Caretakerjobs.com

Living north in the summer and migrating south for the winter appeals to me; so too does a chance to return to my agricultural roots. Working seasonally on estates or ranches seems like a way to combine these two so I've taking an ad out with Caretakerjobs.com.

Some years ago, as a consultant, I had a job overseeing a large ranch in Colorado; ensuring, among other things, all ranch activities were in compliance with environmental regulations. Another of my responsibilities was to help the owners find a ranch manager couple; that's how I discovered Caretakerjobs.com (and similar websites). At the time, I would have loved to take the job myself but the timing wasn't right; the owners since sold the ranch and bought a vineyard in New Zealand.

So yesterday I subscribed to Caretakerjobs.com and posted an ad for seasonal estate, ranch, vineyard, etc. work. I'm not seeking full-time work and don't really need a salary; but this website might be a way to combine my desire to stay warm:) and get back to my roots! It may or may not lead to something but its all part of the journey.

Pie

During my brief visit to Denver this week I spent one night at my sister’s (Jean) house; for dessert, we had homemade lemon meringue and cherry pie! As some know, I have a weakness for pie:); fortunately, my sister is carrying on my Mom’s great pie-making skill. Jean and her husband Ron live in the suburbs south of Denver where they have one of the most productive yards in the area. The front yard is void of grass; instead, it is dominated by beautiful wildflowers, strawberries, and fruit trees. The side yard is used to grow grapes and more fruit trees and the back yard is where they harvest their bountiful vegetable garden. During my visit, I was fortunate to sample home grown tomatoes, raspberries, mulberries, and green beans! I was tempted to eat a lot more pie; fortunate for my waist line, I was only there for one night:)

Try to eat just one slice:)

Carbondale Mountain Fair - Day 2

With the Carbondale Mountain Fair now in full swing, I decided to visit again. All the vendor booths were open by 10 this morning; the weather was beautiful - clear, calm, and about 70. A run race had just finished and a fly casting contest was underway. After awhile, a band began to play and it looked like it was going to be a festive day. As the day heated up, I had a glass of hibiscus juice from the Mango Man vendor - very good! He also sold peeled mangos on a stick which were cut in such a way that one could bite off large chunks of mango; kinda like a caramel apple without the caramel:)

The pie judging contest was delayed so I didn't hang around to see who one and it became obvious there was no chance of getting a slice; however, I did take photos (see below). When I was a kid (actually until I was in my 30s), I was allergic to chocolate so for my birthdays, my Mom always made a pie for me (instead of the chocolate cake my siblings always got for theirs).  On holidays (e.g., Halloween, Easter, etc.) my siblings split the chocolate candy I received while I ate the pie my Mom would bake; always thought I got the better of the deal:) I'm no longer allergic to chocolate and have been making up for lost time by eating dark chocolate whenever I can. I've also sampled a lot of pie during my years of traveling; even today, as I travel in my AS, the two things I look for in any town I visit are a bakery (for bread and pie) and an ice cream shop. Luckily, I never developed the talent or patience to excel at pie baking (otherwise I'd be twice my weight); however, my sister learned how to bake pie from Mom and bakes wonderful cherry, apple, lemon meringue, and key lime pies.

Overall, a very nice Fair!

Can you guess that Carbondale is bike friendly:)

Met Peter, owner of Precision Peaks. He uses USGS elevational data, a computer, and a router to create wood (from beetle-killed pine) carvings of mountains and other topographic features; he had most of Colorado's 14ers on display.

A computer generated carving of Longs Peak!

Didn't catch the name of this vendor but he creates beautiful crystalline pottery. He lost his job in 2008 and took the next two years to learn how to make pottery; quite an accomplishment in a short time span!

This setting downtown struck me as beautiful; there is an art gallery to the left and art displayed in the foreground.

For a small town, Carbondale has an abundance of art displayed throughout town.

My favorite (strawberry-rhubarb) pie was one of the contestents.

A robust looking fruit-filled pie.

Fruit-filled pie!

Was surprised to see that none of pies had ornate crust toppings.

Some type of almond pie; new to me, maybe it will win for originality.

I think this is a French silk pie.

Airstream vs. Other RVs

A friend of mine is considering whether to buy a truck camper or other type of RV. He asked me a bunch of questions, including some which were identical to those I considered in my purchase decision. Thought it might be useful to others to share my response in this post. My response is obviously based on my experience and needs; since everyone is different, the best advice I can give is to conduct thorough research, talk to a lot people who have RVs, and rent before you buy.

I started out sure I wanted a truck camper because, like you, I mostly like to camp in State Parks (SPs) and National Forests; whenever I see a truck camper now, I'm so glad I changed my mind. While the benefits are obvious, I've decided truck campers are too small for long-term camping like I'm doing. I can't imagine 2 or more people camping in a truck camper, especially when the weather is bad and one (or two:) is stuck in the camper! Also, I really like the ability to park my AS, unhook in about 15 minutes, and go somewhere in my truck; much more complicated in a truck camper. In addition to stability concerns, the primary safety reason I didn't get a truck camper is because they (at least the ones I researched) are heavier than the manual in my 3/4 ton GMC 2500HD says I can carry. I went round and round on this issue with a truck camper dealer and I'm well aware that a lot of 3/4 ton (and even smaller) trucks are carrying truck campers. The deciding factor for me was - what if I was in an accident and the insurance company wouldn't cover me because I exceeded the manuals weight limits or there was a lawsuit which revealed that my camper exceeded the truck manufacturer's weight limits; this scenario scared the heck out of me.

The AS has been great! Initially, I looked at a 19-footer, then put a deposit down on a 23-footer. At the last minute, I changed my mind and upgraded to a 25-footer and am so glad I did. Having the extra room is critical for long-term camping, especially when the weather is bad (turns out this happens a lot more than I thought). Besides space, another big advantage of a larger AS (and compared to truck campers) is the larger holding tanks; about 39 gallons each for black, gray, and fresh water. These large tanks allow me to boondock for a week without hookups or dumping! Also, the larger AS has a larger flat roof which allowed me to install 3 solar panels (350 watts) which charge my 4 6-volt batteries.

Other things I like about my AS - they have been around for 75 years; I've talked to several people who have trouble finding parts for their RV because the company went out of business or are no longer making their model.  The dealer and AS have been great. Using my AS full-time I've found a few minor things and they have all been fixed for free under warranty without complaint. Little things like a leaking pipe under my sink, the solar wiring system needed to be upgraded, a couple of door knobs needed to be reattached. As I understand it, it is normal for a few things to need repair during the first year of service of an RV; having a reputable company and dealer was a comfort to me. 

It also seems to me like the company has used their 75 years of experience to improve the design and functionality of systems and space within the AS. Having lived in my AS for 4 months, it makes sense where and why things in my AS are designed the way they are. ASs are also easily recognizable; I can't tell you how many people come up to me and say - "I love ASs"..."they are the premier RV"; great conversation starter. Also, since I didn't/don't know how long I'm going to be doing this, I wanted an RV that I could either easily sell without a huge loss, or easily live in long-term; the AS seems to cover both options better than other RVs. Judging from others, it seems there are quite a few RVs out there with quality issues so my best advice is to thoroughly research your options before purchasing. If you look around, you'll also find a lot of used RVs; the used ASs seem to be few and far between.

My 25-foot AS turns out to be a great size (for me) for a number of other reasons. For one, it is easy to get into and out of most spots; although there are some, most length limitations I've seen at Parks and other campgrounds are above 25 feet. One benefit I didn't realize until I paid for license plates is that in Colorado, the price goes up for RVs 26 feet and above so check this out for your state. 

Regarding backing up, I'd pulled horse and other trailers before so backing up was not too difficult.  It did take getting used to and the best investment I made was installing a wireless, digital rear-view camera on the back of the AS. Most RVers have a partner who get out and help them back up; traveling solo is a challenge mostly mitigated by the rear-view camera. Note that backing a 5th-wheel and backing a trailer are very different; the 5th wheel essentially acts as an extension of your truck when it comes to backing up; trailers turn the opposite way of your truck when backing. Haven't driven a 5th-wheel but it seems practice with either is the key. After about 6,000 miles towing the AS through 7 states and unhooking and hooking up at dozens of campsites, I'm now pretty comfortable backing:)

Regarding your question about air-conditioning; this applies to any RV when at lower elevations; when it is 90+ outside, it gets hot in these things and I like my comfort:) I didn't use the AC for the first couple of months because of cooler temperatures and because I was camping at higher elevations. As I said in another post, I purchased a 3,000 watt generator so I could run my AC while boon docking but have since changed my mind on this after hearing how annoying (to me) generators are in campgrounds. It takes a large generator to run AC.

I've camped a lot above 9,000 feet without any problems; the only elevation concerns I'm aware of are freezing  pipes. When I began my journey in late March, and including through much of April, it was not uncommon for night temps to be in the high 20s with some snow. I didn't have any problems and as I understand it, freezing pipes don't typically occur until temps are lower 20s for extended periods; I hope to avoid these situations by only going to places where I can wear shorts:) I've pulled my AS through snow storms and over mountain passes exceeding 11,000 feet without any problems; I think my highest elevation camp was about 9600 feet where it got down to the 30's each night. The other great thing about my AS is that when the weather turns cold, the AC also functions as a heat pump, saving use of propane for the furnace. Lastly, I'm not sure what comes with a truck camper, but my AS comes with 2 30-pound propane tanks.

Hope I answered all your questions; good luck with your decision. The biggest buying factor may be - what will your partner agree to camp in:) 

Carbondale Mountain Fair

Lucky for me the annual Carbondale Mountain Fair runs today through Sunday. It showcases art and music but there are also the typical fair-type foods and touristy things to do and see. This town is amazingly busy and crowded; I'm sure ht town folks don't like the fact that major construction is underway on Hwy.133 as one enters Carbondale but being in the mountains (sort of), they have to deal with the short construction season.

There is a pie baking contest tomorrow so I'll probably return for a chance to sample contestant entries:)

Early morning Downtown Carbondale before things got busy.

Carbondale has a lot of sculptures throughout town; this is front of the town hall/police station.

Mountain Fair is in Sopris Park which is bordered by Sopris Creek.

Some of the booths before the Fair officially opened.

Carbondale Tonic Juicery

While walking through town this morning I found this new place (open about 2 weeks) called "Tonic Juicery"; had a beet/carrot mix with turmeric - pretty good! Comes in a small glass bottle (they make fresh juice each morning in small ($6) and large ($9). They keep it in the fridge but only for one day. Pretty pricey but I can understand why; will be interesting to see if they can make it.

Tonic Juicery

Beet and carrot juice with turmeric and a few other ingredients I've forgotten.

Oregon Coast - Requesting Input

After a quick visit to Denver next week I've decided to head for the Oregon coast for the month of August. I'll be going through SLC to visit a friend and then through Idaho and Central Oregon with a stop in Bend.

If readers of this blog have any suggestions on where to stay along Oregon's coast, please comment on this post or email me - thanks!

Visit to Carbondale

Rode my bike to Carbondale today; about 6 miles (all downhill:) from the KOA. A nice cloudy afternoon with a brief mountain shower was a welcome relief from the heat I'd expected. Carbondale is a town easy to like and one we all wish we'd purchased a dozen homes in 15 years ago:) The influence of Aspen's wealth has influenced nearby communities like Carbondale and even Glenwood Springs.

As a consultant, I worked on the Highway 82 expansion Environmental Assessment in the 90's and spent a lot of time in the Roaring Fork Valley. Although there are a lot more people and houses now, it is still a beautiful valley; if it wasn't for the high cost of living, it would be a great place to have a summer home.

Mount Sopris

On my bike ride with Mount Sopris in the background.

Crystal River near my campground.

Sculpture of a bison in Carbondale.

Carbondale

Left Craig early this morning for Carbondale, CO where I'll be camping for 3 nights at the Carbondale/Crystal River KOA. This was the only higher elevation campground available for the weekend within a day's drive of Denver; it still amazes me how many people are out there camping!  Hoping to avoid the heat as much as possible until I need to be in Denver; Carbondale is about 6100' elevation and the campground is probably a bit higher as it is about 6 miles south on Hwy. 133. I've tried to stay at higher elevations whenever possible but realize that air conditioning is necessary in most campgrounds because shade is often lacking and AC requires electricity:)

I do have a 3000 watt generator in the bed up my truck that I purchased for those times when electricity, and thus AC, is not available but I haven't used it yet and have decided to drop it off at my storage unit next week when I visit Denver. This will save about 125 pounds of weight and valuable space in my pickup and will be one more step in simplifying my life:)

Farmers Markets - Updated

Found a one-farmer (DeVries) Farmers Market (FM) in Craig today and bought some plums and apricots. As my posts show, one of my favorite activities is to visit FMs in the towns I visit and the time has come to post about my experience.

A little background - I grew up on a small farm in Missouri where we would sell our produce to the old-time FMs in downtown St. Louis. Originally, FMs were a place where small farmers sold their produce to wholesalers who bought for retail grocery stores and markets. I remember a very long street on the south-side of downtown St. Louis where my Dad and other farmers would back-up their trucks to a central, elevated aisle. Buyers would walk up and down the aisle examining the produce and bargaining with the farmers. As our produce sold, we would unload our truck onto the aisle; the buyers would then load it onto their trucks for distribution to retail outlets. Typically, all transactions were completed a little after sunrise. We always took our best produce to the market; the bruised or damaged produce was for canning or our dinner table. It makes sense that today's retail-style FMs may still sell their best produce to wholesalers and sell the blemisheerspective.

Fast-forward to today's retail FMs which I find largely disappointing for price and quality; I'm talking about produce - not crafts and other products. I realize this is not PC but it seems strange to pay higher prices at a FM compared to a grocery store when the source is often unknown and quality is often no better and often less compared to a  retail grocer. Moreover, large, publicly-traded grocery stores (e.g., Whole Foods, Safeway, Kroger, and Walmart) typically have quality assurance (QA) programs they and their buyers adhere to; who knows what if any QA vendors at FM have. In addition, I've never observed official certification at FMs documenting a vendors claims of "organic" so how do we really know what chemicals the farmers are applying to the produce we buy? Lastly, the vendors at FMs are not the farmers who grow the food; however, this often isn't disclosed unless one asks.

From a business model perspective, it makes sense that today's retail-style FMs may still sell their best produce to wholesalers and sell the blemished and lower quality produce to the general public at FMs. Of course there are a couple of other options. I could grow my own whenever I settle down and have a garden. Also, this issue seems to be screaming for a business model solution:)

I know its cool to buy local and to support local farmers but after buying more disappointing produce (today's plums and apricots are tasteless), I'll probably stick to buying produce at chain grocery stores (e.g., whole foods and trader joes when I can find them) and using FMs to buy bread, pies, jams, and other home-made products I'm confident were made by the vendor who is willing to disclose the ingredients. I do love the feel of a FMs so will continue to go for that reason but will probably avoid the produce vendors unless I'm familiar with the grower.

Craig

One night stop over in Craig, CO as I make my way back to Denver. Even though the elevation is 6198, it is hot - about 94 F today! Can't wait for this trip to be over and head for the Oregon coast. Craig always struck me as an Ag and hunting town and based on my quick tour, it looks like there is still an emphasis on this; I'm sure there is more to Craig but I don't have time to explore during this trip. There is a nice little City Park with large shade trees, green grass, and a pool!

Train car museum

Little park downtown

Downtown

Site 41 at Craig Campground

Traveling through WY

Left Idaho Falls, ID Monday and drove to Wyoming via Hwy. 26/89 and then 189/191. This took me through the small town of Hoback Junction and Pinedale; I stopped for the night at the High Line Trail RV Park in Boulder, WY (about 12 miles SE of Pinedale). Not much of a park but it met my needs. BTW, if you haven't been to Pinedale - it has crown exponentially over the past 15 years due to oil and gas development. A lot of high-priced homes in the area to take advantage of mountain views and proximity to Jackson. They say the billionaires in Jackson have driven up real estate to the point that mere millionaires are forced to build in Dubois and Pinedale:)

Tuesday I drove through the small town of Farson, WY on my way to Rawlins; stayed at the Western Hills Campground; again, not much there but great showers and laundry room. I first visited Farson about 14 years ago and at that time the only business in town (really just a crossroads of Hwys. 28 and 191) is the Mercantile - "Home of the Big Cone". Famous locally for their large ice cream cones. Unfortunately, it was 8:30am went I passed through and they were not yet open:(

This morning (7/23) I drove about 100 miles south to Craig, CO where I plan to spend the night at Craig Campground. Similar to the last couple of one-night-stands, this park is basic and nothing to brag about but it supplies electricity which runs the AC - critical this time of year:)

Farson Mercantile - Home of the Big Cone!

Historic Federal Penitentiary in Rawlins, WY

Downtown Historic Rawlins

Storm moving in - High Line Trail Campground Boulder, WY

Idaho Falls

As I make my way back to Denver, I'm spending tonight in Idaho Falls at the Snake River RV Park. I'm sure there are nice parts of town but I didn't see anything worth photographing; the areas I saw were rundown, vacant, and rather depressing. To be fair, I'm just here overnight and didn't spend a lot of time driving around; on the bright side - diesel was only $3.70/gallon!

Dillon Farmers Market

Visited Dillon, Montana's Farmers Market (FM) this Saturday morning; one can tell a lot about a community by the FM. Compared to the Livingston, MT FM I visited last Wednesday, Dillon's is much smaller, less pretentious, and less expensive. Although the number and variety of vendors is smaller in Dillon, three vendors were selling baked goods, including pie! Those who know me know that pie and ice cream are two of my weaknesses so I had to sample. The strawberry-rhubarb pie and cherry pie (from different vendors) were both excellent! Also purchased a lime bar, loaf of zucchini/pumpkin bread, and jar of Pear-Cranberry jelly.

After sampling the pie I walked around town looking at houses and taking photos but failed to walk off my morning calorie intake:) I jogged this morning before the market was open but will need a bit more exercise to work off my bakery overdose:)

Half way through my slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie:)

This sheepherders wagon reminded me of my Airstream:)

Cute little cabin with a sod roof; unfortunately, it wasn't for sale: Part of museum downtown Dillon

Farmers Market Dillon

Farmers Market

Courthouse downtown Dillon

Zucchini Pumpkin bread with a spread of pear-cranberry jam - hard to stop:)

Dillon MT

In Dillon, MT for a couple of days; staying at the Southside RV Park - a nice, small park within walking distance of downtown. Seems like a quiet park; caters to senior citizens (which I don't include myself:) so there are no kids!

Walked much of Dillon this afternoon and spoke to a realtor. Saw several very nice houses downtown but none with the large (>=0.5 acre) lot I seek. Town is about 4,000 people and located at an elevation of 5,240'. One nice feature of Dillon is the University of Montana Western; about 1300 students equates to young people and energy during the school year. During the summer, tourists and summer residents populate the town; lots of fishermen/women!

I'll walk more of the town tomorrow but so far it seems like it less discovered, less touristy, less populated compared to Livingston and other small towns.

Campsite at Southside RV Park

Wide Dillon streets

Train Depot downtown

Garden downtown with hoops to cover with plastic to protect from cold

Lots of moose sculptures in town; not sure why.

Downtown

Unique downtown building caught my attention