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Monday, December 23, 2013

Armchair Reflections on the humble, experimental beginnings of a red-dirt ORGEE in Utah



That's right, we had a recent ORGEE in Southwest Utah, and we're going to have another one…uh…somewhere, sometime (alas and be damned hernia:((). No, I'm not talking about senior sexcapades, silly goofs. I'm talking about the "Outdoor RV Gang for Exercise and Exploration." 



The brain-child of Pal Boonie, ORGEE's Mission Statement is to hold periodic RV "gatherings" that provide opportunities for traditional and non-traditional RV'ers to experiment with an activity based alternative social/travel lifestyle.  Its centerpiece is recreational pursuits like walking, hiking, mountain biking, and wilderness exploration from boondocks locales. If you are becoming too sedentary, then attending an ORGEE might be a fun, social way to get "back on the horse." 


The "If—Then" Test

If your inner explorer longs for new ground and a little more space between slide-outs…if you are ready for less people, concrete and pavement…if  you've had it with in-the-City-freeways, noise, and sketchy neighborhoods…if "Walled Resorts" with too many Rules,  Happy Hours, and Pot Lucks, and the same 'ole same 'ole loop-de-loop morning walks are beginning to feel mundane and not what you imagined Freedom Road to be...if "outings" have morphed to drive-bys or trips to Walmart or yakking it up while sitting in a circle of camp chairs...if Bingo is no longer fun...if you and your dog are getting that pudgy feeling…if you are bored to smithereens and sluggish as a snail (deep breath)….
then maybe it's time for an ORGEE.  

Here are a few pics from our last ORGEE near Virgin, Utah.   























Note the weights Bobbie carries on walk-a-bouts twice a week. It keeps her upper body in shape while walking and adds a little gravitational resistance.

Our group does not discriminate against, nor do we take umbrage to the occasional RV Parkers and Campgrounders. As long as the location is surrounded by public land and overflows with recreational opportunities…and isn't too crowded…that works. Hey we are going to be gone from camp most of the day anyway.


Boonie's Brain-child gained a little traction this past November in Virgin, Utah's colorful surround of BLM land. Zion, with all it's splendor, took a backseat to our red hills, backroads, single-track trails, wash hikes, and mountain biking...right out our doorsteps. Some of us opted for the amenities of the Virgin River RV Resort, while others chose to boondock nearby. To each their own. 

I'm thinking a spring wildflower get-together somewhere in the desert southwest might be a good place and time to have another ORGEE. So if you are going to be in this rather large, and as yet, undefined area, and joining our fledgling camaraderie/activity based group is of interest, stay tuned for further details on the specific "where and when." 

Here is an excellent desert "wildflower watch" link that keeps track of the best times and places to enjoy wildflower blooms. Every wildflower season is different in the desert; it largely depends on fall and winter rains. You may email the Boonster or myself if you have any questions. See contact information on our respective websites. I don't know if this will be of interest to mainstream RV'ers, and frankly, don't care. Everyone is different and must choose their "path" accordingly. But there seems to be an inverse relationship between group size and fun; too many people can spoil the broth of an informal gathering. Before you know it there's a need for "Rules." Our Virgin ORGEE was on the small side and we had some great adventures while yakking it up and getting to know each other :)).  

I added an ORGEE Information box in the right sidebar for our next, and future, plan(s). So keep an eye on it :).

Watching a very slow clock…trying not to cough, sneeze, laugh, or strain... 
mark 

22 comments:

  1. I only have one complaint about the ORGEE. It ended too soon.

    Jim

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    Replies
    1. Right. I'm thinking it would be hard to beat the area around Virgin and Zion. If it's too hot there are plenty of opportunities to camp/hike/bike at higher elevations…and vice versa. The variety of terrain, color, and eye candy is certainly abundant, and so too the variety of activities that that area presents…especially biking.

      We are thinking of starting our fall travels earlier next year…maybe in mid september, and slowly hike and bike our way across from Moab to central Utah to Kodachrome State Park (a remote and beautiful area)…check out Capital Reef, and then some of the great out-of-park slot canyons and slick rock…of course Bryce is on the way and also has a ton of mountain biking trails near, but out of park…and then get to Virgin area earlier, say mid october, and boondocks till the cheap rv rate starts in november…or just boondock the whole time till the weather turns cold.

      Delete
  2. I've been "anonymously" enjoying your blog (because I'm out traveling solo but don't have a blog of my own, hence no web "identity" [yet]). Anyway, I'll be keeping an eye out for these "gatherings" because I like to meet up with people who get out and do things. Right now I seem to find that if I'm out boondocking, I'm pretty much on my own as far as adventure-companions; and if I were to go to an RV park I'd have more social opportunities but they are not really "me." Your/Boonie's idea seems really appealing.

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    Replies
    1. Anon.
      Thanks for coming out of Lurkdom…at least partially. We look forward to meeting up!

      Delete
  3. What is the rough time frame of the first event? That would let me be heading the correct direction before it happens.

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    1. OFM,
      Judging from Boonie's response, roughly mid march to april, plus or minus. Don't hang your hat on it for a bit tho. Hope it works out to meet up.

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    2. That is definitely close enough for now. February is Bibe time for me. I need time to get some biking muscles again anyway, Thanks.

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  4. Since Hans and I are "planners" we have already mapped out, and booked, much of the next few months. If we happen to land near the ORGEE I hope we can share some physical activity time with you!

    Metamorphosis Lisa

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    Replies
    1. That would be great. Their is some fun and security in planning…but spontaneity is fun too, and dangerous!!! (grin).

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  5. Wildflowers? You are right, they are hard to time. And they are not an activity.

    Anybody interested in the Green Valley/Sonoita/Patagonia area March 15--April 01? There are good places to boondock, and a couple campgrounds for the softies.

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    Replies
    1. The wildflower update site is a good one. I didn't know about it. We'll be heading over to Tucson to visit Lloyd in February/March so the Sonoita area sounds good.

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    2. Leave it to a curmudgeon to pee on pretty wildflowers…sheesh. Bobbie and I have put in a lot of miles on wildflower lined trails and back roads, hiking and biking. But I guess your boring grass and ridge lines will do as long as we can camp close to Madera's eye candy and water and Trogons and pine forests and bouldered creek beds and sycamore trees. The road up to the trailheads makes a nice climb for a road biker you know.

      Delete
    3. John V,
      Good news! You were right, too, about coach "Walrus" for the Chiefs…lost four of his last six games :)

      Delete
  6. You are such a tease with your talk of ORGEEs. Will be waiting anxiously for the photos that come out of that trip!

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    Replies
    1. Well you are a hiker, why not come see for yourself? :)
      mark

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    2. Ellen and I are interested in being a part of this gathering. We follow yours and Boonie's blog regularly. We were in Moab about the same time as you were, boondocking first in the Sand Flats Rec Area and then out near Dubinky Well Rd. From reading your blogs I know that we enjoy the same kind of activites and we too are always on the lookout for active RVers. We plan on being in Southern AZ around the same time so we'll keep in touch and see if we can make it happen.

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    3. Alex and Ellen,
      You should have looked us up in Moab…we had a great boondocks there and some great rides/hikes
      But it looks like we'll see you in Southern Arizona…Great! I know there are other RV'ers out there like you, too. We're not looking to form an exercise cult, just have some nice hike 'n bikes with active RV'ers two or three times a year and see if we can form a good core group.
      thanks for giving this a try,
      mark

      Delete
  7. Thanks for responding...and peeing on wildflowers , well, I think they kinda like it.

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  8. We've had enough rain here this fall/winter that the wildflowers should be glorious! No donations of human urine will be needed.

    I'll keep an eye on the plans.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We've had enough rain here this fall/winter that the wildflowers should be glorious! No donations of human urine will be needed.

    I'll keep an eye on the plans.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mark, I grew up like that. Had it with my parents in Switzerland every summer wayyy back in the 60s. Would love to join one time we are close.

    ReplyDelete

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