It’s too chilly to hike this morning.
I decide to wait until the sun is higher in the sky.
My laptop’s charge is low and I have a lot I want to do online while I drink my first cup of coffee. In order to speed up the charging, I go out to the Perfect Tow Vehicle, start ‘er up, and carefully reposition her so the solar panel faces the rising sun.
That gives the batteries the boost they need.
Tilting a solar panel is great, but the sunlight is going to hit it from the side either in the early morning or the late afternoon or both. Having the panel on the tow vehicle overcomes that. Since I want my power and I want it NOW, I face the panel toward the sun as it rises in the east, and around noon I’ll put the panel down so we can go on our Cow Plop adventure. Upon returning, I’ll park the PTV so the sunlight hits it from the west.
I’m getting ahead of myself here.
By noon the temperature has warmed enough for our little hike. I put on a light jacket because the breeze is cool, I check that the camera is ready, and I grab my walking stick.
I don’t need to tell Bridget and Spike that we’re going. They know the signs and are at the PTV’s side door in a flash. Once they jump in, I move the stepladder alongside the PTV, climb up, and remove the panel supports, securing the panel in place.
We drive up the dirt road and cross about five washes.
Spike is looking out the side window, watching the scenery go by. It’s probably nothing but a blur. He’s happy. That’s all that matters.
I think he can tell this isn’t another boring grocery trip.
I park within view of Cow Plop Mountain, which isn’t really a mountain.
It’s a big boulder, but I think you’ll agree that Cow Plop Boulder doesn’t sound as good as Cow Plop Mountain. Bridget squeals to be let out as soon as I turn the ignition to off. Spike and Bridget jump out. Spike races ahead of us. He’s on a mission to climb that hill!
Bridget and I try to keep up with him.
I gain a vantage point from which to photograph Cow Plop and the surrounding desert.
Very few RVs are in view, a lot less than a week ago.
Spike is still ahead. Before I can catch up with him, he’s come back with a new friend!
I walk up to the top of the rise and see a Class B motorhome. Apparently this is the dog’s campsite. The two canines sniff and play for a short time, short because Spike has to assert himself with a snarl. Bridget chooses to keep her distance.
“Okay, Spike! That’s enough. Let’s go!”
I make the come-along-now hand gesture. And he obeys!
Bridget takes the lead on the way back to the PTV.
The Perfect Tow Vehicle awaits in a garden of desert plants.
Right away I set out some water for the crew. Then they both jump in the PTV to claim their seats.
I drive us to the base of Cow Plop.
It being Saturday, there are young people climbing on it. See them at the top of the smaller plop?
I decide to skip the climb, rather than inject myself into their experience.
Bridget eyes say, “I’m ready for a nap now,” and Spike’s bark at the young people’s car is sharp and high. His voice gets like that when he’s worn out.
“Good. You two will sleep the rest of the afternoon.”
On the way back to camp, I spy something unusual in a saguaro. I stop, grab the camera, and jog over to see what it is.
A bird has made a nest using grass, sticks and cotton stuffing. Great architecture around this bird’s home!
Boy, the crew chomps their kibble with great gusto upon our return home. Soon they are nestled in the covers on our bed, fast asleep.
It was good to be out with the crew getting some exercise, looking out over the desert, enjoying this brisk, clear day together.
rvsue
rvsue and her canine crew 