Down Time / Dust Storms / Pro Bloggers

So it's been a couple of days since I wrote anything , had an epiphany of sorts . Way too much time scurrying about with all the little projects , too much time expended on devising different ways of making life more complicated , even read some news ! TIME OUT ! Slowed the pace a little , picked up one of the many books I've been meaning to read , stretched out on the couch , tuned in some real old songs and just let it flow [ to coin a phrase from Elvin Bishop ] . Spent some time on the deck watching the mountains breathe and listening to the desert sounds . Brought my mental batteries back to full charge . I let the theater of my mind develop it's own scenarios while dredging up images of past highways and experiences . Meanwhile my new gadget from Skype kept me in touch with friends and firmly anchored in the current time zone .
I had my second go around with a dust storm Saturday night , this one came out of the East , much like the first one I experienced . It was more than a little distubing at times as I hadn't taken too many precautions against just such an event . After picking up my few possesions that seemed to be attempting a journey from here to Nogales on their own and helping Bob retrieve the parks various and sundry fixtures , then getting the majority of the dust out of the trailer , decided it would behoove me to anchor some of this stuff . A couple of hours and some diligent hammering and tricky sailors knots left me feeling a bit more confident when the next one comes .How hard did it blow ? Well , I had to reset the stabilizer jacks on the trailer and re-level the damn thing ! Some fierce winds !
I'd like to write a few words about some of these Pro Bloggers . I don't want or need your advice , but thanks anyway . If you feel the need to expose your every feeling and action to the public , have at it ! Personally I couldn't care less about your financials , the brand of tooth paste , your rig or your internet connection with the mega bucks sat dish . If you are suffering from the" look at me syndrome " we more than likely wouldn't get along anyway , but have a good life ! In deference to the guy who wrote and told me about including a fiancials statement in the blog , here you go : Income for this year to date : I'm not sure ?
Expenditures for this month : Let's see... I paid the lot rent , bought some otter pops , and had a couple of cups of coffee at the Portal Lodge , Gas for Van ? Yes , price per gallon ? Needed it didn't check . Food ?
Trip to Douglas a couple of weeks ago , I think I spent about $80 , still have plenty , might go later this week to get a turkey to fry for Memorial day .Entertainment ? You've got to be kidding.?!
Point being I got rid of all the crap that you are spending megabucks to drag with you ! I don't have a lot of non essential possesions , can't say that's the way for everyone , just works for me . Keeps the stress level down to about a 1/2 percent on the scale of one to ten .
Last night started to fool around with the camera as there were some bodacious clouds , as there are so seldom a lot to be seen out here , was interesting to watch them boil up over the mountain tops and slip across the valley . Here are the results at sunset , almost always is remarkable , last night after I reviewed the pictures it was awesome ! Enjoy...
Stay tuned ....

 

 

Finishing projects / Enjoying the Deck / Desert Survival

The last couple of days have been spent trying to finish all the little projects i've had laying about cluttering up my life . Hot water leak fixed , sewer line raised and drained , door sill reattached , window seals cleaned and lubed  air conditioner filters cleaned , latch on the bathroom door fixed , cleaned the inside of the van , made new station on Jango [ easy listening with Julie London , Tony Bennett , Martin Denny , John Coltrane and Billie Holliday aloong others ] cleaned inside of the traler after the mess I made fixing the other stuff. So you can see I haven't been a complete sluggard ! Today an attempt will be made on the laundry and a trip to the Mercantile to get re-bar and 2x4s [more projects !] . Expect to finish trimming out the deck this evening , figured to wait as my neighbors work nights . They are from some govmnt agency , out tagging bats , so even though I don't see the point in tagging bats , at least they have a job and if they can catch and tag a bat , I can refrain from hamering at 8 o'clock in the morning . Hell , I'd rather sit on the deck and look at the mountains anyway !

Speaking of the deck I attempted a self portrait of me enjoying the sunset out on the deck . What do you think ? Am I having a good time or what ! About 5 o'clock the evening breeze is just right for relaxing , and enjoying the view around here . I can sit facing any direction and see the vistas , I can do a 360 degree if I sit at one  end or another .

 

Sometimes I wonder how I got here ?

Then again , why did it take me so long to find this place?

 
 

Reminds me of the song "Don't fence me in "

 

You get to see the sunset twice !

Looking at the pictures reminds me to share with those of you that haven't traveled out west or in the desert a few survival actions that may save you a lot of grief :
A full gas tank is a happy gas tank.
A small can of gas carried with you is not a bad idea .
A five gallon collapsible container of water is nice to have . For those of you who are weight concious it's less than 30 lbs.
A few tools in a small kit or box
Plenty of drinking water , whether it's bottled or whatever .
Some snacks or dried fruit , something to munch on , it's a long way between towns .
Make sure of the spare tire , road service is pretty ifffy , if at all / or carry some fix a flat or one of those things
A hat with a brim and crown , ball caps don't help much . Why do you think cowboys wear those hats ?
Road service plans are great . If they can find you !
A full gas tank is a happy gas tank ! Yes I know I repeated it ! Twice , since I've been here this time I've had to stop on the way to Douglas to give some gas  to somebody on the side of the road ! Reason , they heard gas is  cheaper down by the border ! It is by a few cents , but you have to get there to enjoy that few cents savings . Add to the problem , there is no cell phone signal down in the valley . Once you get over the pass at either end or travel east 20 or 30 miles you can pick one up , maybe ! Going west is a long trek over the Chiricahuas , about 40 miles then there are still no gas stations and possibly a cell phone signal as you get closer to Wilcox , Arizona .
Sounds simple ? It is most people have the common sense to figure it out , doesn't hurt to remind folks though .

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                         Just couldn't resist , I'm really having a good time !!
Stay tuned ...
                
                               

Progress / A small rant / observation

Another incredible New Mexico morning ! A gentle breeze slipping across the desert floor , stirring the early morning aromas and waking the desert creatures . Out the front door this morning , a small covey of quail , several of the birds I have yet to know their names , the usual bunch of cotton tails feasting along the fence line , over by the edge a large jack rabbit lumbers about seeking the perfect foliage to devour for breakfast . A far better scene to start my day than watching the talking heads on some TV show , their plastic faces and artificial hair defying gravity and practicing their verbosity on the millions of unsuspecting viewers that think that they are telling the truth or possibly giving them some bit of information that matters . Not to sound bitter , just happened to come across a couple of blogs last night that set me off . Supposed travelers seeking a better way of life , much like I. Their first action upon arriving at an RV park or camp ground set up the satelite dish , don't want to miss the latest goings on in whatever inane show is the flavor of the moment . On the other side of the coin there are some younger members of the RV set out there discovering America and finding out how to be self sufficient , raising their families , making a living , and still find time to enjoy life . The blog that got me started on this rant is http://tumblewagon.com/2009/05/11/the-rv-community/ , these young folks get it ! At least they are doing what appears to make more sense than sitting in an urban quagmire moaning about how bad things are and how hard life is . They aren't the only ones , just happen to folow them , I like to see how they view some of the same things I've seen and their reactions .
Rant over !
Progress on the deck is good , yesterday was kind of a lay day , pretty windy with quite a few dust devils . Made for a poor work day . Since this isn't a contract job we sat on the porch and drank ice tea . Worked on it some this morning and will probably finish the majority of work today . Still in the throes of picking out the covering , may need a trip to Safford to  Home Depot for that .
Just a casual observation , folks seem to be fairly upset with all the bone heads making jokes about various known figures in the news . They need to read or re-read Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land , most all comedy is painful to someone , start censoring one be ready to censor them all and do it fairly . In most cases thumb screws work well !
Some pictures of the deck in progress .
Stay tiuned .....

 

 

Running the loop / Doing a Lazy Sunday

An unwelcome early morning wake up yesterday , old friend pain showed up and just wouldn't leave ! No telling what set it off , maybe the way I slept or could be just too much activity , at any rate along about 5:30AM  I was wide awake and though I'm not saying I was bright eyed and bushy tailed , I was AWAKE . No chance of sleep now , get up , do the coffee thing , sit down answer a couple of E-mails , wait for the sun and listen to the birds start their routine , finally figured out why they like the roof of the trailer so much .  Water ! Moisture condenses on the roof top at night and the little fellers get up there in the morning to have a drink . Wish I could train them to hit the button on the coffee machine , would save me all of two steps ! Anyway , after the sun started it's ascent , I once again decided to avoid the inernet news and load the van for a road trip . No particular destination , but , I am known for having a loop to ride to clear my head and do a little therapy thinking . Checking the list for a trip ; extra water , gas can , some snacks , cell phone , yeah , a beautiful day and a full gas tank . I'm good to go ! Out on highway 80 , up through Granite Gap and take the road to Cotton City that runs across the valley . Cruising slow and easy checking out the ranches , here's the road to Lords burg or over to Animas . Left or right ? Take the left to Lordsburg , I can stop and get an ice tea and have a bathroom break , even if it means a few miles on the interstate . AHHHHH! the traffic , the noise , the damn trucks traveling at light speed , and the smell ! I had to roll the window up ! An exit was spyed promising a way to Silver City / Deming  , works for me . I'd rather crawl through broken glass than drive on the interstate ! Here we go , ice tea firmly gripped onto a road I can deal with back to a normal speed , a signpost directs me towards Deming , rail road tracks to my right and wide open desert on my left this back road takes me all the way over to Rt 11 and down to Deming . As I perambulate around town I don't see much activity . It's Sunday morning and not many businesses are open , a few restaurants getting started . A few more empty buildings since I was here last , the big grocery finally has closed it's doors , guess Wally world was too much for them , back to RT11 and down towards Columbus ,traffic is light except for State Police and Border Patrol . Outside of town the fields are greening up a couple of machines out baling the first cutting of hay , a couple of fields ready for planting , a pecan grove being groomed for the summer . A real wake up is the many empty houses along the road , I mean nice places , what's up with that ? Have to ask Cissy when I see her on Tues . Down in Columbus even less activity than Deming , this drug / border thing is really hurting them , stopped at the gas station at the intersection of RT 11 and RT 9 to gas up and practice my bad spanish . Remember in the desert a full gas tank is a happy gas tank !
Taking a right onto Rt9 {Pancho Villa's was closed for brakfast / lunch ?] and the journey homewards was started . once you leave Columbus there is wide open desert all the way to Hatchita , on your left you are looking into Mexico and the wasteland that comprises the natural border that separates us from that country .

I'm sure everyone is aware of the illegals thing , here is what they have to come through to get here ..








I'm not making any judgments or saying who is right or wrong , this is what an illegal will endure to get into this country , miles and miles of it !

Traveling onwards towards Hatchita and finding it even more desolate than I remembered , continued towards Animas . The only surprise was at the Playa training station , it looks like an interstate exchange out in the middle of the desert ! Not a thing for miles in any direction , it just sits there awaiting the hoards of people it was designed to accommodate . More on this later . Just outside of Animas there is this little turnout with a marker and some stock pens ,

 

 

 

Doesn't look like much does it ?







Here's the surounding countryside ,

                                              

Like I said , pretty much wide open spaces , imagine coming through here 80 to 100 years ago the only sign of civilization would be those stock pens and the rail road tracks , I expect they would be a welcome sight! Perhaps even water ! I trundled over through Animas and started the ride down the pass to rodeo . Rusty's was a welcome sight from the hilltop and as I turned into the Ranch , Bob and June sitting on the porch taking the afternoon breeze was picture perfect . A quick stop to regale them of my trip and over to my comfort spot to hold the couch hostage with a fan on me !!
Stay tuned ...

Dateline Rodeo , New Mexico

Bob , June and I had grilled hot dogs with fresh green chilis , potato salad and deviled eggs for supper , sat around talked smart , watched the birds and bunnies .
Here's a complimentary New mexico sunset for those of you that didn't have as great a day as we did . Be well and be happy !

just in case

If you didn't already know , click on any of the photos for a full view , I shrunk'em to fit

Trip to Safford / Supplies and wide open country

Yesterday a trip to Safford AZ to go to the Home Depot to find what little I couldn't find at the Mercantile in Animas . Essentially I'm sitting here with a fresh cup of coffee thinking , now what would interest others in my trip yesterday ? To start with it's always interesting to go up Rt 80 through Granite Gap and on towards Road Forks  the subdued colors of the high desert give way to a clash of colors in the rocks , boulders and cliffsides of the mountains. Ranging from a dirty brown , slow moving creek color to a higher shade tan the ground cover includes mesquite , snake bush , cats claw , sage and wild rosemary . The minerals of the smaller rock and split boulders glisten in the sunlight like shards of broken glass , as you climb upwards through the pass different strata of rock glow with mauve to a deep maroon . Various lichen growing almost in a carpet show colors ranging from a key lime green to a verdant yellow mixed with a chartreuse shading , depending on where the sun is at right then . You don't get bored driving this route . Rocks and boulders the size of your vehicle rest on the sides of the road waiting just waiting . There is one spot a boulder rests that is roughly the size of a small house , all alone it sits there , no evidence of where it broke off from or even a clue as to what part of the cliff face it may rolled away from , just is there .
Through the gap and the rolling plain of the basin we call home extends towards I -10 and Road Forks , hop on 10 over to 90 and the journey north resumes with wide open grass lands and more rolling terrain . Still climbing in altitude but it is gradual , so no ear popping , rising to Safford , running slow at 50 - 55 mph watching the terrain change more hills creeping up to become mountains , almost a hundred miles of driving without signs of civilization , total vehicles seen on this stretch 4 . A very good day , so far .
Supplies in the van , even did the monthly grocery at the Safeway , it's back on the road and the descent back to the Ranch .The summer sun moves slowly across the distances of eastern Arizona / western New Mexico , as usual I wonder how the ones who came before us dealt with these distances , carrying everything they owned with them walking , on horse back , in wagons . It's still a rough country , break down out here and oh well , you get the picture .
Made it back to the Ranch with no mishaps and only one detour , just had to go down that road , it may or may not have been shorter but I avoided a few miles of interstate . Arriving home , I put the supplies away , fired up the Cobb cooker and readied a burger with green chilis , a silo size glass of ice tea and sit my butt down to watch the mountains and wild life till dark . Life ain't bad if you let it just be ..
A few pictures of the blooms around the fish pond by the office .
Stay tuned ...