Just Izzy and Me...

"Miss Izzy"

My little Bichon Frise, Izzy, has been with me since she was 6 months old. A Christmas present to me from my late husband, she has been a faithful and constant companion through the years of my widowhood. Izzy will be turning 9 years old in July of this year. She is the perfect RV'ing companion, always ready for a new adventure. 

On my last RV trip, we had Sasha with us as well. She would still be with us except for the  deteriorating knee and badly sprained ankle I acquired last summer, resulting in a total knee replacement in the late fall. It was getting impossible for me to manage her, even the simple task of taking her out for a walk (run) and potty times. I finally faced the inevitable, and re-homed her with my foster son and wife who had recently lost one of their boxer dogs. Their remaining boxer was absolutely grieving over the loss of her fur-buddy, and so a trial period resulted in a permanent situation. I miss having Sasha around but I am able to see her as often as I wish, as she is only a few short miles away.

Izzy was absolutely fine with the situation as she had no one vying for my attention! Silly girl.....

So as we plan our upcoming trip for late summer, Izzy is more than ready to hit the road again, as am I. There is alot to be done in the meantime but I just thought I'd give an update.

Thanks for stopping by...

Leave a comment if you wish. I am always happy to read your thoughts!

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.

Mule Shoe, Texas ; a great little town with a Big Heart!

I'd heard there was a large cold front coming across the plains and on eastward. So I didn't know whether to follow my planned route or "chicken out" and get south as far and fast as I could. But that little town of Mule Shoe sounded interesting from what one of the RV'ers on a facebook rv group was saying about it, and I had been across I-10 a dozen times already, not counting times in the truck with hubby. I was ready for something new so I decided I'd visit Mule Shoe, regardless of the forecast. On the way there I saw several miles of those huge windmills. They have always fascinated me, so high up on strong steel poles, their blades moving in a rather slow rhythmic pattern, On the ground beneath were fields of the remains of recently harvested cotton.

At the east end of town are huge cattle yards and an auction barn, A National Wildlife Refuge is on a road south of town, and had it been warmer I would have visited it. The town also has a very large antique store and many varied and interesting items were displayed outside.  As it was not only cold , but windy as well,  I forego visiting these places of interest.  I'm sure it would have been well worth my time. I can only hope to revisit some point in the future.

The nice thing was that in the center of town there was an empty gravel lot with hook-ups for 7 or so RV's, and all free for up to three days, then a small fee. What a nice accommodation  for a town of this small size! I stayed one night there and just hooked up to electric as I had water on board and had just dumped my black and gray water tanks in Abilene.

As night began to fall I noticed the muleshoe shaped decorations on the lightposts clear down the main street of town, adding a very unique atmosphere.

The next morning I was ready to put miles behind me and get to a warmer ( I hope) place.

 I would liked to have stayed longer but with the cold and me not feeling all that great, I felt it best to get on over to Clovis and get started SW to Alamagordo, NM.

Thanks for visiting!

! Peter 5: 7-9 Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you...

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!

The New Ride!!

I really didn't like letting go of Lady Blue, my class C Minnie Winnie, but as I had so many problems with it the last trip out and the following summer, I was just leary of taking her out again. I am not at all mechanically inclined. 

Meanwhile I had been leaning toward getting a good used Class A, preferably with 1 - 2 slides to give me a bit more space. I searched and searched but did not find anything i was comfortable with. Then in July I spotted this ad for a new 2016 Fleetwood Flair with 2 slides and a fabulous kitchen! It had all the main basics I had determined I needed. So I bit the bullet so to speak and bought it. It is only 33' long, 3' longer than my older Class C. Yes, it would fit in my driveway, YAY!!

Very spacious!

LOTS of kitchen space! with a micro/convection oven and no oven under 

the range top so 2 more drawers!

Full length Queen Bed! And lots of closet space /drawers!

Larger propane tank 

Larger water /holding tanks

Thermo windows

Heated under belly

Just what I need for long-term boondocking and months-at-a-time camping!

Also , a new pup joined our family, so we are now again a family of 3!

Meet Sasha!

Meeting with Izzy the day I brought Sasha home

Sasha being content while I put stuff away in the new motorhome

Sasha learning to sit and stay while I descend the steps first

More pictures later. Thanks for stopping and please leave a comment if you care to.

Have a blessed day!!

More repairs.....

I did find out what Lady Blue's brake problem is and it not a master cylinder as expected. It is the ABS system causing the braking to mal-function. So..... the mechanic called for a new part to repair it. Uh oh, Ford no longer makes these parts ( LB is 20 years old as of January, well, probably already)

Mechanic said they can get a used part. It will take a week to get it shipped in, and he says hopefully it will work. No guarantees.  Say what? Ok so if this $250 part doesn't work, we look for another one that also might not work?? Hmmmm.....

As this year is supposed to be a little warmer winter in my region, I thought about not leaving out till at least after November anyway and maybe even the middle of December. Although Miss Izzy is anxious to go traveling as well. she even got treated to a spa day lately!

Meanwhile, I have been doing lots of yard work and trying to get things taken care of so there is not so much to do in the spring. Garden beds are being cleared and topped with lots of rich organic matter (known as compost from kitchen/garden scraps, leaves, and chicken manure)

I have thought long and hard about selling this sticks and bricks place and going full-time. I could do it and be perfectly happy......except I dont want to give up my chickens. Now isn't that silly?

I view my home here as my "summer camp". It is really peaceful, and serene.... if I don't have to look at the road in front of my house, and all the neighbors houses, and only view the back acre. I do have really nice neighbors, but sometimes I feel so closed in by it all.

More next time..... Thanks for stopping by!

Gypsy Voice Calling....

I don' know what there is about fall that makes this gypsy in me get the urge to travel....

Hmmm, maybe this is the reason!

Actually 2 weeks ago I sent for Benchmark map books for Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada, as well as added the new "RV Camping in Corp of Engineers Parks" book to my kindle library. 

I had to have a new alternator put on Lady Blue this summer, as well as a complete new awning; and a timing chain repair done to my Rav4 toad. I need to get the brakes on Lady Blue checked out, and we should be ready to roll again. 

This year I am leaving half the stuff I used to pack at home. I found out I didn't need that many clothes, jackets, dishes, and several other gadgets that I had packed before.

Izzy will be going with me again. I think she will enjoy it. She always does.

No people visiting plans this year.... just travel and see whats over the next hill. Going to see if I can get some spark back into my life.

Playing Quicky Catch-Up, Chapter 1

 

I will never, ever totally unpack my RV again.... EVER.

So long to get packed back up, I ended up throwing things in the back seat and rear of the toad just so I could get moving. I finally left PA about 1 pm on Oct 27th. I drove to Hubbard Ohio and stopped for the night at a truck stop between 2 trucks. They did not keep me awake. I slept like a log!

When I got up in the morning the gas for the fridge was not working. I had to get plugged into electric for the night so paid the price and spent the night at Elizabethtown Crossroads Campground. The owner there worked a bit with my fridge and got it working on gas again. He said it might be air in the lines from non-use. Hmmmm.... o-k I guess.

The next day I traveled to Bowling Green, thoroughly enjoying the exquisite colors nature had lavishly bestowed on this area of Kentucky this year! I decided to take an unplanned  detour and drove by the old home place and snapped a few photos. It was good to go there, as I was finally able to put closure to that part of my old life. I really had enjoyed the farm, but that is past, and I cannot go forward by looking back and second-guessing my decision to sell the place. 

 

At the end of Williams RD

 

The soybean fields of the farm

 

Leaving it behind and closing the door....

 

I met my friend Debbie, that day and we had lunch together. It was good to see each other again. We do keep in touch and she will always be a part of my life. Then I drove on over to Energy Lake where I got set up, took Izzy for a short walk, went to bed early, and crashed!

 

Look for the next chapter in my adventures!

 

Closer to Leaving

Packing up! All repairs (that I know were needed) are finally done! Just waiting on a couple Rx's from my doctor. A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks. My computer was jeopardized, my debit card compromised, and I am fighting depression from lack of sunshine. No matter, all has been repaired except me, and that's coming. Hens have been "fostered out" while Izzy and I take a much needed vacation.



Repairs and More Repairs

My pretty "Lady Blue" got her new tranny in and running just fine. Well..... the tranny is.

She's had a little trouble with her "git-up-n-go" apparatus. Oh dear, no fun being sick! And talk about the cost of office visits (repair garage) and the cost of another surgery (part replacement)!!

Seems her "git-up-n-go" got up and went!

She had to go back to the "doctor" and be "re-diagnosed". This time it seems the throttle feed, which is electronically controlled by a rheostat, not cable, had started to fail just when the new tranny had renewed all of our excitement about looking forward to the upcoming journey. I am sure glad to be learning about it now instead of breaking down somewhere, after we started out. Thanking the Lord!!

 

Part is ordered ($$$'s zoweeeee!!) will be put in Monday. Mechanic felt so bad about taking so long with the tranny he is only charging me for the part, not labor. Well, that is some good news!

  Rav4 toad has new back tires and rotors.

Maybe now,  we can all stay well and get going before the cold weather hits??

Oh, and Izzy has been to the vet for a checkup and to the groomer for a shampoo and trim.

"Can we go now, Mommy, please??"

We are all just chomping at the bit to get out there again, although it will be another couple weeks yet.  Can you say "FREEDOMmm"???

 

PS. 103:1-5