tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post3224032601157857722..comments2024-02-08T03:19:48.451-07:00Comments on Box Canyon Blog.com: Grumpy, Dopey, Sneezy, and Sleepy...On Travel, and Winding Down in "The Circumference of Home"Box Canyon Blog.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07032055509766739436noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-56940641339748379982018-01-22T18:49:18.978-07:002018-01-22T18:49:18.978-07:00I'm glad we've had these past few years to...I'm glad we've had these past few years to "dream" of full time rv'ing, our situation now is changing and it looks as if we will be keeping our home base after all. Most likely we will go on a series of long trips instead, and probably that is best as I was concerned about burn-out. Nice to have someplace to come home to sometimes! And now you can see how far behind I am in my reading...Pam https://www.blogger.com/profile/05979446142128610261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-24957730255568556572017-04-03T08:17:45.242-06:002017-04-03T08:17:45.242-06:00Oh, I can relate to what you're talking about....Oh, I can relate to what you're talking about. We full-timed for 2 years before it became apparent to me that I also yearned to have an occasional "return to" place, not to nest but as you put it to "digest". So for the moment, we're out there some of the time! <br />You've described it so well in this post, plus I've added a few books to my reading list - ImkelinaThe BlaNicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-40301742904789103492017-03-26T17:41:04.199-06:002017-03-26T17:41:04.199-06:00Admittedly, we are newbies as full-timers. But NOT...Admittedly, we are newbies as full-timers. But NOT newbies as RVers. We're coming up on our first anniversary as full-timers, having traveled SLOWLY from So-Cal to Glacier National Park, then west where we spent a month on Whidbey Island. At present, we are winding up 2 1/2 months in Quartzite, half of which was free BLM camping. We have loved nearly every minute, regardless of locale. We avoid crowded campsites, and not everyone we have met is to our liking, nor us to their liking. We can live with that. As for uncrowded boondocking spots, they still exist. All one need do is some research. Info is everywhere. The Internet and Google are wonderful tools.<br /><br />So.....perhaps some of us have become jaded. Obviously, national parks are going to be crowded. If you must go, go in the off season. We were in Zion in December. It was wonderful. We were also in Capital Reef and Flaming Gorge in November. We were the only ones in either campground. There are myriads of boondocking spots. Go find them. As for weather and climate, DUH!, if it's too warm, head north. And quit bitching. :)Ed@Chasing Sunrises and Sunsetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16630036177749891246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-303907655655788502017-03-25T08:35:27.308-06:002017-03-25T08:35:27.308-06:00Once again you've written eloquently about som...Once again you've written eloquently about some of the many things going through my head as we travel. Not only are boondocking sites overrun these days, all the campgrounds and RV parks are full, or fuller, than they've been in years past. Don't even get me started on the heat...<br /><br />We are looking forward to finding our new "circumference of home" in the next year or so. A sanctuary, a nest, a place to decompress fully, with occasional forays out for exploration. <br /><br />Love your writing Mark. Though there are fewer posts, I appreciate the wisdom and thought that goes into everything you write.Metamorphosis Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07637866156639686101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-7474092497670329812017-03-25T07:27:09.399-06:002017-03-25T07:27:09.399-06:00Regarding less people at the "Slabs," an...Regarding less people at the "Slabs," and Quartzite, for that matter... the downward trend is understandable. After going to the Q our first year out, I didn't get the joy of camping alongside hundreds of thousands of other people... with cars and buggies and ATVs zooming dust clouds... the steady drone of generators, and the circus tent charlatans hawking their wares. Once was enough, twice too much. <br />Thanks for your comment Jim... Box Canyon Blog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07032055509766739436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-84370740311105443002017-03-24T23:00:00.872-06:002017-03-24T23:00:00.872-06:00I'm trying to reconcile these comments with ou...I'm trying to reconcile these comments with our observations this winter at The Slabs, Quartzite,AZ and Ehrenberg, AZ. The numbers of RVers seemed down everywhere we went (not that we would ever complain about that!). I asked a gal at the RV parts & service place and she said that somebody from the BLM told her that their numbers alone were down 100,000 for the season. There has been some speculation that the unfavorable Canadian exchange rate was part of it. My personal theory is that our newest armchair warrior has a lot of people in hiding. I share your disgust with boneheads who mindlessly run their gensets after dark . . . I keep thinking there better be somebody in there on life support!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13585969582693570200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-71082139916033431992017-03-24T22:07:41.687-06:002017-03-24T22:07:41.687-06:00Mark - you forgot about Alaska and Yukon and NW Te...Mark - you forgot about Alaska and Yukon and NW Territories. Spotted Dog Ranch:https://www.blogger.com/profile/15734250215386335527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-88247304222946309942017-03-24T21:29:55.899-06:002017-03-24T21:29:55.899-06:00Have you visited Whidbey Island lately?...Private ...Have you visited Whidbey Island lately?...Private wells are no longer potable due to fire-fighting chemicals. The A-6's have been replaced with F-18's; the new folks who have built houses close to the bases are bitchn' about the noise..<br />Sure glad I'm not just starting out exploring...Is was swell..<br />UpriverUpriverdavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601944771241016039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-92187574836461639112017-03-24T19:47:53.550-06:002017-03-24T19:47:53.550-06:00It's been three years since we stopped - we ha...It's been three years since we stopped - we had many good years living in our rv. Used to be we could just show up at Catalina SP and find a site. In Big Bend there were hardly any people except at La Kiva during spring break. In Moab we could just find a campsite at Goose Island and self pay. What was great was the fact we did not have to make plans. Spontaneity ruled our travels (in your book, Mark-Serendipity). I love the TS Eliot quote.... We shall not cease. -ScampAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-31686793598648395582017-03-24T19:46:54.027-06:002017-03-24T19:46:54.027-06:00It's been three years since we stopped - we ha...It's been three years since we stopped - we had many good years living in our rv. Used to be we could just show up at Catalina SP and find a site. In Big Bend there were hardly any people except at La Kiva during spring break. In Moab we could just find a campsite at Goose Island and self pay. What was great was the fact we did not have to make plans. Spontaneity ruled our travels (in your book, Mark-Serendipity). I love the TS Eliot quote.... We shall not cease. -ScampAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-39404718072533878982017-03-24T19:46:37.038-06:002017-03-24T19:46:37.038-06:00It's been three years since we stopped - we ha...It's been three years since we stopped - we had many good years living in our rv. Used to be we could just show up at Catalina SP and find a site. In Big Bend there were hardly any people except at La Kiva during spring break. In Moab we could just find a campsite at Goose Island and self pay. What was great was the fact we did not have to make plans. Spontaneity ruled our travels (in your book, Mark-Serendipity). I love the TS Eliot quote.... We shall not cease. -ScampAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-22085332726403182992017-03-24T17:50:23.388-06:002017-03-24T17:50:23.388-06:00The number of RVers I encounter on the road now is...The number of RVers I encounter on the road now is at least double that of three years ago. An example is Big Bend NP. It very seldom had full campgrounds. I just drove in whenever I wanted chose a site and set up. This year starting in early Jan they were packed full every night until a week ago. It set new attendance records for the park by over double according to one ranger I talked to. We are in a new era of RVing. And it is not an improvement.Barney, The Old Fat Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14242837062100545160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-21146554124463698302017-03-24T16:35:45.429-06:002017-03-24T16:35:45.429-06:00Amen, Amen and Amen to your first paragraph. Arom...Amen, Amen and Amen to your first paragraph. Aromatic Ponderosas – SWOON! Heat sucks – INDEED! And a BIG amen to coolness of body, mind and spirit.<br /><br />Fabulous post. I too feel the golden age of RVing is past. There really is no where now to escape and be ALONE without the sounds and sights of others all around you. Boondocking isn’t the boonies any more. And the National Parks – I’ve always avoided summer but if you have to avoid everything but dead winter in order not to be inundated well…………<br /><br />Love Richard Nelson’s work and especially the Island Within. Thanks for the new recommendation. From it, you’ve left me with a thought that has been on my mind a lot, though not so eloquently, as I find myself doing much more hiking and kayaking than biking for the slower pace and closeness of experience. Thanks for a great and thoughtful read.<br />Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-52226914105886299392017-03-24T10:48:41.213-06:002017-03-24T10:48:41.213-06:00Excellent writing, Mark. In the mid-70s to mid-80...Excellent writing, Mark. In the mid-70s to mid-80s I lived in Tucson and walked or rode the bike everywhere. My pickup did not have air conditioning because I was too poor to have the coolant recharged. It was hot, but it was tolerable. I think those days are gone.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02475433199308666648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134981800236544647.post-46360775994984602762017-03-24T10:32:17.557-06:002017-03-24T10:32:17.557-06:00I think you just described my first real case of &...I think you just described my first real case of "Full-timer's Ennui."Suzannehttp://www.taketothehighway.comnoreply@blogger.com