More of Moab,UT

Y'all
If I sound a bit fun(!!) it is because Anna has introduced me to this great drink they call musty's. That means must have more than one. I am working on my second one in an hour, so I am feeling quite abit "Fun" if you get my drift. For those who do not know me very well, I am a cheap drunk. Always have been and always will be. I just do not drink very much, but when I find a drink I like, I go for it. So let me tell ya all how to make a Musty.
Pour a shot of Vodka and a spash into a glass
Put in ice to fill
Pour a splash of worchestershire sauce in
pour Clamato Tomato Cocktail in till almost full (it MUST be clamato, not V-8 as Anna says it will not taste the same)
Squeeze a slice of fresh lime and one of lemon in the glass. (throw the wedges of lime and lemon in the ice so you can eat them when your at the bottom of the drink...they are Really good!!)
Then put a heaping teaspoon of Clamato Rimmer in the glass and stir.
Now, we had no rimmer and I could not find any in a store, so I made up my own. When I am sober I can do things like that. Anyway, to make rimmer, use season salt, celery seed and ground pepper and mix together. Good stuff. the salt makes the drink with the snap of pepper and celery seed. Unfortunally, the season salt makes a bit to much salt, but when that is all that available, thats what you use.
Man, I sure have made lots of mistakes on this typing. Good thing I am not so drunk I can not see and realize what I am doing. At least (like all drunks) I think so.

Ok, enough of my bull-stuff, on with the blog!!

Let me tell ya all something. When you go ATVing with Anna and Wayne O'Neil, you go on TRAILS!! These two are die hard ATVers. We will leave here at 8:30 in the morning and not get back until 6:30 at night. I have learned to put some meat to marinade all day, come home cook it up and open a can of vegetables. We eat as we watch the beautiful sunset.

Anyway, this is a rest stop in the shade. Oh blessed shade. We love it. 'Especially since it has been any wheres from 100 to 107 during the day.
















Chuck took this picture. Is it not pretty!!




















Here is Wayne looking at the territory. Actually, he was trying to convince me (the resend chicken) to take the ATV down a short cut to home. When I finally agreed 'cause I thought I had worked out the way down, everyone else said NO WAY!!! Guess that learned us both a lesson. (Soon as I figure it out, I will let ya all know what the lesson learned was!)



















Anna. Peaceful under the shade. AAHH.... the cold beer, shade, beautiful scenery......















The pups. AAHHH, water, shade, peaceful......yes, this is the life, cool dirt. Duffers, Anna and Waynes dog has been so good to Pancho. Pancho plays and she will sometimes (she is a lot older than him) and makes him feel so loved and important. She is such a sweet girl. Pancho is trying to get her to hunt more rabbits with him, however, he hunts ALL the time and she is trying to teach him to pace himself.



















Man, this picture just does not show how steep this damm hill was!!! It was steep!! That is Anna going down it (Go Gunny!!) but like I said, this picture just does not do the hill justice.















This is Anna again. Once again, this picture does not show the steepness of the hill. However, if you look in the background, you can see where we came up (we were on that road down there, and by them cliffs in the backgound) from the valley floor.
















I hope this picture helps some to let you all know where Anna and Wayne take us. This is Anna on the ATV on the side of a slick rock. Chuck is holding on the back of the ATV, and Wayne is on the side on the front. They are on a 45 degree angle, the ATV is in 4 low crawling.

















This is wayne for a perspective shot. Is the area not just breathtaking!!!

















Chuck coming down at a 45 degree angel. I sure wish the camera would take better pictures so you all could know what I was seeing. Oh wait!!! Look at the rocks behind him, Maybe that will help you to understand why I was walking and taking pictures!!
















Another shot of rocks and steep hills. We were making up what the rocks resembled every time we passed some. This is Chuck on top of a steep slick rock. I walked down so I could get a picture of it. Notice how high up he is and I am down on the bottom. Believe it or not, I did not have to make the camera go all the way "out".














We are on top of seven mile rim. That is the highway going into Moab. Yep, high up. On top of the world. Needless to say, chuck took this picture as I do NOT get that close to the end of the rocks. Chicken Dee, yep, that is me. Alive and happy!!!

















I think this is Merimack rock. Impressive is it not. We are at the bottom of that rock taking a shade break.















Other side of Mermack. Yep, Long ass day on the ATV but the scenery is so worth it. Thank God for Anna and Wayne who know these trails like they made them. Chuck and I would not of gotten to see as much if it was not for them. Although, I am glad we took today off so my back can rest. Gets bumpy on the back of that ATV.















This is a shade/beer/water break. (Yeah, I know I am the one drinking the water...hay, beer does not cut the thirst ok!!! besides tasting bad (american beer that is)



















Uranium Arch.
This was a really nice Arch. The picture does NOT do it justice. There are so many colors in this rock that is it unbelieving.















We took a lunch break under this arch. It was so cool in the shade and cool rocks and so pretty, I hated to leave. Thanks to Wayne and Anna for bring us here. Just beyond words.
















Dellenbaugh Tunnel.
This was a lot of fun. Chuck had gone down there first, but forgot the camera. I went and got the camera, but by the time I got back, he was out. So Wayne went in and I followed him with our camera. Look at the rock formations from the water flow in the winter.















This is in the tunnel looking out over the side where the water falls out. No, Chicken Dee did NOT lean over to get the shot. She put her arm out and looked the other way (so not to get dizzy) and took the shot hoping the camera had a good eye. Of-course, being it is Chucks camera it had a good eye. Thats called a shot of skill. Or Lucky shot, depending on where you are and who your trying to B.S.















Oh, that is me going into a tunnel and the Duffers and Anna following us!!! This tunnel was most welcome cause by then I was getting way to hot from the sun.















Chuck took this shot of me walking out of the Tunnel. Look at that. What a nice picture. The light coming in from the front of the rocks, dark in the background.















Look real close (or click on the picture and it will get bigger) and see the nesting dove.


















Gemini Bridges /Bull Canyon
This was another trip. A different day. We went to Gemini bridges and to Bull Canyon. This is Gemini Bridges. They call it such as there are two arches side by side.















The formations on the rocks are incredible. This looks like a bird condo.
















More rocks looking down from where we are standing. (Man, we stand on some scary stuff don't we!!)















Hay, Can you see us now??? This is Anna, Pancho and I on one of the Gemini arches. Duffers was under the shade of the overhang off to the right of us. I know MY kids are impressed I am out there, but to be honest, it is a real wide walkway.














This is inside of bull canyon. Anna and I are resting. They boys said "Cheese" and I cheesed it up. Anna would kill me if she saw this, but what the heck, unless Shelly, her son, tells her about it, she will know know until we are in Oregon... So Shelley....it is a secret!!! (ha ha)
























Green River
This was a DIFFERENT day. We went to Green River. This was a ride (eight hours) into a canyon that was just breathtaking. On the rock walking is Wayne.















This is Anna sitting on a ledge looking at the green River. I would NOT go there. It was to scary for DeeDee's.















Pancho navigating the rocks to come to his mama. Gosh, I just love that little dog.
















This is an Arch (Cliffhanger Arch) over the Green River. This is a chuck shot. One needed to get way to close to the edge for these shots. The biggest problem with these pictures are they were taken in the heat of the day. Meaning the camera washed out all the reds in the colors of the rocks.















This was our Lunch stop. In the shade of the overhangs (on the bottom of the rocks) a cool breeze blows. It is wonderful. I have treated to bring a sheet and lay it on the sand in the shade and take a nap. However, a good nap to me a at least an hour and a half. We never sit anywhere that long. Maybe a half hour.















Green River and the Valley. We are (of course) on the top of the mesa. We were down in the valley, but one must come up to go home. The scenery on camera just does not compare to in person.














Another Arch we "discovered" somewhere. Must of been in the green river bason as this is the series of pictures we are in. There are so many formations out here they can all kind of run together.















This is a cave in the valley floor of the basin. Once again a beer/shade/rest stop with water for the dogs and me. So for now folks, see ya in a few days. Soon we are going to trailer to Onion Mountain and ATV the Purple rocks. Until we Post again, take care of each other. Much love to all. Chuck, Dee and Pancho

Moab, UT First Days.

We have arrived in Moab Utah. Jim and Jackie Nobles told us we would really like this place a couple of years ago before we had came to see it. They were right. We really like it here. The first day here we were the only ones on the mesa. Last year we were here in August and it was pretty warm. This year we are here in July and it is still pretty warm. Oh well, as warm and ends well..... tee hee hee
So when it is really warm out, this is how you enjoy the day. See Chuck. See Chuck relax. See Chuck keep cool. Thats all you all get to see of Chuck!!!
















Pancho and I go for a walk in the mornings and in the evenings. We road the ATV around one of the "loops" I walk so I could know how far it is. It is one mile ... Ok, just a tinny bit more than one mile. But knowing it is a mile makes me happy.

On our first walk out, this is what we found. Yep, a riddle snake....Oh alright, it is a rattle snake. I was just trying to not scare ya all. Actually this was the SECOND one we found. The first was just a few feet from us, I had actually been looking on the ground while I walked and stepped right over the first one. So from then on I kept my eyeballs peeled. These snakes are small, but no less a threat to me. This second one was more aggressive than the first one we encountered. If you have a hard time seeing it, look above the stick in the grass. They blend very nice with the soil do they not??
















Yesterday, Wayne, Anna and Duffers(their dog) came in with there rigs. Our plans were to meet them here. Last night we went on a wonderful short ATV ride in some beautiful country. We saw a big horn sheep from afar. We had spy glasses so we were able to see it pretty well. Sorry, no pictures last night.
But today we went on a 48 mile ride. This is wayne going by a huge rock that had slipped off the face of the cliff. I wanted perspective and I think we got it.















This is the way Pancho likes to ride. Back legs on the fattiness of my belly and his front paws up on Dads shoulders so he can see over Dad's head!!!















This is Dufflers, Wayne and Pancho at a rest stop. I just love this picture. Pancho is in his basket that is strapped on the front of the ATV. He would much rather ride between Chuck and I.
















This is crusin Anna. This is a great picture also. She can sure ride that thing to.














This picture is for my Uncle Gary. Do not let Teenagers drive. This could be Chris!!! ha ha ha















Our destination was a mine that uranium was mined from. Unfortunately, since last year the mines have been blasted shut. However, I thought it was weird how it was not cost effective to remove the machinery from the sites, so they just left them here to rot. Oh, wait, metal does not rot!!!















I wanted to put so many more pictures in, but Chuck said eight was enough. There has to be a reason behind that therapy. I mean theory.
Oh, by the way, I have been published!!! Yeah, really and truly. In a book about RVing lifestyles. It is a book a lady put together and it has all sorts of tips, answers to questions people have and stories from people like me and Chuck who RV all the time. I tell what our experiences have been. AND....IF you can BELIEVE it, she did not censor the way I talk. Pretty dang cool in MY book....Oh, not THAT book, well, maybe so now that I am published!!! Anyone wanting to know more about the book, let me know and I can send you a link to her site.
Oh yeah, today was about 100 degrees and Yes it felt good to rest under the shade of trees (shrubs passing as trees) and felt good to get home and take a cold shower. We got a short but wonderful sprinkle of rain to help cool us off on our last eight miles or so, but the wind kicking up also was a pain in the eyes....and nose....
So for now, thats all folks!!!
Talk to you some more later.
Chuck, Dee and Pancho

Gunnison, CO

Yesterday we went out on the ATV and did some Geocaching. Not only did we get really nice tans, but we got to see some great country. Pancho has decided that he could learn to like this outdoor geo-caching on the ATV.

On one of our excursions we came upon these really neat bird nest's. You have to look carefully and peek under the ledge on one of the rock formations.
Is this not cool or what!!! The birds were not flying around, so we did not get pictures of them, but the nest themselves were worth the walk. On the other side of us was a nice little stream. Very nice place for the birds to raise their young.















This is the stream on the other side of the nest's. Pancho's first Mountain stream. As you can all see he liked it. Especially after being in the hot sun on the ATV. I put him in a deeper side and had him swim with a small currant after this picture to help cool him off. He enjoyed the heck out of it believe it or not. Right afterward he rolled in the clover and ran around then it was back in the water. Very fun times for the little dog!! In this picture he is getting rocks out of the bottom of the stream. (Or fishing)















This is the area we were in. Beautiful is it not!!! Colorado has so many little places like this. Most of them are public lands set up for mountain biking, ATVing, Motorcycle riding and of course horse riding and hiking. There are little camp sites all over the place.
















This picture is part of a Granite Quarry. The Granite taken from here was used
in the building of the Denver Capital Building.

It is also were we found a Geo cache. It was interesting to walk on all the granite and look for our treasure.
















This is called Signal peak and can be seen from anywhere in the Gunnison Valley. Yes, it is as steep as it looked.















Pancho at the top on signal peak. He is looking for something to kill. He had a lot of fun running around out here. Lucky for the rodents they are used to being hunted, so he had a no kill day. Have you noticed his brand new blue harness? It is to help him stay in the basket on the ATV. After our little accident with the old one, we got a stronger set up. Did I tell you about that? Oh, well, we had him on a small rope on his collar to help hold him in. He was loving it until he jumped at a rabbit and the dang rope broke. We ran over him with the ATV. So now he is a bit afraid of his basket (like it THREW him out of it!!) so we are slowly getting used to it once more. Now we have a lot better and safer set up.
















This is my chuckle on top of the mountain. We were up pretty high. This is our rest spot after climbing to the top. We left the ATV on the bottom on the last rise as last time we took it up something like that, I had to get off and walk so chuck could make it up it. Scared the ga-geebers out of me watching Chuck slide sideways, back wheels not touching going down something so steep. Pucker up Chuck to!! So now we walk the real steep ones, the rock makes one slide like there was wax on them wheels!!
















Although hazy, that is Gunnison way out there.

















If any of your are WWII history buffs, check out these links.

Fifteenth Air Force

The 484th Bombardment Group

The 461st Bombardment Group

They are published by a fellow Geocacher that we met in Gunnison.


So for now, this is all today. I am painting a picture for my friend Val today and later we will go into town for supplies.
We will write more later. Take care of each other.
See ya
Chuck, Dee and Pancho

Albaquerque New Mexico to Blue Mesa Reservior, Gunnison Colorado

Hello and good Tidings to all!!
Yes, we actually left Deming and are now on the road again. As I type this we are in Elk Creek Camp ground at Blue Mesa Reservoir outside of Gunnison Colorado. I am amidst as to why it is called a camp ground....oh, because we camp. No water or electric at the site's. It is 12 bucks a night to camp here, but if you have golden age it is 6 bucks. The water is great to swim in, although at the present, it is a bit cold. It is cold at night ( in the 5o's I think) but nice during the day. Yesterday it was 85.
Pancho is enjoying all the dog company here. Even though he is on a leash at all times, we go on lots and lots of walks.

Ok, now onto the pictures.
This was leaving the state of New Mexico. They say good-by better than any state I have seen so far. Notice how we are traveling this year. That is our rig behind the sign. Truck, RV and our ATV this summer!!

On Hwy 550 from Albuquerque to Gunnison Colorado.















And then, the sign into Colorado. If you look close at the above picture you will notice that we are parked between states. You can just see the Colorado sign below the Hasta La Vista. That person on the right side is Chuck looking for a Geo Cache. Pancho and I had to find it for him.

















This summit was nice to see. Our Truck kept overheating on it. Chuck got a new radiator cap in Albuquerque as it overheated on way to there, hoping it would fix the problem. It helped, but our truck was unhappy.

















These beautiful mountains are outside of Silverton Colorado. It is called Red Mountain. Gee, wonder why. That is snow on the peaks. I kept telling Chuck it was not snow, but just part of the mountain make-up. We all know by now the Chuck does NOT do snow and I was worried he might turn around if he thought he was in snow. Lucky my ploy worked!!! Pancho thought it was way to cold and stayed on my lap with a blanket around him.



















Some views of Gunnison from one of the Geo caches that we did in Hartman Recreation Area.
This is just outside of Gunnison. I just love this valley. We are in some really cool rocks. I will get pictures of them today when we go back and post them.















In the distance there is the town of Gunnison.














Chuck and I love this cabin. No one around, the creek flowing by it. Plenty of room for our RV in the back. No for sale sign. Oh well, guess we will keep traveling.
















Well, that is it on the pictures. So I guess that I will go for now and post more later. It is nice to be on the road again, although I wish I could bring the kids with us. Oh well, then we would all get tired of each other.
So for now I say good-by and we will post more in about three or four days.
Take care of each other.
Chuck, DeeDee and Pancho.

Here is a site that may interest you'all. My cousin sent it to me.

Remember When

About to hit the Road Again.

Hay there everyone!!! We are leaving here on Wednesday (really, for sure this time!!) and I wanted to show you all what we have been doing here. Besides Laundry, boiling in the heat, chaffing in the wind, vacuuming the dust, etc. etc.

This first picture is the Entry way at Gary's house. Travis our son did this. Isn't I nice!!! I love it.















Now, let me warn everyone before you go on that some of these pictures are not for the faint hearted. They show an actual death. Pancho has been fed raw food since he was a little tyke and really takes it to the extreme now. He likes his raw FRESH. So be forewarned.

Ok, Pancho starts his day. (ok, sometimes this is his SECOND waking)















He rubs the sleep from his eyes as we have coffee.














Now it is time to jump on Mommy until she gets up (that is IF mommy is sleeping in) and then it is time to take her outside and listen for sounds. Very important this listening for sound stuff. Hence the need for big ears that go forward. That is so sound can bounce into them....the ears that is.















Once a good sound is established it is time to dig. Sound is very important as I said before.














We have established the first dig hole. The first dig hole is NOT, I repeat, NOT the last hole dug. See, first hole is the begining of where rat's and mice start in and go out of there little holes and tunnels.. One needs to follow them with lots of tunneling to get the the payload.
















Are you paying attention?? Notice how deep the hole can go. There are several holes and dig's going on here. What happened in the hole pile is that the little Kangaroo rats jump out of the small holes and hop/run like the wind. Pancho does not ever catch them. They are FAST. So he has learned to let them go if he is on to the big game. Today was the big game day.
















Ok, the faint hearted can leave now.



The end. Food. Fresh and warm. Notice how big this rat was. Pancho has kill to a science. One quick behind the head bite and it is done for the rat. This one was a big male. Pancho has to check that fact out. I was going to show the picture of him eating it also. Maybe the next posting. I want people to beg for that one!!!
















This is what I did this week. I am doing oil nows also besides watercolor. What do you all think?
For Gary I did a cowboy opening a gate. I will post that one later. So, that is it for now. I will post as we travel. Take care of each other you all!!
















The End