Thursday, January 19, 2012

SAY, HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY WHY WE LOVE THE SOUTHWEST:))

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On our walk this morning both Kelly & I agreed this area is probably one of the most scenically interesting places we have boondocked. Not just a flat piece of ground, it is hilly with gullies & gulches crisscrossing ridges and washes. Lots of rocks to clamber up and & easy walking sandy dry creek bottoms to follow as they meander & cut their way through soft rock cuts. Jeep roads wind their way around Saguaros & Ocotillos and trail out to adjoining mountains & valleys. Add to all this the close proximity of green plant life & it almost gives it a forest like feel in some spots under tall Mesquite & Palo Verde trees. Lush green grass can be seen growing in low spots under the shading of trees.  Even some small pools of water can be found.

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HEADING OUT ON OUR MORNING WALK

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DEFINITELY NOT A BORING LANDSCAPE

On our return walk we stopped to talk with neighbor Rick while Lady & Pheebs had a regular dust storm going on with their playful antics. Rick wondered what my topic for a blog would be today so I told him it would probably revolve around this great scenic area we are in. Rick said to be sure & tell people this area is located somewhere north of Phoenix:))

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LADY & PHEEBS WERE SO TIRED THEY HAD TO FINISH THEIR PLAY TIME LYING DOWN

Another one of the many reasons we love the Southwest so much during the winter is it’s lack of bugs. No mosquitoes, gnats or pesky flies. Temps don’t get sweltering hot trapping us in air conditioning & we have no sweaty uncomfortable humidity. Few active poisonous snakes and no lurking Alligators anywhere. Plenty forest greenery, lakes and streams depending on what area of Arizona you are in. Panoramic 360 views that go on forever allowing one to easily see 50 miles in any one direction from mountain range to mountain range. Sunrises and sunsets will leave you breathless.

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No, it’s not a dry desolate desert everywhere here in Arizona as some would have you believe. That’s a myth. If you have a hankering for wide open spaces and a desire to get away from the crowded city urban areas and their affiliated traffic chaos I suggest you get yourself on out here to rural Arizona and kick back for a real nice dose of great weather, great scenery, and acres upon acres of peaceful living:))

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I see some folks using Comcast as their ISP provider are still having problems accessing our site.  We have no idea why this is happening with Comcast but we know they have denied it has anything to do with them……but it does!!

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We have been aware since leaving home last November the batteries for our solar system have not been holding a charge as well as previous years.  While boondocking lately we have had to run our generator occasionally to boost the batteries.  We may have to head for Slab City sooner than later to have Solar Mike check out our system.  He’s the fellow who installed it back in 07.  Something may be draining our batteries or our batteries have just reached the end of their lifespan.  Likely the latter.  Regardless, it is a problem that has to be dealt with soon if we are going to continue with the peaceful freedom of our restful boondocking lifestyle.  

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SOMETIMES THE LITTLE MOTORMOUSE NEEDS A LIFT OVER THE BUMPY SPOTS

We are surprised at the lack of RV’s out here at Darby Well this year.  I was certain the usual flood of boondocking Snow Birds would have flooded into the area right after Christmas.  But, nobody here.  Great for us of course but I wonder if it is a direct sign of our economic times. 

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With escalating gas prices poised for yet another upward spike I have to seriously wonder how the RVing world is being affected.  One thing for certain though & that is the fact fuel prices will continue their non stop rise.  That is just a reality.  At some point those high fuel prices have, and will affect each and every RV’er in one way or another.  Could it force us to put our Florida idea back on track?  ‘Anything’ is better than having to spend another miserable winter in the North!! 

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ALMOST JUNGLE LIKE IN PLACES

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CAN YOU FIND KELLY IN THE LEFT PHOTO… PHEEBS IS LOOKING FOR HER

Joe & Nancy from the RVING BEACH BUMS are back on the road for another round of adventures. Might want to get aboard early because it sounds like they have a long road trip planned which includes the far reaches of Alaska.

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Ended up having ourselves another quiet relaxing day.  Kelly had a bunch of Deer Park Lodge stuff to catch up on plus we had a cover letter to compose for my medical info being faxed to Canada.  Finished the day off with a campfire and supper outside.  Nice:))   

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OUR FRONT YARD:))    

GROANER’S CORNER:((  An Illinois man left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel he decided to send his wife a quick email. Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen: Dearest Wife,
Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P.S. Sure is hot down here.

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

10 comments:

  1. If your batteries are 4 years or older that is probably it, the solar panels if kept clean should last almost forever, only other variable would be clean connections. Looks like Pheebs is loving her pal Lady, It's so good when the mutts can lay and socialize with other dogs.Rigg's loves other dogs especially, Coco & Jody from Fla. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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  2. OK, AL, keep it up and you might find yourself with VERY close neighbors! Yes, we do miss our Arizona but are enjoying seeing some new stuff this year.

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  3. I so look forward to your groaners corner everyday.Angela

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  4. That Ajo area is still one of our fav's...I have to say that Alamo Lake State Park, North of Phoenix ranks right up there, though..Weather here is going to be 80's all weekend, but cloudy...Enjoy the Sonoran wonders!

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  5. minus eight here in BC this morning with an Artic outflow in the eastern fraser valley..minus 15to 20 with the wind!..the desert is sounding pretty darn nice right about now!!!!

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  6. The Comcast problem is interesting but frustrating. Cannot link to you in Firefox or Internet Explorer, but Google Chrome offers a "cached version" where i can read the current entry, but I think not go back to ones I might have missed.
    I have cleared my cache in Firefox but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

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  7. Ya, its your batteries if they are 5 years old. Check around, you can get some good deals on them at Sam's Club or places like that. OR, Dread the thought,,,,,Quartzsite!..........

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  8. Your current location seems to have so much to offer. How great that you can appreciate and enjoy it. Looks like Kelly needs one of those "front carriers" so she can carry the little Motormouse around!! The dogs look like they are in heaven.

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  9. We cant WAIT to get there! All your photos look so inviting! Our only real boondocking experience was Borrego Springs area, and this looks SO much more interesting. I hope we are able to find a good spot as you have. We will be there after visiting Quartzsite next week... so probably a week from today or tomorrow we will be there!

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  10. I think everyone is in Quartzite, it was more loaded with RV's than we have ever seen. Maybe they will head your way after all the hoopla. Sure is beautiful, love your pictures.

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