​    I took a solo ride to an overlook with the view of a man-made canal. There was a light breeze at the top of the hill with a clear view of the setting sun. I sat motionless as my mind started to drift with the movement of the sand. I began counting each breath as the sun slowly caressed the edge of the earth. The thoughts of an unexpectedly kiss entered my thoughts. The kind of kiss that love would day-dream about. A kiss that is nervous and also patient. Defenseless but filled with unapologetic trust. That feeling of leaning off the edge of a cliff without restraint, knowing the cruel veracity of certain death. Avoiding the consequence by the strength of her touch. Reaching out with both hands, one to the small of her back, and the other to where I know her face will find it. Instinctively our noses touch gently making way for our lips. Our lips collapse together as we both inhale in anticipation. Her hands, one gently lays on my chest the other grasping the elbow of the arm attached to the hand pulling in the small of her back.  All the air between us collapsed. Her lips moist and soft like the morning dew that rolls off the peddles of a flower. Our lips mimic the playful rhythmic movements of the wind and the sand. Teasing was an appetizer to the main course of exploration. The vast expanse of textures between us was meticulously discovered by our tongues which happened effortlessly. The kiss knew how to end without question just like the sunset.
 

  I really like these small one street towns like Gila Bend.  The town is named for the big bend in the Gila River. Located on an historic route of travel, for centuries Gila Bend has been a place for weary travelers to stop and rest. The small town of approximately 1,900 people is in the southwestern portion of Maricopa County, 70 miles southwest of Phoenix.

  While there I wanted to explore the near by area via my UTV.  The park personnel advised me of the drug smuggling activity but, I really didn't think it would be a problem during the day. I took a ride out to see the wooden cross,  the Bosque well, and ride next to the train tracks a long side a train (really cool to race the train). While on the forty mile loop, I noticed a really low flying plane coming towards me. As you can see I was able to get a pick as it approached. I pulled off the trail because I thought he was going to land. With no clear markings it could have been either a drug plane or border patrol plane. I hauled-ass out of there... I really think that I would be a great desert racer because I held 65+mph most of the way. The car is nothing short of amazing how the suspension handled all the whoops, bumps, and turns.. Even sideways the car felt in control with very little steering correction.

  This was one great unexpected adventure. 

Resource Conservation:
 
-       Water Conservation is an absolute must when boondocking. My fifth wheel RV is equipped with the following tanks: 1 fresh water tank (100 gal), 2 gray water tanks for sinks/shower (72 gal) and 2 black water tanks for toilets (80 gal)
 
So far, I’ve boondocked for fourteen days without requiring additional water or sewage. I take a shower every other day unless I get into something nasty. Also, with my composting toilet I don’t use any water for the toilet. One stay, I still had fifty gallons to spare.
 
  Some locations will allow you to dump your grey water in a cathole dug six to eight inches deep and at least two hundred feet from water, camp, and trails. Avoiding polluting waters sources IS PARAMOUNT!
 
-       Battery Capacity Matters – My RV is equipped with two batteries which total 80amps /12v. The refrigerator, lights, furnace, and water pump use battery capacity. Other large consumers, microwave, TV, and AC, require the generator.
 
 The batteries require monitoring on a timely basis. Without a Battery Monitoring Kit (BMK), I have to rely on the cheesy meter that comes with the RV. You never want the battery to go below fifty percent. Proper care by intelligent charging and periodically checking the water levels in the battery help get the most out of the battery’s life. Reading the load on the battery is the most daunting of task without a BMK because the cheesy monitor will fluctuate depending on what is running at the time you read the level. My refrigerator is my only large load so I make sure the inverter is off before I check the battery level.  There are other battery vampires that I forgot about like the rear camera, which I now disconnect when parked. To help track battery consumption I created a quick chart to try and capture all the devices that require power and the amps required. Something as simple as running the porch light, a 1.0 amp-er over an eight-hour period, can be costly.
It is so easy to get obsessed with battery capacity and consumption. Maybe obsessed is a bit strong but I will tell you that curiosity peeks when you start investigating how much time it takes to charge your phone and the amount of amps required.

 Tumco is an abandoned gold mining town located in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains along Ogibly Rd, CA.  I spent thirteen days off-grid here exploring the many trails.  I was fortunate to stop and talk to a few people who seemed to have some luck finding a few small treasures.  Some of the folks I met had extravagant setups for mining and rockhounding (gemstones and minerals). 

Maybe I should borrow a metal detector is give it a go? "Out west is where you will find gold", they told me. 

  I had a dream last night about having a child. I had to write a few things that I would have shared and wanted this to be a starting point of discovery. I imagine raising a child that would acquire one of the most amazing qualities of being human, “curiosity”.  At some point, my child and I together would rewrite and pass these words along to their child.
 
NO REGRETS - Live life like it is the only one you are going to get and like it matters how you live it. Procrastination will only be a word defined, not part of your being.  
 
  I want you to understand that for the most part your attitude dictates your experiences in life. Constantly work on controlling your attitude because it is the shortest and most permanent route to changing the course of your life.
 
Learn to laugh at your own mistakes, mishaps, imperfections, and ego. Clear your mind of the emotions associated with the event.  Just as this advice began, end by learning.
 
Everyday, wake up with the idea that you will learn something new about the world and also about yourself. I call this “investing in self”. Try and develop a new ability or talent, and increase your plausible knowledge about all things. Don’t rely exclusively on formal modes of education. Learn on your own. Get excited about it. Read. Study. Challenge yourself. Develop. Improve. There will be no investment that pays greater dividends. Remember, opportunity is a byproduct of ability and ability is the residue of knowledge put to action.
 
 DESTINY - Chinese Proverb that I read about destiny…. Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.
 
You would be our amazing creation from love. From the first breath you take to your last, you are limitless. You are not potential; you are what you want to be. You can therefore rise to any height you’re willing to climb. All I ask is that you start climbing.
 
Always try to be true yourself. If possible on a daily basis find a place to reflect internally about you. Cultivate wisdom; lead with compassion, humility, and patience.
 
Happiness is yours alone. I don’t know of anyway to convey something so subjective. Happiness in my humble opinion is merely a state of being. You decide if you are happy! no one else can.
 
One of the timeless struggles of man is the fight between good and evil; you have inherited both. I lack full understanding of either, so I hope that you will find your way to balance them. Each in my opinion are required and subject to perception.  Through wisdom, tolerance, and patience, you will win the fight.
 
  The easiest way to love what you do is to do what you love. The second easiest way isn’t too bad either. It’s to get really good at doing it. Competence tends to breed passion. And passion makes work something less like work and more like fulfilling a life-mission. This is not a bad way to go about making a living.
 
  Never do in private what you wouldn’t want the public to find out about. By the time you read this, technology combined with social media will be more advanced leaving you less privacy.
 
  Character is a much more accurate voice exclaiming who you are than popularity, personality, or status. So... let your moral character speak so LOUDLY that no one can hear the gossip spoken about you by lesser minds.
 
  Relationships: two halves never make a whole. They are only make two broken halves desperately clinging to each other in the vain hope that by virtue of the union, they become complete. You are complete so there is no need to look for a better half. Please trust in yourself and follow your heart. I wish I could save you from being heartbroken but that is a part of the process. Each person will play an important part of your life no matter the outcome. Stay true to yourself and they will love you for it.
 
​  Every chance you get, I hope you will sing and dance. Believe me that I will be right there with you. Life is too short to be concerned with what other people think.
 
   Let patience be your first response, kindness be your first reply, courage be your default setting, faith be your first inclination, curiosity be your first question, perseverance be your longest answer, gratitude be your spontaneous condition and love be your first, final and only method.
 
    And finally, know that my heart will always be filled with you. I will be a part of the fabric of your life because my thoughts will have been taught, my example will have been seen, and my love will have been felt your whole life. And while my words and example and love will have been flawed, they will have indicated a way of living, of thinking and believing, even if imperfectly. I hope it illuminates a path that entices you to the greatest adventure(s) you will ever have.

   After leaving Richfield, Utah I headed to Idaho to check out St. Anthony. Many of my desert friends want to visit St. Anthony because the dunes are arguably the tallest in the US at a height of over 500 feet.  Also St. Anthony is neighbor to  Yellow Stone Park and has a view of the Grand Teton mountains which made it the perfect destination.  

​    The most popular spots to explore are Crapo Hill (Thunder Mountain), Deadhorse Bowl, Devil’s Dune, and Choke Cherry Hill.  Choke Cherry (pictured) is probably the steepest hill I've climbed in my UTV.  Note: I did not make it up with the 15" paddles, but I did make it up when I switched to the stock big horn tires (all terrain tires). They were not kidding about this being "Choke Cherry".. You really need some horsepower  to make the last ten or so feet to crest the hill.

     These white quartz sand dunes are also fun to hike, look for local wildlife, including deer, elk and moose, or relaxing by Egin Lake. Hour Happy with drinks, snacks, and watching the sunset was our favorite reason to hang out by the lake.

   I have a great story about Trump and confederate flags all around me. Also why being eight miles from the nearest Walmart or highway was daunting the first night. The internet will ruin you. 

 Stay tuned for the next blog. I still have so much to post. 

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 I spent two days exploring the volcanic activity rising up into the colorful hot springs, mudpots,  and geysers. I ended day two with a few challenging hikes, with one ending with a peaceful view of the sunset.

  I also took a trek over to the Grand Teton National Park . More beautiful views of the majestic mountains, lakes, and wildlife. If you want to be immersed in nature these are two amazing parks to visit.

    The mahogany seats, brass fittings, and exposed ceiling light bulbs is what you will experience when you board one of the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world.  For more than 150 years, the streetcar symbolizes the charm and romance of the City of New Orleans. 
   
    I boarded the street car at the very end of St. Charles St. These streetcars pass through the Central Business District which is the oldest and most majestic section of uptown New Orleans. You will see dozens of antebellum mansions, historic monuments, Loyola and Tulane universities, the sweeping grounds of the Zoological Gardens, shopping centers, fine restaurants, and hotels.

   
  Jump off the streetcar and head into French Quarters and explore the landscape for hours. The French Market, museums, shops, cemetaries, etc...  You might be pleasantly surprised by all the free outdoors concerts and art exhibits available. 

​     Who doesn't go to New Orleans for the food.  Café du Monde is one of the many popular New Orleans food destination specializing in beignets with powdered sugar.

    There are so many great place to dine. You will be able to any of the traditional dishes like, Gumbo, Crawfish Étouffée, Muffulettas, Jambalaya, and Red Beans and Rice just about at any restaurant or venue.  I would have had more pictures but for some reason my food would disappear quickly. 

    The National WWII Museum  is a must see while you are visiting New Orleans. I highly recommend watching the 4D movie prior to exploring the museum. 

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