Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Monday, August 19, 2013

Our Summer in the Mountains

2013-05-19 - NM, On the Road - Santa Rosa to Bluewater State Park -002Imagine the following scene.  You’re driving along the interstate in New Mexico (which happens to be known as “the Land of Enchantment”) admiring the spectacular scenery,…

 2013-05-19 - NM, On the Road - Santa Rosa to Bluewater State Park -007 2013-05-19 - NM, On the Road - Santa Rosa to Bluewater State Park -008 

2013-05-31- NM, Bluewater Lake State Park- Summer Volunteer Position -001and you turn off onto a small state road. You first begin to climb as you ascend the mountain, and then descend a winding road down the other side,

 

finding yourself in the midst of pinon pines, 2013-07-06 - NM, Bluewater Lake State Park -002near a crystal blue lake… IMG_2109

 

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The weather is wonderful.  Nights are just cool enough to need an extra cover (remember,  this is JULY).  Morning brings a beautiful sky, just the right temperature for hiking….you decide to stay a while, perhaps all summer.

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What more could one want, Right?  That’s how we feel, and this is where we find ourselves for the summer…at Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico where we are volunteering.

We are parked, along with two other volunteers in the maintenance compound.

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We spend a few hours weekly working in the office/visitor center2013-05-31- NM, Bluewater Lake State Park- Summer Volunteer Position -029 2013-05-31- NM, Bluewater Lake State Park- Summer Volunteer Position -056

and a few afternoons manning the gatehouse.2013-05-31- NM, Bluewater Lake State Park- Summer Volunteer Position -061

Our first couple of hours following breakfast each morning is devoted to walking. We’re up to 1 – 2 miles every day, and occasionally as many as 5 miles, which is quite amazing for us, considering the foot problems Ron has had in the past…so glad he went through the therapy this summer…we may never dance again, but at least we can go for walks once more, which is a huge improvement.

The park is large enough, that we can pick a different walking route each day.  Since it is located on an incline, we’re getting a lot of good cardio-exercise.

One of our favorite places to walk is to the top of the cliffs overlooking the dam.  The asphalt drive takes you almost to the crest, and a short walk places you directly above the dam.

2013-07-06 - NM, Bluewater Lake State Park -015 An old foundation still stands on the summit, providing an excellent viewing station.

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The canyon below the dam stretches out to the right, where we have even been fortunate enough to watch reservation horses as they come to water.  The group is complete with stallion and foals.

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The lake lies to the left, with boats rippling its surface daily.

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Some of the boaters come just for pleasure, while others come for the large tiger muskies.  The muskies range up to over 50” long…anything under 40” is a “throw-back”.  Bluewater Lake holds the state record for muskie caught at 50.5”, so it attracts fishermen from far and wide.  We happened on this young lady one morning, trying to revive one that had been thrown back and was still dazed.

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Weekends find campers parked along both side of the lake, as well as in the developed campground.

 IMG_1981    2013-07-06 - NM, Bluewater Lake State Park -010 

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We’ve enjoyed looking for the smaller wildlife of the park, such as the ground squirrel, the mountain bluebird and the bunnies.  We’ve even spotted a horned toad, which are getting more rare.

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This is definitely a good place for us to spend the summer.  It’s remote, yes, …30 miles from a grocery or laundry, but it’s also a wonderful place to enjoy the mild weather while catching up on our reading and beading.  We’ll share from our hikes in the area in the next post.

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