Two Story Home On Wheels

Called the "retired truckers RV" among other identifiers, no doubt you have seen this or similar sized units in emails that have been going around the internet for a couple of years.

After receiving that email a couple of days ago, I searched the internet again to determine more details. After a post on another blog, someone was able to identify the manufacturer as Anderson Mobile Estates. The detail photos for the unit picture above can be seen at Anderson Mobile Heat Photos.

After looking at some of the units, I  wonder if these units are actually designed for sleeping. Sure seems to be a lack of bedrooms. Perhaps all those sofas turn into sleeping space making it one mobile dorm room.

Enough Long Pants Weather

Yesterday morning when I left Yuma, the temps were still in the 40s. So I wore the long pants one more day -- all day as I drove to Tucson. With three rest stops and exceeding the self imposed limit of 150/200 mile journeys, it was 245 miles before I arrived at Voyager RV Resort. The Resort wasn't my first choice, but with my Thousand Trails membership it was the cheapest alternative for a month long stay in Tucson.

With mid 60s, today it was back to shorts. First task was to refill the empty propane tank as I recalled the previous cold nights. More errands and finally I faced the task that I put off -- for far too long. Could have been a month since Wandrin Wagon was last cleaned -- inside.

Outside cleaning was even longer. Never will get used to the idea of washing a home. Never did that with my sticks and bricks home. Washing is one thing, but the manufacturer also recommends waxing it. Jeesh. 

Tomorrow more warm weather.... No. Wandrin Wagon will not get a bath.

Heron Takes On Koi

A photo collage from the past.

When living in Denver, a frequent visit was to the Botanic Gardens. On one of those visits I was passing through the Japanese Gardens when I noted a Black-Crowned Night Heron had caught a koi from the pond.

In a series of photos I was able to document the heron dining on koi. Eating a fish whole that is one third the heron's body length takes some skill. After several attempts of tossing the fish in the air to allow it to go head first into the bird's beak, it finally was positioned correctly into the open beak. The swallowing began. Slowly the fish disappeared into the bird and soon the heron could close its beak once again.

 After that swallowing accomplishment, I heard the heron exclaim, "Can't believe I ate the whole thing."

Still Cold

32 degrees (F) this morning was the reading at Wandrin Wagon. Yup. I know that is a heat wave compared to what many are experiencing around the US.

However, it seems that my blood doesn't run as warm as it once did. A smarter person would put on a heavier jacket and wear long pants. Yes. A smarter person would do that. But there is an image that must be maintained.

And that blood still runs "green and gold" from my childhood in Wisconsin less than 20 miles from the home of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers won't be playing in anything like the Ice Bowl of 1967 when they played the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay for the NFL championship.

This year's Super Bowl will be held in a Dallas suburb where the Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers for the big prize in NFL football. Wishing the Packers the best...

Go Packers

Change In Plans

@#$%*&  It's cold.... Here.... In Yuma.... 37 (F) this morning when I got up. Fortunately, the temps are predicted to rise over my shorts preferred weather of 50 degrees.

 

Today's plans were for hitching up and making a long drive to Tucson. "Were" was before I looked at the Tucson weather forecast.

Yikes. Staying right here until it warms up in Tucson. How about Friday instead. At least that is the plan providing Tom allows me the privilege of staying. Perhaps another dinner or lunch treat will allow me a few extra days before hitting the road.

Okay. So it is a lot colder -- a lot colder -- across the Midwest down to Texas. I'm properly chastised for mentioning the comparable heat wave.

Herbie Around The World

Around the world in a 1963 VW bug towing a 1984 East Germany made travel trailer. That works for the young and intrepid couple -- Domi and Zainab. Leaving Austria in 2009, this map of their travel is posted prominently on the rear window of the VW bug.

When I left a nearby Starbucks, I noted the European license plates and the interesting and novel combination of VW bug and trailer. Time to get the full story. Thanks to Domi and Zainab for being so open in responding to my questions. Living very inexpensively, they have been able to travel the US for most of a year without paying camping fees but for one night -- at a National Forest Campground. Note those zig zag lines on the map as they have explored the US. There is no doubt they have seen more of the US than I have.

Domi is obviously a talented mechanic since he was repairing a clutch issue as I arrived. Domi didn't stop his work as I interviewed Zainab. They saved for several years. Forsaking the usual track for most people their age to acquire the "must haves" of culture, they pursued their interest in traveling the world.

The VW bug is affectionately referred to as Herbie from the movies (1968 version followed by a 2005 reprise) that featured a 1963 VW bug competing in car races -- and adorned with the number 53. Herbie is not some wimp with an air cooled engine towing the 750 pound trailer. Domi said that the heat of the deserts of the Middle East were a test to prove the air cooled engine could handle most anything.

Guessing that Zainab and Domi were in their late 20s, I was curious about their parents' reaction. Although concerned for their children's welfare, they encouraged them to live their lives. Bravo.

With no blog, Facebook or other such internet contact point, the only way to keep up with this dynamic duo is to cross their path as they travel.


To you Domi and Zainab.... Wishing you safe travels as you continue your journeys.

---

The Yuma Sun did more in depth piece on the couple and their travels

The Answer To Life

After walking the Goat Track every other day for several weeks, it was time to check out a new trail. The chosen trail begins at the Ramon dead end in Palm Springs. If the trail has a name, I was unable to figure it out.

Like many trails in the Coachella Valley, it is a steep climb from the trail head. Crumbling rock, brittle bush, creosote and an occasional palo verde were the larger plants. This grass species seems to have a jump on the other grasses.

There was little chance of losing the trail, but there were white circle blazes painted along the path. An occasional number was painted on the rocks. Lots of numbers were missing. Without an particular pattern to the numbers, I continued to puzzle for the reason for the numbers.

As I slogged and continued to gain elevation I would meet an occasional hiker. In those short conversations, I found that there was a suitable destination for this hike; a picnic area of a half dozen tables.

Arriving at the picnic tables, I wondered if there was table service for this dining location. Turned out it was "bring your own" food.

Beyond the tables was a path to a high point over Palm Springs.

Sitting on a high point rock it was a view of the south end of Palm Springs below.

When I turned around to head back to the tables is when I found "The Answer To Life".

The answer is 43.

Upon seeing the answer, I knew I had a theme for this hike. Contemplating how I would create this post, I was reminded of Douglas Adams and his The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Science fiction was not a genre I read very often and it had been years since it was read.

Heading back to the trail head, I looked for the numbers painted on the rocks. Having found the answer 43, now I was looking for significance to the other numbers.

Once back at Wandrin Wagon and checking the internet to confirm my recollections, imagine my surprise when I discovered the correct answer was 42. Must be old age setting in. The brain synapses just aren't what they once were. 

Oh well. Don't care what Adams concluded, I am sticking with 43 as The Answer To Life.

Brittle Bush Bloom

The nearby Goat Track has been an every other day hike for several weeks. From the trail head there are lots of alternative trails and loops. From canyons to high peaks to palm oasis, there is much to explore.

The first half mile from the trail head is a steep climb requiring an occasional stop to catch a couple gulps of oxygen. Okay. So it was more than occasional. It was more like five paces and rest. On one of those stops I noted two brittle bush in bloom and several more loaded with buds. What's the rush. It's only January.

Those bushes might be on an evolutionary fast track. As I continued the hike, I checked the progress of the brittle bush along the trail. The only ones with buds and blossoms were those at that one location on the "lower" elevations of the trail.

The hike today was to the point that overlooks the one time home of Bob Hope. This was a good stop to enjoy and contemplate the views, consider living in the Coachella Valley (thanks to Joni and Rick for bragging about the area) and enjoy the solitude with my own thoughts.

There was more solitude than usual on the trails. It was one of those days where there were fewer hikers or bike riders.

The Goat Track trails do not have the usage of the Bump And Grind trail in nearby Palm Desert. That trail seems to be for those who want to be seen or those who like crowds.

By contrast the Goat Track trails are for those looking for a more tranquil and uncrowded experience. From a high point on returning to the trail head, there wasn't another person to be seen. Great solitude.

And from this point to the trail head it was all down hill -- except for those portions that were uphill. Easier breathing for this older guy.

The steepest part of the trail is where I found a bike rider walking his bike up hill to the more level terrain. Chatting for a few minutes before continuing his climb, it was refreshing to know that even some one half my age finds this uphill a serious slog.

A great day hiking and .... just Wandrin.... :)

From The Driver's Seat -- A Story

 A story with vanity license plates... and a business name:

Hey BRNX BOB, get in MICAH -- this FEOXIDE old car -- BCL UP and I'll show you around town. With money I would be driving MY4NCAT [Jaguar] with ZOLDFOX [elderly blond] at my side. The fantasy is that her philosophy is ♥2SCHMZ and I♥EVRY1. TRANQL and a BNK4EVR, a kept man could ask for no more.

GIMEABK.... Perhaps what I really want is a boat to be a RVR RDNT. But, rivers can be crowded. How about the hills with OFFRDR and RICH4X4 and we leave WGNRUTZ in the rear view mirror. The great part about hills is LVDAGRN and the SKBLUPK.

After a long drive, a raging hunger had to be satisfied. Pulling into the parking lot was the CANDKAR -- a copper colored Cooper convertible**.

Then it was fine dining at the PAK INN BUFFET.



**Working alliterative words into the story wasn't easy.

Belief Is Easier

Mini Book review: Idiot America by Charles P. Pierce
After writing an article for Esquire in 2005, the author expands that to a book upon finding additional examples of his premise. Quoted from the author's Esquire article:

The Gut is the basis for the Great Premises of Idiot America. We hold these truths to be self-evident:
1) Any theory is valid if it sells books, soaks up ratings, or otherwise moves units.
2) Anything can be true if somebody says it on television.
3) Fact is that which enough people believe. Truth is determined by how fervently they believe it.

If that "Gut" sounds like what can be heard on talk radio, TV talking heads making millions a year, politicians running for (re)election, elected officials promoting their belief... Well you get the idea.

The author's original essay concentrated on the Creation Museum. In the book, he follows with examples of the Gut basis for belief/truth. The Gut is belief rather than anything that may have a basis in expertise, reason or science. Points of view based in something other than belief or wishes are ignored and denied credibility.

All the examples discussed in detail will be recognized by the reader since they had dominated headlines and news stories. Two examples of Idiot America: (1) Heading into the Iraq war for WMD without any evidence and ignoring all facts to the contrary; (2) Federal government writes legislation in Washington to keep Terry Shaivo's feeding tube in place.

If you are not up for reading the book, consider reading the Esquire article.