May 31, 2009

Today we had our first backroad adventure of the season. We "TRIED" to backroad the Rio Grande National Forrest but the road ended in a snow bank so we turned around....bummer!! There was still a significant amount of snow on the upper mountains; however, the Aspens were beautiful!

May 30, 2009

We are finally settled at Alamosa NWR, CO for the summer. We are parked at the headquarters with a great view of the still snow capped mountains. Ready to start work on Monday, June 1st. We will be working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Once again, Mike's construction skills will be put to use. My main project is the annual Kid's Fishing Day. Just like when the kid's were younger, I get to solicit prizes and donations from the various local businesses.

So far we have seen the coyotes (and heard), huge rabbits, several coots, hawks and one golden eagle. Tuesday after the other volunteers arrive, we will be touring all 3 refuges which should be fun. Baca NWR is not open to the public and is reported to have several thousand ELK. Can't wait!!

We left Fentress on April 24th, spent 2 1/2 weeks with the kids before departing TX on May 11th. Spent a couple of nights in OK, then on to KS to leave the RV at the factory for some warranty work and new bigger wheels/tires. We left Smith Center, KS on May 14th headed for Las Vegas to spent a week with dear friends. It was such a hoot and so much fun!! I WON $55 at Blackjack. We did lots of sightseeing and hung out by the pool most evenings. Then back to Smith Center, KS to pick up the RV. It was "mostly" finished with just few things I wanted done better! It could have been a one day drive from Smith Center to Alamosa but it was raining SO HARD thru Kansas that we decided to stop just east of Colorado Springs for the night so we didn't have to tackle the mountains when we were tired. It wasn't bad driving 2 vehicles....I can have the radio as loud as I want and sing along all I want!!!

May 20, 2009

Having so much fun with Cathy & Jim here in Las Vegas!!! It is so neat to meet with old friends and find out you are just as close as you were in high school. Have been having a really relaxed time...hanging out by the pool, sight seeing and just visiting. Today we are headed for Valley of Fire and some of the NWR's in the area. Tomorrow is Hoover Dam day.

May 17, 2009

We are in Las Vegas!! We left the 5th wheel in Smith Center, KS at the Excel Factory for warranty repairs. Had an uneventful trip from Texas to Kansas. Did stop at a great park in just south of Salina, KS. So pretty, on a small lake with REALLY big sites.

After visiting with the service department at the factory, showing them all of our problems, storing the little trailer with the scooter and boat, we took off in the Jeep for Las Vegas. Nice slow trip with lots of stops along the way (4 corners, etc). Stopped at Alamosa NWR to see where we will be working this summer...really anxious to get started! Saw some great old barns and cool old cars.

This should be a fun trip as we are meeting long time friends here. Cathy was my best friend in high school. SO MUCH FUN!

May 11, 2009

Left Lampasas, TX right on schedule. Had breakfast with our "not yet awake grumpy" grand-daughter and her Mom & Dad. After hugs & kisses to last for few months, she headed for school and we went back to the RV park to finish last minute preparation to leave. We were on the road by 9:15 am.

Lots of rain, some quite heavy, as we headed north. We sailed thru Ft. Worth with little traffic. YEA!! Still don't like pulling my house thru big cities but no problems. With one last look, we bid good ole Texas good-bye for awhile. We stopped at Thackerville, OK. for the night. It was an early stop due to the rain and high winds. We don't have to be in KS (at the Excel factory) until Friday so plenty of time. Tomorrow will be another light travel day as we plan to stop in Guthrie, OK and go back into OK City in the jeep. Want to see the memorial and see if the hospital I was born in is still standing.

May 10, 2009

We have had a great last 2 weeks!! We left Fentress, TX on April 26, 2009 making a roundabout (many stops) journey to our next job at Alamosa, CO NWR. We made an overnight trip to Brackettville, TX to visit my 90+ year old parents. LONG, LONG story but they decided they would rather be down there near friends than close to any family. Then 2 weeks at a Georgetown, TX COE park. Had great visits with all of our kids and grandkids. Had lunch with all the grandkids at school; however, I am not so sure the 7th graders really wanted us there!! Got watch our oldest grandson's basketball tournament and to celebrate our grand-daughter's 9th birthday with her. Tomorrow (May 11th) we will start north. YEAH!!! ON THE ROAD AGAIN!