SOOOOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING NEW THINGS:))

PHOTOS MAY BE A LITTLE SCARCE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS UNTIL WE GET OURSELVES ON THE ROAD

I am almost afraid to allow myself a twinge of excitement this close to our departure date in case it throws a jinx into our travel plans.  But, allow a twinge of excitement this morning I did, and what a great feeling it was too.  I would have to say, the RV Traveling lifestyle is probably the number one favourite thing for me at this stage in my life and being only days away from another great southwest trip feels like a hurricane of fresh air blowing through my mind.  I love the excitement of unknown destinations and adventures.  And, above all, I love the feeling of being completely mobile and not being committed to sitting in one spot for weeks or months on end.  Our time is our own whenever we chose to let the winds blow us on to our next destination.  We do enjoy our extended times at the Ranch near McNeil Arizona but that is the exception to our blowing around like a tumbling Tumbleweed all winter.  Sooooo looking forward to seeing new things:))

KEVIN AND RUTH had a question about why would we fill up with gas in Canada when we are so close to the U.S. border.  Well, good question I guess and one to which I have no totally logical answer.  Only way for me to respond to that one is to simply say I never thought of it.  Guess it's an old habit of filling up locally before heading out on a trip.  Having been out of the States for 7 months now and not being a guy who ever pays attention to gas prices it just never occurred to me to do that.  I wonder if it would fall under the heading of a 'Senior Moment.'  And Jo over there at THE WANDERING WISHNIES  wondered why it is I can't eat McDonald's Burrito's anymore.  Well, it's not so much that I can't them Jo but I have been trying to avoid wheat based products lately in an effort to see if all that doughy ooze I love so much has an affect on my health.  Of course eating a whole wheat bread Turkey Salad sandwich didn't make much sense Tuesday and maybe those Burritos aren't made out of wheat anyway.  I'm thinking there just may be a couple McDonald's Burrito's in my not too distant future now that you mentioned it:))  

Our temps are still holding out on the mild side with 60F today under cloudy skies and a drizzly kind of mist in the air.  Sure not complaining about the weather though if the temps stay like this.  Thought I noticed on last night's news that we were the same temperature yesterday as Phoenix, Arizona.  I'm keeping a close eye on the weather patterns right now south and west of us.  Noticed it's 66F in Yuma Arizona today and 69F in Borrego Springs California.  Those are perfect temps for hiking so hang on to those temps guys because we are headed your way soon:))

HELPS TO HAVE A BIG LAP AT OUR HOUSE:))

I once again spent time on Google+ this morning trying to gain some kind of concept into how this program works.  Managed to change my profile pic but that was about as far as I got.  Thanks for the response Sue.  Saw a post by someone I finally recognized (Froggi Donna:)) and was able to respond to that.  I did type a message into a box asking if anyone had any easy suggestions on understanding the program but........no response:((  I remember years ago how long it took me to figure out the concept of Blogger.  After half a dozen tries at trying to understand what Blogger was and how it worked I was finally able to fit a couple pieces of the puzzle together and gain an overall understanding of the whole picture.  I probably had the same problem understanding the concept and setting up Picasa and Facebook years ago as well but can't remember.  I will try Google+ again and maybe again......and maybe again.

On our walk this afternoon I couldn't believe how fast Pheebe nearly ran down a Squirrel in a large grassy field area.  Had it not been for a large Walnut tree the Pheebs would have caught the Squirrel.   Pheebs does not appear to have a mean bone in her body so I have no idea what she would have done had she caught up with the little fella.  Probably smothered it in smooches and knocked it out with her big strong wagging tail.  

As much as I sometimes complain about CNN news with it's giggles gang in the morning, seemingly never ending commercials and their tunnel vision focus on repeating things over and over and over.....I'm going to miss the gang.  The TV package we have with Star Choice while on the road does not include CNN so it will be next Spring before I tune in to Wolf Blitzer and the crew again.  But, CNN is a treat compared to the aggravating morning network news program we get while traveling.  More about that annoying noise when we are on the road again.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  My wife still uses curlers in her hair after she washes it. She came into the Family Room as I was watching TV.
I guess I stared at her funny because she said, "I just set my hair."
The last thing I remember saying was, "Oh, really? And what time does it go off?"

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
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.

HALF WAY THROUGH OUR DOGGY SCHOOL CLASSES

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN AT OR NEAR THE BUTTERFIELD RANCH RESORT IN THE VALLECITO VALLEY EAST OF SAN DIEGO
A pleasant early Autumn morning saw Kelly, the Pheebs and I headed for 'On Golden Paws' about 9:20.   It was Saturday morning and that meant, doggy school:))  We are half way through our dog obedience classes and this morning we decided to change things up a bit.  I am usually on one end of the leash with Pheebe on the other and Kelly observing.  This morning Kelly worked with the Pheebs while I stood back and watched.  We are very fortunate to have such a great instructor.  Kelly Dearlove sure does know her way around dogs.

  
Tonight's photos are a final few from an area southwest of Borrego Springs California that I mentioned a couple blogs ago.  We took a drive part way down the Vallecito Valley 2 years ago and had us a brief look around as a possible area of interest in the future.  The future may soon be upon us.  We traveled as far south as the BUTTERFIELD RV PARK.  Can’t give you a review on this park because we only stopped in for a few minutes but can tell you that it is remote, rustic and has character.  I like that…………………………   

  
FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR SOME TIRED OLD FIRE ENGINES 

Had to trim a bit of our jungle back from one side of the Motor Home this afternoon.  The Sumacs were beginning to encroach into our living room slide space.  We did get a little more organizing done inside the coach and it is hard to believe that we may very well be pulling out of here three weeks from today…………..I’m hoping.

  

 
Three months from tonight will be Christmas Eve.  No idea where we will be except we're hoping it will be somewhere off the beaten path under a quiet canopy of stars.  Sure a welcome change from all those stressful hustle and bustle social functions of years gone by. 
 
BUTTERFIELD RANCH AND RV PARK 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Did you know a wine drinking hangover is the wrath of grapes.
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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

A COLD AND WET RAINY BAYFIELD DAY REMINDED ME OF JULIAN, CALIFORNIA

ALL OF TONIGHT’S PHOTOS ARE FROM IN AND AROUND JULIAN, CALIFORNIA……..AND MY LAST TRIP THERE WAS TO THE CEMETERY IN SEARCH OF MARSHAL SOUTH

 

The steady rain which came in the night pretty well stayed all day.  The furry guys were following me around like crazy first thing this morning so I knew they were needing a break.  Off to Goderich we went in the pouring rain.  They held the fort while I popped into Wal-Mart for a few things.  Just so happens they have a McDonald's in there so I got a Sausage and Egg McMuffin to go and split it with the bums in the parking lot.  I recently mentioned that Kelly & I never eat out much and a commenter wondered about my trips to McDonald's with the guys and if that it counted as eating out.  Well, technically yes but really, no.

HISTORIC JULIAN HOTEL

Our cold and wet rainy day reminded me of an artsy little town 4,235 feet up in California’s  Cuyamaca Mountains.  We have been there three times over the years and every time we are there it is.....cold and raining.  All of today's photos are from historic JULIAN located just one hour east of San Diego.  Last time we were there I was in search Marshal South's final resting place.....and I found it.

 

NOW, HERE’S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF………..WINDOW SHOPPING

Somehow I missed FREIGHTLINER'S trip to Cape Breton on Canada's east coast a few weeks ago.  No narrative but they do have some nice photos of the Cabot Trail and stops along the way.  Kinda neat to see the tide going out around a rock formation and then people walking where high tide had just been.  I did that Cabot Trail with just me and my old Volkswagon camper back in 86.  That whole east coast of Canada is another beautiful place in it's own right.  Did Prince Edward Island as well but did not make it to Newfoundland. 

Sure seems to be a big 'fracas' going on over some recent changes to Facebook.  Still sort of looks the same to me but then again I am not a big Facebook user.  Other than my blog being automatically posted in there and checking what a few friends are up to each day, neither Kelly or I have a big interest in all the 'hoop-la' connected with Facebook.  Neither one of us have any interest whatsoever in all that game stuff etc.  Not saying these are bad things but it's just different strokes for different folks.  In a recent post I blogged about my interests shifting and some of that shift seems to be away from a lot of this kind of stuff.  Years ago the interactive social sites would have interested me, but that was years ago.  Kelly feels the same way so I think we will just stay at the comfort and uncomplicated techno level where we are and enjoy life as we can handle it:))

AND YES, JULIAN IS WELL KNOWN FAR AND WIDE FOR IT’S DELICIOUS APPLE PIES 

I see a lot of buzz around about the new Google+ social site.  I did manage to stumble my way in there and leave a comment Wednesday but that might be about as far as I go with it.  I will keep it open though with the light on just in case I feel the need to ring somebody up and say, “hey, how’s it going eh.”  The format looks and seems to operate a lot like Facebook from what I can tell.  It's basically another socially interactive site and as I've said, those kinds of sites just don't push my buttons anymore.  If I am going to communicate with someone I still much prefer to do it through email.  I do have a Twitter account but have always asked myself...why!!  My computer interests are evolving but where they are evolving to I'm not sure.  But, I do know where they are evolving from.  Maybe I am just looking for, and hoping to come across, something with a little more meaningful substance to it.  At this point I have no idea what that might be.

I still enjoy writing my daily blog for the most part but I do have my days when I get a little shaky about it.  From emails I have received now and again I know other bloggers go through the same thing.  I have had days where I picked up my cameras, put them back in my camera bag and stuck the bag back into the far reaches and darkened confines of my bedroom closet thinking, that's it, no more blogging.  I'm finished!!  But, regardless of how frustrated I become with myself at times, I am always drawn back to the keyboard each night. 

I keep a close eye on our Sitemeter and figure when the daily number of hits on our site begins to steadily drop, that will tell me interest in our Bayfield Bunch blog has finally run it's course and come to an end.  That will be the time to cut it loose and let it go.   There are a lot of new and upcoming great blogs and bloggers out there so there will never be a shortage of RV blogs for people to read.  I will continue blogging about our trip this winter but when we get home next March I really have to seriously, seriously, sit myself down and think this whole blogging thing through again and decide if, 'enough has finally become enough.'   Or, just pack it in for the summer until we are on the road again.  We’ll see.  Question is, if one likes writing, photography and traveling, where does one go after the blogging era comes to an end.  I am keeping my mind open for new ideas:))

 

And, for some mighty fine photos from a Gal who knows her way around a camera, be sure to check out Levonne's blog at A CAMP HOST'S MEANDERINGS: AN RV ADVENTURE  Great header photo............

 

OUR LAST DRIVE TO JULIAN FROM BORREGO SPRINGS WAS VERY SCENIC…. HERE, KELLY CATCHES AL UNDER A RAINBOW PHOTOGRAPHING A RAINBOW 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  As migration approached, two elderly vultures doubted they could make the trip south, so they decided to go by airplane.
When they checked their baggage, the attendant noticed that they were carrying two dead raccoons. "Do you wish to check the raccoons through as luggage?" she asked.
"No, thanks," replied the vultures. "They're carrion."

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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

POURING OVER MY ATLAS TODAY IN SEARCH OF NEW SOUTHWEST LOCATIONS AND ADVENTURES:))

CALIFORNIA’S BLAIR CANYON NEAR GHOST MOUNTAIN
Spent some more time with my Atlas's today looking for interesting places and travel ideas for this winter's wanderings after we leave south-western Colorado.   Warm weather and new areas will be our priority this year plus revisiting a few favourite spots. We'll probably spend a little time around Borrego Springs California again but will scout out some new boon docking areas this time. We have boon docked at the Clark Dry Lake Bed for the past 3 years but it has become too familiar for us now and we knew last winter that if we were to return to the Borrego Springs area we would be needing a change.

HIKING UP TO GHOST MOUNTAIN WITH CALIFORNIA’S LAGUNA MOUNTAINS TO THE WEST
There is a great area near Ghost Mountain in the Blair Valley that I think would be great for us but last time we were there we heard Verizon did not cover that region yet.   It is necessary for us to have an internet connection because Kelly will once again be handling all the Deer Park Lodge reservations for the following summer. We may further scout out the Vallectio Valley south of there this year as well.  The Valley is just on the east side of the Vallecito Mountains with San Diego being on the west side.   That Valley had a magic feel to it when we drove a fair ways down through it two years ago.  Not a lot of civilization in or near the Blair or Vallecito Valleys which of course makes them great nature areas and……….perfect for us.   Always love the challenge and great scenery of new and different areas.

LOTS OF ROOM IN BLAIR CANYON FOR BOON DOCKING….PHOTO TAKEN FROM ATOP GHOST MOUNTAIN LOOKING NORTH WITH THE SAN YSIDRO MOUNTAINS ON THE FAR HORIZON….BORREGO SPRINGS IS TO THE RIGHT AND AT THE FOOT OF THOSE MOUNTAINS



FROM ATOP GHOST MOUNTAIN THIS IS LOOKING SOUTHEAST OVER THE VALLECITO VALLEY WHERE WE MAY SPEND SOME TIME THIS WINTER…SAN DIEGO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAGUNA MOUNTAINS TO THE RIGHT…..TOP LEFT HORIZON IS MEXICO
In case anyone happens to be interested in my 4 treks up Ghost Mountain in the last 3 years to the Marshal South homestead, you can just type either ‘Ghost Mountain’ or ‘Marshal South’ into our search bar at the top of the right hand column of our blog.  The Marshal South site spoke to me like no other place I have ever been and it has continued to draw me back up Ghost Mountain every time we are in that area.  I fully expect to be up there again this trip, standing atop my favourite large boulder, wind blowing through my hair with the Vallecito Valley stretching out to the horizon below and beyond.  The above photo was taken from atop that rock. 

CLIMBING THE STEEP ROCKY PATH TO GHOST MOUNTAIN WITH BLAIR VALLEY IN THE BACKGROUND

GHOST MOUNTAIN IS DEAD AHEAD ON TOP OF THAT RIDGE
GROANER’S CORNER:((  My mind works like lightning,...........one brilliant 'Flash' and it is gone!!
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-Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

THE EXCITEMENT OF STARTING OUT

BOONDOCKED IN THE AJO HIGHLANDS, ARIZONA

It is always nice to come across new RV folks just starting out because it brings back great feelings of excitement & anticipation of our own early RV days.  Check out Janie & John's FLAMINGO ON A STICK .

BOONDOCKED NEAR WHY, ARIZONA

Looking back I would say those early days of shopping for an RV both online & on RV lots were some of the most exciting new days we have had as RV'ers.  Comparing notes with other RV folks & faithfully reading everything we could find in the RV NET FORUM.  Travel trailers, Class C's, truck campers, 5th wheels, Class B's & Motorhomes.  So much to choose from & so many questions to be asked & answered.  So many decisions to make.  Throw in a healthy serving of tension, stress, plus anxiety, and you have a really great mix of genuine apprehensive excitement.   It's a unique kind of excitement & I remember that stomach turning stuff well.  We didn't always make the right decisions & I'm sure we probably have a few more wrong decisions ahead of us but we have managed to get ourselves on the road every winter for the last 5 out of 6 years & with a bit of luck we'll be back on the road this coming September or October again.

BOONDOCKED IN SLAB CITY, CALIFORNIA

Cloudy cool day so most of my time was spent inside getting my little used SMUG MUG photo account organized.  A long, long, way to go but I did get a good start on it today.  Have had this account for about 3 years so it's about time I used it's great photo galleries.  Sure is nice sorting photos on a nice big new 20" monitor.  Great colors & great detail.

BOONDOCKED AT THE CLARK DRY LAKE BED ALONGSIDE ROCK HOUSE ROAD IN BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA (no, we didn't build that earth oven)

MOTTY & PATTI got themselves a bigger & better truck plus a newer & smaller dog & I'm assuming RICK & RICK & PAULETTE arrived safely home today in Cowichan Bay on British Columbia's Vancouver Island.  Just two more examples of excited RV folks.  Different degrees of excitement maybe but excitement just the same. 

BOONDOCKED NEAR TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA

I had run the generator in the motorhome a couple of days ago & after a few minutes it quit.  A quick look at the gas guage in the motorhome showed the needle on a quarter tank so knew that's why the genny quit.  Off to Goderich yesterday for $75 worth of gas.  Yep, that was good enough to get the generator up & running again.

BOONDOCKED IN QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA

GROANER'S CORNER:(( 

GAMES FOR WHEN WE ARE OLDER

1. Sag, you're It. 
2 . 20 questions shouted into your good ear.
3. Kick the bucket
4. Musical recliners.
5. Simon says something incoherent.
6. Pin the Toupee on the bald guy.

And another sign of getting old is when you don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

FLOWERS IN COYOTE CANYON & A HIKE UP ALCOHOLIC PASS

THE TRAIL LEADING BACK FROM THE SUMMIT OF ALCOHOLIC PASS

I was surprised how much our landscape had changed this morning when I stepped out of the rig.  A lot of neighboring RV's were gone with more packing up & pulling out.  There were probably 40 rigs scattered about the desert landscape over the week-end but I only counted 19 left.  The neighborhood was looking very empty.  Ya know, we never met any of those folks but I kinda miss seeing their rigs in place.  Strange huh.

BEAVER TAIL CACTUS BLOOMS

Winds were brisk & cool when the sun went behind the clouds.  Well actually it's the clouds moving in front of the sun, right.  Short morning walk but we came across some vehicle tracks not far away that I was very familiar with.  They have been there over 2 years now & mark the spot where a Canadian couple from Alberta tried to take a short cut though the desert with their pick-up truck & travel trailer a couple years ago.  I was sitting at the computer that day when Kelly said, "hey, I think those people are stuck."  Well, they sure were!!  Had the four wheel drive truck buried to it's axles.  I hopped on my bicycle & zipped over to Butch's & we hopped in his truck & went to see what we could do for the hapless couple.  Well, turns out.......not much:((  Here are the STUCK PHOTOS from that day.

                            

2 YEAR OLD RUTS STILL REMAIN IN THE DESERT

We had some errands to run in Borrego Springs this morning & then we drove out to Coyote Canyon east of Borrego Springs.  Figured the flowers would be blooming out there & they sure were.  Took a bumpy jeep road back along the base of Coyote Mountain for a couple miles until we came to the trailhead of Alcoholic Pass.

  

Quote: "For centuries, Cahuilla Indians used Alcoholic Pass as a convenient shortcut between Coyote Canyon and Clark Valley. In time, a well-beaten trail was worn across the precipitous slopes west of the pass. Around the year 1900, the Clark brothers, early cattlemen who homesteaded in Coyote Canyon, used this trail to transport some primitive well-drilling equipment to the site now known as Clark Well in Clark Valley. Near the top of the pass, the old Cahuilla trail squeezed between two boulders so closely spaced that the burros’ loads had to be unpacked to fit through. Today, you can still follow the obvious trace of this historic pathway."  Unquote

 

FILLING WATER JUGS IN BORREGO - OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY - AND THE TILE ROOF GROCERY STORE

The 'Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert' book by Robin Halford said this was a strenuous hike.  Well, she was right!!  The section along the wash was alive with large Ocotillo plants in bloom.  Beaver tail cactus & varieties  of flowers competed for space among the many rocks.  The wash started off smooth enough but soon the wide sandy trail led us to a narrow path veering off to the right & up!!  From that point we climbed 600 feet up a long winding foot path with every footstep higher than the one before.  The trail reminded me of the steep Ghost Mountain trail over in the Blair Valley.

THE DESERT IS BLOOMING

Took us the best part of 45 minutes to reach the top with stops for pictures & breathers.  It is on trails like this that I am reminded of the excess baggage I carry.  I make promises to myself while puffing along that I will never eat another peanut butter sandwich or hamburger with fries.  Not ever not never.  I'm not so good at keeping promises like that though & we just kept on trudging onwards & forever upwards.

COYOTE CANYON

The views out over Coyote Canyon to the San Ysidro mountains was beautiful with cloud shadows moving across the mountain faces & into the canyons.  Far below on the valley floor lay countless acres of neatly spaced & trimmed orange orchards.  Beyond that another 5 miles or so lay the sweet little town of Borrego Springs.  The sky was alive with personality as the lumbering clouds increased in size & density.  Stopped to take some nice photos & I have already uploaded today's hike photos into album entitled, COYOTE CANYON & ALCOHOLIC PASS 

THE OCOTILLO'S ARE IN BLOOM

The trail actually leads over the summit pass & down the east side of Coyote Mountain to the Clark Dry Lake Bed area where our motorhome is but we just went as far as the summit.  There was a post along the trail with a box affair on it with a plastic zip lock bag containing a trail log for people to sign.  Lots of names, dates, & comments, in the book.  We left a couple Bayfield Bunch cards in the bag too.  Because this is called Alcoholic Pass some people had left comments regarding their affiliation with alcohol so of course I had to add my sobriety date of October 19th 1979 beside my name:))  Am I proud of that........you bet!!

 

SIGNING THE LOG AT THE SUMMIT

We marked the spot with our GPS & the co-ordinates for the summit are...N 33* 21.5544 x W 116* 22.5640  Elevation 1,546 & the time was 1:23 on March 8/10

TIME TO PUT THE SWEATER BACK ON BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR WINDY DESCENT

The climb up had us sweating but the trek back down the west south side of the mountain was much cooler as the winds picked up & the cloud cover increased.  Took us 35 minutes to gingerly pick our way down the grade that had our toes trying their darndest to poke holes through the front of our hiking boots.  A lot of ankle twisting loose rocks so we couldn't hurry.  Always glad to reach the car for sure.

ACRES & ACRES OF ORANGE TREE ORCHARDS WITH BORREGO SPRINGS IN THE BACKGROUND

We just had to drive back out coyote canyon & around the south end of Coyote mountain & we were back at the rig.  A big flop in the chair & it wasn't long & I had some zzzzzzzzzzz's floating around my head.

A few more rigs had left while we were away & a few more had arrived.  With probably 50 to a hundred square miles of space here we were lucky nobody pulled up right beside us!!  Our friends Jim & Rene weren't so lucky as they had a Class A practically park on top of them late Saturday.  Remember yesterday's picture of that white fifth wheel......well, that's Jim & Rene.

DESERT BARREL CACTUS BLOOMS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Did you hear about the man who avoided funerals because he was not a mourning person.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.