Just The Way it Goes Sometimes (long post)

Ok, I've said it.... I've lost interest in blogging. Or maybe its just my interest in blogging about RVing.

I had intended to come back, clear out , and get ready to sell my house by fall. Not going to happen. The longer I was here the more I was having second thoughts. I really didn't need to sell ... and I actually was beginning to like being here again. I will probably never be a full-time RVer, although I had thought that was my goal. But, you know what? It's ok. I have the best of both worlds.

There is so much else that takes my time, like spending time with my pups, Miss Izzy and Sasha. Since I have been back, Sasha has had her big girl surgery and healed up nicely.

Lots of work here to be done.......  I started a fire in my chiminae one evening and sat there contemplating what all needed to be done, and what was not necessary to do.

I'm glad now I did build that fire and enjoy it, because a few days later I had put the pups on the deck (Sasha on her cable) while I mowed the yard. She had gotten her cable wrapped around the chiminae and down it went into more pieces than anyone would care to count. I did not scold her as it was absolutely my fault for not thinking ahead.

I have been working at getting the yard and gardens back in shape after being away for 7+ months. 

(I must mention here that My eldest daughter and sil worked very hard at getting those oak leaves raked up and the yard mowed a couple times before I got back, and I thank them so very much! It sure saved me alot of work!!)

I bought hanging baskets of flowers on sale. and put out my yard decorations,

 bought new cushions for the rockers and a mat for the deck; doing what I could to make the entrance an inviting place. 

Then there was the issue of spraining my ankle so badly that it has been very painful to walk and kept getting worse. I wish I hadn't been so stubborn and gone to the ER when I first hurt it. So of course things are getting done slower. Here it is the almost end of June and all my garden beds and flowers have not been put in yet, but I have made up my mind to do what I can and not stress about it. So I am just enjoying the process.....

However, I did get my second 3' x 8' herb bed planted (the older one still needs cut back and the anthill dealt with) I love working with herbs. The scents are so calming! I also dry them and use in salad or for cooking or potpourri.

Till next time....

Boondocking....My Favorite Way to Camp

Finally! The needed repairs on my toad came to an end and I was able to get out to where it was peaceful and I could relax. About 5 miles out of  town, this beautiful (to me) place had once been a part of the town but for some reason there was nothing left but cement slabs where houses had once been. I counted at least 14 sites. I wonder what could have made them all leave..... Was it that the copper mine had shut down and there was no longer work for these people?

Some pictures of where I camped...

These 2 trees were very interesting to me.

They looked like they had been through many battles and their scars were deep and in the healing process they over grew to protect themselves from further harm.

I went about setting up camp with the door side facing away from the sun.

I put out my mat, table and 2 chairs. Always 2 chairs...

After supper I just enjoyed the quiet. The next morning when I got up I discovered I had visitors!

They did not seem at all bothered by my presence, nor me by theirs. I quietly sat on my steps and snapped some pictures. I think I counted 7  of them. 

It was so much fun watching them. They ate what they could find, then wandered off over the rail road tracks and down into the next patch of  grasses beginning to appear.

This.... is what I call a tree skeleton.I love the forms of the branches and the patterns in the bark. It had apparently seen a long life and now stood as if protecting younger ones coming up.

As that first day ended, I was so happy to finally be able to relax a bit from life's little troubles. The evening sky seemed to give hints to a brighter tomorrow.

We shall see what adventures await us ....

Sites in the Town of Ajo

As I have spent most of my winter here I have had a chance to look around a bit and admire some of businesses and the sights in and around town, as well as the structures. What I was amazed at probably the most was their copper mine, and the history behind it. This is a picture looking down into the abandoned mine. I loved seeing the colors on the "steps" of the mine. When visiting the tour center, which is actually where I was standing here, I found out that the mine is 1 and 1/2 miles across. WHAT??? Yes, almost unbelievable that we could see the other side at that distance. I also learned that each a railroad track ran around each rim and that there was even room for a vehicle to go alongside the tracks.

About another half mile down the road is this older mission museum and in the yards in front and beside it is some of the equipment used to work the mine and do some hauling in the early days.

Cousin Kris at the copper ore car that could haul 30 tons

Me at one of the freight wagons that was used to haul supplies by horses from Gila Bend to Ajo, a distance of about 40+ miles.

A depiction of the workings of the copper mine

Back in the town of Ajo ( by the way, pronounced Ah-Hoe)Is a Radio Shack / antique/ parts store and in the front windows had these displayed. An old-time washing machine with a copper tub, and an enameled wood cook stove. Interesting pieces!

Another antique-y place sported this old rusty car with wooden-spoked wheels.

Now for some of my favorite structures.... the old missions!

Two different ones each on a corner opposite the town square which hoses little shops and local businesses.Left side in next picture is a second-hand store which has books, art, bedding, clothes,  nic-nacs and other paraphernalia. Interesting shop...

This also houses an old movie theater which I believe is open from time to time and on the right end is the Post Office.

I love the neat row of arches.... and the middle of this back row is a very nice visitor canter, along the row that would be on the right (looking toward the back) Is an art gallery and shop, a food goods store, a library and a real estate office. I just love the structures of these buildings! Oh and in the middle of this is lined with palm trees and has a lawn of Green grass!

This town definitely calls to me and I have a hard time getting away...

Now for some cute houses!

Palm trees, blooms in winter, beautiful cactus plants. What more could you ask :)

I love this little adobe house with tree trunks for porch posts. Quite a unique design!

And this one with ladders to the top of the house.

The town also has a car-wash 3 gas stations, 3 (or more) rv parks, town park with swimming pool, a few restaurants, and an IGA Market with a water station outside for $.25 per gallon'

I hope you have enjoyed viewing this little town with me. Its a great place to spend the winter!

Thanksgiving Week and Repairs

Tuesday morning surprise! and not necessarily good..

I got ready to depart Lake Mike Conner Campground near Collins, MS. I unhooked the electric, put up the automatic jacks and picked the pads they rest on. I hadn't unhooked the car so nothing to do there except to plug in the braking system, or so I thought. The car battery was dead.... again. It had been giving me problems off and on. I was still able to tow it so I went to Auto Zone where the battery was promptly replaced at no charge as it had been under warranty. So it was going on 2 pm when I actually got going for the day.I drove to just west of Monroe, LA and stopped for the night at a truckstop. Gave the pups their attention and took myself to bed.

Wednesday Morning... I got up feeling quite refreshed and as the traffic didn't look too bad I decided to put as many miles behind me as possible. When I got close to Dallas/ Fort Worth area I had to decide whether to stop at the last rest area before the metropolis or go all the way through. Traffic was getting heavier and it was late afternoon, but I still felt fine so I decided to go for it. For some reason I always feel better when I have that leg of the journey behind me.The first place I found to stop was a rest area west of Weatherford about 7:30 pm. I was tired but I got the dogs fed and played with them a bit before heading to bed myself.

Thanksgiving Day...  found me continuing on toward Abilene, looking for a campground along the way. I stopped at one to inquire the price, but declined to stay. As I was pulling away to get back on I 20, a man in a pickup truck jumped out at the stop sign and informed me of a very flat front tire on my Rav. (I had had the tires checked before leaving PA as to the likelyhood of making the trip to AZ) Wondering where I could get the tire changed on Thanksgiving day, I started to slowly make my way around the next corner heading for the ramp ahead, when I spotted a tire shop on the far corner and a man walking around there. I pulled in and 'Yes, he could change the tire for me'. His wife came out and said they wouldn't normally be open but this year they were going to their daughter's for late afternoon dinner. I was so glad to find someone open and so close!! That was only one thing I was thankful for that day!

He had the tire changed quickly. It was a mess! I cannot imagine I had driven very far with it flat as I wasn't that far from where I had spent the night. I tipped him $5 which he didn't want to take but I insisted. He also informed me the other front one was not looking too healthy either. It was wearing very unevenly.
So wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving I left and got on my way. I still had about 70 miles to go to Abilene where I planned to stay till the holiday weekend was over. I stopped at another rest area to get some lunch and walk the dogs. I checked the net for RV camps. I chose to try one about 8 miles east of Abilene, and right off of I 20. They were not open but it had pull-through sites available on the honor system. It was a quiet campground with full hook-ups.The sites are gravel, but grass in between each space. There is a laundry shed with 2 washers and dryers available.  I was able to get tv reception here with about 10 channels. I pulled in and set up, and fed and walked the dogs.  I noticed no one else had their awning out so I took that as a sign that it could be windy there without too much notice, so I left my awning retracted as well.


 I heated up leftovers for my supper and just chilled the rest of the day. I sat and looked out my huge front window as the day was ending. What a beautiful sky!

The next day I snapped these pictures...

I did put out my awning long enough to take this one

And this one of the early morning sky

Rough looking entrance but don't judge it by that

Friday's galavantings... I called the nearest WalMart to see what they had for tires and if they could possibly get me in on Saturday. They said that Friday (Black Friday... ugh) would actually be better as they weren't that busy, but Saturday they would be. So off I went to Abilene. I decided to make it a worthwhile trip. I not only got tires put on, I also got a much needed haircut by a gal who also wasn't very busy that day. 'Terri' took alot of time with me giving me little hints and really working with my hair and gave me her opinion of products that would help my overly-dry hair problems. We talked and laughed and had a good time.

 I had a hard time figuring out how to take a good picture of us until she showed me how.

(permission granted to post her picture)

I also did some shopping for needed items on my list as I was still waiting on the tires.

It turned out to be a rather long day. Both Sasha and Izzy were glad to see me when I got back. Even though my feet hurt I took them out for a long walk and gave them treats and lots of hugs and petting.

Saturday...whew, getting tired of running! I was able to get my car in for alignment, and a good thing too, as the front was way out. And likely the cause of the flat.

 I also found a car wash nearby and took advantage of that.

On the way back this favorite drive-thru kept calling my name... I just had to stop and get a Cantina Power Bowl Burrito!

Home at last! done running!! (Home being the motorhome presently)

I surely had alot to be thankful for this week! Safety, provision, faithfulness of the Lord to supply my needs whatevr they were. The Bible says He will supply our need. I like to turn that around to " if I do all I can in my human ability, and He doesn't supply it, I don't need it"

Thanks for coming along on my journey!

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you

Paducah, Historic Section and River Art Wall

This is the rest of the pictures from my local tour of Paducah the other day. i was disappointed to find out that the Truck driving school where I had taken my training had shut their doors permanently a couple years ago. I would have liked to stopped in and talked to the instructors. However, maybe they had just retired and had no one to take it over.

Anyway I went down a couple familiar streets that I had seen at the time. The old section of town with its small shops looked somewhat the same, bringing a smile to my face. They were already putting out Christmas wares. A little early for my taste, but thats the way they do things now

I would have loved to have the time to look around this antique store! I can just imagine the treasures they would have inside!

I loved the structure of this warehouse type building turned museum. I wondered if it might have been a train station at one time, as the train museum was close by,

and an old locomotive was just up the street and around the corner. I saw one young girl and her mother exiting the engine. Again, I just didn't have the time but to snap a few picutres. Thats the way it is when you have fur-babies , and one in training, waiting for you to get back to camp 20+ miles away. So I went on snapping pictures along the river wall.

And there is the train up ahead.

I can remember living by the railroad tracks growing up and massive engines like this one would come roaring past the house!

After seeing the train I had to circle back and get pictures of the rest of the river wall.

Glory days of the river boats!

And the barges that carry goods up and down the river

Beautiful scenes....

....of  earlier times,

showing the colorful history of this area

To see this wall completed with quaint streetlights and all, made my delayed stop in the area worthwhile. I'm glad I didn't miss being able to visit.

That is one of my goals on this trip; to slow down, take each day at a time , and enjoy the journey!!

Thanks for coming along with me.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything,

 and there is a time for every event under the sun....