Ruptured Tumor

Recovering at the folks and still a bit drugged

Been a month since my last post. Have been enjoying my time at the Casino's here in Tucson. Up until about a week ago, when I awoke in the middle of the night, and discovered that the tumor's on Candy's leg had ruptured I wont go into the gory details, but it wasn't a very pretty site.

Six weeks prior I had brought her to the vet, and they had told me just to let it go for now. She's approaching her 15th year they didn't wanna do a surgery, this late in the game unless it was necessary. Well now it had become necessary, so after a long surgery (4th on that leg). I am happy to report the old fart is doing good, and every once in awhile still even gets a bit rambunctious.

Moving on my winter plans mainly involve hanging around the Tucson area. Spending time with the family, paying off recently acquired vet bills, and " The Turtle" will be getting a few more upgrades. So stay tuned, and a Happy belated Christmas to all. Thanks for stopping by! Good Day!

Upgrades, and a Road-Runner

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Not only did I get to spend time with the entire family, and stuff my face with all the traditional Thanksgiving day fixings, but was also able to finish a long overdue project.

 Another solar panel, and 2 more batteries were part of my project. Now the Turtle boat a whopping 310 watts of power upon the roof, and 482 amp hours of storage. Certainly not enough power for your average house dweller. However it is more then enough to suit my daily needs. Maybe even add another gadget, or two? 

Upgraded battery bank. Not exactly up to code, but passed my inspection.

Meep Meep! Roadrunner video I managed to capture while staying at the Casino. Thanks for visiting! Good Day! 

Back in the desert

Actually been back in Tucson nearly a month now. Candy had gotten a bladder infection, and the folks needed a house sitter, so I decided to head to the desert a few weeks early, and I am glad to report Candy's infection is gone, and all six of the critters I was responsible for are alive and well.

Now, that I have very briefly summed up my whereabouts about the past 3 weeks. I am currently staying at my favorite Casino here in Tucson. Which is always a welcomed change of pace, after spending the last 7 1/2 months in the forest. 

Candy has plenty of area to walk, and its nice being a mere 2 miles from a grocery store for a change. Plus the Casino supplies plenty of entertainment for a weary nomad. Best part is my favorite poker machine has paid me $39 not to bad for a few weeks rent. Here's a few more pics......

 Turtles current parking lot home

 Parking lot wildlife

 Coyotes seen on Candys morning hikes. Of course they only come out when the good cameras at home.

Honorable mention Flash the desert tortoise was one of the six critters I was responsible while I was house sitting, and definitely the lowest maintenance. He's about as laid back as one can get!

Thanks for visiting! Good Day!

Thanks!

Sometime during the wee hours of the morning my very little corner of the internet surpassed the 100,000 visitor marker. Not nearly as popular as google yet, but a small milestone non the less. Pretty sure most of you visit to check on Candy's adventures, but whatever the reason I just wanted to say thanks to all of you, not only have you inspired me to go out, and see more. You have also helped put a few gallons of gas in the tank, which is liquid gold for any Nomad! Thanks again!

Living on the Edge

Arrived back down in the desert on Tuesday. Cold weather finally chased me outta the high country, but here's a few more pics up in Rim Country. I've also included a map of 3 of the free campgrounds in the area that have restrooms not always in the most desirable condition, but hey its free, the rest of the area around the rim is all dispersed camping. Enjoy

                                                                                 

The Abyss 

Camping on the edge

The map above should be scrollable, and you can click on the pinpoints to receive more info. Thanks for visiting. Good Day!

The Shepherd

Shepherding. Often referred to as America's worst job, or the job nobody wants. Several articles online report it as a miserable life. Having to endure long harsh winters on wind blown prairies in complete isolation. Living in make shift trailers with no heat,  running water, and leaking roofs all for a measly $600 to $900 a month working 12 to 16 hours a day. Now that may be true in other parts of the country, or maybe its just another false media portrayal , but whatever the case I stumbled upon a happy herder.

  

 Meet Sebastian, and his sidekick Rambo. If your a long time reader you've met him before. Sebastian has been a sheepherder for 9 years. Now I don't know all the details, but id say hes living the good life. In the summer months he spends his days roaming the cool forests with his flock of 1500 sheep, and in the winter spends them his meandering the alfalfa fields in the desert. 

Rambo does most the work running from side to side making sure there aren't any strays. As far as I could understand due to the language barrier Sebastian's staff is used to grab the sheep's leg in case they need to be administered any injection.

For his time he is compensated 700 a month. Provided with water, propane, living quarters, and I am pretty sure he said all the sheep he could eat. Seems to me to be a fair deal hes probably saving more a month then the average American. Here's a few more pics

Flock of 1500 as far as the eye can see.

Guardians of the flock you approach the sheep anytime day or not and you will be confronted by theses two 

His home. Not quite the ritz  carlton, but is a great solution to live a debt free lifestyle. Maybe Sebastian can go help solve our current set of problems in D.C. 

Anyhow, Still dwelling up on the Mogollon rim temps are going into the the 20's tonight, then will be warming back up for another week, or two. Almost time for my winter descent down the mountain. Dont want this to happen again! Thanks for visiting. Good Day!

Nomadic Beginning's

Several weeks of sitting on "The Mesa" being surrounded by private property was starting to give me the willies. Decided it was time for a change of scenery. After pondering upon my current options, which needed to be within a reasonable distance of the vet, so that Candy could still be able to receive her shots. There was only one location that had beckoned to me.

The picture above surely doesn't appear to significant, but it carries much sentimental value. It is the very spot where my nomadic adventure begin over 3 years ago I had discovered this spot while turning around to go back to a pay campground that I'd passed, because I was still being very weary of the whole concept that a person could camp in the forest for free. Figured it was time to take a stab at it, and I was hooked!

Not only was this the spot I discovered that one could live rent free, it was also where I reached a major crossroads, when I knew the decision to live a simple life was the right one. Lets face it resigning from a job of 16 years, and getting rid of everything you own, to move into a van, and live in the forest. Will certainly make any fair minded being question there own judgement.

Freedom is what I found that day, and still find daily. No longer being tied to mortgage, or hefty car payment not to mention all the other bills associated with my previous lifestyle. Now. If money ever becomes a issue a simple part-time job will suffice, no more 50 hour weeks just to make ends meet. So if any of you readers are considering taking the plunge into a nomadic lifestyle I say go for it! I didn't do it tell m mid 30's, and regret not doing it sooner, but enough about my freedom speech. Here's a few more pics of the area.

 Current camp down the road from my sentimental camp, which could now be called rookie camp to close to the road, and not nearly enough solar!

 General pic of sites in the area

"Big Ears" Abert's squirrel  eating a mushroom a troublesome creature to photograph.

 Reminiscence of the mushroom that was thrown at me from the guy above. Needless to say he/she was a good shot and hit me square in the head.

 Even have commodes here 3 camps in the area have them. The area is Forest Lakes Az. Plenty of free camping Ill do a write up on the specific areas later.

 Mountain Meadow

Ponderosa pine

Candy always excited in the pines. The Adequan shots definitely help her overall mobility, but she still a bit slow getting up and down. Unless there is ham involved then there seems to be no pain whatsoever. Thanks for visiting. Good Day!

Staying Put

Exactly what Ill be doing for awhile. Candy's arthritis has been getting worse. Decided it was time to take some action, so for 8 weeks she will be receiving Adequan injections into her legs to hopefully ease the pain. through her golden years. In the past shes had a tree fall on her, 3 leg surgeries, been confronted by a Bobcat, and been bitten by Rattler, so a mere 8 injections will be a piece of cake.

Happy Labor Day! Labor Day weekend has always marked the end of summer, and this year for me as well. My summer exploring the mountains will come to an end. I will be staying on "The Mesa" (the name which I've giving to my property/homebase) until my descent into the valley this fall.

Candy 3 days after her Rattlesnake 2009 Craggy wash Lake Havasu City.

 Fellow Nomad, and friend visits the Mesa in his converted Snap on tool truck. Definitely a comfy apartment on wheels. Right down to the back patio. 

Of course these guys are still running amuck/amok on the Mesa. That should do it for now Ill report any excitement that happens out here, but to tell the truth there isn't much of that out here, which is a good thing. Thanks for visiting. Good Day!

Violated

 New private property sign across the driveway

The locals had warned me when I started looking land in the area telling me you at least need need to put up signs on your property, or otherwise the local riff raff will gladly welcome themselves to your belongings. I scoffed at such an idea.

Now that I have returned, the truth quickly settled in. Almost all the items I had left there were gone, so now I put plenty of private property, and no trespassing signs to ward off such types. I believe part of the problem out here is there's so much vacated property that people tend to think items were just left behind unless otherwise informed, they figure its up for grabs.

On a better note my brother, and nephew came up from Tucson for a visit, they helped  spread the rest of the remaining cinders, and removed some large rocks that were being troublesome. Heres a few more pics....

 Brothers Rig

 Cinders spread

 Time for weed killer

Pulling out the big rocks. 

Candy sleeping in front of her new 24 inch industrial fan. Still hotter then average here with temps in the upper 80's, so shes dreaming of 9000ft. Thanks for stopping by!

Free camping Big Lake AZ

 Big Lake, AZ.  Located just southwest of Greer above 9000 ft. This area offers a ton dispersed camping. Just pick a fire road, and you'll be sure to find some descent spots. Weather still remains in the upper 60's to low 70's, with the monsoons typically coming thru once a day on average.

Interesting facts about the area in 2010 three convicts escaped from the kingman prison went on a short killing spree across several states, and were captured in the campground just across the street from where I am camped now, they were brought to the authorities attention for having a unattended campfire. I recall the event very well, because they were dropped off at a truckstop in Flagstaff, by a semi driver who they had hijacked, and it was just down the road from where I was camped. Heres more on the story.

Also in the area in 1975 there was a alleged Alien Abduction, which later turned into a movie, and a book. Here's more on that story here. About the only aliens I have witnessed out here is the fella pictured above. Over the years I've camped around several herds of cattle, but ill have to say these guy/gals get 5 stars for being the most entertaining. Here's a few more pics......

 One of several large camps in the area.

Is it one of us? This is there morning ritual stand around, and moo at the Turtle.

Crazy Cowa! This one insist on running back, and forth all day making all sorts ruckus. 

 Trying to befriend the bovine.

A loud morning moo! thru the back window.

 Herd of deer that I spooked out of the meadow.

Candy in a stare down.

???

Thanks for visiting! Good Day!

Driveway's in!

Finally after 10 weeks of waiting, the Apache county court system has finally cleared the title on the land, so as of last Tuesday I am officially a landowner once again. Yep that mean gotta pay property taxes again, but $60 a year shouldn't put too much of a damper on things. However the purchase price of the land, and cost of the driveway will definitely cut into my gas travels for a bit.

The day after signing the papers I had the driveway delivered. Pic above is the Turtle's new perch. Located behind some 12 ft junipers about 160 ft back on the property. Will post more pics later. There is still alot of work to do. Had 25 yards delivered, and the driveway only took about 10, so I will be spreading it to create a large parking area, walkways, and a campfire area.

To bad all that work will be postponed until mid August, after 5 days. Candy once again decided the upper 80's were to hot, so we headed back up to 9500' for a few weeks. Although the land averages temps in the upper 40's at the coolest months, and upper 80's on the warmest months. Ill be frequenting it the most during the spring, and fall. Take Care, and Good Day!

Turkeys

Still enjoying the good life up at 9500ft. Daily highs have been a breezy 75 degrees. Moved on from my old locale, and into someplace a little bit more incognito. Would love to share, but cant be given away all my good spots ;). If you really must know feel free to shot me an email, and plan on bringing gifts. 

 Heres a few more pics......

 Turkeys in action

 Turtles new home

 Remains of the wallow fire that burned over 538000 acres. Biggest recorded fire in Arizona's history. Smoke reached Albuquerque NM over 200 miles away. 

Web pic of sunset and smoke in Albuquerque.

 Mouse in the house. Caught with a MiceCube mousetrap. First mouse in over 3 years.

 The good life. Sitting in the forest. Playing PS2. Drinking a cold one. All powered by the Sun!

Finally a good rain, and hail storm. Still not as much as we need, but its a start. Roads stay in pretty good shape up at these elevations , and you have lawns instead of mud pits.

Scene from Candy, and I morning hike. Thanks for visiting, and have a great day!