Sunday, July 27 (continued)
In the last episode . . . . The crew and I break camp this morning and make our way northward along the west side of Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Green River, Wyoming, continuing to Rock Springs, then crossing the Little Colorado Desert/Great Divide Basin to the Wind River Range and Boulder Lake. It’s a hot drive and we’re ready to settle into a camp and relax.
Having decided that Boulder Lake Campground is not for us, I leave the way we came. (The lake road dead-ends at the campground.) As we backtrack, my eyes scan the landscape between the road and the lake to our right looking for a place to camp.
We pass a few dispersed campsites with campers in them.
There aren’t many ways to get down to the lake. Campsites are few. Well, at this point I’m ready to accept a less-than-desirable camp for one night. Sometimes the primary goal is simply a place to spend the night. We can search more tomorrow.
The road we’re on is higher than the lake.
A treeless plain of rabbit brush in deep-yellow bloom and clumps of pale green sage slopes toward the lake’s shore. A camper is parked at the end of a spur road. People swim in the cove in front of thee camper.
Gee, what a nice spot. I trace the spur road back toward where it starts at the road we’re on. It has another branch! And it goes toward the lake!
I park the Perfect Tow Vehicle at the spur road, leaving the windows down.
“I know it’s hot, guys. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
A few swigs from my water bottle and I walk the road, checking its condition as I go. A few sections are deeply rutted. Oh man, look at those big rocks. Well, this IS Boulder Lake.
The road goes over a rise.
Yes! A campsite! It’s nothing more than a area cleared of sagebrush with a fire ring.
However . . . .
A short distance from the campsite the road drops down to the lake! In spite of the heat, I hurry to have a look.
Oh, my. This is lovely. This is very nice.
I happily stride back to the crew, planning as I go how I’ll navigate the PTV over and around the boulders in the road.
Here’s our new home.
The campsite isn’t much.
It is surprising though how putting out the awning and the patio mat (which now is two mats), a chair, and a pallet for the crew transforms a plain piece of ground into a pleasant home.
What makes this campsite special is its lakefront!
Bridget, Spike, and I hurry to see what it’s like under the aspen trees by the lake.
A private beach! Dappled light through the aspen branches. Soft sand. Rocks to sit on. Clear water. Willows and green grass. Another fire ring with a stack of wood nearby. No one, absolutely no one, around.
I love it!
Spike knows what he wants to do . . .
“Isn’t this great, Spike! This is why we drove all those miles.”
I wade out into the clear, cool water.
Ooh, that feels good after driving with no air conditioning. Bridget is excited. What a cutie.
She marches back and forth in water halfway up her legs, sniffs around the beach, returns to the water to parade some more, proudly making splashes with each step.
“You like it here, don’t you, Bridge.”
She answers me with bright eyes.
Monday, July 28
The first morning in a new camp is a special time. I make a fresh pot of coffee and sit down at my laptop table by the big window at the rear of the Best Little Trailer. In secluded campsites I like to push the curtains on all three windows out of the way to bring the outside in.
As I respond to comments, movement catches my eye.
“Omigosh! Sage Grouse!” I whisper in wonder.
I watch as the birds soundlessly peck the ground and pull at sagebrush leaves. Three of them are right under the window like chickens contentedly pecking around their coop. I want to take a photo, of course, but I’m sure any movement will scare them off.
I sit and enjoy until the flock makes its way over the rise. Seven sage grouse! What a great start for the day!
Later, when the day has warmed, we go to the beach.
I bring the blue camp chair, a bottle of water, my Paperwhite, and, of course, my camera.
After water-play-and-soak, the crew relaxes and I read in the shade of the massive aspen. The air is cooler next to the water and in the shade. There’s a gentle breeze coming off the lake.
When we head for the campsite, I leave my camp chair behind.
It’s a short distance back to the campsite from the beach.
I stop to let Spike catch up.
Together we reach the crest in the lane and our home comes into view.
The seven sage grouse are back!
Look at ’em. They’re all over the campsite, under the PTV . . . There’s one walking across the blue mat like she owns the place.
I laugh out loud. Immediately, they scuttle away like proper ladies caught gossiping in the town square.
They sure do like hanging around our camp!
Bridget and Spike watch them go.
“You know? You two would make pretty sorry hunting dogs,” I remark.
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR BEING AN RVSUE SHOPPER!
Here are a few of the items recently purchased at Amazon from my blog:
Strictly Ballroom
Guide to Free Campgrounds
Ninja Master Prep Professional
Zojirushi Home Bakery 1-Pound-Loaf Programmable Mini Breadmaker
Swann Multi-Purpose 600 TVL Day/Night Security Camera (2-PACK)
Coghlan’s Camp Stove Toaster
How do you do it? Another beautiful boondock.
I don’t know, Phil. I really don’t have a clue. I walk around grinning at my good fortune.
Boondocking Queen! Isn’t there a song by that name?
I think so, John! Haha!
This looks like a lovely spot to relax. The dogs seem to like it, too. I know how you feel driving without AC. Ours went out in our car and it has been a heat wave. I hope you enjoy the nice cool lake. 🙂
Hi, Jenny,
Yes, it’s been nice having the water nearby. I hope you have the a/c working again soon. I don’t know when I’ll have the PTV’s fixed.
What a nice place – nothing to grouse about 😉
heh-heh. . . You couldn’t resist, could you, Marcia. 🙂
What a nice spot. love being by water when it’s hot out.
I have a question: I’m trying to figure out how to put solar on my pickup similar to your van set-up. Is your solar panel noisy when you drive? (I need a Mick fix!)
I ordered my Wyoming benchmark today, can’t wait.
Hi, CheryLyn,
The first time I started up the PTV after the solar panel was put on the roof, I held my breath, listening for any sound. None! And there hasn’t been any sound from it since then.
I don’t know what to suggest for your pickup. My panel is mounted on a roof rack with tilt mechanisms Mick designed.
Thanks for the Benchmark order (if you bought it through my blog)! At first you probably won’t realize all the information the atlas provides. It takes time. I’ve studied mine repeatedly and I still discover new stuff.
How wonderful! I love the picture of little miss princess splashing her way through the water! How adorable!
Hi, Rachel,
One of these days she’s gonna’ get that belly wet!
Cuddles to your adorable Macha . . .
I will be sure to give her extra cuddles tonight!
I went to your blog and read your latest post. Such a tender tribute to your son! I enjoyed the photos of him through the years. Man, you have a way with words, Rachel. By the time I read to the last paragraph I had a catch in my throat. What a fine son you have!
Now don’t make me start crying again Sue. 🙂 I was in tears the whole time I was writing that. I do have an amazing son. He has been a blessing to me since before he was born.
That’s my camp stove toaster! Also ordered a couple more things, a couple of tire covers for my Rose Bower and some Lynx blocks. It makes me feel good to do my small part to keep your future looking more Rosie!
What an effortless way to tell you thanks for this blog.
I loved your photos today, those two short people are so dear, glad Spike had a good soak and Miss Priss got her toes soaked. I could so use a lake, the past few days have been brutal,but I use the hot weather as an excuse to get indoor chores done, like washing all my laundry, ugh. Your life sounds so much better, I need to go camping again! My granddaughter is coming for a visit so I will take her!
Hi, Lee J.,
I laughed at your first line. 🙂 Thanks for ordering all that stuff through my blog. I saw the items on the orders list. I love my camp toaster. It keeps me fat and jolly.
Oh, I wish you had a lake, too. Nothing like it for mellowing out a hot afternoon. Have fun with your granddaughter!
Sue you inspire me! I am so happy you found another beach. You know I am curious about what you eat living this lifestyle. Does the Casita have a full bathroom? So many questions. Sorry I bet you have answered this before. Deb
Hi, Debbie N.,
I don’t eat much differently than when I lived in a regular house. Believe me, my diet and cooking isn’t anything special.
The Casita bathroom has a sink, a toilet, and a “marine” shower, which means the water flows onto everything in the bathroom (the bathroom is the shower stall).
You can read about Casitas, the various models and features, as well as see great photos, at casitatraveltrailers.com.
Not to be critical or anything, but the teacher in me thinks I should point out that what you defined in RV terms is a “wet bath” – where everything gets wet when you take a shower. I had never heard the term “marine shower” and got a couple things I wouldn’t post here when googling it (LOL and I didn’t check out the youtube links) but one of them was ads for only one faucet… that is both for the sink and it has a pull-out to become the shower. So… it seems that the faucet is the “marine shower” – likely a boating term – but in RVs, I have only heard it called a wet bath. I am one of those that HATE wet baths and swore that my second RV wouldn’t have one.
Now I have heard the term “navy shower” as the rule on ships was that there wasn’t much water, so one wets down, turns off the water, soaps up completely, quickly rinses off and turns off the water. Now that is what we do in RVs with little tanks too. We take a ‘navy shower’ in a ‘wet bath.’ (perhaps the boating crowd have mushed the two terms together into calling their head a marine shower?)
OK… turning off pedantic teacher mode and going to bed.
Thanks, Connie. I don’t research everything I write in a blog post or in comments. I do my best (within the time I allow myself to be online) and rely upon readers like you to set me straight when I make errors or misleading statements.
Yes, I know that your connections is often too slow… as mine is for the next few days as I “camp” at a friend’s house back in ND.
Bridget is going to do a soak and I will guess soon. Has she ever soaked in the past?
No, she hasn’t. I haven’t given her a full bath since we left Georgia. She keeps herself clean and dainty.
The only reason I gave her baths in Georgia was because of the fleas there.
I don’t want to force her into the water. Maybe eventually she’ll go the full Monty.
You guys probably know that dogs sweat thru their pads. When aa dog is overheated, one of the recommendations is to sponge the pads with cool water. Because the pads help regulate a dogs internal temp, miss Bridget is probably getting considerable comfort from her foot baths…yet still keeping clean. Perfect for our princess.
OMGosh, you’ve done again, Sue. What a great site! Spike and his own back yard pool. I was surprised to see Bridget getting her paws wet, but the water was clear, and therefore she was more willing to indulge. I notice she doesn’t go for the muddy stuff like her partner does. SMART GIRL!
We’ve had a nice, unexpected visitor late this afternoon. The woman who runs the tourist info center stopped by. She gave us the “insight” on the area and told us the whole town is excited about us opening this place. She’s already handled over 12K RVers this season!!!! The store idea she said was EXCELLENT as they tend to have to send folks 40 to 50 miles away for supplies. I’m not sure who was more excited, she or I. She loves the fact we will have pull through spaces and will take up to 45 feet. She gets many requests for the large rigs. She even let the cat out of the bag and informed us the city will be giving us a temporary permit to open sooner than zoning can be changed. Shhh, she said!
I am hoping to get the restroom and showers up if I can find the help for the hubby. Lot’s of work, I must say.
Oh, and we will have a SPIKES SPA at all parks. We made that decision a few days ago.
Enjoy the new camp! It’s lovely.
Kay! I’m am so honored on behalf of the Spikester! Thank you!
How exciting as it all comes together. No wonder you are excited and encouraged, receiving a warm welcome from community leaders. It’s like the road is being paved before you.
All those RVers in one season! You picked a great location. I can’t imagine how you and your husband are handling all the work and details. You certainly are “movers and shakers.”
Thanks for the update. I can hardly wait for news of the grand opening!
Spike’s Spa…. What a great honor for my sweet boy.
Yes, and I found the big round tub for it too. Hubby told me he will affix a drain in the bottom which will run into a sewer pipe…. that way the water can be replaced. We will incorporate it into the dog run area so there will be a fence around it. Of course we will keep the big evergreen in the dog run because, well you know… trees and hydrants are important things to some doggies. I want to put a tunnel in the area as well, but hubby thinks not because someone’s doggy may hide out in there and not want to go when the master says time to go!
It’s going to be great, Kay! I know you both are putting a lot of work into this, but I can also tell you’re having fun planning and creating.
Gosh, an RV park that has a doggie area with a pool and a peeing tree. A canine dream place . . . Wonderful!
Kay,
Some KOA’s have mini dog parks inside their dog runs. Interactive things for them to do. Not just a gravel area on the outside perimeter.
Southbend Indiana had the best. I can’t remember exactly what they had…at the moment. I can dig up some pictures to jog my memory if you’d like.
It was neat that they catered to pets.
YES! I am even going to have a treat dispenser put in, of course these littler items will likely be the last installed, but they will be put into place for sure by next season.
Spikey will have to come and OFFICIALLY open that spa!
A ribbon cutting!
So exciting! I’m glad I mentioned the wash station and you are making it happen with our darling Spike as inspiration!! All your ideas sound perfect and I imagine the whole community will be turning out to welcome the boost you and hubby are giving them. Can’t wait for the big “reveal”!!!
Hang in there…. the big reveal will come….
Yes, Spike will have to come do the “soak the ribbon” opening!
Now, I am looking for workers to help. Small towns have one disadvantage… NO WORKERS!
You brought this question to mind . . .. Do you think you’ll utilize workampers at some point in the future?
Yes, that is the plan Sue. At each park, the plan is also to have a home. My desire is to travel to each park and spend a couple of months at each. I can say, we are doing the parks in good quiet areas, and ones that are en route to a destination to another area.
I was at the home depot the other day, saw the HUGE front loading machines, and screamed that’s what RVers NEED!!! I think the whole store froze in their tracks. LOL.
The hubby tells me he’s one man, with 3 women who drive him crazy…. I told him to hang in there, it’s special to be a part of WOMEN power. The LQQK… ugh…
Kay, I’m so proud of ya’ll! I’d love to visit your parks, maybe workcamp for you if you think I qualify. In any case, I hope you’ll give Sue’s blogorinos a list of your parks/locations. I’d like to visit them whether I get to work for you or not. Looks like your hopes and dreams are coming together. I’m happy for ya’ll.
Cat Lady
This is pure heaven!! What a neat spot!! This should give you a very nice home for as long as you choose to stay there!! The crew seems pleased also!
Hi, jolene,
Bridget and Spike are happy here. They weren’t able to go to the beach for a swim today because it was rainy. The forecast is for a rainy week. I think we’re sitting in a stalled weather pattern. Good thing I have internet and a paperwhite!
With the stalled front you might think about tilting the solar panel for a few days. Optimum is probably ~25 degrees this time of year in WY.
What direction should I point the nose of the PTV? North in the morning (so the panel tilts east) and south in the afternoon (so the panel tilts west)?
Remember, with the long extension cord I can angle the PTV any way I want. Thanks for the degrees.
PTV nose to the SW in morning, west at noon and NW in the afternoon. I just checked and at 42.8 degrees north latitude, 20 degrees is optimum.
You’re incredible, Mick. I bet you have hospital corners on your bed. 😉
Thank you.
For heavens sake, I had it backwards and I’m here WITH the PTV. You get it right from Tennessee.
Well, Sailors call them Navy corners but my sheets have the sewn in type; and what is the connection to antenna tilt?
Um, your precise nature was what I was referring to. You never give a sloppy, off-the cuff answer. That’s why you’re my LTA. 🙂
Remember the sun never gets that far north so the panel facing SE > S > SW is better.
Okay, got it. Now where the hell did I put that compass!
REPLY TO MICK’s TREE-SHADOW ADVICE…
If I had enough light to see a tree’s shadow, I wouldn’t need to tilt the solar panels and wouldn’t need to move the PTV according to tree shadows. LOL!
According to DesertGinger’s link below, I don’t need a compass. I can use Spike’s pooping position!
Watch a tree shadow and keep the panel toward the shadow line.
I thought about no sun, no shadow but had pushed the post button. I just knew I would be hammered for that!
Here:
Copper and Brass Small Pocket Sundial
Please send some of that rain east to Iowa. Here in southwest Iowa we could use some rain. We have a great mild forecast for Iowa this time of the year for the next week but we really need that rain!
I’d love to send you some of this rain, Jolene. In truth we haven’t received much yet. The weird weather widget up in the sidebar says thunderstorms are on the way. We shall see.
I bet you’re not the only reader who’d like to see some rain.
Hi, Jolene,
I am planning a trailer trip next summer to visit my son and his family in Ft. Madison. Want to spend a night each at Ledges and Waubonsie State Parks. Do you have recommendations about these parks or others in your part of the world. Thanks.
Hi Diann, Well Ledges is a beautiful park. The thing with Ledges is that sometimes it floods out and is closed for a month or two. In fact, this year is one of those years and it is just getting opened back up after being closed since May I think.
The other park you mentioned I have not heard of. Fort Madison is not near me so can’t tell you anything about that.
One thing I can tell you is that if you have time, northeast IA is absolutely beautiful. There is an area up along the Mississippi near Harpers Ferry called Yellow River Forest. One of the most beautiful areas in IA.
There are so many nice areas around the state of Iowa. I live in southwest Iowa. If you are a John Wayne fan or a Bridges of Madison County movie fan, Winterset IA is a place to visit. If you are a quilter, the Fons and Porter store is also in Winterset.
The Iowa Great Lakes are up in northwest IA. The Amana Colonies are near Iowa City along Interstate 80.
The other thing I will mention is that the Iowa State Fair that is held around mid Aug. each year is one of the best in the country. It all depeneds on what you want to see and do.
Thanks so much, Jolene, for the valuable information. I will remember that Ledges floods and will check before making reservations.
I just picked the shortest map route to SE Iowa, but the Yellow Forest was a consideration since my grandmother was born in Harper’s Ferry, 1881, and I have “greats” and “great-greats” in the surrounding cemeteries.
So, I have changed my route based on your thoughtful recommendations!
Diann
You will not regret going up to northeast IA. There are lots of places to stay both in IA and on the Wisconsin side of the river. Near Marquette and McGregor there is a private campground, not the cheapest but there is a neat cave tour through Spook Cave in a boat.
There are also tiny, more isolated campgrounds on the trout streams that run through NE Iowa. If you go to the Iowa DNR site and look up trout streams you will find more information about them. For instance up by McGregor there is a stream called Bloody Run, I know there is also camping there. It will be more primative that you will get in state or private campgrounds but it is there.
I really wished I lived in that part of the state because here in Iowa it is so beautiful and the closest I can get to the the trout fishing and streams I love about the western states.
Good luck with your planning and if you have any more questions, just ask. 🙂
Again, Thanks, Jolene, for so much help! You are my Iowa-camping expert!
🙂
A little rain and a good book… maybe a cup of tea? Perfect.
Hi, Linda,
That’s exactly what I had today! It was yerba tea with honey . . .
I had hot minestrone soup for supper. A few days ago I wouldn’t have guessed I’d have the urge for soup . . . A few minutes ago I dug out my warm jammies. The sun has gone down, it’s damp and chilly.
Hope all is well with you . . . and Stella (right?)
Lovely lovely life you have!
I think you captured a picture of Bridget semi smiling!
Yes, it is a good life, Cinandjules.
Bridget is changing. She’s become more mature and she takes more of a leadership role, while Spike is less inclined to.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. The red light for midnight potty runs is a hoot! I watch the light go off somewhere and then watch it come back. I don’t know why it strikes me as hilarious. Last night I watched the light go away and instead of coming back, it twirled around. (You know how dogs turn around when preparing to poop.) Okay, he’s having a bowel movement. Then the light moved to another area and it kept flashing against a boulder. I knew right away Spike was up to something! I rushed over there and found him crunching down on the bones of some dead rodent. Golleee… That dog is a trial!
I’d guess if she hasn’t already Bridget will also do more in terms of looking after and watching out for Spike as he gets older. A lot of dogs seem to have a sixth sense about when a fellow canine needs a bit more help.
You’re right, Walt. I see it already. Kinda’ makes me sad.
I have a friend who has two elderly golden retrievers. One is blind and diabetic. The other girl is deaf. They work as a unit somehow sensing the other’s needs. One time the blind dog got confused and lost in part of the yard. My friend found them with the sighted dog trying to pull the blind dog out of the corner by her tail. Dogs are amazing creatures!
Your statement about Spike’s BM is so hilarious. You really have a talent of making ordinary things entertaining and I thank you for it.
Thanks, but it’s not me being funny. It’s that dang light! I crack up every night watching Spike go potty.
You kill me!
We call that motion “winding up”. Why do they do that? Hah! SA used to do that and she would peek over at us…if we didn’t turn around as in give her some privacy…she would call it off!
Glad it’s working out…..for the both of you!
Actually I read that they are aligning their bodies with…something. Dang my memory! Something about gravitational pull. Apparently they all do it. I’ll see if I can google it.
Found it. They align with north/south poles…
http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets/dogs-have-a-butt-compass-poop-facing-ns-pole-140102.htm
I tested this with my dog and it certainly isn’t true for her. She goes round and round and round and positions herself a dozen times… over and over… and finally stops and does the job – but as to the compass, it varies all the time.
OMG you made me buck snort!
I’ll have to make note of her position….
Now Sue, are you REALLY upset that Spike was eating SOME BONES he found?? I think you confuse him with raw stuff….heh!! Hope he does not get sick!!
That’s what rat terriers do. No amount of my worry is going to push those bones along. He didn’t have a chance to swallow much. At least they weren’t cooked bones.
Hi! You asked about me staying out of Haboobs on the other page. I thought I’d answer here where there’s more chance of you seeing it. We have had a few so far this monsoon season. The didn’t do much here except throw a layer of dirt on my patio but we had some serious problems in many parts of the Phoenix metro area. Power out, trees down, cars crushed, etc. I’m lucky here in Surprise because all our utilities are underground so we don’t get power poles down. Been hot. So far our hottest was 117. It was 110 today. Take care now, hear?
And you stay cool, Jim!
I just mentioned to my husband that you are in Wyoming. He asked where and I told him you are at Wind River Range at Boulder Lake. “That’s where we are going!” he exclaimed. He and a couple of his buddies have a backpacking trip planned for the week leading up to Labor Day. If he sees you, he will wave from a distance! But you will most likely have moved on by then.
Glad you found another great beach site! Stay cool!
Hi, Lolalo,
That’s funny! There’s another little lake to hike to from here — Soda Lake. I hope he and his pals have a great time exploring Bridger-Teton forest. Yeah, by Labor Day that will be a long-distance wave.
You stay cool, too!
Sue, you mentioned several times a paperwhite kindle. If I recall correctly you used to have an older version and something happened to it. What are advantages of a paperwhite? I still have my husband’s old kindle and it works well but thinking of a paperwhite at some point only if there is a huge advantage in upgrading. I’m very frugal and it takes time for me to make any final decision regarding every purchase.
What a lovely home you got this time. Bridget looks so handsome
On behalf of Bridget, thanks for the compliment.
For me the one feature that makes a Paperwhite far better than any regular kindle or other ereader is how easy it is to read outdoors and how easy it is to read after dark.
There isn’t any glare outside and at night, the light within the Paperwhite is very easy on the eyes. You can read in the dark and not have a light bothering the spouse (or crew). There are other good features,too, but what I’ve described here is enough to make a Paperwhite worth the money, even for frugal people like you and me.
Sue, your prison joke about Ha! Boobs! was corny but cute. Your pics were as always great. Take care Missy. 😉
I will, Jim. Thank you. 🙂
What an absolutely perfect waterfront spot! I agree, you are the Boondocking Queen!
Hi, Karen,
I appreciate this quiet spot after Pioneer Day. Yesterday I took a few moments to be still and listen to the silence. Exquisite and rare! It was interrupted when a cow mooed in the distance somewhere beyond the hill.
Go, Bridget, go! She’s really cutting up in that water. So cute! I would love sitting by the shore and having a small blaze in that fire ring by the lake. Perfect.
Hi, Susan,
I was thinking about having a fire there. I’m not much interested in campfires, but that spot is perfect for one. Now it’s too wet . . . Looks like another overcast day, maybe more rain.
Wish I could send some to Dallas.
Thanks for the rain, it got here! Nice and slow so it sinks in and doesn’t go down the drain. I texted a co-worker your address so he could click on your Amazon link to order a bunch of stuff for his phone there. Hope he remembers!
Wow…another private beach!!! What a beautiful and perfect spot for you and the crew. Bridget is so cute and looks like she is enjoying the water. It won’t be long before she just plops down in it like Spike. That spot under the aspen tree looks like a wonderful place to read and watch the “kiddies” play in the water. I can almost feel the breeze of the water.
Take care, My Dear Sister
Love you
Hi, Pauline,
It’s always nice to see a message from you. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos of your trip. What a memorable graduation gift for T-B, something she’ll tell her grandchildren. You have two more grandkids moving toward the same milestone. I wonder what they’ll ask for?
Love and hugs to you, Jerold, Tawny, Scott and everyone . . .
Sue, you just earned your Post-Doc in ‘Finding Awesome Boondocking Sites’! What a lovely spot–water, shade and sage grouse! Enjoy!
Doctor of FABS — I like it!
Good morning, Dawn!
Good morning Sue,
Happy crew,Happy Sue!Life is so sweet when those we care about are visibly satisfied and enjoying themselves-that makes perfect the joy of delightful surroundings you found for your home once again.
We’ve had a couple nights so cool that having warm things to put on feels as precious as our setting to me.The quick changes effects on the lake and shoreline has the gull’s noisy excitement more fun to watch and hear than kid’s in a sand box.
Good people have,as usual,seeing need as rewarding to care for,begun rallying about ,in whatever way they’re able to,so my efforts on my friend’s behalf will be lightened by sharing.Already it appears that aside from a few 4 day stints out of town,I’ll be able to keep a few days each week partially free to enjoy what I usually do!
Hope your blessings overflow as much as mine are today,good coffee and all! 🙂
Good morning, weather,
You’re having cool weather, too! It did feel good last night to be snuggled in warm clothes and covers against the damp, cool air.
Your friend is very blessed to have people rally around her, giving her support, showing their affection for her is real by their actions. You set an example for others to follow.
You stay out of town for 4 days at a time, leaving your troupe behind or do they go with you? In either case, I admire you helping your friend, even when it requires these changes to your daily routine. I hope the situation resolves successfully.
Our second overcast day here. Thundershowers are in the forecast. It rained lightly several times during the night, deepening the green of the sagebrush. Bridget and Spike don’t much care for being outside on days like this. They’d rather curl up in the covers and nap, which they’re doing as I type this.
Time for a second cup of coffee. It’s always a pleasure to start my day with a message from you. Be well and continue to feel joy!
Second cups and napping pups,life is good on our street 🙂
I won’t “stay” out of town, the venue locations being 3-6 hours round trip away , my little birds and cat,doing well inside,stay put,the pups always come with me.I alternate sleeping over or here to check in and freshen what’s needed,so drive back and forth constantly in between the working hours .
Probably sounds like a lot,yet it keeps everything rolling right and accomplishes a bunch,so the driving/$/juggling and pace is worth the results.
That’s the way whatever I’ve done all my life’s been.While it’s certainly not for everyone,it’s given those I love and me happiness,success and opportunities many never have.
Well,the phone’s holding texts and voice mails,there’s 4 more”must do”s left before moon rise ,and a storm on the way,better choose waterproof footwear to skip in and scoot for now
Sounds like you have everything worked out for your canine-feline-avian crew and you have the motivation (a desire to help) to carry you over the inconveniences. Take care with a storm on the way . . .
Soon autumn will be creeping into the landscapes gold, brown, and red will replace yellow and green…and the water will have a chill…I’m gonna miss Spikes refreshing dips in the “spot” of the day! This is a nice spot grouse, lots of awesome flora, and the water! I’m sure you’re gonna see other critter there too!
Hi, Sondra,
It seems like this summer is racing by. I hope you are enjoying it!
It’s good that we’ve had several camps by water because it is such a pleasure for my boy. When the soaks have to stop, I’ll give him more belly rubs. That’s another one of his favorite things.
Hurray, another great site! Dang, you are good. Love the fact you guys can enjoy the lake by getting in it. I don’t know if this is a reservoir or not, but I will look at the atlas. Where I live, you are not allowed to get into the reservoir water including your dogs. This has never made sense to me because wildlife will swim in the water, they allow fishing and single troll motor boats. They purify purify the water for drinking anyway. I live close to a very large one with wonderful woodlands, trails and miles of shoreline. Too tempting not to get in it.
Wow, those western grouse are as big as turkeys!
I enjoy your adventures so much Sue, again, thank you for sharing your life with us.
Take Care.
You’re welcome, Diane.
That restriction against swimming is hard to figure for the reasons you mention. This lake does have a dam but it’s called a lake, not a reservoir.
The grouse may look big to you because the “bushes” in the background of the photos are small. I haven’t seen them since the rain. Maybe they are hunkered down in a more sheltered place.
Good morning Sue! Good morning Crew!
Here in the high desert this morning at 7:30 it is only 59 degrees. It is a prefect morning to start my hike to Devils Canyon.
Have a great day
Cool here, too! Nice break for both of us. Enjoy your hike, R.!
Love the funny grouse ladies “getting caught” :-). There’s just something about critters with feathers and short legs running anywhere……
Already 74 here, heading to 100+ with damp air – at least the humidity is some deterrent to fire.
Not sure it gets much better than beachcombing and reading in the rain all in the same spot :-).
That’s a positive outlook, Jodee! The humidity deters fire.
Another rainy day and already I’m missing “our” beach. I’m so spoiled.
Well this is a great new spot. Your radar was spot-on.
I came home to Tucson last night and decided to try the alternate route of Hwy 10 thru Phoenix. Won’t do that again. I was driving thru the night and the route was positively packed with big rigs. Even at 3 am I never had a stretch of road to myself. I bet I saw a thousand big rigs and 12 cars. Then as I got near Phoenix traffic started to pick up. By the time I hit the west side, I was in a traffic jam. At 5:15am! I guess rush hour starts at 5. We actually came to a dead stop a few times, the traffic was do bad. No accidents, just normal traffic. And when I stopped for a potty break, the temp must have still been in the 90s. Phoenix doesn’t cool down much at night. When I got home to Tucson around 7, it was only 80. Tucson does cool down at night significantly…one of the reasons I can handle it here.
I would have gotten home quicker but I stopped outside a 24 hour gas station in their parking lot and took a 3 hour nap. Woke up in a puddle of sweat. But that nap got me through.
I find Mick amazing too. Even when he totally explains his logic I’m still thinking ‘huh?’ And I’m pretty smart. Not near as smart as him.
I’m waiting for my dermatology appointment. I’m a little alarmed that this is a dermatology area inside the Univ of AZ cancer clinic. But I have had skin cancer before and it came out allright, so no point in worrying. When it rains, it pours!
Hope everyone has a lovely day.
Well, Ginger, I’m glad you made it home safe and sound! You are very brave.
People say I’m brave. Not hardly. No way I would voluntarily drive through the Phoenix area at night and rush hour. Oh, no. Not me. I drove by that town once and it was daytime. That was enough.
Anyway . . . I’m sure you’re glad to be home again.
I forgot to mention that as I was driving through Quartzsite area I saw the sign for Vicksburg Rd and thought of you and the crew, it’s fun to be traveling around AZ and find the spots you have written about.
We camped near the Big Q but I don’t know where Vicksburg Rd is. Nice to be thought of by you. 🙂
Update: my moles are fine! One less problem to worry about.
Hurrah for that!
I picked a couple of your posts from the one’s I’ve missed — and one was about the bear scare. I also read the comments. Very informative, but I decided to do some research. The army survival manual has ONE paragraph about dealing with bears. It says, if you plan to shoot the bear you’d better hit it in the eye, the mouth, or behind the ear. (please investigate the writers of such manuals — useless stuff)
I stayed up all night worrying because even I could smell my package of cookies. I even wrapped them several times with plastic garbage bags… and could still smell them. I’m guessing that sweets are the big cravings of bears.
I read a post about how the smell of ammonia will deter, but one should never spray it directly at a bear (the object is to deter, not to engage in war)
http://www.backpacker.com/community/ask_buck/163
And I found a website dedicated to bear control.
http://www.bearsmart.com/becoming-bear-smart/home/bear-deterrents
The principle seems to be… make it very inconvenient for a bear to come around…
either by making noise or yelling — by spraying diluted vinegar at it (using a child’s super soaker water gun) — by placing rough mats around — by lighting up the area —
Well, the website is worth reading through, as there are many ways to deter. There are also quotes from Forest Rangers about how guns are not the solution.
Hi Sue,
During the discussion about the direction you should park your truck for the best sunlight I thought I might mention the cell phone app that acts as a compass and how useful you might find it. Then when I kept reading the comments I read about Spikes turns at night while he readies himself to poop and I realized that so long as Spike continues to turn around, you have a direction finder that is warmer and more cuddly than a phone app!
Glad you are home, Desert Ginger. Hope your recovery continues and your strength and stamina increase. I want you to enjoy your knees as much as I enjoy mine.
I don’t think my cheap little GoPhone could handle an app. It’s not that smart. 🙂
Thanks Pat. I’m doing well, I think. Next steps are to ditch the cane and meds. Big steps!
Sue, the water looks quite clean…maybe coolish too? The only time after we crossed the great Mississippi going eastward, years back…that we saw that clear of water, was when we took a trip once up to Cherokee, NC. I know that bad stuff (like beaver fever) can lurk in those clear streams too…but it looks clean at least!! Happy camping!!
Beaver fever? Oh, Elizabeth…. I’m not worried about beaver fever. 😉
Hmmmm, well, surely you are not DRINKING the water, right? My sister-in-law’s dad got it drinking from an Idaho mt. creek that seemed clean. It took some years, but at that time, there was no treatment so he died before he could retire. Not a fun thing to have! I have drank from streams in my life too!! Fortunately nothing happened. I would not today however.
I never drink from streams or lakes. Never. In order to become infected you have to ingest or drink the cysts that release the Giardia parasites. One doesn’t “catch” it by wading or swimming if one doesn’t drink the water.
They can get in through wounds as well, so don’t wade if you have any broken skin.
Where did you get that information, Ginger? I’ve researched Giardia and I’ve never read anything like that. The CDC in Atlanta doesn’t mention anything about broken skin.
Hi, Sue and Crew!
Wow! A private lakefront site – perfect! Others may have passed on that site because they did not explore a bit to see that it offered more than the bones bare campground. I love your lakeside reading room!
Sage grouse, a private soaking pool, and hopefully few bugs (benefits of an open site), make for another perfect spot!
Gracie spent the day at the groomer while I was at work. Little missy is all tuckered out – she did not get her beauty sleep….had to catch up with three other Westies who were there for their “spa” treatment, too! If there is such thing as reincarnation, I want to come back as a dog with an owner like me (or you or some of the other blogerinos who are compassionate animal lovers!). An owner who would provide food, vet care, kindness, patience and love to thrive. *Sigh* Shampoo, cut, stye, blow-dry, mani-pedi….what a cushy life!! Our pups have it so good! I have it good, too, I am so blessed to have Gracie’s unconditional love. 🙂
Hope you and the Crew have a great evening! Gracie and I are enjoying the beginning of our trip to WY with you all! 🙂
Hi, Denise,
Little Gracie lives better than I do!
Probably this campsite was empty when we arrived on Sunday because few people are at the lake during weekdays. The few campers I’ve seen at the lake are empty, awaiting their owners to return on the weekends. The campground was nearly empty. Several, more popular lakes are not far from here — the ones above Pinedale. I chose Boulder Lake because it isn’t as popular.
What a peaceful setting you have placed yourself and the crew in – once again. I would not have expected that a flat area with no trees could be so inviting, but with your awning, mat and chair it looks downright comfy. And of course, there are trees near the water nearby, with lovely shade. I’ll be Bridget will be in the water more and more as time goes by – she’s just taking her sweet diva time so that she gets some attention 🙂
The weather here in the Dallas area has cooled off quite a bit, with showers of rain off and on, as Susan commented earlier. I live in Plano, a northern suburb of Dallas, and it’s always interesting to see how the rain patterns develop. Some get rain, some don’t. And it can be dark gray clouds overhead without a drop of wet falling. I can work in a light rain, so today was a work day, and the breeze and cooler temps made for quite comfortable working conditions.
Reine, a fellow blogorino, and her husband, Paul, live in Plano also.
Glad the cool weather is making your workday more comfortable.
Most definitely two happy pups:)
🙂