Turtleversary

Today marks the 5th anniversary of getting the Turtle, and the beginning of my nomadic lifestyle. Most people didn't think Id last 6 months. In the beginning I was truly tested living in such a confined space does supply a list of challenges, but after 5 years of being an off the grid nomad you kinda figure it out. I will have to say I have no intentions of going back to the sticks and bricks lifestyle, its way to much of a burden just to stay in debt, and trapped in one spot.

For you what iffers sitting on the fence wanting to try such a lifestyle. Don't let the what if this happens, or what if that happens scare you away. If your sitting around always worrying about whats gonna happen your not gonna get very far. Trust me I did it for many years, until I finally took the leap.

I also get lots of people concerned about the expense of the lifestyle, so for those who think it cost to much I'll document a few months of my living expenses, which will include food, fuel, and the basics. I will not include my wobbly pop intake for fear that some of you may form a posse, and have a intervention with me in the forest.

I also have a ton of pictures from my first 3 years of travel located at the top of the page, and have added a from the beginning tab, which will teleport you to my very first post. Take care, and Good Day!

Peckers

Peckers, Javelina, Stink Pigs, and Ranch Rats are all terms used to describe the Peccary. Although pig like they are more closely related to the hippo, or rhino. These guys been hanging out outside the Turtle. Gingers come running back with a few on her tail a few times. Heres a few videos.....

Besides the above excitement I been bouncing from Dad's to my Moms to my Brothers to the Casino. Not a bad way to spend a winter, and the good thing is there all within 8 miles of each other.

Casino visits are very short lived due to the fact that Ginger needs room to roam, so after the superbowl I shall get out of these parking lots, and sticks, and bricks living, and slowly start meandering my way norte.

 Ginger playing in the wash near the casino, with her frog feet. Typically puppies grow into the large feet, but she doesn't seem to be catching up with them.

 

Willy Nelson. Tried to sneak a peek him but security run me off. 

 Also managed to get a new Lg G3 with a 5.5 inch display, and a quadcore processor it far exceeds the speed of my old dinosaur. So for the next few months I shall remain on top of technology until it quickly passes me by again. Thats all for now! Good day!

 

All is well!

Been in Tucson since just before the Thanksgiving. Introducing Ginger to her winter life, which involves cats, fences, and casino parking lots. Happy to report that no cats have been eaten yet, but shes still doesn't understand the furry little creatures that smack her repeatedly in the face. Casino parking lots are a different story goes a lil banana's after being cooped up for a short time, and doesn't have much area to run. So we are in search of some boondocking areas, after the holidays. Ginger got spayed on Tuesday, and is recovering well.

 Roosevelt Lake

Heres a few pics of my stay at Roosevelt lake on my migration to Tucson.

 My site rarely pay for camping, but for $6 dollars a day hot showers and running water is always a bonus. $3 a day for seniors and there is no stay limit between November 15th to March 15th. Was quiet my whole stay here.

Beach camping is also avail is $95 for the inter-agency pass, which last a year and is free for seniors. There is a 14 day limit on the beach.

Looking across lake on full zoom. Thats a truck camper, or class C parked up there. Plenty of boondocking in the area will be doing lots more exploring of the area on my journey north.

 Ginger making friends.

Gingy enjoying water bison horn a plush couch. Happy Holidays! Thanks for visiting. Good Day!

Riff Raff!

Camp

 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! Anybody Home? Was the sound I awoke too from my siesta "Yep be there in a minute!" As I peeked my head out the Turtle door noticing a Arizona Ranger with hand placed firmly upon his gun. I asked  "Can I help you?" To which he replied. "There's been some complaints of some Riff Raff living out here in van" Hmmmm I said that's weird I been out here almost a week and haven't seen any? Apparently we didn't share the same sense of humor, because that's the point where he told me to lock up the dog cause he didn't wanna have to shoot it!

Then the interrogation begin. How long yah been here? Where yah going? Where yah coming from? I answered all honestly. "He declared you know its illegal to even drive into a national forest if your living in the vehicle.(Fourth time Fourth forest Ive gotten the speech in)"I said Well I don't live in the forest I live at my residence up near Show Low, and travel often" Then was called a liar, and was told I would just be receiving a warning today. Welcome to your National Forest! Nice to see my tax dollars harassing me. I've moved on, but did enjoy the rest of my 14 days without any hassle. Heres a few more pics of camp.....

 Right up the road from camp.

Interesting history, but not very well preserved. Thanks for visiting! Good day!

Da Rim

 The Mogollon Rim my humble home for the past 4 weeks. Weather's been dipping into the 20's at night, and day time highs in the mid 40's to low 50's. Time to make the trip 30 minutes west. Ill drop almost 3000ft and gain about 20 degrees. Coming from Minnesota I'm always amazed by what a difference just a few miles can make. Heres a few more pic of camp...

 Only received about 5 hours of good sun in the tall pines, which required me to break out the generator. Bringing my electric bill up to about 11 bucks for the year, but was worth the 4 weeks in the biggest ponderosa pine forest in the world.

 Ginger chasing squirrels on the hike to Forest Lake's. which really isn't much more then a over exaggerated puddle.

Fossilized shells at 8000 ft?  

Ginger keeping guard. Heres a few more links to some adventures on the rim. Living on the edge, Nomadic beginings, Riding the storm out, The new neighbors, and The Shepard. Thank's for visiting! Good Day!

Mesa Beaver

Moved off  "The Mesa" a lil less then 2 weeks ago to rim country. Where I shall remain until old man winter chases me into the valley below. This is the same area I was in a few springs ago when we got 17 inches of snow. Although I don't mind the spring time snowstorm I really don't feel like get stranded in a fall one. May take a tad bit longer to melt! Rumor has it they got 14ft up here 5 years ago. Crushing houses, and Ponderosa pines were tipping over due to ground being saturated. Here is a few pics of my time on The Mesa.

Had another 25 yards of cinders hauled in. Took a few weekends but finally got them spread out. Turned out great will upload a walk around video soon.

The Fam Damily been to the visit the Mesa frequently 

The Mesa Beaver lodge located under a juniper. Turned out to be a pack rat, but Ill still call it the Mesa Beaver for entertainment purposes. This explains all my stuff going missing overnight. You can see the dog leash it stole and through on top.

The entrance

Jumping Gingy! Enjoying the good life!

Ill get some pics from rim country soon. Thanks for visiting! Good Day!

New dishwasher

 Meet Ginger! For 6 months I been waiting for a sign to get another pooch, so a few weeks back while in town I ran across this lil Sh#t head. Pondered it for quite sometime, then the lady told me her birthday March 22nd, which was the same day that Candy had passed :(    Figured that was a good enough sign from the Universe to take her home.

Now my days are filled with GET OVER HERE! NO! and GOOD GIRL! spoken 100s of times daily. Were still working on the rules of her new lifestyle. She seems to be catching on more and more each day, and then forgets by morning :)

 Chewing on a box her first night figured it was better then my shoes.

 Treats from a stranger. A day in town, and not one thing was destroyed or eaten. knock on wood.

Another sign from above she enjoys her barley soda's. Any hue been on "The Mesa" for the passed month staying still enjoying the weather for the most part been getting some heavy rains here for this time of year.

 The whole families been up to visit a couple times, and had another 25 yards of rock hauled in, so Ill get some pics of that when completed. Good Day!