Thursday, March 15
Boondock in San Pedro Valley, Benson, Arizona
While you may be eager for snow to melt or perhaps for your tulips to bloom, depending upon where you are on this beautiful planet, I’m looking forward to the leafing of the mesquite.
These black sticks are mesquite trees.
At this time of year the bare, very black branches of the mesquite look dead. I researched and found advice to owners of property with mesquite: “Wait until May to declare your tree dead.”
May?
I want them to leaf out now.
Did you know there are three types of mesquite?
I learned that at the DesertUSA website.
Here’s an interesting excerpt:
“In the frontier days . . . mesquites were used by the Indians and the settlers as a source of many remedies for a host of ailments. Indians and settlers believed tea made from the mesquite root or bark cured diarrhea. Boiled mesquite roots yielded a soothing balm that cured colic and healed flesh wounds. Mesquite leaves, crushed and mixed with water and urine, cured headaches. Mesquite gum preparations soothed ailing eyes, eased a sore throat, cleared up dysentery and relieved headaches.
“(Note: Medical studies of mesquite and other desert foods say that despite its sweetness, mesquite flour (made by grinding whole pods) ‘is extremely effective in controlling blood sugar levels’ in people with diabetes. The sweetness comes from fructose, which the body can process without insulin. In addition, soluble fibers, such as galactomannin gum, in the seeds and pods slow absorption of nutrients, resulting in a flattened blood sugar curve, unlike the peaks that follow consumption of wheat flour, corn meal and other common staples.”
To read more about the marvelous mesquite, use the link to DesertUSA (above).
Remember Arivaca?
That’s the tiny town with an artsy vibe located next to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. I bought groceries at Arivaca Mercantile while boondocked in that part of southern Arizona, southwest of Tucson. By mistake I purchased a bag of coffee beans, not my usual ground coffee.
Funny how I’m led to do things I never would do otherwise.
Hey, I have the beans. Why not buy a grinder?
I intend to pick up a cheap, manually operated grinder. Wal-Mart doesn’t have one. Not having the patience to search elsewhere, I buy an electric one instead.
(You can see the same model at Amazon: Hamilton Beach Coffee Grinder.)
Anyway . . .
My 200-watt solar panel provides all the power I need for the Best Little Trailer. When I wake up at daybreak the morning of The Great Grinder Test, the house battery reads 12.4 volts.
I grab the keys to the Perfect Tow Vehicle, dash outside, start ‘er up, and, when I come back inside, I see the volts are up around 13.9.
Gotta’ love it!
I pour the precious beans (Arivaca Blend, from a popular cafe there) into the grinder reservoir, put on the cap, hit the “on” button, and count to ten.
Mmrrrrrr! (happy grinding sound)
The volts drop to about 12.4 (I forget exactly, forgive me, I hadn’t any coffee yet.) and the beans are ground perfectly.
I make a pot with my french press.
Ahhh. . . robust coffee, how I like it. Good morning, world!
View out our door, looking west (photo taken at sunrise)
That wraps up today’s post!
“What? No photos of the crew? No cute hiney shots? You can’t stop now, RVSue!”
“Okay, okay!” Sheesh. “Let me see what I can find . . . . Here ya’ go. . . . ”
~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~
“Now may I wrap up this post?”
Every day, while you might be looking for the bulbs you planted last fall to peek a sprout out of the ground, I’m looking for the first leaves of the mesquite trees.
Call me superstitious but yesterday, at Wal-Mart, I buy a jar of mesquite honey. Doing my part to encourage the mesquite to leaf out!
rvsue
NOTE: Raw Organic Mesquite Powder
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Beautiful area
JOY! YOU’RE FIRST AGAIN! WOW!
Crazy weather… Rocking and rolling in the Q area… It might be coming your way.
Hi, Carlene and Corky,
You almost made first. It’s hard to beat Joy.
The wind is already here. Grass is bending eastward and the BLT is wiggling a bit, not “rocking and rolling” yet. 🙂
Top 5 maybe
Third place, Dave. Not bad. And all the way from Missouri!
Third? Good day, Sue! Love the pics!
Yep, you made third place, too, Ann…. from Virginia!
Good day to you, too. 🙂
Yep, the dog pictures are cute and fun. I enjoyed the mesquite/landscape pictures, particularly the sunrise facing westward. There’s a special light that way, too.
If/when I get out that way, I’ll have to check out mesquite. I’m a Type 2 diabetic, and anything that expands my potential food repertoire is welcome.
At the bottom of the post, Sue (capital S) says you can buy it on Amazon, plus there are seasonings out there with mesquite in them. I’m type 2 also, so I will be checking it out, too. What do you plan to do with it? Also, check out “Reversing Diabetes” group on Facebook. Lots of good info.
Thanks, Calvin, regarding my photos. I’m happy you like them. Yeah, the light on the mountains at sunrise is something more to love.
Okay, fourth. That’s good. It was very interesting to read about the mesquite and blood sugar. I didn’t know and I’ll check it out. Thanks, sue!
You’re welcome, Ann.
See my reply to you (above). 🙂
Joy in the morning, happiness with coffee, Pups enjoying their love of feet flying, encouraging those brain cells, working eye muscles to the beauty of the land…I can smell the coffee, hmmmm. Sue, thank you for sharing.
Take Care
You’re welcome, Deena! Wishing you all that you describe for your life, too.
I love your picture just below your coffee drinking comment. I can just see the sun rising with a cup in your hand. Maybe by next winter I will be out there. My hubby and I both retire April 30. RV needs some repairs before we can travel in her though.
It is back in the upper 60’s or lower 70’s here finally. It has been in the 30’s for more than a week. I am ready for spring, WARM Spring not cold Spring. Glad you included the picture of the pups. Gotta love em.
Hi, Jean,
Only a month-and-a-half to go for retirement! 🙂 Spring will arrive in Mississippi and you’ll have warm days to celebrate No More Job!
Thank you for the cute hiney pictures. That gave me a chuckle. My daffodils have already finished their bloom here in the central California valley.
You’re welcome, Linda Rose. Cute hiney pictures are never in short supply!
Jean I hope you love retirement as much as I do. It’s been 7 years and I’m still delighted when I’m drinking my “robust ” cup of coffee at 10 am instead of 6 am.
Thank you Linda Rose, Molly & Midge. It is going to be different that is for sure. I think I am looking forward to no more driving an hour in heavy traffic twice a day. Everyone tells us we will be so busy that we won’t know how we ever had time to work.
I know this is probably a crazy question: but do you ever get lost trying to find your way back to your camp?I know some of the spots are places you have been before, so they are probably easier to find..but what about when you are in a new boondocking spot? Do you have some sort of system to remember how to get back to it once you have gone into town?
Hi, Betsy,
That’s not a crazy question. By the time I find a boondock, usually I’ve done a lot of research, especially with maps, and therefore the location is cemented into my brain. Also, since boondocks are away from populated areas (as opposed to some dispersed camping areas), they tend to be off of one road that goes far across forest or desert.
Some people build cairns and set out tires and stuff like that (which personally I find annoying). I think the more one lives like I do, the more observant one becomes, such as seeing the difference between one mesquite tree as opposed to another, which may be a helpful landmark.
So my short answer is: No, I don’t have some sort of system to remember the way back. Not necessary.
I remember one time you got lost and had trouble getting back. It was scary.
Oh, I forgot about that! Yes, it was scary. That happened in the forest near Spencer Idaho. It’s the kind of forest where all the trees are the same, very little understory or rocks or anything to use as landmarks. I wandered into it with my original crew, not in a navigating frame of mind. In other words, I wasn’t paying attention to direction and distance like I should have, got turned around, and headed off in the wrong direction. I think I learned an important lesson that day!
Don’t go walking off into the woods without following a marked trail. Never do that! I was talking about driving. I’m glad you brought that up, Jean.
Yep…….that was a hold yer breath moment.
Bridgee always knew when to turn back…and knew the way back! 😇
I wonder why I didn’t have Bridget lead us home. Don’t recall my thinking (or lack of it).
Dang! We’re getting some powerful wind now.
enough already!
🙁
Betsy, if you have a Smartphone, you can go to Google maps and drop a pin at your location. You can probably about the same thing on the Waze app.
Good suggestion, although one may not be able to use the Smartphone near one’s boondock. I guess you could “drop a pin” once you are back in signal range. I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t do that stuff.
Sometimes I will “star” a location on my GPS. I’m not sure if all GPS’s have that option; mine is a TomTom. It’s a nice option, especially out in the boonies.
These responses got me to thinkin’… uh-oh.
I didn’t realize this until now, why I shy away from technology while traveling and boondocking. I have a GPS which I used a couple times and hated.
There’s something about moving across “empty” landscape, using one’s senses, mostly visual, to decide where to go. Maybe I’m recapturing the feeling of adventure I got as a child reading stories about explorers and the pioneers. Also my own explorations in the woods. It’s hard to explain. I don’t like the juxtaposition of looking at a screen while absorbing the real experience.
Living in the present, living in the real. Silly, I suppose. That’s me.
Makes sense, Sue. You are using your brain and have trained it to see these things that help you locate yourself. Once you use a GPS, that part of your brain (neural pathways!) doesn’t get used. I love your way of doing it. It’s something I have thought about a lot, since I tend to have no sense of direction, often teased about it (“she’d get lost in a phone booth!” kind of remarks). I wonder now if it’s just because I have lived long periods of time in one place and have never really had to exercise my brain that way. Once I got really lost on a beach- couldn’t find my chair or the pathway I came to the beach on- ended up going out to the street and walking about 8 blocks to find my car. Another time in an airport during a snowstorm, could not find my car to save my life (wore out my car beeper trying to find it!). Those panic-ey moments have stayed with me and I always wonder if I could develop my directional senses again. I guess it would be something I would HAVE to develop out there in the booneys!
Well, Betsy…. After reading your comment, maybe the suggestions made here to help one find their way would be good for you. I don’t want my comment to be responsible for you getting lost in the booneys! 🙂
Nothing like the smell of fresh ground coffee! Or fresh perked! Kinda of like fresh cut grass! Ok….maybe not! 😉
Enjoy your day.
PS did y’all send your wind over here?
Yep, that’s some of our wind. I believe in sharing with friends. 🙂
Well then…friend…come rake some leaves! 😂😂😂😂
No thanks. I’ll send more friendly wind to blow the leaves away.
Nice photos, haven’t read it yet.
Hi, Barbara!
Good morning! I echo others in an appreciation for that beautiful sunrise photo and the interesting info on mesquite. Always liked its starkness but no idea it had all those fine characteristics. As always, thanks for the great Post!
You’re welcome, Stephanie. I’m glad you enjoyed the sunrise.
Yeah, mesquite is useful in many ways — hard wood for furniture, great for burning and cooking over, medicinal…
We are provided with what we need.
Hi, Sue,
Nothing, nothing more important than the morning cup. Is the fresh ground from beans going to rope you in? I laugh becuse my kids are coffee snobs and don’t do anything but! I go Ground, however. can’t do the french press or pour over, they seem to cool off so much while “processing”. Love me some major hot coffee. I’m going to bring my coffee pot just for that reason. SO!!!! I may have learned something from you I didn’t know: Starting your tow vehicle and plugging into camper give ya ac to run electric? I’m so geeked if it works. Piping hot coffee…..you are MINE!
Grasslands have a real draw, especially with the mountains in the background. Beautiful photos!
Hi, Kathy,
Thank you regarding my photos. 🙂
The PTV is always plugged into the BLT, as soon as we return to camp. (Remember my solar panel and storage batteries are in the PTV). I point that out so folks don’t think I’m charging the house battery from my tow vehicle’s battery alone.
I found if I pour boiling water into the french press, stir, and immediately do the pressing (contrary to instructions), I get coffee almost too hot to drink.
Running an electric coffee pot is the main reason some folks think they have to have a generator (A woman told me that was her reason.)
I tried using a percolator type coffee pot that I set on the stove to use. That worked okay but it took too long which is why I switched to the press method.
Whatever works for you is the best!
I read your comment again and saw I missed “plugging into camper give ya ac to run electric?”
No, not as a general rule for every electrical appliance.
Whole bean coffee is definitely better than ground, as it doesn’t go stale quite as quickly. But there’s nothing like fresh-roasted coffee! Not sure if Arivaca Mercantile roasts their own, but if you get into Benson, Stop in a Lynx Coffee Roasters and pick up some freshly roasted beans. You’ll think you’ve gone to heaven! I used to roast my own but my roaster requires electricity, darn it!
Hi, Janis,
I don’t know what Arivaca Mercantile does. Maybe the cafe roasts the coffee. All I know is I like the coffee I had this morning. 🙂
I keep the ground coffee in the freezer. If, for some reason, I can’t freeze it, it goes in the fridge.
Never thought of that, Pat. Not that I have any room to spare in my freezer or fridge.
Glad you shared that option.
Oh, Dear Sue, you are a breath of fresh air! Your delight at the wonder of the desert is infectious. Gads! You are a happy bunch!
I remember while living in S. Colorado, the aroma of mesquite used in backyard bbq’s no less.
Hope you can stay until the mesquite leafs out! It’s a precious area you will miss.
Hi, Diann,
It’s always a delight for me when a post triggers good memories for a reader. Thanks for letting me know.
I’m not moving soon. I think I’ve learned my lesson to hold back in the spring, after a few premature moves north into snow and cold in former travels.
Reading your comment again… about being “a happy bunch.” That’s true a great deal of the time. I do get a case of the grumps now and then which, most of the time, I try to keep off this blog. There’s enough public griping in the world.
That’s gracious, Sue.
We choose not to gripe, but exalt in all that is beautiful.
Stay happy, Sue.
As Calvin – and others – have said I LOVE the image of the West-facing sunrise shot! It truly does have a different look to it than sunset. Something about the shades (?). Of course, always love the booty shots!! Thanks much!
You’re welcome, Lauri.
The light of sunrise is one of the reasons I’m glad I’m a morning person.
OK, a post without pictures of the boys is like a day with out sunshine, so guess you can just forget about no pictures of the boys, tho I’d rather see their sweet faces than their round hiney’s myself. Just my 3 cents worth.
Lived right around that area both part time in winter then full time as my husbands health required for around eight years. Loved it there. Thanks for stopping there Sue.
You’re welcome, JazzLover. Thanks to you for stopping in here. Cute comment. I’ll remember “sweet faces than their round hineys.” That’s tough because they’re always taking off to go somewhere leaving me trailing behind. 🙂
You get left in the dust, I get left in the snow as my pal goes seeking the possum in the woodpile, yes really. Boy those things are some ugly! Enjoy San Pedro for us.
I so enjoyed your posts and pics of the boys! I always smile after reading your blog. Keep it up.
I’ll do my best to keep this blog going. Thank you for the nice comment, Pamela. Kind words fuel my enthusiasm for writing and taking pics to share here.
Here is another interesting tidbit of info from my Organ Pipe Ranger program.100 years ago the Southwest Indian tribes had virtually no incidence of diabetes.Now they have the highest rate in the civilized world.University of AZ researches have concluded that once they went off their historic diet using mesquite their systems were unprepared to ward off diabetes and their bodies overreacted to the sudden changes in dietary practices.
That’s terrible, chas. Gee, if the university’s conclusion is correct, more credibility is given to the claim that mesquite is good for warding off and controlling diabetes. Thanks for sharing that. You got a lot out of that ranger presentation!
I accidentally bought coffee beans once. I put them in a sandwich bag and crushed them using my campground host golf cart. It worked!
What a fabulous idea, Neeter! I coulda’ bought a golf cart instead of a grinder! 🙂
Since you seem to planning on being in the area for a while, have you visited the local Kartchner Caverns State Park?
https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/explore/park-history for more and photos for visitors not in SoAz. What makes this unique in SoAz, is that this is a ‘live’ (wet) cave system.
Unlike the nearby (and dry) Colossal Cave, developed and open for decades, this wet cave make for a very unique visit. The State of Az has put more than $28+ million in the park development and it shows.
ADA compliant walkways ensure just about anyone will find access as no problem.
Cost for entry varies owning to age, resident status etc and there are discounts, so check in advance. The State (wisely IMO) limits the number of visitors, so ***reservations are required***.
The cave system, Lehman Caves, that are found near Baker NV on the UT/NV border are another developed wet cave well worth the price of admission. Given its remote location, reservations are not an issue. I mention this if you (Sue and crew) make your drift North thru the Ely (Railroad Museum!!!) /Delta (Great Basin Museum)/ SLC route.
There are a ton of fun things to do in SoAz, just thought I would share these for you and anyone planning on being in the area.
Hope you enjoy your warm and sunny days!
Don
No, I haven’t been to Kartchner State Park. Thank you, Dan, for taking the time to inform and remind us of things to do and see near Benson and also in Nevada. Of all you’ve mentioned, I have been to the Railroad Museum in Ely. I love that part of Nevada when traveling northward. The Ruby Mountains enchant me.
BTW, I apologize for your comment being held in the spam bin until I noticed it there. I don’t know why that happened since you only included one link.
No sweat – I know that putting live links in a post will likely get it flagged for SPAM – it makes perfect sense to me.
The photos in the link are first rate and have a lot of the hours/pricing information.
Keep on having fun, glad to see you have taken the time to visit the railroad outfit in Ely – it is quite the experience.
I will agree, the sunrise photo was amazing, BUT my favourite is your new header with the boys looking out the window! Way back when, when I camped in Benson there was monastery rumored to have the best fresh made daily bread. When I fiunslly decided to go there was a chain across the driveway that it was closed for devotions. I remember Benson as pretty area! I was in my first solo month of solo camping and exploration but Benson I remember with fondness because it was my very first time boondocking!
I am also type 2 diabetic,goona check out this mesquite thing! Sounds good!
Hug to the boys…know we love y’all! 💗
Hi, Geri,
I know where that monastery is. I didn’t know about the “best fresh made daily bread.” Our being in Benson has brought back long-ago memories for you. Our lives are woven together across time. 🙂
I hope you do check out the mesquite. The testimonials of happy customers regarding their diabetes management are intriguing.
I love the photo of the beautiful, blonde grass. The wind seems to make it roll like waves out on the ocean.
Hi, Ken,
It’s restful to look out my window on a windy day and watch the “blonde grass” roll. 🙂
Your posting today provides me an opportunity to make a bunch of comments.
First, about those mesquite leafing out. Mother Nature can not fool them here in the southeastern part of Arizona where we switch back and forth between summer and winter with no true Spring. When the mesquite leaf out then winter is over – not before.
Second, my mother added home ground mesquite beans to home ground wheat when she baked bread. Not because of diabetes but simply because she could and it made for a very good loaf of bread.
Third, I accidentally ordered some Arbuckles whole beans. Before I could find a local roaster that would grind them for me I ground some with my mortar and pestle.
Fourth, I also used a French Press for a short time until I discovered the AeroPress. I like it a lot more and it cleans up much easier.
Fifth, and last, I store 5# of ground Arbuckles at a time in a “The Everything Vac” by Tightvac. It stays fresh for 4-5 weeks with me opening it about once a week a getting a Ziplock container full out of it.
Five responses to this post. I think that’s a record, Ed!
First, I’ll be patient with the mesquite and let winter run its course.
Second, How fortunate you were to have a mother who baked you very good loaves of bread.
Third, Mortar and pestle for you; push a button on an electric grinder for me.
Fourth, I don’t know anything about AeroPress — I’ll look into that.
Fifth, I also don’t know anything about The Everything Vac. If you trust your Arbuckles to it, I’m convinced it’s good.
Hi Sue,
French pressed coffee is my drug of choice. Hard to beat! Coffee is my passion- so much so, I owned two coffee shops in my day. You could find insulated presses (Bodum makes several) so that the remaining coffee stays very hot (if you pre-heat your press a bit). I use a small 12oz insulated by Bodum for my morning joe, but I have a big one (also insulated) for multiple cups or when I have guests.
Someone said on another blog that they like the Aeropress for boondocking as the used grounds come out in a hard “puck” so to speak, so less mess and less water needed to clean up. I do think the wet grounds and then the wet gritty press would require more clean up. Our jury is still out, as Larry thinks the pour over style is best for clean up where you are conserving water. As another reader commented; I feel too much heat is lost during the pour over process, so it’s not my favorite, but, it does create a good cup of coffee as well. All in all, there is nothing (to me) quite like the rich mouth feel of French pressed coffee!
In closing, thanks for the hiney pictures. It created a good “end” to your story. 😆
Cheers! Suzi
You owned not one, but two, coffee shops. Well, Suzi, I think you know coffee!
I don’t mind the clean up with my french press. I make sure there’s some liquid in the bottom with the grounds, walk outside, swirl the grounds around and dump out the contents. Then I wipe clean with a paper towel, removing the remaining grounds. That’s clean enough for me and not much water is used. You’re probably horrified that I don’t fiddle around with cleaning the filter part every day. I’m used to living “rough.” Ha!
Having only used this one press, I have no idea what I’m missing with the insulated presses. Thanks for all the information you shared with us coffee-holics. 🙂
Hi Sue, As we have another winter storm with the possibility of freezing rain and a winter mix as they call it for tomorrow. I am gladly and anxiously waiting for springs arrival.
Today was Rick’s 60th birthday. We spent it working on a small job in the city. Hate all the traffic anymore.
It is very peaceful where you are now. I did make a post in our RV group about respecting people’s privacy. Was well received by many but there are always a few who have something negative to say. I set them straight fast and just told them they can camp how they want but they need to respect those that don’t want to be bothered.
I hope the peace and tranquility of your spot remains for your whole stay! Oh and I love the smell of fresh ground coffee. I can’t drink it but love the smell!
Good for you, Jolene, for standing up for the privacy of us RVers who don’t appreciate intrusion by others. It amazes me that anyone could have anything negative to say about another’s desire to be left alone. People actually get mad about it! As if it’s a personal attack or something…
Congratulations to Rick on meeting the 60th milestone on life’s road. I hope you were able to celebrate together in some way other than traffic!
Storm coming? The last blast of winter perhaps. 🙂
Oh yes, this was one of the responses that post got….If you are an introvert, maybe you should go to an introvert campground. Snowflakes.
My responses to him after several comments…
People need to respect people where they are. If they are parking in a secluded boondocking area it is because they want to be left alone. If people are not out mingling and talking with people in a campground, respect that.
Everyone who has their own campsite is entitled in their space to enjoy that space in their own way. For some it will be mingling and others don’t want to. Their choice and we all need to respect each other. You can mingle with people who act like they want to and leave the others alone. Simple as that and shouldn’t even have to be an issue.
And that was that! Ha!
Well done!
I planted a desert rose tree (SRP gives free trees) five years ago. The first winter, I thought the tree died (it was a sapling). A lone brown stick stuck in the ground in our back yard for six months. We watered as per instructions given by SRP and lo and behold, when the temps reached over 80 degrees, the brown stick starting budding leaves…now it’s over six feet tall and produces beautiful pink roses all summer into fall. The bees and hummers love that tree.
That’s a great story of hope, Rita! A desert rose tree, eh? I’m going to look that up ….
LATER—>> Gorgeous blooms! Thanks for mentioning it. This site shows the variety of blooms. (Scroll down.) I see that it is poisonous to humans and animals.
Love THE END shots. 🐾Yes, thank you, now you may wrap up🤗
🙂
Good Morning! Great post…as usual. I do not comment much but I do read ALL your posts…sometimes more then once. Here in Vermont we are looking forward to our 4th Nor’Easter in the coming week. No chance of see tulips anytime soon!!! I realized that when I do comment I am not getting the email to “whatever” to get return comments from Bloggerino’s. Any ideas why not? Keep in mind that you will need to comment back in your next post as I am not receiving comments back. Thank you RVSue.
Good morning, Krystina,
I don’t understand why you don’t open comments up randomly to check to see if anyone has replied to your comment. Are you saying you can’t see the replies ever? Why do you need to receive an email in order to see comments? Obviously I’m not sure what you mean.
Good morning Sue!
I enjoyed this post. I always love reading about natural remedies ect. And the part about why the flour is good for diabetics is very interesting. Thank you for including things like this in your posts. There is always something new to learn if we want to, isn’t there?
I am watching Brookwood come alive for the first time in 18 years. I feel like Mary in The Secret Garden. My dad never expected that when he left the garden in spring of 2009, he would not be back. So, there’s lots of work to do. And like the people with mesquite on their property, I am waiting to see which trees are dead and which are only sleeping.
I am enjoying my coffee while watching my sweet woodland birds and squirrel eating their breakfast. I have often given thanks for the people who first thought to put coffee beans into boiling water! 🙂 There is also a doe and two of last year’s fawns who frequent my ground feeders. She must have been hit by a car and has a messed up shoulder. When I first saw her, I thought I may have to call someone to send her across the bridge. But, little by little she is getting better. I saw her put her toe on the ground yesterday and put a little weight on it. When I first saw her, she was totally 3 legged. So, celebrating the “small stuff” here too.
Have a wonderful day!
MB
You have a wonderful day, too, MB. Thanks for the feedback on the content of this post.
I enjoyed reading about what is going on around your home. It’s tough seeing a gentle creature like a doe be hurt and not being able to help. You must be delighted to see her recovering. Celebrate on! 🙂
I like your new cover photo- that face on Roger is something else! What a little character….and Reggie, cute as ever-
Thank you, Becky, and good morning!
Wow, your coffee sounds delicious! It’s been quite some time since I ground beans to make some. How nice that you can now do that whenever you buy whole beans. I enjoyed learning about mesquite, too. At some point after researching it more I may encourage a diabetic friend to try some products made from it. I really like knowing about how people (long ago and today) use every bit of a plant without wasting any of it.
Happy Birthday, Reggie! Gee, Sue, he looked so much like a baby when you got him, and now he’s 6 years old and an old hand at being a boon docking tough little guy. Thanks for including photos of Roger and him, I always appreciate being given another reason to smile 🙂 . I hope you have a less windy day ahead than yesterday was there. Ours here was really windy, too. We got almost a foot and a half of snow with it. Winter seems to putting on a grand display before exiting this year.
Good morning, weather,
How nice of you to remember Reggie’s “birthday.” I had forgotten. Shame on me.
Wow, more snow! Maybe we shall see March go out like a lamb, after coming in like a lion. Our wind went elsewhere, leaving us in a cold morning. The heater is aglow. Our campsite and all around has been swept clean.
Wanting to compare that area’s vegetation now with it during more rainy times, I looked at some of your posts from March of 2016. I didn’t remember his birthday, either, just happened to see where you had mentioned it back then . I’m glad you’re warm and cozy, we are,too.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REGGIE MAN!!!!!!! Thanks Weather for the reminder!
On behalf of Reg, thanks, Jim! The birthday boy is chomping on kibble at the moment. The three of us were outside until the wind drove us inside again. It’s nice that I can come here and find messages from good people like you. Hi to Detta! I hope both of you are well.
Roasters will tell you to never freeze coffee beans or ground, and most feel the same about the frig. The cold affects the natural oils and makes the flavor flat and bland. There was a time when many of us thought this was the best practice, but no more since there are so many more artisan roasters and not just the Folgers folks.
Hi, Sue,
Just had an idea! Boy, are my location finding skills on the computer getting great. I’ve scouted all of southern AZ over the past few wks. just by using my laptop. Sooo time consuming but sooo addicting. Being an extreme type-A, I have never been seated sooo long. The cold weather in MI makes me happy to be warm inside, however.
Anyway, I just had a brainstorm, and that is to boondock/camp somewhere near Yuma during my trip west (leaving this next Tues.), that way I could go to Starlight Solar (you mentioned) and get my camper solar ready. Any good boondocks in that area you would recommend? Looks like many to choose from. Thanks.
There are sooo many spots I want to boondock, throughout southern AZ. I just want peace, quiet, escape, solace, BUT adventure. All by myself…and Ellie, my old dog.We will wander at our leisure.You have inspired me sooo much. Started out following several blogs but soon unsubscribed to all but yours. You posts feed my soul so thanks.
Hi, Kathy,
You will be pleased with the service and workmanship of Starlight Solar. As I mentioned before, they will let you stay in their parking lot overnight in order to be ready for your appt. the following morning.
Places to boondock in the area:
Mittry Lake is close to Yuma. It’s a small camping area, sees heavy use, and there was a fire there a year or two ago. From Mittry you can get to Starlight without having to use the interstate. Don’t know if that’s important to you. Do an internet search for current info.
Ogilbe Road is west of Yuma, actually Winterhaven, CA. This is where I camp if I want to do business in Yuma. It’s a large area encompassing parts of Sidewinder Road. Internet Search for Ogilbe Road, Sidewinder Road, and American Girl Mine will bring up info. Wheeling It and Travels with the Bayfield Bunch have camped there, so you could look at their archives.
Click this link to see the dispersed camping off Ogilbe Road. Scroll down to watch the slideshow. In that post I give directions on how to find from the interstate. (Do NOT take Sidewinder Rd exit– a common error.)
My search box isn’t very good. To hunt in my blog, do a web search for “RVSue + whatever your topic”
OMG, Sue,
I found that area today on my g-maps and starred it along with a couple of other spots. Thanks for that rec!!!!! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m prepared as can be. My whole life, I’ve lived outside the box and am kind of scared that I’ll find my groove boondocking and never want to go home.
Thanks, again, for your inspiration.
You’re welcome, Kathy. I love your excitement! 🙂
I noticed in one of the BLT photos that you don’t have a Maxxair vent cover on top. I got one, very easy install, and now I can keep my vent open in the rain, going down the road, in the wind….I love this thing! Have you heard of them? I even open the vent with the heater on, love fresh air without the draft. It attached simply with two L shaped brackets that screwed to the metal frame of the top vent. I can run the fan, so nothing changes except the vent cover keeps the rain out, wind directed away from the fan flap when you drive. This is a real issue when I travel in the heat, it doesn’t heat up in there! Product promo over, lol.
Love your photos as usual, can’t wait to see the mesquite blooming. When I was a kid we used to take the dried pods and chew them, they are sweet!
I’m off Tuesday for another visit with my sister in Astoria Oregon…I wish I could share the train adventure with you, such beautiful country going over the Cascades…lots of snow up there. Best way to experience it, in my opinion, from a rolling train! Astoria is still having winter storms but my sisters farmhouse is snug and warm,with lots of windows to watch the weather if it gets nasty..otherwise we will be hitting the beach for some good walks!
Hi, LeeJ,
I’d like to take that train trip. It sounds wonderful, and, I agree, probably the “best way to experience” the snow of the Cascades. And to have your sister’s snug house, warm with love, as your destination. What could be nicer!
I’ve thought about getting a vent hood several times. Never got around to it since it hasn’t been an issue, even when it rains. I didn’t think about leaving the fan open when driving to keep the interior cool.
Those sweet pods…. from honey mesquite perhaps. 🙂
Happy Birthday to Reg! Love the header and footer pictures of the little scamps. Great post!
There is absolutely nothing like freshly ground coffee beans. Welcome to the world of better coffee. I bought my coffee grinder years ago while still on the road in our RV and have never looked back. And I have also bought beans at that little coffee roaster in Arivaca. Some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. Great choices all around Sue.