Monday, April 2
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Cieneguita Camping Area, Sonoita, Arizona
A few days ago, Reggie, Roger, and I move into Cieneguita.
I cheerfully announce on this blog that I still get a thrill out of arriving at a “new” camp, whether it’s newly discovered or it’s a place where we’ve camped before.
We settle into a campsite at Cieneguita Camping Area and we’re happy.
For a couple days.
What I left out when gushing about returning to a former camp is one very important element: Timing.
Time often brings change.
Once in a while, the return is less than thrilling. One may arrive at a favorite campground and find it closed. Or it’s been put under a reservation system and one can be booted out after one night. Or maybe a boondock that was fresh and lovely two years ago is now showing wear and tear or cattle have pooped all over it.
Or what was a peaceful camp before has become party central.
When choosing to camp again at Cieneguita, I don’t think about the coming holiday weekend. The inevitability of neighbors celebrating during Spring Break never crosses my mind.
I’m clueless.
Sites are far apart. Other RVers are quiet and out-of-view. It’s nice here.
I’m confident we will enjoy this camp like we did a few years ago.
Then Thursday comes.
A group gathers and turns on their music. Talk and laughter floats over our campsite. Our nearest neighbor hangs a string of outdoor lights and builds a big campfire.
Hoo-boy. We’re up to our necks in dry grass and they build a huge campfire? With the way the wind kicks up? This is not looking good. And it’s only Thursday. What will the weekend be like?
“Boom-boom, Boom-boom, Boom-boom” goes the music chosen for all to hear. I lie in bed ruminating on the situation.
I can’t sleep.
I wonder if the wind will return in the early morning hours and blow life into the embers of that bonfire next door. We have got to move in the morning. No question about it.
It’s morning. I open the front door and a van camper is parked in front of our site. People wander around. I put Reggie and Roger on the tether. Immediately a dog runs loose down the campground road and the boys go nuts.
I hurry inside, gulp down coffee, and begin packing. Soon we are hitched up and pulling away.
We’re going to find a better camp!
Wherever there’s a campsite or a spur road, I park the Perfect Tow Vehicle and Best Little Trailer. The boys and I get out to check. This means walking up a road not knowing if there are any campsites along it. That’s okay. It’s early in the day and it’s a beauty.
We locate a big, flat site that would be fine except there’s another big, flat site behind it.
Uh-oh. People will see us and be drawn here like iron filings to a magnet.
Another site is next to a road where cars are parked. I see people on a nearby hill. They run and jump off the hill.
Okay. See Jack run. See Jack get picked up by the wind. See Jack be slammed into the hillside.
And Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.
The campsite near this activity would be okay, but . . .
We’ll find something better with no people around.
A few more explorations and we come upon a spur road that looks promising. I park the PTV and BLT again.
The boys need no encouragement.
This is our fourth walk in search of the perfect boondock and they’re loving it! The crew and I walk the road and find the kind of campsite that gives us privacy, solitude, peace and quiet.
“This is perfect! Wide open space for you to run around. Level. Clean. Pretty grassland and gentle hills. No people sounds. ”
The holiday weekend comes and goes.
The boys and I spend a pleasant Easter Sunday at our new camp.
We walk together and they run, explore, and play off-leash.
The only sounds, other than those made by my rambunctious crew, are an occasional songbird and the gentle wind whispering through the grass.
rvsue
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1st?
WOW! SHERRI IS FIRST TODAY!
I had just finished dinner and sat down to check emails and boom, there you were! lol
We have camped for the past three weekends in a row. The first weekend was during spring break for this area. It’s a rather large state park and oh boy, the partying that went on! We were EVER so happy that most of them were at the end of their spring break and left on Saturday. Saturday night was MUCH quieter!
The second weekend was blustery but we WERE on top of the tallest mountain in Arkansas and embraced it all! We took some awesome photographs of the vistas around there.
The third weekend was over Easter weekend. April 1st was also our wedding anniversary. We were at our most favorite spot at our most favorite state park. The water was up and the lake was so close to our campsite! I especially enjoyed it being warm enough to have the window open over the head of our bed. There is a little gurgling waterfall about 20 feet or so from our site. I listened to that on and off all night! I LOVED that!
Sorry for going on but I WAS first, so I wanted to share too. 🙂
Happy Anniversary, Sherri! How special that you all were able to celebrate it at your “most favorite spot!” 🙂
I’m glad you did, Sherri!
I saw this one come and read it right away. Thanks for all the calm scenery and happy dogs. My day has included too many people, although there’s no risk of wildfires on snow days.
First?
I’m so glad you were able to find a beautiful, peaceful camp. There’s no sense in sitting and stewing about inconsiderate, noisy neighbors. That’s why you have wheels! I admire your willingness to pack up and move.
Wow, I responded the minute the blog notice appeared in my inbox but the others were faster!
Funny story: Even though it’s not very long (19′), our “new” trailer has a high ceiling which adds to the feeling of being a bigger trailer than it is. My 6’2″ spouse loves it as he doesn’t have to duck when going under the AC unit. Unfortunately, this also means his 5′ 2.5″ wife has a tough time reaching the ceiling light fixtures. If I were an inch shorter, I’d never be able to switch the lights on or off! So what this means is that we have nicknamed the trailer the “Big Little Trailer” which, without meaning to be a copy cat, has been reduced to the BLT. 🙂
Hi Sue and the boys.
I love this new site you found. Enjoy it and give the boys hugs and kisses.
Stay safe out there my friend, Judy
I just laughed… Your descriptions are so spot on… And so funny… Thanks.
And yes there were 2 “human” started fires in the north state forests. Might be a long hot smoky summers.
So glad you found a peaceful place for the holiday weekend.
Hi Sue,
Wow, some people have no respect for others. I am so glad you found a peaceful spot for the holiday weekend. It looks wonderful.
We had a nice day with family. It says spring on the calendar but it sure doesn’t feel like it!
Have a good evening!
I’m glad you found a peaceful site. The boys look like they love it! I was visiting family for the weekend and we went to several state parks. Lots of camping in progress here in AL, where the azaleas are blooming and the sun is shining. I was wishing I’d brought my tent. But we’re having fun at the lake house and hiking in the hills and parks during the week when there haven’t been too many people about. We leave this week for awhile. I’ll miss this place.
Hi Sue and boys, blogerinos!
Indeed Spring break is usually anything other than quiet! I’m glad you found some solitude. Beautiful sky, background, golden grasses, AND the large and stately cow! Pooping all over campsites is what they do best. LOL… But you’ve handled it well over the years. I guess there’s room for poop no matter where you go; and in some cases, more poop than one needs. Ha Ha! Anywhere other than your front mat that is! Ick!
Have a wonderful evening Sue, and I wish you peaceful moments!
Suzi
Yep, the camping season is kicking off. I have a feeling that with the booming economy and record RV sales there will be record numbers of campers. I’ll be interested to hear your reports as the season goes along.
I LOVE the Sonoita area. It’s so beautiful there. Windy, as I recollect.
I laughed about not thinking about spring break…..it does indeed slip my mind since I no longer have a school aged child.
Why oh why do people think they must share their music at such high volume? I will never figure that one. One year we were camped in a lovely lakeside boondock, no one in sight…when a very large ski boat roared by with a huge loop over the seats….it had multiple speakers and lights mounted….blasting filthy foul language rap….. we packed up and left….yuk.
Sigh….I’m so happy you found your quiet spot for the weekend.
Hi Sue,
Solitude on a road less traveled…sounds like a great place to hide the Easter eggs for the boys. They look happy and you sound relaxed. Hope you can stay for a while.
Yay! You found a quiet spot to enjoy! Spring break at the beach is in full swing! Beaches are crazy busy as are all the restaurants around here! Chuck and I found our quiet spot too….HOME!
We took a day off from glass and just relaxed! I guess that was our glass aka rock tumbler on your list. We had 2 give out on us last month. We are trying this different tumbler to see if it will last longer than those we have been using!
Love seeing those rascally boys having a good time! Enjoy your time here Sue, looks quiet and relaxing.
So worth moving to get away from others who want to party. I find that RV parks are great on holiday weekends because the sites are too small to draw a crowd :-))) We love public campgrounds but so do those who want to have big fires and play loud music so we avoid them on the weekends. Looks like you found a sweet boondock all to yourself.
I spent Saturday night at the Las Vegas Bay Campground and it was packed full of folks. I agree with you about the public campgrounds. The camp hosts kept things quiet in the “No Generators” section. I slept well. My preference is a quiet wide open space with no neighbors, but i was having Easter Dinner with family in Henderson so Las Vegas Bay Campground worked well. Hope everyone had a great day!!!
You always have that sixth sense….finding a better spot!
Spring break? Ugh! Glad you moooved! Enjoy!
maybe save some of that cow poop for the next time you find two sites close together — scatter it all over one of the sites
hee hee!
Wow! It’s been a rough week for Teena Kitty and me also. Lots of people and even solicitors. Not sure why anyone would send their two kids selling stuff – technically illegal behavior on BLM land – but they have been by twice in four days 🙀
I just wrote a post on holiday camping for anyone considering the full time RV travel lifestyle. While I love 💕 it, it’s not all peaches and cream as you just reminded us.
Should quiet down next week. Then we are headed north 😎
Hi, Sue,
I am so glad that you found a peaceful camp to enjoy Easter Sunday. I understand about trying to avoid crowds, noise, and traffic. Richmond has a NASCAR track. On race weekends, local restaurants, shopping malls, and traffic are extra busy. Getting my errands done earlier in the week helps keep my sanity. 🙂
It never ceases to amaze me how your camps can vary so much. From cacti nestled into red rock areas with mountain ranges as the backdrop, to grasslands in gently rolling hills. Drive a couple hours in any direction for a change of scenery. This camp looks very peaceful and serene, with space space for the boys to run around – enjoy! 🙂
Baby update: Good Friday, the twins heartbeats were very strong, and they were active during the ultrasound – wonderful news! This Friday, my nephew and his wife will meet with a neonatal specialist. So far, so good! Thank you all so much for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers. My “little peanuts” are a little boy and a little girl! 🙂
Had my yard sale Saturday; my best friend came over to lend a hand. Whatever did not sell, we loaded up into her SUV and donated. I feel that it was worthwhile, as I did get rid of a few big ticket items, and made some cash in hand. Anything else that I find to purge will be donated. Getting rid of things I no longer need has given me a sense of relief, lightness and contentment. 🙂 Sending you, Reggie, and Roger love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! xo 🙂
Thank you for the baby update. I have been keeping them in my prayers. So glad that so far everything if ok.
Thank you so much, Jean! These little babies are blanketed with prayers and good wishes! 🙂
Wonderful news, Denise! A boy and a girl, strong heartbeats, active…. Thank you, God!
And thanks, Denise, for letting us know. 🙂
Thank you for keeping them in your prayers, Sue! My niece said that she is feeling them move around more with each passing day – a blessing! 🙂
Denise: That is wonderful news about the twins! Will keep praying that they continue to grow and thrive inside mommy! Thank you for the update – I can update my prayer journal!!!
Hi, Cynthia,
Thank you for keeping them in your prayers! Each passing week is a victory…and a blesssing!
We went to Fred Meyer today. We saw a couple kids and wondered why they weren’t in school. Then saw my teacher friend and really wondered why she wasn’t in school. You see I assumed the kids were skipping. Shame on me.
Fun post, love the pictures. My purchase made your list, so exciting. The cross necklace was for my 8 year old great niece that was baptised on Easter morning. The baptism started 15 minutes before it was scheduled so I missed her dunk, but got to see the video. Love my family, I’m so blessed.
My husband and I made an Easter dinner for his sister and my neighbor friend, it was so much fun. My dog was so happy to have company.
Enjoy your peaceful boondock.
What a special Easter for you and your family. I’m glad you had fun this past weekend.
Thank you, Jo, for choosing to purchase the cross necklace through my blog. May your great niece wear it in good health and happiness!
RVSue, I “ASS”-u-me you’re sleeping now. Don’t mind me, I’m having a bit of insomnia this AM! Question? The Amazon Credit card you use, would you be willing to elaborate on what it is exactly? Meaning M.C., Visa, etc. I’m looking into getting one that will earn either $$ or Amazon points, W/O an annual fee. Can you enlighten me & anyone else Interested in such things, please? & THANKS!!
I’ve spent most my winter days and nights reading from the beginning for the 2nd time of your adventures. Have gotten so much more out of it the 2nd time and enjoyed it much, much more the second time around. Happy, sad, mediocre, hilarious, LOL giggles, and so many…”Aww” moments from you and your fur pals; the late great Spike & his sidekick HRH Bridget, & of course “Special Ops” Reggie, AKA the Reginater & his partner-in-crime, Roger! Not to mention all the wonderful pics of your adventures through the years! You’ve put so much joy in my heart, I can’t even hardly expressed it! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!! Keep all 6 wheels rolling on down the road.
A BIG fan (not the kind that blows air, but one who loves you & all the Blogarinos in this fantastic Blog. {{{{Huggs}}}} & ^^^^Kisses^^^^ to EVERYONE!
(*blows air)… Just knew I’d mess something up! LOL!😒😋🎊🐾📖🇺🇸🖇️🦆🤗😎🐈🐂🐎🐨🏖️🏜️🏝️💈🎡🌅🌄🌠⛅🌤️🌈⚡☄️🎊🎇🎉🎣🎼🎶🎻🎺🥁🎷🎹🎚️📻🎧🎤🎸 Sorry, I got carried away with emoticons!
No one answered you so I’ll jump in. It’s a Visa card with amazon points. There may be other perks as I only use that card for amazon purchases. There’s no annual fee but for the card but amazon prime does have an annual fee.
Thank you, Ozarkjoy, for responding. I had intended to answer the question and forgot, not remembering until I saw your reply pop up.
Cheryl… I love your enthusiasm for my blog! Thank you!
The card I use is Chase Amazon Visa. I put almost all my expenditures on it from gas to groceries to repairs/equipment and stuff and then pay it off at the end of each month. The card gives me points toward Amazon purchases. When used the way I use mine, the points add up quickly.
I’m not sure if the card is still being issued. A search will tell you.
Thanks, Ozarkjoy & Sue! Just what I wanted to know. I will go “search” for it now! Toodles!
Cheryl
I love the grassland. Reminds me of my home state, Oklahoma. Glad you found a peaceful campsite, away from the fire hazard. I hope we don’t have another wild fire year. Not sure why people think they need fires in such dry conditions.
Wanted to say Hi! To everyone. Just got out of 10 days in hospital. I have a pulmonary embolism in my right lung. I’m back on blood thinners and oxygen as a result. It scared me; feeling my mortality. I think one of my tasks is getting my affairs in order, just in case. Need to clean out my house and storage unit, as I don’t want my poor son to be stuck with a huge mess someday.
I don’t know if I will be able to travel this year. I hope so. For now I’m just glad to be home. Hmmmm…I’m thinking maybe I posted about this before? My memory is not good. Oh well!
Hope everyone had a nice Easter!
I’ve been thinking of you D Ginger. Hang in there, and thanks for the update. Hope you heal quickly.
So sorry to hear about your hospital stay DG! So glad you are back home resting! I like hearing updates from you. Please take care!
Hi, Ginger,
You are very considerate to tackle the job of cleaning out house and storage to lessen the burden for your son some day in the future. As hard as it is for us to sort through our belongings and thin them out, it is many times more difficult for anyone left with that task while grieving.
Thanks for the update and nice note. 🙂
DG: I know you want to get things in order, but please take it easy until you’re strong enough to tackle manual labor. Maybe you can enlist some help and do it, just an hour here and there? Prayers for your healing and for peace are on the way.
Hi, Desert Ginger,
I hope you start feeling better soon. Please do rest and allow your body to heal before you tackle the sort and purge tasks. Keeping you in my prayers and sending you a hug and snuggles for little Chloe.
The reason those Grass lands remind you of Oklahoma is they also look like what was shown in the Movie Oklahoma.
Contrary to its name, Oklahoma! was filmed mainly in Arizona’s San Rafael Valley, a vast area along the Mexican border about 30 miles from Rancho Grande. Primary filming locations were The Green Cattle Co. ranch in San Raphael Valley, the Hamlet of Amado, Canoa Ranch & San Rafael Ranch State Park in Arizona.
As an aside there was a friend of the family that was a horse wrangler at some of those locations during the filming.
Hahaha! Thanks for your comments! But no, it wasn’t the movie. I grew up in Oklahoma where we do have miles and miles of grassland. I guess they chose their location because it did look like Oklahoma.
I should have added ‘except for the mountains on the horizon’. Our grassland in OK pretty much goes on forever.
Love love, post and pics!!
Sue, the pic of the cow after your poop comment is hilarious. Made me laugh out loud. Glad you found your peace and quiet. No easy task when the world is partying around you.
GOOD MORNING, BLOGORINOS!
Another day dawns. The crew has had their potty run and breakfast. Now they’re back under the covers which means morning walk is delayed.
Isn’t it enjoyable to read updates, holiday reports, and news from blogorinos, as well as reactions to the post? Thank you to those who take the time to write. I know my morning coffee tastes better when I’m reading a message from you!
It’s wonderful to learn that prayers are being answered.
I gave the impression that the folks at the campground were being terribly inconsiderate. They weren’t really. Maybe a little bit, but not much. I’m extremely sensitive to any noise, because I’m built that way and also because I’ve become accustomed to living in near-silence. I’m glad people were enjoying themselves. I should’ve known better than camp there during a holiday weekend.
As for making a big campfire in dry grassland at this windy time of year — No excuse for that. It’s simply not smart.
A message to the cow in this post: You were an innocent bystander and it was wrong of me to cast aspersions of campground pooping, using your image for illustration. I apologize. Go graze in peace, my friend.
Thanks for complimenting my photos. I reviewed the post this morning and discovered I’d inserted the wrong photo which resulted in the same pic used twice. And nobody said anything! You’re so kind. I opened up the post and replaced the duplicate with the one that was supposed to go there. Quite a professional operation I’ve got going with this here blog.
Y’all have the kind of day that is good for you and those around you!
Bye for now,
Sue
Hi, Sue,
Your apology to the cow made me chuckle! 🙂
Ha! Bovines have feelings, too. 🙂
Hi Sue! So glad you finally found the perfect spot! Thanks also for the Easter greeting. I had a nice Easter with family. My parents are getting older now, so I try to appreciate all the more the holidays that I get to celebrate with them.
Hi, Dawn,
Yes, cherish the time you have with them. You sound like a good daughter.
Any one of the things you described- a potentially dangerous campfire, loud noise and music, having a crowd stay nearby, watching paragliders while knowing what a risky sport that is – could ruin your chances of being able to relax. Having to contend with all of that would have been an awful experience. It’s wonderful that you found a nice, private, pretty and quiet campsite instead. The sounds of a songbird and gently whispering wind for Easter, how lovely!
Hi, weather,
Funny how “circumstances” nudged us out of that area and off to a campsite superior in every way. Balmy morning of sunshine, so peaceful. I thought I’d go somewhere with the crew today and then today comes and I’m happy to stay home.
I hope you are happy in your home today. I’m seeing diamond sparkles on your lake. 🙂
🙂 I had been seeing those on the lake! I know you remember how quickly things can change during April in NY state…bright blue skies with sparkling sunshine lasts a few hours, then a cold and windy storm makes white-capped waves crash onto the shoreline. It’s such a treat to hear the call of birds that have come north again singing. This morning they were using the rain puddles to bathe in.
🙂
I thought someone would ask: what was that activity you photographed? That thing in the air? Looked like a boomerang😀. Beautiful landscape-it looked very very peaceful.
Hi, Terri,
There were a couple of those gliders. A red one disappeared beyond the hill before I caught it with my camera. The photo doesn’t show the distance the people had to walk to get to the top of the hill. They didn’t seem to have enough air lift. I think the rains-on-Saturday rule of probability kicked in. They wait all through a windy week to go gliding and then there’s no wind on Saturday.
I am so sorry you had to get up and leave your spot, but it looks like you found an equally lovely place to camp – your photos capture that serenity. I know people are just out having fun, but I’m always amazed at how they seem not to know (or care?) how their actions and noise affect others.
We had a very nice Easter – just my son, DIL, grandsons and two friends came over for brunch after church. The kids are old enough now (14 and 18) that we don’t do an Easter egg hunt anymore and everyone helped clean up so I wasn’t left doing all the work. It wasn’t a very pretty day weather-wise, but it was filled with love and gratitude.
I have wonderful news! Baby William was released from the hospital yesterday – literally WEEKS ahead of schedule. The cardiac NICU nurses were astounded and nicknamed him William the Conqueror. Hopefully, I’ll get to see him this week. Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts – they helped!!
That is GREAT news indeed!
Yay for William the Conqueror! That’s fantastic news, Cynthia! What a wonderful Easter this has been for you and your family. I’m happy for you! 🙂
Oh, Cynthia – that is wonderful news!! Prayers have been answered!
You made the only reasonable choice, Sue!! Indeed a roaring fire in grasslands…people are nuts these days!! And noise…you know how I feel about THAT one!! Glad you found a better spot.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I think of you and your family often.
Thank you, Sue…doing what we can to stay as well as we can. No good news yet…but we keep hoping and doing all we can. (And I remind GOD of a few things from time to time too…)
I learned the hard way about RV’n and the holidays, people, lots of people and they are ready to PARTY! Which means loud music, noise, kids and pets running loose, carelessness on a large scale, fires and BBQs smoke and odors and trash lots of trash.
Glad you found your spot and got some peace. There are more holidays coming I suggest making your plans early. May you and your crew have a wonderful summer.
Thank you, Kay Julia. Great hearing from you again! I hope all is well with you these days.
I find it disturbing that people are that discourteous. Seems to be the general trend in society. Once I was boondocking in the Cascade mountains over Labor Day weekend and someone moved in above me almost a quarter of a mile away. I could very clearly hear their rap music. I lasted one night.
I am afraid that my husband is a noisy camper. He loves to play the radio all day and night that is in an outside compartment of our RV. I hate the noise, but put up with it mostly because he gets mad. April 30 is my retirement day. SO looking forward to it. Take care Sue. I know that this is late to comment, but I just now have time. I have read it about three times already. I have to keep checking for updates on the twins and others mentioned in the comments along. Also, you didn’t put out a new post. It is just as much fun to read the old posts.
I want to use your affiliate link for Amazon, but I don’t see a link for it on your site.
Thanks,
Kathy
Kathy…. You see where it says “or browse and shop” above those links? What I mean by that is you go to Amazon on any one of those links and shop as usual. When you check-out with your order, I automatically get credit. You don’t have to do anything more and you won’t receive any notification. Thanks for wanting to do this, Kathy. I appreciate it.