Holiday Sales

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we once again have put the books I've written, regarding this time of year, on sale for Kindle at 99¢ each. They'd be free except that is not an option when writing for Amazon and not in Kindle Unlimited. Still 99¢ isn't much for fun reads on what the holiday can mean for people in various relationships.

First comes Diana's Journey-- about a woman who gets a life-rewrite when her husband wants a divorce. She sells what she has, shocks her grown children, and takes off in a small Class C RV with her two chihuahuas to explore places she's only read about. What about Christmas though?  She doesn't even want it to come, but it always does She decides to spend it in Utah, far from where she expects memories could ruin her day-- except, what she finds is the meaning of Christmas when it comes to community and friends-- another rewrite for her life.

Second is not about Christmas, but is included because it introduces the characters where it is. From Here to There -- When a wedding doesn't lead to a marriage but instead to a bride leaving her new husband before he can be one, the story moves to Montana ranch country, and two romances-- one in the past as the bride learns more about love from an old journal and when her groom follows her to the ranch to convince her she made a mistake. Ranch living and Montana are key to this story.

The third was written because I began to think-- how'd it work out for these characters and can the holidays heal family rifts or can its expectations make them worse? The story delves again into the reality of ranch living-- holidays or not. A Montana Christmas --  uses the beauty of Montana against the difficulty of family dynamics. New relationships are developed with others deepening-- will some be totally destroyed?

Diana's Journey and A Montana Christmas  are novellas with  From Here To There a full length novel. It is a romance, the other two are about the healing energy of relationships, holidays, love, and the celebration of the earth's regenerating cycles. 

      There used to be an ability to create links here but whenever I click on that, it sends me to another blog. grrrrrr.  So, below are the books and their links. The first two are novellas, with their correct links behind them. You have to copy paste to make them work given what's going on with my ability to create live links. The last one is a full length novel that introduces the characters in A Montana Christmas. At worst, you can look alongside here where the links will take you to the books... I haven't used Blogger for a while for linking, hence, not sure what's going on. The books are fine though...

Diana's Journey -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5IA26Y

A Montana Christmas -- https://www.amazon.com/Montana-Christmas-Rain-Trueax-ebook/dp/B00AOU0IQ2

From Here to There -- https://www.amazon.com/From-Here-There-Rain-Trueax-ebook/dp/B006PNS7EC

The sale lasts through December 31st.

Georgia O'Keeffe and New Mexico

 From 2009

In trying to think when I first became so enamored of Georgia O'Keeffe, it seems forever but couldn't be. It wasn't just her art although that would be enough. It wasn't just her life. Although that would also be enough. More than likely her greatest appeal to me was because of New Mexico and her love of the land there. It wasn't even just New Mexico but more that it was a wild land that spoke to her spirit. She felt the land like I feel the land. Whatever the whole set of reasons, I have read and seen about anything on her that comes along. It was 1998 when I had the opportunity to visit Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu-- areas that provided her a home and gave her inspiration for her paintings. New Mexico is a powerful place with its light, history, and then that wonderful, interesting land which has drawn artists and writers from around the world. It was easy to understand why she had found her artistic soul there. Irony was that her heart's home was with a man in New York who would never come west. Thousands of miles would often separate them but both were part of her inner being. It was a conflict. Was it also fate? Who knows. Unfortunately I was unable to tour her home due to shortness of time and not knowing enough ahead of time the limitations on the tours. We had other places to go (Chaco Canyon which is also the best). I will go back someday and see inside the home-- I hope. I have seen so many photos of it, the little things she treasured, the simplicity of how she lived that I seem to already know it. Why she is coming up right now is very apropos as I go through photos and remember my trip to a land I love. Then last week-end, I watched on Lifetime the film, Georgia O'Keeffe, a biopic starring Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. I really liked it even though no two hour movie can do justice to the complexity of the woman-- let alone all of those in her circle. The film was mostly about her relationship with the photographer and gallery owner, Alfred Stieglitz, and his impact on her painting. Even that, it couldn't fully deal with in the limitations of two hours. It needs a miniseries. I don't suppose enough Americans would be interested in her story for that to happen. If she had been an English painter, it would have already happened. What fascinated me about the film wasn't just her relationship to her art or even to him but the bohemian quality of the way so many of them lived. Definitely not satisfying to the right wing of today-- well not totally rewarding to themselves either as everything has a price and there is no such thing as true freedom in love or relationships. Stiegtlitz saw early that her life was her art. She was her painting. When he photographed her nude and then showed the artistic photos at his gallery, it made her a sensation and began the mythology that added to her value as an artist-- as he knew it would. This might sound crazy but when we buy paintings, it's the subject but also the energy. Her energy was that of a passionate woman. Her love for him was part of that but it went beyond it to her essence. Land and man helped form her into the woman she became. The Whitney in New York City is opening a showing of her paintings, which I was fortunate enough to have seen at the O'Keeffe museum in Santa Fe. This article shows some of the paintings and the love letters she wrote to Stieglitz.

[Georgia O'Keeffe's Love Letters]

For anyone interested in art or love, the link is well worth taking the time to read with some of her paintings for those who are not familiar with her art. I have read she didn't think she was good with words. Lordy, wonder what she'd have been like if she had thought she was...

From New York, II 13 July 1929 "I know that many things that seem very precious – very holy – are gone for me – but I feel too – that way down beyond that – where you can not touch it – where no one can touch it – there is a bond – that is my feeling for you – it is deeper than anything you can do to me – that is why I know I will be with you to the end – whether you wish it or not – whether I choose it or not – whether I am close to you or not … "You have always told me that the work came first – that has often been very difficult for the woman in me"

Their relationship had its ups and downs, two imperfect people coming together as it always is, both of them fascinating, complex, strong, conflicted, extremely creative artists. They were soul mates in the truest sense of that word. Being soul mates doesn't always make for easy relationships. These photos were all taken on the 1998 trip to New Mexico. We came in September and saw most of it between torrential rainstorms. The photos don't do justice to the lighting on that trip.

July 14th and what's been going on

After being out of Arizona since June 2nd, and living in a vacation trailer since then, I've learned a few things about such a life. One I mentioned, I think, that you become far more aware of the basics of life. In a sticks and brick home, or even a campground with full hookups, water, electricity, and dealing with garbage and waste, it's dealt with by someone else. We pay the garbage man to come by. We hook up a trailer or home to a system that carries away what is called the black and gray water. But if you aren't living that way, you have to deal with it.

For garbage, we are sacking it up and after we have enough (we use more than I thought), off we go to the dump where we pay varying fees to throw it into a hole prepared for it.

For the black water, we bought an item that looks like a suitcase. When we believe the trailer's tank is getting full, it is dumped into that. Because we are living on the farm, and my mother was living for many years in a mobile home there, the suitcase was taken over there to dump into the family septic tank. More work by far but it gets it safely disposed of. 

 

We bought  a trailer with more space in the living area but with a tiny bathroom and bedroom. It has little space to move around (nice shower but with a step down that requires watching out). We store towels in what they call the linen closet, which is in the hall outside the bathroom. I will add that in buying a trailer, be sure you walk through it. No really big person could get between the bedroom and bathroom in this rig. 

 

We appreciate having the space in the living area for both our desks, but not enough shelving and that's still on a list to add. I do not know how people who make it a full-time home manage-- many smaller than our 36' rig. We'll use it for I think maybe 4 months, and the cats and we will be glad to get back to the stick and bricks, but I also have enjoyed this experience and the cats have done better than I expected.

For electricity, we tried to hook up to the ranch home plugs, but they weren't enough and with the heat we had at the time, that was a problem for a/c. Ranch Boss had some experts come out, evaluate whether what he wanted to do was a good idea. When they didn't have time to do it, he bought what was needed, got on a ladder, and connected it to the shop and barn electric line, which gave us 50 amp service, what we'd have wanted in a park. Lately, the temps have been in the 80s, for which we use the Dometic in the ceiling as well as the portable unit that Ranch Boss bought in Bakersfield. One thing to know about extreme heat and trailers, the a/c units just can't keep ahead of it-- not enough to get down to the 70s. But, we do okay in the 80s due to our time in Arizona maybe.

Living in small quarters means disposing of anything not needed, and it's amazing how little is needed of what we easily have in stick and brick housing. 

For our time here, the internet is available from the house by wi-fi; but we can't use as much as we'd use back in Arizona as it's a shared system. Still, it's more than we expected. Since we have not tried to get television, our news comes from the internet as well as emails and connecting to friends on Facebook. We go light on how much we use it.

The biggest loss is no cell phones, which is tough for business and to talk to family or friends. We knew it'd be an issue. Putting in a landline to the trailer, where we won't be here long, is not economically sensible. But I had no idea how much we benefit from cell phones for so many things.   Ranch Boss  finally got wifi-calling working on his cell -- part time, my phone is too old. We can though connect with others with emails and texting-- for those who text.

But, here's the plus. From the trailer, I can watch the cattle, sheep, and then often the wild turkeys because the windows are big. It's different than living in the house, but it's satisfying enough for the length of time we'll be here for the work needed on the farm, things we want to leave in better shape than when we first left over a year ago before the pandemic hit and travel became impossible for a while. Vacation travel is back, so finding places can be a challenge. Still, this is an experience I am enjoying even with the problems.

My writing on my books is really sad and has been since the pandemic hit. I had started a book last January ,and it's had nothing added ever since. We also have done little marketing while out and that has killed sales. I hope they can come back someday lol For now, it's been the least sales we've seen since I began putting out books and advertising them. Yikes!

trailers

 My first experience with staying in a vacation trailer came the summer after we got married when my husband's uncle towed their small trailer up into the Cascades for us to spend a few nights. We enjoyed the experience. I'd slept in tents since I was a child but never a small trailer. I wish I had a photo of it and might but it'd be in Oregon if so.

 

In 1972, we had camped with our babies in tents but decided to get our own small trailer--an Aristocrat and about 15' maybe. It had no bathroom but did have a refrigerator, sink, table and enough beds for us and our toddlers. That trailer went with us camping around Oregon and to Arizona. With no air-conditioning, we had to rethink a few routes south-- like not heading straight to Tucson and instead to the Grand Canyon where it'd be cooler. Photo above was the Metolius in Oregon-- many happy days spent there.

We stopped using it as the kids grew too big for the beds and went back to tents as well as resorts-- but didn't give up on road trips to the Southwest. The times were memorable but then the kids grew up, found their own lives, and it was just us.

The first time we went out with our Astro Van for our camping was I think 1990. I loved the freedom of not pulling anything and being safe in a van with curtains I made and a cushy big back bed. If we didn't feel secure somewhere (and that did happen), we'd just drive off. The sad part was that van began having more and more problems with the 'improved' versions. When the last one locked up on steering, we needed something different and a lot safer.

That led to 2012 when we had a truck big enough to pull a bigger rig (as well as a trailer full of hay). It had a bathroom, bed, cooking ability, cabinetry, table, sofa and a good set up for us and our cats, which sometimes were 4 and other times just 2 depending on old age or illness taking some from us. 

We loved the Wildcat by Forest River, but along came a new need this year when we must spend months in a trailer for helping with the work on the Oregon farm (we meaning one of us). Although the windows were great in the Wildcat, it didn't have the kind of space we needed for living. For now, we have not sold the Wildcat as maybe the bigger trailer won't be a long time need. We will have more space for work and the rest, we're still sorting out. We've been buying some 'things' to make it feel more homey. We will see how that works out.

roadtrip

by Rain Trueax

What we left behind

Roadtrips are long journeys made by car, bus, anything wheeled. It's not so much a vacation as a way to get somewhere.

We've been on the road this week, pulling our 26' travel trailer, and staying in RV parks, which has made it difficult to write much. This trip has convinced us we do want a larger trailer or a fifth wheel, with more storage and maybe a desk of some sort. At home, I use a ergo keyboard, which makes the laptop dicey for typing. A few years ago we bought an inexpensive lightweight desk for the Wildcat. I set a monitor on it, a split keyboard on the pull out shelf, and the laptop goes below. When not in use, it is stuffed alongside the bed (which we get into by crawling up). Unless we are spending more than a night somewhere, it's too much work to pull out. 

Driving 1400 miles is no vacation. We used to drive all day, but now go for  less miles in a day but the traffic can be horrendous especially with how much trucking moves our goods. I do not deal well with heavy traffic or rough roads. Luckily, Ranch Boss handles it better, but it wasn't a lot of fun for either us or the cats.

So, my plan for what I'd write here is postponed and this about heading north through California. We came across highway work both in Arizona and California. Such fun... i should have taken pictures of that. I was too busy moaning lol.

letting go

by Rain Trueax
 

 bye bye

Okay, to start-- I do know inanimate objects don't have feelings and are not real. I know this logically. BUT, it's hard for me sometimes to know it emotionally. 

Although we don't name our vehicles, still the truck in the photo has meant a lot to my life for over 14 years. 

“If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don’t want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change. Free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is law and no amount of pretending will alter that reality.”

Socrates

by Diane Widler Wenzel: From suitcase to watercolor painting in Hawaii

I packed a few art supplies including 11"x14" Aquabord and some canvas boards coated with absorbent ground for watercolor. For paints I had Daniel Smith watercolor sticks not to be confused with watercolor crayons that have a little water soluble wax. Also took a palette with a little tube paint squeezed into the divided slots. In Rubbermaid containers I brought a little absorbent ground white and matte medium. Also an assortment of pencils and pens, collapsible water container and easel with an oven pan table included everything I needed for painting!

These are a few of the paintings. In next week's post I will write about a special experience doing something completely new for me - Hawaiian weaving.

Fishing at the fish pond at Kakoiko-Honokoau National Park
painted on tinted absorbent ground on canvas board

 

Keki pond at Four Seasons Resort
started at a West Hawaii plein air painters event
painted on aquabord

 

Energy Lab Beach

painted on Aquabord

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all

by Rain Trueax 
 

Road trip for us

by Rain Trueax

at its farm home 

Road trips come many ways, and we've done most of them at one time or another. They can be driving between motels/hotels. Camping with a tent works when the travelers are younger and don't mind setting up every night. I've seen those who get from Point A to Point B in one long day-- 24 hours driving with changing off drivers (we haven't done that one).

When it came time to leave Tucson, there was no choice for how we'd spend our nights. That choice had been made in January when we came down with our 26' travel trailer and four cats. Seriously, even motels that allow cats (not a lot of them), four? Not likely. Besides cats don't enjoy motel rooms-- too many smells and sounds.

From the time we had gotten to Tucson, we had debated what route to take north. For a while, we thought-- Utah and make it into a vacation. Lots of beautiful scenery in Utah. By May, we knew that was too many extra miles, not to mention the heat and our cats. Nevada is a way we both like, but there are fewer places to eat, stop, or refuel-- especially since we have a 14 year old diesel truck. Any possible problems would have limited options for getting a fix-- and we've done that too, been on a trip with a vehicle that was in trouble. 

In the end, we decided on the shortest route (still 1400+ miles to the farm) right through California with freeways most of the way. We planned to spend 5 hours or so driving and needed parks where that would end up. We researched and made some calls.

Weather impacted when we'd leave in a way it wouldn't so much have had we been doing a motel trip. Pulling a trailer when it's windy is not much fun and heavy rains also make driving more difficult. Since California was getting some of that, we waited. We considered leaving when it would involve driving through Memorial Day. Calling likely RV parks found them already booked.  We could have left the Tuesday after it, but I wanted to stay as long as possible, as despite the heat, I love the birds and time in our Tucson home. What was the rush, I asked, knowing much of my concern was that we'd no longer be subsidizing the quail families. 

Ranch Boss called the guy from whom we buy hay. They weren't cutting until later in June, which eased up the pressure. He brought the trailer around to begin loading and then ran into the A/C problem (read about it in last blog by me). So June 1st was finally when there would be no more delays.

The advantage of a trailer is every night, you have new views out the windows; but when you get set up, you are in a familiar home, one with all the basic necessities.
  
Our first destination was Bouse, Arizona. The drive wasn't bad for traffic; and we got to the park, Desert Pueblo, about when we expected. The uncertainty would be how it would be for inside temps with outside over 100°F. As soon as the cats and I got into the trailer, Ranch Boss plugged us into electricity. I clicked on the A/C and crossed my fingers. It was hot. To reduce the direct rays, he put out the awning. The cats and we settled in and got things organized. It cooled off well-- not down to the 70s but the comfortable 80s. We were pleased.

Bouse sets in the midst of barren desert and mountains. Rock hounds, miners, sun lovers, and those who want freedom from the dominant culture come here. In the winter, it's full of folks, many boon-docking in the hills, to be even farther from others. There is a VFW hall, Octoillo Lodge and Bar, Family Dollar store, and little grocery store. The RV park looked like it had a few permanent residents but some had left their rig there and would return when the intense heat let up-- October probably :).

People in RV parks are a mix of travelers like us but some who live that life permanently either on the road or in one place. I like YouTube vlogs where some of the full-timers have channels, a few make their living that way by sharing their experiences with those who might like to do it or are just curious as to what that lifestyle is like. I don't see myself ever being a full-timer, but it would have appeal to me. I get to do it vicariously through those who do.

The older, lean guy, who managed the Bouse RV park got us a spot with some shade from tall but sparse eucalyptus trees. He was friendly, had three or four little dogs, lived in small, bright yellow rig. In his cowboy hat, he looked like a true desert rat, a term I use with affection. Those guys know a piece of terrain in a way most of us never will.

In such places, Ranch Boss gets out more than I do, as he does the hookups and sometimes walks around. RVers ask each other questions about their rigs, where they are going. It's kind of a communal system with similar problems to discuss. For me, I stay with the cats and what I see is out the window or what I hear. I like a quiet park.

Saturday morning, we drove into California over the Colorado River, passed though Earp, which is an unincorporated kind of community, where Wyatt and his wife did some gold hunting every winter. We passed through the California border crossing, where they only ask about fruit. That might change if the state really secedes. They may not care who crosses their southern border but to protect their agricultural industries, they don't want pests arriving (Oregon makes all pulling boats to get inspected to protect its fisheries). 

The road west and then north between Bouse and Needles is two lanes with more of a desert highway's whoop-de-doos.  Alongside, there are many signs of old lava flows, not what a person tends to think of where it comes to that stretch of desert. Mostly the traffic was sane, the pavement in good condition, and we chatted up all the issues we could think of, as week-ends aren't days to find talk radio, something that helps pass the miles on week-days. From Needles to Barstow it's mostly four lanes and seems to last forever, with little to comment on beyond maybe Peggy Sue's Diner-- no pictures of it.

Before we left Tucson, we had called several places to see if we needed reservations since it was a week-end.  We had made one at a park, which shall remain nameless, where we'd stayed before. By eleven that morning, we both felt we'd like to get farther. We called them to cancel. Their policy was we had to pay for the whole night anyway-- even if someone else rented that site. It was worth it to us to get farther, and we reminded the nice lady that their policy would discourage anyone calling to cancel. It wasn't her decision or fault. Next time though, with that particular park, we will not reserve until the same day when we know for sure where we'll be.

Saturday night, we made it to just outside of Bakersfield and the Orange Grove RV park where we'd stayed on our way down. Very nice park, many sites, and I highly recommend it for ease of access and quiet. A/C was again essential as the temps were over 100°F  but pleasing in the trailer after the A/C took it down. That had been an 8 hour day, the longest we did the whole way but given the quality of the road, not that hard on us. When we were younger, we'd do 14 hour days. We discovered with age that led to getting somewhere with our backs bad and needing a week to recover. One of the nice things about traveling with a trailer is long days on the road aren't required.

One big plus for this trip was for the first time getting set up where we could get the cable that all these parks offer. Someone might say-- you watched TV when in your trailer. Yes, we did because we had a lot of time there thanks to the shorter travel days. I don't do as well with the computer there, since unless we will be somewhere for more than a day, it's not worth it to set up my little desk with the split keyboard. Once Ranch Boss figured out how to make it work, it was nice to be able to check the news or opt to watch a movie at night as we would at home. Most of the parks offer a nice selection of channels but we mostly only watch the news or Hallmark for its movies. 

For internet, most parks offer it but we generally depend on our Verizon hotspot. The quality of the internet in parks varies and there is the risk of going onto a 'communal' line.

Sunday, we finally got onto I-5 and once again thought there is not a rougher freeway possible in the section below Sacramento. There would be smooth sections but mostly it was just rough. I worried most about the cats with such jostling. We learned that every overpass or bridge would be rougher than the highway on either side-- not sure of the motive for that. 

Literally, the stretch of road just north of Stockton is the worst highway imaginable. It jostled our trailer so much that the steps, even with a bungee cord holding them up, were knocked down. Fortunately, we were almost at our next stop in Lodi, and the RV park we had stayed in while driving down-- Flag City. These people had been nice to say they'd hold a site for us without our needing a reservation. People skills is always a plus when dealing with businesses that cater to the public.

Because we'd forgotten how to get to the park, we went out of our way and saw something we would see several times while traveling north-- a gypsy caravan. I don't mean that as ethnically but a group of people with rigs and semi-trucks, traveling together for who knows what businesses. That one had 7 rigs with it and some of the people were walking between them. They weren't the last we would see on the road. The other thing it reminds me of is Grapes of Wrath.

The freeway improved as we went north. We had also stayed in that camp before, out of Anderson-- JGW RV Park, right on the Sacramento River with no neighbors right on top of us.  When we can get one on the river, it's very relaxing. I found myself singing Moon River, when I was alone, of course. The cats didn't mind.

Another short day took us farther north and Yreka, with the Waiiaka RV park. The people there were especially nice. It's connected to a casino, which we didn't visit. They even came around that night to offer us fresh popcorn. The park had nice big trees and again was quiet. 

We had decided to give ourselves one more night on the road, and this time we'd have to drive farther off I-5, the first time we went more than 1/2 mile. This site was called Twin River Vacation and was on the North Umpqua, just east of where the North and South Umpqua join up to head to the ocean.

Getting to this park was amazing and we want to go back as there was one winery after another. Pretty farming communities and then the river. The park itself was big trees with grassy areas between rigs. By that time, we were well past the worst of the heat, but we did use the A/C for an hour or so.


While on the road, we only had one restaurant meal that in Yreka from the Black Bear. We hadn't had chicken fried steak in years and found it on their online menu. We figured the portions would be such that we could get one dinner. It was more than enough. One of the big pluses with an RV is not having to eat out. It's more relaxing and keeps us with the cats; so they don't feel deserted.

This is not wilderness camping. It is staying with water, electricity and sewer when we wanted it. It allowed us to use the A/C freely. Basically with fees generally under $50 and being home as soon as we stepped up into it, trailering is a good deal. In California, vehicles pulling a trailer have to go 55mph. I like that as driving fast makes me nervous. The trucks are also supposed to go 55 but a lot don't. They do though not go 75, like they do in Arizona, which can push a rig around when they pass. 

Other than some bad pavement stretches in California, we had good highways all the way, more 4-lane than the last trip, as they constantly are upgrading roads because of all that is sent by truck in our country. The photo above is heading toward Mount Shasta and a pretty typical view when traveling. Trucks go in bunches, it seems and they come on us like a pack before they go right on past and we'd get a little break. It makes a person very aware of how vulnerable we are as a people where so much of what we need to live is on a freeway somewhere.

road trips with cats

 by Rain Trueax

Leaving Tucson on June 1st, I didn't really want to go; but knew it was time. I worried how the newest born baby quail would manage. I loved the house, its convenience to everything. I loved even the heat although June is my least favorite month in Tucson as it's before the monsoons arrive, which makes it humid and hot. I've been there before A/C, when all we had was a fan and towel or a swamp cooler; and it's miserable. A/C changes that, but it also means less time outside although Ranch Boss put up our first mister and that surprisingly, since it's water, made it nice enough to sit out watching the birds even in the mid-90s. It can't overcome the 100s.

In addition to my own hating to leave, I knew how the cats would hate traveling again. The thing is we can't leave them and they just have to buck up and accept we know what we're doing... we hope.

 

June 1st, we put all four into their own carriers (with no scars). Our cat kids and us were heading 1200+ miles with a 26' travel trailer, and above 100°F days until we got to Northern California.

We had debated various travel plans for the cats. One idea was two in the truck and two in the trailer. In the end, we decided it had to be all in carriers for the first day.  Coming down from Oregon, we had discovered cats don't share a carrier-- even if they sleep cuddled together otherwise. We chose having them all in the truck because we thought their first day of travel might be scary if not with us. It's impossible to tell a cat, who hates travel, that it's a family thing.

Cats hate carriers. They consider them prisons and with only one purpose-- to destroy them. Their dislike doesn't lessen with the miles. The smallest one, Babe, makes the loudest and most horrific mewrrooowws. The oldest one, Blackie, is peaceful on a drive and was allowed to get out of his extra small carrier and lie between us as a reward. The other three alternated who got to meow, with Babe sometimes issuing something ear shattering. We all had to just make the best of it including one incident of car sickness for Raven. She does not like whoop-de-doo roads, and we expected the cleanup. 

When we got to our first destination, Bouse, Arizona, the temps were well over 100°F. This is a kind of roadside community for desert rats, those who love to explore the nearby mountains for minerals or want the freedom of not being tied to a town. A few rigs in the RV park were probably permanent. Some had left their rigs there while they headed to cooler climes. A bit north of Quartzite, this is a place of mountains, sand, barren, desert landscape, flags flying, VFW halls, and communities called Vicksburg. I like it.

Once the cats and I were in the trailer, Ranch Boss hooked us to electricity and I turned on the A/C. Since this was our first time with the trailer in this level of heat, we weren't sure how effectively it would cool. There was worry also since when loading it, when Ranch Boss had endurance tested the A/C, it failed. He did some research and decided he'd used too small an extension cord. Still, with any failure, you do worry. 

The cooling worked-- not to the 70s during the daytime but into the low 80s. To add to reducing the pressure on it, he put out the awning. We settled in with one more question that would resolve the next day's travel.

How would the cats get along with the stress of travel and tighter quarters? It would determine if they could ride in the trailer, as they had in January, or would they have to, at least some of them, ride with us?

We had a peaceful night. We would continue to monitor how they got along but this meant we'd all have an easier travel day on Saturday.  

Many don't believe in leaving pets in trailers while traveling. It's illegal for humans although if we get a Fifth Wheel someday, humans could also ride in it-- not sure many would want to do so. The cats much prefer the trailer with a dirt box, food, and water to the boxes. When traveling, mostly, they hide under the bed. My main worry has been an accident but in that case, the cab of the truck wouldn't be safe either. 

Heat during the summer is another issue for letting cats be where there is no A/C while traveling. On the hottest days, we cooled off the trailer a lot in the morning and crossed our fingers that by not driving into the late afternoon, we'd be okay; and we were. They handle some heat, after all, they had wanted outside when it was 100 in Tucson.

During our time of travel, there were a few cat tiffs-- usually at 3 am. The reasons appear to be to wake us up in the middle of the night out of maybe boredom or being too close for too long. We resolved all the disagreements with the squirt bottle (cats hate getting wet)-- and one night closed the door so that at that time, the most aggressive cat, Blackie, slept with us.

All photos of the cats from Tucson this year.

More coming on our road trip. It may be of interest to those who use RVs or even have considered using one. Where to stay? Who else is there? Why do we do it-- especially with four cats? Well, I can answer that one here. We are moving between two homes, can't leave them in either when we are gone a long time. So with that many, what motel would let us get a room? Transferring them from the vehicle to the room would be difficult even if we found such places. Cats, unlike more adventurous dogs, prefer a familiar home and the trailer is that at night.

a land of dreams-- big, little and sometimes broken

by Rain Trueax

I wanted to write about the quail, with what I've observed and learned; but I want to do it when I have time to do the subject justice. We are getting our Tucson house ready to leave and packing the trailer for the long trek back north. I always hate leaving here but I also love Oregon. I wish the places I loved were closer together, but I have so many of them. 

To go north, our 26' travel trailer will mostly stick to freeways as the shortest route is through California. We don't have time for recreation with the four cats not liking their limited range. They can't go out, although i have had cats where I could use a leash-- not these four though. We do keep our driving days relatively short for their sake and ours with finding nice little RV parks each afternoon-- and hoping they'll be quiet ones.

I always hate leaving Arizona. This year it's  especially hard when I hope the babies do well with no one supplementing their diet, but haying season is almost here, sheep have to be shorn-- if the shearer ever gets the time for a small flock. So northward we must head and leaving this house well-secured, fortunately with neighbors who look out for it when we're not here.

In putting off the quail until I am back in Oregon, I happened across some photos from 2008, when we had a wonderful trip through Montana, Yellowstone, and Idaho. Choosing only a few is tough. It's a big country with a lot of variety in scenery. Loving the American West, which has been inspiration for some of my books, I can't say I have just one place that is better than the rest. Life for me would be simpler if I had one such place,

On these photos, I am not labeling where these are. They are not in any particular order. They represent to me so much of what I love about the Rockies and the American West. You can find places all across the West that look liked them. It's big country.