Arrived in Tucson on a sad day.

Tucson, AZ

We arrived in Tucson about 12 noon on Saturday.   We got the rig set up, including the TV.   How sad we were to hear what happened only miles from here just a short time earlier.   Impossible to make sense about something like this.   A beautiful day with folks going about their business and because of one person's derangement, so many lives are changed forever.   

This is the first time we have actually been in the residential area of a town while doing a NOMADS project.  We are parked right next to Hope United Methodist Church only about 1 block from I19 in the southeast section of town.

Directly behind us is an Olive Tree.   I had never seen an olive tree before.  I am wondering at what point are those olives okay to eat.  I was told by the maintenance man here they first have to be cured in lye.....could that be possible?

Len worked organizing the work shop and then installed a railing they found laying around.  

Oops!   It seems the part of the building they found these railings is being rented by the Pastor's brother for his landscaping business.   He uses railings on his truck when taking away debris.  He graciously told the guys -" That's okay keep them, I'll get something else.''

As for me, I helped rake up the playground and then walked the perimeter of the property picking up trash.

Today I finished trash detail while Leonard dug trenches for electrical wiring.   After my trashing was done, I worked in the church.   We are taking down old ceiling tiles and will be installing a new, dropped ceiling.  Phew, this was hard work.

One of the missions this church has is the Sidewalk Sunday School, even though they have it on Tuesday.  Each Tuesday Pastor Jimmy has this on the corner in front of the church.  Neighborhood children are invited to attend. 

When we were through working for today, we had to go to WalMart to pick up prescriptions.  I could not even think about coming back to the rig and cooking dinner.  So Denny's it was.  

Oh yes, we saw lots of trains as we drove from Deming to Tucson.   Long, long trains.  Long, long, long trains out in the desert.  Sam, this ones for you!

Gila National Forest, NM

Glenwood,  NM

We started the cool morning by catching up on our laundry.   Then we headed north to the Gila National Forest, a 117 mile drive each way.

Our destination at Gila was the Catwalk right outside the town of Glenwood.    The drive up was easy as Route 180 between Deming and Glenwood only went through one decent size town - Silver City.  The rest of the towns were for the most part nothing more than a post office and maybe a very small store selling bait, ice, etc.

On the way we crossed the Continental Divide.

The climb was so gradual we were surprised when we saw this sign.

When we got to Glenwood we found the 5 mile winding and narrow road back to the Catwalk.

The fee is only $3.00 or $1.50 if you have the Golden Age Pass. (I do).   It is the honor system where you place your money in an envelope and put it in the receptacle.   The smallest bill we had was a ten.  I felt silly writing a check for $1.50 but I did.

The walk is 1.1 miles in each direction.  The first half is moderately easy.   Then the catwalk or paved path ends.  The rest is a dirt path with few hand railings and even a swinging bridge to cross.  As we got deep into the path, it became quite chilly and icy in spots.  We walked a little over half way and thought it foolish to continue on with ice on a dirt path and a canyon all around.   There were parts even where we walked that were a little strenuous. 

The start of the path

Looking down from the Catwalk

A view of the catwalk on the left

An icy waterfall.  Note the snow.

A view looking upward

On the drive back we stopped in Silver City at a Pizza Hut and a late lunch/early supper.   When back in Deming we found the cheapest diesel around at $3.21 a gallon and filled the tank.  The station right across from the campground is $3.79! 

Tanks are dumped, some water put in potable tank, water hoses put away, coffee ready to turn on in the morning, Len is watching for at least the 300th time one of his favorite movies McClintock with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.   I am ready to hit the bed with a book.   We pull out in the morning for a 215 mile drive to Tucson.

A little bit of southwest New Mexico

Deming, NM

First - we thank all of our readers who have shown concern and support for our dear Charlotte.   The test came back and her ailment is not Lymes.   However, the fever broke, she is walking better, eating again and is back at daycare.  She still has a hard time climbing stairs.   If she continues to have pain or shows other symptoms, more tests will be done.

Frozen water lines again this morning - but we were smart and had filled the holding tank. 

Yesterday we spent a few hours at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum.   I wish I had pictures.  We got there and realized I did not have the camera.  We drove back to the campground, got the camera and returned to the museum.  I went to take the first picture - low battery.  How many of you has that happened to?   Too many I bet.

If you are ever in this area, this museum is a not miss.    There is an extensive display of Mimbres Indian pottery, a cowboy exhibit, antique autos, farm implements, art gallery, military history section, a gem and mineral room, a doll room and lots of other interesting displays.  No cost but donations well received.

Today we drove about 30 miles down to Columbus, NM.  In 1916 Pancho Villa and his army crossed the river from Mexico and invaded this small town.    There is a small museum and a state park

The campground at Pancho Villa State Park.  That is our truck middle right.

Cootes Hill.  A lookout post where Americans watched what was happening over the border

Armored car, forerunner of a tank.

The US Army was called in to track down Villa in Mexico.  Leading that expedition was General Pershing who a few years later commanded troops in France during World War I.   Pancho Villa was never captured.  10 American civilians were killed in the raid.

After leaving Columbus we drove through the customary border patrol check.  Again, we passed.

Our next stop was at Rockhound State Park.    We drove into the canyon section and took a 3/4 mile walk.

The road up to the Canyon

From the trail.  It was a steep climb up.  If the picture is enlarged our truck can be seen in the center.

After a driving to the canyon we drove over to the camping area, about two miles away.   On the way we could see people walking around checking out the rocks.   Each person is permitted to take 15 pounds of rock from the area.   As we were stopped and looking around, a lady out in the field started waving to us and walking toward our truck.

We have a NOMADS magnetic sign on both sides on the truck.   When she got to our truck she said, "hey there fellow NOMADS".   A while later her husband, who was out in the field rockhounding, joined us.  Then we saw a couple from the campground come in behind us.   This couple had come to our fiver this morning asking for information about NOMADS.    The 6 of us talked until it was time for us to head back to the campground for the weekly dinner.    

We never did get close to check out the campsites.  That's okay- we had a great conversation with our new NOMAD friends and two wannabe NOMADS.

Another great day.

A worrisome few days

Deming, NM

This is the second day we woke to temperatures in the teens and no water.   We first thought it was an internal problem but later found the water pipes here in the campground are close to the surface.  Tonight for sure we will put some water in our potable holding tank.    Thankfully Leonard always gets the coffee ready at night and puts it on a timer so we do have coffee in the morning.   As the temps rise rapidly here in the desert, we should have water probably in another hour or so.  It was 19 when we got up two hours ago and 28 now.

We have had quite a worry for the last week.  Our dear granddaughter Charlotte, back in Maryland, started getting sick last Monday, along with her sister, Abby.   The pediatrician diagnosed them with ear infections.  By Wednesday Abby was fine.   Charlotte, however, kept getting worse.  By Thursday she could not walk as she was in such pain.

Charlotte with little sister Abby

Amy and Scott were in twice daily contact with the doctor, even over the Holiday weekend.  On Monday Amy took Charlotte to get blood work.   Yesterday Scott met with the doctor.  He said they are awaiting the results of one test but everything looks like Lyme's disease.   They were to bring Charlotte in today and if she was not improved she would be admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.    A spinal tap would be performed.

But - last night she had a very good night and today she is walking normally.   She will not be admitted to the hospital.  In fact, she wanted to go to "school" (daycare) to see her friends and play with the toys.  She is now at daycare! 

The doctor is treating her for Lyme's even though one test is not back.   It appears to be working.  We know she has a way to go but we are so thankful for each improvement.

We had many friends praying for Charlotte's recovery.   Prayers work!

Is this New Mexico or ...

Deming, NM

After divesting ourselves of $425.00 in the purchase of two tires for the fiver, we left Fort Stockton, TX right after 9 this morning.    We continued west on I10 through West Texas.

We passed through El Paso.  If I were looking to settle there, I would have to think twice (at least) when I saw most houses had bars on the windows.  Just sayin...     Finally we left Texas behind (all 880 miles of I10) and entered New Mexico.

Maybe it is just me, but does New Mexico look like Texas?

Or seeing lots of pecan groves, maybe Georgia?

We had been looking wildlife.  The only animals we saw were laying either in or on the side of the road.  WAIT!  Up on the hill, is that a Roadrunner?   They grow them big in these parts.

I can only imagine the size of the coyotes.

Not far into New Mexico we were waved through a Border Patrol road check.   I guess we did not look suspicious enough.

We found our destination, Dream Catcher RV park, an Escapees Park around 2 mountain time.  We knew Linda and Joe, who we met at the Tennessee Escapees Park, was working here.   We hoped they were on duty.  They were.   We spent a few minutes catching up before setting up camp.   We then attended the 4 o'clock social hour.  

A nice couple came to our site, right after we pulled in.  They saw our NOMADS sign on the truck.  They do similar mission work for SOWERS, another faith based volunteer program for RVers.   Later, another man knocked on our door.  He saw our sign and asked if he could talk to us about NOMADS.  We are always so glad to spread the word.  He is a lay minister in the Methodist Church and recently retired.   We talked for a while and gave him literature.    He will be making contact to our administrator, Carla.   We feel so blessed when we are able to share with people who have a genuine interest in volunteer mission work.

One big disappointment today.   We did not want to cook.  We both wanted BEEF!  Lots of BEEF!   We found a steak house and had a great meal.   Len's cut of beef was more than he could handle tonight.  He asked the hostess to wrap it.  She said okay and then walked right over to the trash and dumped it!  WHAT WAS SHE THINKING!   We had planned to make fajitas tomorrow for lunch.   Her tip could have been larger.

So - what makes me think this year will be different?

Fort Stockton,  TX

We left Georgetown, TX about 8:30 this morning.  We enjoyed the West Texas scenery.

Some people do not like these, but I find them beautiful.   There were miles upon miles of wind turbines.

As we were enjoying our ride, off went our Pressure Pro System.   Fiver left tire gauge was reading 65, 55, 45 --oops!   We pulled over to the side.   Yup, flat she was.  

It only took Len about 20 minutes to change it out.   We then proceeded to Fort Stockton, a good sized town about 280 miles from New Mexico.   We first went to WalMart hoping they could do a repair.   This is a very small WalMart - no tires.  We unhooked the truck and drove through town looking for a tire shop open at 4:00 pm on a Holiday weekend Sunday.  

Everything appeared closed.  We stopped to get diesel.  Len asked another customer who said he thought a shop might be open about two blocks back.  He left and a few minutes later came back.  He checked and it was open.  What kindness.

We found the shop.  However, when the mechanic checked the tire he found it is completely blown and can not be fixed.   Earlier in the day, Len noticed the front tire on the right side has very little tread left on the outer edge.

So - here we are "camping" at Wally World.  We will be at the local Goodyear store at 8 tomorrow morning to buy TWO new tires.    And it is only JANUARY 2 of the year we swore our luck would change.

Two things:

             1.   We have heard about the cheap tires from China that most manufacturers put on the rigs.
                   We have proof!  We plan on replacing the other two in a couple of weeks.

             2.    Gotta love the Pressure Pro System.   Would never pull a rig without one.

Let's see what challenge tomorrow brings!!

2010 in the rearview mirror

Georgetown,  TX

We caught up with granddaughter Tiffany, her hubby Cody and baby Alex yesterday.  Us being hungry (as usual) we took them to lunch at a Chinese Buffet in Burnet, TX.

After our visit, we invited them to our campsite today for the traditional Louisiana New Years Day meal of cornbread, blackeye peas and cabbage.  I have a ham in the oven, an apple pie for dessert and peeled shrimp for an appetizer.  I do not even want to imagine what evil might befall us if we did not have cornbread, cabbage and blackeye peas today!

In my last post I mentioned we would have preferred a grassy site with a picnic table to what we have in this campground.   Our readers Catherine, Jo Beth and Grace suggested we look at Lake Georgetown which is a COE (Corps of Engineers) park.   We tried briefly late yesterday afternoon but could not find it.   This morning we tried again and after stopping to ask, we finally located the lake and park.

Oh how we wish we knew about Lake Georgetown before reserving at a private campground.    Since this was not a busy time, the gate attendant permitted us to drive through.   One campground is closed for repairs.  The campground that was open had many available sites, many on the lake.

There is water and 50 amp service.   No sewer but a dump station.  The cost is just $18.00 a night with a 50% discount with the Golden Age Pass.   WE HAVE IT!    Aside from the better scenery than where we are, we would have saved about $30.   Live and learn.  The next time we visit family here, this will be our campground of choice.   Thank you, dear readers, for your suggestion.

A brief look at our year in review:


We planned to hit the road January 8. Phyllis was hospitalized on Jan 5 with Cat Scratch Fever.
We then planned on leaving January 30.  Hit with a foot of snow on January 29.  We left NJ on February 1 as the roads were cleared.

Spent a week in Livingston, TX changing our domicile to Texas.  Was SHOCKED at the costs.  Big, costly mistake.   Moved on to Len's hometown in Louisiana and stayed a month, assisting in care of his Mother.

Went to Jacksonville, TX to work our first NOMADS project.  After 2 weeks we were asked to return to Louisiana and assist siblings in Mom's care.  

On Easter we had a family dinner at Len's moms.  After dinner we traveled to Sequin TX and stayed at a friend of daughter Terri's.  Terri and Steve flew in for the week.   From Sequin, we went to Burnet, TX to visit Tiffany.  On 3rd day we were called back to Louisiana.

We stayed in Louisiana providing care until May 24 when we headed to SD to get drivers license.  We had already changed domicile from TX to SD on April 1, saving much moola.   Five hours on the road we had accident with rig, separating back wall from side about a foot.   Left rig in shopin TX for temp repairs while we drove on to SD and got our drivers licenses.

We returned to TX, picked up rig and went to NJ.   We "camped" in Terri's side yard until August 28 when all repairs were done.  

We started our second NOMADS project in NC.  On the first day of the project we were called back to Louisiana.   We got there one day before Len's mom passed.   Following the funeral, we returned to the project. We then went to the NOMADS annual meeting, also in NC.

Next spent 3 weeks in TN at Raccoon Valley, an Escapees park.   Met some wonderful people while there.  Then it was to GA and our third NOMADS project.  

From GA we drove to Alabama for Thanksgiving at the home of Leonard's son and family.   We left our rig at their home and flew to Baltimore to visit daughter's Terri and Amy and their families.   We took granddaughters Charlotte and Abby up to NJ with us when we visited Aunt T and Uncle Steve.

Once back to Alabama we traveled to Lousiana for Christmas.  

We left Lousiana two days ago. And here we are now in Georgetown, TX.    A new year.  As in any year, we had some fun along the way but also had our share of sadness and mishaps.  

But here we are - we survived our first year on the road and now look forward to what 2011 has in store.

Happy New Year!