A BETTER DAY JEEPING, HIKING, & JUST HANGING OUT IN THE DESERT:))

As I stepped out into the inky blackness of a moonless Arizona night I was once again bowled over by a ka-zillion stars overhead.  And, three visible Planets to boot.  It was about 8:30 Arizona time when I saw Venus low on the western horizon with Jupiter a bit higher.  Swinging around to the eastern horizon, Mars is now easily discernable from the whitish stars around it because of it’s slightly reddish color.  How nice to be back out in the peace & quiet of an Arizona desert where we feel comfortable.  Maybe not the coziest site we have ever had here but the Verizon signal is strong so we are staying put for a few days.

NEW DIGS FOR A FEW DAYS

‘Brrrrrrr’, we had us a cold one going on when we stepped out of the rig this morning. Warm Friday night, but a cold front slipped in during the night dropping our temps into the low 40’s this morning. A high thin cloud cover impedes the sun’s warmth as well.

As is generally normal in these here parts the temps had come up & by 10 a.m. we were basking in warm sunshine.  Loaded up the Pheebs & Jeeped ourselves back in further to the mountains.  ATV & Jeep roads crisscross the rolling terrain in all directions & one could literally end up forever driving the countless miles of meandering dirt roads.

 

Fellow RVing Bloggers JANNA & MIKE, JB, IVAN & others have hiked this particular area & Ivan just had a post a few weeks ago about the old tumble down TV towers on the mountain.  Today, we drove in as far as we could, then hiked up a loose gravel & rock strewn old roadway to what is left of the towers & antennae's.  We understand these were TV repeater stations.

 

KELLY CHECKS OUT A CURIOUS LITTLE TIN SHACK WITH STONES PILED AROUND IT

 

KELLY CHECKS OUT A SECOND SHACK THE WINDS MAY HAVE TORN ASUNDER

 

THE WHITE SHACK IS THE ONE WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM MILES AWAY

As always, just the greatest scenic views all around & just another fine example day of why we come to the Southwest every winter. 

BOUSE IN THE BACKGROUND WITH OUR RIG RIGHT OF CENTER…WE ARE NOT THAT CLOSE TO BOUSE BECAUSE THE 300mm TELEPHOTO LENS HAS COMPACTED THE DISTANCE

SO MANY GREAT JEEP ROADS CRISSCROSS THE LAND

Like I have said before, it is the complete change of topography & lifestyle that attracts us.  We live in one of the prettier parts of Southwestern Ontario back home & for 6 or 7 months of the year have lots of big green trees, crops of many colors, picturesque rural farms & endless country roads leading to all areas of scenic countryside.  We also live about a mile from the 5th largest fresh water lake in the world with it’s sparkling waters looking every bit like a vast ocean.  Miles upon miles of sandy beaches & our Autumn colors are second to none.  Unfortunately, all of the above is only temporary every year & only lasts for 6 or 7 months.  The rest of the year the place can look every bit like forlorn & wind blown Siberia.  And, feel like too!!

 

We could take the shorter route each year & spend our winters straight south of Ontario in Georgia or Florida.  But, for me, it still looks too much like back home for the most part.  Kinda flat like nuts!!  The Southwest is a complete 100% change where nothing is the same, unless your hanging out in a big city of course.  Might be warmer but a big city is still a big city no matter where you go.  It is that complete change from rural farmlands to desert mountains that I enjoy so much & keeps me coming back year after year to the great American West.   

Today was quite a contrast with our trip to supposed civilization yesterday.

 

           FRIDAY:((                              SATURDAY:))

 

 

PHEEBS NEEDED A LITTLE HELP TO GET OUT SOME NASTY STICKERS

Figure we used up enough gas between our two vehicles Friday to move a big American Aircraft Carrier about  two & a half inches.

 

GET IT TURNED AROUND FIRST DAD

 

OK GIVE ER SOME GAS

  

COME ON DAD YOU CAN DO IT……YAAAAAY:)) 

To clear up a bit of confusion about the iPad & GPS, reader John W sent us the following explanation…."There are two iPad models, one with wi-fi only and the other with wi-fi and 3G service. The wi-fi only model has no GPS and the 3G model does. The wi-fi and 3G model requires a data plan, the wi-fi only model doesn't.”  Thanks John:))  Actually, Wandering Willy had explained this to us as well but of course my memory didn’t retain it.  Seems anything that happens after my morning coffee is information overload for me these days:((

 

IT WAS A PERFECT 72F FOR THE BAYFIELD BUMS TODAY

Had a question today from reader John R wondering why we pull our slides in on heavy wind days.  Several reasons actually.  First one is noise.  I’m betting the folks with Airstream trailers are not bothered as much by wind noise because of their smoother round design.  Every square corner or an edge on an RV is a potential wind noise source.  The awnings over the slides make the most noise however with their flapping.  And, they are susceptible to ripping & tearing off in high winds.  Third reason is slide damage by twisting.  Last March while in a campground at Canyon De Chelly in Northeastern Arizona we were hit with some particularly brutal wind gusts on our passenger slide.  The gusts really rocked the coach before we got the rear bedroom slide in & ever since then that slide makes nasty noises when retracting.  I feel the wind slightly shifted that slide.  Still works fine but makes bad groaning & grinding noises & I can see a long slight gouge mark underneath on one side.

   

 

Golden Retrievers Sam & Monty over at HOW SAM SEES IT hopped aboard the Bayfield Bunch rig today as our latest Blog Followers.  Woof-woof guys & welcome aboard.  And, a last minute check tonight tells me Anne from the THE BAY HAMMOCK COMPANY has joined us as our latest Blog Follower.  Welcome aboard Anne & say Hello to Nova Scotia for me.  Spent a bit of Navy time there in the mid 60’s.

AND, WE WERE BACK TO THE RIG BY NOON

GROANER’S CORNER:(( 

Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in
Sunday School. "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind
enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon
bridge, and all the people walked across safely. He used his
walkie-talkie to radio headquarters and call in an air strike. They sent
in bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."

"Now, Joey, is that REALLY what your teacher taught you?" his mother
asked.

"Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never
believe it!"

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
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