Clifford and I are camped in our RV, Cougar, on Black Rock Road not far from our friend David, a fellow nomad. The last weekend of January, Clifford, David, and I make a trip to Mesquite, Nevada, to the balloon festival. We meet friends Rick and LeeAnn there, go to a casino for a great lunch, the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum, and a pawn shop while we wait for the evening Balloon Glow when the balloons are filled and lit up. At the pawn shop I saw an old fiddle in a brand new case; I was tempted to buy it, but since I don’t really need another instrument, I talked myself out of it.
At the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum with Friends
We parked on a hill on the edge of Mesquite to watch the activity below until dark, then found a place to park near the balloon field so we could walk through and see the balloons up close. The balloons are huge and colorful and it was fun to walk among them.
Mesquite, Nevada, Balloon FestivalBalloon Glow at Mesquite, Nevada, Balloon Festival
In my miscellaneous reading, I come across something called “Five Minute Journal,” which I added to my daily journal writing: 1) – Inspiring quote. 2) – List 3 things I am grateful for. 3) – List 3 goals for the day (and did I accomplish them, if writing pm). 4) – List 3 things that were amazing or made me happy. 5) – Anything I would have done differently. In reviewing the journal for this blog, I find what I wrote in the Five Minute Journal to be quite interesting. I am glad I did it, at least for a while.
As January draws to a close, the temperature is warm enough for Clifford to sit outside on the sunny side of Cougar to play music, even getting bit of a tan.
Clifford Plays Dulcimer in the Sunshine
An exciting change of weather happens the very next day – SNOW! I spend a long time walking in the snow taking photos. It doesn’t last long, but it was delightful for me while it was happening.
Falling Snow Blurs the HorizonSnow Defines the MesaMountain to the West Covered in White
By the next day, the last day of January, the snow is all gone, except for the new white coat on Pine Mountain. What will February bring?
As January proceeds, there are many overcast and windy days at Black Rock Road in northwest Arizona where Clifford and I are camped near out friend David in a wide desert basin. Sometimes there is rain, which is good, and I don’t mind walking in the rain, but all too often it is too windy to walk, so indoor projects take the place of walks in the desert. Some evenings we play UK fiddle tunes after dinner. That is always fun.
Even on the windy indoor days, I keep an eye out for color in the sky as the sun nears the horizon morning and evening.
Moon Rising at SunsetSunset Color Reflects Off the Snow on Pine Mountain
Saturday January 7, it is 27 degrees this morning and there is frost on the creosote. I quickly head out to take photos of the frost, so sparkly and pretty, just as the moon is setting.
Frost on CreosoteMoon Setting in the West
During the days we are inside, my projects include publishing blogs I’ve work on and rereading Fate of Angels, the last book in the epic fantasy series, Novels of Shannon. (Now renamed Saga of ShaHaNon by Ang MacDonald.) Clifford’s indoor projects include ham radio, but he always has a list of projects to keep his mind active.
I am grateful for the beauty that surrounds us.
Sunlight on Pine Mountain Viewed from our Doorway
In mid January, I start the Holden 5-day Qigong challenge. Qigong has been so good for my health, I would recommend it to anyone. I am also taking a 5-day class on proofreading to see if it is something I’d like to do when we are traveling/camping, as long as we have internet, which certainly isn’t a given, but could be a way to earn money while traveling. Catching sunrise and sunset and walks in the desert still fill my day.
Sunrise Golden Light Reflects off Mountain to the WestThe Mouth of the Virgin River Gorge in Northwest Arizona.
Clifford knows that an electric bike is something he would would like to have, since he and David go bike riding often and he would enjoy it for his own explorations, so one day he orders one for himself.
Thursday January 19, 2003 Today is Clifford’s birthday. Since this is a special day, David comes over to help Clifford put together the new electric bike. I do some of the daily tasks while they work on the bike and then we go to St. George to the Wildlife Museum followed by an early dinner at Cracker Barrel. Good birthday for Clifford.
The next few days are so cold and windy that I don’t bother to go walking as I don’t do well with cold wind. Sometimes I pop out for a photo of sunrise or sunset, but mostly these days are indoor project days for both of us.
Early Dawn on Black Rock RoadSunset Color on Pine Mountain
Toward the end of January, as temperature moderates a bit, we go on an outing with David to the Pioneer Museum and to Santa Clara, a village outside of St. George where I buy a stained glass sun at a little shop that David knows about. Then we go on a scenic drive to another small village, Vejo, where there is a well-known pie shop, the intention being to have pie. Unfortunately, today the pie shop is not open, but the drive was still scenic and worth the outing. A pie is purchased at Smith’s on our way back to camp and shared there.
View from Gunlock State Park on the way to VejoView on the Outing to Vejo
Another fun outing is on the horizon before the end of the month, so January 2023 is off to a good start.
Amazing Vivid Color at Sunset seen from Black Rock Road
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Clifford and I move from Echo Canyon State Park near Pioche, Nevada, to Black Rock Road, just south of St. George, Utah, because of the forecast for more snow in Nevada. Since we don’t want to get stuck in Nevada for the winter, we need to get ourselves to a lower elevation right away.
Leaving Echo Canyon Nevada State Park
There is a mountain range between us and Black Rock Road in northwest Arizona where we intend to camp on public land near our friend David. There are a couple mountain passes to cross, not as scary as Connors Pass south of Ely, but still not comfortable. Pretty, though, with snow on the hill sides and in the mountains.
Through the Mountains
I am grateful for the safe trip from Echo Canyon to Black Rock Road. Arriving at Black Rock, we set up almost exactly where we were last year. Earlier rains have been good for the creosote, but oh, for a tree!
Black Rock Road, Same Site as Last Year
There is, however, a perfect view of Pine Mountain from the window where I sit at the table.
View from the Window – Pine Mountain
Monday, November 7, 2022
I’m up at 7:30, which is nice as it gives me a little more quiet time to get myself centered for the day. It is not as dark and cold here this morning as it was in Nevada. We have enough internet/cell service here that I can also listen to Pandora and inspiring videos.
Today is a town day in St. George. It is good to get our propane tanks filled and then return to camp to put things away just in time to see a very dramatic sunset that I almost missed.
The Sunset I Almost Missed
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
The storm forecast yesterday was little more than a drizzle until late. Sometime after going to bed, the rain became a downpour, waking me up, and it was hard to get back to sleep. When I got up this morning, I had a little over an hour before an online Qigong class, giving me time to reread the chapter “Law of Intention and Desire” from the The Steven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra, noting the difference between attention and intention and how they correlate for manifestation.
Thursday, November 10….
In rereading the journal entries and looking at photos taken during the balance of November, there are themes that emerge. One is that being camped with no trees offers lots of opportunity to be aware of the sky – sunrises, cloud formations, sunsets. Sometimes serene, sometimes very dramatic.
Dramatic Sunrise at Back Rock RoadA Serene Sunset at Black RockNovember Sunset at Black RockSetting Sun Turns the Mesa a Vivid Color
Another theme is my desire to have what I call QT (quiet time) to get myself centered before jumping into the activities of the day. I find this hard to accomplish, as getting up before Clifford means dealing with the cold and the dark and not making noise. Several mornings, the temperature is in the low 20’s outside and quite chilly inside. Sometimes staying in bed is the best option.
Chilly Night Means Snow on the Mountain
The third theme comes from reading the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, contemplating the difference between intention and attention and how these principles guide one’s life if allowed to do so.
I go for walks in the desert almost every day.
Teepee RockCholla with Cougar (our RV) in the Background
Now and then we make a trip to St. George for supplies. Once in a while Clifford and David go bike riding on the bike trails on the outskirts of St. George. I am always invited to go, but sometimes just having time at camp by myself is the best option for me.
One one trip to St. George, we drive to where we can see Snow Canyon from the highway. One day we will take time to go right down into the canyon.
Snow Canyon from the Highway
Clifford checks in with ham radio nets on a daily basis, and plays his dulcimer and sings – outside in the sunshine when the weather permits, which is actually quiet often. He is also doing interviews regarding his non-profit, as the work is quite significant.
Clifford Plays and Sings in the Sunshine
We keep very busy with all of our projects. Since there is decent internet via cell service at this location, I am able to work on blogs as well as participate in online classes that are of interest to me. It is a good thing we are retired, as we certainly don’t have time to run off to a job every day.
Coffee with David (Photo by David Wasden)Journal Caption to End November
It is time for us to begin the journey north to Montana. Clifford and I spent the winter in northwest Arizona, staying longer than intended as we waited for snow and cold to leave northern Nevada. Well, the Ruby Mountains are still cold and very snowy, so a change of plans is in order. We will still go to Nevada, but stay to the east side, traveling north to Idaho on US Highway 93.
Time to Say Goodbye to Black Rock Road, Arizona
May 10th we say good-bye to Black Rock Road and pull out, traveling through a landscape of red and black lava west of St. George, Utah, before winding through juniper covered hills, crossing over the Bull Valley Mountain Range, and across a large valley to Enterprise, Utah. Once past this farming valley, as we take a westerly direction, the landscape with its dead trees does not impress me. Our first stop in Nevada after crossing another smaller mountain range is the small mining town of Pioche.
Pioche, Nevada
Thanks to Clifford doing a little research, we find an RV park on the edge of town allowing a week stay by donation. There are no restrooms, but there is water and garbage cans, a big plus after months of boondocking. The RV park has about ten spaces and we are pleased to find a spot available. We get settled in without unhitching since we won’t be here long.
City RV Park on the Edge of Pioche
The next day, as I am interested in seeing the restored area of town with its museum and old buildings, I head toward the heart of town. While I learn a lot about the town, it is a cold windy day and everything is uphill from the RV park. The walk was stressful on my heart and I realize I must take better care. The following day is a day of rest and indoor projects. A couple days later when the temperature and wind moderate, Clifford and I go to the museum together. It is still a long uphill hike, but more enjoyable than my previous visit to the museum.
Nevada Club in Pioche, NevadaBefore the Days of Cell PhonesPioche Museum DisplayPioche Museum display
The old Lincoln County Courthouse is now also a museum and we pay a visit there, learning that Pioche was a violent nearly lawless town in the 1870’s when silver mining was the rage. There is a Boothill Cemetery we’d like to see, but since we didn’t unhitch, it will have to wait, as it is too far to walk.
Life-like Manikins in the Historic Lincoln County Courthouse Courtroom
In the morning, I go for a walk and find my way down into the pit next to the RV park where I take photos of a few wildflowers at sunrise. It is one of those places that could be made into a lovely walking park, if anyone cared enough to do it. When I am a rich lady……..
Sunrise from the Pioche City RV ParkCatching Sunrise at PiocheWildflowers at SunriseEvening Primrose Greets the Day
Our friend David had told of us a place he camped east of Pioche, so after staying a week at the RV park, having taken advantage of cell service to get caught up on email, blogs, and texts to family and friends, we head to Eagle Valley about 15 miles to the hills east of Pioche to find a place to camp. As it turns out, we find a small free campground, Meadow Valley Campground, just outside of Spring Valley State Park. The spots are small, probably designed for tent campers. We are fortunate that no one else is camped here, as it gives us the opportunity to park in the only spot big enough to accommodate our RV. Since we don’t know how long we will be here, we don’t unhitch, but get set up to enjoy whatever time we have. The rugged hills look like a great place to go exploring and we are pleased to have such a scenic setting as our home for a week or two.
Our Nomad Cougar in the Black Rock Road Desert of Arizona
Here it is April, spring in the desert, windy, and Clifford and I are camped at Black Rock Road in northwest Arizona.
Clifford and Carol at Black Rock Road, Ariona
April 1st, a great start to the month is the poem “Bones” by Mary Oliver, which I write out and add my comment for the day’s journal entry, as the poem speaks to me as I walkabout the desert.
I am on the lookout for wildflowers, but so far not many to be seen, except for one clump of desert marigold in the wash.
Desert Marigolds in the Wash
Morning quiet time is precious to me and sometimes I am up in time to catch the very moment of the rising sun before I make coffee and don warmer clothing for sitting outside.
Moment of Sunrise
As often as I can I sit outside surrounded by creosote with a view of Pine Mountain to the north and mesas all around as I enjoy the morning coffee and write in my journal.
Pine Mountain to the North
Our monthly trip to Littlefield to get our mail is a delightful trip through the Virgin River Gorge. Most people take this curving route through the gorge at interstate speed (I-10) not even aware of the magnificence they are rushing past.
Virgin RiverVirgin River Gorge
We go on a couple of outings with our friend David. One trip is to a ranch out in the boonies west of St. George. We see views of the gorgeous red cliffs along the way and we have a good time exploring the ranch, which has come up as a possibility of a winter camping spot next year. It’s a bit remote for us, but not impossible.
Red Cliffs of Southwest UtahDavid and Clifford at the Ranch in the Boonies
The next day we go to Colorado City, a small town on the border between Arizona and Utah, as there is a fresh water spring there that is worth the journey.
Cliffs at Colorado City, ArizonaSpring Water at Maxwell Park, Colorado City, Arizona
It is exceedingly scenic, both on the travel to the town, as well as swinging by Sand Hollow State Park on our way back to Black RockRoad. I do love outings for the scenic value, and I’m really glad to have such good water to drink.
Sand Hollow State Park, Utah
Shortly after these outings, my sister Nancy and her husband Dick come for a visit on their way back to Montana after visiting our brother Rollie and his wife Tata in southeast Arizona.
My Sister Nancy
It was a long haul for Nancy and Dick and I am very happy that they were willing to go out of their way to visit us. We don’t have many visitors all winter long, and while Clifford and David are great fellows, it sure is nice when I have another gal to talk to, especially a sister type gal. Nancy and I have coffee in the morning and go for long walks in the desert in the afternoons.
Carol and Nancy at Black Rock, Arizona
All too soon they head back to Montana. Good-bye until summer, but in the meantime, I will continue my meanderings, watching for the coming of wildflowers.
It’s a relief to leave 2021 behind. For many people it was a year of changes, including health challenges and life style adjustments. This was often related to covid-19, but for us it was selling the CI lab/homebase in Monticello, Utah, and becoming full-time nomads, living in our 24-foot Cougar RV. Thanks to a friend, also a full-timer, we found Black Rock Road in northern Arizona in the late autumn of 2021. We began settling into into a lifestyle and routines, while not totally foreign, were different in that there was no longer a homebase.
Happy New Year – January 1, 2022
Now it is January 2022. Clifford and I are busy with our projects and we especially enjoy sunny and calm days when we can work outside. Whenever possible, I sit outside with my morning coffee and my “stack:” books and journals that get my day started in an uplifted way. I make the daily intention of well-being, beauty, and harmony. Observing sunrises and sunsets, I find beauty and harmony, as well as on my frequent walks in the desert.
The rising of the sunSunrise from the east-facing windowSunset on Black Rock RoadCougar at sunset
On my walkabouts, my favorite place to walk is in the wash with its ruggedness, as I make my way through boulders, gravel, sand, and vegetation.
Walking in the washWalking in the wash
Pine Mountain to the north of us is highlighted by morning and evening colors, but can stand alone as the impressive feature that it is, particularly with a fresh coat of snow. I never tire of gazing at it through our north-facing window.
Pine MountainPine Mountain at sunset
I also begin employing Segment Intending, which means for each activity of the day, I make an intention of positive results, of seeing what I want to see. This helps with my walkabouts, finding beauty in the landscape that I might otherwise overlook.
Backlit dried desert vegetationCholla
Music continues to be a fun activity. Clifford and I play UK folk songs together almost daily, and he is expanding his singing repertoire with a selection of pop songs, bluegrass, country, celtic, and more.
Carol playing fiddle in the desert
I still edit for a couple of authors and I spend time editing and sharing photos most days, as well as writing blogs of our journeys. Domestic chores and errands are a part of our days, including trips through the scenic Virgin River Gorge on our way to Littlefield to pick up our mail.
Virgin River Gorge
We are grateful for quiet and privacy we enjoy here, as well as the scenic aspects of this spot of Arizona desert. It is a good place to spend the winter.
On Sunday morning, August 15, Clifford and I prepare to leave our Hip Camp as soon as possible to get through Salt Lake City in a timely manner. The further north we go, the smokier and hotter it is.
Smokey Northern Utah LandscapeWildfire Smoke Dulls the Utah LandscapeDevil’s Creek Reservoir in Southern Idaho Obscured by Smoke
South of Pocotello, Idaho, we experience one of the worst things for travelers – a blow out on the RV. Yikes! Fortunately Clifford is able to maintain control and we get safely stopped alongside I-15. In the 95+ degree weather with absolutely no shade, Clifford begins the ordeal of changing the tire, having to unhitch and jack up the RV, and the whole tire-changing routine is done with semis whizzing by at breath-taking speeds.
Blowout on Cougar on I-15Beyond Repair!
As he is finishing, a fellow stops to help and even though the tire has been changed, this man is able to take care of the problem we’ve been having with the RV brakes. A piece of serendipity.
Southern Idaho
We arrive at the Idaho Falls, Idaho, Walmart in early evening with the intention of getting new tires. This Walmart does not have the tires we need and we spend the night in the crowded lower parking lot along with other Rvers.
Setting Sun, Idaho Falls, Idaho
First thing Monday morning we find the Big O Tires and they fit us into their busy schedule. With new tires, we continue the northward journey. It has been a long hot day and we are looking forward to arriving our destination – the Divide Bridge BLM Campground south of Butte, Montana.
We have stayed at this campground along the Big Hole River several times. At the turn off to the campground, we are disappointed to see that it is closed, as it is being used as a fire-fighting staging area. Why was this not posted at the exit??? We have no choice but to continue on up highway 43 until we find a spot big enough to do a U-turn with Cougar and then make our way back to I-15.
Back to I-15, Southern Montana
Hooray for rest areas, especially those that are large with clean facilities. We pull into the one south of Butte and park at the far end as the sun sets red. The smoke is so dense we can scarcely see the surrounding countryside. This will be our spot for tonight and we are grateful for safe accommodations.
Although it’s only been three months since Clifford and I returned to Monticello from last winter’s Arizona home, it feels longer since so much has happened. We’ve sold the lab/home base and gotten rid of almost everything we own. Even though I was not enthusiastic about moving to Monticello, it is still hard to leave all that was good and stable about being here.
Leaving Monticello
As we leave this time, it is different than ever before, as there is no home base to come home to. Cougar (our 24’ RV) towed by the old Suburban is IT. It is our full-time home now. We finish last-minute items on the final to-do list and are on the road in the early afternoon of Thursday, August 12th. It is a hot (99 degrees in Moab as we go through), hazy (wild fires abound in western US), and dreary drive to Price, Utah.
The La Sal Mountains above Moab are scarcely discernible due to wildfire smoke.Church Rock with smoke haze.Wilson Arch
We arrive at the Price Walmart parking lot in the early evening, glad to be off the highway. Going into Walmart is a welcome breath of cool air, but sensory overload. We have not been to Walmart in over 2 ½ years; the well-stocked store is bright with color and sound. Even though I don’t feel great after the hot drive, it is interesting to browse as though I have never been in a Walmart store before.
Sunrise at Walmart
The next morning, we pick up a few more supplies and then head north to Provo where Clifford has reserved a spot at a “Hip Camp.” A hip camp is about what it sounds like, a place between cool and funky, a place where someone can make a few bucks by letting travelers camp in their backyard. This place is, no doubt, the epitome of just that. Our bearded camp host, an old hippie, says we can park anywhere and points out a grassy spot under a big tree next to a mud puddle where ducks are happily splashing about.
Parking in the shade at Provo Hip CampDucks and chickens visit Clifford
Even better, there is a back gate that opens onto the bike trail along the Provo River. A foot bridge gives us access to the Provo City Riverside Park. We spend the next day in the park in a shelter alongside the Provo River, picnicking and playing music. We are grateful for the cool shade of the trees and the ambiance of the river.
Grateful for the cool ambiance of the Provo RiverPicnic and music in the Provo Riverside Park
This Hip Camp has been a very pleasant stop for us.
As many folks know, a major move challenges the hardiest of souls. In retrospect, I can only say that that I am grateful for having survived July 2021. Consolidating all my belongings into what will fit into a 5 x10 storage unit is challenging to the max. A ba-jillion decisions have to be made, and since much of what I am sorting requires my personal attention, many nights I am still working at midnight. Clifford has hired people to help him with packing up the items from the non-profit lab that are to be kept, but even with help, it is a big job.
From this…to this…to this
While it appears that chaos reigns, slowly but surely everything is sorted and packed for storage or put out on the FREE tables. Clifford’s stuff is hauled to his storage unit in a nearby town. The conundrum of how and where to move my stuff is resolved when my daughter Ang and her friend Rama drive all the way from western Montana to southeast Utah to get the U-haul cargo trailer, which is all packed and ready to go, and drive all the way back in two days. I so enjoy seeing them and wish they could have had a relaxed visit, but they have obligations back in Montana.
Ang to the Rescue!
It is hot hot hot at both ends and all along the way for them, making the journey and the unloading a real challenge of endurance and fortitude. Thank you, Ang and Rama!
Through all of this, the saving grace is my quiet early morning time sitting on the deck in back with a good cup of coffee, some inspirational reading, and my journal.
Coffee on the deck with journals and inspirational readingA bit of inspiration! LOL
Although there aren’t many flowers in the yard and no trips up the mountain, I watch for the photo opportunities that bring me joy, namely colorful blossoms, from milkweed and dandelions to the beautiful Rose of Sharon shrub in the front yard.
Milkweed Blossom – A bit of happy colorRose of Sharon – such a delight
Most days we manage to fit in a bit of music, playing with the UK folk group on zoom as I learn to read music on The Fiddle with Clifford playing dulcimer. In his spare moments, Clifford begins recording songs he has been singing, a new passion in his life. Or maybe a secret passion opening up. I’m not sure.
Clifford Singing and Recording
Once my stuff is gone, the focus shifts to preparing the house for the realtor. Scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming throughout the house and spiffing up the backyard take precedence, along with preparing Cougar, our RV, to be our full-time home.
Major reorganization in Cougar. From this…to this.
Toward the end of July, monsoons finally make an appearance and great thunderheads, rain, and rainbows are a welcome relief to the hot dry days of most of July.
The Beautiful colors of NatureMonsoon rain and rainbows
The change that is afoot for Clifford and me is that due to a change in funding for Carnicom Institute, we will be selling the home-base/lab in Monticello, Utah. This is a big decision and we begin packing, sorting, discarding, and cleaning soon after returning from the winter journey. We put out a couple of tables with a FREE sign and begin giving things away – almost everything we own.
The Clearing Out Begins
Clifford will be saving only the most important scientific lab instruments and books, and these will be put into storage. I will be likewise save only the most important items in my life – journals, photo albums, artwork, and so on. The sorting and processing seems both overwhelming and endless.
In mid-May, a trip to Salt Lake City to see a cardiologist is postpone when the Suburban won’t start the morning that we are to leave. The cardiologist appointment and the motel reservation are rescheduled and the sorting/packing/cleaning continues.
Handmade Candle – Gift from a Cello Student – Letting It Glow – Letting Go
My source of peace during this stressful time is the early morning hour spent on the deck in the backyard where I read or write in my journal, sipping tea, enjoying the backyard trees and blossoms before the busy-ness of the day.
Beauty in the ShadowsDelightful Daisy BlossomsBringer of JoyBaby Spruce Cones
In the process of packing books and journals, I run across a couple that are added to the daily reading stack. It must be that the timing is right for them now.
Daily Reading on the Deck
We make the rescheduled trip to Salt Lake City, a long drive for us, with a stop at Soldier’s Summit for a picnic at a very sketchy picnic table alongside the store. It is a welcome stop from the long drive.
Utah LandscapePicnic at Soldier’s SummitView from Soldier’s Summit
When we arrive at our motel, we find the hotel under construction, but the room is serviceable and convenient with a kitchenette.
Going to the hospital for the cardiologist appointment, a long wait wearing masks in a crowded overly warm waiting room has my blood pressure up and my heart in a-fib by time I see Dr. Day. A procedure is recommended and scheduled, and then we are on our way. Driving back to Monticello the next day, we take time to explore the Price Canyon Recreation Area. The road is much too steep for us to consider camping there, but it was a good diversion to check it out.
View from Price Canyon BLM Recreation AreaView from Price Canyon BLM Recreation Area
