never”, but we’ve gone the motorhome route, and never again…
I love the walks you three take. There always seems to be something of interest or variety found. I’m really glad you seem to get so much joy from sharing because I know that I enjoy your sharing:-)
I find it great that Spike can have his “spa” treatments anywhere there’s a little water and soft mud…if only we could all be so low maintenance!
Have a fun and relaxing day.
Hi, Teresa,
“There always seems to be something of interest or variety [to be] found.” I like that statement! That’s how I greet my days with the crew!
I’m sure there are (and have been) plenty of folks who’ve read a few of my posts and wondered… Gee, why doesn’t she go here, go there, see this and that, take up that activity, etc., instead of hanging around a campsite… how boring!”
You, on the other hand, recognize and enjoy the “riches” we find wherever we go and in the simplest of pleasures, like walking through the woods with those I love.
Have a wonderful day, Teresa.
Hi Sue! We are fellow full-timers (with two pugs) that have been on the road for a few months and wanted to ask you about your experiences with “normalcy”. We have found that there isn’t very much of normal for us. Things are either great or going terribly wrong; either wonderful or terrifying. Was this your experience starting out and did things flatten out after a while, or has full-timing always been pretty even-keeled for you and your crew?
Hi, Sputnik Goes,
Welcome to my blog! I’m surprised by your comment and question, and I can’t help but be curious.
But first to answer your question: No, full-timing hasn’t been terrifying for me. The only instance I can recall of feeling anything like terror was not from being a full-timer. It was brought on by finding myself towing my brand-new BLT on a big path masquerading as a mountain road.
Overall, from the moment I pulled away from the factory with my new home, my experiences have ranged from good to ecstatic. There have been a few bumps along the way. Nothing extreme or frightening. Nothing more than one is bound to confront from the modern world.
Your comment surprises me, especially since you are a couple.
Without specific information re: what situations cause you terror, it’s difficult to be helpful. You did give me an excellent opportunity to explore the subject of terror-on-the-road.
I offer possible reasons below. Perhaps this topic will initiate healthy self-analysis in readers. (Readers, do not assume any of these apply to Sputnik Goes. SG’s comment may be facetious or SG writes in hyperbole.)
Possible reasons for Terror on the Road or Why Things Tend To Go Wrong
1) Too much rig to handle
2) Not enough financial buffer for potential repairs and other big expenses
3) Nervous personality; tendency to fret
4) Difficulty adapting to frequent changes
5) Lifetime habit of anticipating/expecting disaster
6) Lifetime habit of being rooted in one location, dependency on community
7) Fear of strangers, of the dark, of being alone; the “boogyman syndrome”
8) Fear of the unknown
9) Habit of “leaping before looking,” reckless choices, impulsive behavior, hurrying, lack of research and preparation
10) Lack of or weak spiritual awareness/faith
Again, these are for reflection purposes, not to be attributed to SG!
Good list :-). I agree that SG didn’t indicate any of those factors (and may have had a single terrifying moment – like missing Spike that night) but it does raise an interesting question which you’ve presented to us.
I think that 3-8 define a certain type of person. Although I have a couple of friends who face life that way, it is foreign to me. For those I know, it is a reflection of how they were raised or the result of a particular event in their past. Sad for sure, they miss out on so much joy in front of them. Would they make good RVers? My first thought is no. But then I think that if they were tired of being scared, wanted to live life differently – maybe taking a year on the road, trying to see the good in people and new places and new cultures, would be a good antidote!
I think 1 & 2 could be fixed fairly easily once it became apparent.
Finally, I think that full-time on the road, immersed in the beauty of this land, would “fix” 9 & 10 most quickly :-)))).
Hi, Jodee,
I forgot about the terror of losing Spike. How could I forget? I guess I was thinking in terms of full-timing on the road, not heartbreaks.
Interesting analysis of the list. You make a lot of sense. And yes, I do believe people can lose their fears and lifelong, negative habits, either through long and diligent effort or through drastic change. Some people are fearful due to the reasons you mentioned. I also believe some people are wired to be timid. You’ve probably seen the difference in young children, even infants. One is daring and devil-may-care, laughs at surprises, while the other hangs back, cries easily, recoils at anything strange.
Enjoyed your input on this topic, Jodee!
I agree in the -try it before you commit to it- idea! I’ve seen a couple of failures on other blogs I follow.
Just like any other aspect of life we need to really think of WHY we want to make a change is it for the right reasons or are we simply following someone else’s lead? I’ve been wanting to be Out There all my life since I read the book A Walk Across American in 1979! Course I was already married and my son was born 2 yrs later my idea of freedom just got pushed farther and farther away! Now the gap is opening again very soon…I pray everyday that I will be able to walk through it!
We are very eager to get things “rolling,” excuse the pun. We often think about things that can go wrong, and try to anticipate solutions for them. We try to remind ourselves to be positive and not only think of the problems. We’ve encountered problems with getting our house ready to sell, getting rid of most of our belongings, etc. this has given us practice with “going with the flow” because we know things aren’t going to always go according to plan. I know you were very much a minimalist when you had your house. We are quite the opposite, so it’s been quite a different experience for us. We remind ourselves why we are doing this…why we WANT to do this, and many times your stories with the crew, your financial pages, your pictures and your “let’s see what’s down this road” attitude help us keep a feeling of excitement and perspective. We acknowledge that not everyday will be great, but not many days will be worse, either. Anyway, I’m not a full timer yet, but I wanted to chime in with my thoughts.
Wow! You are going to adapt to full-timing very easily, Teresa!
Thanks for your thoughtful response Sue! Maybe I should clarify what things scare me. We spent nearly three years restoring our camper and it is one-of-a-kind. Hail is a major threat (to cause damage) and it seems to hail several times a week, sometimes several times a day, where we have been in South Dakota, Wyoming, etc. Have you been through these states and have you had to deal with extreme weather?
Mountain driving is pretty nerve-wracking with winding roads and 10% grades. Maybe this is just inexperience?
Other drivers scare me. We have had several close calls due to other drivers acting foolishly or erratically.
I guess the one that gets me the most is our dogs. Your dogs seem to be pretty hardy, but our pugs find trouble wherever they can. Two days ago our one pug got stung and his whole head swelled up and he was covered in hives, making for an emergency trip to the vet. The next day, our other pug sat on a fire ant nest and got bloody welts all over his stomach. These dogs mean the world to me and I am always afraid of them overheating, getting bit by snakes/scorpions, or having medical emergencies that I cannot handle.
God has protected us through many dangers and yes, my faith is weaker than it should be. I have always struggled with fretfulness over the things that matter most to me and I have learned to let go of some of that, but God isn’t done with me yet and I have lots to learn.
Thanks again for your response and for being an encouragement!
I’m very glad you replied! I didn’t mean my response to imply that you are spiritually weak or fret too much or whatever. Those were ideas that popped into my head as to why someone might be fearful or have troubles.
Now to respond to your latest comment… We’ve experienced some hail but nothing damaging. At first I thought it might damage the solar panel, but I’ve dropped that worry. So far, so good.
I think your location in SD and WY may contribute to a lot of hail worry! That’s where I encountered hail, too.
Mountain driving… probably it is inexperience. I found mountain roads in the West to be harrowing, being away from mountain driving for many years. Experience is helping me cope with cliff-hanger roads. Also, checking a scary road first without the BLT helped me get up the switchbacks of Hwy 191. I think you and I will gain confidence in mountain driving as time goes by.
As for other drivers endangering you, I don’t know why you’re experiencing that. I can’t recall that happening to me, although it probably has. The usual stuff, yes — being cut off in traffic, tailgaters, speeders — that everyone experiences.
As for your pugs, I do appreciate your fear that something bad will happen to them. We love our pets so much!
I may be wrong, but I think pugs are prone to breathing difficulties and they are close to the ground with bare bellies. I understand your concern. Maybe they’ll learn to be more careful where they lie. Sorry they and you went through that scare!
I think the hardiness of the crew is due to the rat terrier breed and also to the fact that they are mixed-breed.
As for fretfulness, for me the best way to combat that is being still in nature. You probably know what works for you.
Thanks for opening up an interesting topic. I wish you and your crew many more good days!
I appreciate your feelings for your pugs because I had a yorkie that was my little baby for nearly 16 yrs. When we travelled or moved, my first thoughts were always of him and his safety and happiness. I tried to make every place “normal” for him, which in turn gave me a since of normalcy, as well. Much like Sue does with her rug when she gets to a new camp (the crew knows it’s home), I had a small fencing system (2 ft high plastic lattice zip tied together) that I would set up right outside the door. It created a front porch effect with his “stuff.” It didn’t prevent our movement or take away from our enjoyment, but it provided him with HIS area shared with us to give him peace and boundaries. The walks we went on were the chance to explore, but in more of a controlled situation. I loved the time with him, and I believe he enjoyed it as well. I knew if anything happened to him, I would lose it, so I created a secure space that helped us both. We had such great times together, and created memories that can never be erased or replaced.
As far as the roads and the weather, I don’t mean to sound aloof, but what keeps you in that area? Have you thought of getting to a different environment and taking (excuse my Robert Frost reference) the road less travelled? Not meaning to pry, I was just wondering.
Teresa
Sue, I know you didn’t mean to imply that I fret, but I certainly meant to! 🙂 My dear husband is not a fretter (not to be confused with a fritter) and always points me back to God’s kindness and sovereignty over our lives. What good gifts He gives!
About the pugs, yes you are right about them having breathing troubles. They are two little nerd dogs who are totally inexperienced at anything but life on an couch (zero wilderness-smarts). Hopefully they won’t have to learn through experience that snakes are not friends and bees should not be chased. Was there a learning curve for Spike and Bridget?
Teresa – thank you for your comments about your yorkie! As far as our location, these were the states in between Indiana and someplace more interesting, plus there were a few beautiful places we had never been and wanted to see. I guess we also don’t really know which states regularly experience hail and which never have it (other than the southwest).
Well, hail!! Get the elk outta there & go to your someplace more interesting:-)
Oh, Teresa, my sides hurt from laughing… “Well, hail!”
Was there a learning curve for the crew? Not really. I think this is why… The rat terrier breed was developed to hunt rodents and rodents are found in various environments to which the rat terrier had to adapt. For much of the 20th century rat terriers were commonplace on farms, hanging around barns keeping the rodent population down. A terrier is a scrappy breed to begin with.
The pug, on the other hand, has a very long history of sitting on pillows next to royalty, being carried about and pampered.
When you look at their breeding, it’s not surprising that your pugs require more safety considerations and more supervision than my rat terriers do.
Not to dispair! Teresa shared some excellent, practical tips.
I just remembered the times that Spike came into my house in Georgia with his face swollen. I never did find out the cause. I gave him antihistimine and water poured through a straw (he couldn’t open his mouth). Scary, but we got through it!
Hi SG, I want to comment about your dogs. We have a similar situation with our dog, a Boston Terrier. They are considered Brachycephalic. http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/brachycephalic-airway-syndrome-in-dogs/2143
Due to that you must watch out for things that other dogs don’t suffer. One of them is overheating. For our little guy, there is a fine line between what is too hot and too cold. This is just one of those things you will learn how to handle.
Since we live in Iowa we get hot, humid summers. When we go camping since we aren’t paying for the electricity other than our camping fee, sometimes we crank the air conditioning pretty cool. I bring a sweater along to put on my dog.
I think the rest of it will just come for you with more experience. I remember one time when my children were young around 9 or 10 maybe, I took them trout fishing in northeast IA. My husband couldn’t come with me so just me and the kids went. It was a 4 hour drive. We got there and fished awhile and then it started to get dark. We were going to set up a tent or sleep in our van, I can’t remember now.
Well the park we were going to stay in was a forrest and there was no electricity. I didn’t come prepared enough and I was terrified when it got so dark in there. It was pitch black. I loaded the kids up and drove right back home that same night!
If I were to do it now I would be fine and it is just experience over the years that makes me say this. I am sure given time you will have a great time. I am praying for you and your future travels.
I am enjoying hearing what all you all share on dogs…we have not had a dog since 2010 when our last one died. Too grieved for a long time…and now where we live we cannot have one. But if eventually we actually being RVing as we have long considered, having this info is very helpful. I am very partial to blue heelers in that ours were always SO SO SO obedient and would do EXACTLY as told. Without constant reminders. They are very wired as pups…but slow down a lot with age. I read recently however that the smallest ones now run about 20 pounds….which would make a very nice size I think, in our old age! Our last one was beyond intelligent…I really love dogs, but I am not sure I could stand a stupid, disobedient one after having her…she probably spoiled us for all time. A better companion we never had.
Wow, RV Sue, what a well-thought out response!
I think its called projection. Especially in our personal lives we should strive to be where ever we are. You, dear heart, are very much in the moment. I don’t even know you personally and have observed this. One thing; I am addicted to place, I live on a great island and really feel comfortable at home. That, in my desire to travel, translates to having a comfortable RV with some stuff I like and a decent bed. Thereby home will be where I am parked. I am planning and looking forward to it greatly. I visited Flaming Gorge in… 1965. Freshman year spring break when I went to Wasatch Academy in Mt Pleasant, UT. It was cold but very beautiful and I have always wanted to return. It is on the map! And Kays story is a real impetus to have a PTV and a BLT. Order me up!
Jonthebru,
What a small world. I went to Wasatch also. I graduated in 1965 . Lots of RV Sue’s recent travels have been in the mounttains around Mt. Pleasant.
I guess I should have said 66 because that would be when spring break was… I was there the following year after you graduated. My brother Bill was there a year earlier and would have been a junior. Wasatch keeps trying to interest me in a reunion or contributing but its simply not for me. From what I see it is a successful school to this day.
Sue, I’ll bet with the 24th being a Thursday, that those campers won’t be pulled out until Sunday the 27th! And I have been in Utah during the 24th, and it gets crazy, that’s for sure…crazy due to the high number of people who come to Utah, most who are Mormon, to celebrate this huge Mormon / Utah holiday. I have a feeling that Sue will be long gone from Utah by then. 🙂 –Dave (GoingRvWay.com)
Hi, Dave,
That’s what the man meant… People keep their rigs parked in the forest through the weekend of the 24th. It is a big deal in Utah. I had a ranger warn me of the crowds! (He wanted me to be settled, not looking for a campsite at the start of the weekend.)
I’m not in any hurry to leave Utah. The high elevation, dry and cool air, the beauty, the lack of mosquitoes and other flying menaces . . . I hate to say goodbye to all that!
Mosquitos & crowds. Which is worse, a “clinger” or a “stinger”? LOL!
I think I’ll take the stingers. At least there’s a spray for those.
…there is a spray for the other ones too but it could include a bail hearing if you use it..ha!
Good morning Sue,
This is turning out to be one of the very nicest mornings ever.An unexpected change in the air’s feel and wind speed is dancing everything I see around in a lively and freshening way.Twirling amidst songs,verses,coffee,troupe,beautiful new post… I’m hugging myself in delight.
Hours and pages could be taken up to describe all the wonderful elements of every photo above and there’d still be more to appreciate,so I’ll just mention that with not a glimpse of plastic or pavement to be seen you’ve portrayed what walking on this earth should hold.
My favorite part is “I’ve chased butterflies among the wildflowers for over an hour.”
If everyone alive had that only once, all creation would be seen differently thereafter.
Hi,, weather,
I’m delighted that you are having one of the finest mornings ever. The peace that follows the storm. 🙂
“Not a glimpse of plastic or pavement” — That’s what I love about camping away from civilization. I can’t express how jarring it is to the sensitive person’s soul to come across a Gatorade jar or a Bud-Lite can when enfolded by the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. I love showing glimpses of nature undisturbed.
Oh, the butterflies! How the time did fly! 🙂 I did capture a few with my lens and will post them soon. It amazes me how our world is gorgeous in its enormity — the landscape, the sky, the universe and beyond — as well as in its minute forms — butterflies, flowers, sub-atomic structures, DNA!
My father was not a religious man at all. It wasn’t until near the end of his life that he became a believer. One day during the time when his spirit was searching, we sat outside together in thoughtful silence, facing a few flowering shrubs. A bee flew from bloom to bloom in front of us. Dad suddenly spoke, clumsily but with purity of thought, “How can anyone look at that and not think something created it?”
Here’s to chasing butterflies! Thank you for your happy comment, weather.
Jarred by coming across things people leave- that ruin what was created to be perfect- is a feeling we share, no further expression is needed.
The soil of the earth,defenseless animals,sensitive souls and pristine wildscapes are so easily ripped… by the tires,bumpers,trash and destruction… of those,only trying to find what happiness they can, around us.
Two words in your great rely to SG,…Faith:that the Healer,with us, will restore before our eyes all that’s gone wrong ,is my way of recovering from those episodes.
Spiritual awareness:-to thank you for subtly offering “sensitivity” as answer- for a term you saw me searching for, in trying to describe what it feels like for me- “seeing” this world . More than five senses,not coincidence,makes me arrive where healing,warning, encouragement or soft guidance to faith in Christ is needed. But then,even elks might be real if you look for them 😉
You take the prettiest pictures!
Thanks, Ellen. Nice of you to drop in to tell me so!
So nice to even be able to stay another day if you choose. I like this place, and enjoyed the walk with you all. Pretty flower shots today. Looking forward to the Gorge also. Oh Happy Day…Take Care Sue and Crew.
Hi, Diane,
We will stay here for several more days. It’s a convenient base for exploring the Flaming Gorge area.
We went to the Gorge overlook yesterday and after that, I drove around the southern end of the Gorge. We returned to our wildflower garden camp. It’s fun to move between two totally different “worlds” in the span of one day. One of the joys of the full-time vagabond lifestyle!
I wish you a Happy Day, Diane!
I just love the picture of Spike in the mud puddle! What a hoot!
It is quiet here in FL this morning, not a bit of breeze but still cool before the heat of the day begins. Beautiful morning.
I will be volunteering in the turtle program at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota for a few months. I am so excited. Mostly data entry but I will be around the recuperating turtles and the turtle scientists! Did I mention that I love sea turtles! Ha! I hope you enjoy your day at Flaming Gorge.
Hi, Patricia,
Morning is the best time during a Florida summer. I’m glad you are enjoying it.
What a wonderful volunteer opportunity! I love that you’re excited to be a part of the mission of the marine lab. You will learn a lot about turtles, I’m sure. Sea turtles are magnificent creatures. Thank you for contributing toward their well-being by volunteering.
I hope you will give us updates on your experiences at the lab.
LOL! Oh, Spike! LOL! 😀
Haha! Spike really sunk into that huge puddle!
With the drought and heat in SoCal that mud puddle soak looks intoxicating! We are paying for our mild winter while the rest of the country enjoys the rewards of tolerating a horrible one. Mother Nature will always find balance……you’ve found a life that honors that and we’re lucky you have it shared with us :-))
Isn’t it great . . . with a home on wheels, RVers can move around Mother Nature’s balancing act! 🙂
Hi Sue
What a great area you are in. I would hate to leave. Love the mud puddle soak pic, just might be my all time fave. Have show this one to my daughter.
Loved the comment from Weather, “Not a glimpse of plastic or pavement”. As
last night I stood outside watching firelflies flash on and off in the darkness, It was lovely.
So looking forward to the gorge pics.
Hi, Val R.,
Haha! What is it with pictures of Spike soaking? Of course, I never tire of them. He’s my nutcake. What surprises me is the fact that there are readers like yourself who continue to enjoy seeing that guy soak. LOL!
I agree… weather’s statement says a lot. Love it!
I haven’t see fireflies in many, many years. I’m glad you are able to enjoy them!
Very pretty pics Missy…..with those fields of wildflowers in such abundance I fully expected to see Julie Andrews walk out singing “the hills are alive with the Sound of Music……..etc….etc……etc (Oh strike the triple etc’s that was Yul Brenner in the King and I.)
Funny, Jim! Believe me, I’ve had my Julie Andrews moments at this camp. As if butterflies and wildflowers weren’t enough, this morning bluebirds were all over! What is this place? Is it real? Golly.
Nice site Sue. About how big is that fifth wheel you have for a neighbor? I would be interested in visiting someday, but I am a little nervous to pull my 32″ fifth wheel into areas like this. I am especially concerned about places to turn around.
Hi, Gary,
That’s a pretty big fifth wheel in that photo. I wish I could be more specific. I’m not good at estimating the size of rigs and I really didn’t pay much attention to it. They left this morning and someone else is over there, otherwise I’d take another look at that site and snoop at the fifth wheel.
Take another look at that photo. The size of the door and wheels in proportion to the rig suggest that it’s big. Also notice the tire tracks in the foreground that indicate to me that they made a circle with that rig with no problem, since they had to enter and exit from the background end of the site.
I think your potential for difficulty is if you came up here with your rig and all the sites were filled. One could make a big turn-around in this campsite but I don’t want to encourage anyone to drive over this pristine ground.
Here’s what I suggest: When you drive off of Hwy 191 onto FR 062 (marked) it curves slightly upward. A narrow, ATV-type road goes off to the right. Don’t take that. Shortly thereafter you come to FR 008 (marked) which is a large loop, slightly larger than the typical campground loop. It doesn’t look like a loop as you sit on FR 062 because it goes down into a lower area… what I call a dell… and there are plenty of trees blocking your view of what is back there and where the road goes.
You could come up FR 062 from Hwy 191 and drive around the loop. At present there are three rigs back there, tucked in the trees, nicely separated, with a common meadow. (None of the rigs are big. I don’t know about over-hanging tree limbs.)
You can continue around that loop until you get to our campsite which is where the loop (FR 008) rejoins FR 062. If you haven’t found a site so far, park at the junction of FR 008 and 062 and walk FR 062 toward the mountain as I did with the crew. It’s a short walk to the site shown in the fifth wheel photograph.
The first two sites I mentioned (small photos) probably wouldn’t suit your rig. However, if the narrow road doesn’t bother you, the “dead-end site” I showed is nice, as well as the one occupied nearby. Trouble with either of those sites is the potential for a visible neighbor within earshot. I don’t know what lies further up that road.
BTW, the third photo (showing FR 062) is the portion that is in front of the fifth-wheel site. The rig is obscured in the photo by the tree branches on the right.
I hope this gives you a better idea of how you might find a site for your rig.
LATER… The people left the fifth-wheel site. Guess they stopped to hike. I looked at the site again. It’s large enough for your rig and you don’t have to turn around at that site! This is great news! Further down the road is a turn-around at the vault toilet! I don’t know why I didn’t notice that before. That means you wouldn’t have to walk the road to check the fifth-wheel site.
Wow thanks for your time, great information. I am going to take a look on a map and maybe do a “drive by” in the future. Thanks
Gorgeous flowers! I love the first photo with the white flowers and broken tree trunk:)
I had to cringe when I saw that mud puddle. You are a good mom:)
Thank you, John and Pam. That photo is one that jumped out at me. We were walking along and bingo, there it was. I like photos with contrasts in the content… delicate with strong, wispy with solid, intricate with plain, alive with dead, and so forth.
If Spike gets some relief or a measure of enjoyment from a mud puddle, I’m happy to deal with the consequences. He’s my sweet boy!
I had a horse that loved water and if we were to wade in any body of water he would go right down and roll, saddle and all. I sure miss him.
When you show pictures of the trails, I wish I could be riding there, free as a bird.
Hi Sue!
Can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying riding along with you and the crew through Utah. Each entry you make leaves me excited and anxious for more. This present camp is a sure contender for the best campsite–ever. I always thought nothing could top Ivie Creek, but, this spot shares the honors. I gravitate toward the forests and alpine like meadows, even though I love my desert home. The absence of a nearby babbling brook is the only thing that could make this any better. Sure didn’t deter Spike from finding a spot for his soak! What a character–gotta luv him.
Sh-h-h-h-h. What is that I hear? Softly in the background, I think I hear Julie Andrews singing “The hills are alive….” What a slice of heaven you have found! Thanks for sharing!
Be well, and travel safely. A scratch behind the ears to each of the crew from me.
Audrey
P.S. Have you given this camp a name for future reference? Gotta have a name to log it on my bucket list of campsites, you know!
Hi, Audrey,
I smiled to see you here again. Your enthusiasm for my different camps is a delight. I’m thinking there isn’t one best camp because camps fall into many different categories — desert camps, camps by a lake, camps by a stream, camps by a river, aspen camps, deep forest camps, meadow camps, close to a quaint town camps, cozy camps, camps with a view …. the list goes on and on!
We do have that tiny stream. It babbles. 🙂 I’m not eager to camp near water at this time of year. I’d rather have mountain breezes (no mosquitoes!).
I’m calling this Field of Flowers Camp. Hope you like it!
Such the life you have!
I absolutely LOVE the pic of Bridget and her batman ears!
Rock on Desert Woman! Keep enjoying!
Same to you, Cinandjules!
BTW, Cindy, you have mentioned selling your Class C and if you ever bought another rig, you’d buy a travel trailer. Any plans in that direction? Are you going camping this summer?
Travel trailer definitely….having BTDT with the “C”.
As to pulling the trigger on one sight unseen….Uhhh…that’s where I become hesitant. I know it’s between a Casita Freedom Deluxe and a Escape 17B. Depends on the bathroom/shower and where the stove is located. Decisions decisions.
Camping? I live in the woods remember? Jules has the Vegas itch….so we might just camp at a casino before the summer is over.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nDClh9NpZw
Love the lyrics and song as well as the above video put together with the song!!
Does it get any better than to see Spike taking advantage of a mud puddle, nature in all it’s glory and the chance to see ELK wild and free in their habitat !!!
You and the crew ROCK!!!
T~
You’re too much, Tawanda! This old lady in a hat with one fat terrier and one arthritic terrier ROCK!!!!!
Absolutely!!!! 😉
T~
That fifth wheel is a toy hauler…probably got an atv or something inside. Looks to be between 30-35 feet.
Love all the pretty flowers. How high are you?
I find the comments odd re living there and not going anywhere. Yes, it’s pretty but why wouldn’t you want to see other areas?
Had a nice day…breakfast and a good shower, then went to another meeting. Later, a friend that has lived here for many years, but used to work with me in the late 80s up in San Francisco area, came by for a visit. Then tonight we drove up to LA to have dinner with one of Tabby’s friends.
Whew! Lot of activity…I’m tired. Always a treat to come home and look at your com pics.
Hi, Ginger,
I’m glad you had a nice day. You probably appreciated having some fun and getting out with friends after the experiences of the past month.
I’m not sure I understand this part of your comment:
“I find the comments odd re living there and not going anywhere. Yes, it’s pretty but why wouldn’t you want to see other areas?”
Are you referring to me staying at this camp?
Someone you spoke with in the camp said they lived in Vernal and were pleased they could just camp nearby. I thought that was odd,to always camp in the same place as I so love to see what is around the bend.
The man wasn’t a retiree. When one works all week, as you probably know, it isn’t always appealing to drive many miles to see what’s around the next bend. He may take vacations to other places. I don’t know.
Ashley National Forest is very large. So, too is the Green River and the water in the Gorge. Several lakes and rivers are in Ashley. It’s a convenient place for the man and his wife to escape the heat of summer in Vernal and enjoy camping, boating, biking, ATVing… maybe hiking, fishing, hunting… whatever. His point was he can do a lot of vacation stuff close by his home on the weekends without wasting time covering miles.
Good morning Sue,
Hope the home site is just right as the light shows new things to notice today.Yesterday I saw beautiful chickens and roosters along the road.Some with brightly colored parts,others speckled or with patterned feathers,a few with exotic shapes.
Best guess is that on their way to show them at a county fair, the owner was overnighting nearby, and let them out for a while .What a treat to have on the way back from a mundane errand.
Recent reader’s comments really point out that simplicity in choices, like a travel trailer without a lot of factory installed bells and whistles,really have given you a freedom from problems in so many ways.May that and all you find to celebrate make your day even brighter.
Good morning, weather,
Some chicken varieties are quite striking in their coloring, feather patterns, and shapes. That was a nice surprise for you. One is rewarded for being observant.
I do like the simplicity of the BLT. I didn’t order the electric jack, although I hear they are quite nice, because it was something that could break. I raise and lower the BLT the old fashioned way, by cranking it with my own power.
I send you the same wish for your day. My day started early with a bit of excitement. I’d love to share it with you now, but I’ll save that story for a blog post.
Good morning sunshine!
643am and you’re already up?
Have a wonderful day!
Good morning to you, too . . . . You noticed my early arrival at this blog!
I was up at 4:30 a.m. We had a little incident here which I will reveal in tomorrow’s post. Sorry to be a tease, but this is quite an experience that warrants a blog post.
In a few minutes I’ll publish today’s post about Flaming Gorge.