retiredhappy

Settled In (sort of)

2011-08-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Well its the end of August and hotter than hell in Texas. I've finished most of the major remodeling inside - laminate floors throughout; tub gone and tiled shower installed; finished painting the living room, guest bath, master bath and bedroom. Still need to paint the guest room/office, kitchen and hallway. The new furnace is installed (not that I will need heat for months yet). I'm cleaning out the RV (slowly) and have listed it on Craig's List. Would like to sell it and get a small Class B. Am waiting for cooler weather to work in the yard and get the deck built.

A New Home

2011-07-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

I bought a mobile home in an adult park here in Kerrville. I got tired of living in my RV and was missing having a small yard so I sold my house and bought the mobile. I closed yesterday and of course, the air conditioner stopped putting out cold air. Met the AC repair man first thing this AM and $122 later I had cold air (needed freon). The house needs a lot of updating but redecorating is what I really like to do. It was an estate sale and had been vacant for almost two years so I got a really good deal on it which leaves me money to fix it up. Got new ceiling fans and light fixtures installed today. Will put in laminate floors throughout especially the bathrooms which now have (Yuk yuk) carpet. Also think I'm going to take out the tub and put in a walk in, tiled shower. Am posting some before pictures.

Just Loafing

2010-10-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot going on around here. Sharon and I usually have a happy hour around 5pm. We're teaching Sophie bad habits as you can see. Didn't think she would like wine but apparently she does. Halloween is getting close so I put fairy wings on Sophie and Buddy. Walked Sophie around the park with her wings and she loved all the attention. That dog will do anything to get attention. Weather is finally cooling off so its comfortable at night. Looking forward to the Port Lavaca GTG in April. Can't afford to go to the GTG in Florida in January - too close to the trip to Arkansas.

Tahlequah, OK

2010-09-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Carole and I have moved on to Tahlequah, Ok, the Cherokee Capitol. Staying at a really nice PA park for $10 a night and we're the only ones here. All grassy sites and LEVEL.

Today we went to the Cherokee Heritage Museum and learned a lot of the Cherokee history. You can't take pictures inside the museum but we did take photos of the replica of a traditional village - as the guide said, "no teepees". The Cherokee were an agricultural society and stayed in one place. They also had some of the original buildings in Tahlequah; the school house, a church, etc.

Branson, MO

2010-09-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

Nice leisurely drive from Petit Jean State Park to Branson MO. Pretty country in the Ozark Mountains. Saturday Tina, Beth and I drove around picking up tickets for all the shows we want to go to. Sunday all of us but Tina went for the lunch and show cruise on the Branson Belle paddle wheeler. Carole went to see a Hank Williams show. Said the guy really sounded and looked like Hank. Carole is going to see Paul Revere and the Raiders today while I rest up and work on our trip home. Tonight most of us are going to see a "Neil Diamond" show. We extended our stay one day so we could do a couple of shows on Wedsneday.

Arkansas GTG Sept 2010

2010-09-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

After getting the roof leak repaired then the AC replaced at Camping World on Friday we FINALLY hit the road from New Braunfels and got as far as Lampasas (a little over 100 miles) for the night. Stayed at a nice PA park between Burnet and Lampasas. Spent the next night at another PA park in Tyler, Texas. This was a "get what you pay for" place. Good thing was they had cement pads so we were level. Bad thing was it was surrounded by big gravel and you were about three feet from your neighbor and its was HUMID!!!! Next day was a long drive (about nine hours cause we made a couple of stops) to Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. The park is beautiful and our site was gorgeous, with a great lake view. Said "Hi" to those that were already there, had a glass of wine and headed for bed. The next day Carole and went and registered then went to the car museum. They had both the cars I've always wanted: a 1955 black Thunderbird and a red 1954 MGTD. They also had a 1913 Harley motorcycle. Tuesday night we had our potluck and the gift exchange - lots of fun. Lots of Flamingo stuff was there. Belle even got her Flamingo wine glass. Today everyone is kind of doing their own thing and tomorrow is the breakfast.

My New Neighbor

2010-09-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

Sharon (Sprinter) got here Sunday and will be here for the winter. Will be so nice to have a friend as a neighbor and someone to have my afternoon glass of wine with. This park should be happy to have me as I've brought them two monthlies. I fixed dinner as a welcome home for Sharon. I'll be leaving here the 10th headed to Carole's overnight while she loads her stuff in the RV then Saturday morning we're off for Arkansas. Hopefully we'll meet up with Birdie and maybe Vicki (Yakn1) in Tyler and caravan from there.

Back in Kerrville

2010-08-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm bad about keeping this blog up when I'm not traveling. I came back to Kerrville in July and I'm done workamping forever. Its just not fun anymore. I'm at the KOA instead of Guadalupe - cheaper and much quieter. Have an open field behind me and another field to walk the dogs.

Carole and I are going to the GTG in Arkansas in September and I can hardly wait. Then a bunch of us are going on to Branson for a week. Fun, fun, fun.

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Beautiful weather here in Silver City and only 11% humidity. The nights are still in the 40's - that's why I come here in the summer. I spent part of my day cleaning five cabins, one lodge and both bathrooms. Not exactly how I would have chosen to spend it but you do what you gotta do.

Kim, my daughter in Washington state sent me a beautiful bouquet of roses. I forgot to let her know I'm currently in New Mexico so my rentor called to let me know I had received them.

I'm waiting for Mary, one of the forum ladies, to get her today. We'll have dinner and then she's off to her workamping job. At least she'll be here long enough to get her Flamingo glass.

Finally a Sunny Day

2010-05-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

The weather here has been so cold and WINDY and we actually had some snow flurries the other day. Today (and yesterday) were sunny, in the 70's and the normal New Mexico light winds. After I got off work I loaded Sophie into the car and we went for a drive. Went to the nearby cemetery to see Billy the Kid's mother's grave. The founder of Silver City is also buried there - "Killed by Indians". Then we drove to Pinos Altos and walked around a bit. Off the next two days - may take a picnic lunch and Sophie to Lake Roberts. Its nice to have a little dog who actually enjoys going in the car with me. Buddy can never get his balance in the car and Sassy jumps from the front to the back to the front, etc, etc. Drives you crazy.

Brrrrr

2010-05-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Not much going on here. The weather has been cold and very, very windy; gusts to over 50mph. The back end of my rig really rocks and rolls in the wind - good think I don't get seasick.

Was really sick for a couple of days - I think food poisoning. One of the other workampers walked my dogs. If I hadn't been so sick I would have laughed my head off. I'm used to juggling three leashes but he wasn't. The dogs completely wound him up in the leashes so he couldn't move. The dogs love when I'm sick - they like having me in bed with them ALL day except to walk and feed them. That way they right where I am all the time.

Work is going good - I'm not TOO tired when I'm done, so far. They've add two "lodges" complete with their own bathrooms and kitchens. We'll see how much more work that will add to my load.

Had lunch with a really nice gal I met on line, who lives here in Silver City. She took me to an out-of-the-way Mexican restaurant that was really great. It always takes a native to know the best places to eat.

Sophie's New Job

2010-04-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

Got pretty much set up yesterday. My awning and my Flamingos are out so I'm officially "here". Sophie has a new job - official greeter. She takes her work very seriously and is a real hit in the campground. Got the dog pen all set up so all the puppies can spend some time outside without being on a leash. Got the car washed and went to the chiropractor so am all ready to start work today. I'll probably collapse right after work - between the altitude here (6,000 ft) and sitting around all winter I imagine working will really kick my butt.

Deming New Mexico

2010-04-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Got to Deming yesterday about 4pm which was 5pm to me since I was still on Central time. When I was checking in the lady started to put me in an end site - telling me to just make a tight U-turn to pull into it. Told her I couldn't make that tight a turn and she informed me there was plenty of room. I walked to the site and sure enough, there was no way I could have gotten into it with her directions. I get so frustrated with people giving directions that apparently don't RV. She then moved me to another site. As you can see from the photos the park is pretty empty so where does she put the next person to come in?

They have one site with really nice landscaping, think its a host site. There was still once cactus in full bloom. Cactus may be kinda ugly most of the time but when they bloom, they sure make up for it. Will get to Silver City in about an hour and start setting up. Glad the drive is over.

Getting out of Texas

2010-04-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Now I remember how much I HATE to drive thru West Texas. The rest stops are never where you need them and its hours to the one you need when you're tired. I seem to forget just how boring driving thru West Texas really is!!!!!!Why oh why didn't my daughter stay in Arizona?

Sophie is a really good RV traveler and potties on command almost as fast as my two other guys.

I'm in Deming NM at the Little Vineyard RV park which is basically a parking lot altho they do have a great, heated indoor pool which I'm way to tired to use tonight.

Am worried about my car. I think I "might" have driven about 200 miles with it in "drive" instead of "neutral". Will find out tomorrow when I unhitch if I did any damage. Talked to my mechanic today and he said I "might" not have done damage. Again, that's what happens when someone is talking to you when you're doing your hitching up. All my neighbors came by as I was hooking up to say goodbye and I got distracted. Fingers crossed.

On the Road to Silver City

2010-04-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well I decided to hit the road a day early to avoid possible rain Wednesday in Kerrville. I really need to start looking at not only where I am but where the weather is coming from. I ended up driving into the weather which turned out to be only a couple of sprinkles and as usual, lots of wind. I hope that someday before I die, I get to drive 10 west WITHOUT it being windy and blowing me all over the road. I left at 9:30 am and stopped once for the dogs to potty and once to eat lunch. Got to exit 233 at 4:30 and decided to stay the night. My Verizon aircard doesn't work here but there is free wifi with great signal. Posted on the forum and now it is time for my glass of wine. I'm so lucky that all three of my dogs are good travelers. Sophie has this RVing thing down pat - she is almost as fast peeing on command, as Buddy and Sassy. Glad to be back on the road even for only a couple of days.

Port Lavaca GTG

2010-04-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

Caravaned with Birdie to Port Lavaca. Spent one night at Goliad State Park - really nice quiet park.

Birdie and I found a big enough area on the beach for all of us so we kind of spread out to hold the site until Diana (Mtngrl), Liz and Yakn1 (Vicki) arrived. Diana had to leave on Friday morning and Sprinter( Sharon) arrived Friday afternoon. Saturday morning we all moved down the beach to a spot where we were all by ourselves. We BBQ'd and had nice fire every evening. Everyone is in love with Sophie and Liz said if anything ever happened to me, she'd take Sophie. I've been doing more walking than I usually do with Birdie and Liz who are walking fools. We're able to park our rigs about 20' from the water and at night you can lay in bed and listen to the waves. Life doesn't get any better than this.

This is Spring?

2010-02-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to snow coming down. It had started raining last night then turned to snow. The poor Flamingos are wondering when I'm going to go some place warm.

Started to take all the dogs out for a quick potty. Sassy jumped right out even tho she really doesn't like getting her feet wet or cold. Buddy, as usual, came right out. Nothing slows him down. Then I turn around and see Sophie still inside the rig and NOT wanting to come outside. Great!! Now I have TWO dogs who don't like getting their little paws wet.

Meet Sophie

2010-02-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I saw two little dogs running loose by my rig, heading towards the busy highway. I went outside and called them and one came right to me, sat down in front of me and giving me "a look." The other little guy ran off and I found out later, got ran over and killed on the highway. I walked all over trying to find out where the little girl came from. Eventually called all the vets to see if they recognized her, called the pound and the humane society. Our pound is a kill shelter and the humane society has a big waiting list so long story short - I named her Sophie and introduced her to my two guys with Melissa's help. They all get along really well and they ALL sleep with me. Had my vet check her for a chip = NO and of course, she wasn't fixed. She has an appointment Wednesday to get her shots and fixed. She just sort of fit right in and loves people and other dogs. She's housebroken, good on a leash and doesn't bark. Really don't understand why no one is looking for her. She is one of the most lovable dogs I've ever met. She also has a heart on her side. Guess it was met to be.

Mississippi River

2010-01-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Finally got around to downloading the last of my pictures from my camera.

These are some pictures taken in Vidalia, LA on the Mississippi River. Finally the third time I've crossed the river I got to actually see it. The first trip was in the 70's when I was following my now exhusband to Tennessee. He was driving the Uhaul and I was following in the car. He managed to cross the river during the 5pm rush hour and there was so much traffic I was afraid to look away from the truck for fear I would lose him. The second time was on this trip when Carole and I missed the turn to the campground in Vadalia Lousiana because it was dark and we ended up crossing the river to Natchez MS and ended up spending the night in a parking lot in front of an Office Depot. Was actually a great place to stay; well lit and some grass for the dogs and we were the only ones there. On the way back I found the campground in Vidalia right on the Mississippi river and we spent the night. Had Carole take a picture of me and the dogs in front of the river so I could say "I've seen the Mississippi." Don't know what the big deal is tho, its just a wide very muddy, river. Couldn't get the song "Old Man River" out of head for days.

Florida and Back

2010-01-19T16:17:00.000-08:00

Carole and I went to Florida for a GTG with some of the gals from the RV forum. It was four nights on the road, going and coming on Hwy 84 which had no reststops or pullovers. The road was really good but thank God for old closed gas stations. We were supposed to stay in Valdalia LA but I missed the turn and ended up crossing the Mississippi river after dark and so we ended up staying in the parking lot at an Office Depot. Was well lit and very quiet and the price was right.

We had a blast with all the girls from the forum. It was the coldest Florida had seen in about forty years - one night was 17 degrees. We did have a BIG fire a couple of nights and sat outside - at least one side of you was warm. I got to give quite a few Flamingo wine glasses out this time.

Winter has Arrived

2009-12-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

Winter has finally arrived here in Texas - got into the 20's last night. Actually had ice on the INSIDE of the bedroom windows - yeah I keep it cold inside at night cause I have two heaters that sleep with me under the covers. I NEVER get cold. Traded in the Saturn for a RED Chevrolet Cobalt. Still a four-door sedan but looks sportier and is 5 years newer.

Did Thanksgiving at Melissa's and made a big pot of soup with the carcass.

Am starting to get ready for my Florida trip in January - going to Ocala to meet up with some of the ladies from the women's RVing forum. Carole is coming with me and we're meeting up with Diana (Mtngirl) in Palestine, Texas and will caravan the rest of the way.

Have decided to go back to Silver City New Mexico and work for the summer. I love the hours and the owners are really nice. Will go there right after spending a week in Port Lavaca boondocking on the beach with Beth and Sparkle. Carole hasn't decided whether or not she's coming with me yet.

I've put out a bird feeder and they're eating me out of house and home. Keep trying to get pictures of the sparrows but the minute they see movement in the RV they fly off. Did get a bunch of redwing blackbirds and a couple of beautiful Cardinals. One of the cardinals keeps perching on my neighbor's truck and talking to himself in the window. He preens and chatters - its so cute.

River Walks

2009-11-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Finally getting around to this blog since all my company has departed. Not much going on here now. Park was full for the Thanksgiving weekend - lots of kids and dogs and as usual, the rest of us will be picking up after other peoples dogs for the next few days. When I took the dogs for their morning walk down by the river, I saw a beautiful White Heron just wading along in the shallow water. Also had one of the last butterfles come through on its way south. I did get on the treadmill today for 30 minutes trying to get rid of all the turkey calories. Am starting to look forward to the January trip to Florida.

Finally home and settled

2009-10-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

Finally home and settled into a new site, #174. Much prettier and at the other end away from the ice house and their trucks.

Spent a week in Deming with Marlene. Met another lady RVer, Sherry. Loved using the nice warm indoor pool but defeated all the exercise cause the three of us kept eating out. Spent Sunday night in Van Horn and Sherry joined me. Was going to spend the next night boondocking at a reststop but when I stopped it was only around 2pm and it was HUMID and I needed AC so kept driving on to Kerrville. Got there about 4:30 and spent the night in my old site #184. Had forgotten how noisy the ice trucks were. Melissa came over Tuesday and we took the RV to get its safety inspection then moved into site #174 at the other end of the park. Much prettier site with three small Crape Myrtle trees. Everything is so green because of all the rain and its HUMID as hell.

Yesterday Nancy (Birdie) drove out from San Antonio to look at a rig for sale here in Kerrville. Nice used rig with low mileage. We had lunch at El Charro then browsed the new Tuesday morning store. She's going to bring her rig up maybe Friday and stay a couple of days. Its always nice to have company from the forum.

They finally heated the indoor pool and I've been swimming. Trying to keep the weight off that I lost while I was in Silver City.

Birds of Prey visit

2009-09-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

My time here in Silver City is coming to an end. I'll be leaving Sept 30th and going to Deming to spend a few days visiting with Marlene. Then I'm off for home. Sure hope it cools off more before I get there. Six months in one place is too long for me. I liked saving money but I've got hitch itch really bad. Am looking forward to December's trip to Gallup NM for the balloon festival.

Over the Labor Day weekend they brought in a falconer and two of his birds; an eagle and a Redtail hawk. They are such beautiful birds. I had a visit from a Roadrunner. Actually there were two of them but they're really fast and I could only get a picture of one of them. We've finally been getting some afternoon thunderstorms and rain, about a month later than normal.

Biker Mama

2009-08-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

I've been having back problems and going to the chiropractor every day (sometimes more than once) for a week. I think I've finally got it whipped and feel like I'm back among the living. Thank God I found a good old fashioned chiropractor here in Silver City - no Xrays and zillions of forms to fill out - just a good adjustment.

Finally getting around to posting a picture of me riding behind Dean into Silver City. No problems riding slowly around town however, I didn't really like being on the highway with nothing around me but air. Stopped for a beer at the "biker bar" in town. Now I can cross that off my bucket list. From the picture you sure can't tell I've lost 14 pounds. Trying to lose 20 before I go home.

Other than that not much going on around here - not many RVers coming in even over the 4th of July.

Fours Month Down - Two to Go

2009-07-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

Melissa and Dean left yesterday and I felt a little at loose ends. Was so nice to have her come visit. Two months left to go and I'll be ready to go home. Sure hope it cools off before I get there. The one thing I really, really love about New Mexico is the weather.

Got a nice surprise yesterday - a present from my other daughter, Kim - the cutest little trailer birdhouse.

I'm thinking about not workamping next summer and taking a long trip back east if Carole can come with me. Wouldn't be as much fun alone so hope it works out.

A video of my hummingbirds

2009-07-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

First time I've ever taken a video on my camera. I'm really enjoying watching the hummingbirds fight over the feeders. Talk about two inches of pure attitude - they're not afraid of anything.

A Visit from my Daughter

2009-07-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I've posted anything. Not much going on - getting warmer and I'm just working. Melissa and Dean got here Sunday afternoon for a visit. They're sightseeing while I'm working which is okay since I've been to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and the Catwalk before. Monday they went to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and today they went to the Catwalk. I'm off tomorrow and we're going into Silver City - I'm going to ride on the bike behind Dean - Yipee!!!!

A rain day

2009-06-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Not much going on here. We had a nice rain day which cooled things off a little altho its not been too hot. I'm just working and lounging - nothing exciting. The yucca is blooming. Its amazing that such an ugly plant can have such beautiful blooms. Had a beautiful sunset the other night. I really like just sitting outside under my awning and having a nightly glass of wine.

Another week in Silver City

2009-06-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

Not much to write about. I've gotten used to the physical work and am not so sore and tired when I get off work. We had a potluck yesterday for all the workampers. Good food and fun. Some of the cactus are blooming. It always amazes me that such ugly plants have such beautiful flowers. Found a folding shelf that works great in the RV. Melissa emailed me a great picture of her on her bike during a ride.

Museum at Western New Mexico University

2009-05-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday I went to the Museum at Western New Mexico University. They have a big collection of Mimbres pottery. I actually got two pictures before they told me, "NO PHOTOS." Its a wonderful collections of pottery but unfortunately it was mostly collected in the 1940's by a pot hunter so there's no documentation of where they were found. A lot of them were broken by the pot hunters digging carelessly. To this day they don't know where a lot of them were actually collected.

The weather has cooled off quite a bit and its been cloudy and we've had several rain showers come through complete with a little thunder which Sassy HATES. Its supposed to stay rainy through the Memorial Day weekend. I have mixed feelings about that. It will probably keep a lot of the kids that will be here for the weekend, inside their campers. Yooray! But it will also track mud into the restrooms so more cleaning for me. After this weekend, it should be pretty quiet until the 4th of July. I'm still pretty pooped after cleaning especially on Mondays after a busy weekend.

New Beach Towel

2009-05-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Needed a beach towel and saw this one on line and couldn't resist.

The weather here is has been great - 80' during the day and 50's at night and best of all, NO HUMIDITY. I've gotten pretty much used to the altitude but am still pooped when I get done working. I like housekeeping - you do your job and when you're done, you're done. If you're working in the office you have to hang around even if you're not busy. Not sure if I can do housekeeping next year, however, really tires me out. Lots of bending and stretching which is probably good for me but not sure if I can do it again next year.

Diane's Visit

2009-05-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Diane got here Wednesday afternoon. We had our wine and I presented her with the official Flamingo wineglass. Thursday we drove into Silver City and went through several the the little galleries and antique stores. I bought a postcard (see pic). Had lunch at "Diane's" (appropriate, huh?) - great sandwiches. We went back to the campground and went for a swim. Spent a lot of time trying to get her signature photo from Photobucket to the forum - never did get it right. We're talking about caravaning this March/April somewhere, maybe the Florida keys. She left Friday morning before I was up.

Pools Open

2009-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

They opened the pool yesterday. Not as warm as I would like but I'm a wimp. Met a nice lady, Donna, at the pool. She'd come down for the weekend. I invited her to my rig for a glass of wine and we went for Chinese. She lives in New Mexico. I gave her the website for the RVWomen as she's thinking about getting herself a class B. Her husband doesn't like to camp so it would be just for her to get away in.

I'm getting a lot of birds at my feeders. This morning I put out a cut orange for the Oriels. They haven't found it yet but I'm sure they will.

Diane will be here Wednesday for a two-day visit. She's been to the Cliff Dwellings so we'll just go to Pinos Altos for lunch. She's on her way to the East coast. I'm thinking about going back to Port Lavaca or Port Aransas again. Would like to boondock on the beach at Port Lavaca.

Spring Wildflowers

2009-05-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

The days are warming up. The pool should be open next week. The wildflower are blooming. Diane will be here next week for a couple of days.

The Birds of Silver City

2009-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging because there isn't much going on right now. The weather is sunny most days but still on the cool side. I did go to an interesting cemetary one day but my pictures didn't come out - don't know why. I've finished my first month here. At first my back was killing me - that's what I get for sitting around all Winter doing nothing. Because its still the slow season I'm only working two to two and a half hours a day but the owners, Jackie and Jim, don't seem concerned. So far I'm liking doing housekeeping rather than the office. Shorter hours and I do my cleaning and then I'm done - no hanging around an office with nothing to do.

Beth and Sparkle stopped by for one night and we all went to the Wolf Sanctuary together. They're touring all over New Mexico till Sparkle starts her job in South Dakota and Beth goes to Alaska. Wish I could have traveled with them but I have seen most of what they've been seeing now. There is so much to see in New Mexico.

I've put out a bird and a hummingbird feeder - didn't take them long to find them. The hummers are so funny - so little and so agressive. The Oriels have found the hummingbird feeder and I got some good pictures. I've even planted a tomato plant. Have lost five pounds since I've been here - Yipee!!

Wolfsong Sanctuary

2009-04-14T09:14:00.000-07:00

Beth and Jean got here yesterday and we went to the Wolfsong Sanctuary. A couple of ladies they met at City of Rocks park joined us. We met up with Dede at a parking lot and she drove us to the Sanctuary up some dirt roads and a creek bed. When you arrive you're met by several of her rescue dogs. She has several fenced areas which separate the different packs. The majority of the wolves are hybrids - rescued from people who think thought they would make good pets - NOT!!!. They are quite tame so Dede can handle them if they need vet treatment. She can tell you the often sad story behind each wolf. She takes you inside one of the enclosures and you can interact with the wolves. Its really awesome to be able to actually pet a wolf. They equate people with treats so are quite friendly. She also has quite a few rescued dogs many of which are up for adoption, some birds and horses. She's pretty isolated out there and often can't get out at all in the winter when the creek is running. When I got home my dogs went crazy sniffing me and were obviously put out that I had been "unfaithful." At the end of the day we sat around my rig and finished off a bottle of mimosas and so early to bed.

Beth and Jean are leaving Tuesday morning and going to the cliff dwellings - I have to work. They're going to Walmart it tonight and I may join them for a glass of wine if they get there early enough.

Pinos Altos, New Mexico

2009-04-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

Was off work today and the weather was pretty nice with only light wind. Pinos Alto (Big Pines) is only about 6 miles from Silver City just as you start up into the Pinos Altos Mountains. Its an old mining town settled in the early 1800's. Its not a ghost town as people still live there. I toured the old museum, bought a zia (sun) wall plaque for the RV and had coffee in the ice cream parlor. Spent about an hour talking to a retired man who had lived his entire life in the area. Got my first hummingbird this morning. Its been so windy here that Freddy the Flamingo has been spending more time inside with me than outside being a windsock. I have, over the years, planted so many California poppy seeds only to have them not even come up and here was a bunch growing in the crack of a step. I then went through the old cemetery.

New Mexico Sunset

2009-04-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day with very little wind. We had a typical New Mexico sunset. Have all my birdfeeders put out including my hummingbird feeder. Can hardly wait for Beth and Jean to get here Sunday.

All settled in

2009-04-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today was really nice, sunny and no wind. They've finished part of my fence so I have some nice privacy and can get my bird feeders put up. I've got all the chairs out and the wine is cooling for Beth and Sparkle to arrive Sunday. The owners, Jackie and Jim, are really nice and keep saying how glad they are to have me. My back is still killing me but that's what I get for sitting around all winter doing nothing. I'm still feeling the altitude but that will be okay after some time. I'm having trouble actually getting in my three hours a day since its still the slow season but Jackie and Jim are really nice about it. The flamingos are all out and they do make people stop and talk to me and they ask about my RV Women flag. I do love the hours - no early mornings.

They have a big fenced area for the dogs with some agility equipment which my dogs want NO PART of. There are so many good smells they won't even play ball. I tried - I threw the ball and I went to get the ball. After doing this several times I decided I didn't want to play ball anyway.

Old Silver City, New Mexico

2009-04-02T12:57:00.001-07:00

Today was not so windy so I drove into the old section of Silver City. Its a very artsy community with lots of art galleries. I love the way they've painted up some of the old buildings. You get the feel of a kind of left-over hippy community. The curbs are really, really high. If you fell off you could kill yourself. I was told it was to keep the shops from getting flooded when it rain. It must rain like the very devil when it does rain here. The only thing I bought was a frig magnet - you'll see why.

The Flamingos are Alive and Well

2009-03-31T17:52:00.000-07:00

The wind finally let up today and I got my rug and the Flamingos out so now I feel like home. Started working today. Really, really out of shape and the altitude gets to me. I huff and puff with very little effort. Worked about 3 hours and feel every minute of it. Took a long nap after work. Guess its better for me than sitting on my butt doing nothing.

Silver City, New Mexico

2009-03-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Got here yesterday about 4:30 Mountain time, after the drive from hell. I had really bad wind all the way from Kerrville. There were times I had to slow down to 45 mph to keep from getting blown off the road. The drive to Fort Stockton is usually about four hours and it took me almost six including a couple of stops to walk the dogs, eat lunch and take a half hour nap. I'm going to need to get some seasick pills if this wind keeps up. The dogs keep looking at me as if to say, "Stop rocking the rig."

My site here is an end site, which I like and close to one of the two pet walks. Its still so windy I'm not putting out any of my outside stuff. I only hooked up the electric and water yesterday; need to do the sewer hose today. I have three water hoses and two of them had leaks. Had a repair thingy but it was the wrong size. Grrrrrr! They're going to put up a cedar fence on the road side of the site so will have nice privacy. The only people here right now seem to be their monthlies or long termers. They're giving me a couple of days to settle in and I start on the 1st. How appropriate - April Fool's Day.

Buddy dressed up for the forum ladies

2009-03-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just couldn't resist - Buddy is really tolerant, puts up with anything. He agreed only if I would go first. Don't we look like twins? You can tell I'm bored and can't wait to hit the road again. Leave Saturday for Silver City.

In Kerrville but getting ready to leave

2009-03-23T12:14:00.001-07:00

Got back home Friday afternoon but my site was full - Spring breakers!! On Sunday finally got back to my regular site. Now to get ready to leave for Silver City on Saturday the 28th.

Had a good time at the Texas Coast and was happy to meet Birdie, Sparkle and Carole and Bill. As you can see I went crazy Flamingo shopping in Rockport. Note the glasses and headband. Presented Carole with her official Flamingo wineglass. Beth and Jean (Sparkle) are going to stop by Silver City to visit with me and go to the wolf sanctuary. Hope some of the other forum ladies will also stop by for a visit.

Port Aranas, Texas

2009-03-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well, we left Port Lavaca and went to Port Aransas. Port Lavaca is not a great beach town - lots of junky yards and houses. Good thing was we were close to the beach. Bad thing (besides the rain) was that the beach of all shells, no sand. The park we were in was kinda tacky.

Took my rig on the ferry. A first for me. Two years ago I would have said there was no way I would EVER drive my rig onto a ferry. Just goes to show; never say never.

Beth was working so Carole, Sparkle and I drove onto the beach. LOTS of Spring breakers so beach was crowded. Saw lots of Pelicans sitting around the docks. They apparently wait for the fishermen to throw scrap to them. Drove into town and saw a shrimp boat coming in so we got in line to buy fresh shrimp - $4.00 a pound. Sparkle and Carole cleaned and cooked it in butter and garlic. Yum! Nasty job tho, I DON'T CLEAN fish.

We went to the rec hall and played dime bingo then off to bed.

Another day in Port Lavaca

2009-03-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

We didn't do much yesterday. Drove into Port Lavaca and went to Walmart then had lunch. The day before Bogie, Sparkle's dog, put his head through her screen door so the job of the day was to teach Sparkle how to replace the screen. How many women does it take to replace a screen. Saw some cute mailboxes when we were driving around town. Its gotten cold, windy, and rainy so probably no more sitting outside drinking wine - we'll have to move it indoors.

Port Lavaca, TX March 2009

2009-03-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

We're now in Port Lavaca right on the Gulf coast. We met up with Nancy from the RV Womens' forum at Three Rivers and we caravaned the rest of the way to Port Lavaca. The RV park we're in leaves a lot to be desired but its a close walk to the beach. Sparkle is parked right on the beach. If I ever come back here that's where I'll park. Yesterday we all drove into old Port Lavaca; browsed a few antique shops and had lunch. Then went to an old cemetary and walked around for about an hour. Sparkle likes cemetaries like I do. Came back to the beach, got the wine and sat outside Sparkle's RV and drank wine and fed the seagulls. Dumb is standing underneath a flock of seagulls feeding them while looking up! We were lucky - no deposits. Saw a really rusty oil tanker go by really close.

Nothing Happening

2009-02-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

There's nothing going on to write about except Dan bought Melissa a new Harley Night Train for her birthday. She's one happy girl! He certainly knows how to make points. They've set a wedding date of August 1st - would have to be in the hottest month of the year in Texas. I'll take a few days off and come home for it. I miss having Joyce and Donna next door. Am getting anxious to take our trip to the Texas coast. Sparkle and Beth are going to meet us there.

My friends leave - boo hoo

2009-01-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

Well Donna and Joyce left this morning after being here a month. I'm really going to miss having them as neighbors. We did a lot of sightseeing and I saw things I've not seen since I moved here. Carole and I are going to try to visit the East coast the summer of 2010. That will give me a year to save up for the trip.

We went to the zoo Wednesday. As much as I love to see the animals up close I hate seeing them confined in such small spaces. I've been thoroughly spoiled by the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, both of which give the animals large open spaces to roam in. Now I'll start working on our March trip to the Texas coast.

The Alamo and new summer job

2009-01-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to San Antonio to see the Alamo and the Riverwalk. Joyce and Donna really loved both. I didn't take too many pictures as I've been there before. We had really nice weather. Ate at a Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk and took the boat ride around the Riverwalk.

I got my summer job at the Silver City, New Mexico KOA beginning April 1st. So glad to be going to New Mexico. Am doing housecleaning this year and am kinda glad not to be working in the office. Only have to work 5 days from 11am to about 1pm cleaning. The owners seem really nice.

Gruene, Texas

2009-01-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

We went to Oma's House for lunch in New Braunfels then to Camping World. We then went to Gruene (pronounced "Green") Texas. Its a small town that is a popular tourist and biker spot. We hit every shop in town. It was a fun day. I've never been to Gruene before so it was new to me, too. I'm sure enjoying having Joyce and Donna here - am really gonna miss them when they leave.

A Day in Fredericksburg

2009-01-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we all went to Fredericksburg. Hit every shop in town but didn't buy much except I, of course, bought fudge. Had lunch in a German restaurant and I ordered potato soup. Usually can't eat it cause its so high in carbs but with my dental work I couldn't chew much so had the excuse to eat the soup which I love. We didn't go thru the Nimitz Museum cause none of us are World War II buffs but the outside is fascinating - looks like the prow of a ship. We had a great day. I didn't even make it to midnight - fell asleep about 10pm. At midnight when the fireworks started both dogs leaped under the covers then growled at every firecracker. Would have been more impressive if they hadn't been cowering under the covers. My big, mean dogs. Today Joyce, Donna and I are going to Carole's for dinner. They've decided to stay for a month. I'm really going to miss them when they're gone.

Visiting friends

2008-12-26T18:14:00.000-08:00

Nice quiet Christmas at Melissa's. Dan cook venison and it was really, really good. First Christmas in several years with no tension.

Joyce and Donna got here from Mass on Tuesday. I love having them here. I fixed a pork roast and Carole joined us for dinner. Wednesday took them to Stonehenge and Walmart. They went to the potluck dinner at Guadalupe Xmas day and we visited in the evening. Today, Friday, after Carole and I finished Meals on Wheels, Donna, Joyce and I went to the bank. Joyce fixed dinner and then we went to the pub for a drink. Tomorrow Joyce is cooking dinner and Carole is coming over. Wish they were staying longer.

Pink Day for the GTG

2008-11-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

Today we went to see the Texas Stonehenge then drove to Fredericksburg for sightseeing and lunch. We all had lunch including a sip of beer for Belle. The guys went to the World War II Museum and the girls went shopping. We, of course, hit the fudge shops and we all bought a hot pink T-shirt that says " What happens with the sisters stays with the sisters." From then on we were really easy to find, we looked like a flock of bright pink flamingos going down the street. We found a Flamingo hat (see photo of Jill) which I refrained from buying (only because it was too much money). Think the sisters are going to put me in Flamingo rehab. I bought a doormat that says "BEWARE, dog can't hold its licker." So now people will be warned that Sassy is waiting on the sofa to clean your face as you enter my rig. I can't remember when I've had so much fun.

More on Texas GTG

2008-11-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, we're having way too much fun. What a great bunch of women (and men). Yesterday we went to the Alamo and Riverwalk. Liz brought Belle, our mascot so we have pictures of her sightseeing with us. Today we're going to see the Texas Stonehenge and then to Fredericksburg for sightseeing and lunch. I can't remember when I've had so much fun.

We also visited St Joseph's church. A beautiful old church that holds services in English, Spanish and German daily.

Texas GTG RV Women

2008-11-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

Ernie, Lori and I all arrived at Schreiner on Sundsay. Jill, Tommy, Carol and Liz arrived Monday. While Liz and Carol got settled in, the rest of us went to Bandera for lunch and then to the 11th street bar for a beer. To see more photos go to www.rvwomen.com/forum. Ernie fixed his famous chili for dinner and we all sat around a campfire telling stories and laughing and laughing. Jill and Tommy got their dogs some booties to keep the grass burrs out of their feet. Wish I had a video camera - two dogs trying not to walk on any of their feet - high stepping and kicking sideways with every step. They finally took pity and took them off. We're a really wild bunch - we were all in our rigs by 9pm. Not everyone can keep up with us.

New Blinds - Yipee!!

2008-10-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Finally got rid of those ugly blue/green day/night shades. Bought (on-line) cordless cellular shades. The key word in that sentence is "cordless". Took down the old heavy valances and threw them away. The new shades are their own valences if you leave them down about six inches. Still may put up a decorative valance - haven't decided yet.

The bedroom shade is a room darkening one and you can raise it from the bottom or lower it from the top for those times you want privacy but a little light at the top of the window. It has a cord on either side for the Up or Down. They are so much nicer than the day/night shades that came with the rig with the blasted cords that kept breaking.

Enjoying not working

2008-09-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

Not much to blog about. I'm enjoying not working. Sleeping in till 8am (if the dogs let me), having a leisurely breakfast, walking the dogs down by the river. All in all, just enjoying my retirement. Nights are finally cooling off enough to just open the windows. Pulled the day/night shades down in the bedroom (except for the one over the bed) and put up curtains. So much homier. Finished making a new sofa cover to match the dinette. Lot of work but happy its done. Still waiting for my RV guy to let me know about fixing the leaks in my two windows on the driver's side. Pulled off the valances and day/night shades in the living room. Sure opens up the space and makes it look bigger. Ordered those cellular shades for the living room that are cordless. Also ordered a blackout cellular for over the bed - one that you can raise from the top or bottom. Decided to go ahead and spend the money since I won't be getting a new awning this year cause I'm going to have to spend money on the windows.
Buddy's happy I'm done with the sofa so he can have HIS sofa back.

Sassy, as usual, stays on her bed but makes sure the pillows are just so to fit her little nest.

Home at Guadalupe Park

2008-09-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful to be back to my homebase park for the winter. The management at Schreiner Park makes the KOA's look really, really good. Typical city politics - too many chiefs and no indians. Never did figure out exactly who was my supervisor. There are lots of changes, almost daily, in management people. Almost everyone is looking for other jobs and the one's running the place have never RV'd - don't know the difference between 50amp and 30amp. The other girl in the office (a temp not an rver) was going to leave the 1st of November but when she left Friday, she left a note on the door saying she wouldn't be back, she was leaving town. Thank God my house has wheels.

My daughter's fiancee' got home from Iraq the other night. We picked him up at the airport at midnight then went to get something to eat so I didn't get to bed until almost 3am. That's the latest night I've had in years. He's been there for 7 months. He says things are actually getting much better in Iraq and the Iraqies have really stepped up their involvement in their own country.

Pow Wow in Bandera, Texas

2008-08-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

My daughter Melissa and I went to a Pow Wow in Bandera today. Friends of ours, Diane and Dennis Eagle Horse are coordinating it. They have three boys, two are twins, that dance. I met the Eagle Horses in Delores Colorado at the Ute Mountain RV Park. I was having problems getting my rig level and Dennis came over to see if he could help. He saw my plates and asked where I was from. I told him a little town in Texas called Kerrville. He started laughing and said they were from a little town called Ingram which is almost a part of Kerrville. The one photo is of TaCha, Dennis' son with my daughter. The next photo is of Dennis leading the color guard for the Grand Entry. Love the little guys that start dancing so young. It never ceases to amaze me after how the Indians have been treated, how patriotic they are. They always start their Pow Wows with the Grand Entry of the flag and an invitation to ALL veterans to join in the Grand Entry. I understand there is only one Codetalker left alive. There is a great museum in Window Rock, AZ with one entire wing devoted to the Codetalkers.

After the Pow Wow we went to the 11th Street Bar for a cold beer. This bar is world famous - a gathering place of cowboys, bikers, tourists and a whole lot of characters. Note the unique decor in the bar and the horses and bikes parked outside.

Made it Through First Week

2008-08-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

Made it through my first week working three 8-hour days. Haven't worked 8 hours for years. At least here when you're not busy, you can sit down and even read. And I'm sure not missing someone trying to buy ice cream when you're trying to check in three rigs. I love my site here and have a large grassy area surrounded with trees. So much prettier than Douglas with its gravel. Everyone laughs at my flamingos but that' the purpose of putting them out - to give a giggle to others. Only negative is the humidity is still high so except for walking the dogs, I'm pretty much staying inside in the airconditioning.

I'm taking the dogs for long walks trying to slim them back to their pre-Wyoming days (that goes for me, too.) Buddy is in 7th heaven - TREES - and he's trying to pee on every one in the park. Sassy's nose is going to fall off from the constant sniffing of all the smell - deer, squirrels, raccoons, etc.

Have been restaurant deprived in Douglas so first thing I did was go to my favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner. Now I'm back to watching my calories and walking, walking and walking. Just wish the weather would cool off - I'm so ready for winter.

Home in Kerrville at Schreiner Park

2008-08-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

Left Wellington Texas Saturday morning around 9:30a.m. Started out misty, turned drizzly, then rained, then poured the entire trip home. Was going to stay at a little RV Park/Antique Store/Hair Salon in Eden, Texas. I slowed down and looked before pulling in - way too muddy - was afraid I'd get stuck. So decided to continue to Menard, Texas. Got to Menard and decided to go on to Junction, TX. Got to Junction and decided I was only an hour from home so onward - in the rain. Got to Kerrville about 6:30 pm and the rain stopped but boy is it humid. Got to my site, hooked the electric and took the dogs for a walk and we all went to bed.

Thoughts from the trip: Texas goes on forever! Even only going halfway thru the state is bigger than some small countries. Saw some plowed fields that were really red. Saw a lot of Texas lawnmowers (goats). Why do birds along side the road ALWAYS take off across the road right in your path? Do they have a death wish? Why do people slow down when I pull halfway off the road and slow down so they can get around me? Do they want a written invitation to pass? Do they NOT have a working gas pedal? See fields of cotton plants that look like they have little puffy clouds growing on them.

Slept like a rock. Then started fixing up my site starting with leveling the RV. Felt like I was going to roll out of bed last night. Its beautiful here - big trees. Luckily got my satellite to work in spite of the trees. Couldn't do two and a half months with no TV. Took the dogs for a looooong walk. Ran a few errands, took a nap, and took the dog for another long walk in the early evening. This is such a pretty park.

Sights and Smells of Kansas

2008-08-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Another really, really big thunder and lightening storm last night. Someone is conspiring to keep me from going to sleep early. Poor Sassy - under the covers again. Panting and panting. Not the kind of storm I’m used to in Texas. There were huge flashes of light making it seem, just for a moment, like daytime. And it was one flash after another, continuous for what seemed like hours. The wind was blowing so hard it felt like the RV was going to blow over on its side and the rain was pelting the side of the rig sounding like someone throwing rocks at me. The thunder just rumbled and grumbled in long, drawn out sound not like the big cracks and crashes in Texas.

Left North Platte about 9:30 am. As you get closer to Kansas the land begins to flatten out. I pass a large field of big sunflowers with their faces turned to the sun, looking like they’re watching me go by. Fields and fields of corn with the tassels all dancing in the morning breeze.

I slow down and pull over to let a car pass and he slows down behind me. He finally gets the idea and passes me. Why did he think I was slowing down in the middle of nowhere? Somewhere in Kansas there is something really BIG going on. I have never seen so many huge oversized loads taking up their lane and half of mine going down the road.

Have the windows open to let the cool air in. Sweet smell of new mown grass - they’re mowing along side the roadway. Makes you wonder why they bother out here in the middle of nothing but it smells sweet. Kansas doesn’t believe in wide shoulders - they must be at least two feet wide. Always makes me wonder where I’d pull over if I had engine problems.

Ooooh, what is THAT smell? Dogs go to full alert and start sniffing out the window. COWS! Lots of cows. Now you understand why they grow so much corn.

Sky is starting to look grey and ominous and I see some lightening up ahead. Gratefully I’m almost at Scott City State Park where I’m going to overnight. Nice park on Scott Lake. Got a little spit of rain while I’m hooking up then it clears a little. The couple above was taking their daily walk around the park, holding hands. I just couldn't resist taking their picture - so sweet. Took the dogs for a walk down by the lake and they both go wading. We walk all around the park and both dogs head for the bed for a nap when we get back. Me, too.

Heading Home

2008-08-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, left Douglas yesterday morning at 8:15. Had seen three groups of geese flying south so I figured they knew something I didn't so it was time for me to do the same. So anxious to leave almost drove off with my electric still plugged in. Great drive, no wind. Was only going to drive a couple of hundred miles. Well I got to Chadron at 11:30. Way too early to stop so onwards. The road kept going on and on and on and on. Finally found a place to pull over for a sandwich in some little town (never did see the name). Hit the road again. And drove and drove. Same complaint I had on the way up - apparently Nebraska sees no need for ANY pullovers. This time I was careful not to drink a lot of liquid while driving. After six and a half hours made Valentine, the Wacky West RV Park. If you remember it from my trip to Douglas, its the one with the cattle auction behind it. Winter was okay. Summer is a tad smelly and there seem to be a few flies around, Duh! I'm back on Central Time so my clock has caught up with my TV. Going to watch NCIS if I can stay awake long enough. Got caught in a "vehicle" check in some town just inside Nebraska. The officer asked for my registration - all I could find was my insurance card. Finally he asked me if the sticker on my window was my registration. Yeppers. No one has EVER asked me for it before. He asked me to honk the horn and turn on my windshield wipers which I did along with the sprayer so he got a little wet. Sassy had her head out the window during the entire encounter trying to lick him - he kept stepping back. Don't understand why. He finally waved us on with a look of relief on his face. I'm sure he's thinking, "My God and she's driving a 30' RV and towing".

So much for going to bed early. We had quite a thunder and lightening storm. Sassy is really afraid of them and wants under the covers where she pants so hard it shakes the whole bed. Believe me, you're not going to sleep until the storm passes.

Some glimpses of Nebraska: Rolling green hills. Some tinged with yellow from all the little sunflowers everywhere especially along side the roads. Small group of cows raise their heads and point their faces towards me watching me go by. A group of about six horses up to their bellies in sunflowers in the middle of a field. Lots and lots of small ponds reflecting the clouds with groups of ducks swimming placidly along. Don't see any ranch houses; only the gates over the driveway with signs telling you the name of the ranch. Miles of sandhills covered with grass. Never would of thought of Nebraska and sandhills in the same sentence.

Stopped in North Platte early - only drove about 3 hours. Wanted to go Christmas shopping at the Harley Davidson store next to the RV park in North Platte. Also, ordered a Domino's pizze for lunch. They deliver to the park and I haven't had one since I left Kerrville. Can anyone say "withdrawal symptoms?"

Sassy snoozing on the sofa, Buddy snoozing on the bed, making up for loss of sleep last night. Gonna go join them.

Ready to Head Out

2008-08-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

My last day to work here in Douglas is August 11th and I'll probably head out the next day. Have been putting stuff away and getting the "Lab"oratory ready to leave. Someone on the women's forum named my rig: she's Gertrude the "Lab"oratory. I'm sure I'll be complaining about the humidity at home but I'm tired of Wyoming. Haven't even used the pool here - too windy and too many kids, mostly from the mobile home park attached to this KOA.

I've finished painting. The good thing about being in Douglas for 3 and 1/2 months with not much to do is that I finally painted my cabinets. Been talking about doing it for a long time but never got around to it.

Will be working at Schreiner Park in Kerrville until after the women's forum GTG in November then will move to Guadalupe RV park for a rest and plan my next adventure. Am thinking about going to Florida with Carole in Jan or Feb then caravan (maybe) with Beth from the forum to Albaquerque in April for the GS Rally. Am looking into camp hosting in the mountain of New Mexico in May/June? Who knows?

Rubber Knees

2008-07-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, this morning I put the bike on the car's bike rack and drove down to the little park by the river. They have a paved bike path that run for miles along side the river and its pretty level. I went for about a 2 mile ride - 1 miles out and 1 mile back to car. That' the most exercise I've gotten since I got to Douglas. Can't ride around the park as its not very level and there's lots of pea gravel. There were some kind white flowers blooming by the river and they really perfumed the air. Have to say by the time I got home the knees felt like rubber and I needed an ice cold tea and a nap.

It has been warm enough to go in the pool but every time I go there are a hundred screaming, splashing kids and the pool isn't all that big.

I'm beginning to look forward to leaving. I've seen the three tourist things they have here and I have to say the most exciting was when Patty and I got off onto that back country "road". I'm just waiting for the weather to hopefully cool down in Kerrville.

Patty's Visit

2008-07-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to the Railroad Museum and the Pioneer Museum; back to the RV to walk the dogs then on to Ayers Natural Bridge. One picture is Patty in front of the original RV - a pioneer wagon. The other photo is the ceiling and lights in an old railroad car - pretty fancy.

Today we started out for Fort Fetterman. Golly Garmin told us to turn left but I knew better and turned right. It recalculated and I turned onto I-25 instead of continuing on for about a block to turn onto the correct road. So, now we're on I-25 and we turn off at the exit it tells us to and onto a dirt road. Not so bad. We kept driving and the road kept getting more narrow. Now there are big ruts in the now one-lane road and I'm having to drive way over to avoid high-centering poor Sally Saturn. We stop to take a picture of a herd of antelope that appear to never have seen humans before as they're all staring at us. We keep going. Now you can barely see the road; the ruts are deeper and the grass is getting higher and higher. Doesn't appear to have been any traffic on this "road" for a looooong time. Golly Garmin tells us to continue on the "road" (no name - just road). Okay, now we can see a highway way off to our right but can we get there or is the road going to end or will we come to a fence with a locked gate. At this point I'm ready to cut the fence down. Not sure how far we actually travelled on this road but we finally came to two-lane dirt road that takes us to Highway 59 - the highway we would have been on if I had continued one block further than where we turned onto Hwy 25. Now Patty can't say I don't show her a good time and a lot of scenery.

Afternoon Storms

2008-06-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

The days have finally turned sunny and warm. The wind is still blowing and every afternoon it clouds up and we get a thunderstorm. Sometimes with rain and sometimes with only the lightening in the sky. I did manage to get some great pictures of the sky. Its so weird that if you look out one side of the RV you see some blue sky and sun then look out the other side and see rain, wind and hail. I thought Texas weather was strange but I think Wyoming has it beat.

I got a camp host job at Schreiner Park in Kerrville for September and October. Am beginning to look forward to going home. There's just not much to do here so I am still painting my cupboards in the RV.

Lost Springs - Population One

2008-06-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

Took off this morning to go to Lost Springs, population one. Never realized how much coal Wyoming produces. There are a lot of coal trains that seem to go on forever.

Got to Lost Springs after about a 45 minute drive through no scenery whatsoever. The Post Office/Antique store was open but the bar was closed. Asked if she might open today and the man at the store said he doubted it. Asked him if there was a cemetary and he directed me about eight miles down Big Muddy Road (yes, that's the actual name) which was a gravel road. After about five miles I turned down a dirt road out in the middle of no where with not even a house around. I finally gave up and turned around without ever finding the cemetary. I was afraid it might rain since there was a really big black cloud moving towards me and I don't think my poor Saturn would handle a muddy, dirt road.

Surprise Visit

2008-06-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

Was working at the registration desk yesterday when this little lady walks up with her husband and says, "Hi, I'm Carold". Was one of the gals from the Women's RVing Forum. They had come for the night to visit with me. Great fun!!! Carol came over with her glass of wine after they got their rig settled into their site. We yakked and yakked. She checked out my rig and I walked over and checked out her's. I loved her colors of taupes and browns and especially their new vinyl flooring that looks like wood. She loved my big bedroom. They left this morning and the weather was sunny and only slightly windy so I decided to drive to Esterbrook. Fixed a sandwich and packed it and a beer in ice and took off. Got about 17 miles up the road and it was closed from the flooding. Turned around and decided to go to Ayres Natural Bridge. Beautiful spot you would never suspect. You drive down a rather narrow road into a little valley and there it is surrounded by huge red rocks and lots of trees. Its one of the few natural bridges in the world that have water actually flowing under it. It used to be a safe haven for whites from the Indians because the story says an Indian brave was killed by lightening there so they thought there was an evil spirit residing under the bridge. If the whites could make it to the bridge they were safe. As usual when there are red rocks involved I took way too many pictures. Ate my lunch there then drove back to the RV for my afternoon nap.

Cupboards and Western Days

2008-05-28T18:34:00.000-07:00

Love my painted cabinets. Was going to replace all the tacky gold handles but there are 33 handles in this rig. I think that's more than than in my house. Its going to take me a looooong time to do the whole RV but I'll get it done little by little.

The owners took the entire crew to an old west photography studio and had this photo taken of all of us. Told them I was much more the Calamity Jane type than the floosy type.

Sun finally came out today but the wind just keeps blowing and blowing and blowing.

Feeling Housebound!

2008-05-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

I keep harping on the weather but that is all there is to write about. We've had one thunderstorm after another and rain and more rain. I'm starting to get bored cause I can't get out and do anything. The dogs don't seem to mind - they just stay on the bed. Soooooo, I'm doing what I usually do when I get bored - paint. I've always disliked the orangey color of all the wood in my rig so started painting the bathroom sink cupboard a nice taupe. Was always hesitant to paint because of "resale" but finally decided this is my home and I'll do what I like! I really like the color so will do a little at a time until the orange is gone. May take all summer but there's not much else to do around here. I got my application from Kerrville Schreiner park and mailed it back the same day. Staying there a couple of months will save me more money. My reservation for Guadalupe isn't until November 1st.

Enough already!

2008-05-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Another workamper and I drove to Walmart in Casper yesterday. On the way home I didn't activate my Golly Garmin and Janelle and I got to yakking and I missed the turnoff to the KOA. Ended up going about 7 miles out of our way. Talk about becoming dependent on technology!

Today the wind is blowing so hard the poor sparrows are having trouble flying. I'm beginning to understand why people get irritable in constant wind. I finally went outside and took down my windchimes - they were driving me crazy. A gentle tinkling is a whole lot different than a continuous, loud jangling. The wind is so strong my whole rig rocks.

I'm waiting for an email application to workamp at Kerrville Schreiner Park back home for September and October. Might even stay longer if I like it. I want to try a park rather than a commercial campground. I've been told that even tho they usually want more hours, the work is a lot easier. Found out this KOA stays open until 10pm some nights and I'm scheduled to work 4pm to 10pm a few times. The problem is that I'm usually in bed by 9pm. I can't imagine any RVers driving that late at night. I'd rather do the opening shift even tho they're going to start opening at 7am pretty soon. Never seen a campground that opens so early or stays open so late.

We're only a week and a half away from June and Spring still hasn't sprung here.

Ahhh Heaven - Navajo Tacos

2008-05-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

My next door neighbors are a Navajo couple (Gloria and Henry) from Farmington, New Mexico. They're up here working at one of the mines. I had mentioned to Gloria one day my love of Indian fry bread. For those of you unfortunate enough not to ever have tasted one, its kind of a thick, puffy fried tortilla. Absolutely no redeeming nutritional value but wonderful! I got off work last night and Gloria knocked on my door with a hot, homemade, Indian taco (home cooked beans, meat, lettace, tomatos, cheese on a warm fry bread). I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The sun is FINALLY out here and yesterday was in the 70's. The pool is open and warm so I may go swimming today after I get off work around noon. They do keep the pool warm - now if they could only turn off the wind that hits your wet body as you get out of that nice warm pool I'd be a happy camper. I will NOT be posting photos of me in a swim suit!!

Drove to Bill, Wyoming

2008-05-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

The sun finally came out but the wind is still blowing. I decided to drive to the Pioneer Cemetary then on to Bill, Wyoming. Why Bill? Because if seemed to be the nearest town to where I was on Highway 59. I'm beginning to understand why people refer to all this wide open space as Big Sky country. If your trip odemeter wasn't turning regularly you'd swear you weren't moving at all. The scenery (?) is the same for mile after mile. The cemetary was interesting but rather sparsely populated with headstones. From the depressions in the ground I suspect there are a lot more people than headstones. It always strikes me in these old cemetaries how young people died and how many young children are buried there. Except for dandelions I haven't seen any wild flowers blooming out here but at the cemetary, there were large patches of tiny purple iris' growing around the headstones. The most interesting part of the cemetary were the wrought iron fences around some of the plots.

Left the cemetary and drove 35 miles on to Bill, Wyoming. Didn't blink so I actually found Bill which consists of an old store, a bar and a brand new motel and "Peggy's Diner". The picture of the snow shovel and "no spitting" sign is as you leave Peggy's. Ordered coffee and asked the waitress why there was a brand new motel and diner out in the middle of absolutely no where. Its for the railroaders around there. Did I mention that you see more trains on the drive to Bill than you do vehicles? And why is it that only one out of three oil wells are pumping? If one is pumping there must still be oil so why are the other two shut down?

Enjoy the pictures and leave me some comments if anyone is actually reading my ramblings.

Where the Hell is Spring?

2008-05-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

The weather has been like this for it seems like forever. The wind is blowing and its chilly. Even the dogs don't want to stay outside for very long. Yesterday started out kind of sunny but by the time I'd taken a shower and gotten dressed it had gotten really cloudy and we had a little rain storm go through. So ended up reading and napping and just being lazy all day. They are starting to fill up the pool so maybe they know something I don't. I'm told they keep it really warm which suits me fine. Apparently the wind never stops blowing here. And I thought Texas was always windy. Since there's nothing exciting going on here I'll probably wait to post until the weather gets better and I actually do some sightseeing.

Douglas Museum

2008-05-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

The sun finally came out this morning so I drove into Douglas. Walked around the downtown area (what there is of it) and took a picture of the Official Jackalope statue in the town square. Bought a pastry at a bakery and drove on to the Pioneer Museum. For such a small town the museum was really good. Had lots of pioneer stuff and quite a collection of Indian things. Left there and drove thru the cemetary - not very old so not very interesting. Got back to the RV by noon and it started clouding up again. We might even get more snow - better snow than humidity. Notice the waist size on those old dresses!!! My pictures don't do justice to the beadwork on the Indian things. The horse heads and Buffalo Bill were from a competition a few years ago at the Wyoming State Fair.

Jackalope Sighting

2008-05-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

Douglas is famous for its Jackalopes. They were first sighted here but are very elusive. I THINK I saw one this morning but it was still pretty dark and they move really fast.

I have the next four days off - need to grocery shop and do laundry. If the weather stays nice I want to go to Lost Spring, populations one. There is also a fort near Lost Springs and they're about 35 miles from here. Don't want to do all my sightseeing in my first week.

Small Towns

2008-05-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

Most of the snow is gone and I actually got to sit outside today and enjoy some sunshine. I work today from 2:30 to 8:30pm. I'm having trouble adjusting to working early and late. Also seems like I've forgotten everything I learned in Las Cruces. Hope it all comes back to me.

The picture is of a sign I saw shortly after crossing into Wyoming. According to the internet there are actually 3 people living there - one woman who runs the bar and two men who run the store - all single. On my day off I'm going to drive in and have a beer at the bar. The really funny thing is one of the men is a registered sex offender from 1986. What is our society coming to when a town of 3 has 1 sex offender.

Where the Hell is Spring?

2008-05-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Wind blowing all day yesterday and all last night. The rig was really rocking and rolling. Made it difficult to sleep - thought I was going to be thrown out of bed. My water line froze - my fault - should have disconnected it last night. Right now it and the filter are in the shower thawing out. Started to take Sassy out around 4am, thought I had the leash clipped on but when I opened the door, out she went followed by Buddy. Put on boots and grabbed the leashes. Slipped and landed on my butt in the snow Brrrrr! Caught Buddy and took him back to the rig to get flashlight so I could find Sassy. Had left the door open so Sassy was already inside. She does NOT like cold/wet weather. We all climbed into bed under the covers. Today was my first work day and it went pretty well. Not much business cause of the blowing snow. The computer is coming back to me, slowly. Worked from 7:30 to 10:30 am. They closed the office in the slower months till 1:30 pm. The snow is really powdery and is blowing and drifting as you can see by the drift right outside my door. Its funny - the dogs jump over rather than walk thru the drift. Understand its in the 80's back in Kerrville. Don't think I would change cause I know the humidity is probably getting higher and higher. Except for having to walk the dogs, this cold weather is kind of nice. You just snuggle down with the dogs and a book.

Casper, Wyoming

2008-04-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Decided to drive into Casper today, about 45 miles away. Its really brown, rolling hills but there are some mountains off to the side that still had snow on them. We might get snow tomorrow altho its 70 degrees right now. I think I'm falling in love with my Golly Garmin. It took me right to the RV store and then to a shopping mall without me having to even look at a map. Gives me plenty of warning when I'm going to have to turn and which way so I don't have to wonder if I'm in the proper lane. Construction, however, does confuse it. Yesterday in Douglas it was directing me to what turned out to be a closed down bridge. I made a U-turn and it kept "recalculating" and trying to make me turn around and go back to the bridge. I finally got far enough away that it "recalculated" a different route. At least it gives me something to yell at - keeps me from getting bored.

I've put out my RVing Women flag and my welcome bear. Will probably move down a couple of sites when the people leave. Has a tree and more room so I can park my car in front instead of in the site.

Finally I'm in Douglas

2008-04-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Left Chadron by 10am. Was a pretty easy drive - no wind! Drove thru a hilly section of Nebraska. Was pretty - really rolling hills with cliffs rising up in areas. Actually drove by a herd of buffalo. Actually stopped in the road to take picture - no traffic at all. There was an area with lots of fallen trees. Couldn't tell why, didn't look like a fire. Finally crossed into Wyoming. The difference between Nebraska and Wyoming? Roads are a lot rougher and don't have shoulders and its browner. Started flattening out as I approached Douglas. There is a small mountain range off in the distance. Everyone I've met at the park so far are really nice. Will be working three days and off four. Sites are kinda small but that's typical of KOA's.

Wind, wind, wind!!!!!!!!

2008-04-27T13:51:00.001-07:00

Left Valentine at 11am. Waited until I was absolutely sure the roads and bridges wouldn't be icy. Only had 138 mile drive but it seemed like it took forever even tho I arrived an hour earlier because I crossed into Mountain time. There was a constant wind with BIG gusts the entire drive. I kept having to slow down to keep from being blown either off the road or into the oncoming traffic lane. Maybe if I open both windows the wind will blow through and not hit the big solid wall of my RV. I'm more tired than after a much longer drive with no wind. Weather report says the wind is supposed to die down tomorrow - sure hope they're right.

The drive was a lot more hilly than I thought it would be. As you can see from the picture there was a several mile long section of the road that was red. Highway 20 is as lonesome as Hwy 83 - my kind of driving. Funny little towns with populations of 13, 68, 99, etc. There was one town of 117 people that had big storage units for rent. I guess no matter where we are, we have to have our stuff.

Very Loud Alarm Whistle

2008-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm sitting here rocking and rolling in the RV from the wind. Its a good thing I don't get seasick. Then this really loud alarm goes off. My weather radio has said nothing about tornadoes or anything but I call the office to be sure. After they stop laughing they tell me that was the noon whistle that goes off every Saturday at noon. I correct the time on my clock and my heart slows down. Wish the weather was better cause the one thing this park has is a paved 5' wide, trail that apparently goes on for miles. Would be wonderful to ride my bike. Its way too cold and windy to ride and besides the bike has a million bungee cords holding it to my ladder. Am attaching a photo of the Wacky West RV park I'm in. Pretty barren and muddy right now but the sites, or at least the one I'm in, are level. After a couple of days you don't really notice the smell from the cattle auction behind the park. They charge $24 plus $2.?? for electric and plus tax which means about $27 a night. Have never run across the added electric fee before and the rate seems kind of high BUT it sure beats driving in the bad weather. Sure wouldn't stay here in hot weather - bet the flies from the cattle are horrible let alone the smell in the heat. The weather is supposed to get warmer and less windy tomorrow so will head for Chadron, NE my last stop before Douglas.

Snow!!!

2008-04-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning to about an inch of some kind of white stuff on the ground. Will hunker down until it all goes away. I'm warm and cozy inside and have some good movies with me and a good book. My kind of day. Weather report says it will be warm and sunny Sunday so that's probably when I'll leave. The park kind of filled up last night with people trying to get out of the weather, I guess. The people next to me just pulled out. Wouldn't catch me driving in this stuff. Don't want to do a Sparkle! The dogs aren't too sure about the snow. Sassy hates to get her feet wet but the snow confuses her. Threw a snowball for Buddy and he tried to grab it then gave me a dirty look that there wasn't anything to grab and it was cold. They're both curled up on the bed. Think I'll join them.

Looking at the Past

2008-04-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Left North Platte, NE about 9am. It was sunny with some clouds and no wind. Drove through the sandhills area - really fascinating. Need to see where all the sandhills came from. Would go miles and miles without seeing another car or house. My imagination started seeing a small Indian hunting party riding over the crest of the far hill, riding towards the small group of teepees nestled in the trees near the little stream. Then reality snapped me back to the real world. The wind had kicked up, it was beginning to mist and then I hit fog. Thankfully I was only about 8 miles from Valentine where I was planning on staying at the Valentine Motel/RV park. I stopped for gas ($3.57) out in the middle of nowhere. While there I telephoned the motel and finally got through only to find out they had a fire and weren't open. They told me about the Wacky West Passport American park across the street. As you can see from the pictures, its no resort but the sites are level. There is a cattle auction directly behind the park and you can hear the loudspeaker quite well. The dogs LOVE the aroma - I'm keeping the windows shut. Right now it 44 degrees outside and they're saying we might get snow/rain tonight. I plan on staying here till the sun shines which might not be until Sunday. Well, gonna go take a nap with the dogs.

Stormy Weather

2008-04-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

I'm still in North Platte, Nebraska. Loafed around, read, napped all day. It was cloudy most of the day then a thunderstorm rolled in around six o'clock. If that's the best Nebraska can do for a thunderstorm, Texas has them beat. Tomorrow I'm going to head out in the morning probably to Valentine, Nebraska. The weather is kind of iffy going north so am not sure when I'll actually head to Douglas. Am posting a silly picture of Kaitlyn she left on my camera before I left. Cute isn't she?

North Platte, Nebraska

2008-04-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

Took quite a bit of maneuvering but finally managed to get out of the RV park in Scott City. Had to break off some branches on the big bushes on the driver's side (Note to self: Get trimmer to take with) and barely missed the telephone pole on the passenger side as the back end of my rig swung wide as I turned out of the site. Never did hook up to water or sewer since by the time I got far enough into the site to get the Saturn almost off the driveway, the hookups were by the car NOT the RV. Stopped to get gas out in the middle of nowhere (Rexford, KS) and paid $3.57 a gallon. Walked the dogs and forgot to go to the bathroom. BIG MISTAKE!! I thought Kansas was bare of reststops but Nebraska is even worse. Finally found a wide enough spot in the road to pull over and pee. Kind of pretty country - pretty brown except for the quilt-like patches where they irrigate. More cows. The dogs love the great smells - I keep closing the window. Nebraska is more undulating than Kansas - the roads go up and down and up and down these rolling hills. I would go miles without seeing another car or even semi. Am learning to LOVE my Garmin GPS. It shows me every turn in the road and tells me ahead of time where to turn and which way so no guessing which lane I need to be in going thru towns. Got to North Platte, Nebraska about 2:30 pm and into a really nice RV park. I have an end side with a nice grassy yard for the dogs. Think I'll settle in for a few days and make sure the weather is good before heading to Douglas. Will proably try to make it all the way to Douglas from here. Walked over to a nice restaurant and treated myself to a great prime rib. Now I know why they raise all these cows. Have fast internet and TV so I'm in heaven.

Don't People Pee In Kansas?

2008-04-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

No pictures today - there is nothing to take a picture of between Texas and Scott City, Kansas except cows or cows or cows. This means that so far, Kansas has a distinct aroma. Checked into a little family owned park in Scott City. Grass/dirt sites that are far from level and pretty small. Not sure if I'm going to get out in the morning. Did not see one reststop or pullover between Texas and here which is about 275 miles. You're in big trouble if you need to pee while driving thru Kansas. Sure was glad to see a gas station and so were the dogs. Thank God for small towns with closed businesses, usually gas stations, that you can pull into. I paid $3.45 for gas in Ballinger, Texas. It was "only" $3.39 in Wellington, Texas and $3.56 in Sublett, Kansas. The other thing Kansas lacks is passing lanes but it does have its fair share of semis all of which want by me as I'm tooling along at 50 or 55mph. Again, had wind almost the entire trip. The weather has been great - sun all the way and so far, not too cold at night. Was thinking about staying two nights and resting up before heading out again but I think I will move on tomorrow. The owners here have a big dog that is tied up and he starts barking the minute we step outside which sets my dogs off. Am going to make it a short day tomorrow, tho.

On the Road - Headed North

2008-04-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

Left Kerrville about 9:15 am. I think even the dogs are happy to get back on the road. Had a side wind all 374 miles of the trip. The only thing that changed was the side it was hitting me on. This is my first trip using my Garmin GPS. I love that it tells me which lane to stay in when going thru a town or when one freeway veers off from another. Also tells me what time I'll arrive at my destination . Still won't completely trust it in town but on the highway, its great. Drove US 83 the entire trip so far except for about 50 miles on I-10. You can see from the photo there isn't much to see. I would go miles and miles without seeing anyone else. Its a great road - don't know why more people don't use it. Stopped in Painted Rock, Texas to take a picture of their great courthouse and the closed business right across the street. The last photo is at the Wellington City Park. They have three full hookups and its free. I'm going to eat and go to bed. I drove about 7 hours and I'm pooped.

Getting Ready to Leave

2008-04-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Starting to pack things up getting ready to leave Sunday. I'm watching the weather closely especially after Sparkle's spinout. I should be okay thru Kansas and if I see the weather getting icy or snowy in Nebraska, I'll stay at the campground in Oakley, Kansas for a few days.

I've really enjoyed living in an RV park - No yard to take care of, no barking dogs all night, plenty of room to walk the dogs and ride my bike. The dogs (and me, too) are actually getting more exercise than when I was in the house. Haven't used the indoor pool as much as I thought I would but have enjoyed it the few times I have. The park is really emptying out - all the winter Texans going home. I'm not the only one who gets the hell out of Texas in the summer.

Finally Fulltiming

2008-04-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Finally did it. Rented the house for a year and moved into the rig. Am currently at Guadalupe RV park here in Kerrville until I leave for Douglas Wyoming. Have to say I'm really enjoying the easy lifestyle of living in a park - no yard and minimal cleaning. I'm walking the dogs down to the river every morning, riding my bike and swimming in the indoor, heated pool. Tough life, huh? Had an ant problem - called the office and they came and sprayed. So far, its cheaper than living in my house.

Almost Over

2007-12-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Well, my time in Las Cruces is almost over. I'll be leaving December 16th so I can go through El Paso on Sunday, as usual. Its been really fun and I've made some new friends. I'm coming back in January to meet Martha for the Mesilla Valley Balloon Festival. Hoped Melissa would come with me but she can't. My work schedule this week has been pretty hectic - no days off together but Leah has been having to work around all the workampers that are here right now - one solo woman and four couples with, I think, another couple arriving soon. Right now its still pretty slow and we're tripping all over each other.

Diane Visits

2007-11-28T16:20:00.000-08:00

Diane came in Friday for three days - too bad the weather turned cold so no sitting outside and drinking wine. We all, including Martha, sat INSIDE and drank wine. Saturday Diane and I worked on the computer for several hours. Sunday we went to Old Mesilla and wandered around for a bit. We decided we're all three going to the RVing Women get-together in Quartzsite in January. Fun, fun, fun.

Very Large Array

2007-11-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

Martha and I drove to Socorro and had lunch at a great Mexican restaurant then drove to the Very Large Array. Went through an interesting little town called Magdelena. Theh array was interesting - you don't realize how big they really are until you stand next to one. We didn't get back to Las Cruces until after dark - long day but fun. Diane gets here Friday for a three day visit. I'm fixing Thanksgiving dinner for Martha and I - she's supplying dessert.

Mexico and a Renaissance Faire

2007-11-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Martha and I drove thru Deming to Palomas Mexico. We shopped a little and had lunch at the Pink Store. I smuggled three avacados back into the US - beautiful avacados not the puny ones you buy in the stores here. We stopped on the way back at the Minbres Museum. Today we went to a Renaissance Faire - lots of leftover hippies playing dress-up. Some really elaborate costumes and lots of vendors. I bought three Indian flute CD's, like I need some more. Tomorrow is laundry day and laze around the RV.

Roadrunner

2007-10-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

Finally got a photo of the roadrunner that hangs around the RV - might be the birdseed I put out. Have lots of little birds and small doves, too. Its really hard to get a picture of a roadrunner, they don't stay still for long and they move really fast. The weather is cooling off and we had our first night in the 30's Monday night. Love it. So sad to see California burning. Unless you've lived with the threat of fires, its hard to understand the fear. Well, off to work.

Getting Cooler

2007-10-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

Not much going on, just work a little and loaf around. Tonight is supposed to be our first night in the 30's - love the cool/cold nights. Martha and I went for Japanese food Friday and then on Saturday went to the farmer's market. Lots of crafts and locally grown food. Talked to Carole yesterday and she told me some raccoons have apparently gotten into my utility room and helped themselves to some cat food. Would like to see them squeezing their fat little bodies thru that little cat door. Had another potluck a few days ago, I'm going to get fat if we keep doing having them. Well, off to work.

Pow Wow

2007-10-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

Went to a Pow Wow at New Mexico State University with Martha, a solo rver from Iowa. Weather was great and I managed NOT to buy anything except for frybread. We didn't stay too long but had fun.