Wednesday, April 16
The crew and I break camp early. I take a photo of our campsite before pulling away. The two campgrounds at Navajo National Monument (free) are an inexpensive stop on the way through northeast Arizona.
We drive around the campground loop in order to drop off our collection of plastic into the recycling bin next to the restrooms.
It’s cold this morning and the campground is empty except for one other camper.
I decide we won’t walk the Sandal Trail as we did last spring. The Betatkin ruins are in shadow in the morning and it’s too darn cold to hike.
We return to Highway 160 and turn northeastward.
The rock hills are dotted with pinyon pines.
With no place to pull off the road, I slow down and take these photos either through the windshield or through my open window.
We motor through Marsh Pass and come to Tsegi.
Tsegi consists of the Anasazi Inn and few structures set in front of dramatic rock formations.
The photo above doesn’t completely capture how grand these cliffs are! To give a sense of proportion, the green dots are trees taller than a person.
At Kayenta I shop at Basha’s.
If you travel around the West, after a while you can tell where you are simply by looking at the inventory at the grocery store. At Kayenta it’s blue corn in sacks on shelves and mutton in the meat case. The prices are very high, close to $30 for a pack of baby back beef ribs. No wonder people eat mutton!
Before leaving the parking lot I fill up two water jugs at a dispenser (25 cents a gallon).
Decision time!
Do I retrace our route of last spring and go through Monument Valley on Highway 163 going north? Or do I take a new route, Highway 160 east to Highway 191 north?
My driving pleasure this morning has been lessened by pressured drivers wanting to pass, one after another. It’s the week before Easter and people are on their way to Monument Valley and beyond. For this reason I choose the less-popular and new-to-us route and head east.
Yes, less traffic!
Eight miles past Kayenta the dramatic Church Rock appears. Unfortunately I don’t get a good photo due to clouds and the road side being in shadow. I’ll leave that for you to discover!
Next we come to the strange shapes of Baby Rocks Mesa.
Past the settlement of Dennehotso, I stop to take photos of free-range horses.
The sky is becoming increasingly overcast, thus the dark photos.
(I lightened the pics somewhat in photo editing which makes the sky color weird.)
I don’t know if these are wild horses or horses belonging to Native Americans (We’re still on the rez) that are set loose on the range to graze.
For those unfamiliar with the West, the fence you see in the photo above is not to fence in a pasture. (What a lot of fence it would take to do that!) I assume the fence is to keep animals off the highway. The horse above is between the fence and the highway, evidence that one needs to be alert anyway for animals on the road.
I’m glad I chose this route!
Next post: The crew and I enter Utah and camp at Sand Island Campground west of Bluff!
rvsue
I LOVE RVSUE SHOPPERS!
Thank you for using my links, ads, or search box to go to Amazon.
Now you are really entering the most beautiful locations in our great country, IMHO. Gorgeous picture as always!
Thanks, Phil. Great to hear from you1
Had I not stopped to click on the Amazon link just a minute sooner, I could have been first.
Hi, Ilse . . . Clicking on an Amazon link is a good thing!
Some very striking country.
It certainly is, Walt. My photos don’t begin to convey how dramatic the scenery is. . . now how large the cliffs, mesas, and canyons . . . *sigh*
What a great drive. I loved the picture with the single horse and the stunning cliff with layers of multi-colored rocks. New desktop 🙂
Hi, Susan. . . I took your idea and now that pic is my screensaver, too! Of course, I see that it would’ve been a better photo if the light had been right… brighter color of the rocks, better contrast. Even so, I like it!
Thanks, Sue, for the photos of that stunning country! I really cannot wait to finally have all my ducks in a row, hook up my trailer to my powerful truck and head out to all the amazing places in that part of the world. How wonderful that you have those beautiful vistas surrounding you during this holy week. Enjoy, Crew and Sue!
Hi, Diann,
While at Navajo National Monument and while driving through the mysterious-looking rocks and cliffs, several times I thought about the Navajos and Hopis . . . Their respect for their surroundings and how they consider places as sacred. The stillness arouses spiritual awareness.
What an exciting time it will be for you when you finally can roam at your whim! I’m happy to tease you with these stories and photos.
Beautiful, I love drives when the scenery is like that! Stay safe!
Hi, GypsyPurl. . . It was one of the best drives ever. And the crew slept the whole way! You stay safe, too.
Beautiful country! Thanks for the ratio in regards to the mountains.
Gotta look up mutton……
Ah the road less traveled…….no stress of the rat race!
Stay warm!
Mutton….now I know why I’ve never heard of mutton.
I’m not a fan of lamb…..I think it’s the smell of it…..mutton, for you folks that also are wondering….Older sheep..stronger flavor….tougher meat…that many find distasteful!
Yuck!
Mutton is the staple of many Navajo families and not considered “yuck” to them!
I think it’s necessary to be raised (reared) on mutton in order to appreciate it!
So it’s an acquired taste!
No disrespect intended.
I’ve eaten a lot of mutton in NZ, AUS and in the middle east. If prepared correctly it’s not too bad but not something I’d go out of my way to eat.
It’s so great how we can still nab a photo out the windshield since we don’t always have the option to pull over! I loved your visit to Utah last year….this will be a brand new route of discovery! HAPPY EASTER Sue!
Those windshield photos are nice but my stomach lurches everytime I see one, knowing how unsafe it is to take pictures while driving. Unsafe both for the driver and everyone else on the road.
Personally I’d rather not see the road pictures and know that you are driving safely.
We don’t need more distrcted drivers on the road.
Hi, Mary,
Since you don’t ride in the passenger seat of the PTV, you have made erroneous assumptions. If you were in the PTV with me you would see that I am not a distracted driver. I do not endanger myself or others when driving. This is evidenced by over 50 years driving in all sorts of horrible conditions and never once having or causing an accident.
This is how I take photos on the road . . . First I check to see that no one is behind me. Unlike what I imagine the roads are in MN, out west often you can see for miles that no one is behind you and there’s no ingress or egress.
Next I put on my flasher as I slow down. I do not stop in the road. The shutter speed is set fast to allow for a motion shot and the zoom is set to take in a large scene.
I DO NOT TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. I make quick glances in the side mirror to confirm that no one is approaching. I point the camera in front of me or to the side out the window and snap the photo WITHOUT looking through the camera.
When I have returned to regular speed, I turn off the flasher.
Later, when editing, I straighten the scene, crop out the junk like the window frame and to create good composition.
If you’ve ever reached over while driving, picked up a cup of coffee, and placed it to your lips, you’ve driven as distractedly as I am while taking photos.
I wish you’d asked first how I do this before you pounced. 🙁
RVSue, I am a single traveler, and often take pictures out the front or side windows. I use your exact approach, minus the flashers (but may adopt that). I, like you, would never put myself, my dogs, or other drivers at risk to take a picture. Taking the shot by just holding the camera in the general direction of the image is an acquired skill. But can be acquired safely. Our roads here in the west are certainly more suited to this practice than those in other parts of the US.
Eileen in Phoenix
Hi, Eileen,
It does take practice, and there are disappointments, like when the resulting photo is excellent except for an essential part cut off.
I do a lot of cropping. It’s fun. I often can salvage a lousy photo by searching for the great photo within it, cropping to focus on that area, sharpening the image, and so forth.
Had not thought of the flashers but now a new step for me. I take a lot out the window with a remote sometimes. I just get what the camera see and sometimes we see the same view. I was hoping you had gone to Monument Valley. It has been a few years for me and I long for the view. Chaco Canyon is my next place of solitude (too tough for the trailer.) Enjoy your journey
Being from out west, there are many “highways” you could stop in the middle of the road for a second or two and see no one for miles and miles and miles. When I would venture out into central and eastern OR you could stop your car in the middle of the hwy get out and of course see for miles and not see anyone. For those who’ve never ventured out that way, the best example I can give is if you see a sign that sez last stop for gas – they mean it…fill up even if you have 3/4 of a tank full. You could also take a look at one of the night satellite shots of the USA and see lots of “black holes” out west – no one there.
I enjoy your shots Sue and I’m sure your very safe while taking the photos but they do make me homesick for the wide open spaces of the west.
I can take pictures while driving by holding my camera or phone on top of the steering wheel. I can see the road and snap a picture. If it turns out – great. If not, better luck next time.
Of course, I would never do it in rush hour traffic or on a busy road.
Happy Easter to you, cozygirl! Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you following my blog? Well, I do!
Glad to hear you chose the unfamiliar rather than endure the trafficked road.That lets you focus on the wild and beautiful scenery instead,often the best option in life,isn’t it?
Gorgeous photos,thanks.I’m sure whatever food is available,you’ll enjoy it when you start with a big ol’ onion…
Haha! The power of onions!
The road less traveled was peaceful and just as scenic as the popular road through Monument Valley. If I’m blessed with many years on the road, I’ll probably alternate between the two routes as we make our annual trek northward.
If you do a cookbook, Big ‘Ol Onion has to be in the name LOL.
Hope you have a great day!
When we were teens, back in the dark ages, in our little Idaho town there was a drive-in called The Hungry Onion…yummy place!!
YaY! I made it to the top 15 LOL! If I hadn’t been out walkin’ the boyz I mighta been #1! hahaha! Such beautiful country that you are in! My heart hurts remembering the beauty of it! So different from Florida! But Florida has it’s special beauty also, I am happy to be here just knowing I have been there, where you are now! Enjoy every minute of it! It makes for beautiful and happy memories!
PS did you get your Navajp pizza ????
ahhhhhhhhhh Navajo pizza !!!! sheeeeesh!
I like that spelling. It’s like you’re talking with your mouth full. )
Not yet!
Hi, Geri… I know you love the West and especially the area we are in now. Wish you were here! I’m comforted by the fact you are in another lovely part of our country.
Great photos Sue and I look forward to many more of this wonderful country!
Hi, Glenda. . . Thank you. I look forward to taking more photos and posting them. I think you need to come over here!
Yes I certainly do………….a photographers heaven!!
After the ‘Long Walk’ Navajos were given a small herd of sheep and goats or you could get a horse in exchange for five sheep. I think the government did this because they took the hunting grounds from the natives. So, the Navajos settled in with raising sheep as well as raising crops. When I was little, we had lots of rain and hence lots of grass and water for our sheep, goats & horse to eat and drink. Now the whole AZ is in a deep drought and no water shed dams to be found full. Navajo now resort to hauling water from afar, like my sister does, for our livestock. Yes, since we have sheep we eat them LOL. In fact, in order for order for a young woman to compete in the Miss Navajo, she has to butcher a sheep as part of her cultural background 🙂 otherwise she fails. We make mutton stew, roast ribs, make sausages, and we don’t waste i.e. we use the non edible also i.e. sheep skin…so warm on our beds or as floor mats or seat covers and use the wool to weave blankets/rugs. Yes, mutton is to some an acquired taste like I had to acquire a taste of sauerkraut LOL
Thanks, Rita, for that insight!
Wonderful look into the Navajo culture! Thanks, Rita. And yes, it took me a long time to appreciate sauerkraut.
Speaking of sauerkraut…some German friends finally told us how they used it…they took out whatever portion they wanted, RINSED it in cold water, drained it and THEN ate it!! All my years growing up, Mom heated the can of sauerkraut in a pan along with hotdogs…and we ate it…rather SOUR indeed!!
This was very interesting information. I never knew all of that. Thanks. Personally I like lamb chops.
Very interesting, Rita – thank you so much for posting details (and please do so more often if you feel like it!). I am a relative “newbie” to traveling in the Four Corners area (and the rest of AZ, UT, and Mexico as well) and am really enjoying it just as “I see it out the window.” However, learning more details such as you posted makes it even better.
(My only previous knowledge was from reading Tony Hillerman years ago, but that was long before I ever set foot in the area.)
Oops, make that NEW Mexico.
We have a saying on New Mexico – “we are not really new and not really Mexico!
Karen… It’s not necessary to advertise your blog with a link. Your name links to your blog. Sue
I too have been known to take windshield photos. Have discovered some interesting results when I check them out later.
Hi,, Wickedlady,
It takes practice. I discovered it’s best not to have the zoom feature on in order to get as much as the scene as possible. More room for error, more photo to be cropped out. The quality isn’t always that great, but at least I have something to post!
You could mount a camera on Spike’s head and have it voice activated. When you want to take a picture of something while driving, just point at it and say “Squirrel!” and Spike will look that direction.
Hmm . . . interesting alternative. Two drawbacks… Spike is deaf as a doornail and he falls asleep as soon as we pull onto the road. 🙂
Minor issues (hee hee)
Sue and Crew,
I spent 5 days in Feb. this year at Sand Island, I was the only one there hope you experience the same, or close to it. Sand Island is a big put in site for rafters going down the San Juan, but its most impressive feature is ancient rock art all along the cliffs along the campground. Trying to figure out the meaning of it all is good thought.
You’re close to Gooseneck state park, check it out it’s free and amazing.
John
Hi, John,
Good description of Sand Island. As the weekend approaches, more campers come in. It’s almost full at this point. Our site is over by the petroglyphs under the cottonwood trees. We have one close neighbor on the back side. It doesn’t feel crowded.
The crew and I camped for several days at Gooseneck State Park last year. From there we toured Valley of the Gods. An incredible place, an experience I hope to never forget.
Love this area! What a wonderful place to be. Enjoy!
Love that last photo of the empty road. How inviting! I love southern Utah..so many diverse things to see. Can’t wait to go with you to explore them! 🙂
Hi, Dawn,
I look forward to going to places we’ve never been.
Utah surprised me last year. I had no idea of the diversity of the landscape… from aspens and wildflowers to red rock cliffs to pristine lakes to rolling range to mountain streams to sand-bottomed canyons with flowers of purple, pink, and white . . .
Perfect description of Utah. We lived near Salt Lake City and have camped/hike all over north and south. Can’t wait till the time we can full-time and have a slower pace for exploration
Karen… Please do not post a link to your blog in your comments. It’s time-consuming for me to remove them. Your name is sufficient link to your blog. Thank you. Sue
Sorry about that. I am use to having as tagline, but didn’t realize you had to remove. Won’t do it again. Happy Easter!
More wonderful, wishful thinking photos. I am so restless to get roaming. Even though I keep busy, it is not what I want to be doing at this point in my life. but you know my circumstance, so I am stuck for now. Thanks for keeping my spirits up.
Travel safe and have a Happy Easter.
Hi, Barbara,
As Spike would say, “Keep yer chin up, babe.” 🙂
Happy Easter to you, too!
Love the pictures of this area of Utah. When you were traveling thru Utah last year you really got me hooked. It is definitely on my bucket list.
Wishing you a Happy Easter
Hi, CheryLyn,
Some of those Utah camps last year were absolutely enchanting. I want to go back and yet I want to see what’s around the next curve in the road, beyond the mesa, over the bluff. . . 🙂
Happy Easter to you!
Well done…the road less traveled!
Hi, Dawn. . . . I love a “new” road . . .
Sue, I started driving that area 45 years ago, not much traffic then but beware of livestock, mornings and eves, (probably not much now days). I used to work on power system tied into Glen Canyon dam. So I went to Page and Flagstaff quite often as well as communications sites on the resevation and Mtn tops around there. Spent seveal weeks one year building Kayenta sub-station. There was not much there then, so we hauled a lot of “groceries in every week. For many years there was no cutoff road from Kayenta to Page so always had to go through Tuba City. I did work with some Navajo and was always amazed with there attitude.
Drove across there probably at least a hundred times over 10-12 years time frame, always beautiful any time of year and any weather.
The animals you see belong to the tribe, doubt there is any “wild domestic animals”. You may not see a house or hogan but they are out there, down those dirt roads you see.
Enjoy,,Rocky Mtn Bob
Hi, Bob,
With your history I bet you’ve seen landscapes I’m not able to imagine.
You mention Kayenta and how it used to be . . . Coincidentally I recently finished reading a Zane Grey book. The setting is around Kayenta. Grey described it, as only Grey can. He depicted Kayenta as a few small buildings with one resident, the man who sold supplies to Indians (in those days) and anyone passing through.
Few houses are seen from the road along this route. . . usually a grouping of two or three, family members I guess. One must be attuned to nature to live in such natural beauty and isolation from towns.
Thanks for writing, Bob. Enjoyed reading . . .
Hi Sue, just checking in. I see you’ve started your journey north. RVSue is on the move!
Enjoy Utah. Last year’s posts there were some of my favorites!
Hi, Alison,
It’s neat for me to read your comment on “last year’s post”…. that we have this shared memory. 🙂
Yes, the crew and I are on the move again, our third go-around.
I always thought southern Utah is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Love your photos. Just curious…how old is Spike? Or do you know? I had another day of unpacking. The piles of stuff are dwindling. Grilled a steak and had steak tacos for dinner with Hatch chile!
Hi, Ginger . . . I don’t know Spike’s age. I picked him up at animal control. He’d been found. They had no knowledge of past owners or his history.
I’ve realized this year that I’ve underestimated his age. He may be 15 or so. As always, Spike is an enigma. 🙂
Spikes being such a good traveler is because you are his home.
“Left” in the woods a few miles from here(central NY) my found
dog is part of this “land of broken toys”that are home to each other-2 canine,a cat,a human,a canary and a finch.Though the numbers and species sometimes change none of the love leaves.
Life expectancies in these situations always greatly surpass the odds,that 15 or so will be early 20’s or so and he’ll still be getting you up to see the wonders of a night sky
BTW there is a lot of contamination on the Navajo Rez. Residue from government ordered sheep dip, uranium, etc. have contaminated underground water, humans, and livestock. When the government found out, they stopped dipping sheep but some countries continued i.e. New Zealand, New England and other countries who raised sheep. As a preteen, I remember watching the annual sheep dip when thousands of sheep and goats were dipped (like dogs get a tick bath/dip). Now I see a lot of Navajo with cancer and other side effects from these poisonous chemicals. We haul treated city water from Gallup or Holbrook for our livestock but use bottled water for cooking. I don’t trust tap water when traveling in west. Montana, S. Dakota also have a lot of water contamination from oil wells.
How horrible! It’s such a travesty what has been done to our environment, the people and animals. The chemicals we pour into our water supply! Most of us are guilty to some extent, including me.
It must be quite a chore to haul water for livestock. Thanks again for further insight into the lives of the Navajo.
Sue, I used to get notices when you posted a new blog but it has been about two weeks since I got a notice. I just have to visit your site to see if there is a new post. Did that stop or did I get signed out from something or did I do something to undo it?
Hi, lindale . . . It wasn’t caused by you. A few other readers have told me the same thing. I don’t know why you aren’t getting email notices.
Please sign up again using the box in the sidebar and let me know if that doesn’t correct the problem. Thank you.
Beautiful pictures, interesting dialogue. Thanks! Many moons ago I used to make a nice lamb roast (not mutton, I imagine) I wonder why I stopped? Maybe lamb was not in the stores I frequented. From the swamps in North Carolina at this moment in time.
Hi, Bill and Ann. . . I can imagine you canoeing through the cypress swamps with Samantha and Julie taking in the sights along with you.
I’m always happy to see you here, to know that you keep up with my blog no matter where you roam.
Having English relatives from the Old Country, I know that you do not ROAST mutton. It must be BOILED WITHIN AN INCH OF ITS LIFE!! Add root vegetables for flavor. (Ha-ha!) Despite, or maybe because of, a bad cuisine, the English built an empire. (Maybe they got the energy to build the Empire from anger about such bad food!)
That and dank castles . . .
Speaking of Brits, do you ever watch PBS online (Doc Martin, Bletchley Circle, Rosemary & Thyme, Foyle’s War, etc.) Or does it cost too much online time to watch TV online?
You mentioned XM radio, and I thought it was a luxury til I tried to listen to FM radio. Yikes! Terrible, PURPOSELY irritating commercials! How many times can you hear 1-800-888-8888? Answer: Three times in 30 seconds!
Hi, Gayle,
Streaming TV and videos uses a lot of data which puts me over my 6Gs-a-month contract in a hurry, and I get slapped with extra charges.
I’ve enjoyed British TV in the past… I don’t miss TV of any sort, especially now that I have XM radio.
(There are no stupid questions, only stupid people? Oh, maybe I got that wrong. ) Anyhoo, doesn’t XM radio use an internet signal, and how much does it cost? Operators standing by!!!! Oops, been brainwashed. Thx!
Hi Sue,
Utah is so beautiful! It is amazing how the landscape changes so dramatically within a relatively short distance. Your photos take me back! A couple years ago I made a trip to Vegas, AZ & UT. I was on the Strip just for couple days before heading out to the Hoover Dam, Zion NP, and the remote North Rim of Grand Canyon NP. I remember I kept saying, “Absolutely Beautiful! Spectacular! Amazing! Awesome!” The beauty of the SW is something to behold! Logged in just under 1,000 miles on the rental car 7 days. Thank you for refreshing my memory!
I also take photos while driving, and follow a similar game plan as you do. If there is someone behind me or any other reason that would make it an unsafe practice, I just don’t do it! Sometimes taking photos while at the wheel is the only way to capture the shot to help preserve that memory. Makes for some interesting pics at times, doesn’t it?!
Sue, I especially love the last shot of the open road ahead of you. A new camp and memories await you (and us!).
Wishing you, Spike and Bridget, and your readers a Happy Easter! May blessings be bestowed upon everyone: A nice, peaceful campsite, a quick home sale, a speedy knee surgery recovery, and health, happiness and contentment for all!
Denise
Hi, Denise . . . Quite a road trip! The way you described it, exclaiming as you went along, that’s the way Utah is. You drive over a ridge or round a bend and the words tumble out from astonishment. That’s how this drive was. One big oh-my-gosh!
Happy Easter to you, too. 🙂
Hi Sue…I had a happy smile on my face the whole awesome trip!!
Question: Which came first….your decision on the trailer make/model or on the tow vehicle make/model? My TT and TV are so far off into the future, that things are bound to change by then. Maybe more fuel efficient TV? One can dream! Denise
I chose a Casita Liberty Deluxe long before I determined what I wanted for a tow vehicle.
I put a deposit on the BLT in November 2010. I bought the PTV the following spring, shortly after realizing a van would make a great choice for a tow vehicle.
My rig gets around 12-15 mpg in mixed conditions. I don’t need better gas mileage than that because I live almost all year without paying rent.
Thanks for the info, Sue. Denise
Denise…so nice of you to include me in your blessing! And Happy Easter to you.
Thank you, DesertGinger.
Have a great day!
I really like those road pics…..I imagine travelling them myself in a couple of years.
Went to the casino early this a.m. for the free breakfast..ha ha ha :-)..on the way home,
I saw a Casita about the same size as yours in a driveway. …first time I have see one in this area. We pick up our small Taylor Coach this coming Wed. 🙂
Hi, Val,
You get your play house on Wednesday! How exciting and fun!
Great post, as usual. We are going to be at Sand Island in about three weeks. Reading the BLM website, it say drinking water available, but with no details. Are there spigots which can be used to fill your water tank, or only the ones for filling jugs and bottles? Looking forward to your new post from that area.
Hi, JerryC,
I’ve driven by the spigot located near the payment kiosk and I’m sorry I didn’t notice whether it is a threaded spigot or not. Tomorrow when I go out, I’ll take a look and let you know.
If I don’t mention it, someone else will… a water buddy. They help you take water from an unthreaded spigot. I bought one and the pressure blew it the first time I tried to use it.
I enjoyed reading Rita from Phoenix’ first post about her girlhood with the sheep and it made me smile to read that young girls are expected to know how to butcher one. I was so pleased with myself when a friend who had 4-H experience showed me how to cut up a chicken properly! Big difference!
I love lamb and while my family toured Ireland a few years ago, my Mom, brother and I ate lamb almost every meal. We find it delicious. But when I was newly married and I prepared a roast leg of lamb, my husband took one bite and spat it out on his plate, thinking it was spoiled. I was beyond furious. We gave the entire roast to the 4-H friend who appreciated it. Since then I eat lamb out…often. I do think, Rita, that your comparison with acquiring a taste for sourkraut is quite apt. I love it too and will eat it as a side dish with almost anything. But it isn’t everyone’s favorite food.
The saying that “hunger is the best sauce” is fitting. My husband lived a very sadly limited childhood in the midwest and during our marriage I have introduced him to many of the finer things. He is learning slowly. In another 100 years he’ll be perfect!
Hi, Pat,
I enjoyed reading your comment very much. Your husband’s slow but steady progress gave me a chuckle. I can understand you being furious at his reaction to your roast lamb!
On your way to Maob, look for a sign pointing to Needles Point Overlook. You won’t regret it.
Hi, John,
I saw Needles on my Benchmark and have been considering it. I’ll put it on my list!
Here’s a spoiler:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KFMdC5c_owA/U1G-GSpffjI/AAAAAAAAL7s/QZXiSB6aNiY/s800/image.jpg
Noooo! Everybody has to wait until I post my Needles photos!!! 😉
No worries, there will be many opportunities for you there. I could have spent the entire day in that one spot. We will be going back there to camp.
I was wondering about your Wave heater..I just looked one up on Amazon, and viewed the video. Where do you have yours located? The floor area is so limited in my Casita and since you already have one..what was involved in deciding where to put it? It seems that you can have them wall mounted or free standing, which did you opt for?
I love to camp in the winter, our coast has some lovely places that are within a couple of hours and many don’t have hookups other than water, so I haven’t gone there with the Casita. I love to visit the ocean in the winter! We actually have nicer weather on the coast, little fog and not so much wind, unless a storm is involved. As long as I go when the weather is nice..it really is! In the summer it is often windy, not so much in the winter!
Hi, Lee J.,
I have my Wave 3 mounted on the fiberglass channel in the middle of the BLT (Liberty Model) next to the refrigerator. Even though I don’t make up a regular or queen-sized bed, I placed the heater so I could if I wanted to. Since heat rises, close to the floor works well, plus the crew can lie down in front of it.
I’d put a link showing it being installed but my connection is too slow. Go to rvsueandcrew. com (notice it ends with com) and search for “propane heater.”
REMINDER TO ALL READERS…. Please state your location. My blog is read by people scattered all over North America and Australia. I want your comments to be understood and enjoyed by everyone. Thank you!
Lee… We’ll assume Pacific Coast… CA, OR, WA, BC, AK?
I live about 50 miles due east of San Francisco…so central California, about 20 miles from where I was born!
Thanks, Lee!
Evening there Miss Sue!
I just wanted to send you a quick hello, and a Happy Easter greeting from Hoquiam!
Hugs!
Barb
Hugs to you, too, Barb. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Hi Sue, you being a dog lover I though I would share my loss with you. Last Sunday I had to put my little Darcy down because of kidney failure, she was 16. It had to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. She traveled with me many a mile resting on my arm and barking at everything we saw together on the road. Everyone needs to give that special fur baby an extra pat on the head or hug, because you never know how long they will share your life and travels…be safe..
So very sorry Ron, I have lost a good dog and feel your sorrow. I just gave Arlo and Zoe a hug…Poor little Darcy
Ron, I am so sorry for your loss.
You’ve a good heart to have given Darcy so much pleasure and love,may your sorrow be lightened
Oh Ron our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The passing of one’s devoted companion is truly the hardest on one’s heart. Lil Darcy will be with you in spirit and memories and is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. Don’t hurry…….she knows you won’t forget her. Until you meet again!
Dear Ron . . . I am so sorry. No matter how well we prepare ourselves for the inevitable, the pain cuts deep. The memories that overwhelm you now with sorrow will someday bring a smile for having had such a friend as Darcy. God bless you.
Ron,
Don’t know if you will see this (since I’m a day late), but please know I’m thinking of you and Darcy. I lost my best bud at 16 too, so I know how empty and lonely it seems (especially at first). Just overwhelmingly sad. It sounds like Darcy had a great life with you – a lucky dog – so I hope that is some comfort. I’m glad you came here to talk to Sue (and us) in the comments.
Hi Sue ~
Lovin’ your posts. We stayed at Sand Island BLM campground last fall. We had the best site in the campground backing right up to the San Juan River. We had a wonderful time there. Enjoy!
Paula
Are you coming to the gorgeous NW again?? We had sun today, but around us not so much…Mukilteo is a place the sun shines more for some reason. Noticed the mts in the distance all got new snow today too!!
And yes, I am in Washington state….
Elizabeth. . . You tempt me so! I don’t know where we will end up this summer.
Wishing you lots of sunshine . . .
Hi, Paula,
The crew and I had that site last spring, too. Since that time the fence has been removed, and all the trees and vegetation bull-dozed away. Large boulders cover the river bank and outline the campsite. The view is as lovely as ever, but the campsite is bare. That’s why I chose to camp over by the petroglyphs and cottonwoods.
It’s still a special place to camp!
Hey Sue,I have been meaning to ask you if you have ever tried the Pinion nuts off the trees?.
We passed a fellow selling them last week in New Mexico on our way to Az.Lisa has never had them,so we’ll get some this next week when we go back down there.Certainly are hard to get into them,but very tasty.Hopefully they will still be selling them.A seasonal thing tho.
We stopped by a friends place near Williams,Az about the time you went thru the area,lol.
Great photos as always and a beautiful area as well.
Have a great Easter Sue.
Hi, Trip and Lisa,
No I’ve never tried them. Rita says they are harvested every four years so it’s now or wait!
Thanks for the compliment on the photos. Have a wonderful Easter!
“The pinyon pine nut (seed) species will take 18 months to complete its maturity; however, to reach full maturity, the environmental conditions must be favorable for the tree and its cone.”
Those environmental conditions are not always favorable so there are some very poor ‘crop’ years but they can be harvested every year.
The pine nuts mature in different areas every four years. Rain or shine, if you pick pine nuts, you know which area will have pine nuts this year. Wikipedia makes it sound like they mature each year depending on weather i.e. rain, etc. I learned this from picking pine nuts with my parents while growing up. Grandma and mom always knew where we should go to camp and pick nuts ahead of time.
Rita,I just love the stories and facts you share about your heritage.As I learn from you,I recall Maman showing me the best blueberry bushes in the woods,I returned here(central NY)many years later,and found them again!