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.

From Paducah, Kentucky to Hot Coffee, Mississippi

It took me 2 days to get to my next destination. I left Friday noon heading toward Mayfield KY, on to Union City TN, then 45W to Jackson, TN. From there I took SR 18 into Holly Springs,MS. I found a Wal-Mart and dry-camped there overnight. The next morning found me heading across Rt 4 to Senatobia on I 55. That little stretch was a hairy ride to say the least!! I went that way to avoid Memphis, but there has to be a better way. Won't do that one again! I continued down I 55 to Jackson, MS and on to Mike Conner State Park near Collins, MS. I got there just about dark but did get parked in a pull-thru site. I waited till next morning to set up. My DD and SIL met me at the main road and guided me in. I had been there before and used their dump station, but had forgotten exactly how to get to it, and it would not come up on my GPS.

The next day, we went on a joy ride around the countryside and they took me to a lil town called "Hot Coffee". Yes there IS such a place ! You can even find it on You Tube, so they tell me!

Not much to it but worth it to say I been there! Its not quite as big as Luckenbach, TX! (south of Fredericksburg, where 'Willie and the boys' sang)

                                                               









                                               

On our way back to camp, on a back road that Timmy knew, we passed this dilapidated old house. Now, I just love old houses, always seeing the character, the charm; always wondering if it was a happy home or if grief had been experienced there;

 I'm sure some of both, as that is the way life seems to go....

I just had to get a closer look. And because my daughter is a bit like me, well... 

There was no "No Trespassing" sign, at least we didn't see one, although we really tried not to look too hard. SIL said he'd hold the barbed wires apart for us, but HE wasn't going in.

So we got a bit closer, close enough to know it wasn't safe at all. The old tin roof was quite rusted but the chimney looked in fairly good shape. At least it was still standing. The brick porch posts were leaning and the porch floor looked like a heavy tree branch could finish it off.

The mammoth tree in the front yard was truely magnificent! I wondered if it had at one time held a tire swing on one of it's strong branches....

It was a beautiful tree with lovely form!

We did walk around a bit more, then exited the property, touching nothing. We made our way back to camp in time to walk the pups again, chat a bit, then they went home.

The next morning I was awake earlier than usual.

The campground I stayed at has a beautiful lake. The mist was just rising as I took the pups out for their walk about 7:15 Monday morning. The sun was shining bright and no wind, but still freezing cold, about 28*. I had a hard time getting the pups to sit still while I snapped a few pictures. 

I returned to the RV and put a roast in the crock-pot with a dry onion soup mix, and a small jar of my home-made tomato sauce. Then I got out the mid-sized crock-pot and started sweet potatoes and apples in that one. Later I cooked up some kale with bacon and onion, and a small side-dish of white beans. Later after DD and SIL got here I cooked up a cornbread in the convection oven. It was the first time I had used it. DD helped me figure it out. I am a sight learner. Reading directions? Not so much..

That was our early Thanksgiving dinner together. And we had plenty to be thankful for!We had a very good visit; talked a bit, and laughed alot! It was so good to be able to enjoy each other's company! I had purchased a painting from DD, Rachel, and she brought it to me. I promptly hung it on my wall. It looks beautiful in my new RV!  

Oh..... and the best part? A cotton bouquet from my SIL. Thank you soooo very much Timmy Ray!

Thanks you all for coming along with me. Leave a comment if you care to

I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. What you eat is not so important as sharing time with ones you love. God bless you each and every one!

Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, rejoice!

I've Hit the Road!!

I finally was all packed (unless there's something I forgot, which most likely there is) and was able to leave out about 3 pm Sunday afternoon, Oct 23. The first few days I was quite busy getting used to driving a Class A, but then I settled in as it became much like driving the Volvo 770 semi back many years ago. I began to be at ease with it all. 

The biggest challenge however was getting Sasha used to all the different sights, sounds and smells associated with roadside rests, truck stops, and traffic. So many people, so many changing scenes, such loud noises coming from humongous shapes rolling on so many wheels!! And then of course the ground all around smelled different than back in her familiar yard..... however, by the time one week had passed she had settled right in to the routine. First out to pee, back in to eat, second out for further elimination and a training walk. sleep until about lunch-time. Oh such is the complex life of our furry friends!

Meanwhile on one of those days we took a side-trip to visit the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln. 

The old structures were quite interesting to me

....especially this one built with hand-hewn square beams!

 The beautiful split-rail fences reminded me of long ago unhurried times 

Practically everything they needed was supplied on the homestead.

A kind gentleman took my picture...

Time to get back in the motorhome, as we still had a ways to go before night fall.

Ps. 104:14 "He (the Lord) causes the grass to grow for the cattle,

 and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth"

Thanks for stopping by!

Exploring on the Backroads

My grandson came to visit me for several days. One day we decided to go exploring. He loves nature and the woodsy areas around where I live, so I took him to this newly discovered (to me) area I had found last spring. It was on Pump Station road off of Creek road. I should have gotten a picture of the pump station, which consisted of several about 6" or 8" round pipes coming out of the ground and joining about 3' above ground. The design was interesting.

There was a sign that said 'no motor vehicles beyond this point, walk in only", so we did.

However I did get some nice pictures of the water, trees and reflections.

Color up and down the creek....

Beautiful water reflections!

 We could also see where others had had campfires circled round with stones, and paths where they had walked back through, and bare areas that looked like someone had been tent-camping. But we just enjoyed the beauty around us, and PM even pointed out fish in the water.

Getting out in nature rejuvenates the soul. We enjoyed experiencing some of God's beautiful creation!

Thanks for stopping by. 

I hope you also enjoyed this little journey through our pictures!

On to Houston

Just when I think I am going to get caught up something else happens and I find my self further behind than I was before. How does that happen??

After I left Biloxi I drove the next couple days and took my time getting to Houston where I met up with Tex-Cyn, friend, fellow RV'er and blogger. I spend 4 days at the campground she is parked at. We had fun checking out the sales at PPL RV sales there in Houston, and had lunch one day at Olive Garden. We also visited  fresh food market where the prices were really good. We talked, took pictures and I met several of her friends. She has a nice little patio area beside her RV with several different plats and yard ornaments. She has it fixed up really nice! Her beautiful Saluki dogs have a safe outside run to exercise in. In the field in back of the RV park are these two burros. Beautifully colored but not too friendly. Perhaps they were afraid of Izzy.

She often thinks she needs to be friends with everything and everybody,

 even if they don't share her sentiment.

Cindy and I were laughing so much we could barely get a good picture taken.

We did enjoy our visit and I hope she gets back to Pennsylvania in the not to distant future to visit her mom, because then I would get to see her also.

 

Next stop was Goose Lake, Texas, just north of Port Aransas.