Tuesday, May 19
The crew and I are in our twelfth day at Big River Campground south of Bend, Oregon. It’s been good here.
Today I feel like breaking camp!
Big River, Oregon
By the time I finish the morning routine, wrap up a blog post, pack up, hitch up, and pull out, it’s noon.
We have a few tasks to take care of.
A short distance up the road is Thousand Trails RV Park. A sign out front says “Propane $3.05.” Well, that’s fair warning. It’s $2.93 in La Pine.”
Convenience overcomes frugality and I pull in.
It’s a lovely park with plenty of RVs, a clubhouse, store, walkways, manicured grounds, water feature, entrance gate, and other amenities galore. Neat, neat, neat.
Just the sort of place I don’t like.
Anyway . . . After going through the security check-point with electric lift gate, I park next to the propane tank where an employee fills my empty tank and tops off the other one ($19.67).
We’re outta’ here!
Next I need to dump tanks and get water.
One of the many things I like about this area around La Pine and Bend, Oregon, is the abundance of rivers, lakes, and streams. Seems like you can’t take a drive without coming upon a pretty scene like this one.
Deschutes River seen from a bridge on the way to La Pine State Park
In Oregon’s state parks the dump stations are free, even if you aren’t camped there.
I dump tanks.
It’s a messy job this time. Almost always I can do this task without any spill at all. Yes, I’m bragging. I really know how to get rid of sh*t!
Today I’m using a new sewer hose. This is my second Rhino-flex. They’re quality. The previous one worked great. Not this one.
There’s a nasty — and I do mean nasty — leak where the hose fits onto the Best Little Trailer’s waste tank outlet. Try as I might, tightening doesn’t help. I persevere, get the job done, and clean up the area with the dump station hose.
Fortunately no one is around!
After washing off my vinyl gloves and sanitizing my hands, I move to the potable water spigot and fill the water jugs with drinking water, and also fill the fresh water tank.
The hose may look dirty on the outside, but it should be clean on the inside!
Now we’re all set to find our next camp.
The Perfect Tow Vehicle bumps and sways down a winding, rutted, dirt road through the Ponderosa pines of Deschutes National Forest. I see the BLT in the side mirror, obediently bopping along behind.
A brief word about our next camp . . .
I hope you don’t mind if I hold off announcing exactly where we are camped. It’s a nice feeling being here in a beautiful, “unknown” site for a while. If you recognize this rustic campground, let’s wait a bit before discussing it, okay? Thanks. I promise to give you more information soon.
One of my favorite things is choosing a campsite!
This one is nice. The parking spot is long enough for the BLT and PTV.
I drive slowly around the loop.
These sites are pretty. Too close together though. Good for camping with friends.
Bridget and Reggie are excited.
Bridget is whining. Reggie has his face at the window.
“Are you going to pick out a site for us, Reg?”
This one’s okay except Reggie’s tether would become hung up on stuff.
I can hear the river!
Well, we could go back to the first one. It’d be nice to camp on the river side of the campground though. We’re almost back to the first site . . .
“Oh, this is nice! Look at that, guys. We’ve found our home!”
Photo taken shortly after unhitching, while moving the PTV into position.
The area for parking one’s rig is very long which puts our home far from the campground loop. Not that anyone’s here. The campground is empty!
The crew and I jump out of the PTV, anxious to explore.
“Let’s go down to the river!”
We scramble down the bank. I have a tight hold on leashes. The river is swift and deep!
Grass and plants on this side of the river are bright green. Hmm… good bottom land.
“Isn’t this beautiful? What a place!”
“That’s close enough, Reggie Man.”
The crew and I walk the riverbank.
I can tell Bridget and Reggie like it here.
Bridget knows to stay back. I hold her leash tightly anyway.
“Okay, let’s go back. We can come to the river later. I want to finish setting up our new home!”
rvsue
THANKS, RVSUE SHOPPERS!
I appreciate you entering Amazon from my blog. Here’s a sample of items recently purchased by readers:
Forrest Owls Door Mat
Outdoor Arm Chair, Navy
14 Inch Window Floor Fan
DIY Manual Hand Washing Machine
1800-Watt Portable Cooktop Countertop Burner
Stick-on Anywhere 10-LED Motion Sensing LED Light
Looks like plenty of information. I’ll go back and read.
You beat me in. LOL… yes… time to go back and read the post.
Sue, you are ROCK STAR!
Me? A rock star? That’s funny, Bodhi!
CONGRATULATIONS, CALVIN!
LOL… feel silly trying to be first to comment!
Of course, you do. That’s the whole point! 🙂
All that green is surely a contrast to Arizona and Nevada. I can’t decide which I prefer. I guess I’d have to do each by turns, as you do.
Yep. That’s the way to do it. Prefer it all and enjoy it all!
Hi Sue, I just love this area of the country! Enjoy your stay!!
Thanks, Jolene. Nice to have you along!
Very pretty site, Sue.
I am so glad that you have decided to delay announcing your location most of the time. Each time you note that some lurkers are messing with your sanity, I feel protective. Your readers love you!
Thanks for the beautiful photographs and the adventures.
Diann
You’re welcome, Diann,
You’re sweet to feel protective. I don’t like delaying because I’m always excited about a new camp and want to tell y’all right away!
This seems unusual…. Looks possible that I might be the first poster?????
Anyway, just wanted to say what a beautiful place you have found for your
new home site! Your delightful furkids seem all excited to be there with you!
After 31 years living the RV life it is so difficult to accept that there is no more
RV traveling for me…. However, I have no thought of leaving my rig to live
anywhere else…. It would just be good to be somewhere else once in a while…
Oh well….. As long as I have my Clyde Cat, my music, and my Arranger Keyboards
to play for others….. I am pretty happy….
You and your furkids enjoy your travels and keep on keeping on, doing what you
love doing……
Hugs from Elizabeth aka E2/etwo…..
Hugs to you and Clyde!
I’m sad, E2, to read that you long for more of the full-time RVing life. Your comment reminds us all to cherish every day, every camp, every vista, every birdsong . . . all of it!
I’m glad you have your musical talent, your friends, and, most of all, your Clyde, and that those things give you happiness.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m always delighted to see you here as I admire you for the many years you full-timed, starting when it was rare for a woman.
Have a good evening …
Lovely new campsite, looks like you found a winner. Hope you don’t have any problems keeping Reggie man out away from the water. No problems here with keeping your site secret for a while. Hope you and the crew have a great time in your secret location.
Hi, Lisa W.,
Oh, I’m keeping Reggie restrained whenever we go outside. When we walk, I have a tight hold on his leash.
Yes, it’s lovely here. We’re enjoying it very much!
Looks like a great campground I am planning on being in Oregon in July so I am keeping track of your camp sites. Thanks so much for all the info.
You’re welcome, Kathy,
It will be warmer here, of course, in July, although the tall pines and river nearby will provide cooling. There are many campgrounds in this area, some at higher elevation, several at lakes, all gorgeous! You’ll love it!
What a beautiful spot! The crew looks as if they’re rarin’ to go. The site you & the crew chose will allow you to be away from Memorial Day Clingers–well done!
Thanks, Dawn,
About Memorial Day weekend…. If noisy people come to this campground, we’ll move to the forest where the crew and I hiked (previous post). No river there, but it would make a quiet, undisturbed camp.
Holidays are a challenge!
Hi Sue! It’s not the holidays that are a challenge, it is the morons that they bring out! Reggie is really turning into a camping dog like Bridge and both deserve a hug from the boyz.
More great pics!
Thanks, Chuck.
==========
I camped several miles from my job in Sun River (south of Bend; north of La Pine) one whole summer. My slide-in truck camper was on blocks (no pickup at the time!) very near a river where lots of folks floated by in their canoes and whatever. I always worried that somebody would turn me in for being there so long but nobody ever did! It was a perfect spot and each morning all I had to do was open my eyes to view this postcard-perfect view of the river winding through the trees and snow-capped Bachelor Mountain in the distance.
==========
I’ve tried a few times since to rediscover my perfect spot there once again but no success so far. I dunno’ if they moved the road or wut the? You would think that driving to and from — daily — for all those months (and once or twice on my bike!) that I could find it one. more. time?
JIM & ANNIE — 22 weeks and 1 day to go!
==========
Hi, Jim and Annie,
Well, looking at Sunriver, I can understand you not finding that perfect, riverside camp. Maybe it’s a subdivision now!
Those idyllic “gem” camps make the sweetest memories. I bet there are a gazillion of those in central Oregon.
The countdown continues! 🙂
Jim,
Maybe that Perfect Spot is really protective of your adventure there, wants to keep it perfect in your memory as it was back then and unchanged. I, too, have places I was gifted for a span in time, going back is sometimes not best to even try. I’m sure there are new Perfect Spots ripe and awaiting your soon-to-be launched adventures! That’s like having the best of both worlds 🙂
Hi, Pamela K.,
I agree with “going back is sometimes not best to even try.” I remember my first stay at Red Mountain Campground in Montana was wonderful. The crew and I played in the Madison River in front of our campsite.
We returned a couple years later and a day use picnic area had been added with the parking area for it at the edge of the campground loop. This poor design, plus a lackadaisical camp host, made for a diminished experience the second time. People were walking through the campsite, going into the water in front of the campsite, kids riding bikes in circles around the BLT, a guy drove his souped up, big diesel truck up onto the grass to park…. etc.
Now when I think of Red Mountain, I remember that, and the memory of the wonderful first visit fades.
I know of what you speak….back in the 60’s we visited
the grand canyon and drove all along the south rim
on our own and stopped where we wanted…went back
in the 80’s and you had to take a bus to visit places
along the south rim…..also thousands more visitors
were there…..ugh!
Hi Sue, Judy here from Portland. I love your camp and I have been there. Enjoy your visit and the Deschutes.
Hi, Judy,
Thank you. I figured it would be easy to recognize by anyone who has been here before. 🙂
Don’t think I’ve ever been in the top 25 before. It is a beautiful green watery area, so different from the also beautiful desert that you’ve been in for months. The pups look so happy too. Your comment about Thousand Trails being too “neat,” reminds me of my own critiques of mountain towns (great hiking nearby) where I have vacationed, especially N GA and NC. I call them fake towns and real working towns. Highland, NC is perfect, so perfect that it is where all the FL teachers go on their vacation (wearing jumpers), perfect smelling candle shops, Thomas Kincaid perfect paintings of perfect light, stores full of antiques that don’t even look used, you can get a doodad to take home as a souvenir, all nice and pretty like a shiny red apple. But, Clayton, GA is a real town – Walmart is hopping, the diner has great grub, the sports bar will let you watch political debates past the 9pm closing time (lol), the old hardware store is owned by the oldest working person in GA, sweet old guy about 97 (there’s a picture with the Governor) and the Park Ranger Anthony helps rescue lost dogs off the cliffs. Perfect for me. You will take home wonderful memories of great adventures and colorful local people. Yes, there are “real” camps and “fake” camps, too. I know exactly how you feel! About being incognito too!
What a fun and interesting comment, UPCDebra! And very true! I love boondocking. And when we’re not off by ourselves on public land, a small, rustic campground is what I want.
Those sanitized towns are tiresome. Too perfect, too trendy, too much… Like you, I’d rather go into a store where there’s the smell of dry goods and the wood floor creaks, where people show up being themselves, not styled or exhibiting cosmetically-induced “radiance”.
(BTW, what is with the greasy faces I see on women? Um, radiance comes from within, not from a jar. Remember when women powdered their noses to rid themselves of the awful shine? Now you need sunglasses to look at some women.)
Thousand Trails are great for those who like that ‘RV country club’ atmosphere. It makes me nervous. Like someone is going to jump out from behind a well-trimmed hedge and nab me for violating the dress code or something.
Well some of us do need a little help in the beauty department. Gotta forgive the trying (often too hard). Maybe the sunglasses dim the view. Drives us crazy trying to make perfect down here, I’m waiting for real perfection. Some airline employees were limiting the good old days when people dressed up to board and aircraft. Geez! I almost commented, “Bet they felt the same way when the bustle went out of fashion and hemlines moved above the knees in the 20’s.” Didn’t want to start a war.
I couldn’t help but look….Clayton is in Rabun County. And anytime I see Rabun County GA, I always think of Foxfire!
Ladybug, I’ve been to Foxfire Museum! It is a walk back to the past. Good to watch the movie again before you go. Great food at the famous Dillard house nearby. It’s just off the winding road on the way up to my all-time favorite State Park on Black Rock Mountain (3,640 ft). It’s the closest cool get-away from the Florida heat. Been going over 25 years. Once, I excitedly told Ranger Anthony that I was coming back in October. He leaned his chair back against the wall, stuck a toothpick in his mount and said deadpan, “I consider myself forewarned.” The Chattooga River is nearby, great for whitewater rafting!
The site is beautiful…hope it will continue being private and peaceful too, Sue!
Thanks, Elizabeth. I hope so, too.
Looks just like the Oregon I remember as a child; I used to go camping with my parents alot and have not been back since 1968
Oh, that’s a long time, Lenore. I don’t know where you are now, how far away. It would be nice if you could revisit the places you remember from childhood.
Sue, you scared me! When you were describing the RV park, I thought that you were going to cave and stay there. My mind is saying, “What??????”
Then, you were back into character. Whew! Don’t scare me like that!
New camp looks nice. How cold is it at night?
Chris B
Hi, Chris,
When camped at Big River we had some damp, cold nights due to rain during the day. I had to turn on the heater in the evening and leave it on until noon.
It hasn’t rained here like at Big River since we arrived (just a few sprinkles). Hence, not that damp feeling. Last night (our first night here) we slept without any heat (windows closed) and this morning I have the front door open as I wait for the coffee to finish perking.
A numerical answer would’ve been shorter and more accurate!
Speaking of dampness. Do you check under your mattress ESP during damp weather for moisture. Our mattress in the bus sits on a wood platform and when we traveled in 08 we were surprised to find that moisture, which could lead to mold accumulated under the mattress. We made a practice of lifting and airing it periodically. At home with mattress on a box springs that does not happen but I’ve read often of people saying in their RV humidity brings damp areas where there is not good air circulation.
Never thought of that. Thanks, Velda!
Yep they have stuff called hyper vent for RV mattresses.
No numbers are fine, comfort levels work. I was wondering if it was cold and damp at night or warming up in that part of the country. If you can wake up in the morning and leave the door open so that you don’t get too stuffy inside while making coffee, that’s good camping weather!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a camping trip after Wednesday of next week.
Chris B
CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS! YOU ARE THE TWO-MILLIONTH VISIT!
Not too close there Sir Reggie, I think that’s skunk cabbage you standing next to! It’s ok until it blooms though. 🙂 I haven’t been on that end of the Deschutes in many many many years. I have white water rafted from Trout Creek to Maupin many a time though. Have fun!
Sue looks like you found another great site. Using Garman Basecamp and Goggle maps, I’m dropping waypoints at most of the places you’ve camped at.
Sorry maybe it’s just me, you’ve changed your blog background to red. Between the red field, orange text and the smaller black text, it’s hard on my eyes.
Does anyone else have difficulty viewing the blog?
I think a buckskin colored background would tone things down a little.
Travel Safe!
Now it see the background is white. Now I’m really confused.
You opened the page mid-transition of it’s resetting itself,it’s rare but can happen.Should one encounter that,closing and reopening,or refreshing the page works to allow the white background,colored headings,black letters of the text and slim red borders that Sue uses( to make reading easier)to be seen.
Thanks again, weather, for helping a reader in my absence.
Are the borders red? They should be deep orange.
Oops,I held true red beside the screen to be sure,you are right,deep orange is the color.
Okay, good. 🙂
It’s interesting, I had never seen the orange that I recall, until the recent changes with how mobile posting happens. Now I see a wide deep orange border ( ok I too thought it red when I first saw it) around all pictures and text, but only when on my iPhone . I had wondered if you,changed something as its quite vivid. On the other hand I find the new mobile formats easier to bring up and read on my phone than previous.
Okay, help me understand this, Velda. Your last line… “I find the new mobile formats easier to bring up and read . . . ” Is my blog easier to read?
What I’m trying to figure out is this: Is the border color too bright or is that something that is occurring at the reader’s device and can be adjusted? Any info on this would be appreciated.
Hi, LoupGarou,
Aha! Not my fault . . . I haven’t changed any of the colors on my blog in a long, long time. I hope you figured out what was wrong. The explanation weather gave sounds right.
Hi, Susan,
I wondered if that is skunk cabbage…. a plant I don’t think I’ve seen since childhood days in the woods of northern New York state. If I remember correctly it doesn’t give off much odor unless you brush up against it when blooming. Pretty plant.
It was nice to wake up and read your post this morning Sue. I know you want to share your camping environment with others right away, but I agree with what some have said and think you could delay posting until you have left or are about to leave a site. That might cut down on lookie-lu’s.
You could either write about everything you see, without disclosing where you are, or you could write with details and names of rivers or campsites and post when you leave. You could always be a few days behind where you are perhaps and still be posting on a daily basis.
Anyway, I sure hope you keep posting. You have been inspiring to me. (just turned 60 a few months back here) Saturday we are going to pick up our RV. It has been over four years since we had one and I sure miss it! THIS time though, partially because of you, I want to learn how to drive it, dump tanks, set up camps, etc. Then I want to go out for little adventures on my own. I’d love to go with the Mister, but sadly he can’t take that much time off work. I do hope to go alone sometimes, go with my 14 yr old son sometimes, and perhaps go with my 29 yr old daughter on a Mom and Daughter trip.
This would all be because of YOUR inspiration!
Hope the gawkers leave you alone!
Happy trails to you and the crew. 🙂
you go girl……I’ll keep an eye out for your travels as
well as Sue’s….so be sure and post up your travels…
chuck
I agree, Sherri. Sue has really inspired me to not be dependent on my husband for RV camping. We used to have a 21 ft camper and we ended up selling it because my husband really hated driving it, parking it, setting it up, dumping it, and maintenancing it. I miss it, but if we get another one, I need to be responsible for all of the above and then taking trips out on my own.
I couldn’t help but smile reading your first line, Tara. By the few words you’ve written here, you may help other reluctant camper-spouses regain their enthusiasm for RVing.
You learn “his stuff” …. and hopefully he learns some of “your stuff.”…. Maybe he would enjoy that!
Hi, Sherri,
Thanks for the suggestion on delaying my posts. “You could either write about everything you see, without disclosing where you are…” makes it tough in regards to photos. I have a much better photo of driving to the campground than the one I posted. It has a small sign in it with the name of the campground. Some places have such unique features that photos give them away.
And then there’s the “old news” factor, where I’m discussing a place we’re no longer in and being close-mouthed about where we are. Not as much fun.
I love how you are determined to become more independent with your RVing. Good for you! You’ll be able to enrich your son’s life, initiate bonding experiences with your adult daughter, and enjoy alone time in nature whenever you want, regardless of husband’s schedule.
And you’ll be doing him a favor! If he should become ill on a camping trip — wake up with the flu, for instance — you can let him take it easy. Just like when you are sick he could take care of the things you routinely do. (This is a pet peeve of mine. It’s awful to be sick and the spouse doesn’t know how to fix you nourishing food!)
Strict gender roles can lead to disastrous situations when couples reach late maturity. Enough said on that!
Anyway…. Thanks for the kind words toward me. I’m excited for you!
Sue, you said things I’ve often thought so thank you for putting that out there. My husband is a good provider and is always calm and kind to my animals. However, he is lazy as hell around the house and couldn’t care less how the place looks. When I was seriously ill four years ago I had to fend for myself especially if “the big game” was on, and there seemed to ALWAYS be a big game on TV.
With this in mind I went out and bought an RV without saying anything. He came home from work and wanted to know who was visiting when he saw the RV parked in the driveway and just about fell out when I explained that it was mine. Now, when he drives me nuts with sports and other things I just start packing and hit the road. It has made all the difference in our marriage, and when he finally came with me on an RV trip he was amazed that I could drive it and do all the hookups, etc. He still doesn’t know nor care the first thing about it and it’s all up to me when we have ventured out in it together.
Still, it’s just my little palace and the knowledge that I can hitch it up and go and stay away PERMANENTLY if need be is what helps me maintain my individual need for freedom, not to mention what’s left of my sanity.
Your commitment to your marriage is remarkable, Nancy. I admire how you took bold steps for your happiness and freedom. As someone who has no interest in sports whatsoever, I can relate to you taking action to protect your sanity! God bless you and enjoy your vacation-on-wheels!
Have a peaceful holiday weekend. The pups are very lucky to have you.
Love the pics . Beautiful Oregon.
I hope you have a good holiday weekend, too, Deb. Thanks for the sweet note.
Good morning, Beautiful site as usual. I don’t think I have ever seen a campground with Hastas growing in it. Very nice.
Good morning, Alan,
They do look like hostas, don’t they . . . . much better name anyway, than skunk cabbage. I’m really not convinced what they are!
Not skunk cabbage, leave are smooth not wrinkled.
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/skunk_cabbage.htm
Thanks for the link, Alan. I still don’t know for sure what those plants are. I’ll keep researching.
I think I made a mistake with the plural form of hosta…
As in one deer, two deer . . .
One hosta, two hosta . . . . 🙂
you’re in Heaven….thats all I can say…..
can not believe no one else is camping there……
chuck
Hi, Chuck,
Another camper is here now, although I’m almost completely unaware of the couple’s presence as they chose a site away from us and they’re quiet people. I enjoyed the faint aroma of their campfire yesterday.
Just beautiful !!!Enjoy your new home!!!Isn’t it fun when the pups get excited about new ground to explore!!That’the life!!
It certainly is “the life,” Betty Shea! The crew’s excitement adds to mine . . . Have a great weekend!
Looks like another piece of heaven for you and the crew – love the pines and the river. Makes me want to push boulders across the entrance and keep it peaceful for the long weekend! Enjoy!!
Hmm . . . Now there’s an idea! 🙂
Enjoy the holiday, Jodee!
Beautiful camp. Here’s hoping it remains quiet and lurker-free over Memorial Day weekend!
Hi, Marcia,
I hope so, too. If not, we can move, although I’d rather not have to. I hope your Memorial Day weekend is great!
Wow! I can’t believe that campground is empty. It is so beautiful! I can almost hear the river and feel the breeze and smell the pines…. How I envy you!
Hi, Linda,
It’s a pleasure to bring the feel of the breeze and the smell of the pines to you … I hope you are in a place of beauty, Linda, and, if not, that you can find it nearby.
Serene indeed!
That photo of the (Hasta? Per Alan) plant is awesome. Kind of reminds me of some sort of lily or orchid. Have to go look up Hasta.
Yuck about the black water! Pretty sh!tty! Hah. Hmm…why would a new one leak? Maybe the coupler attachment on the hose is askew.
Had a dream last night I ordered a 17b and a new TV to boot! Although I can’t remember what TV it was….weird huh! Getting that itch again….
When you unhitch….how do you line up the PTV to hitch back up sight unseen…without ramming the trailer? Or can you move the BLT around just enough to hitch it up?
Sorry so many questions…this towing stuff is so foreign to me.
Have a great day…hopefully this weekend will be peaceful for ya!
Hi, Cinandjules,
I love questions…. well, these kind anyway.
No, I don’t move the BLT at all when hitching up. (BTW, keep the wheels chocked while hitching and unhitching!) I line up the PTV by looking in my side mirror. I have an image fixed in my mind of how the BLT looks in the mirror when it’s hitched. I get out and check how I’m doing and make corrections…. Sometimes I can hitch up in a few tries, sometimes it takes several.
Here’s an important tip when you are ready to back up the tow vehicle toward the trailer coupler:
Before backing up, crank up the coupler so it is above the ball on the tow vehicle. By doing this you give yourself room for error.
In other words, as you back up slowly and in small increments, there’s the possibility you might back up to0 far. You don’t want to ram into the coupler.
If the coupler is above the height of the ball, you won’t hit it and you also have about a foot or more before you’d hit the jack. (I’m guessing at the distance. I don’t want to check because the babies are sleeping and I don’t want to wake them.)
Since raising the BLT’s coupler before backing, I’ve never run into it.
As for the leak at the dump station…. I didn’t examine it closely at the time. I wanted to leave! It seemed that the circumference of the hose was slightly larger, just enough not to connect snugly.
You have a great day, and a super weekend, too!
Hi Sue,
There is a rubber gasket inside the connection that attaches to the BLT. Sounds like yours is missing. If you still have old one or have the box the new one came in, check for it. Available at RV stores. Stay stealthy!!!!
Okay… I’ll check that. Thanks!
That makes sense…..thanks.
You’re welcome!
“Neat,neat,neat.Just the sort of place I don’t like.”, a clear indication that you prefer untouched nature in it’s own glory.What wise judgement that shows Sue,how that allows one to experience what a gift creation really is…wow!By having the PTV unhitched and parked perpendicularly to the BLT, so it’s obvious that you’re settled in,and their both being dwarfed by the trees and somewhat hidden by the other vegetation the site looks like you belong there.
Your photo -of the crew walking up the path to your home on a hill -may be the best one you’ve posted yet to give a true sense of your lifestyle.You move through places yet make them your own while you are there,become part of them,live them and go forward -with that now as an integral part of your journey.To make travel life, instead of a blur outside your window, is to receive and appreciate this world as we were meant to.The first two photos with scenes of quiet river let the one below”the river is swift and deep” demonstrate what you mean.The sound of it must be so nice to hear.Even if you do choose to move due to weekend crowds,at least you have it right now…I’m so happy for you!
Oh, weather, you’ve done it again . . . Good morning!
“To make travel life” — Wouldn’t that make a perfect slogan for an RV blog such as mine. Four simple words . . . You are a genius with words, my friend.
Your message today had me looking again at the photo of the crew going up the path to home. I see what you mean! Your analysis of this post’s photos amazes me. Thank you!
It’s your blog, title and slogan,choose/call it what pleases you-,as the site meter will hit two million soon ,perhaps including a phrase to let it be so what you have made it would fit.I know those numbers aren’t what matters to you,still,they speak so much of people’s taking the time to look into the door to see the world of hope,dreams and love you give…
“Coincidentally”,my home above water with a dirt path spotted dogs climb to reach our small white home among pines bears a resemblance to the photo, our ways of experiencing this story we are in have much in common… that I am so pleased to share.Thank you the profound compliments in your second paragraph’s last sentence!It is past noon here,Good last sips of coffee 🙂
We returned from a walk in the woods a few minutes ago. Reheating the coffee… 🙂
As late afternoon stretched into dusk I bustled about to make sure each of the troupe had supper with enough for a snack left should they wake in the night wanting a nibble or water,place coffee,robe and things to be ready for waiting for sunrise-you know, the usual routine as winding down begins.Tired,I had a bit of heavy thought I rarely bring up,let’s say a residue of something that feels like “it wasn’t enough” longing,that comes to tempt one to believe nothing ever is…That was interrupted by two calls from women that told me where they are in life now and how our relationships had played a part in that.They don’t know each other or how much a call like that can do.”Grow not weary in well-doing” came to mind.So much easier to do when replenished by proof that what one does is working,has the intended and desired effect.Again,life on this page matters more to you than a number in the millions,I know that.It’s the kind of life I want to mention.Where folks flourish without withering,spurred on by you and what you have made this become.This note is just another call from a friend to remember when you weary and try so not to show it..What you’ve had,have and do isn’t enough-it’s more than enough and perfect…it’s working,Sue,the Light of hope spreads touching more than you’ll ever know.Rest well this good night and whenever you need to,God knows you’ve earned it,n’nite
Good morning, weather,
The two calls you received from women whose lives you’ve influenced brought to mind a word one doesn’t hear much these days — well-connected.
Well-connected is about having ties with people of wealth and social position, the prestige and opportunities gained from knowing people like that.
You, dear weather, are well-connected in a much better meaning of the word. The connections you have with the two women came about from your “well-doing.” And those connections are so strong and important to the women that you felt them before the phone rang!
Preparing for the morning reminded me of my grandmother. She used to put out the plates and utensils for breakfast before going to bed. It made me feel special to wake up in her house, come out to the table, and see my plate waiting for me. I turned it over in anticipation of the farmhouse breakfast to come . . ..
I wonder if your troupe sees your preparations and experience something similar. A happy thought!
Thank you for the “call from a friend.” You uplift me with every message. It’s a beautiful morning here — a typical dimly lit and wet Oregon morning — hope yours is beautiful, too, in a New York state kind of way. 🙂
It’s a good morning indeed,Sue!Thank you.The New York state kind of way now is full color with waves and wind in stereo.I love your grandmother story,the confidence being so welcome by her gave you is a wonderful gift that I’m sure was part of your daring spirit through out the years.Each of the troupe has a sigh and shiver combination reaction to the attention I give them,so yes,I think that is a similar experience 🙂 Well- connected…great expression,Sue,I will keep that one with the meaning you gave it…
Sue, your comment about your grandmother reminded me of summers I used to spend with an aunt that lived in an old 2 story wood frame house in the country. Laying in bed at nite if a full moon was out you could see the light of the moon thru the slits in the walls…..and next morning she had a breakfast for us to die for. This was during the early 50’s when life was simple. thanks for the memories.
chuck
Good Morning Sue, have an unshi**y day. 🙂
Good morning and the same to you, Shirlene!
Sue: I’ve camped all over the South West, Central West and North West, in a Casita 16′, 30′ travel trailer, pickup in bed camper. I know how you feel about wanting the solitude with no interference. I’ll not comment on your new home location, others have done a good job at that. In my camping I’ve had perfectly clean water from the spigots provided in the campgrounds. However, there have been instances where that hasn’t been true and it caused me some problem. In one incident I had extreme difficulty in cleaning and ridding my bulk water tank of the brown color and smell. After getting my water tank back to normal I started using external water filters attached to my fill hose, no problem since . I know you are busy answering other comments, so there is no need to do so with this one. Enjoy living…Russell
Hi, Russell,
I appreciate you sharing your solution to a bad experience with campground water. I’m curious…. In the instance of the brown water, did you run the water from the spigot for a bit before hooking up your fresh water hose?
Thank you for your consideration regarding me being “busy”…. I’m not too busy to discuss this important topic with you! 🙂
From a former math teacher: “Sometimes I can hitch up in a few tries, sometimes it takes several.”
Hi, Mick,
Huh? You mean I’m not specific enough? Well, “few” is 2 or 3. “Several” is more than that. (I don’t count while hitching up so I don’t know exactly.)
Okay, several is more than a few; I’ll have to remember that. LOL
“adj. adjective
1. Being of a number more than two or three but not many.”
–dictionary.search.yahoo.com
🙂
With the inability to edit our posts and having an iPad that thinks it knows the word you WANT to write…..
I declare that this blog is a “grammar police” free zone!
All in favor say…. aye! Those opposed…grunt ney! Okay then!
We’re not REALLY voting!
As long as we can understand what someone’s trying to say… that’s good! 🙂
Eye
Damn it!!!!!
I meant to say I
Damn it!!!!!
You silly boy. 🙂
Love your views. Let my adult daus talk me into a holiday weekend to a crowded cmpgd . And a concert in the trees. A raft down the river? Uh. Too cold for me. And I bet the music is not to my liking either but I can be a good sport if I have too. Envy your place. Mine will be pretty too but crowded unless the weather deters some. It’s probably warmer here in MO but the the temp was mid 40 s this AM. DH not only turned down the raft but the whole scene, wanted nothing to do with concert and crowded camp either. Smart man. Usually holidays are good for stick and bricks.
Hi, Joy,
You’re good to go along with the program. You may be surprised and it turns out to be a special time for y’all. Although I can related to your feelings on this!
Hi Sue, I love your campsites. I don’t know if you have already covered these topics in your blog, if so point me to the right archive. As someone planning to fulltime soon in my 13 ft camper, I’ve got some everyday activities questions for you…….here we go.
1.How much water do you usually use for you and the boys, break it down however you like. I am trying to estimate how much I’ll need to carry for myself, my big dog and senior cat, since I plan to boondock, meaning camp for free as much as possible. I’ll also be a snowbird, so hoping to avoid very hot temps.
Answer: When I have access to drinking water, I fill up 8-10 one-gallon jugs and fill my fresh water tank. At the grocery I buy 24-packs of individual bottled water, the latter because I drink more water when I have those. (I’ve always been bad about staying hydrated.) The individual bottled water is for my drinking. The water in jugs is for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, the crew’s water dish, cooking, and washing/bathing. The tank water is for flushing, cleaning, hand-washing, small tasks.
2. How do you level and stabilize your BLT when setting up? I used to have stands that went on the back bumper and tongue, but I am looking for another way that’s easier, especially on my back, lol.
Answer: Casita travel trailers have flip-down jacks from the frame in the back. I crank the front jack on the tongue to lower or raise to obtain level from front to back (seen on a bubble-level near door). To level side to side I have yellow plastic leveling blocks on which I pull the BLT, (Camco 44595 Stabilizer Jack Pad – 4 pack
), also two thick pieces of wood. I check the bubble level above the propane tanks at the front to see if level has been obtained. I use yellow plastic chocks for the wheels.
3. How do you find these beautiful, free and nearly deserted campsites?
Answer: I study my Benchmark atlas for the state. I look for dashed roads (gravel or dirt) going into BLM or National Forest land and into the type landscape and elevation I want for weather and scenery. Then I explore the hair-like roads shown on the atlas. These are spur roads. It takes a little practice. No one taught me how to find boondocks. I analyze what I see in the atlas and in reality. I also google “dispersed camping in Blah-Blah National Forest” for instance. I also get tips from friends, acquaintances, locals, ranger offices, websites like freecampsites.net, etc.. . .
As for the little, rustic, inexpensive campgrounds like the one we’re presently in, I find the campground symbols on maps in my Benchmark atlas, then I research those campgrounds online. Usually there is an indication that the campground is heavily used or not. I like the small BLM and NF campgrounds.
This particular campground was suggested by friends who are longtime campers and residents of Oregon.
I don’t want to do four wheeeling or off road driving. Have you compiled a list of your favorite sites, NF, BLM or anywhere?
Answer: No, I haven’t compiled a list other than what you can find by reading my blog. I encourage everyone to learn the skill of finding boondocks, rather than relying solely on places I’ve shown on my blog. What is beautiful and ideal when I’m there may deteriorate into something else in a few years. Plus discovering a special spot of your own is fun!
4. What discount passes do you suggest I get, which do you find useful or at least pay for themselves with saved campsite fees? I qualify for a golden passport and that one is definitely worth ten bucks but I am sure where to choose from there.
Answer: The only discount pass I use is the Senior Discount Pass, good for a lifetime for $10, for people 62 years and older, available online or at forest service offices.
When I was a newbie, I bought a non-resident parks pass for New Mexico. Great deal for $225, and good for RVers without solar and adverse to using a generator. Go to NM State Parks to read more about the annual pass..
5. Last one, for now anyway, what camera do you use? Your pictures are great, and I love the details you can get. I feel like I can reach out and pet that fuzzy deer nibbling on the branch tips. What a great breakfast visitor!!
Answer: Thanks, Lisa. My camera is a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 16.1 MP Digital Camera with 60x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Black)
Now just a comment, have you considered getting a backpackers water filter? They are small and effective, then you could get your water right out of those beautiful streams! I plan to carry one.
Answer: I have no need to take water from a stream. Drinking water that is regularly purified or tested is available from many convenient sources: spigots in campgrounds, state parks, gas stations, fairgrounds, etc., vending machines at grocery stores or stand-alone vending machines, and, in a pinch, available to be purchased off store shelves. I don’t backpack; hence no need to “find and treat” water.
BTW: Before you buy a water container, consider how heavy it will be once filled. I stick to one-gallon jugs because I don’t need to pull my back hefting a water container.
Well I’ve given you plenty to work on, maybe it’ll help fill one of those rainy days.
The easiest way for me to reply to these questions is to insert my answers in your comment. Let me know if you have any further questions. 🙂
<>
It’s a lot cheaper in Redmond. One-something.
That was supposed to contain a quote of your comment about propane prices.
Understood. 🙂 That’s a very good price for propane! Alas, Redmond wasn’t convenient at the time. Neither was the $2.93 in La Pine.
I love your new camp! When we were visiting Collier State Camp last week, we also visited a Forestry campground, it was much like yours, except there was much more of that bush that has the yellow blossoms, it looks like sage? My husband and I tarried there a bit, and agreed we would probably enjoy that camp more than Collier, less of the hip to jowl thing.
I had never camped until I went with my husband’s family, first time was Yosemite some 55 years ago, then after that is was always boondocking. I never knew that was unusual! It was just the way we camped!
I recently read a blog where the poor person ended stranded several days up at Flag City, about 30 miles north of us, due to the need to visit a RV dealer. They were totally sick of high California prices , and couldn’t get out of California fast enough. It made me sad to read it…because California is really a beautiful state, but they ended up in a commercial nightmare.
So dear Sue, if you come down from the PNW and pass through California, I will look forward to your experience. It might just present a picture of my home state that will show folks that it is just possible that we are not the land of ‘fruits and nuts’, it for sure isn’t all high priced campgrounds..it is a boondockers paradise.
Ok, off my soapbox!
Can’t wait to see where you lead us next.
Hi, Lee J.,
I don’t doubt California is gorgeous. I admit I’m intimidated by the high fee campgrounds, need for far-in-advance reservations, expensive gas, etc. found along the coast. One has to be careful about timing, I suspect, if one wants to take advantage of many lower-fee campgrounds located in higher elevations.
I’m also intimidated by the high-traffic areas scattered throughout the state, as I avoid that kind of driving as much as I avoid high-fee campgrounds. I’ve spent some time studying the California Benchmark and I do believe one can enjoy the natural beauty of the state without depleting one’s resources to the poverty level (the “commercial nightmare”), or being traumatized by traffic.
Someday I’ll spend a summer in the Sierra and visit Yosemite and drive the coast, and find super boondocks along streams in California.
I know I’m missing out on a lot of “paradise” by hesitating. Thanks for reminding me.
Oh, BTW, Lee . . . You saw antelopebush — Purshia tridentata — “Grows to 3 ft. Shrub with long leaves, 3 lobed, like sagebrush but not aromatic. Flowers small, yellow, 5-petaled.”
Ha! I’m so proud of myself. I looked that up yesterday in “Forests: Peterson Field Guide.” It grows here, too.
Locally, PNW, purshia tridentata is known as Bitterbrush. It is a member of the rose family.
Interesting! That makes sense because the full title of the Peterson field guide I used to make the identification is “Rocky Mountain and Southwest Forests” and I found the photo and description under the section on Ponderosa forests.
So . . . . If you’re in the Rocky Mountains or the Southwest, call it antelopebush.
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, call it bitterbrush!
I’m going to try to take a good photo of it to post. Fun!
That’s the lesson for today. Please push your chairs in when you leave. 🙂
Common names for Cactus are the same. They change from area to area. I pulled quite a bit of Bitterbrush out of our yard yesterday. The squirrels plant the seeds and little tufts of ten to fifteen plants each sprout in patches. It is good forage for the deer but very flammable.
And probably good forage for antelope, too… Guess it tastes bitter to people.
Tioga George had a hard time finding boondocks traveling the coast of California…camp sites crowded too. He had to sneak into business districts to boon dock.
You’re right, Rita! I forgot about that. . . Yes, I remember now. He went into industrial areas and stealth camped. And Tioga George had a lot of experience living in California, too…
Love your new home site….I’m with you, I wouldn’t thank you for some manicured fancy RV resort. I want rustic. Now that my mom is being cared for by professionals, I am able to hook up and go. We are taking the Taylor Coach to Muskoka in the morning. I must get going on the packing. Not in a campground this wknd, just visiting my daughter and seeing her place on the river. A visit with my sister-in-law. It is a good feeling though, just being able to do things for a change and use the trailer…
It must be a wonderful feeling, Val. I’m so happy for you!
Enjoy your daughter and sister-in-law and the freedom to hit the road . . .
Your talent for finding nice places to camp endures. 🙂
I keep wondering if Reggie is going to become a devotee of the “soak” like Spike was. That would be pretty cool.
I notice the Bridget is looking slender and happier now that she has a buddy, too. Or maybe that’s just a fig-newton of my imagination. 😀
US 97 has been my favorite route between our home in central WA and friends in the Bay Area for decades but I have never stopped. Except for gas and food… ok, chips and sodas. If you go north on 97 you will be treated to nice views of the Cascade Range volcanoes lined up one after another. They’re often hidden by clouds if you go up west of the range.
Drive friendly. 🙂
Craig
WDR
Hi, Craig,
I agree! I love Route 97, too. And the view of the Cascades is super-fine! I found the post about the day we followed 97 south from the Columbia River.
“I meet a lady in Grass Valley and find a boondock south of Bend, Oregon”
I can’t help but think that we must be neighbors here in central WA.
Hi there – I’m hoping to hear that you might be making your way to Modoc County at some point, to be in that “secret” out-of-the-way place I told you about. 🙂 Happy to see you made it to the Deschutes River and near La Pine. I was actually going to tell you about that area, so I’m glad you found it. If you end up north of there, the High Desert Museum is a wonderful stop!
Somehow, from our last messages back and forth, I managed to unsubscribe myself. I have been missing your posts a lot! I just signed up again, but got an error message and no confirmation in my email. Will be keeping my eyes peeled though.
Hi, Dyann,
I’m not happy about you receiving an error message when trying to subscribe. There’s been some weird stuff going on ever since changes in formatting for mobile devices… I don’t know the details. I went to a site for testing whether the theme of my blog is “mobile-friendly” and it passed. Hmm….
Readers: Anyone having problems subscribing? Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I’m glad you’ve found another beautiful spot! Enjoy! So far I’m loving Oregon!
Thanks, Dawn. It’s easy to love!
Hi Sue,
This post is one of your best in my book. Actually, I don’t think you could write a bad one if you tried. Having chosen to live in the Sierra Nevada myself, I enjoy your camps in the pine forests. It looks like you will reach 2 million hits in the next day or two so congratulations on becoming a Super Star in the RV world. I know you are amazed at the following you have. With your way with words and your passion for your lifestyle, it was inevitable that your blog would become one of the best. The best part is how many people you have encouraged to act upon their dreams. I know that everyone who follows you feels like part of special family. A family which you have created and continue to nourish each time you post. Remember this, you will never be without assistance should you put out a call for help. We all love you and look forward to many more years of your adventures and the antics of the crew. Be safe and keep on trucking lady.
JW….I wholeheartedly agree with all you said…..couldnt have said
it better myself…
chuck
Thanks, Chuck.
Dear JW,
I don’t know what to say. My “way with words” fails me, but I’ll try. I’m deeply touched by the kindness in your message to me.
Thank you for the congratulations. Yes, I am amazed! I always will be. You’re right. “The best part” is knowing there are people who might have spent the last portion of their life following routines and habits long emptied of any delight. And others, who cannot travel and camp for whatever reason, are riding along with me and the crew, sharing our delight. I am very privileged!
It is especially kind of you to think of a time when I might need assistance and to reassure me that all I have to do is “put out a call.” Thank you for that.
BTW, your writing is topnotch! I urge readers to look at Mr. Blackwater’s essay of April 24, 2015: “State of California Trashes Baby Shoes.”
Take a breath of that Sierra air for me and smile!
Oregonians see Memorial Day weekend as opening of camping/outdoor season. My wife and I live in the Northwest part of the state and avoid the outdoors on ALL holiday weekends! But, wishing you and the puppies the best!
JB
Thanks, JB. I wish the same for you and your wife.
It’s Friday morning as I type this and all is quiet, except for the river and birds. The campground is empty. I shouldn’t complain if people arrive later today, as the crew and I have had more than our share of peacefulness here!
Sue,That is really good news!
May is a good time to explore Oregon. It can be chilly, though.
You are in a good position for a Crater Lake visit. A must see, like the Grand Canyon. Also a good month to see the wild horses in Eastern Oregon. We’ve been following you since your Big Bend Nat. Park visit. You are the “John C. Fremont” of vandwelling!
I think you may have me confused with another blogger. I’ve never been to Big Bend but I have visited Crater Lake. And I don’t dwell in a van. You’re three for three! Ha. Couldn’t resist teasing, JB!
OOps! I think that may have been Suanne in her Prius. Must double check.
Sue, had a similar problem with our rhino hose. Turns out we lost the gasket in the fitting that hooks to the trailer, worth checking yours. We are in New Hampshire heading for Vermont tomorrow.
Hi, Jim & Vickie,
I think you may be right about the gasket. I looked in the box the hose came in and there was a gasket at the bottom. Chuck (of “Chuck and Geri”) thought the same thing.
It’s so nice that people pop in here with solutions to my problems. Thanks.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip into Vermont today!
Ewwwwww. I hate when the sewer hose malfunctions. We had a catastrophic failure several years ago, but I’ll spare you the details. You’re in a lovely area, enjoy the forest!
Hi, Allison,
It’s something that happens, no matter how careful we are! I’ve been initiated. 🙂
Yes, we are enjoying the forest. I was out walking around with Bridget and Reggie first thing this morning!
Enjoy Tucson!
Sigh……..As I’ve said before I just love central Oregon. One of my favorite spots in the world.
In fact I didn’t comment to your last post because I took that picture of the road winding down between the towering trees. put it on my computer and spent an entire night at work just starerin’ and dreamin’. It was as if I could smell the pines, feel the softness of the forest floor beneath my feet, and hear the soothing sound of the rushing river. I spent a cold Wisconsin night dreaming of the day that it will be me in a little trailer in the woods. Before I knew it you had posted another update and it was time to go home. Thank you for that special moment. (BTW yes, I am SERIOUSLY under supervised at work 🙂 )
Had to laugh at the idea of a “campground” with a security checkpoint. I would have kept moving as well. Maybe it’s just me but I always have an attitude about anyplace so carefully “gated”. I figure that if the shrubbery is more carefully maintained than my haircut then it just isn’t my kind of place. Probably for the best that you went to the state park with your leaky stinky slinky.
Which leads me to my question du jour. In the picture of your fresh water hose there seems to be a series of fittings both brass and plastic as the hose connects to the BLT. I assume you have a filter on the spigot end but what are the other fittings for? Just curious.
I hope your current camp stays peaceful and serene through the holiday. Give the crew a hug. As always I’m so very thankful that you’re you.
Looks like it might be a pressure regulator but that is a just a guess.
Excellent post BTW.
Hi, Rick,
It was fun to visit you in your workplace. I’m thankful you are under-supervised! I can relate to your dreaming. I did a lot of that.
“if the shrubbery is more carefully maintained than my haircut” …. Exactly! In the brief time I was there, I came upon four people whom I’m guessing are employees. One displayed poor manners, one was condescending, one was non-communicative, and the fourth was polite but when I pulled out my checkbook to pay . . . “Are you a member? We only accept checks from members.” Puh-leeze. I’ve had my checks accepted for propane all over the West. Gosh, I was tempted to let the crew out for a potty run on the perfectly mown grass…. 😉
Okay, the fresh water hose… What you see is the thingy that is supposed to prevent splashback. It helps, but I still have to be careful not to have the spigot turned on full blast.
Thanks, Rick, for another fun and thoughtful message. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
BTW, Rick, I put that forest road pic on my computer, too! I was thinking…. If I’m ever forced off the full-time road, I’d like to make a print of that photo and put it in a dark green matte to hang where I can gaze at it and smell the pines again.
Yea, like I said to start with…….Sigh.
Good morning! I’ve got 500 miles to drive today to be at my destination. Yippee! I am one tired puppy. Had a good nights sleep last night! This dumpy, crummy motel had the first comfortable mattress I’ve slept on in years! No back pain. I wasn’t sure it was possible. I slept in a bed!
I drove through Indiana and Ohio yesterday. Very pretty states, especially Ohio. And I drove through/around Cleveland..,seems like an attractive town. Indianapolis seemed like a giant, disorganized urban sprawl with a lot of seriously decayed areas. I stopped in Brownsburg, Indiana yesterday, a small town on the outskirts of Indianapolis, and that was a nice small town. But Indianapolis didn’t seem too nice.
I hope, when I go west in August, it will be warm enough I can stay in more camp grounds and travel even slower. I think 300 miles a day would be much nicer. I guess I’m getting old.
Another interesting report, Ginger! I’m very glad you had a good night’s sleep and woke with no back pain. That makes a big difference in your day.
Well, if 300 miles a day seems nice to you, I wouldn’t say you’re “getting old”. 🙂 To me 300 miles is too much! So who’s the geezer? Ha!
Safe and happy travels! 500 miles!
Here’s wishing you a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Living near Houston as we do, we try to stay off the roads during the weekend. It is supposed to be rainy this weekend but we will see. Humid, it will definitely be. We are currently de-mousing our Airstream-a mouse got in and died in the wall. My hubby tore the trailer apart, found a nest and bleached the heck out of everything. However, we can’t get to the actual mouse. We put lots of balsam in the trailer and are running an air filter in it-going on three weeks now. One thing that maddens me about trailer manufacturers is that they don’t care how many holes they leave exposed to rodents and other critters. We have had to seal up everything we could think of ourselves. We obviously missed one little hole which has been taken care of. We are also re-designing our queen bed/giant table layout which may take about 2 or so more months before we travel again. Hopefully, Mr. Mouse will be totally shrivelled by then. Anyone else have this experience?
Oh! Love your forest and hope you have quiet camping this weekend!
Ugh. What an awful thing to deal with! I hope your rig is fresh and sweet-smelling again soon! I don’t have that problem with the BLT, it having a minimum of holes in its shell. However, the PTV is “easy access” for any rodent looking for a home. I’ve learned to store my individual bottles of drinking water in a closed, plastic bin when we’re in desert country. Otherwise rodents will gnaw through the plastic bottles to get at the water! Can you believe it?
Have a relaxing weekend, Terri.
Good Morning Sue,
Having my coffee with an eye on the site meter….my birthday is Tuesday, so I hope that you hit 2 million on my birthday! Have a nice Holiday.
BTW Sue, I was watching a video blog and he mentioned that you helped him with his black tank draining problems….Cudos to you.
I wonder who that was. I didn’t know I’d given any advice on black tank draining!
Wow, looks like it is going to 2 million tomorrow…let me be the first to say congrats, you are amazing!
Hi, Shirlene,
I’m late again with a good morning to you! It looks like we’ll hit 2 million before your birthday… 🙂
Eddont Heargood called the fire department chief in Bend and a reporter from The Source Weekly,their local newspaper.He told them he was at the diner and the folks sitting behind him were talking about a couple million pine needles being put together for some bloke called ‘Arvey Soonkrue.Well,it being the beginning of fire season today here,naturally they went over to check out his story.Turns out Ed wasn’t wearing his hearing aid again.When questioned by the reporter those folks said “no.no,no-It’s a blog called rvsueandcrew.” The chief asked “What about all those pine needles,Ed said he heard you say something about seeing them in the the air,don’t you know that would be a fire hazard?” Now those folks ,being friendly and all didn’t want to embarrass poor ol’ Ed,so they answered real quiet like “We said ‘We can smell them from here’,Can’t you?’bout everyone says they can.”
Now ,with the facts being what they were,it didn’t make the paper or merit sending a fire truck to see if the woods had any smoke rising-there’s too many forests around for that.Kinda nice ta think though innit?That the earth would lay out a green carpet to celebrate something that appreciated it?
Very clever, weather! 🙂
Looks beautiful!!!
Wish I was there!!!
Yea, RvSue&Crew hits 2 million. My projection was 2 days early.
I remember projecting August, shortly after you hit 1 million so your growth continues, a testament to your talent and attention to your Blogorinos.
YLTA & very senior Blogorino, Mick’nTN