Saturday, October 5
We wake to a frosty morning. By mid-morning the sunlight clears the tops of the pine trees and the day starts to warm up. By noon it’s a beautiful day at our boondock in the Deschutes National Forest south of Bend, Oregon.
Only two vehicles pass our camp.
I hear a few gunshots in the distance, but I reassure myself the forest is very large and hunters aren’t going to come this close to the highway. The crew and I stay in camp all day anyway.
I clean the bathroom and then wash the dishes in a basin outside.
That’s about all the energy I have. I didn’t sleep well last night. I made the mistake, right before going to sleep, of letting past heartaches and regrets wander around the empty spaces in my head. I don’t usually allow myself to do that. My lack of mental diligence set me up for a night of wakefulness and weird dreams.
I’m sleepy all day. I sit in my camp chair in a sunbeam, soaking up the warmth and forest stillness, doing head-jerks as I nod off. Bridget and Spike nap at my feet.
Sunday, October 6
I wake completely rested. (No, I didn’t sleep in the camp chair all night!) We are going to put some miles behind us today! We have to get away from these cold mornings!
We shoot south on Route 97, passing through La Pine, Crescent, Chemult, and Beaver Marsh. It’s easy, two-lane driving on a straight and flat road.
When we reach Collier Memorial State Park, I turn onto the park road even though the park is closed.
I park the PTV in the shade of the pines and let the crew run around for a while. This gives me a chance to look at my map again and decide where we will look for tonight’s camp.
Well, we’ll go through Klamath Falls, turn onto 39 to Merrill, and continue southeast on 139 into California. We probably could make it all the way to Canby. We’d have the Modoc National Forest all around there for possible campsites. That’s a good plan.
“Okay, nut cakes! Time to go!”
A few miles and we arrive at the Crater Lake Junction Travel Center. I remember stopping here last year. It’s run by Native Americans and I was impressed by their courteous and efficient manner. I tell the attendant to “fill-er up with 87.” That done, he meets me over at the propane tank and pumps 3.9 gallons into the empty tank.
After that stop, I keep the pedal to the metal.
Gee, the PTV runs great on her new tires! Klamath Lake comes into view — a brilliant blue today — with snow-covered Cascade Mountains in the background. I can’t stop for photos because there are no turn-offs. It’s concrete barrier all the way. Klamath Falls is easy.
Living as a vagabond I get to see where my food comes from.
I enjoy that. Today dump trucks loaded high with potatoes rumble out of huge fields of dark, overturned earth. Signs on metal buildings announce the potatoes . . . yukon, russet, red bliss. I smell onions. I don’t know if they’re wild or cultivated.
Balers churn up hay, press it into blocks, and drop the blocks in long rows. Even though it’s Sunday, the farmers are hard at work. Well, “make hay while the sun shines.”
The day is sunny and bright.
We travel about 200 miles or so. Shortly before Canby — about seven miles, more or less — we pass a road going off to the left. It’s marked Forest Road 46. Hmm . . . I wonder if that goes to Duncan Reservoir. I remember seeing that reservoir close to Canby when I looked at the map. I pull off the road and check the atlas. Yes! That’s where it goes!
I make a U-turn and go back.
After about three miles of washboard road, we reach the reservoir. The road loops around two trees. A sign says “pack it in-pack it out” and there’s a vault toilet. Two campers are set up. No one is home at this one.
I park the PTV and walk over to the other camper.
Four guys in camouflage sit around talking. Actually, one of them is wandering around. Probably hunting for another beer, judging by the color of his face. Well, maybe it’s sunburn. Nope, see a little stagger there.
“Hi!” I shout as I approach. Bridget and Spike run ahead of me. “I didn’t drive out here to crowd your campsite!”
One of the men hollers, “C’mon over!”
“Looks like you’re doing some hunting. What are you hunting for?” I ask.
“Deer. There were some duck hunters out here this morning. Where you from?”
I tell them I drove from Bend, Oregon.
“You drove some miles today,” another one of the men remarks.
There’s no sign of anyone camping on the other side of the reservoir.
“Is there any other place to camp around the reservoir?” I ask.
“Yeah, you can camp on the other side. You’ll be by yourself over there. Go back to the main road, turn right, and continue out about three miles. You’ll see a sign.”
I thank them, gather up the crew, and leave to find our camp!
Three miles? Dang. A washboard mile is a lot longer than a highway mile.
I turn at the sign, “Duncan Reservoir – 3 miles.”
“Um, three plus three equals six.” The road narrows and wends it way through tall pines. At last it breaks out into the open and there’s the reservoir!
I pass the “pack it in-pack it out” sign and park in a pull-out. I could park the BLT in some shade, but as cold as the mornings have been, I’d rather have our home parked in the sun. This will do just fine!
The crew is all wound up from sleeping all day. They’re as excited as I am to explore our new property. We walk across the earthen dam. From that vantage point I take a photo of our campsite.
The water level is down which is typical for this time of year. Lava rock is exposed. One can drive a vehicle across the dam and camp on a spit of land extending out into the reservoir.
I decide against it as I see shotgun shells on the ground, probably from duck hunters who may come back. Stay away! I don’t want to see a duck shot out of the sky.
Our long walk makes us even hungrier than when we started. We hurry back to camp.
The sun sets as I write this blog post. The pink and blue sky draws my eyes away from the monitor.
“I’ve got to get my camera!” I jump out the door and take one last shot for the day.
The After-Sunset Sky at Camp Duncan
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are a few recent purchases:
Pet Gear Sportster Pet Stroller for cats and dogs up to 45-pounds
Viair Portable Compressor Kit
Samsung 32-Inch LED HDTV
Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D Electric Razor
GrillPro Non-Stick Hamburger Broiler
Run Silent Run Deep – Movie Poster
CHECK THE REAR VIEW MIRROR!
In April 2012 the crew and I camped in west-central Arizona and Spike soaked in Burro Creek!
“An Arizona desert gem: Burro Creek Recreation Area”
Dear Sue, you are one of the highlights of my day. (((Hugs))) from me & Scout
I’m happy to hear that, Cynthia. Hugs to you both.
Hey Sue,,,my x-fiancée is buried near there,,,could you maybe cast an eye to the sky and say hello for me?
I certainly will, Duke of Paducah. I’ll do that at sunset, Monday, Oct. 7th.
Thanks Sue,,,her name is Judy…and the outdoors was her life!
It’ll be an honor.
Duke, your love and loyalty to Judy’s memory makes you King of Hearts.
Glad you’re where it might be a bit warmer. Enjoy your camp. It’s finally cooled down enough in Texas that we can sleep without the AC. It’s 61 outside right now. The Pine Knot rally finished up today but we stuck around for another day “just because we could” and so we could go to church this morning without having to rush back to hitch up and head out.
We’re having fun following your blog while we’re on the road ourselves. If we can’t get it on the laptop, I can usually get it on the iPhone. You’re interesting as usual. Glad you found a place to camp on the other side of the lake away from the guys with the beer.
Stay Safe.
Hi, Reine,
It’s always a pleasure to see your name appear here. Isn’t it great to be retired and camping in a Casita where you can stay or go “just because you can.” I hope the rally was a big success.
Those guys were okay. That’s what a lot of hunters do. Sit around in camouflage outfits, talk man talk, and throw down a few beers. But I admit I’m glad to be on this side of the lake!
Keep having fun! Hello to Paul . . .
RVSue:
So glad you posted before I went to bed. You spread wonderful dreams, like the ones I will have tonight thanks to you. You’re my bedtime story.
Good night,
Phyllis in Oklahoma
Hi, Phyllis,
I’m your “bedtime story.” That’s cute. I’ve never been called that before!
Sweet dreams . . .
Love to follow you on map and you give a good description so you’re easy to find. Glad you’re rested and moving toward warmer camp. Being Native American, I always smudge myself w/sweet grass when I start to think of things I don’t want to think about to set my mind straight. It’s prob all psychological or like biofeedback but it works for me. Look at your pictures…what a beautiful and wonderful life you have. I look at your pictures from past blogs and I’m amazed at the beauty and the story you tell us as you travel around. What a wonderful gift you give us each time you post another story and photos for us to enjoy. Enjoy your travel south like the birds 🙂
Hi, Rita,
My blog is a gift to me, too. I look forward to seeing what readers have to say.
You remind me how blessed I am to travel and camp in beautiful places.
You laugh with me at the antics of Bridget and Spike.
You make me chuckle at your comments.
Sometimes I’m saddened by your news.
You give me advice, ideas, a new way of looking, understanding.
My blog is like a present I open every morning because of readers like you, Rita, who take the time to respond to my writing and photos and to share a little of yourselves.
I heard an illustration of that middle of the night thing: Satan drives in with a garbage truck and dumps it all in your head. We do seem to be particularly vulnerable at that time of night to rehashing old mistakes and making mountains of the many molehills in our lives.
Hi, mockturtle,
What you say is so very true! Bad thoughts come at night … The Night Marauders!
I used to tell my ex-husband that his mind was like a garbage dump that he’s constantly sorting. As it turned out he was the spawn of Satan . . . but that’s not something we want to go into here. 🙂
Have a good evening and sleep well . . .
I pray that God plugs the mind nightly for you so that nothing can be dumped in while sleeping or trying to fall asleep. Blessings to you and the crew.
Thank you, SueMagoo. It’s rare that I let hurtful thoughts run wild. That’s why I mentioned it. Sweet comment. Blessings to you and yours, too.
I won’t dwell on your nightmares of past hurts, except I know the feeling. I love your pics and I always use them for my desktop. I am using your Camp Duncan at sunset now. I always hate to retire one in favor of another but in affect that is what you do too, isn’t it? Sue I know I say it often but I so enjoy your writing. You are a tonic to a sometimes tired old man. Hugggggg
Hi, Jim,
It’s good to have you back! You and “the missus” have been through tough times lately. I wish you both better days.
I love your sense of humor and I hope it doesn’t go away.
I use desktop photos as therapy! Yesterday morning when it was cold, I put up the photo of dandelions on what I called “Dandelion Hill” (Badger Mountain, Ephraim, Utah, last spring). That mass of bright yellow flowers warmed me up a bit!
Thank you for your “warm” comment and the hug. Here’s one back to you!
Hi Sue…
I continue to follow your blog every day and love it. I wanted you to know that because I don’t comment often but I am following you every day. Wishing it were my turn out there, but it will come in time. I also hate when the past comes creeping back in my head. I read some where that when those thoughts come creeping in to think or do something pleasant in your world instead. I have tried it and it works sometimes, but then there are times that they don’t. 🙁 ……but you get through it anyway….somehow.
I love your pictures of the areas that you travel to. They bring us all there with you….in spirit anyway. I thank you for this “present” and allowing us into this part of your life. Happy Trails.
Hi, Deb . . .
Great to see you here and to know you follow me and the crew every day!
I like your positive statement about your plan to travel… “It will come in time.” Maybe by then the government will be back to funding our national parks, forest ranger offices, and “public” campgrounds!
Thanks for the compliments and for including where you are located.
Hi Sue
I am having many sleepless nights lately, mine due to elder care issues racing through my head….read your blog earlier tonight, but since I’m awake I’ll have another look at the pics. Glad you went with the better tires, good decision. Our new trailer will be built in Feb. Have to choose the counter colours in Jan. it is a small rig, 15′ so the white counters might keep it looking bright..white stove, black stove? darker counter? Lots of time to decide yet. Reading your blog and seeing all those wonderful pictures really helped me decide to sell the Aliner , good thing I found you 🙂
Stay safe….hi to the crew….
Hi, Val . . .
And I’m glad you found us! I’m curious. . . what 15′ rig you are ordering?
Colors are a matter of personal taste but I will put in my 2 cents. One of the things I like about the BLT is the light interior. . . lots of white, easy-to-clean surfaces. One may think black hides fingerprints and such, but the opposite is the case.
Whew! Good thing you’re glad you sold the Aliner. I’d hate to be the cause of any regrets.
Best of luck “designing” your new home-on-wheels. May you enjoy many happy days with it!
http://www.taylorcoach.com. They build them one at a time. He often posts a video of the build if they have a layout he thinks folks might like to see. Going small to make it easy & lightweight for a couple of seniors to tow. 🙂
Ooh! A GREAT alternative to a Casita… more room for two people!
Thanks for the link, Val. I clicked on the photo gallery and saw another Perfect Tow Vehicle!
I can imagine a “soaking” picture coming up soon. I’m enjoying our “cool-down” in Dallas. The 90 degree constant temperatures were getting very annoying. Looks like a great place for the crew to “run wild”!
Hi, Susan…. You Texans must have suffered something awful this past year. I keep hearing how you’re enjoying cooler weather. Good for you! Enjoy while you can, summer has a way of coming back.
You and the crew look very comfortable in your new site. Glad you found a home without too much trouble.
Beautiful sunset:)
I’m getting used to driving a few hours with no idea where we will camp for the night. So, for me, I guess that’s the “silver lining” of this dang shut-down fiasco.
200 miles in a day, you were Ms RV Cruisin’ ! The empty spaces in my head, oh my, apparently I have a bunch of those. The change of seasons, especially Fall to Winter, seem to put me in retrospective mode. Bet you’ll feel better when you get to warmer & sunnier places 🙂 BTW, I liked when you put a link at the bottom of your post to where you were the previous year. Thanks for the update on expenses, you give hope to the rest of us who are living in Hell (er uh I meant working) that there can be adventure in retirement! ::Warm Hugs from Ohio::
Hi, Patti . . .
I hope you see this reply because I added a link to an 2012 post, just for YOU! (See end of this post.) It’s fun for me, too, to “check the rear view mirror.”
I appreciate the feedback on my income/outgo pages. As long as I tell how the crew and I live day-by-day, I figure I might as well tell how much it costs . . . which is what wannabes want to know!
The 2012 expenses do not give the total picture because we didn’t encounter any major bills, having had the solar installed in 2011, and the BLT being brand-new. The thousand dollars for new tires in 2013 balance the picture somewhat, as will other big bills that I’m sure are going to pop up.
YAY, it’s like a bonus chapter to read. Thanks, teach 🙂
You were one of those rare kids who wanted more homework, right?
LOL…only if I got extra credit! 🙂
Hi Sue
With all the hunters around, maybe you should invest in 2 bright orange scarves for the crew, so they don’t mistake them for?????? Glad you found such a beautiful camp.Sleep well.
Hi, Patricia . . .
It was good we met the deer hunters. They are well aware of us being here. In fact they can see us from across the reservoir. There are signs posted against shooting near the reservoir or shooting over the water. How the duck hunters get away with it, I don’t know.
Last night in bed I listened carefully for sounds. Absolute silence except for Spike’s rhythmic breathing. Ahhh . . .
One hears of the “restorative power of sleep.” I believe also in the “restorative power of silence” . . . The lack of silence may be a contributor toward the mental illness prevalent in this country. People need to take the ear buds out and/or quit the incessant talking and soak up the silence! That is, if they can find any.
Well, that’s the rant-of-the-hour from RVSue! 🙂
Love what you say about silence. Isn’t it interesting though, that we think of as silence isn’t really silent at all; it us just the lack of machine or non-natural sounds. But there is the wind in the trees, birds, waves lapping. A canine companion’s breathing.
I read somewhere that the sound of crickets is so ancient that it is practically in our DNA to be soothed by it. People have heard crickets forever… well, since before they were people!
I love to be away from light pollution too. Hope it’s clear where you are so you can enjoy the stars during this new moon phase.
just commenting to say how much I continue to enjoy your blog. Hearing gunshots can be unsettling, and it would be worse to see the animals being shot. I know what’s being done, but it does give one pain to acknowledge that fact.
You and the pups stay safe! Looking forward to hearing more as you travel to warmer weather.
Hi, Mary. . .
Thanks for letting me know you are still enjoying my blog.
Yes, I woke to duck calls and gunshots this morning. Not pleasant at all and worse for the fowl. If it weren’t for the shut-down, I wouldn’t be boondocking during hunting season.
I’m on a mission to find warmer weather! The nights will get even colder here if my weather widget is any good.
Hi guys
I spotted this hop u don’t mind me passing it on
For All u ball pullers
This is a re post
We just got back from the Bandon, Oregon, Fiberglas rally. It was mostly Casitas!!
It took us two days of driving to get there. On day two, while driving the bumpy, winding Highway 101, the Casita kept ‘bucking’ on the dips and bumps. We checked the sway bar, the brakes were dialed in, had no idea what the issue was.
Until this morning, when we began hooking up to tow home.
While unwrapping the hitch ball (we keep plastic wrap on it to keep our clothes from contacting the grease on the ball) I noticed the hitch ball ROTATED. Then I realized the nut was missing.
You don’t just lose those things. Ours was on tighter than a miser’s purse strings and the lock washer won’t allow it to move.
Someone had stolen it…when?
At our first campsite at Cp Rilea, OR?
At the grocery store in Coos Bay?
Someone STOLE THE HITCH BALL NUT.
As light and easy to move a Casita, did someone try to steal ours by the only way possible: removing the nut securing the hitch ball? (we keep the hitch latch and the receiver hitch locked, always. It’s not that cheapo brass lock given to us by Casita, no, it’s a skookum lock that doesn’t accept a bolt cutter very willingly.
We’d driven over a hundred fifty miles without a nut on the hitch ball.
Fortunately, we had a spare nut and lock washer. We carry spares for just about everything.
I don’t know who stole it. I don’t know why. But I hope he realizes that karma has a way of getting even.
So keep an eye out, folks.
Check your rig each and every time you go near it.
What an incredibly selfish, mean-hearted thing to do! It’s almost too dastardly to believe! I appreciate the warning, Mister Ed, for me and my readers who tow.
Get a tube of Loctite RED thread sealer. Remove the nut and put the loctite all over the threads and replace the nut. Beware it is permanent and the nut will never come off with a wrench without applying heat from a torch. Crazy people require crazy solutions.
Yes always a good idea to do a walk around!
Someone stole our……….sewer hose and the rv was parked in our driveway! When gas was above $5.50 a gal they would punch a hole in your gas tank and empty it into a 5 gallon bucket. Apparently siphoning took too long.
It’s also a good idea to check the lug nuts. It’s not unheard of for them to take your tires!
Desperate people will take the the kitchen sink!
RvSue beautiful photos again 🙂 Sounds like we all get those thoughts from time to time.I start singing The A**hole song by George Jones.. It makes me laugh every time :).
Whatever gets you through the night… 🙂
Beautiful photos, as usual! I would have scooted away from those camo’d hunters too! Glad you found a good spot on the other side of the water! In 10 days we should be on our way! Papers will be ready to sign on the 16th! Hope we meet up on the road again somewhere! Hugs to you and the crew!
Hi, Geri . ..You’re like a horse about to be let out through the gate. Hooray for new horizons and a return to family and friends!
Sue
I had some dark moments in my life as we all do, I use to have a real problem at times with them.
Now when those times come up I just lay back and go over the last week in my head and realize how lucky I am to be where I am now instead of back in those dark times.
Every day is a gift and a blessing.
Ron
That’s a good remedy, Ron. All I have to do is look around me or hug my crew.
You’re right… Every day is a gift that we don’t want to waste!
I, too, am prone to ‘night thoughts’. I have to remind myself regularly that they’ll be gone in the morning…thank goodness. I can also totally relate to not wanting to see a beautiful duck brought down.
It looks very cold where you are, but you may be on the road again by now. Stay warm, happy and in the light!
Hi, Linda . . .
When I found this camp I thought we’d stay for two nights. Because of the cold mornings getting colder and the duck hunters, I’m thinking about leaving today for a short move. Don’t know yet. The crew is still asleep. Once the hunters leave and the sun shines on the reservoir, I might decide to stay!
One thing that has eliminated a lot of “night thoughts” and bad dreams for me is no more television shows, books or movies where women are hunted down, mutilated, assaulted, killed, etc… a popular theme these days!
Oh my… Have a nice day! 🙂
Bravo, RV Sue! That’s same reason I didn’t reinstall my cable TV when I moved. I have HD outdoor antenna and watch PBS, cooking shows on Create TV, travelogues, Netflix documentaries — films about amazing people making amazing contributions. Other peoples’ suffering, real or imagined, is not entertainment for me. Whoops, just fell off my soapbox…
The shows I had to quit watching were about bigfoot. Scared me to death.
That was a nice little drive thru nice country. Sounds like fun. Looks like you’ll be going thru Susanville again. Stop and do some looking around this time, you have a knack at meeting such nice people when you do.
Well, as always, Enjoy.
Hi, Alan,
With the closing of the National Forest campgrounds and considering the terrain south of here, the next leg of our journey will be over 200 miles in one day. I’m not about to stop in the middle of that long drive to find someone in Susanville with whom to have a friendly chat! 🙂 I’m trying to get south of rain, wind, cold, and snow (yes, snow… predicted for Carson City NV!).
Let the adventures of RVSue and her canine crew play out. Sit back and enjoy!
Good day sue and crew
Letting your mind wander about the past is a recipe for a sleepless night! The past is just that….ya can’t change it….and tomorrow is another day!
This iPad is so sensitive….touching the screen in the wrong place or trying to reread your post and post a reply at the same time equals more jibberish lost in cyberspace.
Head jerks. Hah! How many times have you seen that as a teacher?
Canny eh? We have friends in Canby. Lovely spot you’ve found. Peaceful and secluded.
Love the pic of the sunset.
Tornado warnings back at home! Mother Nature is mad at something! Jules said she can’t ever recall tornado warnings in the past….just microbursts! Sheesh! Glad I’m currently in earthquake country…nothing but a foot massage!
Have a wonderful day! Thanks for the smiles….your blog is always a joy to read.
3.1 earthquake last night! It’s good to be “home”.
You’re welcome, Cinandjules.
Tornado at your home in the East and earthquake at your home in the West. And I’m the one who couldn’t sleep the other night. 🙂
I honestly believe that you could do a reality show that would be so interesting!!!! Of course I wouldn’t want a camera following me around all day as I am sure you wouldn’t. Your pictures are probably the closest I will get to “out West” so I am really enjoying them. Take care…love to you and the crew.
Hi Pauline,
A reality show of me and the crew would bore the socks off of everybody! I have to put a “spin” on our lives with words. Thanks for the compliment though. Love you!
Hi, Sue. I have a problem sometimes with nights where I feel all the wrongs and all the guilt that has been in the last 50 years. You were saying you do not watch movies with certain subject matter. I have one that I like to watch when the worries get me, it is RV with Robin Williams. I can just see me in some of the same predicaments that they find themselves in in an RV.
I have enjoyed your trip in the NW. Sure was beautiful. Can’t wait to get back to Ajo though. Or over around Yuma like last winter. Just be sure you make a wide circle around Resurrection. That is another depressing place. Keep safe and remember all us friends out here. You may never meet most of us, but feel the love anyway.
Hi, Jean,
I’m trying to recall where Resurrection is. I’ll look it up in my atlas.
I do “feel the love” everyday from people like you who write things like “keep safe.” I wish the same for you.
Hi Sue & Crew,
I so enjoy your journey tales, as my english grandfather would say “it’s tonic” and even though you had a troublesome night, just remember, the best revenge is a happy life, which you have ! My prayers are with you on your journey. Follow that star.
Hi Willow,
When my life was unhappy and stressful, I had a lot of bad nights. What you say is true. Since I retired, relaxed, and remodeled my life, I rarely have a bad night. Yes, the best revenge is “finishing well.”
Thank you for your prayers.
To me one of the benefits of “getting on in years” is the lessening of importance of issues that were once critical. I have come to realize that what is worrisome today will usually dissipate by the next morning. This helps me manage the edginess of worries at the moment. I have come to take on today only that with which I feel comfortable today; knowing that tomorrow I can probably manage more—less aches and pains that way.
Hi, kgdan,
I find acceptance mellows me in the face of difficulties. No more, “Why me?”
As for the past, the mistakes and heartaches cannot be changed so it’s best to move on mentally and emotionally to the present….
Your philosphy is the key . . . Too bad we have to get on in years to understand this and to put it into practice.
Another great spot! It’s definitely getting colder here….no snow in Columbia Falls, MT, but can see it in Glacier Nat’l Park. Beautiful sunset photo from your spot. Travel safe!
Hi, Renee,
Whatcha doin’, girl! Up there in cold country! Git yourself back where you belong!
When you’re in tater country, keep your eyes pealed (har har) and you might luck out by finding a sack of taters along the side of the road. Sometimes they jump out the backside of the wagon. Wonder if that’s the idea behind ‘fell off a turnip truck’?? I used to see them quite often when driving through the agricultural areas of California.
As for the bad thoughts/dreams/whatevers…..if you haven’t already, once you get back to the southwest, get yourself a dreamcatcher to hang up in the rig. They make them small.
Hi, Ladybug!
Interesting bit of Americana… collecting bags of potatoes that fell off the potato truck. I should’ve looked for some. I love taters! And maybe that is the origin of the turnip saying . .. hmm.
I already have a dreamcatcher. Actually I have two of them! Right now they’re two bumps under the covers this morning!
I know all about not wanting cold mornings. LOL! Just got the power back on and I am loving it. I’ts been off since 4 am Friday. You tooling through familiar places for me. Can’t wait till I’m headed down the road again. Hope all your spots will be open in Cali and it won’t be to cold yet. Keep warm and keep the wheels a rolling.
Dear, dear Laurie… caught in all that snow and cold with no power!
I’ve thought of you several times, wondering how you were faring. You must be itching to get back on the road. I agree… These 6-month workkamping stints are way too long for people with gypsy spirits. Of course, I’d have trouble with one week.
You keep warm, too. Now you have a great “horror story” to tell around campfires!
Sue & crew,
Looks like you are making your way to warm for the winter. Looking forward to reading about the winter adventures.
We are getting settled in T or C, NM and getting caught up finally. Wanted to say Thank you for helping me connect with Mick, he really knows his stuff. He should consult with Wilson as he seems to know more than they do, or at least he listens and understands objectives. Regardless I just ordered the last item needed and soon will be testing the booster set up.
Thanks again.
Hi, Wayne .. .
Congratulations on your Wilson antenna! I’ll assume you purchased the items at Amazon through my blog and give you a big THANKS!
I’m not surprised at your comment that Mick “seems to know more than they do.” I have the impression that Mick knows more than anybody on the planet. He always has the right answers to my questions and then gives me more support information than I’m capable of understanding. Oh, me ….
Enjoy T or C… It’s an interesting place… and there’s water in the lake again!
It’s nice of you to drop in here with a follow-up and to thank me.
Amazon via RV Sue? Of course I did. You’re welcome.
🙂 Happy, happy, happy!
Sorry to hear about the difficult night sleeping…hopefully with time you will no longer have such nights!! Many hugs to you!!
Elizabeth, still out west…soon to return east for awhile
Hi, Elizabeth . . .
I kind of wish I hadn’t mentioned that one restless night. I gave the impression I’m wracked with night horrors every night. No! Almost all my nights are peaceful and I sleep very well. I appreciate your kind words though.
Have a safe, return trip!
Oh I guess I did not think you had them all the time…but the less of those we have the better it is, or so it seems to me. The theology we go with now says that EVERYTTHING happens for a reason…and eventually, either here or the next life, we will be blessed…so all happens to bless us eventually is I suppose the best way to put it. We have been happier since we began living with this thought in mind. We flawed humans never do things 100%, no matter how much we try to do so. Not even the most perfect parent (GOD) had perfect children…I try to remember.
I do not get down a lot, but it is not fun when it comes. And while the doggies are so great for any such time…they are limited somewhat in the encouragement dept…at least where speech is concerned. Glad you are ok now!!
Elizabeth on the road again, towards Seattle area and glad for having had a great time on this trip…with one aunt, some of my first cousins and some of my 2nd, 3rd and 4th cousins.
I’m happy for you and your family, Elizabeth!
I love how the crew know no matter where in the world they happen to be that the BLT is home.
Hi, Heda . . . Nice to see you here!
I thought the same thing last evening! The crew and I went for a late walk, almost dark, and when the PTV/BLT came into view, Spike and Bridget quickened their steps to hurry home.
I love the “rear view mirror”. It’s like 2 rvsues for the price of 1! Keep enjoying the journey.
Marilu
Hi, Marilu . . .
Appreciate the feedback . . . I enjoy looking at these old posts, too, especially the slideshows.
Hi Sue,
I love your blog. It’s a fun read and I like how you use the Van+trailer combo. I’m in the shopping phase right now and I’m trying to make a decision between a Class B and a Van but I hadn’t considered your setup. I plan to do both city dwelling and boondocking out in the “boonies”, so I’m leaning more towards the stealth options.
I’m shooting for full-timing by the summer of 2014 but I hope to get the journey started much earlier. Thanks for inspiring us all!
Troy
Hi, Troy,
You’re welcome and thanks for the compliment on my blog.
You’re wise to consider how you will camp as the first deciding factor. I wouldn’t recommend my set-up for anyone planning to camp in a city or town. We aren’t very stealthy!
Best wishes finding what suits you and your budget. Doesn’t the thought of living in a house-on-wheels stir the imagination? Wow! So many opportunities . . .
My life rules about the bad thoughts;
If its a wrong I did to someone, I try to apologize, even if it was something that happened years ago. About 10 years ago I had a good friend whose dad died. I didn’t go to his funeral because I waited to get dressed until the last minute and then realized I had gained too much weight to fit in any of my funeral clothes. I was too embarassed to tell her why I didn’t go. I have felt bad about this for years. We have since gone our separate ways. Last week I e-mailed her and told her how sorry I was and that today I would have just went in jeans. She hadn’t even remembered that I didn’t go and was totally gracious about it. I have felt bad about that for such a long time…such a waste of my life.
If it is a wrong someone did to you, forgive them. Sometime it takes a lot of work. Once I had to write a scripture verse about forgiveness and put it in my pocket. Everytime I started to get mad about a person who had wronged me, I took the verse out and read it and said a prayer to soften my heart. That person is my best friend now. Another person in my life was always mean to me. I made the conscious decision that no matter what they said or did, I was going to love them and show them love. Their actions had no control over what my actions would be. That person is now completely different towards me. Its much better now. I’ve come to realize everyone is fighting their own battles and sometimes people say or do things when they are stressed out that normally wouldn’t happen or they might do stupid hurtful things when they were young and foolish.
If you are beating yourself up… don’t… life is too short. Just do your best from here on out and go on. I am a Christian and I use to stay up at night feeling so bad and praying to God to forgive me for something that had happened years ago. It was so freeing for me to finally realize that God forgave me the first time I asked. It was time to forgive myself.
These are the lessons I have learned and thought you might like them too. 🙂 They have helped me a lot, especially when my daughter was going through early adulthood.
Thank you, Angie. Excellent advice!
My thoughts that evening weren’t about the need to forgive. My mind is sometimes pulled back to bad things and hardships that happened to people I love who have since passed away. These were things I couldn’t have prevented or helped, even though I tried my best.