Las Vegas Pen Posse; Group of Fountain Pen Lovers and My New Twsbi

Yesterday afternoon a very special package finally arrived! After six years, I finally purchased my first real fountain pen... I purchased the Twsbi 580 with a 1.1mm stub nib. I first got interested in fountain pens when I started to journal  back in 2008. I bought a Hero fountain pen and a bottle of Noodler's Squetegue ink and while it got the job done, I wasn't in love and it had a serious leaking problem. I never could bring myself to purchase another pen because of the vast selection and varying prices.

 It wasn't until fate introduced me to the Fountain Pen Network  and the Vegas Pen Posse that I was able to pick out what works best for my hand. You really have to hold a pen and write with it to pick out the right one.

 If  fountain pens, ink, and paper make you giddy than don't be alarmed, believe it or not there is a small community of people who are just as crazy over inky blotches and finding the perfect paper.  If you are in the Vegas area looking to meet some other Pen lovers than look us up on FPN or email me. http://www.fountainpennetwork.com

The Pen Posse came together in January of 2013 and have since been getting together when time permits to share their knowledge, love, and enthusiasm for all things fountain pen. The meetings are held at different locations depending on what everyone is in the mood for. The last two that I have attended were small groups but a lot of fun and in a great atmosphere.

All I have to say is,  coffee, ink, and fountain pens, oh my!  The first Posse  I attended was at Sambalatte in the Summerlin area. I felt like I had stepped into one of my dreams!

There we were, enjoying lattes in the middle of this hip coffee place, two tables filled with bottles of ink, notebooks, and fountain pens, the four of us writing and comparing pens. My novice hand was allowed the honor of writing with a plethora of pens ranging from the inexpensive to a true collector's piece. I was not expecting such an amazing experience and am grateful for everyone's kindness and generosity. I walked away from this experience with my head spinning from all the different pens and 10 samples of ink to experiment with. I was pretty sure after that night I would be purchasing the Twsbi as my everyday writer but when I went to purchase it from Goulet Pens they were sold out. So I held off from buying anything. Our second Posse meeting was at Casa Don Juan. An amazing little Mexican restaurant in the downtown area. Frank was there with his impressive pen collection and he is always a pleasure to be around. There was also someone new and it was such a pleasure to meet her and see her beautiful writing. Frank has officially deemed her the pen posse whisperer :) After trying out at least 30 different pens,  I was more certain the Twsbi would be my work pen and either the Pelikan Souveran or an Omas will be my "nice" pen. I also discovered a new ink, Diamine Oxblood and Edelstien Amber. Both I learned later that night were sold out on Goulet pens.  I did walk away from the second Pen posse with a bottle of Akkerman's ink!


I have been stalking the Goulet pen Co. ever since waiting to see when they would get their new stock in and finally the day arrived. So I promptly purchased my Twsbi pen and two days later it was waiting for me in my mailbox:) 

 Goulet Pen Co. gets a 10 out of 10 for their excellent packaging, thoughtful note, and prompt service. I will definitely be purchasing from them again and happy to recommend them to anyone looking for pens, ink, or paper.
http://www.gouletpens.com


I don't know enough to give a proper pen review but so far I am very pleased with my purchase. I ended up getting the latest model from Twsbi the 580. It has a very modern and solid construction. I love that you can see the color ink through the clear casing and it's very easy to fill with ink. I couldn't wait to get this beautiful pen out of its pristine box and ink it up!

Off to write now and get acquainted with my new friend:) 

Day 2: A Little Desert Escape to Whitney Pockets, Gold Butte NV

Day two:  The next morning, I picked Matt up from his base and we set off into the vast Nevada wilderness. Just past Bunkerville is the turn off for the back-country byway, Gold Butte Rd. It's a scenic drive on a well maintained road all the way out to Whitney Pockets. It's not until you reach the Whitney pockets area that the paved road turns into a dirt road. Along the way, there are numerous 4x4 roads that splinter off and disappear into the wilderness.
 On our drive out we didn't see but maybe one other vehicle. We passed wash after wash,  painted with vibrant splashes of purple, yellow and orange from all the spring plants blooming. When we finally reached Whitney Pockets we were both surprised by the number of people camping and riding around on their 4-wheelers. From everything we have heard, usually it's dead quiet out here, so we were not expecting a crowd. We were driving by wondering why the influx of people and then we realize it's Easter weekend.

Camping at Whitney pockets was not gonna happen so we drove passed it and up the road a little ways just to see what else was out there. At some point we decided to go back and check out the dam that was built at Whitney Pockets and some of the Petroglyphs before we set up camp.  Just as Matt and I were checking it out a group of people pulled up on their 4-wheelers and congregated at the dam. Matt and I were trying to make our exit when one of the guys asked us if we would like to stay and hear the story of how his great-grandfather built the dam and why the area was named after him! How cool is it that we happened to be there on the day the family members came out to visit and happened upon them by chance.



The Dam is about 30 feet tall... Behind it are the original structures built to contain water. They still work!

As we listened to the history of the area we were amazed by the tenacity of the people that settled the west. His great-grandfather was 10 years old when he was considered old enough to herd cattle through the desert by way of wagon, all by himself! He would bring the cattle to stop and graze at what is now called Whitney Pockets before heading up the mountain to fall cedar trees to sell and load everything up including chickens to take by wagon to Las Vegas. Vegas is over an hour drive on the highway! I can't imagine what it must have been like for a young boy to make such a long journey by himself through such a harsh and rugged terrain. That boy lived into his 90's and is surpassed by a proud family that is keeping their history alive. Matt and I felt honored to be standing where such an amazing individual once stood.

They told us where to find a few petroglyphs nearby, so we parted ways and set off to find the ancient petroglyphs before setting up camp.

I often wondered why humans are always drawn to the sandstone outcroppings. Almost every remote sandstone location I have been, Native Americans lived near them or settlers did. I think it's because they offer shade and a break from the sun in a land where there aren't many trees but they are visible for miles. If you were traveling by foot or wagon they would make excellent markers along your journey.

We made our way out to the sandstone outcropping and got out to explore. At first glance we didn't see any petroglyphs but as we moved closer they appeared like magic. A huge section was covered in strange looking markings, all trying to tell a story.  We were lucky enough to have this special place all to ourselves for about 15 min before more people started showing up.

I am still trying to figure out how they managed to get  these up so high. It's not like they had a ladder and these are up there. I guess they could have stood on each others shoulders. 

Petroglyphs only reveal themselves when they want to be seen... 

The puppies are ready to investigate the area

Amazing geology!  Can you see an elephant somewhere?

We decided to call it a day and get a camp spot secured and set up before the sun set.  There was no way we were camping next to all of those people so we ventured up the road a ways until the perfect little spot invited us to stay.

We set up camp quickly and both realized when our tempers flared,  it was time to eat! We skipped lunch and were starving. Brats and beans were on the menu for the night. Nothing better than cooking up meat in a cast iron skillet in the middle of nature.

We munched on our dinner while we watched a beautiful sunset paint the sky with layers of color... I am pretty sure sunsets are a glimpse of what awaits us when we pass on.

 We laid in the back of the truck with our two puppies just enjoying the cool air, vast openness, and incredible stars. A perfect way to end the day and our short excursion to the Whitney Pockets area.

Magnificent sunset view from our campsite. 

Hampton and Hitch roughing it.... So spoiled



Chaparral Sage in full bloom, they smell delightful!

 There is much more to explore in the area but that will just have to wait until our next adventure...


Heading back to civilization..ole' Faithful.

Day 1: A Little Desert Escape to Whitney Pockets, Gold Butte, NV

Sometimes you just need a little time in Nature. 

I have been dying to go on a camping trip since the weather warmed up but with Matt's new schedule and my Etsy orders there never seems to be time. This past week was no different but I was determined to wander in the desert and sleep under the stars, so off we went.

The Virgin River

Matt had to work a shift in Mesquite, NV on the first night and he refused to let me go camping by myself. He didn't want his next rescue call to be for a twenty something year old female and two dogs out in the desert. Instead, he spoiled me with a wonderful room at a local hotel for the first night while he worked.  I dropped him off in the morning and I wasn't gone 5minutes before I get a text saying he was taking off for a call.

Matts' new office

Hafen Park

Is that water?

OMG! It's water mom!

Mesquite is a sleepy town and a nice getaway from Vegas traffic. I decided to just drive around the town and get to know it first but before I could finish I happened across the perfect place to walk the dogs. Hafen park appeared on the edge of town just after a house with a sign out front selling fresh eggs for $3.oo. When I arrived there was not a soul in sight so I pulled in and began my morning adventure with the pups. We wandered through that magical green stuff called grass. The puppies went crazy as we got closer and you could smell that sweet, grass in the air.

My mission was to find the Virgin River and from looking at the maps I was pretty close. Finding access to the river bank would be the tricky part. So I set off from the park down one of the off-road trails and wandered deeper into the bush. We left the manicured park for another kind of wild beauty. A trail of silky sand beneath our feet and lush, brush boxing us in forcing us to chose a path. It was so dense you couldn't see into vegetation far but you could hear all the critters scurrying around.




Now, you would think a girl all alone, in a strange place, with no one around would stay on the trail but it seemed to be going farther away from the water. My internal compass was telling me to take the game trail instead. The river is such a life force for the desert and ecosystem in the area. I was sure a game trail would lead me right to the river! So off we went, crouching under the thick brush wondering where the heck I was going, letting Hitch the Hound's sniffer lead the way when all of a sudden the brush opened up to blue skies, a rushing river, and the perfect little beach to wade into the river and play.

Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect place. I was secluded with this beautiful river all to myself and the puppies. We played on the banks for a long while.

Flowing water= Happy Hound

I spent the rest of the day checking out some local thrift stores and an antique shop. I managed to find some nice ephemera to use in some of my journals and the lady running the shop was such a pleasure to talk with. From there I hit up the Chamber of Commerce for a good map of the Gold Butte area and then waited for our hotel room to become available. Wouldn't you know I left my darn camera battery charging in the wall back in Vegas and of course the little town of Mesquite didn't have a thing I could use for my camera. Gotta love small towns! So I had to use my phones camera instead for the entire trip. Thankfully, it takes decent pictures. Matt even asked me before we left if I had everything, geesh!

I didn't get to sleep under the stars on our first night but after a day in the sun by the river I was very thankful for a hot shower and a clean bed:) 

Playing with Travel Blueprint Stamps by Tim Holtz

Tim Holtz Travel Blueprint Stamps

 

 

  This past year I started my stamp collection. I have tried to be very thoughtful about what I purchase. I usually only buy something I plan to use on my Journals for Etsy. The Tim Holtz and Ranger products really compliment my style nicely and I have been very pleased with their line. My newest addition to the Travel Journal line are these blueprint stamps by Tim Holtz. 

  I was thrilled when they arrived in the mail! I purchased them from a great little shop on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Alleystamp

I was more than pleased when I finally got them in my hands and all inked up. I was looking for something special for my Travel Journals on Etsy and I think this stamp set is just what I needed. The ideas for future journals are overflowing.  They are a little to large for my 8 1/2in h by 6in w journals so I scanned the image and reduced it 20%. I also like to add color to them by painting them with watercolors. I really like the effect it gives the stamps.   

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