Thursday, February 27
“Spikey. What happened here little boy?”
I can’t believe she’s putting this in her stupid blog!
It’s early morning. Spike gets up and jumps off the bed. He leaves behind a circle of dampness on the quilt. Out the door he goes.
Oh the poor guy. He wet the bed. He slept so soundly he didn’t know he needed to go outside during the night.
I pull back the quilt and am relieved to find it didn’t seep down to the cushion.
This isn’t the first time Spike has had an accident.
A few nights ago he had a lesser incident. I was able to wash out the corner of the quilt and dry it outside. Not so easy this time. Well, it looks like we’re going to the laundromat today.
By mid-morning we’re in Quartzsite.
First I drive over to the naked bookseller’s store. I say hello to Paul, drop off a passel of paperbacks, and pick up one to take.
Next I pull into the large laundromat on Main Street.
After walking Bridget and Spike around the parking lot, I put them back into the Perfect Tow Vehicle and gather up my quilt, rugs, and basket of laundry.
The place is hopping! Thursday must be the day to do laundry among the people of Quartzsite. I find four empty washers and load them up.
I didn’t eat breakfast and now I’m hungry.
I didn’t take many photos today. Instead you get some rejects from this past week.
I go around to the front of the building which houses a restaurant. As I’m sitting by the window eating a chicken salad sandwich, a collision occurs out on the street between a pick-up truck and a car.
The lady in the car does not get out.
Apparently she took quite a hit because the front quarter-panel on her car, right up the steering column, is smashed in. Her front tire is flat; the rim is on the pavement.
Soon a police car and emergency vehicles arrive.
The paramedics extricate her from the car, load her onto a stretcher, and take her away in the rescue van.
Meanwhile, back at the laundromat, competition for dryers is heating up.
I’m not in the mood to take photos of a laundromat. A palo verde pic will have to do.
Luckily I score the last three dryers. I go outside to check on the crew. I come back and wait. The quilt and shams are done, so I take them out to the PTV. (There’s a reason I’m giving this detail.) Eyes are on my dryers.
I stand in front of my dryers, ready to empty them as soon as the rest of my laundry is dry.
A lady waits alongside me with a cart full of wet clothes. She has dibs on my dryers. Suddenly, an altercation breaks out between a white-haired woman in a pink shirt and a young woman wearing dreadlocks.
Saguaro with ocotillo along King of Kofa Road
I had seen the younger woman come out of her hippie-decorated van earlier. She is absolutely livid.
She corrals the manager and points.
“I turn my back and that woman over there dumps my wet clothes out of the dryers and puts hers in!” she exclaims angrily. “She thinks she can do anything she wants!”
I don’t know who is at fault in the situation.
I tend to empathize with the young woman. Maybe because I went out twice — to check on the crew and to load the quilt — and I would’ve been fit to be tied if someone messed with my laundry in those few minutes I was gone.
Plus the young woman did have possession of the dryers.
The young woman pulls her wet laundry off the table and drops it on the floor at the feet of the woman in pink. “What? Do you think your time is more valuable than my time? I’ve been here for hours!”
I don’t hear the response of the retiree in pink, but whatever she says, it doesn’t placate the irate woman. If anything, the situation is escalated. The woman in pink must be mortified. The manager intervenes. I ignore them and fold my laundry.
I just want to get out of there.
What a morning! Spike wets the bed, a woman is injured and hauled off in an ambulance, and there’s a fight at the laundromat. What next?
Bridget and Spike — bless their hearts — are happy when I return to the PTV.
I drive across the street to the grocery store.
Again I leave the crew to wait. I buy them a bunch of spare ribs for $3.63. The butcher separates the bones for me. When I go outside, I see a Tab travel trailer parked next to the PTV.
A moment later, two women come out of the store.
“Is this your trailer?” I ask.
“Yes, it is,” one of them responds.
Cute!
“Would you be interested in a Bal leveler? I notice you have 14-inch tires. I have a Casita with 15-inch and the leveler doesn’t work well with it.”
The women aren’t familiar with a Bal leveler, so I get it out and show them how it works. “I’m not trying to sell it. I want to get rid of it because I don’t use it and it adds weight.”
They tell me they’d like to have it.
We exchange names.
I tell them about this blog, and I ask if I can take a photo of their trailer. I find out their names are Iris and Laura from Indio, California. (I think they said they’re sisters.)
“We’re with “Sisters on the Fly.”
“Oh, yeah, I know that group,” I remark as I get the camera out of the PTV.
“You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”
“No, no thanks. I like to camp by myself.”
Laura compliments me on my sandals and asks what kind they are. “They’re Keens. I love ’em. They give you good traction for hikes and your feet don’t get hot.”
To make a long story short . . . well, it’s too late for that.
I leave them the Bal leveler and they’re happy to receive it.
Iris thanks me and smiles. “I love when serendipity happens.”
“If you find you don’t like it, give it to someone else in your group.”
“I’ll pay it forward,” she promises.
On that happy note, I hop into the PTV, toss two bones back to the crew, and get us the heck out of Quartzsite before something bad happens.
The Best Little Trailer before she got her shine back
rvsue
I THINK IT’S PRETTY DARN NICE THE WAY PEOPLE REMEMBER TO SHOP AMAZON FROM MY BLOG. THANK YOU!
I did get some bones out of the deal! Heh-heh.
Sounds like life is much quieter out in the desert! What a day!
Definitely… That’s why I thought that full moon photo of the BLT was a good ending.
Love the grinning Spike!
He’s a sweetie.
I thought the same thing DeAnne. Definitely a smile or a smirk. Reminds me of some of the old cartoons, he he he….
Brought a smile to me. Thanks Sue
Such a peaceful, perfect pic at the top of todays entry. I thought of a cute sign you need to put up. ” I am homesteading the acreage around me ! Guard Dogs… Spike and Bridget on Duty !! Enter at your own peril ! LOL
Hi, Kaye,
Bridget and Spike do run out barking whenever anyone dares to drive near our campsite. Of course, no one takes them seriously.
As usual, I enjoyed reading your blog. My favorite part was Spikey’s pic at the end. I wish you continued happy and safe travels.
Thank you, Phyllis. Yes, Spike tends to steal the show.
Oh My, My…what a day you had! Made for very enjoyable reading. Glad you didn’t get caught up in the Laundromat dispute. Travel safely.
Hi, Pauline,
Let this be a lesson to all who read here. Never dump out somebody’s wet laundry so you can use the dryer!
I once had someone throw all their clothes in the dryer with mine. It was so embarassing having to sort it all out. I don’t know what the lady was thinking. I always give dryers a good look for gum or ink before I use them . This lady must not have looked at all. Such a mess. Anyhoo, your post reminded me of that.
You’ve got to be kidding! How strange.
That lady knew your laundry was in there. She didn’t want to pay for a dryer.
Maybe the lady was visually impaired?
It’s been my experience that the visually impaired are more careful than everyone else.
Once I experienced someone off the street come into my apt. laundry room, “go shopping” in the dryers, put a few pieces of MY clothing on THEIR body, and dash out of my apt. bldg, passing my front window, whereby I saw pieces of MY wardrobe disappear onto the street!
RVSue: “competition for dryers HEATING UP”? Very PUN-NY!
Haha! You caught my little play with words!
Wow! Talk about walking off with someone’s stuff. That sounds like NYC, if you’ll pardon my bias.
Wild times in Quartzite!!! The laundromat really goes all out for entertainment. Just kidding. Hope the lady that got hit is okay.
Hi, Barbara,
I’m hoping her injuries were not serious and all the attention from the paramedics was precautionary. Boy, was her day ever ruined. Her car is a total mess.
Whew, that was close! Glad it was the p*ss hitting the fan rather than the sh*t for Spike! I had a feeling that might have been what you were hinting at….I have to admit, there have been times I’ve slept so soundly I’ve done the same. Must be something to do with age….
Sounds like those ladies were with Sisters On The Fly for sure.
Yes, they are with Sisters on the Fly. I added a link up in the post where I mention them. The website is interesting. They do go for great adventures!
Isn’t it grand to interact with humanity, Sue!
I crave isolation–really! Since my retirement three years ago, I have found so much solace away from humanity. I am blessed to live in a small Montana town where people mind their own business, and are completely happy to help a neighbor in need, if requested. I love the isolation although at times I wonder if I am a weirdo for doing so. :>)
To go into Billings, the biggest nearest city, I can count on a headache and a bad attitude toward complete strangers who make bad driving decisions and engage in assorted pushy “me first” behaviors. Don’t want to sound like a disgruntled old lady, but I just don’t match the fast paced and always amazing angry environment any more. So, I am blessed to have my little slice of solitude which I can afford.
I am glad you are back in camp intact and grateful.
Hi, Diann,
Don’t ever think you’re a weirdo for wanting solitude. I think it’s a healthy sign if you can be happy by yourself and with yourself. No need to validate yourself through interaction with others, being comfortable in your own skin, intelligent enough to amuse yourself . . . Enjoy!
Laundromat drama. Gotta love it. One Christmas Eve I was frantically doing a bit of laundry in my favorite laundromat and so were thousands (a bit of hyperbole ), rushing around to find an available dryer when I noticed my purse was missing!!! “Has anyone seen a blue purse?”, I shouted to the busy co-laundry friends…”you all look honest, I am not accusing anyone”…Very weak Cathy (to myself). I searched high and low….no purse! Panic-fear-more panic. Two young Mexican men leaned against a folding table watching their laundry dry. I asked them if they had seen my purse and they both just nodded in the direction of the dryers. Slowly I turned to face the dryers and THERE WAS MY BLUE PURSE going round and round….
Very true story
Hi, Cathy,
Your laundromat story tops mine! That’s too funny. The Mexican men sound quite droll the way you told the story, which adds to the humor. I immediately started inventoring my purse in my mind… Hmm… What would happen if all that stuff were heated?
Thanks for sharing . . .
All my underwear became polka dot…from my one tube of lipstick! I kept it to remind me every time I put them on! 🙂
Thanks for the chuckle Cathy. That was a good one.
Cathy, that’s hilarious!
You provided the laugh I really needed today. Mine was more like the wreck + the laundry mat altercation all rolled up in one.
On another note, I’m having to add some chicken to the cat’s food. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked but it grosses me out. Guess I’ll get used to it though. They sure do enjoy it and they both are ready and nipping at my feet at feeding time. They both come greet me at the back door when I come home. Sometimes they greet me on the weekends in the middle of the day cause they hope I’ll forget and give them some extra chicken!
You just have way too much fun!
Hi, Carla,
Sorry you didn’t have a good day. May tomorrow be better . . .
Isn’t it something the way these animals go nuts for raw food? Meal times are exciting! And you’d better not be late dishing it out!
Today on the Escapees Discussion Forum there was talk about cats on an all meat
diet. It was posted that the results are that the kitty no longer sheds and the litter
box does not smell up the rig even after a week of use. My Clyde has long thick fur
that he leaves everywhere… When he uses his box… he comes to me and actually
sits in front of me, makes eye contact and says a nice soft meow…..
Next shopping trip I will get some raw meat…probably chicken for him, animal products are no longer a part of my diet, about 4 years now…. I have some canned tuna already that he will probably enjoy. I do eat salmon…. share the “juice” with
my Clydie boy….
Hi, Elizabeth,
You probably have found sites online that will help you plan your Clyde’s new diet. I wish you both good luck with it!
Hmmm . . . well I have to say your day was a whole lot more eventful than mine!! I was in Q. today and had a totally ordinary afternoon (except for the pizza and Kilt-lifter beer, which was outstanding 🙂 )
Poor Spikey, my dog Molly had problems as she aged. Have you tried Natures Miracle? It’s an enzyme-based cleaner that really does a good job removing stains and smells. I have some with me if you’d like to try it.
I second the Natures Miracle. Great product!
Hi, Cynthia!
Good to know, Anne. Thanks.
At this stage, here’s what I’m doing. I put a very thin, small, rubber-backed rug (washed at the laundromat today) over the cushion where Spike sleeps before making up the bed. When Bridget wakes me up to go outside during the night (she always does at least once), I’ll wake Spike up and take him out also, unless he went out on his own recently.
No smells or stains… It all washed out of the quilt. Thanks for the offer.
I don’t know if this idea would work for you or with your kind of trailer, but I had my door taken off and double insulated doggy door inserted into it. I have a fence like yours outside, so now during the night they can get up as often as they like and go do their business. I put a little step for them on the other side. Has been wonderful. Anyway, just an idea. 🙂
Hi, Darci,
We manage to camp in places with few or no flying insects, so the door stays open most of the time. Plus I like the trailer trash look . . .
I now have my alarm set for 1am to wake up my oldest boy, and shoo him outside. I also sewed a waterproof crib sheet to the back of a piece of synthetic fleece with a couple of layers of old flannel sheet in between. It’s ‘his spot’ on my bed, on the couch, in the car, wherever. It can absorb a big accident (luckily he hasn’t had a big one yet), and washes easily. We all love our dogs.
Sue, could the new medication be part of the equation?
May tomorrow be more peaceful, or at least have more pleasant excitement!
Hi, Robin,
I’m quite sure Spike had the accident because he sleeps so soundly. Whether the deeper sleep is caused by the medication or the new diet, I don’t know.
He doesn’t have any urinary problems in the daytime, no dribbling or accidents. Prior to the diet change and Cetyl-M, Spike needed to go outside once or twice each night. He still needs to do that, except now he sleeps through the urge!
Spike seems to be sleeping better because his “Arthur” doesn’t keep him up…that’s great for him and you!
As we all get older, I too find myself having to pee during the night (too much info?)
Wake him up….he’ll feel better in the AM knowing he didn’t have an accident.
I did that last night and no accident!
They certainly have US trained don’t they!
Sometimes older dogs start to have incontinence especially when they’re sleeping. I remember my previous sheltie…she’d get up and there’d be a big damp spot under her. The vet gave us something, this was perhaps 8 years ago, so I don’t remember what, but it helped with that a whole lot. Spike won’t want to loose his dignity and would be mortified if he knew…so it’s something to think about checking on.
Hi, Dawn,
I hope by helping Spike remember to go outside during the night that he won’t have any more accidents (See my reply to Anne above.)
I notice Spike doesn’t lift his leg any more. He squats to urinate. He really is turning into an old dog. 🙁
There is an exhibit currently running here in Phoenix called “MicroDwell”…essentially it’s a showcase of tiny living spaces (600 square feet or less) that are also made of sustainable materials. I’ve already been once, but have had my calendar marked for March 8th. The Sisters on the Fly folks are due to be there that day, showing some of their vintage trailers. I’m really looking forward to seeing it!
Eileen in Phoenix (where we think and hope it may actually rain tomorrow)
Hi, Eileen,
I’d like to see those tiny living spaces. I’m fascinated by the photos I see online. Have a great time. Sounds like fun!
How long will the show be in town Eileen. Really want to attend.
Okay, I looked up and found both a Facebook page and the homepage on MicroDwell. We leave the KOFA Refuge on the 15th of March. Maybe we will make the show. Now to find a camp spot.
I had thought about joining Sisters on the Flyuntil I read the ‘no pets’ rule! :-O I’m not much of a joiner anyway but it might be nice to get together with people from time to time.
Hi, mockturtle,
The website is interesting. They sure look like they have a lot of fun. Of course, the group thing turns me off. However, the photo of a couple of women on a horseback ride made me wish I was with them on my own steed.
Yeah, if the crew can’t go, I can’t go.
No pets…ouch. Looks like they do have fun, but I am not a “joiner” either. I think the vintage trailers will be pretty cool to see, though. Years ago when my late husband and I were looking for rural property, one of my ideas was to get an old travel trailer, gut it, and turn it into a backyard office. Never did do that, but still love those old time trailers.
Eileen in Phoenix
Not all events are no-pet events. Depends on the host and the activities that are planned, such as being gone for a long period of time. Most women spend their time taking care of someone, i.e. hubby, kids, pets, and SOTF wants the events to be “me” time. They don’t want you staying behind because you have a dog in the camper, and most campgrounds don’t want unattended dogs in trailers.
RVSue:
Seeing an accident is so disturbing.
So, I have a BAL leveler that I had planned to use and was quite excited about my choice. Didn’t like the idea of having to drive up on wood. It does weigh a ton. I even had recommendations from folks on the Casita forum when I asked about chocks. Should have asked here!
Worked in a laundromat at the age of 16, never had that problem you encountered today. My most vivid memories are of having to do laundry for a high school football coach. This was one of the jobs that help develop my diplomatic and social skills.
Phyllis in Oklahoma
Hi, Phyllis,
You may like the Bal leveler. I didn’t like it because I had to pull the BLT up onto a small block of wood in order for the leveler to slide into position. If I have to fool with a piece of wood, why bother with the heavy leveler?
If you have smaller tires, the leveler will work more easily. An added benefit is it functions as a very secure chock. Your trailer isn’t going anywhere with a Bal leveler in place.
I LOVE my BAL leveler! Of course, my tires are 14 inch, so, like Sue says, it’s a snap to use. The only thing I don’t like is how heavy it is – but it sure is sturdy!
Dang it, anybody have 15″ wheels and use a BAL leveler on their Casita? My tires will be 15 inch. Oh well, I will make something work.
I checked out the Sisters in the fly or is it on the fly, either way they have a lot going on but seems a bit above my budget. I’m going to a RV driving school, don’t laugh, in April through RVing Women. They just happen to be offering it in Oklahoma. Driver’s ed was the only class I didn’t do so well in and it caused me to be Salutatorian instead of Valedictorian by 1/100 of a point. Some things you just never forget.
Phyllis in Oklahoma
Phyllis…
Don’t despair over the 15 inch tires. They put you higher off the ground. 🙂
I find it’s easy to drive up on a board and chock. Of course I’m a boondocker and don’t give a hoot that the BLT is sitting on a board. That might not be classy enough for an RV “resort.”
RVSue:
I don’t care about looks, I was into easy leveling! But like I said I will figure it out.
Phyllis in Oklahoma
I didn’t figure you were the gotta-keep-up-appearances type. 🙂
I use the Lynx leveling blocks. They are orange plastic and come in a blue or black nylon zipper bag (I have heard the yellow ones, which may be another brand, aren’t as good, but I have only used the Lynx/orange ones). Reason I like them is that they are very lightweight and stack together for storage. You can build “pyramids” with them if you need to be up higher than one block. The only “gotcha” I have found is that if you need to be four blocks or more “up,” it takes a lot of them to make that pyramid (number goes up exponentially as you have to build the base). Of course if one has space, one can carry two bags (there are 10 per bag). They also have a dip in the center which can be handy to put under the nose wheel to keep it from rolling (if on smooth surface). Nothing against boards though! I have also seen graduated plastic ramps (all in one piece) but have not tried those.
I have those, but I want a BAL. Main reason is the T@B is small enough that with the pneumatic jockey wheel I can turn it to face a different direction for a better view. If unhitched, I can’t push the trailer up onto the block, and the BAL would be really great for that.
Ahh Spiky, I love ya little guy. Mama just had to do it…but a good bone does take the pain away. Hoping the book was good from the Sneak a Peak book store. HA!
Man, a lot happened in Quartzite… duhh…so glad you guys are home and safe.
Loved the last shot!
Take care.
Hi, Diane,
Interesting how some days a certain place seems to be under negative forces.
When at the bookstore, a person stepped in front of me when I was ready to pay. I waited, turned momentarily, and then another person stepped in front of me! The second one had so much stuff that I walked over to Paul and handed him the money for the one book and left.
While coming out of the laundromat a man hurried past me and in so doing he bopped me with a container of laundry detergent. No “excuse me”… kept on going. Even the atmosphere in the restaurant seemed “off.”
Wow…sounds like one of those days it is best to stay away from town…it does seem that some days a lot more bad situations happen than others…I am very sensitive to such ever since the mack truck hit me…if I feel the least bit negative or see an accident…back home I go, the errands can wait another day…I realize you had to get yours done then…but in general, I have learned to listen to the I inner feelings (I think warnings sometimes, from GOD). SO GLAD YOU were NOT hit!!
Hi, Elizabeth,
I understand completely. . . After a very bad experience such as you had, you are bound to be more aware and sensitive.
Rather than a polar vortex, it’s like I entered a negativity vortex. Read what I wrote in response to Diann above your comment. I can’t always fit the entire story in a post.
Man, sounded like a full moon day in the Big Q. Weird things seem to happen on a full moon, you know the kids used to say
“Sh*t Happens” maybe we could come up with a saying for days like that. “Quarlsite” or something really clever to describe the weirdness of the day. I do like “Big Q”
Thanks for letting us know to go back and read comments.
A nurse friend used to work in the mental ward of a hospital…full moons were the WORST she said…all the patients were extra troubled those times…one wonders what effect such has on others not in the psyche ward!!
When’s the last time Spike had a good soak? [I don’t mean on the quilt!;-)]
PS: Sue, keep an eye on the weather this weekend!
Grey clouds, light sprinkle last night (and I don’t mean Spike!). 🙂
That same storm is headed to Oklahoma and will be leaving us with an ice storm.
Phyllis in Oklahoma
Sue, you might get ahead of the game with a piece of plastic between your bedding and the cushion. It might avert another accident down the line. Sounds like you were pretty much surrounded by negativity in town. Glad you weren’t a target of any of it. Rain coming Saturday. Hi to the little ones.
Hi, Jim,
I think the rubber-backed throw rug will do fine. It won’t slip. Spike sleeps where I sit at my table so I’d rather not have slippery plastic underneath me if I can avoid it.
Yeah, sure looks like rain is coming! Also cooler temperatures . . .
Well, the title of your post is certainly a grabber! The laundromat incident was uncomfortable but it did give you something very different to write about today. What an experience!
In northern California we’re finally having rain. It won’t be enough to fill the dry reservoirs but it is sure a welcome beginning. Is your boondock in an area at risk for flash floods?
Hugs to you and the crew,
Hi, Marilu,
Glad to hear you’re getting some rain. As for flash floods here… I’m no expert, but I think it would take a lot of rain for that to happen (not a lot of mountains and no snow on them). At any rate it’s always a good idea to assume flooding will occur and act accordingly.
Sue, I just read a bunch of scary stuff about valley fever. I have COPD, and am moving to AZ mainly for warmth. Now I hear about this epidemic! What are your thoughts?
Hi, Ginger,
Although valley fever is a serious condition, my guess (and that’s what it is) is you’ll be fine if you don’t act foolishly, like drive an ATV behind another ATV spewing dust all over the place. You wouldn’t do that anyway.
Have you asked this question on a COPD forum? I assume such a thing exists. Seems like there’s a forum for everything.
My gut reaction is “live your life how you want.” But I realize that’s the attitude of someone who is fortunate not to have a chronic illness. I’d sing another tune if my health were involved. I really don’t know what to tell you.
Hi Ginger, I live in Arizona fulltime and have for years. I also have COPD. Valley fever is contracted from a airborne spore. This spore is normally in the dust and dirt on the ground. When the wind blows hard enough to lift that dirt and send it flying it brings the spore along for the ride. We only have a wind that is that strong on rare occasions. When we have a “Haboob” (a blinding dust cloud from strong wind) we just avoid exposure to the flying dirt. Almost 7 million of us live here and valley fever is very rare. BTW This also happens in all deserts. Google Haboob and look for images. You’ll know one when you see it. California has the same problem in it’s deserts.
I hope Sue doesn’t mind my answering.
Thank you very much for answering, Jim. I hoped someone who lives and knows Arizona desert and the challenges of COPD would help me out. Good information for Ginger.
Dear Buddy Spike,
Please forgive Sue for talking about your accident. She just doesn’t understand your need for ‘coolness’. You will always be my travelin’ hero! Adventure on my ‘paw brother’.
Racy the Ultimate Chihuahua
(Hugs from Hoquiam) ♥
Hey, Racy . . . Cool name, bro.
Aww. . . I’m no hero. Just a guy who hasta’ keep movin.’
The Spikester
Laundry wars, amazing how bold people get and how they feel common courtesy doesn’t apply to them. I have seen the same situation before but it is usually the other way around. Young people in a hurry dumping other peoples laundry. But my real peeve is people who drive past a long line of cars waiting to enter an interstate entrance and then barge into line daring someone to hit their car. They just think they are cooler, or more important, or just think they are above it all. They are all forms of bully’s.
I was at a RV show recently and they had a collection of the micro trailers. I suggested to another viewer that they are in-law trailers that you pull behind your motor home. He got a chuckle out of it.
Hi, Alan,
Yeah, “I’m going to the head of the line” was my pet peeve as a middle school teacher. I’d catch the same boys almost every day ( who were late to lunch because they were fooling around in the bathroom) pushing their way in front of twenty other students or more in the lunch line. Boy, did they get mad when I’d send them to the end of the line! They’d try to reach around me to grab their lunch tray and run off with it, but I’d block them.
The other kids put up with it because they didn’t want trouble. Oh boy, just think, those same kids are “adults” now. Scary thought.
I am soooo glad to be out of the “school business” of policing out of control “other people’s kids”. Jeeze. I often wondered how those “line cutters” would do if all of a sudden the line wound up going in the opposite direction. (Lunch ladies and all did a 180!) HAHA
LOL!
I enjoy almost every post. No blogs are perfect but yours is vey close. It occurred to me today that you are the “Seinfeld” of RV Blogs. I love that. I adore Spike & Bridget, keep them healthy for all of us.
What? You don’t enjoy EVERY post? I’m crushed, Allen.
Seriously, thanks for the “very close” compliment. It’s quite an honor to be put in the same category as Seinfeld. Wish I earned as much as Jerry . . . not that I’m complaining about my Amazon earnings!
One of the pleasures of blogging is sharing my love for my crew with someone like you.
Sweet, sweet photo of Spike at the end. And I was glad, after reading your post title, that it wasn’t something really bad!!!
Hi, Linda,
That photo of Spike was taken after he’d worn himself out chewing on a bone. Quite a happy, satisfied fellow!
Laundromats are a world unto themselves. I do have a washer and dryer at home, but sometimes if I get behind or have large items to wash I’ll take them to a local laundromat. The last time I was there I had my stuff in the two biggest washers and shortly after the machines started an older gentleman comes in with his laundry and asks me in a grumpy tone how much longer I’ll be. I got the impression from the scowl he gave me that he thought they were his machines.
Hi, Marsha,
It’s funny how people lose their manners in certain situations. Usually folks are friendly and considerate in the laundromat . . . until there’s competition for machines. Then, watch out! The gloves come off! It’s every man and woman for themselves! Take no prisoners!
I wonder how we would behave if we had to go to the river and pound our laundry on a rock?
My guess is we’d all be better behaved. I have a hypothesis that people behave better when outdoors.
Also when people are expending energy such as pounding laundry on a rock they have less energy to waste on bad temper.
🙂 RVSue the social anthropologist. 🙂
If this storm has any water left by the time it (if it does) reaches you I suggest higher ground! It looks to be a real gully-washer.
I let Tessa know that she wasn’t the only one getting ink with her potty habits…..she said it didn’t count because Spike is “just a boy.”
Loved the laundrymat drama…..we people are so entertaining!!
You know, Jodee? Your comment tells me I need to walk from our camp to the road to figure if we’ll be “muddied in.” There really isn’t any higher ground to go to around here. It’s all flat desert or rocky mountain.
I felt sorry for the younger woman in dreadlocks. She was surrounded by people who resembled the white-haired woman in pink who dumped her laundry (in other words, retirees).
Although I have no evidence of such, I felt like the consensus in the laundromat went in favor of the woman in pink. primarily because “she’s one of us” and the younger woman isn’t. Judging from the younger woman’s mode of transportation/housing, she probably didn’t need to have her quarters wasted through the interference of someone who doesn’t live as spartan a life.
I’m sure you’re right about the exchange. Regardless of age, income, personal style, etc., we all share this planet (and laundrymats) with each other. I think of how different Rusty and Timber’s lives would be today had you judged them not worthy of your time :-).
The one thing I really, really, REALLY miss from my stick and tin home is having my very own washer and dryer! However, I have never had the excitement you had surrounding you when I go to a laundromat !!! Spike is soooo handsome and dignified in that last photo!!! What a guy!
Hi, Geri,
There’s a good side to having to use laundromats. The wash gets all done at once. When I had my twin Maytags always handy, the wash was never completely finished, folded, and put away. Now I get it all done at the risk of being mowed down by angry people with dirty laundry in carts! Haha!
Ah, Spike. What can I say . . . He’s a charmer.
Laundry etiquette or lack of can make the chore a real chore!
Hopefully the lady involved in the collision is okay…her car is replaceable.
Sisters on the fly…..looks like they enjoy every outing. Good for them!
I’m sure you were happy to retreat to your spot and escape the rat race!
Hi, Cinandjules,
Is “still snowing in NY” a permanent part of your name? 🙂
There is that more accurate! Heh heh
At this rate spring isn’t coming until July!
Sh@t is getting old….and I wasn’t here for the most part of winter!
The comments section on your blog posts is getting sooo long it takes a while to read your posts but it’s all good!! I love this “forum” for the outdoors /on the road life! This story has such a nice ending, thank goodness! Glad all ‘s well that ends well,Sue!
Hi, Madeline,
It looks like the comments section is taking over this blog. I’m happy to see it! From the very beginning I considered comments (and replying to them) as an extension of each post.
“Comments” is where the good stuff is… Thanks for being a part of it!
Hi Sue. Sorry to hear Spike has had a couple of accidents. I can completely relate. My basset hound, Beauford, slowly but surely became incontinent over the course of last summer. A dribble here, a dribble there, pretty soon a dribble, dribble everywhere which lead to accidents at night in his sleep. Poor guy was mortified. I too full-time and getting to a laundry with urine soaked bedding frequently was a problem. As his problem got worse I resorted to male ‘wraps’, sold on amazon,
I stuffed them with feminine pads. B didn’t like them and soon learned how to army crawl out of them.
Washable Belly Bands / Male Wraps
A good friend of mine from the rescue suggested I look at Tinkle Trousers. http://www.TinkleTrousers.com/. Expensive BUT for the first time in many months we woke up to pee free bedding. I only have one because of the expense and he wears it at night. The ‘wrap’ is worn during the day when inside and he doesn’t mind that. One word of advise, if you use a ‘wrap’ don’t pull it too tight. That is what lead to doing anything he could to get out of it. I can’t begin to tell you how much the Tinkle Trousers have changed our lives.
(I changed your belly band link to one of my Amazon links, above. Here also is a link to a similar product available from Amazon. . . Tinkle Belts
. . . Sue)
Before I brought them onboard my motor home smelled like a poorly kept nursing home until I shampooed the carpets and did all the laundry including bedding and comforters that cover the furniture and then the cycle would start all over again. Ugh, it was a chore. If at some point you do find you have issues with washing the smell out of bedding pour a goodly amount of vinegar into your wash, use hot water and poof! The smell is gone along with the vinegar smell. I’ve tried everything in the world to get that smell out including Natures Remedy. The problem had become so bad that nothing worked until vinegar was suggested.
Having said all that I have followed your blog since it’s inception as I was contemplating full-timing myself. You were a wonderful inspiration. I’ve been on the road since 4/28/2012 but have not boondocked yet. Working on getting solar panels, etc. Once that is accomplished no more RV parks for me. Thanks for being Sue. You’ve given a lot of hope to many for a more peaceful life.
Hi, Art in the Park,
Great to hear from you! I enjoy meeting all my readers, but I have a special fondness for those who have been with me and the crew since the beginning of this blog. Thank you for being a loyal follower!
My heavens, you have been to hell and back with Beauford’s wetting issues. You are good to stand by your dear basset hound pal. There are many people who have ditched a pet over much less.
Thank you very much for the information and advice on what to do when a dog becomes incontinent and the urine stinks up the place. I hope I never have to deal with that, but, if I do, I’ll remember to use vinegar. Vinegar is amazing. There are so many ways it proves useful (as well as making boiled cabbage taste good!).
I’m excited about your plans to boondock! As you know from my experience, getting solar is the ticket out of RV parks. It tickles me to read that my blog inspired you to this way of life.
I wish you many beautiful and peaceful camps! Thanks for dropping by. I hope you will keep in touch.
(BTW… I apologize for the delay in your message appearing. My spam filter holds comments with more than one link.)
You just can’t make this stuff up! The laundromat drama made me laugh for sure. I feel bad for the woman in the accident and hope she is just fine. I believe you are right about the “negative forces” surrounding this town on that day. I am sure you would have just stayed in bed with the blanket over your head had you just known! Just one of those days. On the good side…you got your laundry done, got a new book to read, did a good deed to the women with the TAB trailer, did a little shopping, got some ribs for the CREW and made it home safely. Home Sweet Home! Great pic of Spike today too.
Have a great day!
Hi, Deb,
You’re right. The crew and I had a good day. The world seemed to be falling apart for people around us, but we sailed on through to our safe harbor.
Nice to hear you enjoyed the little story of our day!
The full moon may have something to do with the strange behavior in Quartzite – I,m a believer in that. Haven’t tuned in for awhile. Always fun to follow your adventures. Remember, we’re the Delmoe Lake fans in Mt?
Hi, Helen,
Thanks for reminding me who you are. I don’t have the kind of memory that connects names with people I’ve met along the road.
If you go back to Delmoe Lake, I’d appreciate it if you would share with us the condition of the lake and the campground. The crew and I probably won’t go to Delmoe this next summer, but I hope to return to it some day.
Hope all is well with you and your family . . . Nice to hear from you again.
Only problem is that it isn’t the Full Moon. Right now we are in the New Moon phase…
That old photo (the last one before Spike) is to blame.
My niece gave me the book “Sisters on the Fly: Caravans, Campfires, and Tales from the Road” for Christmas. The No Pets thing – since they started in Montana, maybe they were just tired of taking care of ranch animals 🙂
I’ve joined RVing Women – not as many rules and cheaper. (Chapters all over the US)
I’m west of Palm Springs – we’re getting pounded by rain and it’s headed your way!
Hi, Karen,
It’s wonderful how the RV life has something for everyone. I remember reading the RV Women forum when I was in the dream-and-scheme phase. Back then there was hardly an RVing forum that I didn’t read.
I guess we’re gonna get splashed over here!
It’s up to the host of the event as to whether pets are allowed. I’ve found that when there are many activities planned that takes you away from the campground for a long period of time, they will usually state no pets. Most campgrounds do not want unattended dogs in campers. I try to choose events that do allow pets because my shih tzu loves that T@B!
I read all the comments and no one mentioned “belly bands” for male dogs. (As a bonus, Amazon sells belly bands for male dogs. LOL) My dogs are rescue dogs, and each came with different sets of problems. Two of mine came from puppy mills. Of course neither was housebroken. I used a belly band on my boy for a few weeks. He didn’t mind wearing a band and it saved me a lot of work. Besides, my boy was quite handsome in his cummerbund. Love your blog!
Hi, Carol,
Good for you, choosing rescue dogs and from puppy mills. There shouldn’t be a person in this country patronizing a pet store that sells puppies and kittens. But this isn’t the place for me to get on that soap box . . .
Spike isn’t at the belly band stage. The crew has undergone some big changes lately and this is an adjustment period. In other words, I need to take my little boy on midnight potty runs.
Hi, Sue!
You really cracked me up with this entry! I HAD to read it aloud to Gil 🙂 We could picture the places and events you describe exactly. Was a welcome respite to our day; MRI today on Gil’s shoulder. Remember him yanking the boat motor cord at Mittry Lake? Has come to haunt him as pain hasn’t subsided since Dec.1—looks like torn rotator cuff. Now to find reasonable surgeon out on the road 🙂 This will be our new challenge rving—finding good medical care without going home. So far, so good. Dr. here been very helpful and people very kind. We plan to head to Q at last by next Friday—maybe have lunch? Best to you and the crew!
So you never made it to Mexico? Gee, I’m sorry Gil has been suffering all this time. You may need to take him to Phoenix, Tucson, or Yuma for care. With you speaking Spanish, Mexico might be an option also.
I’d love to see you both again. I expect the crew and I will be out of the area by next Friday. We’ve done the Yuma-Kofa-Quartzsite circuit for quite a long time already.
Best wishes to you both… This, too, shall pass. Glad my blog gave you some chuckles.
We are still planning on Mex – just delayed a bit. Not getting too uptight about Gil. Plan to work around it. We hope to see you down the road. Maybe this summer in the Yakima valley? Have fun and safe travels.
Washington state is calling me . . . .
It’s difficult to live in AZ and not get Valley Fever. Both my husband and I have had it…my husband’s case was mild…mine was more complicated and has lasted a long time. Our female barber had it–lost teeth; lost hair; lost weight. We feel like there were more cases of Valley Fever around us when there was a significant amount of construction on the north and south side of where we were parked. Animals get Valley Fever as well. Although there is more awareness of VF now, there are still doctors in some areas who will misdiagnose VF as lung cancer. The fungus uses your lungs as a host. I would think that having COPD would really complicate matters. I was diagnosed with Scleroderma at the same time a spot on my lung was determined to be VF and I am in my fourth year of recovery. Wear a mask if you are in a dusty situation.
Hi, Bev,
That’s terrible! What an ordeal for you and your husband! Now I have even more reason to get grumpy about people who drive fast on dusty roads past people walking or camping. 🙁
“It’s difficult to live in AZ and not get Valley Fever.”
I find this statement ‘difficult’ to believe.
There are approximately 6.6 million people living in Arizona and in 2011 about 14-15 thousand of them were diagnosed as having Valley Fever. I’m sorry you and your husband were among those that were so diagnosed but the odds are a person living in Arizona will NOT get Valley Fever.
I was one of those that had the odds on my side and never got Valley Fever during the 30 years that I lived in Arizona plus many returned visits.
My experience in the last 10 years has matched those numbers. I have had one RV friends who got Valley Fever, but dozens of full-timers in AZ who have never had it. I also had one friend whose dog got it.
I’m a little late to the party but, Wow, what a great pay-it-forward! As an T@B owner and SOTF, I’ve been meaning to get a BAL. Shipping and cost have held me back. T@B owners count that as one of their best purchases. I’m behind in my reading because I attended an SOTF event in TN, an 8-hour drive from my home in Illinois.
You are such a loyal reader, Crystal, I would’ve loved to have given it to you. Although Laura and Iris said they would look up my blog, so maybe we’ll hear from them, too!
I bought the Bal leveler from Amazon and I think I got free shipping.
Oh, it would have been too heavy for you to get it to me here in IL. I mentioned your encounter with them on our SOTF website with a link to your blog 🙂
Thanks, Crystal. It’d be nice to have more Sister on the Fly readers dropping in here.
In August I’m driving back to the Adirondacks (up-upstate NY) through IL and could deliver the Bal leveler to your door. Well, now is too late.
Well, poo. Thanks anyway, R 🙂
I just realized that “Iris” is a new T@B owner and SOTF. She posted on our T@B Facebook page some time back. Sometimes it takes a bit for things to soak into this hard nogin of mine.
…and with that intro, I respond! Since Laura & I are heading off again tomorrow (27 March) for another Sister’s on the Fly event, this time in Canyon Lake, AZ, I was out in the T@B getting it setup to roll and stood there looking at the BAL wheel leveler you gave me (thanks again), thinking about that day and remembering that I had meant to look you up. Sidenote: years ago I lived in Japan and informally taught English – mostly to Japanese businessmen. I was about a month from returning to the US, and one of my students was going to the US for a big meeting. So, I said brightly, “Well, when you get there look me up.” He immediately wanted to exactly what part of me he could look up. I have used that phase since then and always enjoyed how the idiom seriously messed-up my good intentions. Anyway, back to the ‘now’, this weekend, we’ll be taking over the entire marina campground with 70 trailers – most of them vintage. It’s a sight to see, and one of the things I love when they are all setup is that some of the gals have old wooden ironing boards set out with fancy lace/embroidered table cloths on them and all the makings for mimosa’s, a tipple of vino, fancy pastries/nibbles, etc. The old ironing board ‘upcycle’ is – for me – the embodiment of SOTF. Taking something women have actually sweated over for the sake of societal appearances, and turning it into a freely given choice for enjoyment. A gang of us are having rental kayaks delivered for the 3 days, some of the gals are planning to finish their newly learned crafts (branding on to wood, wirework, gourd deco’s, etc.), and some are looking forward to the evening’s (blood & guts) LRC game. Other SOTF stuff going on recently was a cruise to Mexico, wine tasting in Temecula, several concerts, and this April Fool’s Day there will be 170 Sisters beginning to gather at the V6 ranch (20,000 acre horse ranch) near Paso Robles, CA. I’m hoping to win the BB gun contest (and wish Laura would enter the dutch oven cooking contest – so we eat better!). I haven’t heard yet what all will be raffled, I know that the Pacific Northwest Gathering in June (at Coeur d’ Alene) will raffle off at least one fully restored vintage trailer. The group is clearly NOT for everyone, but SOTF does offer a SOTT – Sister on the Try. So, if your interested, go to their website and ask.
Sue
In my three years on the road I saw more tempers out of control in a laundromat and paying for fuel than anywhere else .
Ron
Hi, Ron,
Loss of time and money… two big irritants, I guess.
Both are things you really dont want to do.
Ron
Hi Sue,
The weather map show quite a bit of rain for the next four days in CA, AZ and NV. They are watching for mudslides in Glendora, CA. Four inches of rain are expected.
Just and FYI in case you don’t check out weather.com.
I was just going to say the same thing about the weather.
Thanks, Barbara. I wasn’t aware of that report.
Please tell that handsome, hard of hearing man in your life that things like this happen to the best of us and we’re all friends here, no need to be embarrassed. Everyone who has come here to read the blog wishes him nothing but the best. I hope you’re high and dry…..the talk of weather out West sounds like a mess, hope you’re far from it!
Have a great weekend Sue, and hugs to you and the Crew 😉
Lacy
Thanks for the kind message, Lacy. I’m preparing a post for tonight re: “high and dry.”
You have a great weekend, too!
I’m finally ready to look for my own RV (class B, B+ or C). In a few days I’m planning to drive through Yuma. Can you, RVSue or any of your always helpful followers, give me suggestions for dealers in Yuma?
Anyone bought his/her own RV on e-bay or craigslist?
R. . . . In a little while I’ll be posting again and your questions will be buried under an “old” post. Please feel free to ask your questions again under the next post where they will get more exposure.
BTW, I’m curious why you are choosing either a Class B or Class C. Let me guess… you want a quick getaway. Am I right?
I’m not sure but this is going to be my home. I have no desire to own a house again. I need to get to trailheads for my hikes and sometimes they are somewhere along dirt/gravel roads. I just want something really small.
Hi Sue – I am a faithful follower of your blog and enjoy reading about your escapades with your two sidekicks. One day I hope to wander around the country as well but right now I’m still in the working-every-day mode. You mentioned Sisters on the Fly, a group which I belong to, and yes the rules are no men, no pets, be nice and have more fun than anyone. Great group of women not only having fun but doing useful things to generate money that is donated to “Casting for Recovery” for those battling breast cancer. I have a 1958 vintage trailer that has been fixed up or restored, however you want to describe it, but there is no heat, no ac and not bathroom. Most of our little vintage trailers are like that but we have found clever ways to manager things. Like you, though, I like to get out by myself to enjoy the peace and quiet, but will do it in a more modern trailer with a few creature comforts. Be well!
Hi, Sheila,
Welcome to my blog! I’m happy to read you are a faithful follower and also a Sister on the Fly. It sounds like a group of interesting, life-loving women. Your vintage trailers are adorable! I understand a vintage trailer is fun to fix up, but, yes, if you want to do extensive traveling or full-timing, you’ll appreciate a bathroom, heat, and a/c.
Nice to hear from you! Drop into my blog any time!