Over the past few weeks I’ve been more than worn down.  Downright exhausted often.

No, I’m not sitting up all night watching sitcoms.  Late night blog reading….ha, I don’t think so.  Blog reading is a morning activity! 

A combination of things have made rest a little more difficult.  The other week I wasn’t feeling well.  That went a long way to disrupt rest.  But there’s been another issues that has finally been resolved.

The super early wakeup!

I’m not trying to get up early.  But I find myself waking up earlier and earlier.  See, the Airstream is parked with the rear window facing the East.  We all know what comes from the East.  The sun.  Sometimes I wonder about the sun.  It causes skin cancer, sun burns, dries out lakes, sends radiation our way, and causes early wakeups in Airstreams.  Something should be done about it.  Is any Presidential candidate currently campaigning against the sun???

Each day the sun is rising a little earlier.  And the shades that came with my Airstream are pretty flimsy.  Sure, they’re cute, but so much light pours through them it’s just not funny.  I mentioned this to Sadira the other week, and suggested that I needed to find some black out shades, or something like that.

Sadira had an idea.  And she’s great about putting ideas into motion.  Last night she popped over with two new blackout shades for the Airstream.  You know what?  They work!

I’ve left the shades up this morning (they’re Velcroed up, so I can pop them down at will), and the back of the Airstream has transformed to a dark bat cave.  Super cool!

The shades go on under my transparent shades.  I can close them and nobody even knows about my new little blackout shades!  But I thought I’d share them here.

By the way, there’s still light pouring in from my Fantastic Fan vent covers.  Yes, I noticed that this morning…..hmmmm……maybe one more shade wouldn’t hurt!  :

Little to really blog on today.  It happens sometimes.  A day of little chores, minor activity, and a whole lot of couch time.

This morning I got up not feeling my best.  Several days ago I went to refill my Protonix and found that I had refilled my last.  Whoops.  But I thought to myself, “Let’s see if you don’t need this any longer.”  It’s a medication that keeps a gut from being super nuclear & acidy.  Since I’ve felt better about my allergies I thought maybe my gut would be calmer.

Nope!

For the past few months I’ve been flying along with no insurance.  My job now provides it, but I had to wait until April for it to kick in.  By the seat of my pants! I was supposed to get Cobra information a few months ago, tried to track it down, but no luck.  So I decided just to deal in cash for prescriptions as I knew my new insurance would soon kick in.

Now I’m back in the ranks of the insured.  Good to be back here.  The next step is finding a local physician who is taking new patients.  Good luck!  I’ve been told that the doctors here are booked up, and through my initial salvo of calls I’ve found it’s true.  Tomorrow morning I’ll continue the calls.

Any local Prescott folks who know of a local physician that has openings…..leave a comment.  Thanks! 

So, my morning was spent hanging out in the trailer, washing windows, straightening up, and sorting through my photos.  More deletions, more ranking of favorite shots, etc.  I’m still not done with my full sorting.  I only covered the past few months, and I spent nearly two hours.  Sometimes I import, pick a few I like, and leave the big sorting until later.  This morning was “later.”

Terry and Gregg headed out this morning as well.  Sadira stopped over to say good bye to them as well.  She’s been under the weather all week, so visiting with our new friends was limited.  Sorry that was the case.  They seem pretty cool, and they enjoy Airstream travel and new spots as well.  I’m sure we’ll meet up again, and really get to visit longer.

After Terry and Greg headed out we returned to the Airstream and had a light lunch.  Sorry to say the food didn’t help with the tummy issues.  Ah well, worth a shot.  While I clenched my teeth, Sadira continued with coughing fits.  She’s really had a bad cold or sinus infection.  But she sounds a whole lot better than earlier in the week.

We enjoyed a quiet afternoon.  Sadira was kind enough to bring her Dyson vacuum over, and I went on a cleaning spree in the trailer.  I miss my Dyson, but I don’t know where I’d store it in the trailer.  Still, using hers today made me want mine shipped out here soon…..hmmm…..

You wouldn’t believe the amount of “dust” that it pulled out of the trailer.  Sure, it’s normally sealed up and has a HEPA running, but this is the high desert.  And currently we’re having the super strong winds to boot.  So, a lot of stuff gets in the air right now, and clearly into the trailer.  Ah well.

Little else to report on.

All of the photos posted today have been shot in the past few months.  You might have seen similar shots, but the 3 in today’s post haven’t been posted here until now.  I figured that I’d post a few I flagged today as I was sorting away.

Ah, something very different.  A photo of me on the blog.  It’s a rare occasion, but it does happen from time to time.

The other night out on the rocks Terry snapped a photo of me.  We were just heading up into the Dells toward “Thor’s Marbles” on a favorite wall.  It’s also the place where “the tree” stands.  After our little outing Terry was kind enough to send along a few photos.  I figured it was time to let everyone know I still looked like me.

Terry also shot a photo of me lying on a rock to get the shot of “the tree”.  I figured we could post the photo of me upright, not all squished up making sure I didn’t slide to the left, take a fall, and drop my camera….so the upright photo made it up here.  Oh, and I toyed with his other photo with Photoshop and had a ton of fun.  Maybe down the road I’ll do a before and after.  Li

You’ll note the photo on this page has a copyright of TB Rich.  Not my shot, Terry’s.  :)  Thanks for letting me post it Terry, much appreciated! 

So….on to today.

Wow, I don’t have much fun stuff to report….sorry to say.

Today was supposed to be a day off.  Instead I had to attend a morning meeting.  Totally cutting into laundry time.  Ah well, it happens, no major gripes.  Laundry started 2.5 hours late.  That cut into my “give Terry & Greg a tour of somewhere fun” time.

By the time I completed my laundry I needed some lunch.  Boca Burgers & some tater tots.  Exciting stuff there gang.  Immediately after lunch it was time to head to the doctor.  Ah yes, the fun and joy of a day off.

The other week I noted that a cute little freckle / mole on my neck had suddenly puffed up, and the area around it got super itchy.  I mean 200 mosquito bites simultaneously kind of itchy. People noticed it.  I noticed it.  I think my neighbor’s cat noticed it.

Given all the attention I felt it only prudent to have a dermatologist take a look.  She found another spot while I was in the office, so I got cut twice for the price of only one cut.  The numbing shots they gave me worked well.  I’m wishing now that the shots would have worked longer (ouch!).

Finally after meetings, Wal-Mart stops, food, doctor visits, band aids and stitches I headed home (only stitches on one).  And I returned exhausted.  I can’t remember my last “non-activity” day.  Really, I can’t.  Been hopping here.

So, after a little thought I decided to cancel tonight’s dinner plans.  Popped up to Terry & Greg’s and let them know.  They were fine with that.  Hopefully tomorrow we can head out before they return to Phoenix.

Ah, being “Dull Rich” this week.  Sorry, it happens.  You hit that tired point and you just need to reel yourself in.  I know I’m not the only one.  Speaking with Sadira tonight I can attest to the fact that she needs a HEPA, her lungs cleared out, and a vacation…..she’s under the weather!  Hang in there!

Well, that’s all tonight.  I took a short nap, providing just enough energy to create this post.

As I noted yesterday, Bert and Janie elected to remain in Prescott for one more day. Ah, the same song so many others have sung…..”I guess we could extend one more day.”

After my arrival in Prescott I had a similar tune in my head. “One more week. Keep searching the tech jobs nationally, and do it from Prescott.” I’m sure you all remember that tune, and you probably knew before I did that I had indeed found my spot!

With an added day, and the fact that I was free for the day, Bert and I started the morning out early with a ride along the Peavine once more. I think over the past week he’s ridden it 4 or 5 times. Janie was enlisted for one of those rides, maybe more. It’s safe to say, Bert enjoys the Peavine. He’ll also be mentioning it in a travel article he’s working on regarding the area.

Ah, Prescott in print (once again). Not surprising, this place has a ton to offer (with the exception of tech jobs…..just saying).

As we cycled the path today Bert stopped for every sign on the way back. He wanted all the information he could gather on the area, geology, and history. Fortunately the trail has many signs along the way, and all are relatively informative. I can’t count how many times I’ve walked or ridden by them, or how many times I’ve re-read them.

Along the way I was also enlisted by Bert to set up a few shots. Lone rider along the Peavine. Misplaced Canadian in Arizona. Rogue wireless engineer rampaging through the Dells. These are a few titles that would fit with the photos……

In total we spent almost 3 hours along the Peavine today. 8:30 departure, 11:30 return. Ok, it was 3 hours, not almost. Lot’s of photos, slow riding, and good conversation once again!

After returning to the park I had some chores that needed attention. 2 hours of laundry, tidying the Airstream, and all that other “household” stuff. Once completed I was off again!

Nothing exciting. Just a trip to get some more propane. Burt & Janie joined in, as they were down a tank too. Being Airstreamers we all know that occasionally the tanks must be filled. Today was the day.

After our ride around town, stop into a bike shop for Bert, and our tank refills I took a little time to finally eat lunch. A haircut followed.

Exciting details, eh? Yup, the jet set life for me!

Finally to wrap up the day Bert and I returned for one more Dells photo session. He’d taken an amazing shot the other night, and I was interested in replicating it. You’ve seen the results. While ok, it still didn’t work out exactly. Probably my lack of a polarizing filter on my 17-85mm lens. Should have brought the other lens with the filter. Ah well, there’s always tomorrow.

Bert & Janie had suggested a get together tonight.  A little dinner and conversation before they headed off into the sunset.  Their plan has been to pull out tomorrow (Friday) and begin their trek northward.

Honestly, the thought of them heading out has had me a little down.  I’ve enjoyed visiting with them, showing them around, and I’ve wished I had more available time.  Like most of the people I’ve met in my travels, they’re very “good people”.  Oh, and let’s not forget, I’m happy to pick Bert’s brain about photography!

So, I was happy to find out tonight that they’ve opted to stay one more day.  See, I’m off tomorrow!  That means an early bike ride with Bert.  He wants more shots along the Peavine Trail.  And I’ll give him the quick tour of Granite Basin for good measure.  Nice they can stay one more day, and that I have some free time!

Before our dinner tonight Bert and I took another walk into the Granite Dells.  This time I brought him by the Emerald City Wall, then above Time Zone, and finally over to Thor’s wall.  Our conversation was tough at points, as we were drowned out by the blasting wind.  We could talk when we got in between rock formations, but out in the open I think we mostly heard “wooooooosh.”

After our walk we loaded up into the Titan and headed across town.  We had a very nice dinner, and nice evening.  Good conversation too.  You can’t really ask for much more.

Look forward to a longer post tomorrow, more photos, and some shots of Bert & Janie’s last day in Prescott.  Fortunately they won’t be going to far (Sedona before they really head north), so we’ll meet up once more in Sedona this weekend.  Good photos won’t be far behind!

I didn’t get to post a lot about the weekend’s events. Busy one! I’m wondering if my server is working well enough to even post this now…..we’ll see.

Early in the a.m. on Saturday I decided to take a run into town. The trees are flowering, and they’re really a site! Very pretty indeed. Of course, you’ve got to have the right lighting, and the morning seems to be the right time.

After taking a few photos near the town square I returned to Point of Rocks to play tech support for Gunny. The mission, as I noted last night, was to get his VHS tapes onto his computer so they are not lost and gone forever. We’ve gotten him a long way too!

Like me, Gunny is a Mac user. After reading the second edition of the Digital RV Gunny decided he wanted a PVR for his Macintosh. He wanted to copy a collection of VHS tapes to his computer.

Unfortunately nobody in the area carries Elgato’s equipment (the Mac PVR company). But several stores carry Pinnacle’s PVR’s. After researching Elgato’s software I found that Pinnacle equipment could be used. So, for $99 Gunny picked up a Pinnacle USB converter, and the Elgato software for $79. In the end, a little more expensive than buying a device direct from Elgato.

So, Gunny spent part of Saturday & Sunday copying VHS tapes! And he was pretty happy with how the copies came out.

While Gunny played tech person, I went into domestic mode. Airstream cleaning. Reorganizing once again. 2 years full-timing. You collect a lot of stuff. In my case, BOOKS.

Why did I get on the reorganization kick? Gunny’s trailer. After a few years of ownership he’s finally happy with it. Many initial problems including a severe leak that messed up his insulation when he first bought it.

Over this past winter Gunny ripped out his dinette, put in a new corner table, and re-did the counters with Corian. Really cool. He also change his shower door and put a porcelain toilet in (really cool looking).

After seeing his interior upgrades I found a few new ideas for organizing in my trailer. Honestly, I wish his cabinet guy lived nearby, as I’d rip my dinette out tomorrow and make that wrap around computer desk I’ve been wanting.

Someday……someday…….

As I’d mentioned the other day (when I could post) we decided to head out for some photos in the Dells Saturday night. Fun walk out with Gunny, Lars, & Sadira.

Gunny’s new pup Natchez came along for the hike. For those who remember reading about Gunny in 06′ you know he had a dog named Nana. Well, Nana passed away this winter. Now Natchez travels with Gunny. He’s a good pup, and spent some time with Nana.

Our hike was to a usual spot. Natchez dragged Gunny along, and was difficult at times. An 8 month old Shepard can be a little high strung!

We all had a good time in the Dells watching the sun drop below the mountains. We also got a little cold with 30 - 40mph winds blasting us on the top of the rocks. My hat popped off a few times.

There’s the wrap for Saturday……

I’m tired of typing now…. Go figure. I wish the site had been functional this weekend. Good to see it’s working now!

Sunday was another trip to Skull Valley, and some extra rest. For a weekend off, it didn’t feel like it.

I’ll catch up on Skull Valley later. Promise. Oh, and by the way…… Bert and Janie will be coming in this week! Wow, lot’s of visitors. Let’s see if I can get a day or two off to visit with them too!

As you may know, I look back at my blog to see what was going on last year, and sometimes the year before as well.  Did you know I’ve been a full timer for 2 years now?  Yeah, spooky, eh?

So, I looked back to last year and found that I’d skipped my entry on March 26th.  Well, yesterday I skipped an entry too!  :)  Funny, but true.  Take a look at the link from the 27th (linked two sentences ago), and you’ll see, I was the Prodigal Blogger!

I did look through photos and posts from that week, and I’ve got to say I did a lot of exploring and job hunting after I arrived here in Prescott.  Amazing one year later I’m still doing much of the same!!!

The other amazing and encouraging part is that I still like Prescott.  I really like Prescott a lot.  Last night after I finished dinner I rounded up my camera case and tripod, then I headed out into the rocks once again.  No long hikes, just a short jaunt up to the high point in the park.  Tons of sunset photos?  Nope.  Just one panoramic that has worked out to 80 inches wide by 20 inches high.  Can you see it?  Sure.  But not at that size……

I promise, the shot is much more dramatic when viewing it full size!  Sorry you can’t see the real file.  It’s 280MB!  Yup, a big picture.

So, I wandered out into the Dells and didn’t shoot photos like a nut.  Instead I set up one series, and then I sat there for quite a while.  Nothing more.  And it was so nice to sit out and look at the amazing landscape.  It reminded me why I stopped here, and why I continue to stay.

Glad to say I did find a place that feels like home. 

Once again, I find myself thinking back to my recent Borrego trip.  Actually, I’m thinking about all of my travels with the Airstream in the past few years.

This morning my inbox started chiming away to tell me that e-mail was coming in.  The latest round of accepts and denials of photos from the Borrego trip have been evaluated by Dreamstime.

A new angle on my stock photography efforts shows through in the latest submissions to the site.  What’s different?  Well, how about a person in the shots?  Yup, I’ve done some climbing photos with people, but you never really see who they are.  They’re working up the rock.  I think I’m expanding the possibilities a little more adding people in.

My friend Bill was kind enough to sign a Model Release, and now his image is available to designers, magazines, and anyone else looking for stock photography.  Thanks Bill!

As I find my niche with stock photos I find myself wishing I could revisit so many places that I traveled to in 2006.  Over the course of my travels I was still feeling pretty sick, tired, and adjusting to a lot of change.  While I saw many cool places I didn’t enjoy them too much.  So many other distractions.

Now that I feel well and normal again I know exactly where some amazing shots can be found.  And I’d love to return to document the out of the way spots with a new perspective……. ah, maybe at some point……gas prices need to stabilize first though….. 

Over the past few months I’ve learned something.  Arizona has winter too.

Well, at least Northern Arizona has winter too.  Shocking, but true.  It has a lot to do with the elevation here!

But I’ve been watching the forecasts with great interest.  See, the winds have returned (not windy today though), and with them I expect the warm up.

Last year when I arrived each day warmed further, with afternoons in the 60’s and evenings in the 30’s and 40’s.  Perfect weather in my opinion.  I like it cool, but during the day I like getting out and about.  60’s and 70’s are perfect for hiking and climbing, and the 40’s are perfect for sleeping.

So, my priorities are hiking & climbing, and then for the evenings sleeping.  Have you noticed I don’t write about Whiskey Row or Night clubbing?  Yeah, I’m a little dull when it comes to night time activities. 

With the return of better weather you can expect more sunset shots, more climbing shots, and more outdoor shots once again.  And I’ll have more local trip reports.  While I’m not “on the road”, the Prescott area has so much to explore and report on.  For anyone on the road, the area is worth a stop, and a multi-week visit if you can swing it.

And yes, this morning’s temperature is 32.  Brrrrr.  Fortunately when it’s above 30 heating the Airstream is easy.  20’s is a different story altogether.  But check out the highs for the days…..and it’s only March! 

I pulled my Airstream into Prescott to stay for a week. The town had caught my attention just days earlier as I passed through it on my way to Sedona, and then on to Colorado. I never made the final leg of the journey to Colorado as planned. That trip waited for months, and for different reasons.

With only one day in town I knew I’d found a special spot. And I hoped it was the right spot for me.

What I can tell you is I still really like the place. The tech market is rather weak, but I’m trying to work around it you know.

I can say, after a year of knowing Prescott I still like it here. In the “tech turn downs” I’ve often heard, “With your background, you probably won’t stay 6 months.” Ah, guys, you were so far off it’s not funny. Too bad you missed an opportunity…..or maybe you haven’t (they’re probably not reading my blog).

Climbing season is at hand, and I’m looking forward to improving more this year. Last year got me back on the rocks, we’ll see what this year brings. More fun with friends, more photos, and maybe more opportunities on the horizon. I’ll just have to wait and see what comes.

Click back on the two links above, and you can see my reaction to this place last year. Makes me smile!