Unusual clouds beautify the morning sky. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
The sight of these unusual clouds greeted me this morning. Big skies with dramatic clouds and colorful sunsets are one of the natural qualities I love about the western United States. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, something new pops up!
Filed under Nevada, RV Lifestyle, Western United States
Trains roll down the tracks 24/7. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
From our vantage point in northwest Nevada, U.S. commerce is hopping! Our RV park sits in the midst of it. The railroad tracks and Interstate 80 lie to the north. Alternate U.S. Hwy. 95 runs down the small town of Fernley’s Main Street to the south.
Throughout the day, a steady stream of semis haul cargo. (Fortunately, the speed limit on Main Street is 35 mph.) Trains rumble down the track night and day. When they carry heavy loads in double-stacked cars, they make the earth shake — and our RV tremble.
Commerce rolls along at a steady pace here. Despite the hum, occasional roar and ground shaking, I’m glad for it. It’s a healthy sign that we’re doing OK.
Filed under RV Lifestyle, Western United States
"Yummy birthday treat!" Sonya smacks her lips after devouring who-knows-what she found while scavenging a field. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
Amazing as it seems to us, Sonya turned 11 years old today. She’s been celebrating her birthday doing what she loves to do — run untethered in the open air, sniff everything within reach, eat and then nap all afternoon, warmed by the sunshine streaming through the RV window.
Sonya still runs quick as lightning and has a strong, lean, muscled body. And she’s still as sweet and affectionate as ever. Fortunately for us, she gave up the frenzied behavior of her puppyhood by age 7.
She’s a wonderful companion at home and on the road. Happy Birthday, Sonya!
Filed under Pet Travel, Western United States
Snow covers the hills behind the field where Sonya romps. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
Snow came early to the northwest Nevada desert. Early morning temperatures hover around 20 degrees, and frost clings to the car. When an RV site opened up at a park in Fernley, less than 10 minutes from the Amazon.com fulfillment center, we snapped it up. The 65-mile round-trip commute from the RV park in Sparks was a challenge, especially driving in the dark when it’s snowing or sleeting.
David is playing Santa’s elf at Amazon.com during the holiday rush, packaging all those Christmas gifts you folks are ordering over the Internet. (Amazon.com has a seasonal work camping program for RVers at three locations during the holiday rush. In addition to a decent hourly wage, the program pays for the RV site rental.)
Besides proximity to Amazon.com, the little town of Fernley (population 4,153) provides the basics: Scolari’s grocery store, Starbucks, several fast food franchises, some restaurants, Wal-Mart and Lowes. We feel we belong here now that the local library has given us temporary cards to check out books and movies. Best of all, Sonya can run free in the huge, fallow field just across from the RV park.
Clouds hover over snow-dusted slopes near Fernley, NV. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
Holding to my exercise commitment, I drive into Sparks four days a week to work out at Planet Fitness. (I’m already seeing the positive effects!) My drives are in bright daylight so they’re enjoyable, especially when I catch sight of wild horses. And on Sundays, David and I feed our souls at the Center for Spiritual Living,Reno. In addition to having a great ministerial team and energizing music, the center brings in top guest speakers: Karen Russo in October and Karen Drucker this month.
so far, the heaters are keeping our rig cozy enough. Life is good.
Filed under Nevada, Pet Travel, RV Lifestyle, Western United States, work camper
From riding a jet boat on the Rogue River to harvesting mussels, our On The Road column in the Oct/Nov 2011 issue of Out of Denver magazine chronicles our adventures on the south Oregon Coast. Here’s a link to the PDF copy of the column, beautifully illustrated with David’s super photos. Enjoy!
Filed under RV Travel
All those walks on the beach in Oregon were great for uplifting my spirit but did little to strengthen my body. Getting my body back into shape is one of my key goals during our short stay here in Nevada. And as gets proven again and again, when you articulate your intention, doors open.
The door that opened for me was discovering a fitness center — Planet Fitness — that left no option except to say YES! No commitment is required, the monthly rate is affordable (as low as $10 a month) and a physical trainer designs your custom workout program. Plus the new Sparks facility is walking distance from the RV park. Talk about a no-brainer!
Although I’ve worked out in a number of fitness centers over the years, I never learned how to use the cardio equipment effectively for my heart rate. The personal trainer selects the programs and their duration so that I’m now working at my target heart rate and will continue doing so as my endurance builds.
Wow! Can I feel my heart pumping and pounding! The workout demands that I push beyond my resistance — that threshold where it’s so tough I want to quit. And you know what? I push through it! And it feels great on the other side!
It feels so good to know I’m choosing to build a strong, healthy body!
Filed under Nevada, RV Lifestyle, Western United States
Fascinating clouds and big skies make for colorful sunsets in Sparks, NV. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
Arrival in Sparks, Nevada. After climbing Interstate 80 through Ponderosa pine forests and spending two nights at Dutch Flat breathing sweet mountain air, we make the final climb to Donner Pass. Our timing coincides with clear roads and sunny skies. The only signs of last week’s road-closing snowstorm are a few patches of snow. The abrupt transition from forested to barren slopes prepares us for the desert terrain of our new home. “Golden” rolling hills surround the Reno/Sparks metropolis.
A two-mile walkway circles Sparks Marina Park, which has a swimming beach, fishing areas, marina for non-motorized boats and an off-leash dog park. Photo credit: Rose Muenker
We are now comfortably settled in immaculate Sparks Marina RV Park. City amenities, from Sheel’s Sporting Goods megastore, restaurants and outlet stores to a large park, are walking distance away. Discovering that Sparks Marina Park has an off-leash dog area where Sonya can swim and chase balls sealed our love for this locale!
Sonya retrieves her ball from the lake at the Sparks Marina Park off-leash area for dogs. She's in canine heaven! Photo credit: Rose Muenker
We’re adapting to Sparks’ high elevation (4,500 feet) and dry climate after five months at sea level on the Oregon Coast. And eventually, we’ll get accustomed to hearing highway, railroad and aircraft noise, along with the steady hum of a large city. Meanwhile, we’re tickled to be able to sit outside early evening in tee-shirts and shorts instead of fleeces and long pants for as long as the weather holds.
Filed under Nevada, Pet Travel, RV Lifestyle, RV Travel, Western United States
