November
“Camp Desert Retreat” near Fossil Falls, south of Lone Pine, California
The crew and I camped alone in a vast basin of dry grass and volcanic rock between bare mountains. Definitely our most secluded and quietest camp yet!
Sawtooth Canyon, south of Barstow, California
First we went to Sawtooth Campground where we camped last year. It was full so we went across the highway to boondock. I was dismayed by the destruction of the road and plants that had occurred in only one year.
After a while I was able to look past the damage and see the beauty which remained.
“Orocopia Camp,” I-10 exit #168, east of Indio, California
Although there are more picturesque campsites in the canyon further up the road, we made a camp more convenient to the interstate, as I planned to leave in the morning. This was at the edge of the Orocopia Wilderness.
Dome Rock, west of Quartzsite, Arizona
Bridget, Spike, and I took many walks together in the desert at Dome Rock.
This photo was taken during an early morning walk with the crew from our Dome Rock camp. I like the way the light played on the hills and mountains.
The Scenic Road RV Park, Quartzsite, Arizona
The batteries in the Perfect Tow Vehicle and the Best Little Trailer soak up electricity at a commercial rv park. I soak up the hot water in the shower house!
Mittry Lake Wildlife Refuge, Yuma, Arizona
A Great Egret stood sentry over Mittry Lake the day we arrived. Our timing was good. Several lakeside camps were vacant and the usual hooligans weren’t there to kick up dust with their vehicles.
I like this long view across autumn colors.
Bridget and I relaxed at the water’s edge. Spike, however, had to go for a soak, which he did.
December
Sidewinder Road, off Ogilby Road in California, west of Yuma, Arizona
As the year winds down, the crew and I settle in for the winter months. I try to catch up on maintenance tasks neglected during our travels.
Our Sidewinder Road camp is a handy base for running into Yuma to complete errands. One is not limited to 14 days and it’s free boondocking, of course.
Palm Canyon, Kofa Wildlife Refuge, Route 95 between Yuma and Quartzsite
Spike, Bridget and I arrive at Kofa Wildlife Refuge the day of Christmas Eve. We make this dramatic setting our home through Christmas and into the new year.
The palms of Palm Canyon, seen on a hike with friends and Kofa volunteers, Bill and Ann.
I hope you enjoyed these seven photo essays reviewing our travels and camps of 2013.
What will 2014 bring? Where will the crew and I travel?
Whatever we do, wherever we go, I hope you will come along with us!
rvsue
AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Am I first?
Yes, you are, Connie! So many times you’ve been late to the party… LOL!… Good to see you here!
I know… half the time you’re already out of beer!!
Sue,
I thoroughly enjoyed the photo essay. Outstanding photos of your travels and the crew.
I never tire of seeing the wondrous beauty of our great country. Thank you again for sharing your dreams with us.
You’re welcome, Barbara. It is an amazing country, isn’t it. The wonders never cease . . .
Darn, thought I was first.
Aww… Maybe next time. 🙂
And I haven’t even been trying to win this race. Good idea to do a summary of the whole year in pictures… and a great year it was.
I wasn’t sure if folks would want seven posts of photos from the past. The feedback has been positive. I hope this series will become a helpful resource.
Yeah, another great year on the road! I wondered if 2013 could ever match the excitement of 2012. It did!
I think it’s a wonderful idea to feature the places you’ve been. So much great visual info for those who want to get their boon docking feet wet, so to speak :). Where will 2014 take you? We await your posts!
Great! I guess I’ll do one at the end of each year then.
I loved it. Now I know which months you were in the PNW so I can easily go back and reference where exactly some of those places were that you visited. It will help us in our planning our own trip up there.
I hope my readers aren’t crowding each other out of the spots I photographed! LOL!
Just joking… I wish you wonderful times in the camps we enjoyed.
I came across this blog today, a couple that are camping and boondocking with their horses. Thought you might enjoy seeing this, as you love horses.
http://randyandpegsadventures.blogspot.com
Their post on December 14 tells about their decision to do this and the preparation.
Interesting, Lee!
Any idea how many miles you and the crew covered last year?
I’m in for this years journey! I love seeing different parts of the country and the interesting stories/individuals associated with that area. I feel like a passenger along for the ride. Geeze I’ve never offered to fill the tank! How rude!
What destination is ahead? We’ll just have to see which way you turn the PTV…but I have no doubt…..it’s going to be beautiful!
Live that dash……..girlfriend
Oh darn! I was going to look at the odometer before driving in the new year! I do believe I recorded the starting number at the beginning of 2013. Thanks for reminding me, Cindy.
It’s dark as I write this. I’ll try to remember to go read the odometer tomorrow and make an estimate (I’ve driven into Quartzsite twice.)
No, you never offered to fill the tank, but you’ve done a lot better than that in other ways . . . girlfriend. 🙂
I think those of us who order on Amazon could feel that we are helping to fill the tank.
That’s true, Connie!
Enjoyed the retrospective!
It was fun posting the old photos. Glad you enjoyed them.
I’m driving the 70 miles to the Casita factory next week to take a look. I’ll mention your name and see if I get 50% off. ha,ha.
Casita needs to keep you supplied with the latest upgrades just for the pictures you take and post on your blog and Chevy should put you on their pro team.
Hi, TexasTom!
Hey, put in a good word for me at the Casita factory and stop by the Chevy plant while you’re at it.
Seriously, if you buy a Casita and mention that I convinced you to do so, I get two hundred smackers… and I’m not talking kisses, honey. I’m talking $$$!
Well, I couldn’t stand it anymore! After about “Part 4” of your 2013 Photo Essay, I just HAD to go back to the beginning and start all over. Don’t ask why. I’ve spent the past 2 days re-reading your blog and enjoying each and every entry. I can’t explain it but it makes me happy when I read how happy and content you were (are). It was so satisfying to read how things fell into place and as you met friends who helped you along the way. I especially enjoyed learning the details as you became solar! You probably consider it all mundane at this point but I STILL love to hear the little details (what’s for supper, how long before the next run to the laundry mat, how long before you have to dump the black tank). I suppose my life is such a contrast to yours and yet I can live vicariously (?) through you and enjoy your adventures through your blog. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and THANK you AGAIN!
hugs to you and kibbles to the crew,
Lacy
I love your comment, Lacy! Your words jump off my monitor! And, of course, I’m delighted that you were able to enjoy my blog the second time through. 🙂
The feedback about sharing details of every day is important to me. I’ve been wondering if repeating that type of stuff would bore readers. I realize you’re one out of many readers, but it seems when one says something in a comment, many feel the same way.
I’ll keep what you’ve written in mind as I write posts this year.
You are so sweet. YOU’RE WELCOME, YOU’RE WELCOME, and YOU’RE WELCOME AGAIN!
Gee, Sue. Thanks for that! Again, I’m just ‘one’ but I find your day-to-day activities fascinating. I can’t be alone here – you’ve amassed a gazillion followers ‘the old fashioned way’ (without SOCIAL MEDIA/Twitter). You must be doing SOMETHING right – You go girl!!!!
xxx
🙂
I completely agree with Lacy! Enjoy the day to day activities and Thank You Sue You Go Girl!!!
It is so nice to see more of you photo’s tonight. Most times I read your blogs in the morning, but TV is really boring so I thought, I got lucky last nite and found you had posted so thought maybe I would get lucky again tonight. And I did yay.
Our weather started out at 32 degrees this morning and has been going down all day, on it’s way to -20 to -30 plus a wind chill. Thank God for computers, how did we ever live with out them. There is so much to learn and then there is all the scenery we get to see from your blog and a lot of other blogs as well.
So we’re all waiting to see where you go next.
As always thank you.
Oh, Darlene… I’m chuckling over your first paragraph. So you got lucky again tonight! Yay! It’s funny the way you wrote that.
Well, your second paragraph ain’t so funny. I know what -30 with wind chill feels like. I don’t want to go there. 🙁 Sorry you have to deal with it. Stay safe and warm, Darlene.
Egads Sue, here in Indiana we are supposed to get 12inches of snow Sunday. The grocery stores have been cleaned out with people like me going nutty and buying 6 weeks of food. It’s nice to stop in here and restore sanity. lol I think I will start rereading your blog too, from the beginning. Take care and be safe.
Egads is right… A foot of snow. No wonder people are going nutty (nuttier than usual, that is).
I remember when I lived in Georgia and snow or ice (which would last a day at the most) was in the forecast, people cleared the shelves of water and food! Panic in the aisles! Oh, me…
Well, I hope the blog is good the second time around, like yummy leftovers and not something you wished you threw out. Haha!
Thanks for sharing this recap and giving us a quick way to remember where all you were this past year!! We appreciate the time spent in so doing!! Even if we never get to live as you are, we are very glad to share in your adventures this way!! And of course, being dogless dog lovers, hearing about the cute doggies is special to us too. And I am always on the hunt for good food ideas, so always enjoy whatever you want to share on that as well. And things to do with living more healthfully too.
May this year be your best ever, in every way!! Blessings, Elizabeth in NC
Hi, Elizabeth,
I’m not sure it’s a good idea to come to me for “good food ideas.” For instance, today my supper was as follows…
Recipe… Take two slices of rye bread. Spread one slice (doesn’t matter which one) with spicy mustard. Grab that hunk o’ cheese from the back of the fridge and slice it on top of the mustard. Slap the other slice of bread on top, cut and eat. Serves one… almost. 🙂
You always write nice comments, Elizabeth. It’s great that you’re a part of this… whatever this is. Have a good night!
Heh…well, we eat some fairly strange things at times here too…when life is busy, who can take time to make the really stupendous stuff…besides when the only ones you have to impress most of the time are the doggies…well, ours anyway were always happy with ANYTHING we shared with them!! HA! The part of cooking I have done very little of is cooking outside…even though I have collected PLENTY of information…tis just hard to know which to try out, etc. If we ever go on the road, and have TIME…we will probably experiment some with those solar ovens…some of those ideas appeal to us, along with the regular food.
Well, we feel like friends here you know…and hubby and I are kind of hermit types in a way too…we are ok with lots of solitude. We appreciate all you are teaching all of us!! We hope you will be able to continue a long time!! I think too, it is especially nice as Tioga George has left the scene and until you, we never came across anyone doing just quite what he and you are doing!! So in a way, you are doing 2 jobs…the one he did and the one you do!! I am sure others feel the same as we do too. Some folks just might not write on here.
And thank you for your kind remarks to me!!
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. Kindness is reciprocal. 🙂
Where will you go in 2014? The Hill Country of Texas is beautiful in April.
Don
Hmm . . . Let me think about that, Don.
After looking through all your 2013 photo essays I must say you camp in some beautiful spots. Hope you and the crew have another wonderful travel year.
Hi, Linda,
Add the beautiful spots we camped in 2011 and 2012 to the ones in 2013… and as if that isn’t absolutely astounding enough… Just think… There are more out there to be found! Wow!
I agree with everyone!! Hugs!
🙂
Oh…I have a “mundane” question…do you have a shower in your Casita and if so, do you use it…I wonder because you mentioned enjoying the hot showers at that place you actually….horrors…paid money to stay at…LOL…p.s. probably others are wondering too…maybe…
Hi, Sheri,
No, I don’t use my shower. I have storage drawers in there and a rug. It’s too much of a bother to take that stuff out, fuss around in a small area with the dang shower curtain in my face, worry about using too much water, wipe the room down when I’m done, put everything back, Bridget wants me to come out NOW, I can’t see what Spike is up to …
Instead I fill a basin with hot, soapy water (two if I’m washing my hair), set it in the main part of the BLT, and scrub!
Ooopsss…i keep meaning to ask you…do you worry about someone coming along and hitching up your Casita when you are in town on errands…I mean I don’t know if it would even be possible and if it is a concern at all? p.s. probably others are wondering too…maybe….okay, now I’m just being silly…HUGS!!
You’re not being silly. No, I don’t worry about someone taking off with the BLT while I’m away. I secure the hitch lock, leave, and forget about it.
What’s the point in worrying about what might happen? I might as well sell it and sit in an apt if I’m going to worry about my home disappearing every time I go somewhere without it. If it happens, I’ll deal with it. In the meantime I don’t give it a thought. Possessions can enslave.
Thanks for the wonderful trip and then a great review. I will be enjoying your trip where ever you go in 2014. It is just awesome hanging with RvSue & Crew.
You’re welcome, Mick. Look at how people enjoyed the photos taken with the camera you gave me. That’s what I say is awesome!
I’m getting ready for that snow and cold too. Luckily I’m only supposed to get 1-3 inches, I think. Wind chills expected down to -10. I had to work yesterday so today (early) I’m planning a grocery run. But I’ve got a stocked pantry and will make out fine; just wanted to get some fresh stuff. I know what you mean about the grocery runs when the weather turns bad, Sue! They do the same here in Tennessee. Based on the forecasts, will probably be stuck at home until Wednesday…..not going to be above freezing before then!
Hi, Ladybug,
So many people housebound the next few days, I’d better post every day, right? It’s the closest I’ll come to having a captive audience.
Gee, I need to sell more movies, ebooks, and music for Amazon to all the bored people barricaded inside their homes this week. Heh-heh.
“I’m only supposed to get 1-3 inches…. Wind chills expected down to -10.” I love your attitude… ONLY! I know Georgians who would hyperventilate hearing that forecast. 🙂
Keep warm and cozy, Ladybug.
Just love your first entry. I bet the night sky is so beautiful there. I also love the quiet and solitude of the places you choose. My husband and I are going to NM and AZ this coming April and hope to do some boon-docking. Your photos will help us decide where we might go. Thanks for such great info and also your followers have some awesome links as well.
Hi, Karen,
You will enjoy looking at the night sky in New Mexico and Arizona. Here at Kofa we’ve had several clear nights. I drop off to sleep every night looking up at the starry sky from my pillow (My bed is under the window.)
You don’t say how long you will be in the Southwest beginning in April. If you stay into the summer, look for boondocks with higher elevations… in eastern AZ and western NM, for instance. You probably know that already, but as I was once told, I like to park the car in the garage. 🙂
Have fun planning your trip and dreaming!
Actually it can get up into the 90s regularly in April in southern AZ, so boondocking needs to be planned to avoid needing the AC unless you love heat.
Thanks for the tip.
Great photos! The years seem to tumble by so quickly ! I love your blog and I am looking forward to following in 2014 !
So true! The crew and I are approaching our third year already. The time has passed quickly, yet it’s chock full of memories. Stay with us in 2014, Betty-Shea!
Sue, that was a great year in review. I really liked the pic of Spike at the elevator on the Ferry. I did not see a pic of the BLT covered in the snow which I enjoyed,
I found your blog while you were in Utah going north,
Thanks for all of the great info.
Safe travels and looking forward to 2014.
Hi, Tom,
I almost put that snowy pic into the review. I had so many photos taken around the Glass Creek camp that I wanted to show again… What a great boondock that was. We were there at just the right time… Campground closed because of the gov’t. flatulence, no combustion engines roaring around, etc. Serene!
Isn’t Utah incredible? Love that state. Glad you’re with us, Tom.
What an outstanding resource for camping spots and places to go/see/be, thank you Sue!
Hey, I have some Mace Bauer and Donut Shop mysteries for ebook if you want them.
Thanks, but I’m up to my ears in books right now . . .
No matter where you and the crew go in 2014, your readers will follow you! Sounds like we are wanting to do this, are doing it, or have done it in some form or another. Your blog makes it real for us no matter what stage of the game we may be experiencing. Thank you Sue.
You’re welcome, Mary. You described us all well.
Finally we are making the leap! Just submitted our floor plan to sportsmobile. We are going to go with the new Dodge Promaster. Hope to be out on the road in July, it will be so much better than just setting here taking care of my hubby. I can just see myself running down the road after his wheelchair. Cause I know once he gets out there will be no stopping him. So thank you for all your photos, it has really got us excited to try it.
Good for you! Congratulations upon taking the leap! I’m not familiar with Dodge Promaster so I searched it.
Here’s a general link for readers (not necessarily Michelle’s):
Sportsmobile Custom Camper Vans
Best wishes to you both!
Wow. Those are cool! I have a friend whose son is in a chair…they’d love to explore more…I’ll send them this link. Thanks.
Sue,
I really enjoyed the photo review of your year of traveling. It reminded me of the section they do at the end of Survivor, the TV show, where they visit all the torches of contestants placed along a rugged path. It was great re-living those boondocks and special spots with you. It also serves as a quick reference for when I finally hit the road with all these secluded spots in one place at the end of the year. I can’t start my journey until I sell my business, so everyone, please send me good thoughts that a qualified buyer will materialize this year.
You said you have plenty of books to read right now, but I must tell you about one I just finished. It’s called “Wild” by Cherl Strayed. It’s extremely well written, and as a great writer yourself, I know you will really enjoy it. It’s about how her mother died suddenly when she was a senior in college and how it sent her life into a tailspin. The way she dug herself out was by walking the Pacific Crest Trail. She decided to do it alone, and she had never backpacked before. It’s quite a gripping story. Oprah was so impressed, she resurrected her book club to recommend it which, of course, shot it to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list. A movie is being made of it starring, Reese Witherspoon that will be out later this year.
I’ve read all your posts, and each new one is the highlight of my day. I, too, enjoy hearing about the mundane, day-to-day chores interspersed among your other activites. It gives your blog an authenticity of what it’s REALLY like living full time on the road that most other travel blogs don’t have. Please, keep it up, and maybe I’ll see you out on the road someday.
Hi, Barb,
I’ve heard of the book, Wild. It sounds interesting and probably will make a good movie with R. Witherspoon in it. She’s a good actress.
Thanks for the feedback on writing about everyday things, and your explanation of what that adds to my blog. I’m glad you enjoyed the photo essays. Looks like that will be a regular, end-of-the-year feature!
I hope your business sells very soon!
I couldn’t put that book down!!
I loved that book too!
I am loving your review of the year. My husband does not think that a motor home is in our future, but I love the idea in spite of our health problems. We just bought a new truck that we plan to have a lift installed in to haul our scooters. I can dream about boondocking even if we never do it. I just ordered a Benchmark Atlas for Montana. We are going to Glacier National Park in the fall and I figure that I can show him some of the neat places we could be staying instead of the motels we spend our nights in. I have read all of your blog from the beginning. I don’t think I could part with our “stuff”, but in the meantime I can enjoy your adventures. Thanks for the delightful Walter Mitty experience.
Hi, Pat,
Thank you for the Benchmark atlas order! I think you’ll find it helpful when you plan and travel your trip to Glacier. The more you use it, the more you get from it.
You aren’t the first woman who’s commented that she reads my blog and wants to camp, but the husband doesn’t. My advice (which you didn’t ask for) is for hubby to read my blog. I can’t imagine anyone seeing the beautiful places we’ve camped without wanting to go there, too!
Your plan is good though. Show him the difference between a motel and a camp with a view. 🙂 Best wishes to you both.
And thank you for reading my blog from the begining.
Loved that empty valley where you camped. Can’t imagine what that would be like. Wonderful. Good advice about the women who want to camp (me) and husbands that do not (mine). Will try that!
Hi, Dawn,
If you’re referring to the “empty” area in the first photo, that is a place where one can learn how secure one is with being alone. Some people would be nervous and soon go nuts in that boondock. Others would revel in it and be restored. You know which group I’m in!
Hey Sue… I just found something that may interest you and the other RVers. It’s called a Wonderbag Portable Slow Cooker. Right now it is sold out on Amazon, but check it out. A non-electric slow cooker… the Amazon page has all the details on how it works. There was just an article on Huffington Post about it. It was developed in South Africa for those who don’t have electricity.
Hi, Connie,
I looked it up on Amazon. Very intriguing! This morning it shows two in stock. I wanted to put one of my links here, but for some unknown reason it won’t work.
READERS: It’s easy to find. Use the Amazon search box in sidebar and search for “Wonderbag Portable Slow Cooker.”
Thanks, Connie.
Your blog posts are a little getaway for me. I’ve never been able to travel much. Too many responsibilities keeping me at home. I am enjoying your adventures until I can have my own. Thanks for making it feel like it is possible!
You’re welcome, Michelle. I wanted to post last night, but the words wouldn’t come to me. Hate it when that happens!
I can relate to your comment where you wrote, “I’ve never been able to travel much. Too many responsibilities keeping me at home.” That was me!
I hope the responsibilities diminish for you during your retirement, allowing you to live your own adventures. I can attest that they are all the sweeter for having to wait. . . Best wishes to you…. It IS possible!
Hi again Sue,
I imagine you’ve been ask this lots of times, but what is on the pole on the back of your trailer? Also, I note the pole doesn’t show up in every picture. Wind generator? WiFi gear? Happy Trails! Thanks!
Hi, Larry,
I’m happy to answer this question again. The pole holds my Wilson antenna which strengthens internet signal. When towing, I store the antenna and pole inside the BLT. Sometimes I don’t put up the pole because the signal is strong without it. Other times I take a photo as soon as I arrive at a new camp and haven’t put the pole up yet.
Look up at the top of the page, right below the header photo. Click on the words, “Internet Antenna.” A page should open with info and an illustration of the Wilson antenna (a link is included which takes you to the antenna at Amazon). You can read about the bumper mount designed and fabricated by my friend and reader of this blog, Mick from Tennessee. Also the cable information is available there with links.
There is a second page, “Mifi Schematic,” from the drop-down menu. Make sure you see both pages. The discussions at the bottom between Mick and interested readers are informative, too.
Before Mick set me up with the pole and antenna, sometimes I couldn’t post to this blog due to weak signal for internet. Now that’s rarely a concern. I love it!
Thanks for the info Sue!! You’re the BEST!! 🙂
You’re welcome, Larry. I encourage questions, so feel free to ask any time.
May I suggest. The Chiricahua national monument and Kartchner caverns
Hi, Stan,
I would like to get over Chiricahua way . . .
sue, absolutely loved all the pictures of the PNW. reminded me a little of the area in Upstate NY where I grew up.
we left AZ 2 days ago and are headed back to TX around the Corpus Christi area.
staying in motels while on the road between areas, as setting up and taking down a 9×12 canvas tent for one night is just too much like work, and then loading everything
back into the van again so it all fits gets frustrating at times.
we need to seriously look for a better setup if we are to continue this vagabond lifestyle, but finances won’t allow us to move forward at this point in time.
the places you visit are just awesome, hope to be able to visit those areas myself at some point in the near future. we’ll see what happens, in the meantime we look forward to reading about your adventures and seeing all the pictures of those places, and dreaming of the day we will see where you’ve been for ourselves…thank you for allowing us to travel with you via the internet…many blessings to you
Hi, Bonnie and Charlie,
Welcome! I can understand that setting up, taking down, and storing your tent when moving quickly from place to place would be very tiring. Tent camping is something I know very little about. I suspect it takes more adaptability and resourcefulness than I’ll ever have.
I grew up in upstate NY, too! You touched on something that makes me realize why I found the PNW so attractive. In some ways it is familiar to the area in which I grew up, and since I haven’t been back to NY is many years, I became especially fond of the PNW. I hope you get to go there!
Are you familiar with Bob Wells’ blog? cheaprvliving.com/blog He lives in a van, as do many of his followers. This may be of interest to you.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Best wishes to you in your travels!
Hi rvsue, I’m so glad I found your blog and am happy to hear all of what you’re sharing. I have a gypsy soul and can see myself doing this someday (I’m early/mid 50s) so it’s nice to enjoy your travels vicariously for now. I always wonder what type of rig I’ll have and if I’ll like the lifestyle (I’m an extrovert but really value alone time too). I’m not sure I’d feel safe camping alone, way far away from others, although it would be nice sometimes.
I look forward to checking out your other adventures. How do I get to the blogs about the PNW? I love it there too.
Happy Trails,
Lynn