More Visitors ..... from Boondocking Near Ajo, AZ

I loved seeing free-range cattle coming into my campsite. Only problem was that Miss Izzy would hear them before I knew they were there and her barking would scare them off

Yearling calves

One of the older mama cows I had seen previously in my back-road galavants. 

She's pretty close to one of the old "skeleton trees"about 30' from my RV.

She picks her way across the ground, eating what little grass she can find,

....and finally wanders off across the railroad tracks behind me.

See you next time, Mama cow

Boondocking....My Favorite Way to Camp

Finally! The needed repairs on my toad came to an end and I was able to get out to where it was peaceful and I could relax. About 5 miles out of  town, this beautiful (to me) place had once been a part of the town but for some reason there was nothing left but cement slabs where houses had once been. I counted at least 14 sites. I wonder what could have made them all leave..... Was it that the copper mine had shut down and there was no longer work for these people?

Some pictures of where I camped...

These 2 trees were very interesting to me.

They looked like they had been through many battles and their scars were deep and in the healing process they over grew to protect themselves from further harm.

I went about setting up camp with the door side facing away from the sun.

I put out my mat, table and 2 chairs. Always 2 chairs...

After supper I just enjoyed the quiet. The next morning when I got up I discovered I had visitors!

They did not seem at all bothered by my presence, nor me by theirs. I quietly sat on my steps and snapped some pictures. I think I counted 7  of them. 

It was so much fun watching them. They ate what they could find, then wandered off over the rail road tracks and down into the next patch of  grasses beginning to appear.

This.... is what I call a tree skeleton.I love the forms of the branches and the patterns in the bark. It had apparently seen a long life and now stood as if protecting younger ones coming up.

As that first day ended, I was so happy to finally be able to relax a bit from life's little troubles. The evening sky seemed to give hints to a brighter tomorrow.

We shall see what adventures await us ....

Feeling Stuck but not Stagnating, In an RV Park

After a month sitting at Belly Acres RV park in Ajo Arizona, while my tow vehicle was having some major front-end issues that needed repaired, I am finally free to be out in the desert again! The campground was fine and the camp-hosts were very friendly and helpful, and people there were also. Its just my nature to be off by myself most of the time. I had meant to take pictures of the campground but never got around to it....
I did however find a park where I decided to let Sasha off leash and
see if she would run her energy off and come back to me without running off. That .... was a success! I am so proud of my girl!!

I loved watching her run for the sheer pleasure of it!!
I used my time at the RV campground to paint as much as I could and sold several paintings via a sign and paintings displayed in my front window. I even had new business cards made up while I was there and started knitting on another pair of socks. Something to keep my mind occupied and my hands busy. My daughter had sent me the yarn for a Christmas present

 The best part of staying at the RV park was that there was free cable and so was able to watch our new president and vice-president sworn into office. Yes, free wifi and free cable!

More later on. Have a great day!

Spotty WiFi and Cell Phone west of Tucson

Yes, I could'a, would'a, should'a got hooked up with Verizon before leaving Tucson. I knew better.... knew ATT would be about non-existant. Oh, its great east of Tucson, and I can use my phone for a hotspot. I was in a hurry to get to the desert; and sit and view "my mountain" again.

So consequently I've also had no internet, unless I come into town to the visitor center where there is free wifi. Its been a long 4 years since I had been here.  Now, with the new RV I could once again go where my heart takes me.

I left Tucson on Friday before New Years. Arriving at Darby Well Rd near Ajo, I left the paved road and made my way into the desert. it was late afternoon. As I looked for a camping spot I got further away from the fork in the road that I thought I would have to. I saw what looked like an open spot on the right so turned and made my way back the narrow drive, Later I found out it was almost exactly across the road from where I had last camped 4 years earlier. as I pulled ahead, I spotted a small Ford Ranger with a small camping unit tucked behind some bushes. Oh well.... too late now . I'd have to pull all the way in, unhook the rav, turn around, hook back up and move on. It seemed there was no one around so I proceeded in making ready to unhook when I heard this quiet voice, "May I help you?"

I ;looked up and saw a gal about the age on one of my daughters. I explained the mistake and apologized for intruding. She was more than helpful and by the time we had unhooked the toad, she determined that I should at least stay the night. So I parked the motorhome as level as I could and set the levelers. We got talking and, long story short she welcomed me to stay as long as I desired. We did hit it off pretty well so I stayed and glad I did. the views from the campsite were awesome enough

The next few days we Talked and got to know each other a bit, sharing life stories.
 We ran around the desert in the Rav, snapping picture after picture and having a grand time!.

Up hill and down dale, through washes and on roads we probably should not have attempted.
but we looked at each other and said, " Well, there's 2 of us to walk back together, in case something happened, so it'd be ok", Crazy?? Maybe, but we were being very careful, and you do only live once......
Pictures of the washes...

I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing me to see such beauty, His creation!

I am so awed by the different colors, even in the rocks of the washes!

We made it back to camp in one piece. Each had our own supper and I fed my pups, and played with them a bit. Then it was time for bed, but before that I downloaded my pictures onto my computer, thinking I had gotten some good shots for painting reference. But those had just whet my appetite and I was hungry for more!

More of these adventures later, so until next time...

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

My time in Tucson

So I have been here at my brother's home since a week ago today. I had been here 4 years ago, and they had flown back to PA for their 50th wedding anniversary a couple years ago, but it sure was good to be able to visit again. I was going to leave Wednesday, but he wanted some tips and help with his beginning oil painting. Since all I have is time, I thought, "It's not like I need to be in a hurry.... I have several days more that I could spend here as I am not committed to be anywhere....", so I decided to stay. Its good to have plans, but also good to be flexible. I enjoy being with my brother and sister-in-law. She is the perfect hostess; always concerned if I would like to eat with them, if I need anything, I am welcome to use the washer and dryer.... Besides I get to do what I love most! helping and encouraging someone else to be creative. ( as well as painting myself ....) Can't beat that :)  It has also been fun reminiscing our childhood adventures.

 Their property boasts beautiful desert plants... as well as a couple orange trees

                                               

Here is my motor home, all set up.

...... and set up for our first art lesson....

So it is fun, but I would still like to be out in the deserted desert before Christmas.

Just a preference of this "hermitess" lady.

The wind has been high  all day today and according to what my brother saw, its to be up to 40+ mph tomorrow. I felt the wind hit the side of the motor home a couple times today. Can't imagine what it will be tomorrow. Hmmmm.... maybe we should be painting waves instead of desert the way the wind rocks me around! 

Safe travels everyone and Merry Christmas to you all!!

Isaiah 9:6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace.

Clovis NM to Las Cruces, NM

As the winds rose and temperatures dropped in Mule Shoe, I made ready to depart and go into Clovis NM and then southwest toward Alamagordo by way of rt 70. There was no picture taking time as the wind seemed to prevent me from making any time on this leg of the journey. Going into Roswell the daylight was fading, I did make a quick stop to let the dogs do their business, however not finding a convienient place to park for the night and no real rest areas like on the interstates, I kept going. Getting into the mountains the traveling wasn't too bad, but I could not see a place to pull off in time to get off the road. (I know..... I really need to plan better) Up , up, and round and up somemore in the mountains, always warning signs when I came to a steep down grade. I let my past semi-driver  training kick in and finally spotted a Walmart up a the hill on the left coming into Ruidoso, A quick look at traffic and sharp turn to the left had me going up to the parking lot. I surely hoped they had no problem with letting RV'ers park there overnight. It was late and I was tired. My eyes were tired. dogs had been fed and pottied earlier and were settled so I just went to bed.... didn't even change into my comfy jammies. Hopefully the pups could hold till morning and not go in the kennel. 

I woke to sunshine and cold in the morning. Having not really seen the hills I had been climbing through after dark, I was a bit delighted at the scene that met my eyes in the morning.

 I love western mountains!

The openness and vastness all around makes me feel very peaceful!

I had brought the dogs out to potty but the parking lot was paved clear up to the guide rails. Now Izzy had no trouble scooting under to do her business, but Sasha was another story. She would not jump the rail and thats likely a good thing because it was almost straight down on the other side. I wasn't sure I could get her back over if she had jumped. She also would not potty on the pavement, being of the fine upstanding breeding she is (Haha) After coaxing her I finally took them back to the motorhome and proceeded to get on my way. I would just have to find someplace else safe to stop where there was dirt and/or grass.

This was Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation land. I

 had seen a few casinos I could have stopped at but I made my way down the mountains and pulled off where there was a very wide paved spot and relieved the pooches there.

Across the highway, down into the valley below

the purple mountains were very magestic looking....

Sasha looking for gophers!!

Mountains we had just come through...

The little town of Tularosa, just north of Alamagordo, deserves a revisit! A very colorful town with interesting shops that I glimpsed as I made my way through town. Just no place to stop...

After Alamagordo we drove through an area I had been at before, delivering military freight in the semi with hubby. I was not prepared for the memories it stirred up;  memories of when we were proud and humbled to be able to serve our country delivering military goods after 9-11. This was the White Sands Missile Range and Holloman AFB.

I was able to stop for the night near Las Cruces, letting my dogs out of the kennel for supper and some play time with me before retiring for the night.  Tomorrow we fuel up, get the propane filled and head over to Willcox, AZ for a few days of kick back before going further. I have laundry to do and bookwork to catch up. I'm sure Sasha and Izzy think its about time for some real outdoor exercise

Thanks for coming along on my journey....

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Ajo Stay Cut Short

It's been a while since I posted. I will try to give you the highlites in a nutshell...

I left Tuscon on a Sunday afternoon, stopping at recently opened Walmart on the way out for needed supplies. I got sidetracked in the store and I knew I could not make Ajo before dark. Thinking I could just overnight there, I put my groceries and other purchases away and was eating some supper when I got a knock on the door. Right ........"Yes, Sir".

 

No overnight parking within the city limits of Tuscon. I drove to Sells and parked behind a Shell station for the night. Getting up the next morning I noticed my fridge was not working. I did get the situation resolved at the Napa Auto store in Ajo by the owner who's name is Kord. He knows his stuff on RV's and I would go back with any other problems if needed.

Two days later I headed out to the desert, down Darby Wells Rd. I had read on RV Sue's blog that she had camped there as well, so I figured for my first boon-docking experience it would be about as safe as it gets.

I got to meet RV Sue the next day while out walking Izzy and Joe. We also got to meet her canine crew, Spike and Bridget, and  had some good conversation as we walked along. She was able to tell me the names of several bushes and trees that I was most interested in.

I stayed at my camp spot there for a couple days; then wanting to explore more, I drove back to the fork and took the lefthand road for a few miles back until the road narrowed so much I thought I had better turn back. I had scraped bottom a few times with the long overhang behind the back tires of my rv. I camped about a mile from the fork, up on a hill just past the remains of what used to be a ranch on the left. The mountains, desert lanscape, and quietness was almost intoxicating, for lack of a better word. I could have stayed there in the desert for a month!

Joe and Izzy and I took our walks and the Border Patrol whizzed by many times during the day and night.

 

 I awoke one morning at 3 am. The moon was out so bright! I was wide awake and decided to paint. You can read about and see this painting here on Sunny's Studio. It had been quite a while since I had done a nocturn painting. 

The next day I was trying to use up some left-over food in my fridge, and wish now I had not tried to be so frugal and had thrown it out instead. A few hrs later I came down with a full blown attack of food poisoning.(researched later on the internet). I spent 2 miserable days there (no cell srevice, no internet) before being able to get around enough to head back to Tucson. I arrived back at my brother's place hoping I wouldn't need to go to emergicare. The next few days saw me gradually getting better, but it took a full week to recover enough to feel like I was indeed going to make it. I have recorded this here to remind myself and others to make sure what we eat is safe. From now on, anything over 3 days old will be thrown out of my fridge! 

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Today we are heading to Nogales, MX for a dentist and some shopping. Hopefully a fun-filled day! I will try to catch up on my blog reading in the next couple days. Oh yes, and Miss Izzy and Curley Joe got to visit the groomer last Friday.

They are so sweet looking when clean!!

I plan on doing a post on our visit to Nogales. I am taking my camera... and my passport!