Tuesday, December 6/2011

Our 1st AZ fire!

It is much chillier in the bus this morning and when I checked out the local temp found that it was only 27F (-3C).  No wonder I could see my breath!!  I didn't have to look at the bird water to know that it would be frozen!!  I started the generator and got the two electric heaters going and then the propane heater.  It wasn't too long before the chill was gone and I was sitting comfortably doing this blog and drinking coffee!!  The sun has now come over the hill so that too is providing some added heat as it beams through the big front window.  Life is once again, good!!
Today I spent a bit more time raking the campsite.  I hate all the little stones and the NOT so little stones as they are quite a pain to step on with my moccasin type shoes.  I really have to quit wearing them outside as I stepped on a rather nasty cholla sticker and it went right though my shoe and into my foot!!  Hogan has come home hobbling a few times as well as a result of these nasty thorns.
John and Keith finally finished getting their heater in and fixed permanently onto the wall and the propane hooked up and not leaking so that was a job well done.  We sat over at their campsite for a few hours enjoying the sunshine.
While we were sitting over at the "neighbors",  Hogan was also sitting in his chair but he was "bugged" by something as he would often lift is head and growl.  We weren't  really taking any notice until he bounded out of his chair, hackles raised and started prancing away.  Keith notice Mr. Coyote standing not to terribly far away checking us and Hogan out.  He did not appear very fearful at all and made no attempt to flee when we noticed him.  This gives me cause for concern as they are usually elusive creatures and don't really hang with people.  This is the fourth time that I have seen this thing so now am even more worried about this situation.  Mr. Coyote probably stared us down for two minutes before he finally turned around and disappeared.
When John and I returned to our camp, we hung the solar lights and pounded in the other ground solar lights. This year, we got smart and brought 14 inch spikes to pound into the ground so just had to slide the solar lights over the spikes and "presto" , the lights are ready to go!!   While we were doing this, Hogan once again started growling and letting us know that something was amiss and once again, there was Mr. Coyote  in the wash, not too far from us.  It is a good thing that Hogan listens when we tell him to "come" as he would get his ass kicked in no time.  Mr. Coyote is taller than Hogan.  John was able to get to the bus and get "his little friend" (a 22 pistol, Trueman gave him to use while he was here in Arizona) out and managed to get off a shot that scared up the ground beside him.  Mr. Coyote took off down the wash and Hogan took off into the bus, up onto the bed and under the covers!!  Hogan really hates that gun!!  Hopefully Mr Coyote will think twice before coming back here!!
John started a fire tonight - the first Arizona fire and it took the chill off the air in no time.  The fire pit is situated between the bus and the trailer so it is protected form the wind on two sides and actually the spot is quite cozy and works well.  Keith and Charlotte wandered over for a few hours then they left and it was time for us to get supper going.  Another good day in Paradise and yes, Hogan came out of the bus about an hour after the coyote incident and remained "on the look out"!!