Friday, January 31
Contemplating Delmoe Lake, Montana
I know what you’re thinking.
Would it kill ya’ to take some new pictures? I know, I know . . . two posts in a row without one new photo. Well, it’s like this. The wind has been whipping around this part of the desert all day long. Dust dervishes thirty feet tall dance and swirl past the window.
This is not a day for taking photos.
Investigating the trail along the North Fork of the Cispus River, Washington
I’ve got my dental appointment!
If you’re under the impression that going to Mexico for dental care is like stepping back in time, you’re very wrong. You won’t be fitted for wooden choppers in Los Algodones.
Take this example.
I go online and peruse the very professional-looking websites of several dental clinics. I make my choice, fill out a brief online form, and in a few minutes receive an email confirming my appointment.
About an hour later, Ricardo, the manager of the clinic, rings me up. We talk about the dental work I want done. He gives me detailed directions from the border crossing to the clinic. He speaks as if he has all the time in the world. In other words, his voice doesn’t have that hand-on-the-doorknob-ready-to-leave urgency so familiar to us Norte Americanos.
That’s refreshing.
I mention that I also would like to have an eye exam and purchase glasses. (The dental clinic is also a vision clinic.) “You can get your glasses here. It will take about two hours,” Ricardo says proudly.
Hanging out with canine pals at Sand Island, Utah
Before we end our conversation, Ricardo asks, “Is there anything else I can help you with, Susie?”
(Hispanic people never call me Sue or Susan, always Susie. I don’t know why.)
My appointment is for Tuesday, February 4th, at 10 o’clock.
I’m not telling you the name of the clinic until after I have my appointment. I fear someone will comment about how they suffered there. I don’t want to know. I have my appointment and I’m going through with it. Besides, Ricardo will make sure nobody hurts his Susie . .
Saturday, February 1
Looking for boondocks off Notom Road, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
I do enjoy satellite radio.
I have my XM radio tuned to the BBC. I’m half-listening when the announcer interviews various people, asking “If you could pick one place, what place would represent freedom to you?”
The first three or four respondents say stuff like “standing next to the statue of Thomas Jefferson.” Ho hum. My attention, however, is grabbed when the announcer asks a man who once was a political prisoner. The man gives this simple answer. . . (not an exact quote).
“Freedom for me is walking into my garden and into the woodland. Beyond that, into a meadow where flowers grow and a bird sings.”
Nosing around our camp on Badger Mountain, Ephraim, Utah
I started thinking about the places that make me feel free.
One of them is not far from here. It is a very ordinary place. Ogilby Road is a two-lane road that the crew and I take from the Sidewinder-American Girl Mine Road dispersed camping area to Interstate 8. The road is paved and fairly smooth. It cuts across flat desert sand dotted with creosote buses and the occasional palo verde or ironwood tree.
To accommodate the spring washes, the road rolls up and down in gentle dips and swells. It’s like riding waves across a vast desert sea. When we go down that road, that very ordinary road, I get this lightweight feeling of my spirit rising, untethered and flying free.
Clark Canyon Reservoir, Dillon, Montana
rvsusie
THANKS TO ALL WHO SHOP AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are a few examples of recent purchases:
Gaylord Hauser Spike Seasoning
KEEN Women’s Toyah Fashion Sneaker
Master Flow Tsunami High Volume Portable Air Compressor
Sun Joe 14-Amp Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder
Prime Products Utility Tray
Trimax Premium ‘Solid Hardened Steel’ Trailer Lock
Sunset over Salton Sea, California
Windy here in SE Arizona also, and it feels really cold (if 50 degrees can be cold). Good luck with the dentist. Hope to hear that “Suzie” was treated like a queen.
Hi, Lisa,
This morning I open up my laptop and my Yuma temperature widget in my taskbar shows 39 degrees! It was in the 80s two days ago. . . The wind has stopped, thank heavens.
I bet dollars to doughnuts you have a wonderful experience at the dentist and eye doc!
Can’t wait to see your new specks…loved the photo of Spike looking back over his shoulder and Bridget hiding her head, silly girl. Washington is so beautiful!
My freedom feeling place is sitting on the bluff overlooking the Pacific at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse..I always get the best most relaxed peace come over me when I sit there and watch the waves and listen to the gulls. thanks for bringing that to mind..sigh….
The desert is so beautiful too, every season, I lived in Carlsbad 15 years, nothing like the high desert.
http://www.pointcabrillo.org/
Hi, LeeJ,
I clicked on the link … That first photo, without scrolling down, is captivating! I understand why Cabrillo Point came to mind. Thanks for posting the link for us.
My answer is sorta two answers about where I feel free. My first gut reaction to the title and question is……I feel free when mounted on a horse, there is truely nothing like it in the world! If wishes were horses then beggars would ride!!! A mounted man surveys nothing except his kingdom. There is a reason that wealthy people in the olden days made sure their children were good riders even after the start of cars! Today the elite prep schools still adhere to that philosophy. That being said I feel free in the mountains where the world is ruled by silence only broken by mother nature and her denizons,where the night skys even to the horizon are not despoiled by light pollution. Sorta a deep answer but very much a “me answer”!!!!
Hi, Bill,
Oh how I wish I could’ve been taught to ride a horse when I was a child. I remember watching westerns on tv. I didn’t care about the gunfights and story line so much as the parts where someone rode a horse full out. It always seemed like freedom. You are very fortunate to have horse-riding in your life.
You mention “not despoiled by light pollution.” You know what? Someone has come out to this mostly unoccupied area of the desert, set up camp, and at night they turn on a huge, outside light. It dominates the area to the east when one wants to look at the stars. It’s on until daylight. That light is directly between our window and the sunrise. It disturbs the darkness for everyone camping within a mile around. Some people have no sense.
Not a big problem in the world scheme. Just another example of why I try to get away from people, i.e. annoying human behaviors.
Ho ho Sue, its never too late to start horseback riding! I did the weekend camping trailride thing and my riding buddies were a 99 year old lady and her daughter. Darling lady passed away right before her 100 th bday! I was blessed to ride with them for 6 years! She was a sharp one too!
Sue
We were just in whitewater draw over in SE Arizona. Wind was heavy there too. Love the retrospective pix. Ah memories
Hi, Kent1,
I have been playing with the idea of going to SE Arizona. Can’t pull myself away from the summer temps in Yuma (which disappeared yesterday). I guess there’s no avoiding some windy days when camping in the desert Southwest.
I enjoyed reading your blog, very interesting, and thank you for mentioning me with a link.
I must be spending too much time online! Am I first again? Nice pictures down memory lane. Good luck in Mexico for your appointments.
Thanks, Marilu.
I knew you would enjoy your XM radio. I am glad it brings you enjoyment and pleasure. I would rather go without TV, computer or cell phone than go without my commercial-free satellite radio stations.
I agree with you, Rick . . . except for the computer. I’d have to choose the computer over radio. Need to keep in touch with y’all!
I’ve never been one to listen to a radio. . . until now. I couldn’t stand the pressured speech of announcers and advertisers. I like how there XM-Sirius radio has stations devoted to a category of music, like “the 80s,” “Bluesville,” “gospel,” “hard rock” etc. Increases the odds of liking every song!
I feel free traveling in my RV. In the world but not of the world, if that makes sense in this context. As far as location goes, Big Bend National Park. 🙂
Yes! Not having a home to return to, but rather, being home wherever we go! That’s freedom!
One of these days we’re going to take a long look at Big Bend.
Susie….. Hispanics always call me Jimmy. It’s just something they do. I have heard good reports on the dental and vision clinics down there. I am hoping for a detailed report when the deed is done. I used to have a dentist friend. His motto was “I’ll be pulling for you!”…….I kid….
Cute one-liner, Jim.
I’ll do my best to give a full report with photos.
I used to go to Mexico a lot and my name being Susan , I got the same thing .For some reason Suzie is easier for them to say. I love that photo of Clark canyon Reservoir !!!! Amazing .
Hi, Sue,
That photo is one of my favorites, too. It captured the feeling I had standing there looking across the lake. The photo wouldn’t be half as good if the gull hadn’t flown into it.
Years ago I use to backpack out in the desert. My home was on my back and I could go anywhere my two feet would take me. Alone with just my dog I would see for myself what lay ahead with out looking at a map. It was always exciting to see something new. Nothing like that kind of freedom. At the end of the day when I took my boots off and peeled off my socks….ah that feeling was so great I can almost get it back again but only in my visions of the past. In solitude is the real freedom I enjoyed, it didn’t matter if I was in the forests or the deserts. No I didn’t take a radio and I stayed away from places where I might meet up with people. At night I watched the satellites and a billion stars. I felt like I was the Omega Man…the last man on Earth and I loved it so much I almost wept when I had to return to civilization.
Love your comment RJ. I think you describe your freedom perfectly here…and I can almost feel it as I read your words. What great memories you have!
Hi, Joe,
I can understand your sorrow at leaving the fullness of the “empty” desert. The crew and I may not explore the desert as purely and simply as you did, but we do see it through appreciative eyes. Well, at least I do… the crew, not so much. 🙂
The desert can really get a hold on you, if you’re receptive to it.
Pretty pictures, Sue. I guess my “freedom” spots would be anywhere I can see beautiful mountain vistas. Those with trees and alpine meadows. I grew up in Yuma, so I got my fill of desert mountains in childhood.
Speaking of Yuma, my whole family went to the dentist in Algodones and San Luis. Everything from fillings to crowns to partials to full dentures. No problems. I’m sure you’ll be fine. We used to get our hair done for special occasions like proms and weddings in Algodones, too. And of course we got prescriptions filled for a fraction of the US price. Have fun!
Hi, Denise,
I imagine Los Algodones was the place to go for a fancy hairdo, especially during the 60s when the styles were so structured and complicated. Good heavens, I can’t believe I once slept with rollers on my head!
“Trees and alpine meadows” — You remind me of Badger Mountain in Utah. You would love it there!
Looking forward to your dental report. My DIL lives in Flagstaff and has a home on Phoenix. In a few months we plan on meeting her and her family there. I want to take some time and visit a dentist in AL while we are there.
Hi, Nancy,
I’ll probably only have a cleaning and extraction. To replace my loose tooth would require a bone graft and implant. I’m not going to agree to that. I’ll write about my experience, of course.
Hi Sue,
As usual beautiful pics, I would love to hear how the dentist and vision center go.
Who knows…may have to go there someday.
Thanks,
Roger
Hi, Roger,
Thanks for the compliment on my old photos. I’ll try to give you a good idea of what it’s like to go to Los Algodones for dental care and eyeglasses.
Los Algodones. I boondocked just before the Indian campground on the right, before walking over into Mexico. I stayed about a week visiting the place and having dental work done. My dentist was Roberto Navarro. His clinic was cleaner and more modern than my high-priced dentist here in Florida and the work was done efficiently and at a fraction of the cost my Florida dentist quoted me. That was three years ago. His work was perfect. I have had no problems. I need another crown which I am saving for next fall. The huge savings will pay for an awful lot of gas!
Hi, John,
You’re right. Going to Mexico for dental work, especially anything major, amounts to substantial savings. I’d much rather spend my money on gas. Plus it makes going to the dentist a bit of an adventure, what with the border crossing and all that leads to.
Good luck with your savings . . .
Bill (hubby) and I are very fortunate that we both love spontaneous travel. I feel the peace of freedom when we take a road trip. Although we have a few locations we plan to see and a deadline for getting back home, I know we will see and do unexpected and delightful things. We are free to try and find a way to that weird rock formation off in the distance – and even if we never get to it we will enjoy the attempt and all we see along the way. And probably laugh about a wrong turn or dodging that hornet nest………the blissful freedom of just going where you’re drawn.
Kind of like everyday for you Sue .
Hi, Jodee,
That’s a good way to express freedom . . . being able to go where you’re drawn.
Some folks travel from one reservation at a campground or rv park to the next reservation. Nothing wrong with that. It’s necessary in order to stay in certain campgrounds and parks. Even if I could afford RVing like that, I wouldn’t be able to do it (nor would I want to). I change my mind too often.
Sometimes I change our destination while driving to our next camp! Love the freedom to do so…. and I can tell you’re that way, too.
I feel free whenever/where ever I am in my little travel trailer. No phone calls, no one depending on me for anything, no set time to get up or go to bed, no one wanting my time. Just me and my dogs. Love it.
Wickedlady, your comment points out another kind of freedom, one that comes with retirement and being a “senior.” I’ll also add the freedom that comes from being a single person (now marrieds, don’t get mad at me!). One can live quite selfishly which appeals to me. LOL!
“Just me and my dogs. Love it.” … took the words right out of my mouth . . . 🙂
Me Three… though one dog is all I can handle…
I traveled a bit as a sailor in the USCG. We hit Canada, Portugal, Morrocco, the Carribean and the East Coast of USA. I feel most free anywhere here in the USA. Granted ther are places in the USA that make me fearful but I still feel free because I am free.
I agree. This is a wonderful place to be, Allen. It’s good to never take our freedom for granted.
Freedom speaks to me …..in the mountains! I first noticed this when I lived in Colorado and anytime I went up to the mountains a peacefulness from the inside would come over me. I have never felt it anywhere else. I have heard a lot of good reports about going to Los Algodones for dental care and medications so I am sure everything will be go just fine for you too. Although I know Bridget and Spike aren’t going to be too happy! Can’t wait to hear about your experience. Have a great day!
Love the pics of the kids…as usual 🙂 As others, I will be interested in hearing about your dental experience as I need work done as well. It has been 8 days since I left my beautiful home…cried my eyeballs out as I was driving away. I have everything organized here in my temporary home as well as my RV items in the heated garage…NO WAY will it all fit in a 24-26 class C. LOL All my bills are paid, paperwork gone through and my income tax done. After 20 days of an ongoing estate sale (also had 10 garage sales last summer) all I have done is sleep! Feels good to be back among the living. Started looking for my used RV online. I think it will be a bit harder then I expected but all I have is time now…YEAH.
Congratulations!
Gee, Krystina… You make me worried. You sound so attached to your home. I hope you successfully make the adjustment to a change in lifestyle.
Rather than look back at what you had, look forward to what you’ll gain. The former has a price. The latter? Priceless!
Good luck finding your RV!
YES! That is what I am doing now. It was just hard to say goodbye but I am really good now…after I slept for a week! Thank you for keeping me in the dream all this time and thank you for worrying a bit.
Krystina
I think whenever we move from a place we have been for awhile, there may be some tears…even in doing what we want to do. When we moved east, we and our daughter cried, leaving that wonderful spot in the mts of SE Washington state. But we also wanted to live closer to kin, so we moved. And when we finally were able to leave the place I absolutely hated and had to stay almost 15 years…still a few tears…because that was the last place all our children were at home with us…the memories of what was and never would be again. But wow, never been happier to leave a terrible town either!! (I never knew such awful place even existed!) There is always an adjustment time when we move or leave a place I think…
So true Elizabeth! I lived in the house for 12 years and every day was a joy to be there. My view was fantastic…loved the horizonal snow whipping past my huge windows in the LR, zero neighbors, way up off the road and all the privacy in the world…almost like full timing! I am sooooo looking forward to my new home…a class C RV!!!
Hi, Deb,
I’ve often wondered about the modern approach to treatment for mental illness. Putting the patient inside a building for observation, therapy, meds, etc. seems wrong to me. It seems to me it would be much more restorative to take the patient to a peaceful place in nature, away from the stresses and demands of society and its frenetic activities.
About leaving the crew to cross the border… They are going to be very unhappy. I hope they don’t make Les miserable.
Good Luck with your appointments. We will need to try this at some point. I’ll be waiting for your thoughts:)
I’ll be sure to share the experience with you!
I can practically feel my blood pressure drop when I walk on a beach. Or when I sit outside on a spring night and listen to the night birds. And a meadow….ahhh. Perfect peace. But not in a dentist’s chair!
Hi, Linda,
I guess that’s why dentist offices sometimes have posters of a beach or meadow on the ceiling above The Chair.
That’s a good question…Susie…and will need some contemplation. In fact it might need to become a blog post of my own if you don’t mind me stealing the idea…someday. First I need to think about it and figure out where I feel free. I think it might be larger than a single spot and smaller than a few grains of sand. Not sure yet.
Love the reservoir shot…the clouds reflected in the water. That’s stunning.
Go ahead, Dawn. I don’t own the idea of freedom. 🙂 You’re free to blog on it!
🙂
I may have to steal this idea as well. 🙂 From my perspective, though, I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt free. I will say that the closest I come, and the most relaxed I feel, is whenever I can get out with the RV which, sadly, is not often enough. That leads me to believe that I will feel free when I can get out in the RV full-time.
I think I’ve been ready to hit the road for years now and would like to do so while I’m still young enough to actively enjoy it (just turned 57 in December). My wife, though, is the more sensible and practical one, and she does not think we are ready. Since we have an autistic teenager to plan for (turns 18 in May), she probably has a point. 🙂 Not that that makes it any easier to wait.
Hi, Walt,
When the time is right and you hit the road, it will be worth the wait!
I know, but that doesn’t make the wait any easier. 🙂 On the plus side, we seem to have narrowed down our focus as to what our next rig will be, so it at least feels like we’re still moving in the right direction.
I had to laugh at my first thought of freedom – riding home on the train! I can decompress from my day of mindboggling day spent wondering why there are so few adults in the office. Of course, the ride home can be entertaining, such as watching the teens with their pants to their knees trying to walk without tripping and freezing off their butts (the train is always freezing cold); the occasional babies and little excited ones are pretty funny though and so cute. The bicyclists that maneuver in the train are amazing sometimes – well, except for the time one let go of his bike when we stopped suddenly and it smacked my new knee.
But my place of escape is always outside in a garden. Backyards are fine. Rose gardens are wonderful to breathe in and throw in a stockyard with long horned cattle and all the world just goes away. Digging in the dirt is soothing and watching plants grow and the garden change with the seasons is very relaxing.
Hi, Carla,
I can understand how a train ride… even on a full train… would make you feel free. Free from work, free from having to make decisions, free to simply sit and take in what goes on around you. I think movement can bring about feelings of freedom, too. Watching the world go by . . . .
Why do people insist on using someone else’s webspace to promote themselves like the above commenter has done? Until last year I ran an outdoor activities club in South Florida with 850 members and had a Meetup.com website to promote it. Almost weekly I would experience some one trying to promote their business, their religion or their political views upon my membership using my message board. There are countless websites dedicated to allowing self promotion. Why do people have to expand beyond these confines into what I consider private space? Sorry to rant Sue, just a pet peeve of mine.
These low lifes are called spammers, I get them often on my website and have to delete the PIA !!!
I’m surprised this got past the spam filter. Sue has to approve all first time posters.
Hi, Donna,
I deleted the spam (for those wondering what we’re talking about). Actually I don’t have to approve first-time posters. I depend upon my Akismet spam filter and my blog’s tendency to attract good and kind people. 🙂 Only once in a while do I have to weed out those who don’t belong here.
OMG, I thought they were talking about ME – I couldn’t understand what I said to upset the commentators following my post! I was about to cry!!! Apparently I missed some excitement ………….
me too, Lacy…but for some reason, my comment did not fall at the end of the line???
I dare not explain the internet/computer when I barely understand how it functions to begin with (!), but at least it wasn’t us! My days of getting in trouble and ruffling feathers are long behind me I HOPE!
I’m sorry, Lacy. You didn’t miss any excitement, just a spam comment that I deleted. My blog doesn’t make a notation that a comment has been deleted, so I understand why it was confusing.
No worries! Kinda glad I missed it…..I’d rather bask in the memory of Spikes hug from my dream 😉
Hi, Phil,
If you received only one per week on your website, you did very well. I’ve had days where my spam filter has caught close to 50 spams. I empty my spam folder every day.
People who try to promote their business or political views or religion don’t realize a necessary element of persuasion — connection. If you don’t personally connect in some way with your listener or reader, your message turns into the sound of a tin drum. That’s what spam is… an annoying tin drum!
I guess controlling the spam is just another one of those behind the scene chores you must do to provide us this great blog.
Again, thank you for all you do!
You’re welcome, Phil. I get a lot of enjoyment from my blog.
Love the photo of Spike, Bridget, DoogieBowser and Radar! Now on my desktop! 🙂
Probably my greatest moment of feeling really free was when Chuck and I were driving through some beautiful scenery in Utah. I couldn’t believe how lucky we were to be able to live this kind of life, free to go where we wanted when we wanted and explore this beautiful country we live in. To be able to experience this and share it all with the man I had just married a few months earlier was amazing! Utah is still my favorite place for jaw dropping scenery! Beautiful state!
Good luck with the dentist and the glasses.
Hi, Geri,
There’s something about the backcountry of Utah… Oh, that drive from Bluff to Hite’s Crossing — spellbinding! I can imagine you and Chuck, newly married, wandering around Utah . . .
Freedom – traveling by myself (or with hubby) with no one else’s agenda. Kind of like Sue’s every day life!
Working in the garden is also peaceful, and sitting on the front porch looking at the lake and petting the dog is peaceful. These activities can give respite from the rat race.
But traveling with your own agenda every day would be complete freedom!
Looking forward to it.
And many many thanks to Sue and all of the wonderful people who comment on this blog for the “how to” RV successfully!
RV Sue = Roadmap to Freedom 🙂
Hi, Edie,
You’re welcome.
Before I broke free of a regular house and a commute and a job, my garden of vegetables kept me sane. Like you, gardening and “petting the dog” brings peace.
Love your last line…
Hi Sue,I know a good many people who have gone to Mexico for dental work….I never heard anyone complain!!! They will take good care of you!
I feel free here at Sheananigansfarm….it is my private “10 acre campsite” I get kidded about it all the time! My critter crew has room to run and I have peace,quiet and serenity!
Wherever one can find “peace, quiet and serenity” is the right place to be. Your private campsite sounds wonderful, Betty-Shea.
I feel free in the mountains. The first time I really remember this experience was at age 29 on a cross country road trip, taking the roads less traveled. Gosh I love exploring.
Sue, your writing in this one is beautiful, the use of words paint a picture and evoke thought. Thank you.
Can’t wait to hear about your experience in Los Algodones…wow…think I need to go find that place.
Take Care Sue and Crew.
Hi, Diane,
Exploring is fun, no doubt about it! Thank you for the compliment on my writing. I get kinda’ dreamy sometimes . . . 🙂
You take care, too!
Hi Sue !! So glad you are finally going to Algodones. I’m positive you will have a GREAT experience and a very economical one at that!I was so thrilled when I went in november and got work done. It would have taken my dentist back home over a year to do what they accomplished in 2 days!!! So nice and very professional. I’ve already recommended to others and they went and were extremely pleased!! I purchased meds also and wish I would have done the glasses while there! I’m definitly going back next fall and my hubby is thinking of going too!! Hugs to the PUPS!! Dixie
Hi Dixie,
That’s another great thing about the dentists in these border towns. They don’t drag out treatment! I remember when I lived in Georgia the many hours I had to take off from work or use vacation time to go to the gall-darned dentist!
Ricardo was quick to mention the glasses would only take two hours. For all the hurrying we do in the States, you’d think those that provide a “service” would be more cognizant of the busy schedules that working people live by.
Nice to hear from you, Dixie!
Interesting question, Sue. For me, freedom is driving up Highway 74 to the pinyon forest and either driving out one of the dirt roads or taking a short hike. I actually did that Friday afternoon (the windy afternoon) after school. I felt like I NEEDED to get up there and experience the outdoors, so I came home, grabbed both my cameras, and headed up there! How refreshing it was, even though it was bbbrrrrrrrrrrr cold!
~~Cheryl Ann~~
Hi, Cheryl Ann,
There are times when only an escape to the outdoors will do! I saw my first pinyon trees (at least it was the first time I recognized them) when the crew and I camped at Navajo National Monument in northeastern AZ. Love the way they bend and curve. . . They are fun to photograph.
DARN IT! I DON’T KNOW WHY MY COMMENTS ARE JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE! My computer is very slow this morning. I’ll come back later to reply to comments. . . Sue
You are once again too funny!
Freedom……….not having to wake up to an alarm! not having to drive in gridlock and putting off what needs to be done today…until tomorrow!
I remember a blog on going south for dental work awhile back! Lots of folks apparently have gone before you and were happy! Not like you’re getting a tummy tuck! (No you don’t need one). Best wishes!
The crew’s pen looks a bit cramped! Poor ole Bridget is doing her best to ignore your calls for her to pose! I can just hear her….Sue….is this because I won’t eat organ yuck?
Hi, Cinandjules,
Bridget may have thought she was hiding in that big fern but she’s easily recognized by that ample butt of hers. Which reminds me… I think I detect some slimming in that area. Could be me seeing what I want to see, but I’m hopeful the raw diet will help her shed a few pounds.
She’s still fussy. After much prompting I did get her to eat some peanut butter. Forget about pumpkin… Even Spike won’t touch it.
Hi Sue, We are camped in the same general area as you only further south and I have seen the bright light at night that you mentioned. Looks like a huge horizontal light bar, very bright, white and piercing. He probably thinks he’s not bothering anyone! Funny thing is, last night he had a campfire going with the piercing light bar glaring behind his campfire. Amazing! I have been climbing in the Muchachos mts. to the east and I get a wonderful feeling of peace and freedom when up on top looking down on the desert.
Hi, Dennis,
Well! I’m not the only one who noticed that light! Glad you wrote to tell me.
Maybe he’ll read this and turn it off. Wouldn’t that be funny!
I can picture where you are as you look down on the desert from the Muchachos. Where’d our warm weather go? 🙂
Not being tied to a job was the first thing that came to mind about being free. As soon as I stepped out of the office I felt FREE!!
YES, RITA! Freedom from forced labor…
Ditto! I felt free sitting right at home the day my first Social Security check arrived in the mail. Yes! The check really is in the mail and I can just relax and spend it!
On your having an extraction…. I hope every thing comes out OK…. pun intended… and that there are no hangups….. LOL… I will start to feel free this coming Friday as this coming Thursday is my last day to work…. I AM RETIRING. Maybe I’ll spot your trailer somewhere in the boonies down the road.
HOORAY FOR MARK! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!
I am very happy for you, Mark. I hope you enjoy this new chapter in your life as much as I’m enjoying mine.
Sue (Susie?) LOL
To think several years ago, you were not the adventurer you are today! You didn’t even know of these marvelous places, and here you are sharing them with us armchair wanderers!
Happy Day to you!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
Hi, Barb,
It is pretty amazing to me. When I was a young woman, I looked at retirement as a time when life was mostly over. Little did I know that’s when my life would really begin!
Happy day to you, too!
Another Phil……….Punxsutawney Phil has retreated into his hole. 6 more weeks of winter! Hey Phil………I wouldn’t mind if the weather was spread evenly!
Wonder if that “Fresh Cab” will work on the little bugger!
Do you ever wonder about Dale?
Hi, Cinandjules,
I think of Dale often. I wish he would call. He has my phone number.
I know he gave the name of my blog to his sister. I wish she would comment here and tell us how he is. I keep feeling like I should’ve done more for him. The weather turned awfully cold the days after he set out again on his bike.
If I do hear any news, I’ll be sure to share it here.
You made his travels more comfortable as soon as you met him!
From getting the tire rim fixed, the shelf, the map …the list goes on! The only other thing you could have done was drive him to his destination..(my guess is he wouldn’t let you) ..if I remember correctly you drove him over some pass so he didn’t have to pedal over it!
He was on an inner self mission! Yes it would be nice to hear from his sister or him!
I never tire of your photos even if they have been posted before. They are always beautiful and for those of us who will never see such lovely parts of the world it is a treat. Good luck with your dental treatment. I am sure you will be fine. I have just had mine after putting it off for 3 years, so naughty to do that but I hate going to the dentist. This time a new dentist and it has restored my faith that dentistry now longer is the painful experience it use to be……….this time tomorrow it will all be over and you will be so happy that you have bitten the bullet and got it done!!! I hope so anyway….will be thinking of you.
Hi, Glenda,
Dentistry is a world better than it once was. I remember an extraction when I was about twelve… It was something out of a horror film. Now it’s no big deal. The worst are the needles and even those are easier these days.
I should’ve taken care of it last winter but the time slipped by me and I didn’t apply for the pass card. It’s good to know I can come back here every winter and get things done.
Thanks for the kind words about my photos. I am blessed to go to those places.
Hi, Sue,
High country, anywhere is always freedom to me. A short hike from the East Rosebud campground, up toward Elk Lake and beyond (not too far anymore) and short detour off the path to rest near the water of the East Rosebud River. Mid-summer when the rest of eastern Montana is sweltering, alone or with my partner who fishes for rainbow, browns, and little brookies. Silky, soft breezes wafting from the towering snowfields right above this canyon. The river too tumultuous for hearing the occasional trekking passer-bys. A 45 minute drive from my little home in Absarokee. I am blessed!
My husband attended a conference this winter in Issaquah, WA, and one of the participants asked my husband: If you are from Montana, where do you vacation??? Have fun on the banks of Delmoe again this summer, Sue, if you should choose.
Diann
Hi, Diann,
I grabbed my atlas and found the town of Absarokee! A little more searching and I see the East Rosebud River and Elk Lake. I imagine it’s beautiful there with the Beartooth Mountains all around. I’d love to explore that area.
I don’t think we’ll go back to Delmoe Lake this summer, even though we enjoyed our stay there and it’s very picturesque.
Hi, Sue,
The boondocking opportunities up the East Rosebud are slim to none, although there are two FS campgrounds: Jimmy Joe (free) and East Rosebud (half priced fee with Senior Access Pass). Like most of the breath-taking canyons throughout the Beartooth Range, the East Rosebud Canyon and Rock Creek/Red Lodge Creek follow rivers running through steep mountainous caverns. Not much space to spread out so to speak. East Rosebud access is through at least 14 miles of washboard that with care and patience can be traversed easily. We do!
It is truly a beautiful spot on the face of the earth and worth the adjustments one may want to make. Contact the Ranger District in Red Lodge and they will give you insights. Although with your experience in finding boondocking adventures, you will surprise me and find the perfect spot! I am not a boondocker except in heart.
Your photos are so fun, Sue! What great shots of the crew who are permanently adorable, at least from this side of your camera lense. Thanks for every bit of your wonderful blog!
You’re welcome, Diann. I looked up some images online of that area and could see how steep the mountain and canyon sides are. Beautiful country. Thanks for all the information.
With snow on the ground and work waiting for me at 6:00AM, your blog is about as close to freedom I can get. As a kid it was riding my bike. I would spend the summer riding until my heart was content. As I grew older it was the motorcycle. It could carry me places I was not able to go on the bicycle. At the age of 24 I bought a 30ft Winnebago Chieftain class A. I used it like a portable workshop. I would take it to the farm. It carried all my tools, air compressor and 75 gallons of fuel. It had a 20ft awning I could work under and had all the comforts of home if I need to take a little break from the heat. When we got married it took us to the Rocky Mountains for our honeymoon. It was our only bathroom we had when first married as we worked to make the farm house livable. We took many trips in that rig and it was our weekend getaway when we just needed some down time at the lake. It did not matter if the day ended at the beach in California, the mountains of Colorado, Vons parking lot in the San fernando valley, a lonely gas station in the desert, a rest stop along I-70. Or just watching the stars on a pitch black night at the farm like we were watching a high def movie on the big screen. The day always ended with the feeling of contentment. That RV provided a freedom for many years that most kids in there twentys do not get to enjoy.
forgot to add
Mark
Salina ks,
Mark, you were one smart dude! I bet you still are. 🙂
After reading my post I realize I’m just smart enough to know I have poor writing skills. lol
Mark
Salina ks
Is that kind of the same as the most peaceful?? We lived 20 months in SE Washington state, in a small gulch, along with 3 neighbors…only one we could see in the distance. For most of the year (Till the couple months of summer there) we had and could hear a running stream outside and down the hill. We were visited by deer, elk, wild turkeys, neighbor cows, and a few baby snakes and at the end a mountain lion! But it was the most peaceful place we ever lived to this point. Sat outside on the deck many nights, marveling at the massive amount of stars we could see (so dark there it was likely how you see them in the desert nights too). Everyone who came to visit us there, said it was the most peaceful sleep those nights, that they ever ever had!! We left to live closer to kin…did that work out to be worth it…hmmmmmm, not so sure…not really…not what we hoped at least. Years later (just last year) hubby and I had another such sojourn…just 5 months in rural Virginia!! Deer, wild turkeys and bird life…again. Often just us 2 on that huge acreage….as the owners traveled a lot. And left us alone really when they were home. We will always treasure those special times!!
Wow…reading what popped upbelow just as I hit send here…yowee….the internet is doing nasty things tonight…we have that problem at our house too sometimes…defies all reason…after all, aren’t machines supposed to be consistent??
Elizabeth… That place sounds divine. No wonder you missed it.
I like the new photos! But I never fuss when you don’t supply any – you know my motto – just keep it coming!!!
I have to share w/ you a WILD dream I had the other nite. Apparently I was sleeping VERY SOUNDLY – I can’t remember having such a long, extremely detailed, crazy dream in a VERY long time. Without boring you, we were having a party………EVERYONE was there. The doorbell rang, I opened it to greet the latest arrivals and who do I see? YOU and the CREW! It was the biggest surprise of the night (YOU came to a BIG PARTY???) After I got over my shock, I remember bending down to greet the crew and Spike let me hold him and hug him and it gave me the best ‘feeling’ and I woke remembering that feeling. In tracing different things in this dream, I’m sure you came into it because I often read your blog before going to bed and I had been worried about Spike’s recent almost-injury to his leg. In reality, I would never throw such a party and in addition, you would never come to it. But I will admit that it was probably my favorite part of the dream so thanks for that!
Good Luck w/ your upcoming appointments. I can’t wait to hear these new adventures – and you’ll do FINE 😉
hugs,
Lacy
That’s too funny, Lacy. Now you’re dreaming about us! The most amazing part is Spike letting you hold and hug him. He won’t let me do that!
Love the look back at the old photos and poses of the crew.
As far as the feeling of freedom, I feel most free and peaceful in the state parks of Texas. In the past I’ve rented a cabin or limited use cabin (no bath or kitchen, just bed and maybe table and chairs), and the lack of possessions and people around lead to a lessening of stress. No TV, radio, sometimes no computer, and the feeling of anonymity I get while in the woods or at the lake are priceless. I can’t wait for the weather to settle down and stay warm so I can get out again.
Its interesting how many people equate freedom with inner peace. I am one of those folks. My first thought was the feeling I used to have when I was in my teen years, fishing all night on a pier near Kingsville, Tx. with my father. I don’t think I will ever get that particular free, peaceful feeling back ever again. However, there have been lots of other almost as good feelings. Probably the closest was when, after 20 years of living in Houston, my husband and I got to move out into the country on 15 acres where there are very few lights and there can be total quiet. Unfortunately, the oil companies have found our little area of peace and are doing their best to destroy it. But, we persever! Maybe we can outlast them! Otherwise, in 6 years I plan to be on the road alot!!
Good luck with your appts. in Mexico! We were in Los Cabos a couple of years ago and I wrenched my neck. It was great to just walk into a pharmacy and order muscle relaxants without having to pay out the nose to a doctors office.
Your 15 acres sounds delightful, Terri. I hope it isn’t destroyed.
My 70s roots are dying to say this, heck no YELL THIS. Pertaning to free I saw…..FREEBIRD!!!! LOL