10,000 STEPS

10,000 STEPS A DAY IS WHAT’S RECOMENDED BY ALL THE HEALTH EXPERTS. BOTH MY PARENTS WALKED FOR EXERCIZE. THE O.D. CALLED IT A FART WALK AFTER A MEAL, AND MY MOTHER WALKED DAILY UNTIL SHE WAS UNABLE.

OVER THE YEARS MARY AND I HAVE USED PEDOMETERS TO COUNT OUR STEPS.  THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHILE AT LAKE TAHOE FOR THE SUMMER WHERE WE BOTH DIETED AND WALKED, AND WE EACH LOST ABOUT 25 POUNDS.

IN THOSE DAYS A PEDOMETER HAD TO BE CLIPPED ON THE WAIST OF YOUR PANTS, AND YOU WOULD EITHER FORGET IT OR LOSE IT, IF YOU BENT OVER TOO FAR. NOW THERE IS ONE AT WALMART THAT YOU CAN SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET.

THIS ONE AUTOMATICALLY RESETS AT MIDNIGHT FOR YOUR DAILY TOTAL, AND ALSO KEEPS A RUNNING TOTAL WHICH WE RESET WEEKLY ON SUNDAY.  OUR GOAL IS TO WALK 75,000 STEPS A WEEK.

THE FIRST WEEK ON THE MOUNTAIN I SET A NEW PERSONAL HIGH OF 101,500 STEPS IN ONE WEEK, FOLLOW BY 84,000 STEPS THE SECOND WEEK.

I THINK IT’S THE FRESH MOUNTAIN AIR THAT GETS US GOING. WE’VE BLOGGED ABOUT A COUPLE OF OUR HIKING SPOTS AND DUE TO THE DAILY AFTERNOON MONSOON RAINS WE’VE STAYED OUT OF THE FOREST AND USED MOSTLY PAVED TRAILS.

THE SHOW LOW CITY PARK HAS A NICE PAVED LOOP AROUND THE PARK, AND THERE IS A RIM TRAIL JUST OUT OF LAKESIDE THAT’S PAVED AS WELL.  BOTH OF THESE TRAILS ARE INTERPRETIVE TRAILS WITH SIGNAGE THAT TEACHES YOU THE NAMES OF THE TREES AND OTHER PLANT LIFE.  NOW WE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ALLLIGATOR JUNIPER AND A UTAH PINE.

Mountain Hiking

When we used to summer in Lake Tahoe we did a lot of hiking in the surrounding forest.  Since we have been stuck on the desert the last few years, hiking has kind of been sidelined.  Although I do a lot of walking in the desert I wouldn’t call it hiking.  And this time of year I don’t do much at all because it is way too hot.

Now that we are back in the White Mountains, we’ve started hiking again.  The White Mountain Trail System has  200 plus miles of trails with an average elevation of 7,000 feet.  So we have plenty of trails to explore. These trails are used by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and cross country skiers.  Nothing motorized is allowed.

Last Wednesday we traveled 50 miles to hike part of the Mogollon (pronounced muggy-own) Rim.  What a beautiful hike it was.

This is the Visitor Center for the Mogollon Rim and Woods Canyon Lake.  Unfortunately due to budget cuts this is only open 4 days a week and we weren’t there for one  of those days.  DAMN.

Scroll down and enjoy some of the sights we were privileged to see on our hike.

Hard to see in the picture but there is actually water falling down these rocks.  I bet during the spring thaw it is a full fledged waterfall.

One of my favorite wild flowers along the trail.

 

Rex the hiker…..I finally talked him into using hiking poles.  They really help walking in uneven terrain and as an added bonus, they give your hands something to do.

I walked by this a couple of times before I decided to take a picture…..doesn’t this rock formation look like a house??  I just thought is was way cool.

There is an organization called TRACKS, which is a volunteer group that plans, builds, maintains, and enjoys the trail system.  It is an organization I plan to become involved with when we are finally able to spend the entire summer in these White Mountains.  Their web site is: www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org if anyone is interested in learning more about the White Mountain Trail System.

THE SHOP

THE 55+ MOBLIE HOME PARK THAT OUR PARK MODEL IS IN HAS AN INTERESTING AMENITY, A WOOD WORKING SHOP.  IT’S OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS AFTER SIGNING A WAIVER.

HERE IS MARY WORKING ON A NEW PROJECT.

MARY GOT SOME TRAINING ON A FEW PIECES OF POWER EQUIPMENT FROM DANIEL WHILE HE WAS HERE.

RESIDENTS CAN STOP BY AND BORROW ANY OF THE AVAILABLE TOOLS. JUST SIGN THEM OUT LIKE A LIBRARY BOOK.

THERE ARE SHOVELS, RAKES, LADDERS, ETC, ETC, FOR YARD WORK AS WELL.

IT’S AN INTERESTING PLACE TO HANG OUT AND WORK ON YOUR PROJECT.

MARY IS ENJOYING LEARNING SOMETHING NEW, AND I’M SURE SHE WILL HAVE A BLOG ON HER WOOD WORKING PROJECT IN THE FUTURE.

A MORNING HIKE

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MORNING HIKES IS AROUND WOODLAND PARK LAKE, WHICH IS REALLY JUST A POND.

 

I SUSPECT I LIKE THIS HIKE BECAUSE IT’S A 15 MILE SCOOTER TRIP, AND ANY EXCUSE TO RIDE THE SCOOTER IS A GOOD THING TO ME.

 

IT’S A POPULAR SPOT TO TAKE THE KIDS FISHING, HIKING, TENNIS, SOFTBALL, AND SOCCER.

 

THE HIKE AROUND THE POND IS ALL PAVED, LEVEL, AND ABOUT A MILE.

   “SUNNY AND 80”

WEATHER (AGAIN)

I KNOW I’VE WRITTEN WAY TO MANY BLOGS ABOUT THE EXTREME HEAT IN THE SUMMER ON THE LOWER MOHAVE DESERT. I SEE GREEN BAY RECENTLY HAD A HIGH OF 101 DEGREES SO YOU’S GUYS IN GREEN BAY CAN IMAGINE A WHOLE LONG SUMMER OF THAT EXTREME HEAT.

THIS WEATHER BLOG IS TO BRAG ABOUT THE PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS ON “THE MOUNTAIN”.  “SUNNY & 80” IN THE AFTERNOON, AND LOWS IN THE MID-50’S OVERNIGHT, WE COULD NOT BE HAPPIER !  THE OTHER NIGHT DURING A COLD RAIN, SOMETHING ELSE WE SELDOM SEE ON THE DESERT, I ACTUALLY PULLED ON A PAIR OF SWEATS.

 

IT’S NICE TO SEE OUR HOUSE CATS UP AND MOVING AROUND, TOO.  THEY FOR SURE ARE ENJOYING THE COOLER TEMPS.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS THAT THE WEATHER IS PERFECT FOR SCOOTER RIDING.  MY DAILY SCOOTER RIDES HAVE BEEN GREAT AS I EXPLORE NOT ONLY SHOW LOW, BUT THE NEIGHBORING TOWNS OF PINETOP AND LAKESIDE.

 

   “SUNNY & 80”

MOUNTAIN MAN BREAKFAST

EVERY BOY SCOUT THAT HAS BEEN ON A CAMPOUT HAS HAD THE MOUNTAIN MAN BREAKFAST.  THE MOUNTAIN MAN BREAFAST INCLUDES MEAT, HASHBROWNS, AND EGGS ALL IN ONE DUTCH OVEN.

SINCE IT’S ALL COOKED IN ONE PAN, CLEANUP IS A SNAP. YOU BEGIN BY BROWNING THE MEAT IN THE DUTCH OVEN. IN OUR CASE IT’S SAUSAGE AND ONIONS.

THIS HAS TO BE GOOD, OUR CHEF EVEN HAS  ORANGE CROCKS LIKE IRON CHEF MARIO BATALI

AFTER FRYING THE MEAT, SET IT ASIDE AND FRY YOUR HASHBROWNS TO A GOLDEN BROWN.

NEXT YOU CRACK AND SCRAMBLE A DOZEN EGGS.

MIX THE MEAT BACK IN WITH THE HASHBROWNS AND POUR THE SCRAMBLED EGGS OVER THE TOP.

A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE EGGS ARE DONE BAKING ADD A POUND OF EXTRA SHARP CHEDDAR OVER THE TOP.

IF YOU’RE INTO COUNTING CHARCOALS, AND I AM, IT’S 14 ON TOP AND 10 ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DUTCH OVEN.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO A “HOW TO” COOKING BLOG IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE PICTURES OF THE FINISH MEAL BEFORE EATING IT ALL, BUT THIS BLOG IS ALL ABOUT FUTURE EAGLE SCOUT EDDIE SAUCER AND HIS VERY FIRST MOUNTAIN MAN BREAKFAST.

NICE JOB EDDIE !!!

MY THREE GRANDSONS

NOT ONLY DID OUR COUNT DOWN METER ON OUR HOME PAGE FINALLY HIT ZERO DAYS, TILL WE HEAD TO “THE MOUNTAIN”, BUT MY THREE GRANDSONS ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER WE DID.

AMY AND DANIEL WERE ON A WESTERN VACATION THAT INCLUDED BRYCE CANYON AND ZION NATIONAL PARKS, ALONG WITH THE NORTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON.  THEY CORDINATED THEIR TRIP TO END UP ON “THE MOUNTAIN” WITH US FOR A FEW DAYS OF CAMPING.

 

WE ALL SEVEN STAYED IN THE PARK MODEL, WITH AMY AND DANIEL ON THE FOUTON, AND THE BOYS SLEEPING IN SLEEPING BAGS ON THE FLOOR.  ONE BATHROOM AND A 10 GALLON HOT WATER HEATER GOT A LITTLE TIGHT A FEW TIMES, BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS PRETTY NICE FOR CAMPING.

FISHING

DANIEL AND THE BOYS WERE OFF FISHING ON SHOW LOW LAKE WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE FROM THE TRAILER. IT WAS LIKE A TREASURE HUNT WHEN GRANDPA REX DUG OUT THREE TACKLE BOXES THAT HADN’T BEEN OPENED SINCE THE 1990’S AT YELLOW RIVER, AND THE FISHING LINE ON THE POLE WAS CLOSER TO POWDER THAN IT WAS LINE.  NEW LINE AND  ANOTHER POLE FROM WALMART AND THEY WERE ALL SET FOR AN AFTERNOON AND EARLY THE NEXT MORNING.

SHOW LOW LAKE HAD BEEN STOCKED LAST WEEK WITH 350 CUT-THROAT TROUT AND ANOTHER 650 THIS WEEK, BUT THE WARM WEATHER HAS WARMED THE WATER AND SHORELINE FISHING WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE TROUT WERE AS DEEP IN THE LAKE AS POSSIBLE TO FIND COLDER WATER SO OF COURSE, THAT MEANS NO TROUT FOR DINNER.  WE JUST HAD TO MAKE DUE WITH RIBEYES!

 

   “HIGH OLE SILVER, AWAY !”

WE WENT TO SEE THE LONE RANGER. I KNOW THE CRITICS WERE HARD ON THIS MOVIE, AND I GOT TO AGREE WITH THEM THAT MONUMENT VALLEY DOESN’T BELONG IN TEXAS, BUT I LOVED IT!  IT WAS A GREAT WESTERN AND JOHNNY DEPP IS AS TALENTED AS EVER.  THE GRANDSONS EVEN LIKED IT.

PROJECTS

WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF DANIEL AND DID A COUPLE OF PROJECTS WHILE THEY WERE HERE.  THE FIRST ONE WAS TO REMOVE TWO OUTSIDE WINDOW AWNINGS AND REINSTALL THEM.  THEY HAD PULLED LOOSE FROM THE WALL DUE TO THE ICE AND SNOW.

THE SECOND JOB WAS TO REPLACE ONE OF THE 2X4’S THAT EDGE THE PATIO BLOCKS.  THE OLD ONE HAD WARPED AND WAS STICKING UP CREATING A TRIPPING HAZARD, AND IT WAS HALF ROTTEN.  WE REPLACED IT WITHA 10 FOOT TREATED ONE.

 

HIKING

ON “THE MOUNTAIN” IT’S ALL ABOUT WALKING.  ONE DIRECTION WE WALK TO A SUPER WALMART, OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, AND IN THE OTHER DIRECTION WE WALK TO A STRIP MALL WHICH INCLUDES A SPORTS BAR, DOLLAR STORE, PET STORE, PENNEY’S, SEARS, ROSS, BIG LOTS, AND ON AND ON. SO THE PROCEDURE IS WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING, YOU WALK TO GET IT.  SOME TRIPS REQUIRE A BACK PACK TO CARRY YOUR GROCERIES.  IT MAKES IT EASY TO GET YOUR 10,000 STEPS A DAY.

BRICK BUILDING

I HAVE A PILE OF 300 RED BRICKS IN THE SIDE YARD.  I INHERITED THEM FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNERS.  EVENTUALLY I’M GOING TO USE THEM TO LAYOUT A PARKING AREA FOR MY SCOOTER, A SCOOTER-PORT IF YOU WILL.  IN THE MEAN TIME WHEN THE GRANDSONS VISIT THEY BECOME BRICK LEGOS.  THIS TRIP THEY ALL THREE BUILT A SUPPER CLUB COMPLETE WITH TABLE, CHAIRS, BAR, COUNTER, AND HUGE FIRE PIT.  THE BOYS EVEN SAT THERE TO EAT BREAKFAST ONE MORNING.

DUTCH OVEN COOKING

TUNE IN TOMORROW ………

 

THROW BACK THURSDAY

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO TERESA HAD A THROW BACK THURSDAY ON FACEBOOK AND POSTED SOME OLD PICTURES OF HER KIDS INCLUDING THE FAMOUS SALLY DOG.  I ENJOYED THE PICTURES AND DECIDED TODAY IS THROW BACK THURSDAY ON THE HAPPY CAMPERS BLOG…..

REMEMBER TERESA, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND, AND MIGHT BITE YOU IN THE ASS.

HOUSE SITTING

THIS WEEK WE'RE OFF HOUSE SITTING AND DOG SITTING.  IT FEELS GOOD SITTING INSIDE WITH THE CENTRAL AIR RUNNING WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE SHADE TO COVER THE POOL BEFORE WE TAKE A SWIM.  IT'S ACTUALLY TOO HOT TO SWIM IN THE SUN AT 116 DEGREES.

AN AFTER WORK NIGHT SWIM FEELS GREAT WITH THAT AFTER WORK ICE COLD BEER TOO.

NEXT WEEK IT'S OFF TO "THE MOUNTAIN"!!!

GOD-DAMN-IT “AZ” !!!

“AZ” POPPED UP ON THE TABLE TO CHECKOUT SOMETHING ON MY COMPUTER AND SPILLED MY COFFEE ON THE LAPTOP. GOD-DAMN-IT “AZ”!!!

THE LETTER “A” WOULDN’T TYPE……. SO HOW MANY OF YOUR PASSWORDS HAVE THE LETTER “A”?

I TOOK THE LAPTOP BACK TO THE COMPUTER STORE AND THE CLERK SAID I COULD GET A NEW KEYBOARD FROM DELL FOR $150. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THIS LAPTOP IN TO WIPE THE HARD DRIVE, INSTALL BIT-DEFENDER, AND CREATE A REPAIR DISK. WHEN THE CLERK REMEMBERED ME, HE SAID OR I COULD JUST BUY A LOGITECH KEYBOARD AND PLUG IT INTO ONE OF THE USB PORTS.  HE HAD ONE RIGHT ON THE SHELF FOR $29.95.

I REACHED INTO MY POCKET TO GET A COUPLE OF TWENTY DOLLAR BILLS OFF MY MONEY CLIP, AND SAID TO THE CLERK THAT I COULD WALK ACROSS THE PARKING LOT TO SUPER WAL-MART AND SAVE $3, RIGHT?  WELL, ACTUALLY I THINK THEY SELL THEM FOR $19.95.  SORRY DUDE, BUT FOR TEN BUCKS I GOT TO DO THE WALK……..

WE LEFT MARY’S HONDA PARKED IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER STORE AND WALKED OVER TO WAL-MART, WHEN WE GOT BACK THE CLERK CAME OUT OF HIS STORE AND ASKED HOW MUCH WE HAD TO PAY?  IT WAS $13.97.

GOD-DAMN-IT “AZ”

 

MELT DOWN

YOU SAW THE PICTURES IN YESTERDAYS BLOG…….

DAMN IT’S BEEN HOTTER THAN HELL.  YESTERDAY ONE OF OUR TWO A/C UNITS QUIT RUNNING, THE ROOF TOP UNIT. DO YOU REMEMBER MY BLOG ABOUT A CANARY IN A BIRD CAGE USED DOWN IN THE MINES?  IF THE THE CANARY DIED THE MINERS KNEW THEY WERE IN TROUBLE AND ESCAPED THE MINE IN TIME.  AT THAT TIME I SAID WE HAD HOUSE CATS AND IF ONE OF THE CATS DIED DUE TO THE HEAT I’D TAKE ACTION TO GET OUT OF THE HEAT.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN YOUR FAMILY CAT LAY OVER ON IT’S SIDE PANTING AND BREATHING WITH IT’S MOUTH WIDE OPEN?  NOT A PLEASANT SIGHT!!!

WE JUMPED IN THE TRUCK AND TOOK OFF FOR LOWES. “DO YOU THINK LOWES WILL BE SOLD OUT OF AIR CONDITIONERS?” THEY HAD A COUPLE LEFT ON THE SHELF AND WE HAD IT RUNNING IN NO TIME IN THE FRONT ROOM.  NOW WE HAVE THREE A/C UNITS.

BOTH CATS HAVE SURVIVED, AND IT’S ONLY 13 DAYS UNTIL WE ESCAPE TO “THE MOUNTAIN” FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THIS IS OUR FIFTH SUMMER ON THE LOWER MOHAVE DESERT, AND EVEN IF WE HAVE SIX WEEKS OFF THIS SUMMER AND TEN WEEKS PLANNED OFF FOR NEXT SUMMER, THE END OF SUMMERS ON THE DESERT CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH!

“SUNNY & 120”