A cold wind blows across the desert.
The plan for today was to move camp to the BLM land over by North Ranch, the Escapee park. You may have read on The Bayfield Bunch blog about this huge, boondocking area. Al and Kelly invited the crew and me to try it.
However, with the wind whipping through here like it is, I don’t want to go outside, let alone hitch up and tow. One thing I always avoid is towing my Casita in wind. I don’t want a scrambled egg! Maybe tomorrow we’ll move there.
It doesn’t matter what the weather, the crew must go out.
Besides the first-thing-in-the-morning potty break, Bridget and Spike need their long, morning walk to burn off energy.
Wearing my Nanuck of the North coat zipped up to my nose and with the hood up, I walk the crew over to the cluster of motorhomes and tents nearby.
I feel sorry for the tent people. No one is around and one of their two tents is flat to the ground and the other valiantly fighting the wind. Spike, of course, wants to go sniff their belongings so I have to yank him to break his determination.
I’m curious what is on the other side of this camping area.
I suspect there are more trails over there. This windy day is a good time to check it out, because no one is outside. We find two wide trails and investigate one. It leads to three really nice campsites, one with a big palo verde.
Bridget tires of walking in the wind and gives me her please-can-we-go-home look, while Spike pulls on the leash to keep exploring. Bridget wins, because I’m ready to get back into our comfy, little house with the sun streaming through the windows and no wind!
One of the things I’ve come to love about the desert is the sunshine every day. No matter how cold or windy, there’s usually an abundance of sunbeams reaching the PTV’s panel.
At this camp I’ve identified the following birds from our windows or on our walks: cactus wren, curve-bill thrasher, gila woodpecker, verdin (so cute with his yellow head!), northern mockingbird, black-throated sparrow (one of my favorites), phainopepla, and quail (heard but not seen).
How will we spend the day inside?
I need to prepare bags of the greens I bought yesterday. I’ll wash the lettuce and spinach, and trim off the stems and bad parts. I also have radishes and zucchini to clean. I’ll put this together in freezer bags which will keep it all crisp in the fridge for a long time.
I’ll do some cooking. I haven’t decided yet what I’ll cook, but I’ve got loads of groceries to choose from!
I’ll get online several times throughout the day. There’s always the kindle for reading and mahjongg, my favorite kindle game. And I can vegetate, watching Judge Judy on TV. Not to mention all the cuddling with the crew and our late afternoon walk . . . . brrrrr! Or I’ll sit and watch the birds, chipmunks, and jackrabbits scurrying about outside our window.
Thanks to those of you who comment on my blog.
I do enjoy hearing what you have to say. I feel a bit guilty for not commenting on other people’s blogs. By the time I write my blog, read comments, and reply, I need to get away from the computer! I do visit your blogs and enjoy the great variety of adventures and writing styles.
Well, maybe tomorrow we’ll be in a new campsite!
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 