Traveling again -- with Navidad!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

I’m traveling in my camper again!  It’s been awhile.  My last trip was around the Great Lakes (Superior-Huron-Michigan) during the summer of 2013.  Something new and different on this CAMPER ADVENTURE this time.  Navidad, my 9-year-old cat, is accompanying me! 

Now that I’m down to one cat (my sweet girl, AJ, died on April 7, 2014) I thought I would try a slow-paced, 4-5 week trip with Navi and see how that goes.  My plan is to drive around central/northern Arizona and southern Utah and just take each day as it comes.  Navi’s reaction and behavior will dictate what I do next.

A few days before leaving home, I had a chat with Navidad and shared that with some folks.  It went like this –

MAP:  Hey, Navidad!  You like my new do?  Ya ready for our trip?

NAVIDAD:  Oh, yeah, you got your hair shaved again...big deal.  Hey, I'm trying to sleep here so --- wha...wha...what???  What's this about a TRIP??

NAVIDAD: Arrgh.  The trip!  Phooey. 

  (Courtesy of Perry) 

NAVIDAD:  Do you honestly think I'm going to leave the comforts of home just because you got a new do? 

MAP:  I do, I do.  And you're gonna like the new sights on the road...

NAVIDAD:  (skeptical meow)

MAP:  You didn't have to get shaved for this trip, ya know!

NAVIDAD:  (yawn)

  (Courtesy of Leslie)

NAVIDAD:  I trust there will be sufficient canned food on this trip????  And can you provide treats and drive at the same time?  

  (Courtesy of Evelyn)

NAVIDAD:  Mommy, what's going on?  You look so excited.  I see you pack my stuff.  Where are we going?  Will I see my friend, the egret?  Can he come with us? 

  (Courtesy of Maureen)

NAVIDAD:  I'm not telling her but I'm very suspicious!  Haircut time usually means camper adventure time!  I'm thrilled to finally have her as my very own human!  I came from a big shelter to a home with three seniors!  I'm a good boy and I'll do my best whatever as I love my Momma MAP.   

  (Courtesy of Lisa)

NAVIDAD:  Are you nuts?  I don't wanna go!  I wanna stay home and you can stick with Deaf Seniors Foundation of Palm Springs who can't live without you!  WAAAAH! 

  (Courtesy of Philip)

NAVIDAD:  Wow, you have a lot of good friends responding to you.  Obviously, they will be missing you!  What about me?   

NAVIDAD:  Mommy, again, can I please bring my friend, the egret along with us?  She will be great to keep me company in the camper while you go out for a hike.  Ok?   

  (Courtesy of Maureen)

Well, CAMPER ADVENTURES for Navidad and me began today!  For our first night… together…in the camper…we’ve settled in at the Lake Havasu State Park in Arizona.

My Ford F-350 and Lance 1121 were recently serviced for this trip.  Leaving home at noon today, the drive was smooth and it didn't take long for me to pick up the “driving with the camper again” groove.  The route to Lake Havasu isn't complicated but I did make an error on the approach to Parker, Arizona.  Instead of turning right at this intersection, I drove straight ahead.  Some 10 miles and 15 minutes later, I decided I had better turn back to that dang intersection.  I didn't have my “geography mentality” down pat just yet, but this short-lived erroneous drive turned out to be quite scenic.  The Colorado River was on my right and, thanks to posted warning signs, I spotted wild burros along the way.  Back on track on Rt. 95 N, the Colorado River was on my left.  No burro sightings though. 

Navidad has ridden in the truck before, in his carrier.  He was a calm passenger, sitting up front with me, but I could tell he wasn't too happy.  Having made reservations online, my site at the state park was waiting for me.  It was 4:00 pm and we were situated just yards from the lake.  Navi was so tuckered out from the drive that he burrowed himself under his yellow pillow, which I had placed under the dining table, and stayed there for a long time.  I used this time to put things away and organize things inside the camper.  Just as I finished, I went outside to catch a glimpse of the setting sun across the lake…

Lake Havasu.

Navidad, wide awake, just fed, and exploring a bit (first night).

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

It got a little bit chilly during the night but I slept alright.  Navi stayed on the bed with me but I don’t think he had a restful night.  I could feel him move from this side to that side.  Come morning he was ready for his breakfast, after which he looked out the windows.

Looking out the kitchen window (first morning).

True to my promise to Navidad – less time in the truck, more time in the camper – we did not leave the state park until around 11:30 a.m.  This is my attempt to help him become accustomed to the truck camper experience and to all the surrounding sights, sounds, and smells.  He is, after all, a feline senior citizen, turning 10 this summer, and most cats, generally speaking, don’t like changes in their environment and routine. 

In under two hours, we had a site at the Silver Creek RV Park in Bullhead City, AZ.  Compared to the spacious state park, this place is just plain tight and ugly.  It’s practical, for people who need nothing but “extended stay practical” – and I do have cable for my TV.  I can’t seem to access their internet, though…

Because I've placed the litter box in the shower, I have to keep the bathroom door ajar for Navi.  He made a beeline for the bathroom when we got here.  I later coaxed him out for some brushing and combing, which he loves.  Following his other favorite activity (wet food!) he went right back to the bathroom.  There’s comfort in small spaces so I’ll leave him be… 

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

Going to bed last night, Navi hopped up to join me.  I fell asleep while watching TV and Navi – my little sweetheart! – pawed me awake.  A little comforting was in order…or maybe he thought it was high time I turned off the lights and the TV.

We’re taking it slow again this morning.  It’s just past 9:30 as I write this.  We've had beautiful (albeit a tad windy) days thus far in Arizona.  I haven’t seen much of anything, other than birds, including a couple of egrets (yay, Maureen!), and a rabbit at the Lake Havasu State Park.  At present, I have somewhat mixed feelings about doing this trip with Navidad, especially considering his age.  I try to reassure him often but it is obvious that he is confused, apprehensive, and not too happy-keen-thrilled about this new experience.  I feel bad, guilty even for taking him away from the comforts of his home.  We’ll keep going and see how it goes.

We were back on Rt. 95 N by 11:30 a.m. and heading towards Kingman, AZ by way of Rt. 68 E and I-40 E.  There were posted signs for nearby Route 66 which brought back memories of my camper trip to this area back in April 2007 - eight years ago!  Jeez!  I've had truck and camper for nine years now, purchasing both in early 2006.

Again, this was a short drive – 30 miles maybe – and shortly after 1:00 p.m. I was setting up the camper at the Blake Ranch RV Park & Horse Motel.  It was lucky I got here this early because the lady at the office said – when I responded that I didn't have a reservation – that they had just one site available.  And for two nights, too, per my request.  And they have WiFi.  And they have cable.  And there are horses here!  Maybe.  I’ll take a stroll over to that area tomorrow and find out.

I did something different with Navi on today’s drive.  I placed his carrier on the middle front seat, right next to me, so I could pet him through the unzipped flap on top of his carrier.  I tried to coax him to stick his head out and look around but he didn't notice the opening.  Maybe he will next time.

Navidad went right back to the bathroom in the camper and I spent the afternoon doing my usual set-up routine, including getting on the internet, finally!  I've noticed that when Navi has his confidence back, he seems to enjoy lounging on the ledge directly under my bed.  He’ll look out the window there and then take a snooze.  It’s a great spot because he can see me at the dining table and also, looking straight ahead, see the outside through the rear screen door.   

Snoozing on the ledge.

Speaking of that rear door, I bought a safety gate just to keep him far enough away from that opening if I need to go outside for some reason.  So far, he hasn't shown any interest in trying to bolt outside when I open the door.  As I type this, it’s almost 8:30 p.m., the sun has set, and Navidad is right there at the screen door, peering outside.  He must be hearing interesting sounds.  Crickets?  Rustling in the grass?  I’ll never know.

Peering out into the darkness.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

We’re staying put at this RV park today.  Time to give Navi (and me!) a driving break and get in some feline/human chats and cheek rubs.  I also want to get this blog posted today, review my travel materials, and take a stroll over to the Horse Motel.  It’s a nice, warm, blue-sky day I’d also like to sit outside for a bit.  I have Navi’s harness and leash…but it might be too soon right now…

One thing I have to do for sure – clip Navi’s claws!  As soon as I laid down in bed last night, Navi plopped himself right on my chest (he’s never done that before!) and proceeded to knead my neck and lick my face and hair.  For what I've put him through these last few days I did my best to absorb the affectionate onslaught of sharp claws and sandpaper tongue!  It was worth it – definitely!