Desert Sightseeing

Hello Readers,
We had an absolute beautiful weekend and was able to go with people from the park to visit some pretty cool sights.  We have learned that there is Arizona State Trust land -- you need an annual permit (which we purchased) to drive/hike/explore, etc.  There are usually signs posted but some of the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) laps over -- BLM land is free and usually has "dry" camping opportunities too.

The pictures below are from just NW of Congress on AZ State Trust land -- there is so much topography changes with outcrops of rocks and then typical "desert" looking land.

Darrel is picking is way up the rocks to Jim, who was in the traveling group.

Darrel always picks out the tiny rock (just in in the middle of pic) and says,

"what keeps it there from rolling down the cliff?"  I always reply, not today!

Pretty cool Indian rock where they lived

You can see the holes where they ground their grain.

On to BLM land which is located behind North Ranch out the back gate -- the travel is definitely by Side x Side, 4 wheelers and the gentleman one street over, Bob and his dog, Ruger, offered to take Darrel and me out to see the trails that go out further than we could probably hike!  

We were in search of the Crested Saguaro cactus and we saw so much more.

Deep ravine with Darrel (in coveralls) and Bob exploring the options.

It just kept going with lots of deep drop offs

You could slide a long way down, if you started down!

Beautiful scenery across the acquifur

Vulture Mine Peak in the center of the pic

Ah ha, the Crested Saguaro -- they have this "crown" the looks like a Fleur de Leis (sp)

Right next to it was the traditional Saguaro, framing the Weaver Mountains

Just amazing!

Closer up to the Crested top

Susan next to this tall giant -- puts the size into perspective!

So we had a really great couple of days seeing the sights in the desert, just around the corner. We just find more new things to see as people share their knowledge and willingness to share with us.

Until next time ---

Happy Travels,

Susan & Darrel

Where do the days go?

Hello Readers,
Well, I can tell you the days fly by and I am not really sure just what all we do!  The weather has been beautiful with plenty of sunshine and warm days --- the nights are cooling off to upper 40's maybe a couple of upper 30's on the way.  We seem to find plenty to do outside and enjoy our walks and bicycle rides (I love our garage sale bikes we picked up for little dollars).

The neighbor behind our lot is just settling into their lot from moving onto it this spring.  They are from Oregon and travel back for family and business.  Sandy and I manage to take a bicycle spin around the park a few times each week.

We washed the truck on Friday and I told Darrel, you now what this means "it will rain" since the truck is clean.  Little did I know that that meant within about 45 mins -- the skies just blackened over the mountains, the temps dropped and down came the rain for about an hour.  So the next morning we dried off the truck and it is still fairly clean!

And of course, I am still playing pickle ball through the week.  We did take a motorcycle ride on Sunday but traffic was busy and we didn't go out for too long.  It was nice to get them out and take a quick spin.

I haven't taken any new pictures lately but I have some "winter pics" my sister texted me of the campground where we stayed at Lake Perry when back in Topeka.  Yikes, I am so glad we aren't trying to stay there now!!  I remember the 100 degree temps the two weeks we were there so....

Aren't these awesome?  I really enjoyed seeing the icy sculptures from home.  I don't get to see snow in Arizona where we are (yet) but snow has fallen in Flagstaff, Payson, Show Low and down the mountain range. I am living the snow scene vicariously between family members in Kansas and Colorado!  Go family go!

Better close for now, finishing up dinner, dishes and putting on the comfy clothes to relax before bedtime. 

Sending love to all,
Susan & Darrel

Survival Tips for Illness in an RV

Yes, it has happened, and guess who?  It was SUSAN, not Darrel (well, we both had the stomach upset) but mine went much more haywire and lasted longer.  I guess it is true, Darrel has an ironclad stomach!

I remember asking a couple when we were staying at Left Tailrace in Chamberlain, SD, how you deal with being sick while full time RVing.  They had been full timing for 2 years and we had been full timing for 2 weeks, so seemed a good thing to ask??

They kindly told me that it was the same, you felt lousy, tossed your cookies (or the other end stuff) and then you felt better ..... all in different locations! 😃 Seems so simple, right?  Well, I would add a few things to that sage advice.

So I've developed some Survival tips (in case I might forget or you want to pass them on)

1. Stock a big bowl, or designate a trash can for the tossing of your cookies
2. Be thankful for the 2nd bathroom so we didn't have to share (or be ready to schedule bathroom use)
3. Add an electric throw (we find these are easier on space taking) to your linen cabinet -- this was very useful when needing the warming comfort to snuggle in
4. Pack a thermometer in your medicine cabinet -- a 100.9 temperature IS a temperature 😷
5. Keep Chicken Noodle soup and saltines stocked at all times.
6. Remember, this too will pass....and take care of each other!

So no pics of this experience as I really didn't want to share any of those moments.  We are both much better and just a little tired which I am sure will be gone by tomorrow.

I hope you are all well and taking care of yourselves.

Back on the healthy road,

Susan & Darrel

PS -- Just has to put a pic in --- the previous post had the drawer catches, well, Darrel added this hidey hole that we store our wrap supplies (saran, foil, wax, etc. and the occasional roll of paper towels).  He just finds all ways to add storage to our home!

The Simple Things

Hello Readers,
I couldn't resist sharing our newest "fail safe" drawers in the RV --- ever since the "drawer" catching incident, Darrel has added catches to the drawers to "protect" them from moving during travel.  I think "baby proofing" but we have no baby, so there you are!

Notice the catch on the left, when the door is closed, it hooks into the "latch" and you have to open the door an inch or so and then press down to release the 'latch" to open completely.

Another drawer with the "travel safe" proofing added.

So far he has the cabinets done by the slides, pantry and the overheads, but I can tell you, they are so much fun to remember the "catch & release" method for cabinet opening when you are sleepy or mindless (either one can work for Susan & Darrel) -- we are getting use to them, kind of a love/hate relationship.

But I close this Simple Things post with two beautiful pics I accidentally caught tonight as the sun set over the mountains.  We were cloudy most of the day and the sun just peeked out long enough to give us some color changes in the clouds.

The simple things in life are truly worth enjoying!

Take care, we miss you all,

Love,

Susan & Darrel

AZ Flora

Hello Readers,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  I know many of you were blasted by snow and blizzard conditions -- while we basked in sunshine and coolish temps for Arizona.  I guess I shouldn't whine about low 60's!!

As I promised, I managed to wander around the park and snap pictures of the flora -- I have to admit the fauna is much tougher as there are quick bunnies and startled quail that I cannot seem to be camera ready so I will dazzle you with the desert growing things I see.  I don't know many names but will try to label or given information that I know.

Citrus trees, lemons and limes are tricky until they are fully ripe and the color changes

Again, either grapefruit or orange, my guess grapefruit by size.  These aren't ready for another month or so but they look ready to fall.

I think this is Agave, there are many varieties so difficult to know for sure.

Barrel cactus, and again, there a few varieties, I think this may be a golden?

I've heard them called paddle cactus, but the ones on our lot are much larger!

Saguaro cactus, and this is a big one on a lot across the street

A mixture of cactus in the landscaping around a lot

Big Saguaro with lots of "limbs"

The red "growths" are the fruit of the paddle cactus -- the cactus wrens love to feed on them.

I think this is a "cholla" cactus and you have to be careful around them as they fall off the "mother" plant and the static in the air will make them catch onto you when walking the desert.

Oleander, very poisonous

Don't know, looks like a rose and really thorny

The flowering bushes are "Lantana" not sure of spelling, but spelling phonically

Many colors of blossoms, and some are variegated.

Again, a flowering bush, with mega thorns

I was told these are some type of arborvitae, the grow really fast and tall in a column -- they make a stately appearance around doorways and driveways. 

This is a Paola Verde tree, Arizona state tree -- they are GREEN! Bark, leaves, pretty much everything and are big!

It is such a change of landscaping from the midwest, you get use to seeing no leaves but everything seems pretty short except for the occasional evergreen tree.  I will try to find more but with winter coming on, there will be little color changes until spring rains.

Hope you all enjoyed the flora sharing -- we are exploring the desert more and took a walk to Inspiration Point but mostly the landscape was sand, packed dirt and rocks with low scrubby bush.

Best wishes to all,

Susan & Darrel