Wednesday, January 16
Bridget wakes me up around six o’clock because she needs to go out. I’m glad because I want us to get an early start to Ajo, Arizona. By 7:45 the crew and I are on Interstate 8 going east toward Tucson. It’s a bright, clear, calm day with blue sky. “We’re on our way!” I feel free, like a horse let out of the barn in spring!
I pull off at Wellton, about thirty miles east of Yuma.
I park in a big lot that has a water vending station, an Olsen’s grocery store, and a Chevron station. Great! The first thing I do is walk Bridget and Spike all around the edge of the lot and across an unpaved area. They didn’t get to walk before we left Yuma this morning. A little exercise will make them happy to sleep as we go down the road.
That done, I make a quick trip into the grocery store.
I want to take advantage of a store that’s nearly empty this early in the day in order to avoid the flu virus. Next I fill up five jugs with drinking water . . . 5 gallons for fifty cents. I pump $74.40 worth of gas at $3.34 a gallon. On the pump it says the gas is oxygenated for emissions. Huh? What’s that all about? Carbonated gas?
It’s an easy, straight shot across the desert to Gila Bend.
I look for the Shell Station where I took advantage of a free dump station when I left Ajo last winter. By the time I realize it’s not there, I’ve passed the Love’s truck plaza that probably has a free dump station. My focus is on a mission to get to our next camp. I can’t turn around and go back! Now we’re on Highway 85 and the PTV keeps on keepin’ southward. It won’t be long now!
I see rooftops on the Ajo mountain glinting in the sun.
There’s the big A on the mountainside! And over there is Black Mountain! We’re back! The sign for Belly Acres RV Park comes into view. I dump tanks and fill up the fresh water tank for $10, paying the price for my earlier impatience.
Driving up Darby Well Road, I wonder if Rick is at his usual campsite.
It would be fun to see him again. The crew is awake and excited. I park at the end of the lane. Bridget and Spike yap and bounce around inside the PTV until I let them fly out. Our anticipation grows as we retrace steps from a year ago.
“Do you remember this place, guys? We walked this lane many times.”
Spike picks up the pace. Bridget and I hurry to keep up with him. We reach our old campsite from last year. Coming around a bend I scan the green desert for that telltale white speck. There it is! Rick’s Scamp!
I hope he’s home! I keep my eyes on Rick’s campsite as the crew and I walk further.
Soon I see him, sitting on the front bumper of his Jeep. Then a big wave. I wave back. Lady sprints down the lane. I let go of the leashes and Bridget and Spike run up to greet their pal. Rick meets me halfway with a big smile and a hug.
Gee, it’s good to be back.
rvsue
Glad all went well with your move. Looks like some happy campers.
We just arrived in Tucson today after spending two night off American Girl Mine Rd. Sorry we missed you but we did get to catch up with Nina amd Paul yestetday. Thanks again for directions!
You’re welcome!
It is great to meet old friends two legged or four legged 🙂
You seem to know of a lot of good boon-docking spots do keep a list?
The only list I have is this blog. My blog is my list!
Oh my gosh that was a good trip……………….the anticipation was exciting. Couldn’t wait to get there…like I was sitting in the passenger seat with you! Isn’t that silly?.
Home sweet home! It’s a good thing you let go of the leash or Spike would have dragged you to see Rick. Of course the crew knew where they were! Actually it appears that Bridget was ahead of Spike and met Lady first! Her leg seems to be doing really good!
Hurry and set up camp so you can enjoy and relax.
I am so jealous…blue skies, sunshine, birds tweeting and Saguaro cactus. Hmm…perhaps we should become snowbirds.
Okay, I need to come clean. Those photos are re-enactments. Yep, fake. Jeesh, you just can’t tell what’s real anymore, can ya’! Even RVSue and the canine crew messes with reality . . . What a let-down!
Well, the last thing I was thinking about when we first walked up to Rick’s place was to take pictures!
Um, you’re just NOW realizing you should get out of NY in the winter? 🙂
You didn’t need to fess up…
Absolutely the excitement of seeing the white speck…hoping he’s home, seeing him and then greeting him……………certainly pics can wait.
Seriously…it’s all fun and games until you LIVE in it. Remember we moved here from Caleefornia……people here look at us like we’re crazy. I love the area..in the woods on a lake…..no people…no neighbors (do her parents count?) …but I could move tomorrow. We’ve talked about it… good thing is ……we’re not stuck here.
In truth, I love the area, too. . . except winter. My memories of exploring the fields, woods and streams while a child are golden. The apple blossoms in spring, swimming in the river in summer, playing in piles of leaves in fall… priceless!
Awesome…feels like coming home sweet home. I wanted to know every detail including what you had for dinner…last year you had red potatoes with peas and some sort of sweet sauce. Hummers will be arriving soon. Loved the way Rick talked to make you laugh even hours later! Bridget and Spike are probably excited to be back to visit Lady. Enjoy the warm weather.
Funny you should mention dinner… Tomorrow’s post will have some food photos.
I’m looking forward to swapping stories with Rick. He always gets me laughing . . .
There is another RV Park in Ajo, Ajo Heights RV Park, just south of Belly Acres and almost directly across the street from Olsens Market. I stayed there last year and found it to be very nice with good owners.
I appreciate you mentioning another choice. That park certainly is convenient.
Wow! It feels like you are back home from my end, too! I was so excited to hear about Rick and Lady! What fun! I can’t believe how involved I am in your blog! 🙂
Ha! You made me chuckle with your last line. We language arts teachers call that “engaging the reader.” Sounds like you’re engaged! I’ll take that as a compliment.
Hi Sue, One year and you have come full circle, I have had a blast riding with you and the guy’s
You took me to many places I had been, and that brought back lot’s of memories, and than I made new one’s as you took me to places I have never seen, As I told you once before you also passed
Tioga George, to become my first read blog each day,,, that may not seem like much to some but you know his following… again Sue It’s been a blast,, Thanks,, I can’t wait to see were we go this year.. Safe travels
Uplifting comment! Your enthusiam for the travels of RVSue and her canine crew has me excited about where this new year will take us. I wonder what memories we will have when we return to Ajo after another year on the road. This life is a blast! I’m glad you’re having fun riding along with us, John.
What a nice reunion!
A sweet homecoming . . .
No matter how much I roam around there’s places I feel at home when I return.
Some places are “look back” places. When we leave some campsites, even though we enjoyed our stay, we leave without looking back. Other places there’s that moment of hesitation, sort of a “goodbye old friend.”
The sceanery is beautiful. Probably enough vegatation to keep the dust down quite a bit. It looks like a backpackers paradise. The heart remembers places like this and gives us that down home feeling. I’m happy as a clam for you and the crew. Today finally the Sun came out and again proved that Annie was right tee hee hee. Wikieup AZ lives again.
Yes, the heart remembers. And you’re right, not much dust here, no sand dunes. I get the feeling that your heart will remember Wikieup.
Be sure to say Hello to Rick for us & Pheebs says Hello to Lady. They sure played well together. Aw yes, lots of good old Darby Well memories for us here at the Bunch. A special place in our hearts for sure…………….
I delivered your hello to Rick and Lady minutes after arriving. Lady’s a bit heavier and has a limp from chasing a coyote (nothing serious), and Rick, well, he’s just as you remember. The desert seems greener . . .
There’s something Wonderful about moving on….and returning to special places:-). Maureen
I wonder about next summer… where to strike out for new places, how many camps to revisit.
you are a couple weeks ahead of us, we are on Ogilbe Rd. now thinking of going to Ajo next, or not, you know how it is.
I’m sure you enjoy having Paul and Nina nearby.
Glad to see your back home Sue n’ th’ kids look happy too! ,,,,,,, well th’ ol’ gal is alive n’ she’s a runnin’ great with 2 new valves trains,(rebuilt heads), she want’s ta go now, but you know me, i aint into speed…maybe she’ll last another 37 years,,i’d be 100 then,,,,,Timber sess righhhht, dad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. must be gettin warm there, it got ta 70 here today on th’ river,,,,,,,Timber n’ Rusty
Last night I was thinking, “I wonder how Rusty’s truck is doing.” Great to hear the ol’ gal is rarin’ to go! It’s low 70s here, too.. .
I find it interesting how you accomplish day-to-day chores in a small camper. One thing I don’t have a grasp on, is how long those tasks take now that you have become an expert in Casita based living. It can’t take too long if you wake at 6 and are on your way by 7:30. Or did you do some preparation work the evening before?
Have you established a set routine for closing things up before a move or setting up at a new site? How much time (on average,) does it take for arrival and departure tasks? I understand the desire to travel to new locations, but is it ever a tedious chore or is it always like this move, (a satisfying accomplishment?)
Great questions! Between 6 and 7:30 the crew had their bathroom break, we all had breakfast, and I broke camp, start to finish. The only prep I did was brew my coffee the night before. I did not put the mat back down the day we went to the dump station, so not having that task cut the time a little bit.
I guess I have a routine, although I don’t always do things in the same order. Now that I have experience breaking camp, I do tasks without thinking which makes them seem to go faster. I don’t mind it at all because I’m charged up about going!
Setting up camp is a whole lot of fun to me. It’s like playing with a Barbie Dream House(which I wanted so badly and didn’t get until I was 62 🙂 ), deciding how to arrange the “house” on the campsite, etc.
Here’s a tip for breaking camp: First off, get some dishpans. There are many uses for them around the campsite. Let’s say the BLT is messy, stuff not put away, dirty dishes, odds and ends loose. I put it all in a dishpan(s), set the dishpan(s) on the floor, and I don’t have to spend a lot of time fussing around before leaving. Do the dishes, put things away, etc. at the next camp! It’s especially good when the decision to move is made quickly.
I like the way you put it ” a satisfying accomplishment.” Neither leaving or setting up has become a tedious chore yet!
It is always nice to go back to a familiar spot and even better when you see the same friends there. Have fun at Darby Wells.
Thanks, Jim. You have fun, too. I look forward to the day when we meet again, like the day seeing Rick again.
Glad you are back to a comfortable place. By the way, the best way to avoid the flu is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after being with other people. You probably already know this, but I thought I would pass it along.
I appreciate the reminder, Roger. I hope you and Dianne are well.
I felt your joy in coming home. What a gorgeous spot with the hills in the background and the sagoroes all over. Be happy little travelers–you’re home.
Hi, Pat!
I’m having a grand ol’ time getting acquainted with our new camp in our desert home. The crew is happy, too. I know they remember being here before, and they are enjoying canine friends here.
I hope you have a great day!
Hello Sue! Frozen dreams from EB LAKE! I like your rendition of ‘home again’! How many homes do you have? I love the memories of meeting you for the first time…actually your dogs first when they wandered into our camp and you fetched them.
I officially became a ‘senior citizen’ on the 17th, so I’m looking forward to SS end of Feb! What will I do with all that CASH?!
Just checking in (haha). My Mom is now in a retirement home in Albuquerque NM and when Bill returns. we have to break down her house and store everything. Tough task but half to ‘belly up to the bar’!
looking forward to a major trip, sort of a ‘get out of NM’ trip…maybe over your way. Will stay in touch. LUV U. Kathy with a K
Hi, can you help me? You used to have a page of interesting camping items (really handy things). I can’t find it now, did you take it down?
Otherwise, glad all is going well for you. I love it when Bridge and Spike get to share their thoughts.
That was the Readers RVing Resources page. I took it down when Amazon accepted my blog into it’s advertising program. I’m in limbo about the advertising. The page had links that would’ve been contrary to Amazon links. Is there a particular item you’re interested in?
Ahhh, yes, I was interested in the hose attachment. Going to see an aliner classic trailer next weekend, and may put my foot down with husband about buying it. 🙂
Also, are you ever coming east? We’re in Virginia and would love to see where you go on this side of the country.