Another adventure

except this time the scenery is not so spectacular.  We are parked in a dealership/service parking lot in Nacogdoches (there will be a spelling test for that one later) Texas.  They have diagnosed the lack of heat and hot water problem in our diesel unit, and have received the part, but they are swamped with service business.  So we patiently await our turn.  Now what is there to do in Nacogdoches you might ask.  I might ask the same question.  So we stay warm with the heat pump on the dealers electricity – very nice of him – and catch up on stuff.  I will have my expected grandchild's baby blanket nearer done, have a few more scrabble games on my Kindle played, and maybe finish reading Mark Twain’s Autobiography.  It was just published on the occasion of the 100 years since his death as per his instructions.  It is very interesting. 

We had dreams of being out of here tonight, but it doesn’t appear to be happening.  From here we go to Livingston Tex, where we had planned on arriving about Dec 5.  That plan was altered when the rack and pinion went out on the Jeep – our tow car – in Hot Springs Arkansas.  That slowed us down for about a week, but a very satisfactory job done there by a mechanic recommended by the State park ranger.  We stayed in Lake Ouachita State park and it was a beautiful place to be stuck. 

We do have a premium parking spot in the dealers lot though, room for our car and a view of the woods on the other side of a barb wire fence.  Boy it will be nice to be able to take a hot shower again. 

Yes there are hot springs in Hot Springs Ar. However they have all been captured and commercialized in old buildings similar to Atlantic City genre.  It is an old town (at least the historical area), well kept but wanting for visitors.   They are pricey, and cost more if you want the whirlpool circulator turned on.  So we passed.   The whole area has been hard hit in the recession, lots of businesses closed.  I learned, too late, that a classmate – Ed Manor – lives in Jasper Ark, which is in the middle of hillbilly country for sure, but a beautiful area, and we drove right through it.  Wish I had known in time. 

So we are about 50 miles from our goal for this whole trip.  We will make it there by Christmas surely, and then who know.  David is getting homesick, but I think a hot shower will help. 

Till next time.   Okay – spell the town in Texas which is home to the dealership of the now defunct Country Coach RV,  I understand they may make a come back.  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .  Very good.  you didn’t cheat did you????????

HEE HAW ARKANSAS

 

From Hannibal, we headed south to Branson.  We stayed 3 weeks in the Escapee Park in Hollister, just over the bridge from Branson.  Branson is the Bible Belt’s answer to Las Vegas.  Probably well over 100 shows in town, all family oriented, with a little Gospel and always a tribute to the Veterans.  There may be a few bars in town, but you would have to look real hard to find them.  Eateries offer beer or maybe wine, but they don’t remind you of it.  The first offering is sweet tea.  Bus loads of old folks come there, to attend shows and eat.  Every where you look someone has a deal for you, cheap show tickets, but there is always small print.  Listen to our presentation, look at our condos or lots, or special travel deals.  We checked around and found the least offensive and least time consuming “deal” and agreed to a sales pitch at a real estate development south of Hollister.  1 hour max!!!!!  And for that we got tickets to 4 shows for $59 instead of $180, plus a few extra things added in. 

So we went.  The real estate development was beautiful, and the area growing with lots of money in evidence.  The salesman was from Colorado, the company history checked out, and the long and short of it: we bit.  It appears as if our business building in Golden will sell in the next few months, so a reinvestment makes sense.  Branson and the Ozarks are beautiful, and perfect for retired rich people who want a new first or second home.  We shall see how it plays out.

Who’s law is it that says if it can go wrong, it will????  I actually prefer to think of it as lessons to be learned will be learned.  Soon as we signed on the dotted line for the property, the Jeep started rebelling.  We towed it behind the coach on a winding beautiful drive on Sunday.  Upon unhitching, there was no power in the power steering.  The ranger gave us a good reference, and the Jeep made it there, but no further.  No of course nothing simple as the power steering fluid, the whole rack and pinion shot.  Not sure what that is, but I sure see the results.  So we rented a car from the nearby airport, and came home to the coach, parked in the Ouachita State park and a beautiful sunset, gorgeous lake front setting, and no hot water.  So David has worked the last 2 days figuring it out, to conclude the fuel pump on the furnace/hot water heater was faulty.  We learned how efficient and effective the heat pumps are.  What a relief,!!!!!!!!!!! as it is cold here, at night especially.  We were able to buy a new fuel pump today at an auto parts store (3 tries) and he will install it tomorrow.  So we are still learning, spending and supporting the economy.  Hot Springs looks to be a nice place, one of everything you could want, but the state park is spectacular.  We will be here till Fri, if all goes well, then head out to Texarkana Texas, or just beyond, to a “pickin park”, listed as a music park, pickers welcome.  Looking forward to seeing just what that means, and what it looks like.  We are gradually getting to warmer clime, and are fortunately warm and cozy here.  We  are about a week behind our plan, but who needs a plan.

The Arkansas park we are in is just south of Booger Holler, and Coon Nob Hill.  We are definitely in the state of Arkansas, folks are friendly, kind, and helpful.  The names of places and businesses often make us smile – Billie Bobs BBQ,  LuAnns coffee shop etc.  Lots of hills, trees, lakes, narrow roads, and folks seem happy and mostly poor, at least along the back roads.  Somebody's making money around here from the number of pricey looking hotels and condo establishments, but lots of closed businesses too, so they have been through hard times here.  Maybe they don’t notice.  Life seems a little slower here, centered around being good and doing good, even making the local news with the projects. 

Till next time. 

Resting at a restful place

 

Since joining the Unity Church in Arvada, I have been curious as to the history and administration of the domination.  I knew of Unity Village in Lees Summit, south of Kansas City, because David and I had driven passed it several times on our way to and from Canton, Ohio.  So it became one of our destinations on this trip. 

After we left Litchfield, Ill, we drove here via Hannibal, Mo.  We were there with the Ramblin Recs, our RV club from Denver.  We had 10 units there, so 20 people, and stayed in a campground about 15 miles from Hannibal, at Landing, Mo.  It was close to the shores of Mark Twain Lake, and during the summer must be a lively place.  There was a water park there, and lots and lots of RV parks where many were permanent rigs, installed for summer use, as if they were a vacation cabin.  About half our campground were permanents, but the property was well maintained and very nice.  It was out in the country, and not very busy anywhere, so we had good access to restaurants, etc.  We spent one whole day in Hannibal at the Mark Twain festival, taking a river sightseeing cruise, and visiting all the street vendors on Main Street.  We didn’t go to Sam Clemens home, or any of the museums, out of laziness mainly.  I walked all day, used my cane just in case, but was no worse for the wear.  The venders for the most part were pretty unique, local artists and craftsmen, local churches and non profits out to make a few bucks.  It was hot that day, and tiring.  The river trip was a nice respite.  We had dinner at an old restaurants together, and were glad to be home.  Sunday we went on a dinner cruise on the same river boat, and had a delicious dinner, a 3/4 moon rise, a cool night, and a peaceful cruise looking at the lights and bridges.  It was their last dinner cruise of the season, so not very well attended.    Our group was half the customers, so we enjoyed being able to talk in the quiet atmosphere. 

We stayed over Monday to rest then drove on Tue. to Unity Village.  Our camping spot here is out in the woods east of the main part of the village.  Unity Village is an incorporated town with a zip code, but no post office.  After we found the place, I discovered to enter “Unity Village” into the GPS and up it came.  The address was useless, as we had to enter by the hotel in order to check in.  They have hotel and motel space for probably 800 or more, and could feed up to 1000 once a day.  The buffet restaurants here is beautiful and serves very good food.  Most of the compound is on a 4 day work week, and we met some volunteers here performing various jobs.  The publishing house is out-sourced, but the Silent Unity Prayer service is 7/24 accessible by phone or email.  They receive bunches of mail, and we were told go a long way to supporting the operation by donations they receive.  The school of ministry is here also, but they also train ministers by independent study and email.  It would be a great place for a conference such as AGNT or Mile Hi retreats.  In fact, Lyn Twist of IONS was supposed to be here this week, but cancelled for some reason.  Probably lack of registration sufficient to make it work.  I was sorry to miss her.

The fountains here have recently been restored, and the rose gardens surrounding them are MAGNIFICENT.  moved me to tears.  Some of the components of the place need attention, but for the most part upkeep and maintenance is pretty good.  It is a peaceful place peopled by gentle souls .

Pictures are coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                             Nurse Mary Ann checking my sore foot.

The group at cake time.  Paris took the picture.  Mary Ann chose a cat clock with a wagging tail for me.  Very appropriate.  We have it hanging in the coach. 

 

Wayne and Jimmy on clarinet and trumpet.  Jimmy is into jazz and attends a group where he is learning to improvise.  Wayne bought himself a clarinet lately is is resuming his old skills.  Pretty well I might add. 

 

 

The girls took a drive and shopping trip to a local farm market for apples, bakery stuff, and it was cold – the wind blowing a gale.  We enjoyed Paris’ world and the drive. 

So much for my first successful effort at getting  pictures on here.  I have more learning to do but my teacher and friend, Leslie, will be staying here as we travel on.  But at least I know enough to experiment more successfully.  She fixed all my mess ups.  The computer came close to crashing a few weeks ago, and we found the right guy near by in Miami, OK who did a wonderful job of cleaning it up and re installing the hard drive.  David spent days and days re-installing all the programs, so we are back up to date and running well now. 

I’m back–hopefully

Well, the computer came within an nth of crashing (for you doubters, nth is a scrabble word.  more of that later), and now it is all new – $$$$ later, and hours and hours of David's work, I have to muddle through.  It all looks different.  So bear with me.

I don’t even know where and when I left off.  I think in Indianapolis, and my birthday party.  We parked in front of Rod and Paris’ house.  Wayne and Mary Ann (my brother and wife) came to their son’s house (on my invitation) for the occasion, and a good time was had by all.  My brother’s grandson is a very intelligent college freshman, aiming for a degree including aircraft    ( So I got one picture in there, not the one I wanted, and I don’t know how I did it, but it is progress)

technology and air traffic controller.  For kicks in his spare time, he listens to JFK airport traffic control talk on his Ipod – or some little gismo.  My brothers job was to break airplane engine turbines, his son’s job is to build airplane engines, and his grandson’s job will be to tell them all where to go.  Wayne thought that was quite a legacy.  Indeed it is.  All the family brains went to that bunch. 

After we left there we went to a beautiful campground in Litchfield, Ill, the heart of Abe Lincoln country.  We went to Springfield and saw his house there and heard all the Abe stories.  It is all a National Park now, right in the middle of Springfield.    We stayed 2 weeks, and it was peaceful there.  From our front window all we could see was a beautiful field with trees gradually becoming fallish. 

Then we went to Unity Village in Lees Summit, Mo.  This was an exploration for us, as we have recently joined a Unity church and were curious to see the birth place of the movement.  The rose gardens and fountains brought me to tears, but the buildings are aging, and it seemed pretty sparsely populated to us.  Our camping spot there was on the property, out in the woods east of the main campus area.  We had one neighbor who was there for classes.  We went to Independence and did the Harry S Truman thing, his house and library and museum.  Could have spent days there, but were impressed with the depth and reverence given him.  It was memorable. 

(Actually we went to Hannibal before Unity Village, but I don’t know how to move the paragraphs around)

Then we went to Hannibal Mo for the Mark Twain festival.  We met up with our Denver RV club there.  We had about 12 rigs there, and travelled about 20 miles from a very nice campground to Hannibal, for the street fair, Mississippi river boat ride and a dinner cruise on the same boat, dinner and a Mark Twain impersonator show.  He was good, but no Hal Holbrook.  No one could surpass him, but we all enjoyed the show in a very small theater where, we were given to understand, Old Abe himself once stabled his horse (it was once a livery).  History everywhere. 

Then we went south to Coffeyville to visit Co Chapter Escapee friends who part time work camp there for Amazon.com.  They are supervisors now, but work 3-4 months before Christmas sending out all the stuff you all have ordered from Amazon.  The town was flooded out 3 years ago, so a lot of the town just isn’t there.  History abounds:  The Dalton gang was all killed there, as they tried to rob 2 banks at once, in about 18????.  The town stood up to them, and they are buried there.  It is near b y to Baxterville, where the rush to OK for homestead land took place.  I am amazed that it happened there, as that end of Ok is rolling hills and tons of lakes.  The lakes may be more recent, the result of dams which I haven’t located yet.  but it is beautiful fall here, reminding me of the rolling hills of Arkansas, with lots of water and resorts.  We came from Coffeyville to Grove OK, amongst the lakes, and lots of little towns.  It is Cherokee country, the most famous of which was Will Rogers.  We went to his museum nearby, and found all the wonderful restaurants in a 50 mile area. 

From here we will go to Hollister Mo (Branson) to the Escapee park there.  I have some work to do on the itinerary before then, but from there we will wander to Livingston Tex, where the Escapee headquarters is.  We may be able to volunteer there, full time or a little time.  We will be there for Christmas more that likely, and who knows after that.  We are cozy and warm as fall turns cooler, still having beautiful days and cool – cold – nights.  Punkin is happy as long as a lap is available some part of the day.  My hips do well.  My body gets stiff with weather changes, but if my body felt as good as the hips I would be dancin!!!!!But alas, my bones tell my age, and the hips enjoy the technology and skill of Dr. Chaing.  I shan’t complain as I am so much better than before the 2 surgeries.  

A BEAUTIFUL DAY INDEED

For the 5th of Oct, who could ask for anything more.  We are in the most beautiful park I think we have ever encountered in our 6 years of travel.  It is called Honey Bend Resort, is in Litchfield Ill, or just north of there.  Acre upon acre of grassy park, dotted by 2 good size lakes that I can see, but I have yet to explore it all.  Next door to a cemetery, so it is quiet, though a train does run near by, but not loud enough to be a bother, day or night.  There are cabins here as well, almost 200 sites, but where I sit and look out right now I do not see another camper of any sort, only trees, an American flag along with a MIA/POW flag surrounded by a little memorial of flags and benches.  They just mowed the grass, so it smells of fresh hay and breezy air.  Our rig sits completely level under a spreading oak tree, which has not begun to change color yet.  There is only one yellow tree in sight, but promise of many colors to come. 

We come here for a rest, having just visited my nephew and wife and their son.  My brother and wife came for the duration of our visit, as my only 70th birthday was during that time.  It was one of the best birthdays of my life. They all outdid themselves to make me feel special, and I will admit, I soaked it up.  We parked in front of the house, but the street was quiet, and we slept peacefully.  Punkin got a little lonesome as she wasn’t allowed to join the party there being 2 territorial dogs in the house.  But she survived, and is making up for lost cuddles now.

Prior to freeloading at my nephews home, we spent 2 nights in a favorite campground called Tin Cup Park just north of Urbana Ill.  We rarely miss it, as it too is grassy and peaceful, with lots of trees.  We don’t find parks very inhabited again this season, and have made some reservations, but mostly just show up, and there is always plenty of room. 

We will go from here to Hannibal Mo for the Mark Twain festival, and meet our club, the Ramblin Recs there.  So we are backtracking a bit, but after that will head south and hopefully beat the arrival of snow in the northern climes. 

My nephew’s son, Jimmy (my father’s namesake incidentally) is a very intelligent focused college freshman, who has his eyes set on becoming an aircraft controller, and in his spare time listens to the JFK control tower on his cell phone, or IPod or what ever that little companion of his is called.  He is taking an intense course now in airplane mechanics, and after acquiring his Assoc degree there, will transfer to Perdue where he will get his BS and be trained in the art and stress of air craft control duties.  His grandfather (my brother) started the legacy earning his living breaking turbines and engine parts on airplane motors as a metallurgist.  He worked in that field for 30 years or more.  Jimmy’s dad works for Rolls Royce building the engines which his dad fractured, now Jimmy will be flying them and telling others how and where to fly them.  Quite a legacy which has spanned 3 generations.  Jimmy is also learning to be a jazz trumpet player.  He shows great promise there too.  My brother, Jimmy and I had a few trios on piano (me), clarinet (Wayne) and trumpet which everyone there endured wordlessly, and we enjoyed for the sake of the memories of the many duets which Wayne and I “performed” as children.  Before hormones spiked and took us in other directions.  What can I say. 

So this is the Land of Lincoln, and antiques.  The latter is maybe why we are here??  As antiques, not looking for them.  We are in the unloading of stuff stage of life, but the antiques shops hold a fascination for the history they represent.  Hopefully we will see something of the local attractions here.  We have already discovered that Mexican food is not one of their hot items, but the diets have taken enough abuse lately to forgo that one.  At least for a day or two.  I am just in awe of this campground, so while it would be a shame to miss the local color and attractions, just being here is good. 

Sister Caroline tells us all is well at the home front, so we are confident it is in good hands.  She had to clean up the rotten tomato I left out in the kitchen, and bless her heart for that.  I am sure it was odiferous to say the least.  David’s diet has done wonders for him.  The doctor told us before we left town that we had done too good a job eliminating the carbs from the diet, and that he could celebrate with a bag of potato chips – once a year.  He is leaner and meaner – lookin’ good.  Me, not so good.  His diet of low carbs leaves me a little energy deprived, so my trying to do both diets leaves me a little pudgier.  At least potentially so.  If I am not careful the clothes will start to get too snug.  Then the hips will complain.  But I am pain free as far as the hips go, and grateful each day I get up and walk without pain.  I am now walking about a mile.  I have a pedometer which Paris gave me, so I can be sure I get in enough exercise to make progress.  I still struggle with stairs, but make myself climb foot over foot.  Our toad (the car which we tow behind the coach) gathers road tar and needs attention, so will sign off for now, and hope to hear from more of you when you have time. 

Here we go again.

After several months of planning and finishing up health care issues, we are enjoying our freedom and adventures.  I am now more than 2 months post total hip surgery, my second one.  I went for a walk today for the joy of walking, and was pain free, could walk for about a block at a good clip, had no hip pain, my back slowed me down a little, but my knees were not an issue.  I think maybe eventually I can walk as far as I want to without all that pain.  Unbelievable. 

We spent 3 days at my cousins house in Endicott Ne.  She is doing quite well, although cares for her lung congestion (probably emphysema) almost full time.  She is cheerful, and as energetic as her “wind” will let her be.  It was good to see her free of pain too, as she had her hip done about a year ago.  She walks well.  We suffered the infestation of gnats while there, a typical Nebraska scourge.  I must be very allergic to them, and one shoulder and arm is covered in itchy welts.  Other than that the weather was lovely, it poured rain a couple of times, and they have had enough of that.  Things have greened up again like it was spring.  Prior to her place, we spent 3 days at a Colorado Chapter of Escapees rally in Strasberg, Co, about 45 min from home, but next to the RR track.  The same nuisance was present in Endicott.  Felt like we were in another KOA campground as that is typical – freeway on one side and RR on the other.

Tonight and for 2 more we are in Arbela Mo, a town that really doesn’t exist, but it is on the map.  US136 brought us here directly from Fairbury Ne.  It is really a little used US highway, but lots of construction and rebuilding going on.  We got into fresh oil again, as we did on the way to Fairbury.  Yuk.  Our tow car just gets covered in the stuff, top and bottom, so when we start it up, it smokes like something is burning up.  But it seems to be the oil on the bottom of the car smoking  as it burns off.  Stinks too.  Of course David loves spending a whole day scrubbing it off.  HMMMMMMMM.  Anyhow, Arbela Mo is the address of the camp ground known as the Catfish Cafe and Campground.  We got here Sun in time to go eat our fill of catfish, which was delicious.  They had a full buffet to go with it, and whole catfish-deep fried of course- but also some baked filets.  The campground is huge, mostly permanents, but nice, no RR track, and the highway noise is not noticeable.  Not much around except dying small towns, although we found a Pizza Hut tonight to feed our frustration over the amount of work needed to keep the Jeep clean.  We have had an issue with Dish TV since leaving home getting the network stations off the satellite.  We have always gotten Denver Stations, but no more.  At least now we can get network local stations if we call and check in every time we move.  At least that is what they tell us.  We shall see if it takes an act of Congress to do that next stop.  Not sure what changed to change the programming available to us. 

I look forward to spending my birthday with my brother and wife and their son and family in Indianapolis after a couple of days in Champagne-Urbana Ill at a favorite campground there.  We found out the hard way the width needed to pass safely with the coach is 8’6” .  We crossed a bridge over the Mo river under recovery act reconstruction.  Probably shouldn’t have tried it, but thanks to David’s skillful steady hand at the wheel, we made it across without a scratch or bump.  It was tense.  Hopefully won’t have to do that again. 

We are cozy and comfortable in the new coach.  We learned some more about boondocking in Endicott, so know we can do that comfortably.  I still haven’t learned to include pictures.  Sorry.  Thanks for plowing through, and know I would love to hear from you and your adventures. 

My Rehabilitation Center

Picture this:  Colorado blue sky, puffy white clouds (most of the time except when they are black and pouring), aspen glistening in the breezes (except when they are closer to gales), on the side of a mountain, across the highway the biggest reservoir in Colorado, white capping in the wind, and outside my window right now a lilac tree, bushy and healthy.  The entrance to the clubhouse is alive with columbines and flowering bushes.  We will have dinner in the clubhouse tonight and meet our neighbors, of which there are about 200.  Not all of them will come to dinner, but probably 50 will.  My “room” in this club house has all I need, all my own clothes, furniture, private bath, and if I get tired of this rehab center, I can start the engine and find a better one, which we will do for sure on the 23rd. 

Now having worked a greater part of my professional career in rehab centers, and knowing that that “rehab center” for anyone over 65 is code word for nursing home, I’d say my fortune is great indeed.  How I used to dread and be bored with those slow walks with the elderly patients who needed me to get them on their feet!!!  I walk here 3 times a day, which is more than Medicare requires, and enjoy mountain air at the same time.  But now I do know how those elderly felt.  It is painful and difficult to get back to an acceptable level of activity after somebody has chopped your leg off and reattached it to your pelvis with a piece or two of titanium.  How amazing is that???  I still am grateful that I only have two legs and two hips and I’m done!!!  The slowness of the walk is my style of stretching, far cry from sitting spread eagled on the floor and bending forward till my chin touched my knees, only about 8 years ago.  Not that I am showing my age, mind you, but things change.  It only took 5 years for the hips to go to hell in a basket, and when it started I was in the best shape of my life, in love, life was good.  Still is.  I just approach it at a different pace now. 

Oh yes, did I mention the ad free radio via satellite in my private room???  And my cat, who likes to be naughty and dart out the door at every opportunity, HD TV in the evenings, or if nothing out of nothing is on, we put on a DVD from Netflix, and transport to another realm.  Medicare won’t foot the bill for that.

While at home, David was busy getting the transmission fine tuned and reprogrammed for mountain roads, and the brakes adjusted.  He installed the new slim line HD TV, and a multitude of other things to give us the comforts of home and then some.  Then he had to do all my gardening, as the weeds out grew me as I became unable to get to them.  Rain has blessed this whole state.  The western slope is lush and green in August.  Can you believe that?  Pastures are bogs, rivers full but controlled, and reservoirs full to the brim.  Remember 5 years ago when Dillon Dam was empty?!!!!!!!!  Life’s cycles do provide. eventually.

I hope some of you watched “America’s Got Talent” this week. A 10 year old girl sang opera with a voice of a trained 30 year old.  She was beautiful, and in awe of the reception she received.  Watch for her – Jackie ?????-  .  She already has a Carnegie hall date. 

Dinner time.  Watch for more from me soon.  Wish you all were here – well sort of.  I hope Colorado can keep some of its free space for my lifetime.  But I do miss you all.  Lois

On loaves and fishes – ENOUGH ALREADY

I have been trying to learn to live by the mantra “there is enough” .  I mean by that that there is enough resources, money, love, relationships, water, air, etc. for everyone in the world to live a joyous sustainable life.  Now that may seem a stretch, but if God  created all this abundance, why would He withhold from some, why would He ration unequally?  Why would He choose a select few to starve, suffer, for others to trod upon???

HMMMMM as stated in “drop by drop”, (David Ridge, Living Water Unity Church)  praying to solve the oil spill problem must require a change in our behavior, which created the greed, which led to the carelessness of the accident in the first place, in order to change the out come, or change the occurrence  of such disastrous events.  O dear, must I take personal responsibility???

I have been reading SOUL OF MONEY by Lynn Twist.  In it she shares her experiences in fund raising, mainly for the Hunger Project, and the peoples and cultures she has experienced in the process of trying to solve the hunger problem in this abundant world.  One experience required her to teach the leader of a South American tribe to use money, as his culture had never experienced nor needed money as a tool of exchange.  All members of his tribe did what was necessary for the sustenance of all.  Now that time has passed for us, I realize.  But there must be a lesson here, and the whole book is full of “AHA” moments when you slowly realize it is not what you have, but it is your potential that defines your role in life, and that there is enough for all to live in peace, harmony and abundance when we all use our potential for the good of all.   

We had a wonderful party yesterday at our house.  Folks came from the two churches with whom we associate, and they all shared their food, fun, conversation, experiences, and money for a common good.  We love to throw parties, and would have done so for no reason whatsoever, but our dollar investment in this one was tripled  for the common cause for which we gathered.  Our one loaf was tripled to feed the many, but it happened because all those who took the time to enjoy the party chipped in, donated their share, and made the few loaves and fishes turn into enough.  Well, enough if we do this more often, or something similar, or just simply share generously enough knowing that there is enough, and what is given will be returned many times over.

What has this thought to do with the ugly oil spill on the Gulf Coast???  Change.  Change is hard:  giving up beliefs which no longer serve, or which constrain your potential, and adopting beliefs which will expand your horizons. 

Seeing this happen and helping to experience this is why we are glad to be at home.  We will leave again in a few days, but leave looking for ways to share the abundance, and new folks to share it with.  And then we will be glad to be home again soon, to continue connections which we hold dear. 

On being 70

Yipes!!!!!!!!!  when did that happen.

I don’t feel 70 – well, some of the time.  In my mind I don’t feel 70.  I feel like life has just begun – anew – that every day there is something to learn, something to do which will tire me out, something to hear that I have never heard before, and someone new to meet. 

I have spent time envying youth, their energy, creativity and stupidity.  I know all us “elderly” have done the same.  The young never stop.  They are always ready to go – if it’s play.  They are always ready for friends – if they can meet at a familiar place and do the same thing they did last time they were together.  They are always ready to push the limits – they seem to think no one else has ever been there, done that, and it is really cool.  And they never know when to stop, slow to figure out what comes next or the consequences of the next stupid experiment. 

I don’t envy youth any more.  Oh, when I creek and groan, can’t open a jar, or get tired in the afternoon, I think it would be nice to have boundless energy, all day long, because I can think of some pretty cool things I would like to do and try, but I just don’t have the energy.  I don’t envy all the unknowns in their young lives.  Had I known how much society and technology was going to change in my life span, I would have been tired before I began. 

But fortunately, one has to take those things as they come, make the best of them, or ignore them, and then you turn 70!!!! or not.  I miss those who didn’t make it.  They must be looking around for a better chance to catch up and be a part of all that evolution, picking their re-entry into life with care, so that the lessons this time around won’t be so hard – and so brief.

My 1958 high school class just had a mass 70th birthday party.  It was such a good idea, I wish I had thought of it myself, but fortunately some other of us have retained their creativity in relationships, and love to express their love of life.  We are all 70-or close to it.  None of us looked old and wrinkly.  I can’t speak about those who chose not to come, but at least half the class was there, and they were a pretty spry bunch.  We are all passed the excessive drinking and keggers, so talk was pretty sincere.  Only a couple of smokers left, I think, and as I was reminded many years before I quit – they will quit sometime.  That’s a definite.  Every one seemed pretty content to be where they were, with where they had been, and interested in other’s journeys. 

To those who chose not to be a part of the party, I am sorry that you missed it.  I hope it was for real reasons – other obligations, family ties. That sort of thing.  If you didn’t come for fear of being rejected and feeling out of place, believe me, there was no out of place, no extreme, no down and out.  Everyone is who they are, glad to be there, and we missed you. 

So when is the 55th reunion?????  (and who will still  be here – hmmmmmmmmm????????)  I hope there will be some first timers (who have never attended a reunion before) then as there were at the party.  I hope we will observe as much joy and prosperity as we did this time.  And I know we will all be more forgiving, accepting, and glad to be there by then.  Who knows what the world may be doing by then – and who cares??????  We have done our part – almost – and what we have to give will be mostly appreciated by each other.  The young know it all, and will go their own way, and do their own thing.  Didn’t we??????????  And what a ride it has been.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY            and thanks to those who worked hard to put on the party.  Party on.

At home again

And enjoying the most beautiful Colorado weather ever!!!!!  Supposed to get uncomfortably hot this week end, but we don't care.  The swamp cooler is functioning, and we are cozy.

We spent last week in Colorado springs.  The rally was of Suites owners, of whom we are no longer one.  However, special dispensation was granted since we had originally planned the where and what of the rally.  Once there, it seemed we were unnecessary, and just enjoyed the programs, classes, a trip up Pikes Peak – driving – which  hadn’t done since I was in high school.  It is almost all paved now.  Only 4 miles left to pave.  But as most of the rally members were flatlanders, we had to go it on our own.  What a humbling sight it is.  The donuts are as good as always. 

When the rain finally stopped about Tue, it warmed up fast while there.  Gave the visitors a good chance to 4 wheel, sight see, and museum hop to their hearts content.  Spent one evening at the Flying W ranch – dinner and a cowboy show.  I highly recommend it.  Picture this:  90 rigs attended the rally.  Probably 60 of them drove their big ass trucks – and I ‘m talking big – some medium duty haulers, most F350s or bigger – all in the same parking lot when the show was over.  90% of them diesel.  So when start up time it beat the Indy 500 for noise and rumble for sure.  Our little Jeep Liberty, which we tow, was lost in the crowd, and patiently awaited safe exit of the parking lot.  Felt like the lost chick amongst all the roosters. 

We saw the chapel and grounds at the Air Force Academy.  Very impressive.  Such a view from anywhere on the grounds you could be or look, a more beautiful, peaceful setting could not exist, in which to glorify war.  The human race is evolving to a better solution to ending conflict, I have to believe.  If all that money and effort were spent in finding clean water for everyone in the world, the AFA could be turned into a church camp.

This week end is my High school class 70th birthday bash.  We have a lunch on Fri – so as not to have to drive home in the dark.  (What a bunch of old farts).  Then a Genesee picnic on Sunday.  I look forward to seeing again old friends and familiar faces. 

Meanwhile, David is installing a new door on the rear of the garage, we have invited the whole of our new Unity church over for a 4th of July picnic – on the 5th.  We have involved ourselves in helping to save the financial solvency of our new church.  The yard work is not too pressing thanks to Lani and Chris’ help a few weeks ago.  And I prepare mentally for my surgery in one month.  The new Jeep has a transmission leak, so it is having surgery as I write this.

Wish I had more to share.  It is hot here, and makes one a little lazy.  Till next time.

On the road again

Home was nice, but lots of work and still more in store to make it look like we like to have it look.  Anyone know a good gardener???????????  We must find ways to make it easier, but the tulips, roses, iris and spring flowers were glorious, and we enjoyed each and every one.  Can’t give those up.  The lilacs need help, but didn’t get around to doing that – cant give up on them yet.  Sunflowers are popping up all over thanks to our bird feeding stations.  There will be a few gigantic mammoth sunflowers which were about 3 feet tall when we left.  They will be over 6 feet tall, and the flower maybe 2 feet across, if they get enough water.  The birds love them, but they take some special planting and watering to get the full effect.  Kind of like me.  I need some special planting and feeding to be very effective in  my life, and I seem to have been missing that lately. 

I did read a James Twyman book called “Barn Dance” which was good food for thought.  But when I got to the point of the whole thing, and after shedding some tears along the way, I thought “duhhh  you dummy.  What did you think it was all about???”He will be at out little church when we get back to town, and I will be glad to meet him.  but I won’t say that to him.  He has written some very inspiring and mystical books, and had some great experiences along his path.  More power to him.

This rally doesn't really start till Mon, so I have some days to re-collect myself here. I have to direct the creation of 25 centerpieces on Sunday which will probably take a few trips to Wal-Mart – always not far away.  The hummingbird show which so entertained us in Gunnison is not likely here.  The robins are most prevalent, and enjoying their worms in great abundance.  Still they fight over them.  As I sit here I look out the window at the pool and hot tub, but not sure I have the energy to walk over there as pleasant as it may be.  The wind has come up – portent of what is to come as if the feeling in my hips and David’s big toe weren’t enough warning.  He is enduring a gout attack – I assume that is what it is.  Feels so good in the mornings, then by evening it is very painful.  Makes us lazy in the evenings, but we do manage to take in Jay Leno and his ramblings.  Wonder if the CEO at BP listens to it??????

Well we aren’t far from home, and will enjoy this city of tourism.  Hope to see old friends here, go up the Pikes Peak cog to the top of the world, enjoy an old western dinner-show, maybe see the zoo at the BROaDMORE HOTEL, and watch the ice skaters practice at the new world class rink.   Generally be a tourist and eat, and pester the locals.  Wonder what the rich people are doing????????

Stay in touch. 

PS  I forgot to tell you my “It’s a small world” story.  Last week we sold our little pop up camper.  Our life style with the new coach just doesn’t leave much room for the inspiration to go camping in a pop up.  Getting old and lazy I guess.  Anyhow David posted it on Craigs list and it sold in three or four days, to a young family with small children.  They were delighted and they also got a good deal as David put in a lot of work to make sure  everything worked perfectly.  The hail damage on the roof, was identifying, but didn’t interfere with function.  And we got $100 bills, cash.  So today we arrive at the camp ground in Co Springs, and as I was walking the area, 3 spaces away was the familiar license plate and pock marks of hail damage.  Our sold pop up 3 spaces away.  The children were having a ball, and loved it.  So it found a better home. 

Upon Arriving Home

No trip lasts forever.  We went to the Co chapter of the Escapees’ rally in Montrose for a few days, then to the Blue Mesa membership campground near Gunnison.  We experienced springtime in Colorado in both places, Gunnison being in full bloom along their main streets of apple, flowering plum, lilac and other flowering trees.  The petals blew in the wind, of which there was adequate supply.  On the other hand, there were days of shimmering stillness on the lake, and the bluest of skies, that only Coloradans can picture with accuracy.

We enjoyed a renewed friendship with Bill and Lesle, who bought a membership while at Blue Mesa, so we will be looking forward to meeting up with them along the circuit in the future.  We also nurtured a new friendship with Anita and Herb, who landed a job with the city of Gunnison to assist in hosting at the city campground called Palisade on the west side of Gunnison.  Its the job made in heaven: 10 hours a week for each, office and computer help with no cleaning or grounds maintenance.  The city has landed a jewel, which it won’t take them long to discover, as Herb is a PhD in economics, extensive experience in management of public and private institutions, as well as a rancher in the best cowboy style for all of his life, and Anita a retired school teacher and mentor extraordinaire.  The city can’t afford to pay them what they are worth, but they can stay in one spot for the summer for nothing but the work, and enjoy one of Colorado’s most beautiful spots.  We introduced them to my sorority sister and husband, Ellie and Michael, thinking the four of them would enjoy one another’s company for the summer.

Then we came home.  While gone, the rain hardly stopped, only long enough for the sun to shine all the growth from the fertile earth to reach for the skies.  Knee deep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thistles, weeds, iris, tulips, sunflowers beginning, and weeds, grass gone to seed, and more weeds.  I have spent the last three days on my hands and knees flooding to soften the roots, and pulling pounds and pounds of unwanted growth from the flower beds.  I realized there are only three unavoidable things in life: taxes, death and bind weed.  Boy that stuff hangs on, choking the life out of everything it can climb. 

This morning we had a choice to make: couples club brunch and reconnection with our dearest friends, or church services at our new Living Water Unity community.  David is very committed to making the financial situation of the church improve, and felt he wanted to be there in order to continue to organize that effo,t, so we went to church.  David,the minister, spoke a message which touched my heart: the purpose and intent of the creation of the earth and us was, and is, the expression of love and beauty and joy of the Source of our Being.  Then he showed a picture on the screen of the sea bird off the shore of New Orleans drowning in spilt oil and gasping its last breath.  How did we get here???????  The challenge to be better stewards of this earth and its resources is clear.  Our part as individual expressions of the Creator of Love are clear: do our part in conservation, simplification and awareness, as well as pray into consciousness the intent of cleanliness, carefulness, purity and love for the whole earth, living together in harmony and cooperation for the good of all.  Taking individual responsibility for what we can do is not really so hard, now is it????

Well the weeds are almost all gone, though they will be back.  Anyone know a part time gardener who would look out for my roses and few other flowers as well as root out the weeds for the summer months?  I am willing to hire.  We love our new coach, with its leak in the kitchen sink below the floor surface, the igniter in the diesel hot water heater, the brakes, and the mother board in the washer dryer are challenges which hopefully will be met by Thur when we are supposed to leave for a rally in Co Springs of which we are in charge.  It is with the club of Suite owners, which we used to own, but was SOLD LAST WEEK!!!!!!!!!!! (hip hip hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( to quote one of my favorite cousins upon hearing of the firmed  date for my second hip replacement surgery).  Today we had two serious lookers at the pop up camper – one of which is supposed to show up with money tomorrow.  SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!  Then all that is left is the truck – our lovely truckie – sacrificed for the motor coach life style.  Miss truckie.  But it was a good truck for us, and will find another grateful home.  And for those of you who have named your GPSs Gertie – as many whom we have met along the way have;  you can change it to a male voice with a very sexy Aussie accent, more pleasing to the ear.  So now Gertie has been renamed Jake, and is allowed to speak when directions are needed. 

Till next time, encourage the campgrounds to recycle, remember your reusable shopping bags when you go to the store, be conservative in you use of gasoline and oil products, love your neighbor and yourself, and write to me.  I love hearing from all of you who find the time and thought to say hello.  And the rest of you too!!

Now that the wind is gone:

Well, mostly gone most of the time.  We are concerned about reports hail and high winds close to home.  It froze the water supply on Mon here, and connections are spotty and slow at best.  So communications have been at a minimum.

We experienced our first Colorado Chapter Escapees rally last week in Montrose.  It was delightful but very busy.  The wagon masters set the bar very high.  The chapter has just reorganized in the last two years, and the VP is the wagon master.  We ate well thanks to Judy, and were well entertained thanks Judy and Chuck’s efforts.  We bought some stinky cheese at a “natural” type dairy, and experienced some wind and weather.  Since arriving at Blue Mesa we have been cool till the last couple of days.  Several Co Chapter members followed us here, and one couple joined the membership camp ground where we are staying.  So we will have friends to visit and catch up on our travels, with more than one group of individuals. 

Lake City is not far away, and we had a picnic trip today with a very interesting couple with whom I have very distant past connections and common acquaintances.  One of those connections is Maxine Hamilton who went to High school with us up to our junior year when my Dad bought their house and they moved to LaJunta where this couple knew them well, and went to High school with both girls.  Small world.

Lake City is still as charming as ever.  We picnicked there then went to the Southern Style restaurant for pie and coffee.  It was early in the season for most businesses, and many were not yet open, but this cafe is the best on the western slope, and we were glad to revisit it.  We took the cutoff road home across the blue mesa, and were surprised at the lushness of the ranch land up on the mesa, and how beautiful it is in this year of abundant rain and snowfall.  The reservoir is very low, apparently awaiting spring run off, which should be exciting to see this year.   The mountain tops are white with snow, and the rivulets and gullies rushing.  The pastureland is more like swampland at this point. 

Crested Butte (commonly known as Cressy But here) is also charming as ever.  We tried to take the high road in the back way, but Keebler Pass is still closed due to mud and wet road.  We didn’t argue, not looking to get stuck in the mud.  Of course ice cream at the Chocolate Factory was a must after lunch, and the drive down the Gunnison river through Almont is always beautiful, and this year with lots of baby calves to see, elk in the fields, and the budding aspen trees against the blue sky – I must quit bragging on the Co scenery and charm or you all will move here, and we’ve enough folks here already.  We would keep the secret to keep it beautiful. 

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My total hip surgery date is July 23.  The nurse called this morning – working the week end hours to get caught up on her schedule.  The date couldn’t fit better with our travel plans, so now we can move on and get the plans going.   I look forward to having it done and over with.  A year later plus a little on the right one, and I guess it is 90% successful or so.  I have my days, but the left is definitely ready to be better.

Till next time, probably Colorado Springs at the SOITC rally.  That stands for Suite Owners International Travel Club.  As we are no longer Suite owners, (the name of our former 5th wheel RV), it will be our last rally with these folks, but we expect to see the Stohoffers, and others along the way on our travels.  As Cheri Strohoffer says we can’t pick our friends by the kind of RV they own, although it has been a joy thus far.  We have met some amazing folks, and continue to do so.  The life style is not for everyone, but the people we meet along the way have given us much pleasure.  Now it is time for a park dinner (steak or chicken), so must go eat.  What else is new.   

Learning as we go

We are making progress.  I almost know where all the light switches are, although it may take two or three tries.  I know how to work the washer and dryer, although the dryer doesn’t work worth a darn.  It is one of those combo units, and I don’t see a lint filter, to the external vent may be blocked.  The washer works great, though slow, and I can hang the stuff on hangers and a rack inside next to an open window, turn on the AC fan and in 2 hours they are dry.  love Colorado. 

We enjoyed the Chapter 2 – Colorado chapter of Escapees – rally very much.  The wagon masters set the bar pretty high.  They cooked, a breakfast, and 2 or three dinners.  Too much work, but she loves to entertain and had all kinds of chafing dishes, and stuff.  Good thing they towed a car to carry it all in.  Our friends Dennis and Susan Lovaas  came along, and joined the club while there, which we are delighted about.  We met up with Lesle and Bill too, who had gone to Mexico with us, and they followed us to our membership campground near Gunnison, at the Blue Mesa reservoir.  They bought a membership while there as well, so we have travelling buddies almost everywhere. 

Lesle is a computer guru, so I got inspired to download Skype, though I haven’t used it yet to see if it works.  I am mostly motivated to talk to my brother and see him, but if anyone who reads this is on Skype let me know when you can call me and we will look at each other and chat.  providing I have adequate hook up.  We have a new gismo called MyFi.  It is about the size of a credit card, from Verizon and replaces the Verizon card, which stuck out from the computer, and generally worked, but this is faster.  It doesn’t need to be plugged into anything except to recharge, and the signal can go around corners and obstacles.  It is not expensive, and THE latest thing – today. 

It is humming bird season at Blue Mesa, and David has hung a thistle sock, a hummingbird feeder, and a bird food cake.  The latter the chipmunks love best, but on the others the bird population is teaming.  The wind has blown very hard for a few days, but those little hummers hang on there, and a feeding, mating and fighting frenzy goes on.  The cat has several cat TV stations to watch, and has snuck our more than once to join the party. 

Of course David has something to fix every day – or two or three somethings.  The seat on the toilet, a leak in the kitchen sink, the windshield wipers, on and on it goes.  But he figured out the Bose sound system, and we have satellite radio, as well as a CD player going all the time.  Bill ran his truck over our TV satellite while at the rally, so a new one is on order, and his insurance covered it, so everyone is happy, if a little sheepish, us for putting it in harms way, and he for backing up too fast to see it.  We should get the new one in a few days.  Meanwhile new towers must have come with the new digital TV deal, because the antenna here is not all that bad.  Not many people here, so it is quiet, and I am almost rested from the rally. Bill and Lesle have decided to prolong their stay here, so maybe I will get to that camera project yet. 

Completing the outfit

We finally got the “toad” (a car to tow behind the new motor coach) and all the necessary equipment installed.  We found a Jeep Liberty on Craig's list, and the price and condition fit the bill nicely.  That being accomplished, the usual litany of what can go wrong next on the coach continues, but that is part of the life style, albeit gets pricey sometimes.  In any case, this trip finds us in Montrose Co with the Co chapter of Escapees.  This is our first outing with this chapter, and about 13 rigs are here I think.  All nice folks as Escapee members always are. 

Our trip here was relatively uneventful, and we are glad we chose to come when we did.  Had we come a day earlier, Monarch pass was in white out conditions with high winds and ice.  Friends had terrorizing experiences getting over the pass, and are glad to be alive.  Others were involved in a multi car – truck accident which took hours to clear up and get moving, the police never made it to the scene.  We certainly were glad to miss all that adventure.  Something is casting shadows today outside, and completely blue skies reign, which we haven’t seen in weeks it seems.  Snow on May 14, mixed with rain and thunder, all un-necessary in my opinion, but no one was asking it seems. 

Montrose is a lovely town, with a Russell Stover outlet discount store on Main street.  We will stop there and get someone’s favorite marshmallow filled chocolate santas, plus maybe a little more to satisfy my sweet tooth.  Our campground is 8 miles south of the town, looking on down south onto the most majestic, breath-taking mountain view of the San Juan – Telluride area.  It is encased in white, and backed by the Colorado blue sky we all love.  The group here has plenty planned, and we will make new friends, whom we will see along the way at other Escapee functions.I am sure. 

Springtime in Colorado outdid itself this year.  I am sorry for all of you that didn’t share it.  Tulips were abundant – luxurious.  The lilacs were just at their peak when we left, and my Mother’s day rose has wet fertile soil to begin its life in my garden.  My son and family came for the occasion, which was a special treat.  We got acquainted a little with my 1 year old grandson, but he didn’t have much time left over for us.  Just walking and determined to see it all in one day.  His fathers son I am sure.  We will be home in time to see the roses bloom, and the sunflowers to smile at us each day. 

I completed the electronic class conducted by our new minister, David Hedges.  He hopes to conduct the class 3-4 times a year in order to utilize the technology and increase interest in subject matter of users choice.  It was truly an enlightening and memorable class.  If you are interested in spiritual classes on line, go to the web page www.livingwater.org and contact him there.  He is an electronic genius as well as a scholar and great teacher.  He will be delighted to hear from you. 

Off to town to wash the Jeep and visit the old faithful Wal-Mart.  Look forward to hearing from you, and I promise my camera lessons begin this week.  

Life style choices

 

 

Even while at home, the travels cost money.  Our new rig looks beautiful, and sits ready to go, but as most of you know there are necessities.  The biggest necessity is a “toad”.  Now for you neophytes, a toad is the car you tow behind your motor coach.  Sometimes there is a bumper sticker which says “I only go where I’m towed” on it, but ours will probably stay clean of bumper stickers.  We did the deed today, buying a 2003 dark blue Jeep Liberty from an advertiser on Craig's list.  She lived close by, and the car is immaculate, only 42000 miles, new tires, and lots of new stuff that a smart young woman who cares about her stuff would do. 

We almost made a mistake.  We pursued a deal for a 2006 Liberty for $8000 from a Mexican woman across town, also from Craig's list.  She mentioned it needed a tune up, and we had to communicate through her 15 year old daughter.  They didn’t know what “clear title” meant (maybe I am giving them the benefit of the doubt here), and come to find out, the car was purchased for 4-500 from and insurance co as a totaled vehicle, her brother did the body work, and they hoped to make a tidy profit.  Fortunately, an English speaking family member who was a car dealer got involved, and she had to be honest with us to preserve her license.  So we found out the gory details just in time, and let that one go.  We are happy with the deal we made, and expect a lot of tow miles and country road miles out of it. 

So we are almost ready to hit the road.  We have to get the tow bar attached to the Jeep, get the front plastic protector piece for the coach replaced as it was cracked, and pack the fridge and go.  Oh yes, we expect company before we leave – my son and wife with one year old Gavin are coming for a visit.  And a few birthdays to celebrate before leaving for a Chapter 2 – Colorado chapter of Escapees rally, and a few days at Blue Mesa near Gunnison for our maiden voyage of our new rig. 

I hesitate to relay to all of you how beautiful this spring is in Colorado for fear you will all decide it is the only place to live in the world.  My tulips are abundant, don’t know for sure where they all came from, but I have never had such proliferation before.  The grass is green, the shrubs are leafing out, and I imagine the lilacs will begin about the time we leave town.  Of course the weeds have appreciated all the rain too, but they will begin to disappear tomorrow, hopefully.  I have already received one offer for a surgery date for the end of April, but unfortunately I have an infection on my leg, and had to turn down the offer.  Hopefully another cancellation date will pop up and I will get in before August.  I guess it is hopefully.  Once again I go kicking and screaming to the operating room, but I realize after one year, my right total hip is the better hip, and in one year the left will be as good or better, and hopefully I won’t waddle but be able to walk a straight line. 

Mexico travels

This is our caravan of 9 rig families whom we travelled with in Mexico.  We went with the Escapees BOF (birds of a feather) club called Chapter 8 – the Mexican Connection.  We went last year as well, but travelled with other people.  First we gathered in Tucson at the Fairgrounds for our orientation to our travel group and the crossing of the border.  There were over 70 rigs all together, but we broke up in groups of 6-9 rigs and communicated on CB radios.  The groups travelled about 45 minutes

apart so that we would not overwhelm the border crossing with so many RVs at once, nor hold up traffic too much. 

We had an excellent leadership team this year, who had made at least two trips preparing the way for our caravan.  The border patrol was aware of our coming and looked for our decals on our trucks or rigs, and mostly waved us through.  A few got inspected, but mostly we sailed on by.  The Mexican “Green Angels” also were aware of our travels, and for the most part made their presence known to us all the way to Hermasillo.  There we turned west and headed too Kino Bay, where we camped for 10 days.  The picture above was taken there.  The push pin on the map is Kino Bay, and the toll road and westward road is shown.  

While there we visited a shrimp farm.  It was interesting to see how that was done.  They were probably the only employer in Kino bay aside from tourist business.  The town is very poor, but lots of Canadians and Americans live there part of the year, have beautiful houses, and have a club where they gather to socialize, promote charity projects, and generally enjoy themselves.  We were invited as guests, and attended a dinner there.  We also visited an oyster farm which was part of an esturary I believe it is called.  Sort of a huge wetlands.  There were open cafes there where you could order fresh oysters, they walked out and took them out of the water, shelled and cooked or served them raw.  Dave and I went twice, and paid for it with 2 weeks of digestive upset.  But it was good. 

We were royally entertained by the Hermasillo chamber of commerce to a day of touring the city of Hermasillo, cultural entertainment, a street car tour, and an historical tour of the governernment building there.  There were beautiful historical murals which outlined the history of Mexico.  Did you know that the main person against whom the Mexicans were revolting in the 1800’s was a man named Mr Green, who was very oppressive and not a nice man.  They shouted “Green – GO” outside his palacial home, and thus the term “gringo” became the not so nice reference to white people. 

When the Mexican Connection portion of the trip was over, we travelled up a 10 mile very bumpy road to a campground which is part of our membership group.  It was worth the trip.  There is a very happy little community there of folks who come every winter, spend the maximum time allowed, which is 6 weeks, then buy out a week which allows them to stay another 6.  We only stayed a week, enjoyed the company and the view.  We shelling on the beach, and David got to go fishing on the Sea of Cortez, pulling in fish as fast as he could reel them in.  We still have some in the freezer.  It was the highlight of the stay for him. 

Before our departure from the stateside we were warned about possible danger to our lives and property.  We saw no sign of this, nor ever felt fearful.  I won’t say were weren’t alert, and used a lot of common sense.  We did abandon the westward route from Santa Ana to cross the border closer to Yuma, as it was a long, unknown road, and we were alone at that point.  So we opted to take the toll road straight north and sat in line for 3 hours or more at Nogales to get back into the USA.  Had we been travelling in a group, we would have gladly taken the alternative route.   But not complaining.  We felt safe, the campground was close after we crossed the  border, and we were glad to get back to familiar territory. 

Wish I had more pictures for you.  I guess learning to use the camera, and transferring the pix is next.  But we have a new motor coach, and it will take all our learning powers for a little while.  We are delighted with it.  We picked it up in Casa Grande after coming back from Mexico.  I love driving it, so David has some time off that duty whenever I get a chance.  We slowly made our way home in it, timed our travels in between storms and snow.  It got cold as we headed north, but springtime in Colorado is definitely here, and this is where we want to be. 

Till next time.

The wind is blowing us home

It was blowing in Deming and we are glad to be off the road, it is gusting and blowing the dust around.  We stopped for the afternoon and night in Bernardo, NM.  I had read somewhere this is a donkey rescue farm.  It is billed as a CG for big rigs, close to the highway, and an RV stop for horses.  We were both exhausted from driving that we fell asleep, but we will go see the donkeys soon as David wakes up. 

Glad you got to see pictures of our new rig.  It is a joy to handle on the road, and we are getting more proficient at finding things and working things.  We certainly were in the right place for the right amount of time in Deming as we found a couple who moonlighted in fixing satellite and cable systems in RVs and other places too, I guess, but they were so good and got us all wired up, so now we can watch the home stations again, and CNN and any local stations we can find on the antenna.  We wont get cable, but don't really need it.  We also got the Bose system up and running, and got our subscription to XM-Sirus radio started so we got music and news as we travel along again.  XM doesn’t have quite the choices that our old Sirus did, but maybe we just haven’t explored it enough yet.  The radio has a remote control, so now I think the count is about 7. 

While we were in the Deming Escapee campground the census ladies came by.  I was glad to see them as I was afraid that we would be missed, and was concerned that full time travelers would be missed.  But they said since we were soon to be home, we could respond by mail, the form would be waiting for us in the mail.  I thanked them profusely for being out in the wind and tracking us down, and she said she was grateful for that because some of the people there weren’t very nice.    I thought maybe she just met a grumpy one.  But in a few minutes she came back by our camper, visibly shaken, and said they had been ordered out of the park and they would be leaving quickly.  We called the office to see why they had been ordered out, and the office they did not order them out, in fact were legally prohibited from doing so.  So someone forced their politics on the rest of us and frightened two nice women out of doing their job.  I am glad I didn’t know who did it, as it would have just caused more confrontation, but it is hard to believe that  blind shortsightedness and prejudice could show itself in such a callous manner.  I am trying very hard to be kind here.  I am trying very hard to avoid feeling that some one who evidently thinks they are protecting their own liberty and privacy denies the rest of us our rights and privileges.  Have our politics become so short on freedom and consideration????

 

Not sure I said what I wanted to say there.  But I think some part of our freedom is being lost here, by the impassioned exclusiveness of the attitude of being right instead of loving our neighbor and respectfully treating all with the humanity all deserve.

Anyhoooooooooooo!!  New Mexico I25 corridor is not the most inspiring of routes, but it does lead to home.  The birds are tormenting Punkin, and I will quit tormenting you.  Thanks for listening.   

pictures – finally!!!

I found a patient friend to show me how to do this, so now you get to see some pictures of our new rig.  I hope you are interested. 

Proud owners	Isn’t this pretty awesome – I get to drive

This is how we look on the road.

On the way home

We are in Deming, only a 180 mile trip today, but we are both tired, and there are so many things to learn about this coach, it is frustrating.  The TV is the biggest issue I guess, but on the trip today we lost the generator muffler somewhere.  But since we probably won’t need the generator the rest of the trip, it can wait. 

I want to tell you a little more about Los Algodones, Mexico where we went with Bill and Lesle while in Yuma.  Most on the road RVers know about it, as they come here every year to get there new glasses, teeth fixed, and I am not sure what else is there, but walking into the row of doctors and opticians is like walking into a circus of vendors, hawkers of medical services, and who know what else.  Every one speaks English, and they all take dollars instead of pesos.  I have yet to meet anyone who was not satisfied with their $250 crown, root canal, implants or false teeth, and they get the work done in one or two days instead of visit after visit and weeks of time.  It really is a busy place, especially after 10:00am when the liquor stores open.  So those in the know get their appointments done early, shop in the maze of vendors (which I didn’t find all that cheap, but boy do they haggle) get to the pharmacia and get almost any drug you want really cheap without scripts (except narcotics – they do require scripts for that, but I am told that for the asking, a pharmacist will write one for you if you bring a empty bottle) 

Then the RVs leave the Yuma area like rats off a sinking ship.  The road north is naught but RVs, and the parks and free BLM land empties out. So we are all heading north, slowly, hoping the snow is done, and the roads clear.  Of course for many home is where you park it, so it is all a question of semantics where you call home.  For most, it is a visitation to the northern relatives, and heirs whose inheritance we are spending.  And loving it.

I have received some pictures of the new rig, but I don’t yet know how to get them here.  So be patient with me.   

Here I go – solo

I thought you might like to hear some about where we are camped today.  We have been here since Tue and will leave tomorrow.  We came here to meet up with new friends from Colorado – sort of.  They are full timers and have family in Co, so will be to see us this summer, and are members of the Colorado chapter of Escapees.  The are retired military, so invited us as their guests to R&R here at the Yuma Proving Grounds.  This is a large military base real estate wise, as large as the state of RI, But not so much personnel.  This is where they train for Afghanistan, disarm explosive devices (I called them IUD’s but somehow I don’t think that is correct).  The terrain is similar to Afghanistan, but this desert changes quickly from north to south. 

Wed we walked across the border into Mexico for Bill (our friend here) to get some dental work done.  There are probably hundreds of dentists and pharmacias right there on the border who give good service and very cheap prices.  Also opticians and glasses can be obtained cheap.  His new crown only cost $250, where as at home it would have been $800 or more.  Lesle got new glasses for $35.  I guess I should have taken advantage of some of that.  There were lots of vendors there of course too, ready to take the American dollars, and we bought some stuff.  Not sure they were real bargains.  Most go there for liquor purchases, and to visit the Casino on the American side.  We had lunch there.  It is a busy place, and quite well known among the RV world as a place for some medical care, and most visitors to this area come here for that reason. 

On our way here from Lake Havasu the desert floor was covered in green grasses a foot tall.  Not so tall here, but green nevertheless, and just ready to pop.  10 miles south of here is the salad bowl of the south west.  Miles of Lettuce and tender veggies growing, and being harvested now.  Water everywhere!!!! Fields flooded and canals full.  There has been an abundance of rain down here this year, so things are popping all over. 

Our new rig seems smaller than I had thought it would be, but oh so much more convenient and comfy.  David hasn’t figured out the TV satellite system yet, but we have cable here.  I think the TV will have to get professional help when we get home.  I think storage problems will work out as we get rid of things we needed in the old rig, but don't need here.  It is a dream to drive, and hopefully I will get to drive some. 

Tomorrow we head for Benson, one night, then to Deming NM for two nights maybe, then Albuquerque one night then Raton one night, then home.  Of course we will monitor the weather.  I am looking forward to seeing Russ and Kari and Baby Gavin in May, but haven't heard definitive plans yet. 

Oh we have so much to learn.  I am overwhelmed by all the new ways of doing things, and all the amenities on this rig.  So I guess taking on blogging right now is an escape of sorts.  But it makes up for the cumbersome bulk mailings, and you can look if you want to, and won’t have your in box all cluttered up with my chattering.  I think you can feed back from the blog page, so I look forward to hearing from you.  Soon as I can I will learn how to use the camera, so I can send recent pix.  The one of Us on the page was taken on the Panama Cruise last year.  We don’t seem to take many pictures.  Just lazy I guess.  That needs to change. 

This is my second try at this

So I will show you my son and grandson who are coming to visit in May, after we get home and continue getting settled in our new rig.

SOOOOOOOOO greetings from Yuma AZ. We are now one week in our new rig. We are exhausted and recuperating here where the weather is wonderful, and our friends from Colorado are next door. They are retired military, and we are on an Army base where training is done for the troops going to Afghanistan. It is an interesting place.

But my main interest tonight is learning to use this thing, and then letting folks know it is here, and I will try to write – maybe not daily, but often enough that if you wonder where I am, you can go here and find out what is happening. I appreciate your feedback and comments. It feels good to hear from you after you have visited here, makes me feel important.

Gavin when he was just a baby. He is now almost one, getting around and about to take his first airplane ride in May coming to visit Grandma and Auntie Lani.

First Post - Yuma Az

I am just learning how to do this. Watch me grow.