Wednesday, March 18
“Okay, I get the message. You can stop drilling more holes into my head. We’ll go somewhere!”
I toss the crew into the Perfect Tow Vehicle. At the end of the campground road I dump a bag of trash in the dumpster.
We take Route 93 south and turn onto a gravel road.
We’re still in Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge and this is a hunting area. That does not make sense to me. How can it be a refuge for wildlife if people shoot at the wildlife? Regardless, we walk the road and I take a few photos.
It’s a challenge taking photos of the Pahranagat Mountains because of overhead wires. (Hence the close crop in the photo above!)
Remember when dried flowers were all the rage for decorating?
I like them better when they adorn the desert floor.
This is our late afternoon walk. This morning we walked the maze of trails at the Visitors’ Center. We’ve gone over there a couple times for walks since making our camp at the lake.
Looking east across the highway . . . .
Pulling in closer on the mountain with rain clouds forming above it . . . .
By the time we return to our camp on Upper Pahranagat Lake, rain begins to fall. It lasts only a few minutes.
Thursday, March 19
The wind blows this morning and the air is chilly.
Upper Pahranagat Lake Campground, Alamo, Nevada
Reggie doesn’t tolerate the cold as well as Bridget and I do. A slight drop in air temperature takes him from comfort to shivers.
“C’mere, little guy. Let me put this sweater on you.”
I drive us to the north end of the lake and park.
We walk on a berm across the lake.
Bridget is conscious of the camera so she hangs back, walking behind me. After a few minutes, she becomes absorbed in the moment and forgets to shy from the lens.
Every time we walk the berm across the lake an American Dipper bird flies around us. This is it’s favorite place to dip, I guess.
The crew stops to let me take a photo of a goose.
I step on Reggie’s leash to avoid a yank while clicking the shutter. Bridget knows to sit still and wait.
The Paiutes named this area well.
It is a “place of many waters.”
The trail takes us where we are protected from the wind. The sun shines through the boughs of the cottonwood trees.
We come upon a picnic table by the lake’s shore.
We have walked halfway around the lake which is far enough for us. I sit with my back to the table and an arm around Bridget on one side and and an arm around Reggie on the other.
“Isn’t it a beautiful day, guys?”
After a brief rest we head back.
Reggie wants badly to run. I hate having him on a leash all the time. Someday I’ll be able to trust him to come back. Not yet.
Bridget and I run for the sake of Reggie.
He keeps ahead of us, straining at the leash.
“Okay, that’s enough! Right, Bridge?” We slow to a walk. Whew!
When we get home, I’ll work on a blog post. I have enough photos. These two will want to take a nap. Or maybe Reggie will continue killing the armadillo . . . As long as he lets me type . . .
We come upon the goose again.
This time there are two!
They are far enough away that our presence doesn’t disturb them.
The crew and I hurry across the windy berm to the warmth of the PTV!
rvsue
THANK YOU, RVSUE SHOPPERS!
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Love your pics!
Thanks, Judy.
Just wanted to let you know I love your site. I have been enjoying for about 6 months and finally had to tell you how great it is.
Thank you and welcome to my blog, Diane! I hope we will hear from you again. If so, please tack on something to your name, like the abbreviation for your state, as there are a few Diane’s that comment and I want to know which one is writing. I’m happy you love my blog. 🙂
I know I’m not first even though it looks like it. But I am close. Love the blog today and especially the geese. We have geese like that here also.
Hi, Jean,
The geese are beautiful against the gold/tan reeds. I’m pleased the way the photos came out.
Hi Sue, I guess there was a reason that the blue sweater did not fit Bridget…everything is perfect….Purple should be the color for HRH anyway. Happy to see the new post, and the comments were about the hit almost 300….aren’t you an amazing fascilitator. I will write to you when we return from Red Rock Canyon, but I know that you won’t like the campground, $23.00 senior price, no hook ups, but there are toilets and water is available…but it is the desert after all.
Hi, Shirlene,
That’s why I prefer BLM and NFS campgrounds instead of state parks. Sometimes the state parks offer a lot more, yet other times they don’t and still charge more.
Anyway… I hope you enjoy it!
I am sitting on my porch in a big wicker chair, nice cool breeze, lots of birds visiting…perfect. What could make it more perfect? I went in the house and got my iPad…and there was a new Sue and crew blog…more perfect!
Have a lovely day my dear! Give the pups a pet from me!
Now I have to go mow the lawn…..see what you’re missing? Lol
Hi, Lee J.,
It’s lawn-mowing time already? Your porch scene is lovely. . .
Second mow of the season, and,the first time was overdue. This is typical weather for us, rain makes the grass grow, and sixty to seventy degree temperatures make it grow tall!
California is green in the winter, brown in summer from no rain… Our perfect weather is now, until about May, then it gets hot and,dry.
Those little faces in the first picture would have gotten to me, too.
Hi, Marsha,
And if the dagger eyes don’t get you, Bridget barks. She knows I can’t tolerate barking.
The blue sweater is perfect on Reggie! I love your lakeside site….I guess I’m going to have to consider going on up to NV, that’s two destinations there that I really liked….this one and Valley of Fire. Great pics, thanks!
You’re welcome, JanisP, I’m happy to see you here regularly!
Radar and DoogieBowser look at me like that too ! Hard to not give in and go for a walk! Love all the photographs.
Gotta tell ya, that little Reggie is a scene stealer! If he is in the photo, my eyes go to him immediately, I still love Miz Bridget, really I do, but something about Reggie compels me to eyeball him first!
Hi, Geri,
I remember Radar, Doogie, Spike and Bridget in the pen at Sand Island, Utah, all four giving us “that look.” Reggie does steal the scene. Maybe that’s because we’ve seen a gazillion pics of Bridget and Reggie is the new guy. Plus he does have some charisma!
He is just a doll baby! So glad you found him!
I wish you guys were here so our crews could get together. That would be fun to watch.
I wish we could too! But until my back heals, the most I dare drive is 2-3 hours a day! We did a whirlwind trip to Winter Haven to get our stuff out of storage, 5 hours there and back and I was done! Wish y’all could come to Apalachicola and eat some good fresh seafood with us!
I can’t see me driving to Florida. I’ll probably cross the Mississippi again to visit my sister and family. Other than that, I’d rather be in the West.
Maybe we could meet in Mississippi one day!
🙂
Love the photos..such a lovely place!The pupper-poos are so cute together!
Thanks,you made my day ☺.
You’re welcome, Betty Shea. You brightened my day by writing.
Top ten at least?
Always. 🙂
What a sweet spot and your boy looks great in blue. So glad to see that he took to the sweater, Dexter does the same shiver routine but she absolutely will NOT wear a sweater. Well, she will wear it, she just refuses to move a muscle and stares darts at us while she has it on.
The new table looks great. Even a table cloth, so domestic. But in the same shot I see 3 long handled tools leaning against the BLT tongue. A shovel, a rake (?) and a ????. Just curious.
Have a great stay – DEATH TO THE ARMADILLO!!!!! 🙂
Dexter is a she? Creative.
Yea, she was “Coco” for about 2 days and then we named her after our favorite TV serial killer. Much more fitting.
Hi, Rick,
Ha! What is the mysterious, third implement? Hmm…. It’s a broom!
That armadillo was a good buy. Unlike the lime-green dog, who is in need of serious surgical repair due to disembowelment, the armadillo suffers no wounds.
We buy “flat rats” for our 2 boys! Cute, fuzzy toys with no stuffing to tear out! There is a squeaky inside though. We had a laugh because the brand name really was/is ” Flat Rat Toys” ! Bought them at Burke’s discount stores out west, in the east they are known as Bealls discount!
No stuffing here either!
That’s my boy! The dang green dog didn’t make it a week and a half. Proud of ya son.
Now then. DEATH TO THE ARMADILLO!!!
They look like they’re ready to break out in that first photo. (Actually, they appear to be very happy) What lucky pups they are.
“Place of many waters” – simply and beautifully said.
Hope it warms up a bit for you. Take care.
Hi, Applegirl,
By noon it is warm here. Desert night chill has been lingering each day because of the wind.
Hope it warms up where you are, too!
A nice oasis in the middle of the high desert of the Great Basin. I hope you find some other jewels as you explore Nevada. Enjoy!
Thanks, K & B in CO…. We will stay as long as we are enjoying our camp.
Maybe this is a stupid question, Sue…but if you were to leash Reggie to Bridget, it might give you time to catch him/them…as she might try to come to you? We sometimes leashed our 2 last dogs together…but one was a lot larger than the other too. It is amazing how small a dog can almost take your arm out of its socket. We did have someone show us how to restrain our larger dog when she was young and always pulling so hard….if you have a long leash, you put it along the back, drop over one side at the rump and go underneath the dog, catching the leash again on top (making a loop)…it does not pull on their neck and head…but on the belly and wow baby, they are very responsive to the belly, with only gentle pulls and reminders verbally. Maybe he is so little he does not hurt your shoulders and arms pulling. Our tiny town has a dog park (might be something to look for in other areas, so you could turn him loose some to run as ours at least is well fenced)…it is dirt however…but we see lots of dogs there at times (with their owners of course). The last little dog we had was a rescue dog and a wanderer. She KNEW I did not like her running off. But she always found her way home. It only happened maybe once a year or so. I tried not to let her get loose, but when you answer your door sometimes small ones escape. Finally I decided I did not care…and put a bowl of water out for her on those times she ran off. Left her outside ALL day, after she came home…she would wait on the porch…funny thing….THEN, after a day of “worrying her”, she was really good to stay with me for a long time…just needed a reminder ever so often. You cannot do that when you are moving about obviously. Oh well…I figured she was lacking some sense…had a small head…how many brains can be squeezed into such a small space after all… 😉
Hi, Elizabeth,
Reggie isn’t big enough to make my shoulder sore from his pulling. It’s a shame he can’t be let loose to run. The coupler is an interesting idea. I had a few of those when I fostered several dogs at a time. When they work, they’re great. Depends upon the dogs. . ..
Your technique of “worrying” your dog is similar to the strategy of walking in the opposite direction when a dog breaks loose. Parents use that with young children who linger at the beach, the park, wherever, when it’s time to get in the car and go home. “Okay, we’re going. So long!”
PS…about cottonwood trees…lived with many on the 16 acres we lived on when I was growing up…if the wind blows, and it does not have to be a terrible wind either, they are prone to drop HUGE limbs…sometimes as large as your leg!! So if it gets windy, you might move to a more open spot…at least not under them. Just saying…
The limbs on these trees look well-pruned. I imagine the refuge staff checks periodically . . . .The wind isn’t very strong these days.
That is good…they must be earning their salaries then!! 🙂
OMG before I even read the caption under the first photo….oh dear Bridgee babe has taught little Reggie how to throw a “stink eye”! I was roaring!
The sweater fits Reggie better…besides HRH loves lavender!
It does look like an oasis!
Word of warning to all with fur kids …the lack of water and the heat can create hazards in ponds and lakes. The presence of green algae bloom is prevalent with the above listed conditions. THIS IS DEADLY to dogs and harmful to humans! If there is a hint of a green tinge…keep away! Google green algae bloom to see pictures if you are not sure. Again…the accidental ingestion by drinking or licking a wet paw will cause irreversible symptoms that will LEAD to death.
A popular lake in the SF Bay Area where dogs often romp is now the cause of a dozen deaths.
I don’t mean to be a downer…but I know how much we ALL love our fur kids!
Thanks for the warning on algae in the water. You hit the reason why I haven’t taken Reggie for a trial swim… other than it not being really hot lately. I don’t want him drinking the lake water. I don’t see algae but that doesn’t mean the water is good for dogs to drink, especially a little guy like Reggie.
Gosh, I wish I could take a photo of him sleeping. He’s dozing in a sunbeam next to me right now and he’s busting the cuteness meter!
Sue, just FYI — I followed your link to wheelingit site for more info about your terrific campsite. Read this:
“Pet Friendliness – 4/5
Very nice site for doggie. … Only ding? No swimming allowed in the lake (for the sake of the protected birds) so doggie won’t be enjoying any dips.”
Don’t know if that applies to short wading trips by doggies along the shoreline.
JJ
I saw that. I don’t think Reggie wading in two inches of water would qualify as swimming anyway. 🙂
Oh I agree, Sue — just didn’t quite know what you meant by taking Reggie “for a swim.”
That was misleading… I don’t always think when writing, you may have noticed (date mistakes!)…
LOL. Samo here on dates/time/holidays, etc.
My dog is mixed chihuahua also. He simply will NOT go up to his armpits in any water source. Elbow depth is his limit. Later I read that this breed (I’m assuming *pure* on the breed here) is not particularly water tolerant. Elbow depth is my Macho’s tolerance level, and even then he tiptoes through it as though he was in a shark tank. Hope the terrier in your little guy overrides his chihuahua genes.
Should have said legpits (and knees), but I never heard of legpits. 🙂
Spike never went beyond belly deep and he enjoyed the water very much. 🙂
Don’t do it! He’s sleeping! Once he hears that lens pop out! Energizer bunny time!!!!
He’s up already. His naps are short!
Note to self:
Pick up some 5 hour energy! Just kidding!
It’s called a Power Nap!
Sue, Let’s face it, the little guy is a puppy. Nice pics and I agree overhead lines suck!
Hi, Jim,
You know about those overhead lines! There have been times they have ruined the most exquisite shots. I forget where it was that a succession of poles and lines were positioned so a decent photo was impossible. It was at a famous place, too…. I’m not going to edit out lines either. 🙁
Yeah, Reggie’s a puppy. Even if he’s three years old, he’s still a puppy. (Boys take longer to grow up!)
Ya can say that again. 🙂
Boys take longer to grow up. 🙂
:-);-)
Reggie is dazzling in the blue sweater! Both dogs look so happy.
Well, the thing I never expected happened. Car trouble. I bought my 2001 Toyota Echo new, and have driven it 127,000 miles. In that time I have had two brake jobs, 3 batteries and the air conditioner compressor replaced. That’s it. Tune ups and oil changes. It always starts, always goes. Today the battery and oil light were on. I went to Jiffy Lube. They said ‘oil change’ and that a belt connected to alternator was broken. They had to go get the belt and said it would take an hour to fix. So I said is the car ok to drive ? I need to run home. They said yes.so I headed home to walk dog and pick up my iPad. About a block from home smoke started pouring out of the front end. Crap. I slowly drove home, smoking all the way. I phoned AAA and they just came, loaded up the car and are taking it to a AAA certified garage. Gave jiffy lube $60 for oil change, which did nothing. Jerks.
Anyway, fortunately I have some money in bank, although I intended for other purpose.
There’s always something. But I have some good homemade bean soup for lunch and a good book. And the garage has a shuttle to come pick me up when car is fixed. So it could be much worse.
Gosh, Ginger, could the smoke be from oil spilled on the engine by the Jiffy Lube rubes? Of course, that doesn’t explain the battery light being on. Those idiot lights are crazy. I’ve driven about several thousand miles with the “check engine” light on. Every time it’s cleared at a garage, it comes back again within a few days to nag me.
Homemade bean soup. mmm… I’ve been eating tostados. Well, I’ve been putting refried beans and salsa on a tostado shell. The salsa is “medium,” the perfect amount of heat.
Hope the car trouble is resolved with very little expense.
Since my surgery, re fried beans are a staple. My daily diet consists of Greek yogurt, sometimes with a couple spoons of granola, cheese and crackers, and re fried beans with salsa and grated cheese. That’s 90% of what I eat. Not much variety but most of it goes down smoothly, after I pulverize the saltines to a pulp.
Have you tried tofu? Tofu taste like whatever you mix it with!
Tried it. Yuck.
And, I’m allergic to soy.
Probably the texture and the way you cooked it! But if you’re allergic….scratch that idea!
Glad the car problem worked out. Does sound like Sue suggested…they dripped oil on the engine when they filled it up!
Enough to scare the bejesus out of you…isn’t it!
The first foods I could keep down after bypass surgery were refried beans & corn tortillas. I still love em.
Yes, I started having corn tortilla about 10 days ago. Yummy. And I enjoy some fruit. Have eaten a lot of no- sugar canned peaches.
After 13 yrs post surgery I found that many of my food cravings changed. Now prefer soups, vegs & fruit. Do not care for pastas or meats. Love cheese.
Wow! Found a good place. AAA certified. Brakemax. They replaced two belts and cleaned my corroded battery terminals for $115. And came and picked me up from home. Car runs great now. I will take it back in a month or two and get full service..,tuneup, possibly brakes, maybe a timing belt…whatever it needs so I can travel this summer. I love my car.
Hooray!! That’s great news!
Excellent news DG. A mechanic that you can trust is worth his/her weight in gold.
Yes, there are SOME out there…but few and far between…and I can say that in all honesty as my dad was a car repairman and my brother still is…brother finally began his own business after trying to work at all the others in the area over the years…brother won’t lie….and therefore it did not work out. He has all the business he can handle. No sign, no ads…works out of his home…ya gotta know his name or ya won’t find him!! I kind of quaked when I saw Ginger took it to Jiffy Lube. Daughter in NC takes hers to the Toyota agency for oil changes and we take our car to the Dodge agency here in WA for ours. No problems.
Just thought of this, maybe it’s irrelevant… If Jiffy Lube spilled oil on your engine, enough to make it smoke, maybe you should check the oil level if the people at Brakemax didn’t.
Or sometimes the drain plug wasn’t tightened enough!
Look at us women talking “auto mechanics”….
Yeah baby!
I agree with Az Jim, Reggie looks and acts like a puppy. Bridget looks so happy! So perfect; the three of you. Your pictures are especially beautiful this time around.
Still at Buffalo City on the refuge. Two more weeks in the swamps.
You made me laugh… “NC swamp dwellers”… Haha! I imagine you turned into hulking beasts with scales, claws, and flicking forked tongues…. GET OUT OF THE SWAMP!!! 😉
Oh my, I looked up the weather forecast for Buffalo City… Down in the 20s soon, possibility of snow, probability of rain. You’re good to volunteer at wildlife refuges . . .
Aghhhhh! I didn’t realize the weather was changing. Darn. It was 80 degrees out and we saw an alligator out sunning himself on the way home from work two days ago! Now it is going to snow again?
Maybe I’m wrong. I tried to find that forecast on wunderground.com and it doesn’t appear… I hope I was wrong!
Buffalo City NC is in the middle of the Alligator Preserve. It is more of a location than a place. Get out before the mosquitoes have a chance to take over. Once they do you need a baseball bat for a swatter. They will eat you alive. Never spent much time there but would go thru it to the emergency ferry boat for Hatteras when highway 12 is washed out due to storms.
For weather use Manteo NC. temps in 40’s with rain is the forecast.
I think I looked at the weather for Buffalo City, Illinois. oops.
I’ve been attacked by those NC coast gnats. There are so many that they get in your eyes, nose and mouth. Hold your breath and run!
We plan to get out soon. I have scars on my legs from the East Coast mosquitoes and chiggers. I certainly don’t want to add to these scars. We hear tell of the swarms of bugs that come in the summer. We have decided that we are much more comfortable in the high desert areas. We have enjoyed exploring the swamps and beaches in the area. We can now look at a map and know what the area is all about. So on with our explorations. Maybe the Southwest Texas area next year? We shall see.
Buffalo City, NC was named after a Buffalo City, NY logging company. It is a very interesting story. After the logging company left the residents turned to moonshining. They were very successful and the moonshine was sought after all up and down the east coast. This went on until the revenuers acquired airplanes which allowed them to find the stills in the swamp.
We are camped at the intersection of Buffalo City Rd and Laurel Bay Rd on Google Earth. You can see a rack of canoes and the little cabin alongside a trailer in a field at this intersection. Bay is misspelled as Bag on Google Earth.
We work at the Gateway Visitor Center on Roanoke Island and occasionally at the Pea Island Visitor Center on the outer Banks. (We really enjoy working at Pea Island.). A young intern who works with the Red Wolf Program often visits in the evening. Samantha absolutely adores Amanda. Not so Julie. I think she scents the Red Wolf smell on her. But then, Julie will be Julie, she is more a one person dog.
Delighted to see your reply! You’re right… You’ve gained by this experience. Thanks for telling us about volunteering and the area. Interesting!
Then you have been to Rodanthe. My brother has a place there. You are right, Pea Island is a wonderful place. But any storm can close down highway 12 for days and even weeks depending on the damage. They keep equipment there 24/7 just to be ready.
Outstanding job,again,of capturing how places feel, as well as look, in your photos.All the ones from Wednesday show dry desert plants as special to be near and among,if one loves being there.Those disliking that environment due to personal taste may see little color and a lot of prickly growth to contend with,because I find it wonderful just seeing it warms me from the inside and makes tension leave my body.
The ones from today I could see and sense the air’s chill in so clearly through the details of shade and lighting- I actually reached for my robe.I have ideas about how you accomplish that and will just say that I take delight in how connected you are with creation ,story and it’s author.Having Reggie is so like there’s a new baby in your lives that putting him in that sweater must have felt like dressing one.It’s uncanny how Bridget being exactly as she’s long been is working to help you three fit and work the way family should.
The cottonwoods being springtime green is perfect.Isn’t it wonderful when you see one of your very favorite beautiful strong growing things be renewed ?I guess you know that’s what watching you now is like for me 🙂
Hi, weather,
You are very observant, when walking trails in real life or walking them in my photos. On days that begin chilly like this one, later the sun feels so good. I’m going outside in a little while to bake. 🙂
Dressing Reggie is like dressing a baby. He rolls over on his back and I put his arms through the arm holes. He wiggles all the while, of course.
Early this morning a friend called,long rainbow bridge story made short,I opened the antique store and will again tomorrow.Sitting here with my whole troupe around me as I read about dressing a wiggling pup it occurs to me again how blessed we all are.I don’t just mean to have ones around us to love and the funds needed to dress and feed them and ourselves,I mean with chances to start over.Every mornings sunlight is new…
Today was this winter’s last official day,this evening spring began.Seasons don’t really begin and end,they ebb and flow into each other and in time become part of life’s tapestry flowing behind us as memories.Some other time I’ll look at those for what’s beautiful there,tonight I’m going out to greet spring as it shows off in it’s first sunset’s colors!Hope the ones near you are simply wonderful,too 🙂
You probably don’t want to be up late tonight after a day at the store and going there again tomorrow. (No need to reply to this.) You have given your friend the gift of security. She is secure in the knowledge that you are always willing to help, that you won’t let her down when she needs you, and you are willing to give of yourself without strings attached. That’s a gift not often received!
Seasons do ebb and flow, even more so when one lives in a house-on-wheels. One can bask in the sun in shorts and a tee shirt in January and make snowballs in June, depending upon the elevation one chooses. I’m happy that spring is arriving for the many folks who are tired of the difficulties winter weather often brings. I’m glad you prepared yourself well to stay warm and safe, able to appreciate the beauty and delight in the changes of winter.
Wishing you a good day at the store tomorrow and deep rest tonight to be ready for it.. . 🙂
well its 3 am here and got wakened (sp?) by the thunder and rain banging on our tin roof and thought I’d catch up on my reading here…but the hot coffee is good to scare away the chill in the air…..one note about dogs on leashes….Pookie, age 3, pulls at the leash and LuLu (age 10) walks behind me and to the side……
stay safe and give Bridget and Reggie a hug for me.
Hi, Chuck,
I hope you were able to go back to sleep after the cup of coffee. Bridget and Reggie have received your hug. Thank you. 🙂
I took out a line of your comment as it was unclear to whom out of recent commenters you were referring and it could be taken in a way you didn’t intend. I’m trying to be careful on behalf of everyone. Hope you understand.
I understand, not a problem. I think it was in an older post so it doesnt matter…I was probably still drousy when I read it and wrote it…HA!
chuck
ps…I did get back to sleep.
I like your easy-going attitude, Chuck. 🙂
Oh…I need to tell you something about Jack Russell Terriers, and you can read about it online if you do some research. Jack Russell Terriers are notorious for running off and not coming back. JRTs have been found, as much as a week later, lying by some hole in the ground. They run after small animals and when the animals jump into their holes, JRTs will stay there for days waiting for them to come out. They were bred for that and most of them do it. I took my JRT to three training classes, and all of the instructors told me she was not a dog that could ever be off-leash, if I wanted to see her again. Reggie is mixed, but is clearly a large part JRT, which means he is probably a run-and-don’t-come-back kind of guy.
Yes, Jack Russells are determined, extremely focused, and stubborn. Not all, but I guess I can say, most. They are terrier to the extreme! I’m hoping the chihuahua in Reggie will balance the JRT, as chihuahuas tend to be more willing to cling.
I have two chi mixes and they are both clinge rs. But they are not Jack Russel mixes.
Reggie looks just like a plush doggie toy in that last photo! And, yes, Bridget has taught him how to give you the stink eye!
I thought the same thing, Susan, about Reggie in that photo. He’s cuter than the armadillo, too!
Beautiful pics ! They sure seem so well suited ..lots of water and wildlife.
Great post. I have enjoyed reading about your adventures and us that follow you.
Hi, Deb D. . . . I’ve enjoyed the comments, too. Thanks re the photos.
Thanks for showing me this great site in NV. I am planning on coming to AZ next winter and Hwy 93 is a good route home. All your photos, especially the dawn ones in the last post, are truly beautiful.
Thank you, Jan. Keep in mind there’s a heckuva lot of road to get to this place. I’m not sure what there is from here to the northern border of Nevada. Well, I do know there’s desert, a lot of it! 🙂
Thank you for the visual journey of your little oasis in the desert and the reminder that young, energetic dogs require so much more from us than our good old reliables. I have high hopes for Reggie and love following your posts.
Hi, Utah Bonnie,
I have high hopes for Reggie, too. He does act like he’s eager to please. He needs to grow up a bit and receive training. I’m letting him be a puppy.
Thank you for your loyalty to my blog.
So enjoy your ventures & your writings. You also have so many gifted followers that it enhances your blog! Reggie is definitely a great addition to the family.
“Mr. Personality”! I added my state behind my name–it would be interesting if everyone did?? Think you could get all states? Keep safe & enjoy!!
Yes, it is interesting to see the location along with a person’s name. It helps put a person’s comments in perspective, especially if they mention the weather. 🙂
I’d love to know if I have readers from all the states. I know there are readers from Canada, of course, and Mexico, Ecuador, Australia, Thailand, Japan… Don’t know if I still have readers from the UK… (hint, hint) … 🙂
Hello, Sue and crew. I stumbled onto your blog just a few weeks ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed your posts, but haven’t posted a reply until now.
I live adjacent to the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, which occupies about 12,000 acres surrounding the southern portion of Lake Texoma. This beautiful setting is home to an abundance of animals, fish, and wildflowers. Many land-based birds and aquatic waterfowl live there year-round. It is also the winter home of thousands and thousands of gorgeous migratory waterfowl, as it is situated in the middle of the ‘Central Flyway’, one of four migratory ‘superhighways’ in North America.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Hagerman/about.html
They, too, allow hunting but only at specific times of the year. They cultivate acres and acres of wetlands and fields of grain for food and habitat for the migratory birds. Unfortunately, feral hogs have multiplied substantially in Texas, and they are very destructive of the pastures, habitat, and food specifically set aside for wildlife preservation. The park rangers trap hundreds, but they cannot control their population with that method alone. Therefore each spring, hunting for the hogs is permitted, but only with bow and arrow or lead-free shotgun ammunition, in order to assist the Refuge with its mission. The meat is often prepared, stored, and distributed by such organizations as ‘Hunters against Hunger’. Absolutely no other natural wildlife is harmed, and regulations do not permit visitors to move so much as a twig or flower blossom on the refuge, and these regs are very strictly enforced.
I am not a hunter myself, but I just wanted address your concern about hunting on a refuge. I don’t anything about the Pahraganat refuge, but inasmuch as it operates under the same agency (the US Fish and Wildlife Service), I’d be surprised if they don’t share the same mission. Permitted hunting on the refuge is not for recreational purposes, but for invasive species control. In Nevada, perhaps it’s not feral hogs, but some other predator.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Hagerman/resource_mgmt/invasive_species.html
Sue, Bridget, and Reggie, I’m not really this long-winded as a rule. I just wanted to offer some comfort (hopefully) with the perspective that our National Wildlife Refuges are outstanding stewards of our natural environment.
I hope you are fortunate enough to be able to visit this beautiful area.
Excellent post Bob. We volunteer at the Nwr’s. Hunting is often allowed to control overcrowded conditions. It is so sad to see starving animals who have not been able to find the feed they need to sustain themselves.
You’re probably gone from my blog. I’ll ask anyway —
What is it you do at “the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for black bears and the endangered red wolf?” (Quote from Wikipedia)
Welcome to my blog, Bob! Thank you for including your location and for the positive feedback on my blog.
I figured population control is the reason for hunting allowed on a refuge. I don’t know what they hunt. Deer maybe. I’ve heard about the wild hog problem in Texas. Those things can be dangerous!
Don’t worry about the length of your comments. You posted good information and that enhances my blog. Thank you for taking the time and making the effort!
Wow, Bob! I clicked the link. I would like to go there. What kind of bird is that in the photo that comes up from the first link? Beautiful!
Im with Reggie…..temps get below 70 and I got the heater on!
HA…..will be so glad to see spring and summer get here….I like
shorts and flip flops instead 15 layers of clothes and coats..
Ive had to chase pookie several times…..UGH! What a chore.
have to rest after I catch him…..
you have a great camping spot….I would stay there as long as
I could if the heat dont get too bad…..
thanks for the pics…..
chuck
Hi, Chuck,
It’s in the 70s these days with very cool mornings and evenings (50s-60s). I like all weather if I’m prepared for it, although a lot of wind for a long time is tough to take and I admit I’ve forgotten most of what I knew about blizzards (on purpose).
I was out. On foot. In one blizzard. Dec 26 2011. Sixth worst blizzard in NYC history. We parked way out in Brooklyn and took subway to Manhattan early in the day. We were at FAO Schwartz mucking around when blizzard started about 630 pm. They told everyone to go home and started closing down. We left and ohmygod the wind was unbelievable. Very hard to walk upright, and of course you were being pelted in the face with snow and freezing. The kids started crying immediately. Took us a good two hours to get back to the car. Walking that last few blocks from subway station in Brooklyn to the car almost killed me. I couldn’t breathe at all…it was too cold for my lungs. Then when we finally got in car it took us 8 hours or more to get out of NYC, because of all the block d roads, stalled cars in exits, etc. kept having to reroute. It was horrific.
Don’t miss it at all. This is my first winter without pneumonia in 6 years.
Pneumonia is so not fun…had that a few times too. Glad to hear that you are more well there in your location!!
Great post, as usual. Thank you so much for sharing your day with us. Reggie is very handsome in the blue sweater, now Bridget needs one to show off how pretty she is, maybe red? I agree with you that the dried flowers look much nicer in their natural surroundings than on a table.
Hi, Lisa W.,
I watched Bridget closely to see if she would resent Reggie wearing her sweater. She seemed fine with it. I’ll try to remember to get her a sweater the next time we’re in a store that sells them.
Speaking of stores. . . I don’t see a grocery store in Alamo. The wheeling it blog states there is a store. I believe it has been removed. Only a few gas pumps and a big, flat, dirt area remain with a yellow sign for gas. If there’s no store, that means a drive all the way to Caliente. I know there’s a good grocery in that town.
Sue, in google maps it looks like the gas station in Alamo is also the grocery store.
I drove by that. It’s on the other side of the road, no sign about groceries at all, black exterior walls (?). I’ll stop and go inside. The other gas station has a sign but the area has been cleared of buildings. Thank you for looking.
Thought I saw Ecuador (Janis P) but Japan?? Someone needs to get a map & start pinning! Sure will be fun to watch. (Not to take away from all the other interesting comments)
Yes, Fuji-maru comments from Japan. His last comment was a couple weeks ago.
There is a map plug-in that shows where subscribers are. I haven’t attempted it because I’ve had enough troubles with my subscription button over the years!
I am up to 23 states plus 6 countries!! I have the time!!
Gee, maybe your donation of time will inspire readers to come out of lurkdom with their locations for you to count. Of course, keeping them straight would be a nightmare!
The thread that Cinandjules (NY) started was getting rather narrow so I am adding to that Comment here. If you see blue-green algae think: Warning! Warning! Danger, Will Robinson!
Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are microscopic bacteria found in freshwater lakes, streams, ponds and brackish water ecosystems. They can produce toxins (such as microcystins and anatoxins) that affect people, livestock and pets that swim in and drink from the algae-contaminated water. While most blue-green algae blooms do not produce toxins, it is not possible to determine the presence of toxins without testing. Thus, all blooms should be considered potentially toxic. Very small exposures, such as a few mouthfuls of algae-contaminated water, may result in fatal poisoning
Thanks, Ed, for sharing that information with all of us. I’ll keep that in mind on our
adventuresexciting experiences.Reggie sure seems to have fit into the crew. Love the pics tonight.
I’m happy you like the photos, Beverly. Thank you. As you may have guessed, I enjoy photographing landscapes.
Sue it’s so enjoyable to have you as my new favorite blog. I mean I subscribe to a lot of blogs and I can liken this to moving you up on the speed dial! We’re about the same age, except I’m not retired and probably never will be . But I am teacher and hope to retire, soon-ish as a Farm-Based Educator. My retirement dream is to have the farm where the children come to learn about work, the earth and farm animals. Of course every farm needs a dog (or two) and this is truly part of what we have in common. The scenery is much appreciated. Sweet dreams from southern Oregon.
I’m honored you have chosen my blog as your favorite, Julie! Your retirement dream is interesting and the teaching goals are valuable. I wish you good luck and fortune!
Thank you for sharing a little about yourself and for the encouragement for me.
Wonderful photos!
I’m glad Reggie is getting the hang of camping!!!
I love your posts!
Thank you!!!
You’re welcome, Lynn. I love your comments!
Love the oil painting look of the first day’s photos. So soft and lovely. The geese in the grass photos would look great in a masculine den of dark wood and cigar smoke. Such completely different captures all from the same campsite. Very nice 🙂 Reggie looks very smart in his little boy blue sweater. He and Bridget look like they’re having such a good time!
Hi, Jodee,
Reggie and Bridget do enjoy their days. Reggie is learning when to give Bridget her space. 🙂
Thank you for your remarks on my photographs. I’ll never be a great photographer with technical expertise. I enjoy photos that look like paintings! I’m pleased you enjoy that, too.
I made one of the geese photos into my screen’s wallpaper. It is in the center with a very wide border of russet. Wow! Amazing what the right color “matte” will do for a photo!
You’re working on distracted recalls with Reggie on your walks…right? Once or twice a walk…when he’s not paying attention to you and is on his long leash, call him with your ‘school’ voice…if he comes to you he gets a little treat. If not he gets a little tug until he does come to you and in the beginning he gets a treat. Pretty soon it’s a game and he learns that when you call with a certain voice (like this is IMPORTANT!) he will automatically turn and come to you no matter what has his attention.
No, I’m not doing that yet. I will. He is still in the process of learning our routines. I’m noticing gradual progress each day of Reggie calming down and anticipating what we will do next. You can see in the photos that he is learning to walk next to Bridget and to match her pace. He’s very young and a “little tug” does not register with him as a correction. He sees a tug as a reason to prance around and be excited. I need him to walk calmly first. In time we will do what you suggest.
Tugging on the leash is a bad habit that you should try to break. My little dog is trained to walk at heel and not pull.. I use a martingale style collar instead of the harness. Discourages tugging.
Eddie
Hi, Eddie,
Sounds like you’ve done a great job with your dog. I’ve handled a lot of dogs in my life and, quite frankly, I’ve never wanted a dog to be like a pocketbook on legs at my side. I’m not going to yank and “heel!” … I like my dogs to act as Spike did and as Bridget does today.
Bridget did not heel yesterday at the last walk of the day. She sat down in the road and refused to walk. This told me her leg was bothering her from all the exercise. I put her into the BLT, took Reggie on a brisk, quick walk, came home and gave Bridget a half of a tramadol pill. She had a good night’s rest. I’m glad she didn’t feel compelled to obey.
A great deal of my enjoyment of my dogs comes from watching their behavior on walks. I don’t want to train that out of them. Different philosophy… People will probably jump on me for it, but that’s the way I’ve handled my dogs since childhood. If I had to board a subway with my dog every day or something like that, or if I had more dog than I could easily handle, or I lived in the city, yes, stringent training would be called for. I treat my dogs as equals in as many ways as I can (and there are folks who would say we are!).
No yanking necessary. I allow him a lot of freedom off the lead but no monkey business while on it. He also has a 5 acre property to roam. To each his own. He looks like a good dog.
Eddie
That’s great! Your dog can roam. I didn’t mean to sound critical. My dogs have do their roaming on-leash. 🙂
We were like you Sue with our dogs…just tried to teach them to get close to us if other dogs or humans came near…so as not to have troubles. Good that you were able to leave Bridget in the rig while walking Reggie…poor thing…how well I know about walking when you hurt!! There are days I tell hubby we will have a short walk today…
Years ago with my German Shepard, we had 3 walk modes. Heel- where I needed her right beside me ; Lead- relaxed she could take the on leash lead ; Go- off leash go have fun but come if I call her back. It took time but worked for us at the time. I think whatever works best in the situation for a person and dog is the goal. I loved that dog so much that I made the decision to rehome her rather than put her through many months of quarantine in Hawaii, when I married my hubby. Golly that decision came 39 years ago this spring!
German Shepherds train beautifully. That must have been a difficult decision… man or dog. I know who I’d choose. 😉
Equals?????????
Oh you silly girl, you just keep telling yourself that. Now go cook HRH her breakfast. 🙂
The crew is so now obviously complete! Love it! Everything seems right again! Love where you are staying and the photos are great (as always!).
Thank you, Deborah, for your upbeat message. I hope you have a good morning!
Good Morning Sue….Happy, Happy, Happy First Day of Spring…..enjoy the desert flowers and the daily surprises that Spring brings with it….And stay away from GREEN WATER!….not even little toes….they lick them…We will be missing you this weekend in the Mojave!
Good morning, Shirlene…. So today is the first of spring. You have a happy day, too, camping in the desert!
Hi Sue. When I discovered your blog a few weeks ago, I had to go back to the beginning and read it all. I’ve finally caught up ! How I’ve enjoyed your journey so much. I’ve travelled with you, and you have allowed me to see things I may never get to see in real life. I’ve laughed out loud at the antics of the crew and cried buckets at the loss of Spike. I’m so pleased to see little Reggie settling in. I look forward to tagging along as you live your dream. Thanks for all the time you put into this blog. Long may it last.
Hi, Lorraine -UK,
Welcome to my blog! Thank you for reading my posts from the beginning and for sharing the ups and downs of our lives. It’s been quite a ride so far! I’m glad you are with us in our fourth year on the road. Thank you for the sweet note.
Thank you Sue.
Welcome Lorraine! It’s fun to interact here with people from all over the world. I am curious how you ended up here. Do you plan to visit the US soon? If you are familiar with RVing in the UK I would love to hear a bit.
Hi Velda. Yes…we have a caravan (trailer) and we plan to live in it (or a better model) one day. Hubby and I are both 63, and we have traveled all over the UK. We both grew up in Africa, only left there 12 years ago. We have been caravanning most of our married life. We lived in a lion park in the bush in Botswana for a couple of years too (in our caravan). Great adventure. At the moment I care for my dear old mother, so she is our priority. She lives with us, and also loves the caravan, but as long as she is still with us, we couldn’t expect her to live in the caravan.
I came across Sue’s blog when I was researching solar heating. Of course, after the first few sentences, I was hooked ! I haven’t been to the US…hubby has though. We are going to Houston Texas next month to visit our youngest son who lives there now. I’d better stop rattling on….you didn’t expect an essay, did you ?
Thanks for all the beautiful pics but especially Valley of Fire. Wish I had known about it last Fall. I was in southwestern Utah. Next time.
You did good finding Reggie.
Don
Hi Sue! Reggie looks to be the ideal addition to your crew! Radar added at least 2-3 years to Scotties life and I think Reggie will do the same for Miss Bridget !!!! She seems to be happier to have someone to boss around!!!! Your pictures are great as always, now that Miss B will actually ‘almost’ pose!
I was wondering how long it would be before Reggie sported the blue sweater!
Tell him ~TV Blue~ becomes him 🙂 That color always plays perfect to a camera!
BTW…
Good thing you took them somewhere. There was some SERIOUS stink-eye directed your way in that photo!
Glad to see you are enjoying your new table 🙂
Looks right at home sitting there!
Love this area. Have been there several times. Birding is amazing. Love to see that you have been to so many places I have visited. Thanks for your blog.