Sunday, January 5, 2020

Stuck in the sand and finishing yesterday's Jeep Trip

Mittry Lake near Yuma, Arizona

Woke up this morning a little late, but about normal time.  Closer to 9 o'clock.   I already knew it was going to be a stay around camp and relax day so wasn't in any hurry.  Dolly sent me a text asking if I planned to watch the two play-off football games today.  Of course, I had forgotten but that was a good way to spend the day.  

It was just a beautiful day.  Blue skies, no wind and mid-seventies.  It was actually too hot for me to lay out side, so we watched TV in the RV with all the windows and door open.  Love it!

Only have one thing to do today and that is give Yuma his monthly bath.  It was very nice out so I took the water and soap outside and gave him his bath while listening to the game.  I don't mind just listening to the game.

My plan for the day was to take it easy and get my post done early and just enjoy the evening game watching the Tennessee/New England game.  Hoping for Tennessee, but that's a long shot.  New England has won enough Superbowls.  Just watched Tennessee do the impossible and beat Brady and New England!  Yeah!

Well, plans don't always go as planned.  Here I am after 11 o'clock still trying to finish my post for the evening.  Yuma and I were laying outside after his bath and two shotgun booms go off in the lake right in front of our RV.  That just ruined Yuma's day.  There had been shooting all day but further off and Yuma was getting used to that.

I decided right then that I should move first thing in the morning, so Yuma would not have to go through anymore of this.  So, I slowly started getting things ready to move around 4:30 while the first game was finishing.  It was another nail biter too!  I wanted to back the MH out and have it turned around and closer to the road so I could quickly hook up the Jeep in the morning.

I think there was a little guy inside me telling me to do it now and not in the morning.  When I pulled in to this wonderful spot way off the road, I knew it was pretty sandy, but I assumed if I got in I could get out.  You know what assumptions can do to you.

As soon as I tried to back up my back tires started to spin and dig into the sand.  I quickly made the decision not to dig myself in deeper, so I stopped.

Fortunately, there are several people down by the boat dock with four-wheel drive duallies and could easily help me out.  By this time it is after 5 o'clock and the sun is setting.

Unfortunately, I happened to run into Mr. Negative.  When he got here, he immediatly started telling me he didn't think he could help because he may get stuck.  I almost laughed.  He had a big 350 truck and a big chain but no guts.

He hooked up and gave one little pull and his tires spun so he quit because he was afraid of getting stuck.  So he left.  Now I've got to come up with a do it yourself plan.

I finally remembered I had four two by four boards about two feet long each, so I pulled them out and dug the sand from behind the tires and stuck the boards under them and then took the two five foot rugs in the RV and put them behind the boards.  

By this time it's dark, but I was going to give it a try.  I bounced from reverse to forward and finally the tires jumped onto the boards and I gunned the engine.  I did this twice.  

I'm a hero!!  The MH backed right out of the deep sand and onto the harder sand that could support the MH.  I'll take  pictures of the mess in the morning for tomorrow night's post.

Enough of my leisure day!  Let's get to those pictures I promised you of the Colorado River and beyond.  Won't talk too much; just let the pictures do the talking.

I can see it off in the distance.

Just around this bend.

 Nope!  More mountains to go.
Our leader,  Jerry knows the Colorado River has to be here somewhere!

There it is!


End of the line.

Can you see it to the left peak.  My zoom works pretty good.

 While we were taking pictures at the landing, Yuma went into one of his running in circles frenzies.  Then he stopped as if to make sure we were watching with that little mischevious look of his.

 After leaving the river landing we headed over to the Picacho Cemetery.


Yuma didn't like being there so he headed back to the Jeep.

 After leaving the Picacho Cemetery, we then headed West toward Ogilby Road and home.  However, this road if you want to call it that, is not maintained and requires four-wheel drive and high clearance.  We've got it covered.  It goes along the Colorado River for a bit, so we get to see some more of that beautiful river.
Ran into three more burros high on the mountainside.  We took pictures and they stared at us.
  A long part of this road goes through a large wash.  There is Jerry and the girls down at the bottom.

This place had the best views of the river.

Deb taking pictures of the river.


Someone spent time and effort piling those rocks and placing the Flag there.  Nice gesture.



Beautiful Colorado River.  
 Coming up and out of the wash finally!  Definitely needed the four-wheel drive and high clearance here.


I think we landed on the Moon!
Deb and Tom, Jerry and Elva, Deb and Yuma.

We finally made it to Jerry and Elva's home in the desert.  Yuma was the hit of the day.  It was after 4 o'clock and I think Jerry wore us out.  

We didn't stay long, but made plans to have a cook-out on Sunday and chat about our Jeep Day while relaxing and eating hamburgers.

Thank you Elva for setting this wonderful day up for us and lending us Jerry to be our guide.  He did great!  I got the pictures I've alway wanted of the Colorado River in its remote glory.

My day is definitely done.  See you later.



 


24 comments:

  1. Your stay-around-camp-and-relaxing day went awry. I'm glad you were able to get out of the sand. Beautiful pictures of the Colorado River and mountains. Loved the "moonscape" photo. Yumas always popular, wherever he goes
    😀

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    1. Thanks Dolly. My day didn't go as planned, but at least Tennessee beat New England.

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  2. One of an RV Boondockers worst worries....stuck in sand. Been there and it just kind of drops the bottom out of one's stomach when one realizes they are stuck. And especially in an RV. Nice photos of your Jeep convoy. Always great to have someone to organize days like that.

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    1. Thanks Al. I couldn't believe it happened. The MH didn't move an inch before the back tires dug in almost to the rims. I hadn't realized how soft the sand was. Luckily I had those boards and rugs. And my trusty little garden spade. :))

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  3. Yeah, that's pretty much why I don't boondock. I have a ridiculous fear of getting stuck!! Glad you got out. I've heard of the rug trick before. I guess it works!

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    1. You got to carry boards and rugs to be a boondocker or common sense to stay out of loose sand. :))

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  4. Glad you got your beautiful Colorado river photos.! Spectacular. Such a funny quip about the guy with the Big truck, big chain, but no guts. Made me laugh out loud. You were rather ingenious with the boards & rugs. Yea! I was also glad Titans won - just so media could "shut up" about Brady.! LOL. 😎

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    1. Thanks Moonfly. That was a great response. Brady will be back looking for redemption. I am glad the Titans won. They deserved it.

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  5. Glad you were able to get the RV out of the sand.
    That was really a nice trek around the Colorado River.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your next camp.

    It's about time.

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    1. Thanks Rick. I had been looking for a remote river view and was glad Jerry took us there.

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  6. Congratulations on getting unstuck. Beautiful photos. I love the picture of all of us. We are all looking at Yuma....lol

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    1. Thanks Elva. I heard today on the radio that Elva is one of the most popular girl's name for 2020. Yuma likes being the center of attention.

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  7. The pictures are beautiful, Doug. I love the cemetery view. How peaceful looking.
    You did awesome getting unstuck on your own. Was that 350 a 4 x 4? We would have to shy away from helping you because ours looks mighty but only a 2 wheel drive, but he was just gun shy. LOL

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    1. Thanks Patsy. It was a four wheel drive. I think even though he meant well he just started right out with the negative talk. Didn't really try to help. A two wheel drive anything should stay far away from soft sand. Unless it's a bicycle. :))

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  8. Too funny the macho dude in the macho truck with the macho chain, didn't know how to use them. I like to put my recovery boards down when I park, it helps to prevent settling. Great pictures of the remote areas along the river!

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    1. Thanks Jeff. I was surprised when the back wheeels started spinning because there was hardly any intention in the sand. But I was fooled.

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  9. Glad you have joined the stuck club. Has happened to me as well. Used the jeep to get out along with the patio mats. I thought that was why they made the patio mats for RVs.

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    1. They sure do come in handy. Luckily my floor runners are cheap so they were perfect for the job. I think I'll stay out of soft sand for awhile though.

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  10. Don't you just hate to hear "Can't do it!!" There are no such words in my vocabulary. I used to work for a company by the name of Cando Contracting. There were no can't do's around that company!!

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    1. I agree. I couldn't wait for him to leave so I could start figuring out how I could do it.

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  11. We got stuck but it was in mud in Missouri. Been lucky with sand. Big guy big truck big scaredy cat.

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    1. Getting stuck in anything is a pain in the you know what. Mud would be a real mess to get out of. I'd rather have sand.

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  12. Awesome post.really all the pics and information are so good. images of the rivers are looking great.you could check my adventure travel blog.

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    1. Thank you Ankit for stopping by
      and I will check out your blog.

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