Sunday, January 30, 2011

Boondocking!!

We got out of North Ranch Wednesday about 11am and headed for Bouse, AZ. We hooked  the Silverado to the back of our Motorhome and everything worked fine. I ask Rollie to follow me for a while and keep an eye on things, just to make sure I had done everything correct. Setting the truck up so it will tow is a real snap. It was easy with the Honda but you always had to leave the switch in Acc which was a slight drag on the battery. With this 4x4 you only have to put the transfer case in Neutral and you're good to go. Turn the switch off, pull the key’s and lock the door . No draw whatsoever on the battery.  Cool!  It towed superb and I couldn’t tell a bit of difference from towing it than towing the Honda although it does weigh about 2000 lbs. more. Plus, I had my Polaris 500 Sportsman loaded and strapped in the back. I don’t think that 450 Cummins even noticed any difference.  It purred along beautifully.
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A couple hours later we were in Bouse and followed Rollie and Gina back into the desert to their favorite Boondocking spot. We scoped out our campsites and set up. Several of our friends were already here.  That’s Rollie and Gina’s rig in the background. They are about our closest neighbor, with Jim and Ellie just in front of us a ways.  It was a Superb day and the temps were right around 70*.  We got set up and all unhooked and unloaded just in time to relax a few minutes....

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Then it was Happy Hour time! John Brown ( True name, I swear!) invited everyone over to his and Brenda Brown’s place for Happy Hour and then Hot Dogs cooked over the fire on his super neat grill. As usual, in Arizona when that sun even starts to go down, you better get a jacket on.   That’s Ms. Pat in the lower left with her hood pulled up. It does turn cool pretty fast..
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Soon after we were stuffed with Hot Dogs and all the trimmins', Gina announced to me “Pops, it's roasted marshmallow time”!
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Gina knows I like everything “burnt”, so she was fixin me right up!
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Gina says “OK Pop’s, is this “burnt” enough for ya”?  Ah yes, it was perfect. Gee it was delicious....I hadn’t had a good ole roasted (burnt) Marshmallow for 30 years!
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OK, Gina says. "It's now time for a S'MORE!!     A what?    I had never in my life had one of those.  Gina says “Well, you're gonna have one now”!  Hummm, well, OK. By golly, wow!,  Dad gum if she didn’t force TWO of them there “s'more’s” down me!!  Smile
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So you can see Ms. Pat and I are enjoying ourselves out here in the desert where it is so quiet, so dark, so alone, yet so close to friend’s.  Here Ms. Pat and I sit one night all by ourselves back at our rig, just enjoying a campfire. Another thing I haven’t done for a long time.

Today is going to be a super day and I am so excited it's hard for me to concentrate on writing this Blog. You see, my son Patrick who lives just about 100 miles north of here in Lake Havasu City, is coming out to spend the day. He is bringing his 4 wheeler and we will take a little trip back in the hills.  That will be another first and one that means more than anyone will ever know to me.  Praise the Lord!

It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!

Thanks for dropping by.  Come on back Wednesday for more about our stay in the desert with “Our Kid’s”!!

Mike

This Blog is published every Sunday and Wednesday..

13 comments:

Sam&Donna Weibel said...

Great to see you guys are having a good time with friends and you'll get a day with your son on the 4 wheelers, that's just the way to spend a day,We are in for some more winter weather so rel;ax and take advantage of the warmer weather while you can. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

All Because Two People Fell In Love said...

First, Mom only let you have those burnt marshmellows & smore's because your daughter was feeding them to you.LOL Gina and I are so excited for you today in that you get to spend some quality Father & Son time in the desert today. Enjoy four-wheeling with Patrick and making fond memories with him. Have a Great Day out there!!

We love you,
Your Kids

Keith Green said...

Mike.. I am curious. Yuou said you leave the key off. Is the steering wheel NOT locked with the key in that position. I thought the OFF position would lock the steering wheel and the front wheels would not turn.

René and Jeanette Genereux said...

It's great to read how much fun you guys/girls are having out there. Hard to top that, isn't it?

Jerry and Suzy said...

Campfire in the desert - delightful. We too haven't done that in ages. But we aren't boondockers, at least not for more than one or two nights at a time, and that limits our campfire opportunities. Have a great time with Patrick.

Sue and Doug said...

we have so enjoyed reading all the 'blogs' of everyone who is out there with you, enjoying the 'boondocking' experience looks like great fun!..thanks for letting us tag along..have fun four-wheeling with your son!..great memories are being made in the desert!..love the campfire shots and all the smiling faces!!

Chuck and Anneke's RV travels said...

That looks like a lot of fun!

David, Sheila and Stella the Beagle said...

Our son is named Patrick also ... great memories of him growing up in Boy Scouts and visiting us wherever we workamp! Ya'll look like you are having fun!

Dave & Sheila

Felicia said...

campfires and an Arizona sunset. Would love to have the time for that. Smores... banana boats and cobbler...... The bestest with that same campfires. Friends top it off perfectly!!! But it is always nice to have a nice romantice time......... just the two of you with that same campfire & Arizona sunset

squawmama said...

Sound simply perfect... Glad your having fun withh all your friends. Enjoy your visit with your son! I am excited for you...
Have fun & Travel Safe
Donna

Happytrails said...

So glad you all are out in the desert enjoying yourselves with good friends. What fun!!
I am also glad your son is coming to spend time with you guys...God is good!!! You all have fun!!

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