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Tag: computer problems

26 May 2021

The pain of updating updates

I hope to be done with updating updates of the physical sort now that I’ve replaced my camera, laptop, and cell phone.  Yet I know there will constantly be updates to Windows on the laptop and apps on the phone.

View SE from Yovimpa Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahView South from Yovimpa Point

Last week there was a problem leaving a comment on the blog and that was because I hadn’t updated a couple plugins for a while.  Those dang updates get me every time.  But with limited internet signal I can’t do updates every day.

White Cliffs Navajo Mt Rainbow Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahUpper Paria Canyon & Navajo Mt 90 miles away from Rainbow Point

After two days off I went back to work Saturday and there were many updates now that CDC says vaccinated people don’t HAVE to wear masks everywhere.  Yet our staff of Rangers still wore masks both inside the office and outside at the information desk.  And I was happily surprised a high percentage of visitors wore masks as well.  Even at the outside hoodoo geology talk 75% of attendees also wore a mask while keeping a respectable distance.  Another park update includes celebrating an abbreviated Astro Fest in mid-June.  No telescopes but extra nights of laser-light constellation tours and other activities.  I’m glad that will fall mostly on my days off.

Live & dead Bristlecone Pines along Bristlecone Loop trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahIt was my week for hanging out at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points at the end of the scenic road, no complaints there.  One day I went with a new person, Ranger Tif, and the wind darn near blew us off the southern most Yovimpa.  So we walked the one mile Bristlecone Loop trail taking almost two hours answering visitor questions and identifying trees and plants which updates my forest knowledge.  The park’s oldest known Bristlecone, on the right, died at about 1600 years old, they can live to 5000+.

Young Bristlecone Pine along Bristlecone Loop trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAdmiring a 20 footer along the trail a visitor guessed it’s age at 50 and I guessed closer to 300.  Can’t know without coring the trunk.  Other mixed conifers seen along the trail include White and Douglas Fir, Limber and Ponderosa Pine, and a couple species of Junipers.  Plus some low growing red-barked Manzanita and some flowering bushes.

Snowberry Clearwing Sphinx moth on pink current flowers Bristlecone Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMost excited to see a Snowberry Clearwing Sphinx Moth pollinating the flowering Current bushes along the trail.  Seems the Snowberry isn’t flowering yet.

Sunday wasn’t a field day and started with project time, then a few hours at the information desk, and finished with a collateral duty taking care of the library.  Easy peasy.  But not so easy was once again fighting with “Network busy on Windows” error when I did the usual routine of tethering the phone to the laptop to get online if there’s a signal.  I tried the tech support I paid extra for but the difficult to understand voice couldn’t understand my situation—remote with no WIFI—and told me “it’s a Microsoft problem.”  Then she provided a phone number that gave a recording saying the only support is now online.  Of course that’s where I am not.  It’s now like I have to travel with my computer everywhere so I can get online where possible, but not at home.  Oh, and the phone has a mind of it’s own too constantly turning off the volume and on an alarm.  More updates on this further down.

hoodoos Pink Cliffs valley snowy mts storm clouds Rainbow Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe next day I took the laptop to work again so after I was off at 5pm I can download Windows updates and maybe solve the current problem.  Took about 30 minutes to update my laptop and then it would tether to the phone.  This has gotten very old and extremely frequent. Microsoft has us by the balls, so to speak.  That night I stayed online for hours, because I could.

hoodoos valley Pink Cliffs Aquarius Plateau storm clouds Rainbow Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe work day started early with opening the visitor center by 8am with Ranger C.  Later, we’d been scheduled for Rainbow Point.  However, new rules with updates to the schedule meant two people couldn’t ride in the same vehicle, even masked, for the 30 minute drive.  Ranger C. covered a desk information shift and I returned to Rainbow and Yovimpa Points for the afternoon.  But I didn’t stay long because of a lightning and thunder snowstorm.  Took a few photos and headed back with a quick stop at Ponderosa Point and then Natural Bridge overlook before returning to the office.  Visitors were shocked and mostly ill prepared for the cold, wet and windy weather.  Saw one pronghorn in a meadow on the return my first this year seen in the park.

Ponderosa hoodoos valley Aquarius Plateau clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahTuesday several Rangers where sick from the second Moderna shot so there were updates to the schedule.  Still worked 12:15-1:15 at the desk.  Then added the 2pm hoodoo geology talk with roving along the rim and decided to have the Portabella sandwich for lunch at the Lodge.  Then more roving and back to the information desk from 6-8 to close.

Pink Cliffs valley trees Yovimpa Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahOpened the visitor center the next day, my Friday on Wednesday, then returned to Rainbow/Yovimpa Points to rove.  Left the phone home as it doesn’t really work out there anyway.  But the damn thing has a mind of it’s own and in my back pocket seems my butt can turn things on I can’t even find.  WTF?  Probably needs updating.

Karen & Gaelyn Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSpent the next day doing laundry and cleaning house for my guest’s arrival in the afternoon.  Met Karen and Jim at the North Rim Grand Canyon in 2008, and she started me on the road to blogging.  Sadly, she lost her husband but is keeping up a good attitude living in Denver and just bought a three-wheel bike.  It had been nine years since we’d seen each other.  She flew in to Vegas Wednesday and visited with another friend then drove to Bryce the next day and of course we were up pretty late.

view S of Gray & White Cliffs SR14 E UtahView South from SR14 to Zion NP

I had an eye doctor appointment for Friday in Cedar City, 1 1/2 hours away, so we got an early start and had time for breakfast out before arriving minutes late.  But I had to wait for over 30 minutes anyway.  Medicare completely covered the eye exam and the doctor said my eyes were healthy and not yet in need of cataract surgery. Then I picked out a pair of lavender kids frames and the glasses should be ready in 7-10 days.  After grocery shopping we went to the pet store for cat food and in the same strip mall Verizon. The battery was starting to bulge on the phone thus causing all kinds of problems so I decided to replace it. What a hassle to wade through the paperwork, then leave both phones for 30 minutes to transfer stuff to the new phone, also a Motorola Droid.  I decided to leave the old phone for them to recycle but didn’t discover until I got home they hadn’t moved all my photos.  They were closed by then.  Of course the new phone is a new learning curve. Just a little smaller screen but comes with a stylus.

rental cabin Bryce Canyon National Park UtahRental cabin near the Lodge

I called the store first thing in the morning and got transferred to a call center. I wanted to stop them from recycling/throwing away my old phone. A message went to the sales person. Then we went to breakfast at the Lodge and I got a call from the store manager but the signal wasn’t great so he was suppose to call me back. Didn’t happened.

Karen & Gaelyn Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAfterwards we walked to the rim briefly in a cold wind, got in some selfies and a lady took pics of us and the canyon.  Karen left just after noon and it was hard to say goodbye.  A two day visit was too few.  But we’re already talking about a winter gathering somewhere.

yellow flowers Arrow Balsam Root Natural Bridge overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahArrow leaf Balsam Root

Later I tried to connect phone and puter via USB and not sure if it’s the daily lousy connection or I’m doing something else wrong as I don’t seem to have a signal. Seems it’s time for updating Windows again and can’t because I’m not online and I can’t get online until I update Windows. This is getting very old.  Time to take the new laptop to work again.  Sigh…  Funny thing the old laptop will connect if there’s a signal and that’s how this post is going out.  But what a pain to have to save from the new laptop to a flash-drive then load onto the old laptop and hope for the best.

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar City, company, computer problems, Places I've been, United States, Utah computer problems, new phone, updates, Windows 18 Comments
16 February 2021

Finding space in my RV, computer, and head

Kofa Mts morning sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFinding space can be physical, digital, and in my head.  Living in a tiny house (camper 12×8 feet plus bed) finding space can be a challenge, one thing in often leads to one thing out.  Yet I survive comfortably without a whole lot of stuff.

Kofa Mts sunrise glow Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunrise Kofa Mts

When out boondocking on public lands, finding space to park the RV includes a beautiful window view preferably without other RVs in sight, and a strong enough signal to get online.  Once there, I’m in no hurry to move.  Takes time to get to know a place.

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset Chocolate Mts

The desert and mountains are a spectacular part of the Sonoran Desert I dearly love, during winter.  Wonder how long I can stretch before needing supplies?

Saguaro cactus desert New Water Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset New Water Mts

I put off moving until the next day.

desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut that didn’t happen either.  After the fridge giving some grief and not wanting to start the night before I woke up with it humming right along.  Good thing or I would have had food on melt down and eaten more ice cream than usual.

desert late light Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaTomorrow will be soon enough to shop.

Sierra cat on camper bed Sierra is happier when we don’t roll but she has no problem finding space to crawl under the covers when we do, after several complaining meows.

last light Saguaro desert mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMy decision not to move paid off.  The afternoon was filled with clouds and marvelous light.

Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSadly, a new neighbor pulled in finding space right at the western edge of my sunrise view.  But even that didn’t make it easy to leave this gorgeous place.

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizonadesert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Alas, I needed groceries so really did have to go.

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut I didn’t hurry too much as I was enjoying the cloudy show.

rocks Kofa camp ArizonaKofa camp rocks

I took an extremely slow drive the three miles back to the highway trying not to bounce the camper too much.  I’m thinking part of that problem is the truck itself needs beefing up with some new shocks and possibly overpriced airbags.  Ideally, the camper could come off the truck this summer for its own repairs and then the truck could be worked on much easier.  Had to stop along the drive because the pickle jar in a trash bag leaked and now my truck cab smells like dill pickles. I didn’t want to put the liquid in my tank or pour it outside as people-food.  But then I did pour out the small amount left in the jar and the trash bag.  Yes, finding space for garbage means the front passenger seat, extra water jugs sit on the floor.  At first I was mad.  Then I heard Berta’s voice about finding space in my head to laugh, and let it go.  Good thing I like pickles, and that nobody could hear me LMAO!

After grocery shopping in Blythe, I struggled finding space in the refrigerator and freezer.  Found a really good sale price on ice cream.  Then there’s dry goods to cram in a small cupboard.  And large supplies of paper products go in the truck’s back seat/pantry/closet.

sunset Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite ArizonaNo problem finding space to park overnight at Shady Lane RV Court.  Yup, time to dump and fill again.  Always nice to see Breezy and Finius who own the place.  And a treat to have unlimited electricity to work on photos.  Except for a problem finding space on the laptop’s hard-drive.  So full, I couldn’t add even one, more, photo.  I’ve been backing up to external drives in order to free-up some space.  Not easy when I’m behind labeling photos by just over one year.  The new camera definitely takes larger size photo files than the previous one.

By morning I realized I would need another external drive.  Good thing that digital space is small and doesn’t take up much physical space.  This would mean another trip to a town bigger than Quartzsite.  If it wasn’t going to be super windy near Yuma I’d head south and possibly replace the old laptop, but it will have to wait longer.  Instead I took the shorter drive north to Parker for a WalMart.  Their computer selection didn’t entice me but I did buy another 1TB external drive.

desert Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite Ariona

Dome Rock Mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaFinding space to boondock near Parker isn’t easy so I returned to Plomosa Road and didn’t drive far as I only planned to spend one night.  The place is too noisy for me, close to the road, OHV dust, other people, generators, and barking dogs.

Ironwood tree frames mt peak Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThat turned into two nights as I like at least one down day after two town days.  Still had 1/4 tank of propane.  A storm blew through and dropped some hard rain with wind so strong I could barely open the camper door.  Later the sun came out and I went for a short walkabout finding space in the curved branches of an Ironwood tree.

crescent moon sunset Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThen sunset left a wide band of orange across the horizon with a sliver of moon hoovering above.

Winter winds in the desert southwest can be brutal but I couldn’t let them stop me completely.  Besides I needed to return to Quartzsite to do laundry and fill both propane tanks before finding space to park in the quiet desert once again.

Palo Verde tree Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Loggerhead Shrike bird Palo Verde tree Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLoggerhead Shrike

Instead of the usual Palm Canyon Road I took the MST&T Tower Road towards those lovely Kofa Mountains so my angle of view is different.  There is a delightful Palo Verde nursery-tree to at least 3-5 Saguaros out my door and plenty of desert in sight.

desert RVs Chocolate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Chocolate Mts dusty sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaDusty sunset

With wind gusting 30mph and clocking from the southwest to northwest I parked pointing north so the camper is rocking a bit but down wind for the fridge that is playing games with two full propane tanks and fully charged battery.  Once again it lit sometime after I went to bed.

Choclate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree Kofa Mts reverse sunset MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe wind blew brutally on Valentine’s keeping me inside but the day ended with gorgeous colors.

The signal has been on and off iffy. That could be the deal breaker requiring me to move once again and finding space that meets all my requirements.  Now I could really use motivation finding space in my day for more exercise.  Anybody else struggling with that?

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States boondocking, computer problems, desert, photography, RV Park 19 Comments

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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