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.

Playing Quicky Catch-up, Chapter 4

Saturday, Nov 1

The temperature had dropped and it was windy so I ran the heater all day. I thought I was being a wimp, till I saw a boy with a ski mask on, lol! Camp host, Jerry, got the handles off the rectangular basket I keep my movies and DVD's in, so it would fit properly in its place. This way I don't need to bring out one movie at a time to see if its the one I want to watch. I have been doing quite well with this organization project of mine. Need to fit a lot of stuff in small spaces.

I decided to take a break and do some painting. This was my 4th painting of Energy Lake.

I loved how the sun threw shadows of the trees on the ground while the leaves were falling.

Sunday was a rest day, I painted a little more and got stuff put away as we would be leaving in the morning. I mapped out my route, I would take I-24 east to Nashville, then I-65 south to I-20/I-59. We used to travel the 20/59 when driving truck, and I had always loved the route.

I got the Rav4 hooked up in the morning with no problem although it was on a slight incline. I made good time and drove to Tuscaloosa, AL before stopping for the night. I was only 3 hrs from Daughter #3 just north of Hattiesburg MS. My fridge was giving me fits again about not running consistently so I wanted to get there asap to get plugged into electric.  

 

Next chapter- tomorrow...



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! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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!

 



Weather Forecasts....

....... are not always right. Say what? You already knew that??

Old man wind tried to trick me today. The rain came in ...which was expected. However the wind that came with it was not. My brother and I had been working with my awning a few days ago and I had decided to leave it up as the forecasted wind mph was low enough for several days. Fortunately I was "home" all tucked in my little rig, working on a painting,when the winds started whipping up big time!!

I  hollered at  called my brother out of his house to help and it was all we could do to hang onto the awning and get it rolled back in without the wind taking it out of our hands. But we managed to get the job done. Whew! That would have been an expensive fix! We were both soaked through, so went in to dry off. After about an hour of torrential downpour, the" R and C River" ran pretty deep right outside my door.

 Lesson #9 learned.... Always set up on higher ground.

 

We had a great day inspite of the weather. A package was brought to their door "Special Delivery" later in the afternoon. I can't wait to show you all..... but I have to (sigh)

Excitement runs high here at the "R and C Ranch" !

 

I will leave you with this picture of my current painting for now.

'Saguaro at Sunset"

4" x 5"

Oil on stretched canvas

 

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy your travels!



Cold Weather Comforts

I finished these the other day, just in time for this cold snap that is hitting Tucson now. I am wearing them this morning! Comfy warm!

My s-i-l, Desert Shade (Carol), makes these insulated hot-pads. she happened to have one in my favorite design, sunflowers! 

This pretty hot-pad comes in handy, along with the tea-pot cozy made by my daughter #1,

 to keep my pot of tea hot longer.

I also used it this cold morning to keep hot my warm dish of oatmeal w/ apricots!

Yesterday, Deaf Ranger and I took my rig to dump the tanks, fill up on propane and diesel fuel.Other than that not much happpening except walking the dogs, and painting. I did a couple western scenes which you can view here if you like. You also may like the one I did of the Rv / auto light bulb.

Still doing a painting a day!

 

Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in Quartszite or Yuma desert? I'd rather hear it from someone who is there than the weatherman.... just sayin  ;-)

 

Stay warm wherever you are, and count your blessings for they are many!



Correction and News...

I had mentioned goting to sales over the weekend with my brother and s-i-l, but called it by the wrong name.  It's the Girls Estate Sales. Website is www.thegirlsestatesales.com also have a store at 3728 E Grant Rd in Tucson.

I have posted a few more paintings on my painting blog "Sunny's Studio" if you care to look. Trying my best to keep up with one painting a day but when brother wants to take me somewhere to show me a place, I usually cave and go. Not his fault, mine. Plus he says I am always rearranging or organizing and I guess he's right. But I think I am finally pretty well done with that now.

Today we took a drive to West Saguaro National Park. Trying to decide where I want to go next week as I am still in his back yard this week......

Plus, I am not very happy with me right now as I seem to be getting my days and nights mixed up. I slept in til 10 am this morning! Thats 12 noon eastern time. I am always up by 6:30 or 7 am back there in PA. What is WRONG with this picture?? I don't even LIKE sleeping in. Its a waste of time far as I am concerned. My dogs will let me sleep the day away... they aren't supposed to do that!

I got the new lens and some bulbs for my porch light today. I was about to walk out the store when I spied these outdoor RV mats, 9 x 12, on sale. I had wanted to buy one before but always more money than i wanted to pay, so I got one today.

Tomorrow I need to patch a small hole in my awning. That means getting up on the ladder as the tear is next to the RV side. That and fill up with propane by the end of the week and I'm about set to roll, ....somewhere....

Later.....



How many Hours in a Day? How about minutes in an Hour??

If anyone could tell me the  real answer I'd like to talk to you.

I am sure I have been missing some hours or minutes lately. Time can't possibly go by that fast, can it?? Either that or someone decided to borrow some from me. and forgot to bring them back.... just sayin'.

So here is what I p ainted for day 2 of my challenge 

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"Breaking the Time Habit"

The idea being to s-l-o-w down and enjoy enjoy the moments.

 

 

Anyway, I had a wonderful time getting together with Jo of "Momma's Little Runaway and the Tin Can Cabin". and "The Good Luck Ducks" girls, Anne and Roxanne; as well as Lucy and Terri, a couple other RV'ers and Jojo's friends. The food was excellent as well as the conversation.  I had some of my boon-docking questions answered by Anne and Roxanne. We also talked about what Jo was looking for in an RV, vegan food, Lucy's interest and talent in mechanics, and Terri's upcoming trip. That was on Friday. Thanks so much, Jo, for opening up your home for all of us to get together. You were the perfect hostess!!

Saturday was to be spent on more painting and "organizing" the outside RV compartments. I had the compartment emptied out and stuff sitting all over the ground when Deaf Ranger came out of the house to announce he and Carol were going to some estate sales, run by a "Three Sisters" company, and invited me to go. I hesitated..... but not for long. Off we went. Now, I can't post all I got here cuz some might be for gifts, but I also found 4 classical music cd's ( I listen to them while I paint), a few more storage baskets I needed, a novel by Debbie MaComber, and a chee se knife. Ohhhh, I so want to tell you about the other finds, but can't. I may just burst from the suspense! Hard for me to keep secrets :-/

We stopped at a "Baggin's" for lunch. I had never been to one before. The sandwiches are fab! I would go again. Then we went to look for the new Hobby Lobby store, as I needed more small canvases, but it is still under construction. So we found the Michael's store. They had all sizes of canvas, and some on sale. I usually order mine online, but needed them now.  We arrived back at the ranch in time to get my things put back into the outside compartments and let the dogs out for some time on their cables. No time for a walk today. Then I tore apart the inside and re-re-organized stuff in there so I could get all my canvases in one place, rid out food items in cold storage under the bed, and make room for my "finds". No painting tonight. I'll just have to catch up later.

Day #3

"Treat them Special"

Need to have treats for the fur-babies .... especially to bribe one that easily slips their collar!

Here is Deaf Ranger enjoying his morning coffee and the sunshine in my rig.

Even though I am parked right now at my brother's, I still stay in my RV. I like routine and I think it's important for my pups. I tried staying in their beautiful and comfy guest bedroom, but really like the coziness and at-home feeling of my rv.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Today we went to church, then headed out to Walmart for sandpaper and to return the second heater I had purchased that didn't work for my situation. I did manage to find some flannel sheets I had been wanting at a reasonable price. Also bought some new rechargable batteries. What I got back on the heater paid for my purchases today.

Enjoying the time together

After that we went to La Parrilla Suiza, an authentic Mexican restaurant, for our dinner. The food was delicious and the atmosphere quite friendly, in a beautifully structured setting.



Our attentive waiter



Woman making tortillas








After arriving home I tended to Miss Izzy and Curley Joe, taking them for a long-awaited walk.

I then got out some of the canvases and prepped them for painting, 15 smaller ones and 2  8 x10's.

Looks like I may be painting all day tomorrow it looks like the weather is not going to be so nice.

 

Till next time!

New Challenge (s)

Today I got my RV into All RV Service Center in Tucson.

I needed to get this roof vent

replaced!

 

....as well as a shorted-out turn signal in the rear driver's side that I had previously *fixed*, and needed to get the batteries checked because when I went to start up to leave this morning the engine complained.... alot!... and would not start. This was the 3rd time in 3000+ miles. We arrived about 10 am, brother and s-i-l enjoying the ride.

The guys at the service center did a good job. They had the roof vent and the arm and it was installed quickly. Good thing I had them check the batteries, as one was dead and 2 were "compromised". So, new roof vent and 3 new batteries.

They checked the turn signal and it was badly corroded, which I knew, and they had to replace the whole thing as the turn-signal/tail-light comes as a sealed unit. No biggy, as I was sure it was as old as the rv itself. And I had them check the other side as well. I didn't want trouble down the road. Yep, it was corroded also.

So, new roof vent and arm, 3 new batteries, 2 new turn-signal/tail-light units, and 4 hrs later we got back to the *ranch*.

Carol started on linner (lunch/dinner) while I got Miss Izzy and Curley Joe out for a walk. We had hamburgers and Texas fries! Oh they were so good! We had not eaten much that morning and were hungry!

After that, true to my committment, I got my painting stuff set out. Barely dipped the brush in the turp when the phone rang. I almost didn't answer it .. but decided to. It was daughter #3 telling me about the awesome advancment in her job. Whoo-hoo! A company car and a gas card!!! She does alot of traveling working for Visiting*Angels. I was so happy for her, and glad I had taken the call.

Back to painting, determined..... pressing on.

I decided my theme would be about my experiences while RV'ing this winter.

So here it is  And I accomplished Day 1 !!

"In the Beginning ... Winnebago Winnie"

3.75 x 4.75 Oil on stretched canvas

and now I am finishing the other half of my other daily committment. Thanks for stopping by!

Stay safe out there!



It can be a really good thing ........... or not

.... those rare times when I wake up in the middle of the night and get on the internet.

 

Tonight (today) was one of those times.

 

I checked my facebook notices and saw a post from one of my painter friends about a painting challenge. The idea is to paint thirty paintings in thirty days........ You can decide your theme (or the paintings could be random) and they can be small paintings. I had wanted to do this before and wasn't sure I could commit to it. So now is a good time to do so, right????

Hmmmmm.......... lets think about this...........

I am in the RV.... traveling some days... planning a couple long day trips with brother and wife...... hopefully CC classes here in AZ with brother..... walking the fur-babies 3 times a day...... trying to keep up with blogging my adventures.... AND just started another challenge of reading the Bible through in one year (I am a s-l-o-w reader), as well as all the other day to day routines I do at a much slower pace than 30 years ago..... hmmmmm.

 

Oh yes, I need another challenge......not! That would mean committment. I really like to run from that word. COMMITTMENT! So what do I do ?? I run headlong into it and sign up!! That means making a public announcement of my intentions..... whoa!!

 

Am I in my right mind? Do I have a mind left? Some days I wonder......

A partial quote from "Fiddler on the Roof" I like is when the Papa says, "On the other hand...."

So.... on the other hand, this painting challenge can push me to help me accomplish something that would be benefitial, and is one of my main goals and purposes of being out here RVing anyway. 

So I guess it might be a good thing ......this time.

Time will tell...