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The Larry
climber
Moab, UT
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Apr 24, 2011 - 12:13pm PT
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I'd wait it out. Monarch pass(Highway 50) is at 12000 feet. Prolly snowing up there.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
or some such
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Apr 24, 2011 - 12:18pm PT
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Probably snowing up at the Ike Tunnel(I-70), too. 11300 or so. I forget.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 24, 2011 - 01:00pm PT
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Knowing those elevations is quite helpful. Looking at the atlas, it shows mountains in northern NM, too, and NOAA gives those as having storm too. I am stuck in Utah, and have access to a writing machine....
Oh Lynne wrote:
"...opportunity to house/dog sit out in a rural area around here. How much does one charge per day ? Job is for 10 days....."
Lynn, it is difficult to say offhand, because it is dependent on several variants. Your best bet is to take some time online and do some research as to what others in that area charge for such services. Then, charge less than what the organized, "we're insure, run a kennel, have a Vet on staff" type ops charge FOR similar service.(Less because you DON'T do this as a pro, and no offense, but there is a difference between someone who occasionally dog sits and someone who has seen much).
Is the area they are in affluent? Working class? Poor? This makes a difference. Is the client one of the above? This makes a difference too, in that they may be looking to you because they either cannot afford the ones who are out there, or they are looking to get off cheap. They COULD just like YOU! And so...if they are affluent, remember that they CAN pay, and they want you because they know you.
But here are some ideas, based on New York City(my experience) AND New Paltz(working class TO affluent rural setting where I did some research.)
 For an in-house sit(where I would temporarily move in, with an agreed upon amount of time at the residence, as companion(warm, breathing bod) to the animal, and direct dog care(feeding, walking, medicine, etc) - I would charge $60. This would include being in the home from 9pm through 8am, though I would usually get there earlier at night(in case I had other animals to work with in the evening). It would include a morning and evening walk and feeding, light grooming(brush hair, but not anything complicated), and companionship(talk to dog, play with dog, sit with dog). If I had to do a mid day walk, that would be extra charge of $20 for 30m or $30 for 60m.
For rural situation, add an estimated amount for gas used, and time to travel. Base the travel on paying yourself between $10 and $60 hour.... I know that is a wide range, but for a pro sitter, on a holiday weekend.. $60 hour for time is what I charged.
If you are going back and forth each visit? The fee should include that time/gas for each visit, plus an amount for the animal care. Do not let them do a "she only needs to be let outside and pee" - that only takes 10 minutes. 30m at a minimum per session.
The dog's needs must be appropriately assessed. Younger dogs need more attention/exercise than a middle age, happy to sit by the fire yellow lab. Some dogs are used to a lot of interaction and being around their person. Teddy, for instance, would have a really tough time being left at home for 10 days with only 2-3 30 minute visits, even though when we are together, he pretty much just follows me around and.or sleeps.
Some dogs need medications. If so, you need to be sure you are capable of administering those meds. If insulin, and you have never given a shot, you are not the person for the job, even though insulin is very easy to give. I generally did not charge extra for medicine giving for my regular clients, but if it was a 1-time person, then yes, I did have a fee(but never charged it - I was a softee).
If there is more than one dog, other animals, or they want you to water plants, pick up mail, check through the house for leaks and such, add in an amount to cover the additional work.
"Having access to a great house" is NOT part of the deal, so don't be suckered into that. You alreay HAVE a great, comfortable house, and aren't on vacation.
Rates vary WIDELY. Many people totally undersell their services. Do not be one of those people.
Google some animal caretakers in the area and see if they list their rates, to get an idea what others charge. If nobody is listing rates, then.... Give a few calls to the ones you do find, and do the research. Say you will be going away in a couple months, and are looking at options. Then, provide the scenario similar as to what you are looking at doing. While this IS a bit mean, since you won't be using their service, providing their fees IS part of the job, and they should not be that put off to provide the info.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 24, 2011 - 01:04pm PT
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Ricky - I guess you are right. The time spent waiting out the storm will be at least 2 days anyway. And that will be likely the way my friend takes, so maybe we will catch each other along the way then.
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LithiumMetalman
Trad climber
cesspool central
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Apr 24, 2011 - 01:07pm PT
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Those flurries driving out yesterday were something fierce!
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Jason D
Trad climber
mn
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Apr 24, 2011 - 01:39pm PT
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I made the mistake of being out in the black hills during sturgis. What a mess! We thought we could get up early to beat all the bikers to the needles and climb the hitching post right by the tunnel in the road. I made it to the top before too many had showed up but by the time my girlfriend made it up with me it was a full on sh#t show. Every biker though he was the biggest badass ever going through the tunnel with their bike revved as high as it would go.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 24, 2011 - 02:17pm PT
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well. off I go, headed south on 191. Going to turn left at Monticello....
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Apr 24, 2011 - 02:17pm PT
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funky old Apache Motel
Our most favorite spot in Moab for many a year. However, not quite the same without Barbara. I think the new owners made a BIG mistake in retiring her.
My Jeep Week Moab story is after finishing up a Gemini Bridges mtn. bike ride with my then young son (he was twelve) (this was his first introduction to Moab mtn. biking) we were coming arouund that last bend that takes us down that exciting downhill over the tracks and into the parking lot. Came around the bend to witness a parade of jeeps and other similar vehicles (at least 100-150) coming up that way on the trail and snaked all the way out to the highway! I thought we were missing Jeep week but evidently this was some "pre event". Trying to bike past 100s of jeeps and the dust was intolerable. Went to Slick Rock the next day...no jeeps there. Susan
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 24, 2011 - 04:30pm PT
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Actually....I'm taking a risk and not dipping that low. Besides, I won't get that far today.... I am a turtle, and have until Friday to reach Red River Gorge.
Just looked at the weather for Albuquerque and there's a chance of "Fire Weather"(NEVER HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE - anyone get the S/Topo reference?). I will look that up, but it also says 65mph winds!!!Gah!
Okay - I looked up Fire Weather. I don't really like the idea of being in the van, driving through this risk....
Right now I am in Monticello, and looking at weather. Here's my plan(unless the weather is worse than I am hoping):
On Hwy 491 now, headed east to Cortez, where I will turn on to 160.
That's marked as a Scenic Route on the atlas, so let's hope the rain isn't blocking the view! Will probably get a bit past Durango today and then stop in the Rio Grande National Forest.
Gonna batten down the hatches and hope the wind isn't too bad.
At Pagosa Springs, I am going to veer south onto 84, dip down to Chama, NM and then back into CO, and then take some small roads, running to Manassa, CO.
This is giving me up to 50mph winds, but only pea sized hail(as opposed to up to 1/2 in sized hail...). No mention of fire weather.
On to Trinidad, CO, where I get onto 160 and head off towards Kansas....
Eventually I will get to Wichita, and then get on the bigger hwys and get to the Red.
I know some people probably wonder why I am using the small roads instead of bigger interstates. Partly because I don't like running for hours on end. I have to stop and pee, and so does Teddy. Plus I have to check my emails!!! I also find the high speed long stretch to be tedious, and with this crap weather, I prefer to stay away from the other idiots in a hurry to get wherever they are going while they text message...
This route also "seems" to give me an in between from the higher elevation snow and the higher winds more south. \
But it's hailing/raining in Monticello right now, and so what the hell do I know. So long as I don't get stuck in a tornado.
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Apr 24, 2011 - 04:49pm PT
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Thanks for sharing your trip adventures with us!
I really love that shot of Church Rock, one of the best I have seen IMO. Thats worth blowing up and framing.
With as much as you have shared with us, I am REALLY bummed the weather went bad the day we were supposed to climb in Josh!
Hope you stay dry and out of the really bad weather!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Apr 25, 2011 - 10:00am PT
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Hap, the coffee place by eddie Mcstiffs has good coffee, and wifi! Even though it doesn't open till 8:00 am, what's with that sh#t?
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Fluoride
Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
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Apr 25, 2011 - 10:17am PT
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Jay, is that the former Mondo's? I used to love that place. Great Belgian waffles and juice to start the day.
Thanks for the great pics in this thread. Wish we could have been out there with you and Shanti, Steve and I are really envious and wish we could have come out and climbed with you. Circumstances have us staying local so come on out to JT soon. OW and cracks going down amongst the wonderful spring colors and wildlife (the family of Chuckwallas near Future Games Wall was incredible Friday, going to post some pics and video soon).
Happie....I've been there during Jeep Week before. They're essentially good people who just want to get outside like we do...only in a loud, obnoxious, more motor fueled manner. I've been there during several long Utah school weekends during fall months and encountered many of the same types and offroaders. Just part of the game in a place so gorgeous yet remote and loved by many. They love the place like we do, but for different reasons. Takes all kinds.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 25, 2011 - 10:34am PT
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I know, I know....
Anyway - no longer in Moab. Arrived in Durango, CO last night, and will take a look around before slowly continuing eastward. I had a bit of sadness when I realized I was no longer in the southwest, and surprised at how quickly the terrain changed. Pretty much at the UT/CO border as I headed southeast out of Monticello....
I spent the WHOLE winter without seeing snow, and going over Wolf Pass, the rain became snow. And BIG snow, too. But luckily I had some people driving up the road who drove fairly slowly and knew just when to go slower, and I had nobody behind me. I grew up in Wisconsin, so know how to drive on snow. But they don't have mountains in WI, which puts a sort of different...spin...on the concept of skidding your wheels out from under you!
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Fluoride
Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
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Apr 25, 2011 - 10:52am PT
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Happie...there's a great brew pub/pizza place in Durango. Wish for the life of me I could remember the name but it was good. I'm sure the locals can name it.
If you went through Cortez to Durango did you pass through Mancos? A favorite little town of mine. Early summer there is bliss. And it's RODEO time then!
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 25, 2011 - 11:06am PT
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Yes, passed through there. I am not sure which small one it was, but did see a pretty good sized rodeo ring near the road at one place.
One thing I WISH I had stopped for was to take a picture in this one-horse place which had a store made out of an old train box car. WHY did I not stop!?
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho-dee-do-dah-day boom-chicka-boom-chicka-boom
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Apr 25, 2011 - 11:23am PT
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The need those big jeeps n trucks to lug around those extra chromosomes.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Apr 25, 2011 - 11:17pm PT
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Happi, Mega thanks for all the well thought out information. Super appreciate it !!! Praying your Adventure continues well. Great Karma, Peace and Joy, lynnie.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Apr 25, 2011 - 11:22pm PT
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Mancos is the hometown of John Riffy, Grand Canyon legend
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The Alpine
Big Wall climber
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Apr 26, 2011 - 12:06am PT
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Jaybro - I didnt realize it at the time, but I took a pic with you in it.
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