Christmas morning is sunny and bright at our camp on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
We’re camped off Palm Canyon Road. Bridget, Spike, and I walk a wash that takes us into the Bureau of Land Management land that borders the Refuge.
I can’t think of any place I’d rather be this Christmas morning.
I can’t think of any other way I’d rather start this special day than walking with the crew (as long as they stay away from the evil cholla!).
Around midday we visit Bill and Ann’s campsite up the lane from our camp.
We sit on the sunny side of their travel trailer, out of the breeze. The four canines get along like family.
Al and Kelly drive up on the way to their campsite, having finished a jeep jaunt and trek in the Kofa Mountains. Pheebs joins her canine pals, while we five human pals chat a bit.
The Bayfield bunch, weary from their long hike, depart for their Winnebago up the road.
Later Bridget, Spike, and I join Bill, Ann and their crew for Christmas dinner.
Ann is a wonderful cook! She serves us pork roast from the barbeque, fried potatoes and onions, and broccoli with just the right seasoning. Creamy horseradish sauce and sour cream accompany the meal. It’s all delicious. For dessert we have the pumpkin pie I brought from my kitchen . . . by way of Wal-Mart.
Bill and Ann treat their dogs like members of the family.
Julie the dachshund
Samantha the beagle, aka Sammy
Naturally they treat Bridget and Spike the same way. Each of the four canines get their portion of the pork roast. After dinner, I look at Spike luxuriating on the soft bed Ann put down especially for his comfort.
“I think Spike would like to live here,” I remark to Bill and Ann. They think I’m kidding!
The next morning I let Spike out to do his business.
Usually he circles around our camp until he finds the right bush, does what he has to do, and then trots back inside. I always go out, too, to keep an eye on him.
This morning Spike makes a bee-line for the dirt road and takes off toward Bill and Ann’s!
I know what is going through the mind of that little traitor . . . I’m going back for some more of that pork roast! I sprint after him, scoop him up, and carry him back home.
Thursday, December 26
Bill, Ann, Sammy, Julie, Bridget, Spike, and I hike into Palm Canyon of Signal Mountain. That’s the story for my next post.
I’m typing this at the end of the day, after the hike. Bridget and Spike are conked out in the bed next to me. All the exercise and fresh air wore them out. I’m tired, too, and ready to crawl into bed with them with a book.
Good night all!
rvsue
MY SINCERE THANKS TO EVERYONE
WHO SHOPS AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
What a wonderful way to spend Christmas! Thanks for sharing your joy with us, Sue.
You’re welcome, Laura.
Second! We’ll, that’s almost first. That Spike, just proving that old adage about the way to a man’s heart. . . . LOL
Sounds like a great day.the scenery you provided was beautiful!
Spike is an opportunist. He’d dump me in a flash for a better offer!
AWE Crumb apples! I am third! LOL
What a wonderful treat to have friends and feasts for the holidays… and some might be concerned you were lonesome! 🙂 NAW!!!
As always, thanks for sharing your treasured moments with all of us!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
You’re welcome, Barb. What? Me lonesome? Not gonna’ happen!
Looks like a really nice camp area. Glad to hear you had friends to share the holiday. That Spike is one smart dogie.
It is nice here. . . peaceful, which is a treasure when camping during a holiday break.
You are right, what a great way to spend the day! Ha, Spike quite the little chow hound. Funny how they never forget… strong senses. So glad to see and hear about your day in such a beautiful place with friends and little four footed commrads.
I am fascinated with the scenery as it is so foreign to me and beautiful. Am hoping to see it one day as well. Thanks for sharing again Sue.
You’re welcome, Diane. I remember studying blog photos of the desert before I came out here, wondering what it would be like to camp in a land of cactus and palo verde. It’s better than I imagined. I do hope you see it in person someday!
Always a bridesmaid never a bride….that’s me. One day I’ll figure out your schedule and be first just for the sheer thrill of it. Sounds like you and the crew had a nice Christmas. We baked a previously smoked ham, spiral cut. Now we have a big ham bone (some clinging ham) to be cooked with beans one day soon. I enjoyed a grilled ham and cheese sandwich for lunch today with a ice cold brew. Great! How ’bout this weather? I sent the “now” temperature of Tuesday (74) to some of my South Dakota people. I love to rub it in this time of year. Keep ’em flyin’ Susan….
Hi, Jim,
There’s no figuring out my schedule for blogging because I don’t have one. Sounds like you’re enjoying the weather and holiday food. The folks back in Georgia where I once lived would take that hambone and put it in a pot with black-eyed peas. Eat ’em with collards and biscuits on New Year’s Day. That’s supposed to guarantee a prosperous year (peas represent coins, collards represent dollars). I tried it one year. Ppffffttt! 🙂
Oh, not only South Dakota . . . Michigan is a state of pain right now.
It takes time for the magic to work. Now the proceeds of Amazon is paying off with big chips. Why it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if you don’t turn into a Plutocrat pretty soon now 🙂
You know, Jim; here in the South the Christmas ham bone should be used for New Year’s Day black-eye peas–a day of good luck for every pea you eat! Happy holidays!
Sue–looks like we posted at the same time! 😉
Hi, DeAnne . . . Feeling much better?
Felt better yesterday, but not so much today. Watching too much television but looking at my Kindle screen or trying to knit hurts my head. I actually had a parent email me today about her son’s grade—geesh! 8 more years…
Well Ladies, we just have to hope the good luck follows navy beans with that bone. As to the money element of the tradition, if I was in a drawing with a cash prize, had all the tickets but one, I’d not only lose but probably have a wreck on the way home, take a cab to get there only to see the firemen trying to put out the flames coming out of my roof.
I subscribe to RVSue’s blog via feed reader, and often when one of her posts comes in and I click over to the blog to read it, no-one has commented yet. Of course I’m only telling you this, so no-one else gets the edge 😉
I think everyone’s missing the main point…if Sue picked up a pumpkin pie at Wally World, that means she braved Walmart some time in the final days before Christmas. EEK!!
Thank you, Ladybug! I went where wise men fear to go!
Whoa, I had not thought of that. Now that is sheer bravery. I try to stay away between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, but it’s hard without a large larder/refrigerator. But still…. in the last days before Christmas?!! That took guts.
Hi Sue – this is my first post. After about 2 months of reading your blog from the beginning, I am now in “real time”. I have really enjoyed your blog and have chuckled out loud many times. The blog really helps me understand what this lifestyle can be like each day. Looking forward to 2014 with RVSue and the canine crew!
Hello and welcome, Lisa! I’m thrilled that you’ve read my blog from the beginning and that you’re still with us. Happy to have you along as the crew and I add to our “adventures” in 2014.
Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas dinner with friends. And even Al and Kelly as neighbors too. Enjoy that area is lovely.
Hi, George and Suzie… Yes, it was a great Christmas. Now you know why I drove right by Kofa when I left Dome Rock. I was waiting for Ann and Bill to set up camp here! Once again, timing is everything . . .
What a wonderful day you had! Great food, company, critters and lest we forget the scenery!
Hi, MK… The Kofa Mountains, especially Signal Mountain, are unforgettable!
I agree with Susan in Dallas, the best way to Spikes heart is thru his stomach. Typical man. But, I can’t say I blame him. That meal sounded wonderful. I may have been over there with Spike begging for leftovers too. So glad you had a wonderful Christmas. Beautiful pictures and looks like beautiful weather. We are having great weather here too. Cool but beautiful.
I’m glad you’re having great weather. So many people across the country are dealing with storms and cold.
Spike has decided to stay home. He and Bridget had ground turkey for their supper last night and then some bits of leftover pork roast that I had for my supper. He’s got no reason to complain!
Sounds like a perfect Christmas!
It was, Dawn. It’s a pleasure sharing it.
Sounds like a great Christmas Day. We all need to get away from the commercialized Christmas and just enjoy what the Lord has given us. I could feel the calmness in your writing and pictures. I am sure I am not the only one who envied that feeling.
I like the comment about the way to a man’s heart. LOL. Spike is quite the guy!!!
Love to you and the crew.
Hi, Pauline,
It’s a tired saying but it holds true… Less is more . . . and especially at Christmas. The excitement level on this blog is about 2 on a scale of 1 to 10. One thing I know how to do very well is RELAX. 🙂
Love to you and your crew!
The hike into Palm Canyon is a nice one and the palms are a treat. Enjoy!
Hi, Michael… Yes, it is. The crew and I loved it!
I thought you would be interested in viewing this video… and share this dream with me. As soon as I get a confirmation of good health I will make it happen… step by step.
Take a look at it… its moving.
http://www.overlandexpo.com/
Sergio
PS : The Expo is in your area…
Hi, Sergio,
Yes, the Expo will be at Mormon Lake. The crew and I were there in 2012. The lake was dried up when we were there. The Expo is probably a great thing for “travel adventure enthusiasts.” I don’t go to planned, group events, but I appreciate you mentioning it here for my readers.
Fun video! Some of those camps look like ones we’ve had… secluded, no sign of any human life all the way to the horizon in all directions… sweet! That video is definitely a dream-starter! Cool camper, too. . .
Yeah! You bet… I knew you’d love it.
Love the pictures, Sue. Especially the pictures of Samantha with her flying ears! So much fun. What a beautiful, lovely day at the base of Palm Canyon.
It was a perfect day for that hike. Samantha has propeller ears!
I must have had too much Christmas cheer: I thought the bush in the foreground of your campsite photo was your Christmas tree; and, I thought Samantha the dog was a pet pig! (I know, I know, Spike is actually the pig!)
I loved sharing your day! What a beautiful Christmas time for all….and Spikey …making a bee line for more Ham….God love ’em….:))
Have a wonderful 2014 !
You, too, Betty-Shea!
Tomorrow is the big ONE MILLION day. I’m afraid Laurie from Oregon is going to win but what fun for weird number nuts. LOL
Gee, Mick, don’t give up! Maybe my next post will be so incredibly interesting and magnetic that hordes of readers will arrive from across cyberspace.
Sure.
You have to slow down the visitors for me to win.
Oh.
I picked 12/29 (day after tomorrow). Is there any way to tell if magic 1,000,000 happens in the middle of the night, as to what day it actually happened??
Um. . . Somebody has to see it happen. And we’re going by Arizona time.
happy! Happy! HAPPY! Having good friends nearby at Christmas is really nice! Doggies look happy too!!!! Glad your CHRISTmas was a MERRY one!
Geri… I don’t know what you’re smoking but I’m really glad you’re happy!
Smooooth moove,Spike. Gotta’ get going a little earlier, though but go for the chow and watch those Teddy Bears!
Hi, Chuck,
Spike can keep his mutinous butt at home!
I am 998,254…lol
Looking forward to 2014. Who’s your mama Spike?
Happy New Year and safe travels.
Hi, Tom… Happy New Year to you, too!
What a lovely day! Spike the criminal is at it again!
Hope you slept well!
🙂