Sun, Oct 31:  Lake Mead…still!

Nice cool morning…yay!   Another too relaxing day while we wait to get to son’s house in AZ.  Rearranged our Florida winter reservations online.  SLOW Verizon coverage here.

Sat, Oct 30:  Lake Mead

Relaxing is getting tiring.  Not much wind and maybe 85 degrees.  Mali went for another swim today to tire her out a bit and play fetch in water.  We took a jeep ride to Echo Bay to check out the campground there and see what else there was to see.

Uneventful.  Staying in one place for longer than a couple of days is difficult for me.

Fri, Oct 29:  Lake Mead

More relaxing today and short walks.  A hot 82 degrees at least.  Water is a bit cold for me to swim! 

Thurs, Oct 28: Lake Mead

Today was spent doing some research on a future trip to coastal Oregon.

In the afternoon, we took Mali down to the water (it is down, down, down with Las Vegas etc sucking water out).  It gets lower every year.  She loves playing fetch in the water.  On land not so much…more interest in her jolly ball.  She doesn’t like to be in water but add a stick that floats and you have her full on attention.  It was good for her to have this “bath” and get the exercise.

Our trash was getting a bit overwhelming so we took a ride to a dumpster locally to get rid of it all…no trash right where we are.

Found small ants in the rv on the floor in the evening…lots of smooshing, dug out the terro and put it in a compartment where they were coming up on our solar wire.  Hopefully they will feed well overnight. Ants did not find our trash as that is stored elsewhere.  David got a few bites from them….  They kept coming…

Weds, Oct 27:  Lake Mead

A quiet day of relaaaaxxxxing.  Jeep ride at night just before dark to explore the area.

Tuesday, October 26:  Pahranagut National Wildlife to Lake Mead

What the reviews didn’t mention about PNW is that the highway or route 93 is about 40? Feet above the campground road where we are nestled to camp.  Along that highway is a rumble strip that far to many people cannot manage to avoid.  There are cars and there are trucks as well…not a quiet country road.  When they hit the rumble strip, it is LOUD!  Okay for a quick overnight but I need my sleep.

 

We completed our trip to Pahranagut National Wildlife Preserve by doing the Upper Lake Trail walk…3.5 miles.  Chatted with the Volunteer about volunteering…which we have done in other parks.     We drove then to Lake Mead for free camping.  Judging by other areas with boondocking along the way, we expected it to be rather crowded.  As luck would have it, we got a spot that a guy was leaving from….a perfect spot.

 

Relaxing at Lake Mead in the pm. Grilled dinner with salad.

Monday, Oct 25:  A hot spring to Pahranagut National Wildlife refuge

UGH, a windy night even though we were in quasi protected area…wasn’t getting hit too hard from all sides.  The lid on the fantastic fan/cover was creaking all night…got up for the day at 3:30am with wind not stopping anytime soon…no hope of going back to sleep.

 

After some errands and replacing jeep tire (a slash that we did not see and not fixable), we drove to Pahranagut National Wildlife Refuge for a free overnight or two.  We arrived later (errands) so there were only two sites left…a shared one (two sites together or one long skinny one RIGHT next to a van.  We went with the long skinny one and kept the jeep attached…hoping to back out of there tomorrow or next day?  Short walk with wonderful Mali but had to cut it short due to rain.  It basically rained all ding dong day (just like in NY)…didn’t expect that in Nevada.

Sunday, Oct 24:  A hot spring…

Today we had another wonderful soak and moved locations to make things a little less windy.  David rescued two young women…pulled them out of the sand; he wanted his good deeds acknowledge in this blog.  But first, just as she was flagging him down, we had a flat tire.  The tire was fixed after David figured out where everything was in this 2017 jeep.  Suspected valve stems AGAIN (they are not metal) but we will find out tomorrow when we go have the tired fixed.  Off he went to take girl back to her car and pull her and friend out.  I walked the 1.5? miles back to the rv to hang out and wait for him to pick me up.  The jeep will only fit one person as the back seat is replaced with a good puppy platform with storage underneath.

Saturday, Oct 23:  Millers Rest Area to a hot spring

Not really a quiet night.  It seems that cars or trucks were going by almost all night.

David was extremely cranky.  We drove to the hot spring of my dreams…no one there, perfect temperature and clean already. What more can one ask for?  A perfect soak of minerals.  I watched as another rv stopped, poked around in the wrong area and must have discovered the stream was warm and then they went DOWN stream (where it was getting cooler) and then they gave up and drove off.  I was not going to tell them how to do this!  

 

BUSTED!  Some local person must have ratted on us because the owner came charging up in the car and beeping horn while david was fixing a fence (cattle)…David smoothed it over.  But end results no one was allowed due to covid.   The day ended with a quick trip to another hot spring of equal wonderfulness and again we were the only ones there.  We found a place to park for the night with plans for tomorrow.

Fri, Oct 22:  Sportsman’s Beach at Walker Lake, NV to Millers Rest Area, Tonopah

A quiet night was had by all despite the road not being that far away.  We walked down to the lake but elected to not have Mali swim and chase sticks…wasn’t sure how good the water would be for her to drink and she does get some when she gets the sticks I throw.  Also if she swims she wants to roll to get the water off as she is not a big fan of water…won’t go in on her own but will fetch sticks.   THEN there would be a rather long walk back to rv either carrying 46 lb. wet dog or walking a 46 lb. wet and very SANDY dog that wants to keep rolling.    WINDY today…as in too windy…get me outa here too windy.  

 

Because it was so windy, I elected to move on even though our paid stay was not done.  I cannot sleep if the rv is getting knocked around moderately.  It was gusty and there was great potential in that wind tunnel area for me to be up all night…NOPE.  We did some quick shopping in Hawthorne Nevada and then drove to Miller Rest Area near Tonopah.  No trucks were allowed and there were about 8 rv’s including us.  It was a bit tired but nice thought in its amenities, dog area (but not on grass), dog bags, picnic tables and covers, TREES, trash.  Right across from a cell tower…ah NOPE, we moved on other side near some minor power lines…not much choice and this was a quick overnight.  Arrived just before dark.

Thurs, Oct 21:  A hot spring in Nevada to Fallon to Sportsman’s Beach at Walker Lake, NV

Decided to leave today and get some things done in Fallon…including a second try at Amazon Hub pick up…the first one was never resolved so I have to get refund on that one and no one ever called me back (the second time it was supposed to be within in hour). Fallon provided us with gasoline, dump/no fresh water at the golden gate (with jeep gas purchase), propane at Big R, Walmart shopping $214!!!

Amazon hub pick up/FINALLY SUCCESSFUL. I spent less than a minute in the store to grab the package. First Amazon hub pick up automatically put it up for refund…it was NEVER coming back to ELY.

 

After Fallon we headed to Walker Lake and checked out the following three BLM campgrounds:  20 mile beach, Tamarisk, and Sportsman’s beach.  It “seemed” the first two were free as there were no fee boxes?  The last one was the one we selected BECAUSE it had specific camp sites and a picnic table (for easier grilling for the grill guy). So three nights of Sportsman’s Beach Campground cost us $9 with the OLD GUY PASS.  We had the last site/31.  Yes, they are near the road but the views are pretty awesome…much warmer here…changed into shorts as too hot otherwise.  The two other BLM campgrounds looked like it was just a free for all in camping and we questioned whether the OTV/OHV, ATV, etc crowd would come in tomorrow?  This worked better for us!  Our research told us that there was some soft sand at the first two and we did not wish to get stuck.

 

Some short walking.

Weds, Oct 20:  A hot spring in Nevada

A morning soak for us…me watching the moon set and the sun rise.  Breakfast and walk up in the hills, followed by a jeep tour of the area.  One more person arrived today and more in the general area.

Tues, October 19:  A hot spring in Nevada

By morning too many people arrived for my liking…just too many people and COVID is only a small part of it.  Some people are in there for hours (including david) not me…soooo taking turns isn’t necessary a thing. Made a decision to move because for many reasons but some jackass left the heat pipe full on in the hot spring so it was too hot.  Came out in morning to take a walk and they (the crowd) were all sitting with only their feet in or in the mud because it was too hot to use.  Most were not familiar with the area.  Some nice soaks today and sharing with new folks…meaning we each get our soak time.  Quiet now.

Monday, October 18:  A hot spring in Nevada

Woke this morning and the wind began kicking up and then sleet and more wind…ugh…which we were expecting.  It was not looking good for solar power, however Nevada did not disappoint and David was able to set the panels up. We have 3 additional panels on the roof that do some of the work. But having four that we move around works well for us.  I did three soaks today and David will have four by the end of the day.  Walked Mali a few times and she also hung out at the tub for awhile on a long line (but not too long because she likes to eat stuff she should not. 

 

A quiet day at the hot spring as tonight is going to be cold…yet to be determined just HOW cold but I think maybe in the teens.

 

Projects today for David:  Make a reflectix insulation case for our truckfridge (extra refrig/freezer) to help it conserve energy.  Remove exterior refrigerator vent and tape up the top two vents (leaving one open) to help with the cold weather tonight…use gorilla tape and then reinstall.  DONE!

 

After dinner (one pot Asian chicken stew) walk around the hood…thermometer says 46 but that is in the propane wooden box in back and slow to respond to temperature changes. I am guessing 40.  Some wind but not like this morning or yesterday.

Sunday, October 17:  A hot spring in Nevada to another Hot spring Nevada

22 degrees upon wake up this morning…knew it was cold the heater was running often.  Waited for first light and wiggled our way out of the rutty part.  Driving separately (me in jeep and david in motorhome) made quick work of the washboard roads…about 12-15 minutes versus a good hour?  Separately we could glide over the roads.  A stop in Elko Walmart for a few things and gas so that WHEN the weather gets cold tonight we have heat options (like turn on engine).  We settled into our spot at the nameless hotspring and had a nice soak.  Will clean the tub tomorrow…brought a brush.  WINDY as heck here and blowing sand.  Walks with dog because she needs exercise.

 

After dinner we did a jeep ride to see what we saw.  On the route coming back in hit thick (may 12” or more) of SOFT dirt/moondust.  When the wind was coming from behind us and we hit a deep spot, poof, no visuals out front of jeep.  Jeep made it through all of it even with our stock street tires (that is an upgrade for the future).  Wind died down and all was good.

Saturday, Oct 16:  A Utah Hot Spring to another hot spring….this time in Nevada.

Well, this was a day.  No morning hot spring dip because well, it was occupied and we were just tired of too many people here.  Last night even more came in…at one time David guestimated there were 20 people either in the spring or waiting around the tub….so much for Covid distancing.  We left early and headed west hoping to find a better hot spring.  After procuring gas and a quick grocery shop, we headed off to find this hot spring.  It was early evening and thinking seriously about turning into night when we arrived as far as we could go.  Deep ruts said a big fat no to the motorhome (24 foot jayco) but David took the jeep to see what spring looked liked.  AFTER many miles on gravel roads (38+) and a few wrong turns, we were hoping that it was good.  Well, David read it wrong and it did say 4 wheel drive needed.  It was really only needed the last 1/8 of the way…so we made it far before getting shot down.   I read the description and noted what I read to David but he either didn’t hear me or thought it was part of another route which we did not take.  I gave up and let him have his way.  As it turns out the hot spring was a little more rustic than I would have liked.  I asked david if he would have gone in if we could drive up.  He said, “After coming this far, I would find my way in.”  It was turbid and we had no way of knowing without going in  just how hot it was.  We REALLY need a hand held digital thermometer where you point and shoot!  Dark fell quickly so we decided to stay put in the rv rather than find our way out in the dark…not a big deal but we both had enough.

Fri, Oct 15:  A Utah Hot Spring

This morning arrived and no new comers to the hot spring.  So we enjoyed a nice soak in early morning…24 degrees upon wake up this morning…run to the hot spring….someone had made it too hot so we had to make adjustments.  In the afternoon we enjoyed another soak…still no one else. 

 

On the Amazon hub locker pick up….we called again and it had been sent back but they were going to try and intercept it and have it shipped back to Ely.  We asked them how the heck did it get refused.  Notes said:  Package is returning to seller because recipient did not order. Not sure which “recipient” didn’t order because I sure did…was it the locker who didn’t order it, the guy in the store where the locker was in front of?, new UPS guy that got lazy.  Who knows.  They said that UPS

swill call us within the hour to let us know when it would be delivered.  I honestly thought they would; David said they wouldn’t.  Hours later they still did not.  Disappointing first Amazon Hub Locker nonpurchase.

 

David was grill guy doing bbq chicken and asparagus.

 

By late afternoon there was and influx of people parking RIGHT up as close to the hot spring as they could get…including a family of about 10!

Thurs, Oct 14:  A Utah Hot spring

We waited patiently for the family that monopolized the hotpsring to leave and they left in the early afternoon…finally.  We could have gone in with them but ah, nope.  A pleasant soak and hot as we wanted it.  Later afternoon two people came and went.  I took Mali for a nice walk up the hill and followed a path for a bit…the ground was covered with volcanic spew from somewhere around here.  Actually took Mali for quite a few walks as she kept asking…we didn’t tie her out because it was cold enough for me to not want to sit out and there is enough debris that I might not want her to get into.  We took a walk to check out other hot spots in the immediate area to see if any were viable for a second tub and don’t think so.  A jeep ride further on to explore.  David had a nice LONG soak after dark.

 

Oh, lets talk about using Amazon HUB while traveling.  It was recommended to me so I tried as I needed to get some important supplements…SOON.  I hunted and finally found a place along our suspected route that actually had a hub (we travel rather rurally).  I planned it so I would be there in the required time; you get 3 days after delivery to pick it up.  I saw that it was shipped and followed my packages journey, and waited patiently the day it was out on the truck.  THEN, came the pronouncement that IT WAS REFUSED at the Amazon Locker? WHATTTTT? From what I can ONLY figure is that MAYBE there was a new driver and he tried to deliver it to the store that it was out in front of and it was a new person at the store he tried to deliver it to???  WHAT the hell? David had a phone number for Amazon so I called them and then had me on the phone with a UPS rep and she said she put me on urgent to have a local (ELY, NV) rep call me.  Never did get the call tonight (called around 5pm).  All I wanted is for them to take that package and go back and put it in the locker!  OR take the package back tomorrow and Not return to sender, NOOOOOO.  We will see what Friday brings! 

Weds, Oct 13:  BLM lands/Goblin Valley to a Utah Hot Spring

Yay a sunny crisp day.  The  morning found us doing the hike from our rv to Wild Horse Window/Arch.  There was water for the last bit so we elected to not scramble and just stop there.  Nice hike and in my current state of out-of-shapeness I managed it fine…just a little slow on the uphills going back.  Sitting around outside enjoying the day, I asked David: So you want to leave and go to the hot spring we have scheduled?  Normally he is always stuck in the plans and won’t budge but this time since it was only 4 hours away, he said, Yes.  By the way it would never take us 4 hours…more like 5 or 6.  After a phone call, we were out of there later than I expected but by 4pm.  We arrived after some spectacular scenery from route 70 around 9:15pm.  Normally he won’t drive at night but this was doable.  A family was there enjoying the tub so we decided to let them be and go in tomorrow.  I/donna, wanted to clean it first.

Tues, Oct 12:  BLM lands outside of Goblin Valley

Rain last night; we never get rain when we are in the west…never!  BUT that would have been SNOW up where we WERE headed so rain is okay.  We took a few short walks today avoiding the squishy areas, a jeep exploration mostly on paved roads as the others were somewhat squishy. Kind of a quiet few days here and a gray day. Had a hankering for ice cream or dinner out and asked david how far he thought Ray’s Tavern in Green River was…50 miles.  I checked and it was 42 miles…so 84 miles to accomplish that craving…ah NOPE.  I got over it really quick.

Mon, Oct 11:  Green River State Park, Utah to BLM lands outside of Goblin Valley

After dumping, hardware store for computer mouse, and grocery store, we were off to BLM lands by Goblin Valley….a short ride away.  We got a spot which we always manage to get, noticed that someone was packing up on the rim and made ready to take that spot.   Their wheels were barely gone, when we moved into OUR spot. Walking Mali dog.  Making gluten free chocolate chip cookies.

Sun Oct 10:  Green River State Park, Utah

Took a walk around campground.  We did updated weather check and made travel plans for the next week or so based on the COLD weather (single digits at night) and some snow.   We had lunch at Ray’s Tavern outside on patio and two other groups joined us.  Good hamburgers and real French fries.  Went shopping for MELONS…after all this IS the melon capitol of the world/self proclaimed I think. I got watermelon just because I love it, Crenshaw, and I forgot the other name…tempted to get a few more but space is maxed.  I like how they tell you when it will be ripe so you can plan how many you need for ripening 1 day, 3 days, etc.  Within the week they will all be gone; Mali loves melon as well.  David ran around “town” trying to find a mouse for his computer…tomorrow we will try hardware store.  Grilled bbq chicken, salad, air fries with spices.

Sat, Oct 9:  Green River Campground @ dino NM to Green River State Park

Ugh, rained all night last night…mostly.  Leaving today and have to dry some things off to stow them for transport.  We were going to head to a hot spring in Utah but when further weather checks revealed snow (4”) and knowing the parking situation at hot spring could/would be potential mud, we made a decision to head to sunny Green River State Park.  As we were driving down I called and they don’t take phone reservations but they did tell me they had 3 spaces left…not a lot for a Columbus day weekend.  There was a class b that passed us driving down and then got off at the same exit.  We elected to NOT get gas first or make any other stops and go straight to campground.  It was a wise decision because we got a 40 foot site that someone had vacated last minute…the other three sites were smaller.  As it turns out the same rv came in later and got a SMALL site that we might not have fit it AND it was crammed in between two other sites (probably more of a good fit for a tent).  Our site is long enough and has a nice grassy play yard for Mali to run after her ball.  Early bird gets the worm.  Made farm beef/veggie chili for dinner and it was good; love one pot meals.  Also took the jeep for a wash at a diy car wash down the street.  It looked good immediately after washing; I did it. However when it dried after the one mile or less drive back to the campground, it looked bad.  We need to hit it with soap/water and a big sponge.  Walk campground and Mali performed brilliantly with no barking at lunging or barking dogs.

Fri, Oct 8:  Green River Campground @ Dinosaur National Monument

I found the dinosaurs!  After breakfast we took a ride to the visitor center to have a look and then to the dinosaur quarry.  The quarry was quite impressive. The finds on this hill were left in relief AND there was a lot of them mostly camosaurus but it was over 100 different varieties of dinosaurs.  The park has other “dino hills” they they are working on. The quarry is done.  I asked if I could borrow a shovel to go dig on the hill over there where there more and the young attendant agreed that would be a fun task for a bit but no, no shovels. Mostly university slaves that do the work under paleontologists.  RAINING today on and off and then on for longer than I would like.  I thought it doesn’t rain in the desert, ha!    Took a ride down by the rafting area and that looked like fun but not if the nights are HOT.

Thurs, Oct 7:   Flaming Gorge Utah to Green River Campground in Dino National Monument

We left Flaming Gorge early because as usual, there are errands to be done.  But first there was the down, down, down to the dam at Flaming gorge.  Then, there was the up, up, up 8400 ft elevation and then down with switchbacks and a couple of runaway truck ramps thrown in for fun.  We had done this ride before.  Into Vernal we rode to get our errands done: walmart pick up,  Lowes for some supplies, dump tanks at Superior Oil $10 because it didn’t appear that either Mavericks had a dump station/oil change there as well because we were there and easier than david doing it right now.  Then into the campground which was not far away.  There were quite a few sites to choose from when we arrived early afternoon so we rode around the loops (80 campsites total) a couple of times to select.  Some were back in and quite a few were roadside pull through sites.  We chose a pull through site and then unhooked.  Took a walk around the campground.  Dinner of bbq diy ribs/grilled veggies.  Drive to see some petroglyphs/pictographs that were rather neat. Campfire.  By evening quite a few more spots had been taken but not all; a long weekend with Columbus day thrown in.  $9 with old guy pass per night/no cell phone and texts are slow or non existent.

Weds, Oct 6:  Flaming Gorge, Utah

Rain today, on and off and just as I was about to walk, rain. We did finally get on in to the top of the “island”.  There are very few rv’s here now.  QUIET!

 

Watched the sun set; Mali was being crazy dog and would GRRR at us if her ball went out of range or if she just wanted someone to kick it to her.  LOTS of bugs out tonight and today (after rain) but they were not biting bugs.