Thursday, December 01, 2011

JEEPIN WITH THE PHEEBS TODAY

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IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, NO….IT’S SUPER PHEEBS:))
It was a hat, winter jacket and hands in your pockets kind of morning walk with a slight breeze bringing cooler temperatures to the area.  Could be in for some cold and cloudy days now until next week sometime.
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OUR THURSDAY MORNING SUNRISE
Wind gusts always sound way worse than they really are when your in an RV. Seems every little nook and cranny on the outside of the rig sets up it’s own howling and whooshing. The winds weren’t that bad in the night but of course they had me up at 1 a.m. sitting in my chair with the computer on my lap. Yep, still having my usual sleeping problems:((
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IT WAS A COLD ‘HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS’ KIND OF MORNING
The Pheebs has taken to this desert living like a fish to water and loves racing up and down the washes through the Mesquite trees and Saguaros.  Only one pesky sticker so far and she seems to have learned quickly to avoid them.  With the rocky surface here her paws are toughening up right quick.  She is just the happiest little girl bounding over hill and dale.
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PHEEBS LOOKS BACK IN THE DIRECTION OF OUR MOTOR HOME TOP LEFT
The skies were alive with roaring thunder this morning as the A-10 Warthog fly boys out of the Davis Monthan Air Base in Tuscon criss crossed our area in low level passes.  They had their deadly air to ground twin turbine jets just a whining.  I love watching these guys in their aerial ballets.  Unseen and much higher in the sky were the F-16’s, F-18’s and probably the new F-22 Raptor fighter jets.  They could be heard pulling their roaring and erratic high speed G turns in mock combat with each other.  Rare for them to ever come down to the deck where they can be seen but I did see one pulling a high speed low level turn near Hickiwan Trails a few years ago.  Got a picture of him too.  This whole southern end of Arizona is a huge aerial training ground for the American Air Force.  Being an airplane kind of guy I don’t mind the roaring thunder in the skies and I especially like watching their aerial combat maneuvers at night as their blinking lights dart among the stars. 
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SOMETIMES THE LITTLE MOTORMOUSE RUNS OUT OF GAS ON OUR MORNING WALKS
Our Verizon signal has been better since putting the modem on the roof and we are not having the problems we first did when arriving here. Our speeds are a bit better.  I would say for anyone new to boondocking, this Darby Wells area is a great place to get your feet wet because it’s a short drive into Ajo for supplies and you will be hard pressed to find a more scenic example of the Sonoran desert in a natural peace and quiet setting.  Nearest major shopping centers are either Casa Grande or Buckeye with Casa Grande being 103 miles and Buckeye being 77 miles.  Buckeye is the easier drive straight north up through Gila Bend.  Ajo to Gila Bend is 43 miles with another 118 miles to Yuma.  And, that’s our little geography lesson for today:))
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LOTS OF NICE JEEP ROADS IN THE DARBY WELLS AREA
We did fight with the satellite stuff again this morning and re-instituted our new receiver.  Kelly spent a lot of time on Skype again talking to the Shaw Direct satellite TV people.  Ever since beginning our RV days back in 06 I wished we had a dollar for every minute we have spent on this satellite stuff because for sure we could probably go out and buy us a brand spanking new snappity-doo 40’ Diesel banger:))  We did manage to finally achieve TV satellite success around noon today.  About time too because I was about ready to just load the whole thing up, drive it into Ajo and throw the whole kitnkabootle into a dumpster!!
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THIS IS NOT MY IDEA OF A SECURE OR EASY TO USE SATELLITE DISH SET-UP
Mike from MIKE AND PAT'S TRAVELS  sent us a link to the place where he bought a logical leg adjusting tripod a few years back and after checking the tri-pod out on line we are going to order the medium heavy duty pod.  Don, from Manitoba also sent us the same site so that confirms the quality of the adjustable leg tripod.  Our previous tri-pod was leg adjusting and if your out boon docking in places like we are where the ground can be very un-level or rocky it is important to be able to adjust the legs.  Flat based tripods are fine for flat ground in RV Parks but not so good out here in the boonies.
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By 11 a.m. the cloud cover overhead was solid and the temps had dropped to 59F.  At 1:25 it began to rain.  Not nice!! Couldn’t get myself warm no how for the whole day.  Due to a small problem I’m having with my left leg I stayed in my Poang chair most of the day under a warm blanket.
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STAYED INSIDE TODAY KEEPING WARM
The Bayfield Bunch welcomes new blog follower Johnna today.  Don’t know where you are Johnna but could you send us a little warm air over here to southern Arizona.  Thanks for dropping by.

Close call for our Verizon modem this afternoon.  We had put it on the roof of the rig a few days ago in an attempt to improve our weak signal.  Remember me mentioning earlier about it raining today…..yep we forgot the modem was up on the roof.  About 6 tonight we were rather suddenly and totally ‘off line’.  Kelly remembered the modem and I scrambled up on the roof, unplugged it and brought it in.  The two lights on it appeared normal so Kelly plugged it in and we were once again back on line…..barely.  Climbed back up on the roof, flashlight in hand this time, plugged the modem back in and put a plastic container over the modem.  And a rock on the container to keep it from blowing away.   Kelly hollered up that we were on line again so it looks like we dodged a nasty modem melt down.  Oh these forgetful Senior moments.
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OUR INDOOR VERIZON MODEM…..OUTSIDE ON THE ROOF
I have been taking the Pheebs out for a walk before supper most nights but with today’s rainy drizzle Kelly suggested Pheebs and I go Jeeping instead.  Great idea. 
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HI-HO HI-HO IT’S OFF A JEEPIN WE GO
There are some great Jeep roads running through the Darby Wells area so Pheebs and I headed out in full four wheel drive mode to see what trouble we could get ourselves into.  Pretty hard to get into trouble with the sure footedness of a Jeep though.  We had a great time, mainly in first gear, making our way slowly over the ruts, boulders, dry washes and rugged ridges.  Picked up some cool new desert pin striping as well. 
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PHEEBS HELD HER PAW ON THE BRAKE WHILE I HOPPED OUT TO TAKE THIS PHOTO
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We were bouncing around so much inside the Jeep that sometimes Pheebs was in the driver’s seat and I was upside down in the back.  But, we made it and had ourselves a great time covering maybe 5 miles way back in the middle of nowhere.DSC_0011 
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Pheebs loved the ride but by the time we got back I think Pheebs was a little ‘green’ from all the rocking and rolling.  DSC_0018
PHEEBS WAS FEELING A LITTLE ‘GREEN’ BY THE TIME WE GOT BACK TO THE RIG
I did just delete a comment from Mr. Anonymous again regarding my Wednesday post.  Somebody obviously still has a very big chip on their shoulder.  Thank you Rick and Elaine for your response to Mr. Anonymous before I deleted it.
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SUNSET AT OUR HOUSE
GROANER’S CORNER:((  A police officer stops a woman for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license.
She replied in a huff, "I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me to show it to you."

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
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The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

23 comments:

  1. That first picture of Pheebs cracked me up, but not as much as the last one did. We've got a German Shepherd pal that I'm sure could keep up with her. What a riot they would be together. Try to stay warm, we've got some cold weather & rain headed our way.
    Grace & Steve (in Tucson)

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  2. I hope you don't mind a little correction...but the planes are from Davis Monthan AFB near Tucson. You might also hear some drones overhead from the border patrol. They sometimes fly overhead at night, and the helicopters are some of the flashy lights.

    Emjay

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  3. Looks like you had a great day despite the rain. Isn't putting that modem on the roof looking for trouble with rain and all? Why not try an antenna for it instead?

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  4. love the photo of the Pheebes!!..she looks so happy happy happy!!!
    now as for your 'beloved Mr. Anon?..oh well..you can't please all the people all the time!!..I for one love reading all about your boondocking in the desert!..to let the dogs run and run seems like perfection in my eyes!..but then again to sit in an Rv Park by the pool soaking up the sun sounds like a great idea too!..good thing we all have options..a little boondocking and little RV park luxury!..the perfect life of the RV'er!!

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  5. You sure captured the Pheebs personality in that first photo. Love the look of freedom and joy of that dog. Appreciated the info about Darby Wells too. That's good to know.

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  6. I was thinking about getting some type of booster for the wi-fi and cell phone, wondering how well they may work. Maybe some of the bloggers would know and can comment.

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  7. I think you found a really good match with the Pheebs. She loves the wide open spaces and freedom as much as you do!

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  8. I'm as happy as the Pheebs! Happy that there was a new post tonight. Thought maybe there wouldn't be, since yesterday's was dated Dec. 1. Thanks for making it a good evening!

    I don't have a blog, and don't want one. It seems I have to be "anonymous" to post?? I don't like that name 'cause I sure don't want to be linked with that other "anonymous"!

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  9. What beautiful pictures you post!
    I can't help but wonderfing if
    being so remote poses any security problems? Didn't you
    say border patrol may be in
    areas close to you at times.
    Just wondering......
    We are new to your blog and
    really enjoying it. Thanks
    Ron and Linda

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  10. Our Scooter needs help sometimes getting home too. Thank goodness she and Mouse are small enough for us to carry. We have our Verizon wifi hooked up on the day/night shade string so it's up higher. Does give us a little better signal - sometimes. What - no picture of Pheebes driving and you upside down in the backseat?

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  11. Al, 'Been rv-ing for years and playing with the internet since about the time it was invented by former Vice President Al Gore, I think? Anyhow, I starting following a few rv related blogs about 6 months ago. I read 15 or so daily and want you to know that yours is one of my favorites. Love your style, wonderful pics, and especially the pups. Please keep on keepin' on.
    On another note, we've used "sat tv" in our travels for quite a while and they can be frustrating even for an experienced user. 'Seems like sometimes, I just "throw it on the ground" and it comes up running while other times it takes a bit of time and a lot language that I learned in the Marine Corps. That tv4rv triod is not a necessity but I broke down and bought one a couple of months ago and love it.
    Finally: on one of the other blogs I read about coyote's stalking and in some cases, killing pets in the desert and just wondered if that's a concern for you and "the bunch."
    Take care and happy travels.
    Lee

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  12. I had to laugh at your Pheebes in the drivers seat and you upside down in the back. We sure love your blogs. Does the desert pin striping refer to some scratches on the Jeep? Also my husband, Joe is a lover of planes also. Oh, the times we have pulled into the Yuma fair grounds parking lot across from the air base just so he and his 97 year old momma could sit there and watch the boys land and take off RIGHT OVER OUR CAR. My ears are very sensitive so I enjoyed reading my book with my ear plugs securly in place while they enjoyed all comings and goings. His mom loved the "Harriets" (Harrier)
    Safe and Happy Travels
    ~Betty and Joe
    joeandbetty.blogspot.com

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  13. That is one crazy dog! I bet she's out like a light ever night.
    She does look like she's not really having that great a time on the ride back in the jeep though. I would have hurled for sure.

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  14. Al first of all if you still have your tri pod for the satellite Internet,it can be adapted for the Shaw direct dish.I have a friend who has done this and it works great.

    Secondly if you are using a Verizon mifi,and want to boost the power,purchase the Wilson Sleek. The mifi fits right into it and will usually take you from 2 bars to 5 If its the same size as my mifi 2200.
    The sleek has a small rooftop antenna that attaches to it.
    I purchased mine at the 3G store.

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  15. Beautiful photos ~
    Have fun & Stay warm
    Travel safe
    Donna

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  16. Yep, Pheebs does look a little green around the gills in that photo..We also loved the roar of the A-10's over Hickiwan..If we get back out there it will be like music to our ears...I also remember Border Patrol keeping a high profile from it's headquarters just up the road...I'm jealous.

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  17. I think all weather extremes are magnified in an RV. That's one of the reasons so many RV bloggers talk about the weather so much. We experience it in a more personal way.

    I think Emma could give Pheebs a run for her money. We both have a 'wild child'!

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  18. What is it with some people? They seem to live to 'stir the pot'. Although, you have made me wonder what Anom wrote :)

    Have to admit to being surprised that your modem still worked after sitting in the rain.

    If you don't mind a suggestion for your modem. Even covered, it can still get wet from water running on the coach roof. You can take a dinner plate, invert it, put the modem on that and then cover with the plastic bowl. That should get it far enough off the coach roof to stay out of the run-off.

    Sheila :)

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  19. When I was still enjoying Blogging, it always made my butt want take a dip of snuff when someone commented using anonymous, so I just deleted them.

    I am pretty thick skinned and dont really give a hoot if folks agree with me or like what I blogged. It was for my benefit and my thoughts, therefore is was not up for debate and if someone chose to pull a sneak attach or agreeing using anonymous, i just deleted it.

    If a person is not proud enough of their spoken or written words to put their name behind it, then it dont mean much to me.

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  20. excellent pics gotta love the pheebes....quite the change from the first pic and the last lol...glad you remembered the modem..humm as thats not usually something you carry a spare of :)....have a super day..glad you swept Anonymous under the rug..thats where he deserves to be..have a super rest of day..

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  21. Would something like this work for your signal, so you would not need to put your modem on the roof?

    http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electronics-SignalBoost-Booster-Building/dp/B0011GI95A/ref=pd_sim_cps_9

    You are far more experienced, with this, than I am. I visit an area where I do not receive a Verizon signal (for phone and internet) and have wondered if something like this would help.

    Sheila :)

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  22. An upside down tupperware bowl will make a good way to seal the modem that resides on the roof. Pop a hole in the side for the wires and snap on the lid. Position it upside down to allow the rain to just run off and your good to go........

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  23. An upside down tupperware bowl will make a good way to seal the modem that resides on the roof. Pop a hole in the side for the wires and snap on the lid. Position it upside down to allow the rain to just run off and your good to go........

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