Sunday night . . .
It’s still raining, on and off, and it’s very cold. I’m watching television with the crew. The solar panel provided us enough power all day. It’s about eight o’clock and getting really chilly inside, too, so I turn on the catalytic heater.
Spike immediately lies down in front of it.
Around ten-thirty I turn the heater off. Television is terrible (what a surprise!), so I turn that off, too. I don’t like to stay up really late. I seem to function better with an early-to-bed, early-to–rise routine. Plus everybody’s happier if we’re all on the same schedule.
One of the things I love most about boondocking is the quiet.
Tonight the only sound is the wind in the palo verde in our camp and the light patter of raindrops on the roof.
Monday morning . . .
Sniff-sniff ... "Those devils on hooves were back!"
Around four o’clock I get up and turn on the heater again. This guarantees all three of us will sleep well until it’s time to get up.
The crew and I awake to sunshine! The first thing we notice upon opening the door is the condition of the ground. It looks like an empty stockyard!
Apparently the cattle paid us a visit while we were sleeping.
After coffee and breakfast, we walk up the lane toward the main road. Bridget and Spike are happy to be out and about again.
The sky may be cloudy, but at least there's some blue!
We examine the wide wash that goes across the road. The tracks of the pickup that went through here late yesterday reveal its condition.
The light pickup skimmed right over with no problem.
Later we discover a mess.
"I only make little paw prints when I walk."
Someone drove out over the soft, wet ground and drove in circles, obviously in an effort to kick up as much mud as possible. Deep ruts scar the previously unmarked earth in a circle with a diameter of about 60 feet.
This begs these questions: What the heck is wrong with some people? Are there not enough entertainments available? Are there not places set aside for this “sport?” They have to purposely make a mess in a fresh spot? What do they think? Oh, I guess I’ll drive out to the desert, find a pristine location, and tear it up. What fun! Look at the mud fly! Aren’t I sumpthin!
I realize my desert usage adds wear and tear, too.
That’s why I and most people with a brain follow the rule to keep our vehicles on previously used ground. After all, we need to leave some nice spots for the fools to play in and wreck! Okay. I’m done. Enough griping.
Monday afternoon . . .
It’s warm enough to sit outside next to the charcoal grill watching it cook chicken for us. Bridget and Spike love to see me fire up the grill. How they enjoy every bite I hand them! I’m generous with the chicken. Around the grill we’re equal carnivores. Gee, it’s good to be able to sit outside again!
The lines across the mountain are the roads to and from Yarnell.
The mountains provide entertainment. They’re a montage of snow, clouds, light and shadow.
I’m experimenting with a new page on this blog.
Look at the header and you’ll see Readers’ RVing Resources. Many of you have shared some great items that have worked for you. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve tried to find some information or link that a reader has written about in comments. As I type these words, rvsue and her canine crew has 217 posts and 6,457 comments! It’s getting tough to find specific comments.
Thinking readers might benefit (as well as me), I’m trying this page. Maybe the next time you want to tell us where to find something, you’ll refer us to your product review on that page. If it doesn’t draw many comments, I’ll remove it.
Spike gives the yard a serious inspection.
rvsue
I didn’t order the forced air furnace for my Casita. I didn’t want to haul it around and have it take up valuable storage space. I prefer the heat of the catalytic heater. It’s an Olympian Wave3. You can see a photo and all the details on Amazon.com.
Cons? You don’t just flip a switch, you use a prieta igniter which isn’t hard to do, but it takes longer and you can’t do that half-asleep. Also you have to be careful about ventilation with propane.
Pros? This is a big pro . . .It’s quiet! I’ve heard from Casita owners who have the furnace that they hate it because it keeps waking them up. I also like the heat it gives off. It doesn’t take up cabinet space. It runs on propane so it’s great for boondocking. It’s cheap heat.
Dan, most people that boondock do not use a furnace for the fact it will eat up a set of batteries overnight. And of course they are only 60% efficient….what will eat a bunch of propane on a cold night. Sue has the Wave 3, I have a Mr Buddy. Both very good choices for battery free use and are 100% efficient.
Sue, that’s a great idea, the Resources page. My husband and I have a few years yet before retiring, so when reading the blogs, I try to note all the important facts in a note book, but, (it’s always the “but”), I get so into them I sometimes forget where I read what.
Hi, Barbara!
I know what you mean about lost info. I hope the page works. We’ll see. I know I’m asking a lot from busy people, but if someone’s going to write the info anyway, they might as well put it somewhere where we can find it in the future.
Yep. Know what you mean about how some people enjoy messing up a pristine spot. I’ve seen this a lot of times when I’m out in the desert near Tucson!
Emjay
Hi, Emjay . . . It’s so unnecesaary. I hate it. People are way worse than animals. Animals have good reasons for disturbing the ground, like making a home or looking for food.
An amazing thing about our deserts is that they tend to heal rather quickly. I don’t condone such actions as tearing up the desert for fun, but it will heal.
You’re right, BB. I feel better now.
Glad it’s warmer down there for you. Got another 4″ since yesterday. Great shot of the Yarnell Hill showing up against the snow covered Weavers.
Hi, Gaelyn!
So you got 8″ altogether. I thought you might like that photo!
Here’s a website geared toward equipment for Casita boondocking:
http://casitaadventures.smugmug.com/Casita-Adventures/Casita-Configuration/17734997_xPc5n8#!p=1&n=10
Bob
Thanks for posting this link, Bob. I never tire of photos of Casitas. I’d love to have the battery compartment of my Casita modified like he did his. It’s so difficult to pull out the battery.
I haven’t looked at all of the site. I put it on my favorites list so I can eventually view all of it. It’s a goldmine of information and inspiration.
Great idea the “resources”. I can always learn something new. And – one of my big gripes is how shameful it is to see nature defaced. I’m thinking of the `4 wheelers who tear up pristine Ozark streams gouging out the gravel, making ruts not to mention the aroma of exhaust fumes. It takes years for nature to recover from their few minutes of mindless ‘fun, There! I said it!!
I’m happy to give you an outlet for your disgust with people who deface the beauty of our natural places. Here’s another aspect . . . noise pollution!
I was also reading about Valley Fever which is endemic in southern Arizona. Several times people passed me and the crew as we were walking along Darby Well Road and they were speeding, kicking up dust all over us and rvs parked along the road. (Valley Fever is a fungus spread via dust. People and dogs are susceptible. Imagine having the flu for 6 months.) Oh well, whatchagonnado . . .
Love your late night bovine visitors. Your jerk 4 wheeler visitors not so much.
I’ll be thinking of my favorite “resources” and get them on the page. Good idea. I’ll be checking it often just like I do your blog! I think the Casita link Bob posted should probably be there. It is surely a “resource”.
Sherry
http://www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
I’m debating whether to put the casitaadventures link on that page because it’s a blog/website. If I do, then I should put all my readers’ websites there .. . Gotta think about this. It is a wonderful resource. The guy has great photos in wonderful locations and oodles of ideas/mods for rvs.
Hi Sue. Enjoyed your blog as usual and the pictures came out really good also. Pet the pups . Enjoy the adventure…Joe
Thanks, Joe, for letting me know you’re still here and enjoying the blog/photos.
Hi Sue- As I write, I’m listening to the heater/fan in our Tahoe TT because it’s 36 degees and falling! K called her mother in ABQ and she has been without power for 18 hours because of the wind. Of course, her heating system requires ELECTRICITY!
There is much to be thankful for a heat source that is independent of power!
The generator we purchased at HF was actually $90 plus tax. It’s a 2 cycle engine which requires oil in the gas. It’s rated at 800 watts continuous power. Weights 40 lbs. Our Honda 4 cycle generator disappeared on a camp trip several years ago. I hope whoever has it used it inside of their dwelling or something like that….not really! ( Chuck has a story about generators that disappear!)
K is so exited about flying to Phoenix for the wedding in Sedona!. I warned her about airport security but she’s unshakened! She’s willing to go through the screening wearing nothing but a smile!!!! I asked her to go to Walmart to provision me and the dogs while she’s gone. She came back with dog food and treats…I guess I now know where I stand in the food chain! LOL (I finally figured out what that means). Happy trails to you, until we meet again….you know the song by Roy! CHEERS- BR, K and kids.
Kathy is going to be so close yet so far. I’m so happy she is making the trip to the wedding. After her health challenges, she deserves some fun. What an ordeal for her mother, losing power and heat in the awful weather in NM.
About the provisions, Bill . . . Go to Wal-Mart and stock up . . .pretend you’re boondocking in the middle of acres and acres of unpopulated desert. If I can do it, so can you! Ha!
Sue:
On your last picture of Spike in the yard, looks like he is slimming down a bit (or it could be the camera angle). :-)) Are those daily walks helping to make Spike and Bridget more svelte?
Spike maintains a constant weight. I don’t know how he does it! He may look slimmer in that photo because his suit is looser. The photo was taken after a long hike and running around with Bridget . . . makes the suit stretch a little.
Bridget on the other hand has the typical female problem of gaining weight with every extra bite. Me, too!
Hi Sue, Well you have had quite an adventure. I am happy the rain has stop. I heard on the weather report Arizona was getting alot of snow and I thought of you. Hope it drys out soon and your able to move out of the area ok. How is your food and gas holding out? I think when I rv I will not go where the cold and snow is. lol. I am too use to Florida. I will save those places for the summer travel and fall. You and the dogs are probably fast asleep right now. I have been getting in the habit of staying up very late and sleep in mornings. I work online for hours with my online stores and it keeps me happy and busy. Hope you have a great day tomorrow and the sun is out and its warm. Sharon
“…. it keeps me happy and busy.” That’s what we all need to find!
It’s a sunny day and the desert is drying out slowly. I’m doing fine for food supply. The fresh vegetables and cereal are gone, and the loaf of bread is almost finished. I always keep plenty of crackers in stock. They substitute for bread . . . instead of a cheese sandwich or a pb&j, I use crackers for the bread. I still have fresh milk for my coffee. If that runs out,, I have a back-up plan… Cremora. I am well stocked with beans, soup, rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, etc. The OJ ran out yesterday. One apple left! Chicken breasts in the freezer . . .
I’m guessing the propane will run out at about the time I can go get more!
So you see, I’m living well as I wait for the road to dry.
You have a great day, too, Sharon.
Weird weather all over! Bayfield Bunch has snow and mud, you have mud and cows! LOL!
Bayfield Bunch has snow and mud and javelina, we have mud and cows! I’d say LOL but javelina are no laughing matter when they’re on your property.
those trax, same kinda moron that cuts cookies in a freshly planted field, and busts every mailbox on the road.
save a bite of BBQ for Bayfields Mouse, She is under the weather right now
keep your news coming