One day closer to warmer weather

Your Daily Horoscope for January 13, 2013

Is it time to let go? Maybe that old flame needs to stay in the past, or maybe you need to finally get rid of all that clutter that is making your neighbors start to wonder about your mental health.

I think my horoscope is really talking to me today. After yesterday and us almost doing a trade-for-trade for the van and today waking up and being angry with Joon Van...this horoscope is definitely speaking my language. It's not that I hate this van, I don't. There are just days that I want to throw everything in it away, including my clothes, that's all! haha I also don't think my raging hormones are helping at this point in time. We were rolling the bed up this morning and something just happened and I turned into a big ball of hot mess. J' is now calling this The Bed Roll Cry! Hey, at least we can laugh at it, right!? I just want to stand up, I want to move around, I don't want to roll the bed up anymore, I want storage...that you can access easily, I want open space, I want to be able to drive the van without having to move everything in it first. Yes, I'm full of wants today. I had a feeling the R.T.R. would have this effect on us! I know some people would say, "Then why don't you just get a house." Um, no...that's not the point. Those people don't get it. We love the lifestyle, we just want a little bit more room, that's it. I'm also pretty sure the weather isn't helping either right now. This is what we saw when we woke up this a.m....

[caption id="attachment_3307" align="aligncenter" width="225"] 30 degree difference![/caption]

Thank goodness for our four solid walls or we would be feeling that 30* instead of the warmer 60* inside! See why we haven't been spending our days outside lately!? This colder weather sure does make for some good snuggle time though, especially with Nana she's our very own space heater!

[caption id="attachment_3309" align="alignleft" width="150"] Good man[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3310" align="alignright" width="150"] Warming up[/caption]

 Daddy let me stay in this morning while he walked Savannah...thank you Daddy! It just looks cold out there...I also had to make the bed and it's easier when I don't have Savannah pinning the blankets down! After we rolled the bed up, J' got out his drill and fixed us up for "showers". We have two 1 gallon jugs (that iced tea came in), the lids are interchangeable (we have 3 lids)...he drilled holes in one of the lids to make it like a shower head and then the other two lids will stay solid. It will make for a much better "shower" when we wash each others hair. He's thinking with his noggin!

I think I stayed in the van pretty much the whole day, except to walk Savannah and take a few pictures...I found the tripod!

 

 



[caption id="attachment_3320" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Day[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3321" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Night[/caption]

Even though the weather isn't exactly at the temperature we would like to have, we are still getting the most beautiful sunsets and you know I love those sunsets! We saw on the news that the weather should be warming up by next weekend, so just one more week and we should be in the clear for the "Winter Weather"...or at least we are hoping!

PEACE

 

 

Taking shots of 'Freshness' today

 Well, I'd like to say we are out of the "throes" of sickness but, ya know...I just don't know if we are yet. Last night was probably the worst of it yet. J' definitely caught some kind of stomach bug, he rarely ever gets sick and whatever he has is something of a whole different species! We are hoping the worst of it is over, but we shall wait and see.

The R.T.R. is officially starting today, Bob said he would hold a meeting this morning at 10. We were planning on attending until the Monster of Misery decided to have a slumber party in our fort! We left our spot at about 8:00 a.m. this morning to go get some medicine, take showers and do laundry. It was time to clean everything around us and put some freshness back into the van! We drove over to Ehrenberg and took showers at the Flying J. I have to say, we love those showers! They are always so nice, clean and maintained and you can relax and take as long as you want. They have so many showers that there is never a rush...even when it's super busy. We really like it!

[caption id="attachment_3209" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Clean cutie[/caption]

We looked at the washers and dryers at the Flying J but 1- there wasn't enough room in the small space they had to do what we needed to and 2- it was a little more costly $2.25 per wash and $2.25 per dry. 

We decided to just drive the extra 1/2 mile down the road to the mini mall in 'Downtown Ehrenberg'. The machines there are $1.25 per wash and $.25 for 8 minutes of drying...it's like we are back in Fresno prices, works for me! We were pretty much the only people there, so it was nice and quiet. It only took about an hour and a half to wash, dry and fold everything...then another half hour or so to make the bed.

[caption id="attachment_3212" align="alignleft" width="150"] In between...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3213" align="alignright" width="150"] Quartzsite[/caption]

 Then we were back on the road to Quartzsite! The nice thing about being in Ehrenberg, other than cleaning off the icky illness was, it was about 10-15 degrees warmer there. When we were making the bed, it was 81* and we were both in tank tops and I had my flops on.....salivating over warmer weather! ☼

We got back and noticed a couple of new campers had arrived. We talked to a few people about "the meeting" this morning...turns out the actual 'meet & greet' will be tomorrow morning, that way new people will have time to set up camp and all of that.

[caption id="attachment_3216" align="aligncenter" width="300"] RTR Camp[/caption]

So for the rest of the day it's going to be maxin' and relaxin' for this crew. We both want to be at our best for the start of things tomorrow...looks like DVD land tonight!

Until tomorrow my friends

PEACE

 

 

BLM in Blythe is muy Bueno

Well, Parker only lasted for a whole day! We slept at the Wal-mart last night after watching the fights...Benson Henderson won against Nate Diaz. It was a great fight, so glad we found a place we could watch it at. We woke up semi-early, walked Savannah...boy was it cold out this morning!

[caption id="attachment_2929" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chilled to the bone[/caption]

We started driving around 9 a.m., we're not in a rush to get anywhere...where are we going? We figured we would just drive over to Blythe, CA and see what our options were over there.

We drove past a ton of farm land, many many stacks of hay with no animals to feed and for the first time in my life...cotton plants!

[caption id="attachment_2918" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Do they sell this?[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2919" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Miles and miles of Cotton![/caption]

We drove out of the "country" and hit a frontage road that had a Flying J on it...haven't seen one of these since June! We stopped, filled the tank up just a little bit and went inside to look around. If you've never been to a truck stop, especially a Flying J, they have so much stuff in there to look at and it's all stuff people in this lifestyle use so it's fun to see what they have. Since we hit the road this morning without putting anything in our bellies we did a 'horrible horrible' thing and bought coffee and Cinnabon! I don't think either of us had actually ever bought a Cinnabon in our lives...not something we would normally buy or eat but today felt different. Get ready for the biggest freakin' sugar high!

[caption id="attachment_2920" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sugar Fest 2012[/caption]

It actually took me half the day to finish it...going back in a few times until the whole thing was gone. My stomach can't handle that much sugar all at once...my goodness! And of course, Savannah helped a little bit!

[caption id="attachment_2921" align="aligncenter" width="300"] She had a pretty firm grasp on it![/caption]

We drove over into California and found towers almost instantly...yep, follow those towers! We headed out to what looked like the desert but found ourselves in a neighborhood type area then into an RV park called The Hidden Beaches. We didn't see any water but maybe that's where they got their name from!? We stopped and asked the Ranger/Host (Steve) if he knew of any BLM and after a very nice conversation I had the name of a couple of places we could camp. We headed back out and with the directions he gave me, within about 10 minutes, we were on BLM land looking for our next spot!

[caption id="attachment_2922" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Wide Open Spaces[/caption]

There is a TON of open space out here and it doesn't seem like anyone is out here...kind of weird for this time of year. Where is everyone? We drove up the trail a few miles, we like being more off the main road than right on it and since we have a good vehicle we can go a little further back. We found a great spot and were level right away...perfect!

[caption id="attachment_2925" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Happy Huntress[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2924" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Panorama[/caption]

 Now that we're parked for the day...this girl needs a shower so I'm off to get 'so fresh and so clean'. Hope you have a fruity fresh day!

PEACE

 

Rejuvenation...complete.

Over the past few days I've just been doing lots of odds and ends. J' got my chair down for me so I've been sitting outside...ahhhh, I love sitting outside! I feel so much more refreshed and connected when sitting outside. I can sit in the sun, be closer to Nana and I just love being outside!

I've gotten some things done that aren't even that big, but annoying to not have done.

I took a shower, it's so nice and warm in this spot...it was actually a really nice (almost warm) shower!

[caption id="attachment_2829" align="aligncenter" width="150"] So fresh & so clean[/caption]

I sewed our silverware holder back together, the top was totally coming apart from the part that holds the silverware...so everything kept falling out of it every time you would pick it up.

[caption id="attachment_2830" align="alignleft" width="150"] Ah, geez[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2832" align="alignright" width="150"] Together again[/caption]

Since I had the needle and thread out, I secured my snap button on my favorite knit sweater, it was starting to pull away from the yarn...didn't want to lose it!

[caption id="attachment_2831" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Sew Radical[/caption]

 I have also spent anywhere from a half hour to an hour each day picking up rusty nails, broken glass and trash that has been left behind. I don't understand people and the thought process of leaving this stuff behind. I think it's very disrespectful. I started picking it up because I couldn't walk Savannah 5 feet in any direction without yanking her out of glass or nails or pulling trash out of her mouth...she's just a baby! Also, once we started looking around we started realizing we may pick one up in a tire if we're not careful so it became a daily thing.

[caption id="attachment_2833" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Full bag...tsk tsk tsk[/caption]

 Having some things to do in town and knowing about all of the trash, glass and nails we left our 'sweet spot' to do our errands. We had a full day ahead of us...crazy how two things take all day to do! The car wash: Wash Joon along with the mats and rug inside (and the grill). Laundry: 9 loads of dirty, dusty digs! Oh and we had to get water and ice, but that takes like 10 minutes.

[caption id="attachment_2840" align="alignleft" width="150"] Scrub a dub dub[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2841" align="alignright" width="150"] The inside too![/caption]

 The AZ Car Wash was a super nice wash and it was pretty much right next to the Laundromat so it worked out really well. While I started sorting the clothes into machines and doing my thing inside, J' was pulling clothes out of bags from inside and off the top, all of our sheets and blankies off the bed...anything that needed washing. While J' was outside getting the van squared away again with the mats and all that, I was inside feeling like I was in a Library...oh and getting yelled at! It's been a while, hasn't it!? I wasn't the only one this time though, haha. See, there are signs on every single dryer saying, Please close dryers gently. I thought I was doing a pretty good job at not slamming them, but the lady that worked there, ironing undies, thought differently and literally yelled across the laundromat at me to not slam the door. Okay, I shut it hard but I didn't slam it. Then about two minutes later, a dude on the other side of the 'mat slammed his dryer door. That lady came out from behind her ironing board and tapped him pretty hard on the shoulder, sternly telling him not to slam the dryer doors. My goodness! About a half hour later, I was so in my own world that I guess I had lost my flow of gently shutting the door and "slammed" it again....yep, got yelled at again! I looked up after she walked away and the shoulder tap guy was looking at me, laughing to himself. We had a 'moment'...it was kind of funny, but I couldn't wait to be done.

[caption id="attachment_2844" align="alignleft" width="150"] Very clean[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2845" align="alignright" width="150"] 2 out of 9[/caption]

 Finally done with laundry and the van...and $30.00 dollars later, yep expensive here! Thank goodness J' does the outside stuff while I'm doing the inside stuff, it would take twice as long if we didn't have each other there. I sort, wash, dry and fold and he takes everything apart and puts everything back together, especially making the bed from foam to fort! We were both totally pooped when we were finally done and ready to go back to camp and just veg. We found a new spot sans all the nails and glass, it's actually up on a little perch and we can still see all of the towers so we are getting hella good signal for TV...hopefully the wifi will be just as good.

[caption id="attachment_2852" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Pretty perfect![/caption]

Overall the last few days have been very successful. Many things have been accomplished...doesn't really matter how big or small, things are things and once they are done it feels good. Now, we are pulling our fort out early, everyone is clean in the clean sheets and ready to get our snoozers going!

Goodnight my friends, much love and light to you and yours!

PEACE

 

 

Rain, Rain Come our way!!

I'm just going to skip yesterday all together due to not being able to walk, really at all. I cannot put my heel down in the slightest, it feels as if I might have a little bit of nerve damage but maybe my foot is still just in shock. It doesn't even look that bad, but it hurts like hell!

[caption id="attachment_1365" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bruised and major swelling[/caption]

I did however get in a chilly shower and with the wind being sooo crazy, I got a natural blow-out for free!

[caption id="attachment_1364" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Scary, huh[/caption]

I've even been thinking, for about three weeks now, about really cutting my hair. It's a constant thought so maybe I'll just take the plunge soon...we'll see. Anyway, it's a pretty nippy day today. It started out a little breezy and as the day goes on I'm finding myself putting on more clothing. Even though it's only about 64 degrees right now, being in the middle of the barren desert, it feels a bit colder than that.

[caption id="attachment_1366" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Snuggled up but can still "window hunt"[/caption]

From the news and weather we've been catching on the tube, they have been saying it's supposed to storm this week and by the looks of it...they were right! The clouds are definitely moving in, along with the cooler weather. I'm just glad we got our showers in yesterday!

I think if the rain does come it will be fun to see and with all of our stuff contained it will be fun to sit in it. We had that one "big rain" at Tai Shan but I think the rains out here are going to make that look like a sprinkle...but what do I know, I've never camped in the desert. Either way it should be fun and interesting!

[caption id="attachment_1368" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Looks like rain[/caption]

I really like it out here. I think it's a photographers' dream for landscape work. Now we all know that I'm no professional photographer but I do love to take pictures and it's amazing to see how the scenery changes, literally from minute to minute. The sun hits the mountains, the land, the clouds, everything is different moment to moment...it's amazing!

The rain actually never hit us today. It just danced around us in the mountains all day. I was happy to get some good pics and we still have two more days (per weather forecaster) of rain, so maybe we'll get lucky with a downpour tomorrow!?

'Til then, we'll catch ya on the flip side, yo!

PEACE

 

 

Scraping up some Cache

With all of this sitting in the van these days; haven't gotten my chair out yet and catching up...yes, still on posts, I decided today would be a great day for a much longer walk then Savannah and I usually take. I also turned very brave and instead of walking on the "main road" I took off into the desert.

Very shortly after, J' decided to stretch his legs too and come with us...so we headed on a walk into the almighty desert! Just a little 411 on this Florida girl, I wear flip-flops about 98.99% of the time. It does not matter if it's snowing outside, raining, sunny, whatever...my flops and I go hand in hand! J' actually gets stern with me sometimes because I always wear the 'wrong shoes' when we go for long walks or adventures, yep, always have my flops on. I have slipped, I have fallen, I have nearly broken my ankles but they are just so airy and free and easy! haha

[caption id="attachment_1340" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It's all good[/caption]

So there we are in the desert barely 50 yards from the van, walking talking and I took a step and felt something hard hit my right heel. I thought I had hit the edge of a really sharp rock so I took a look at the bottom of my foot/shoe and there was a stick stuck in my shoe. Okay, I thought I'll just pull it out and I'll be back on our stroll. As I went to pull it out though, it was not coming out...that's when I realized this little stick had gone through my shoe and into my heel. Yep, I panicked! I started calling out to J' to come help, it's in my foot, oh my gosh...tears and tears. My knight and shining armor came to my rescue and yanked it out of my foot. I thought I could go on but it hurt pretty bad and when I looked down and saw a small pool of blood accumulating on my flop I freaked out... yep, more tears. We walked back to the van and cleaned it, put some iodine in it (I swear J' was going to send Iodine into my brain with how hard he was pushing it into my heel, but by his story he just really wanted it to get in there).

Don't mind my dirty feet!

[caption id="attachment_1341" align="aligncenter" width="300"] So painful[/caption]

The stick was about 1/2 an inch in my foot. Since I've never had anything stuck in my foot before that was certainly long enough! After J' cleaned me up and I cleaned up my tears, we started back on our way. I could handle this! We walked around and looked at all of the cool and different types of Flora out here. There are cactus, Yucca plants, those really hard and painful bushes that went through my foot AND our tire (yep, same one) and some other little white bushes that look like big cotton balls...but beware they are not fluffy!

[caption id="attachment_1344" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The Painful Plant at large[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1345" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Yucca Yucca[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1343" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cotton Ball Bush[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1346" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Pinky Cacti[/caption]

 That's when we stumbled upon something new and fascinating. It wasn't just the object that we stumbled upon, but the idea of why it was there in the first place. Now, I know we're pretty hip and up-to-date people (yes, you can laugh) but I think we are a little late on finding this new trend, er...game. About 12 years late! We have found Geo-caching!! The coolest part about it? It was magical finding this first cache together, it was a surprise just waiting for us in this wide open space. At first, we thought we hit the jackpot...maybe there was money in there!? I knew I took my walk into the desert tonight for a reason!

[caption id="attachment_1347" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Someone left us cookies!![/caption]

 We opened it up and started taking everything out to look at it. We brought it back to the van so we could spread everything out, after all this was the coolest thing we've discovered yet. This particular cache has been here since 2006, there didn't seem to be too much in it but it was fun to look at everything.

[caption id="attachment_1348" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cache Cards[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1349" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chillin' in a cookie tin[/caption]

 We sat and went through everything and made sure to log our find in one of the books. We didn't take anything, but started talking about what we could contribute to the caches along the way. And you know we had to sign up and become members on the website! haha There is a huge group of people that play this game all over the world. It's amazing. We started looking to see if there were any other caches in the area and it turns out there are hundreds of them. We put a few into our GPS and thought we would give one more a go before sundown...plus we had to put the other one back.

[caption id="attachment_1350" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cutest Cacher around![/caption]

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that after we cleaned my boo-boo I broke down and put on my boots....I didn't even have to be scolded into them! haha They are freakin' sweet and are perfect for this area.

[caption id="attachment_1351" align="aligncenter" width="300"] These boots WERE made for walkin'![/caption]

We made the second cache right before the sun fully set. We took the GPS with us this time and it was only .4 miles away but walking through bushes, washes and rocks it seemed a lot farther than that. This one was kind of hidden...like a treasure! Ooooo, I LOVE treasures!!

[caption id="attachment_1352" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hidden Treasure[/caption]

 I was scared to take the wood off of the tin because I don't know what's been living under that thing, but again I was brave and just whipped those logs off and bam! There she was!

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ta-daa[/caption]

When we opened this cache there were colors jumping out at you everywhere, this one had a lot more in it. We just looked through it at the site due to the sun setting so quickly, signed the log, covered her back up and headed home.

[caption id="attachment_1353" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A 5 year old's dream![/caption]

 We were escorted home by another stunning sunset.

What a cool find, eh!? It just goes to show you never know what's out there for you to find or discover. I'm sure what we found is just the beginning to a new, fun, interesting part of our lives.

When will you pop your Geo-cache cherry?

PEACE