Still Going To Alabama....

At least we waited til after the sun came up to leave Tucumcari.  We saw lots of windmills and wind turbines in New Mexico. The old fashioned windmills pump water for the many cows and other agricultural uses:

And the modern wind turbines produce electricity. If you click the photo below to enlarge it you may be able to see the turbines on the ridge across this field. I counted at least 60 of them over there. They are HUGE! A sign we saw says that each one produces 1.5 megawatts of electricity. I don't know exactly how much that is but it must be a lot.

 Ok, so I looked it up for us all to know. From this website: Oregon Power Solutions:

"...How many homes can one megawatt of wind energy supply?
An average U.S. household uses about 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year. A one-megawatt wind turbine can generate between 2.4 million and 4 million kWh annually, depending on the average wind speed at the site. Therefore, a single one-megawatt wind turbine generates enough electricity to power 240 to 400 households...."

So, if there were 60 of those things, they could produce enough electricity for up to  24,000 homes. Wow!

 

The turbines were out in the fields, so a farmer could still use the land to ranch or grow cotton or peanuts, and also receive lease payments for a power company to put those wind turbines on their property.  That is a good use of resources in my opinion. 

 

 

Another thing that was amazing to me is that there was so many ranches and farms, and you could see at a glance what these people do to make a living. They grow cotton, peanuts, sorghum, and corn. We saw a peanut processing plant, cotton gins, feed lots, feed and seed silos, farm implement sales lots. I guess I lived in cities for so long I either never knew or forgot about all the agricultural occupations that existed. See how beautiful that cotton field is?

 

We saw flocks of geese flying south for the winter. That is also amazing to me how those birds know when the cold weather is coming, and take flight before the first snow. 

 

 

We DIDN'T see any rattlesnakes, but this sign had me looking for them. This was at a rest area east of Amarillo on Hwy 287. 

 

We stopped for the night at Wichita Falls RV Park in Wichita Falls, Texas.  The guy who works in the office there can not give directions. We called him twice, and he failed to give correct directions both times. If you are going south on Hwy 287, take exit 1-A, get all the way over to the right, turn right at the first light, and stay on that road until  you see the sign for the RV park. That guy had us running all over Wichita Falls pulling that trailer. It is hard to turn around when you have a 34' trailer behind you, ya know?  They weren't making any dinner for us, either, so I made some potato salad.

 

 

And this was a little interesting: a collection of fire hydrants, each one painted a different color, at the RV park. Hmmmm......

 

We made about 410 miles today--not bad. Tomorrow, we head for Shreveport.

Going to Alabama...

Yesterday we got as far as Holbrook, Arizona. We got the trailer and truck parked at the KOA, then walked a couple blocks to a restaruant in town. It looked ok from the outside, but the food was, well, less than expected. Way less. I ordered a Mexican combo plate that had chicken enchiladas, rice and beans. The chicken tasted like it was canned, and the rest of it was worse than that.  Across the road from the restaurant, there was a hair salon called "Hairlapeno's". We usually take pictures of things like that but, GASP! I forgot to take my camera with me.  So, that opportunity was lost. 

We walked back home to the trailer and called it an early night as we were both tired. About 4 a.m, FabGrandpa was whispering in my ear, "Do you think that restaurant is open for breakfast yet?" Of course he was just joking, we were not going to give them a second chance. However,  he accomplished the goal of getting me out of bed and ready to go, but not before I had my customary chocolate coffee and email time. 

 

As I am not so much a morning person, I rarely see sunrise. But since I was already up and in the truck, I did get to see this one. Way too early, I tell ya!  See: 

 

That is A.M. people. I barely had my eyes open. 

 

New Mexico, which IS a state in case you are not aware (hehehe), is quite beautiful. Don't let all that sunshine fool you though, it was 17 freaking degrees out there. I was freezing my hiney as we got the rig ready to go down the road!

 

 

Even though there aren't many actual trees, there is some fall color in the landscape. I even saw a tumbleweed rolling down the interstate!  Wasn't quick enough to get a photo, but it was awesome as I have never seen one before. 

 

We went through Albuquerque, and I have to tell ya, I have NOT missed all that traffic. We were there during the lunch rush: 

I could have really done without all that. FabGrandpa accused me of pinching a hole in the seat. I hate traffic!

 

Lunch was at Lisa's Truck Center. Again, I forgot to take a picture (what the heck is the matter with me today?), but the burger (without a bun, and salad without dressing) was great! The meat was six ounces hand patted and cooked on a grill.

 

 

There was lots of construction on I-40. In several places they had taken all the pavement up off of the east bound lanes, down to the dirt, and had us routed into one lane of the west bound side, with a concrete wall between us and the one lane of west bound traffic. It looked like they were rebuilding the entire road. Maybe next year it will be a smoother ride. 

 

We made it to Tucumcari, a total of about 410 miles for the day. We stayed at the KOA in town again, and got a nice, flat site.When I went inside to register for the night, there was a delicious aroma of pot roast with potatoes and carrots. When I asked about it, they said it was for sale for dinner, so I got two plates of it. Boy was it ever good!  I hope the next place we stay is cooking when I get there!

Goodbye, Grand Canyon!

Goodbye, Grand Canyon!

 

Goodbye, Marble Canyon!

 

Goodbye, Flagstaff!

 

I always liked the ending to that movie, "Muriel's Wedding", when the girls are in the cab saying goodbye to the town of Porpoise Spit. I felt like that today, when we got in the truck and left the canyon. We have been in Arizona for 18 months, since April 2008. It feels funny to be leaving, even though I know I'll be back here in the spring. 

But, we have friends and family we want to see back east, so Alabama it is for this winter. We'll go to visit FabGrandpa's Mom and Dad, his brothers, our children, my Mom, and my brothers and my sister. We'll see as many of our friends as we can squeeze in in the six months we'll be in the south. It'll be a grand homecoming for us, and then we'll be gone again, to do our thing at the Grand Canyon for another season. 

So long, Arizona. I'll miss you!

The Semi-Annual Toss Out and Straighten Up

Every six months or so, when we move from one place to another, I do the Toss Out.  You know, where you go through every closet, cabinet, drawer, and bin in the place and get rid of things you don't really need, things you haven't used in a year, stained and torn clothing, etc.  

Just how much can two people accumulate in just six months?  Um, about 12 bags full.  See: 

 

  

And then there was a pesky mouse in the pantry, too. So, I had to pull everything out of the cabinet under the sink, and get everything out of the pantry that a mouse could chew into. What a pain in the arse!!

 

This whole cleaning out of stuff has taken me a whole week to do, and I am not finished yet. I still have one drawer under my seat at the dinette, that has to be sorted through. I have saved that one for last, though, because I know it will be an even bigger pain in the arse--it is my "office" drawer, where I keep all my papers, office supplies, things to be filed, things I need to keep track of.

Like, a big wad of business cards, little pieces of paper with people's phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses that I have intended to put in a little photo album to be able to keep up with them,.......

 

Thought I was just kidding, didn't you?

In the middle of all this, it started to snow, so I had to go out and drive around a bit to take some pictures:

 

  

I did get back to the job at hand, and have finished most of it, except of course for that drawer. I will have to wait until I get to a town to be able to buy a little album for those business cards, but it is at the TOP of my list of things to do in the future. Right up there with buying some extra mouse traps to keep on hand. 

So, now, the trailer is looking good! See:

 

 A nice clean, neat kitchen counter. I'm gonna bake that pumpkin and make a souffle!

 

My closet hasn't been so neat in years!

 

In two days, we'll head out to Alabama. The trip is about 1800 miles, and will take us about a week. The trailer is about 200 pounds lighter. Maybe we won't buy a bunch of stuff over the winter to fill it up again.

Our Newest Assignment

Everyone has been asking me where we are going for the next season. Today, I am happy to announce that we are to Payne Lake Campground in the Talledega National Forest, about 35 miles south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  It is about 185 miles from our hometown in Georgia, so that we will be able to visit our family and friends there over the winter. We will arrive around November 1, and will be there until about April 15, 2010. We are really looking forward to being there. See that lake? We haven't seen that much water in over a year! I can not wait to go fishing. Their website says there are Crappie, Bream, Shell Cracker and Channel catfish in that lake. I am ready to get out my fishing pole!

(photo sent to me by the forest service ranger)

The job we will be doing is volunteer camp hosts. We will live onsite, make sure the campground is neat and clean, and check people in and sell sites to people who want to camp there. We have been volunteers before, at Unicoi State Park, and at Tanner State Park, both in Georgia. We have found that each park has differerent duties expected of volunteers, but they are usually about the same at each place. We pick up litter, clean fire pits, give out information about the area, advise people of the rules of the facility, and call for a ranger if someone gets out of hand. 

In exchange for our duties there, we will receive a full hook up campsite, free propane, a telephone line, and free satellite internet service at our site. We will be provided our uniforms and a truck to drive while we perform our duties. It is a win win situation for both sides.

(photo sent to me by the forest service ranger)

We'll be leaving the North Rim on Sunday. It will be about 1800 miles to reach our destination, but I am sure we will find lots of neat things to see on our way. Can't wait to be on the road again!  Oh, and if you are in the area over the winter, come on by and visit for a spell!

You Know You're Really Lazy When...

...you get up to move your chair closer to the table because you don't feel like holding your drink in your hand between sips.

Mother Of The Bride

When Becky was here a while back, she gave us the news that she is going to be getting married. We are very excited and happy for her. We have not met her young man yet, but will when we go to Georgia this winter.  She is very nervous about her Dad meeting The Guy. Dad is just not good at meeting The Guy.  Lord knows, he tries, but somehow it usually doesn't go well on that first meeting. 

Becky and The Guy have set their wedding date for February 20, 2011 and they have reserved a very nice venue for the wedding. She is sending me links for florists and musicians.

I have started looking at mother of the bride dresses online. I know it is kind of early for that, but I remember when my youngest daughter, Emily, got married, we looked for weeks and weeks for a dress. It's not that I am that picky, it's just that I don't think the people who make mother of the bride dresses are very realistic about what a 57 year old woman looks like in a dress. 

(Here I am as mother of the groom in 1995. The red dress worked fine back then. It was a less formal wedding at a church in Smyna, Ga.)

Have you ever seen some of the stuff they have to offer?  Well, let me show you. 

This dress is actually listed as a mother of the bride dress. I don't know anyone who has a daughter old enough to get married who looks like that, or who could actually wear that dress. I can't even imagine it in a size 24.

This one is a little better, at least I can picture it in a plus size, but does it really have to be that shiney? Do they really think a large woman wants to draw that much attention to herself? I don't know how formal the wedding is going to be, but if the occasion calls for it, this dress may be ok. Just wish it didn't glow.

 

(and here I am as mother of the bride in 1997. The wedding was at a small chapel in Gatlinburg, TN. )

And yes, this one was in the category of mother of the bride, too. It shows a bit more of the gozongas than I would like. Who are these people who would wear something like that to their daughter's wedding?

I think this one would make me frumpy. What do you think? Or am I really too picky?

I DID find a couple of dresses I like. This one, if it is a more formal event, I think would look real nice on a "big boned" lady like me. I like the mint green, but I wear a lot of pink, too. 

And for less formal, I might just pick this. It would depend on how it looks in person when I tried it on. At least the people who own that website are using a plus size model so you can get a somewhat realistic idea of how that dress would look on a larger woman.

And though I don't think this one would be right for a wedding, I do like the looks of it--except that I know something that clingy wouldn't look good on me. And there is that cleavage thing again, too.

So, there you have it. All of these dresses were found in the "mother of the bride" category online. I think I need help.

The Sun Sets On Another Season..

Today was my last full day to work at the North Rim this season. It was a beautiful day, with a cloudless sky and tempertures around 56 degrees. 

 

As the shadows got longer, I felt a little bit sad that it is over, but happy thinking about my memories of the summer here. 

 

It was a wonderful, almost perfect sunset, with the only clouds I saw all day turning pink, red and purple over the meadow beyond the entrance station. 

 

What a great way to end my season!

 

I won't be wearing the uniform again until next year. And so, we will be moving again soon. In about a week from now, we'll be on way down the road.

Remember Whensday

 

 (Michael and FabGrandma: love at first sight: 1996)

Thirteen years ago, on October 13, my first grandchild was born. I drove a thousand miles from Atlanta, Georgia, to San Antonio, Texas to hold him in my arms for the first time. He was so tiny, so perfect, so beautiful. He was the one who made me the FabGrandma. 

Yesterday was his thirteenth birthday. He is now living in Maryland with his Air Force Dad, my son. But I have to tell ya, that little guy has been to more places than I have, and I go a lot!  Besides San Antonio, he has lived in Guam, and England. He has been to Stone Henge, Loch Ness, the Leaning Tower of Piza, the Eiffel Tower. He has camped on the shore of Wales, and near the beach in Tusany. He has caught grunion on the beach at Imperial Beach, California, and crappie in a lake in north Georgia. 

 

 (Michael fishing in north Georgia with his Dad and FabGrandpa: 2003)

That boy really gets around. Here is another photo of him that I love:

 

(Michael on the pier at Imperial Beach, California, with the catch of the day: 2004)

Hope you had a very happy birthday, Fab Grandson Michael!

For more Remember Whensday posts, click here.

Scenic Sunday

I came upon this family of deer on the road to the Widforss Trailhead this week. The deer up here are wild, but they don't seem to be as skittish as other deer as they didn't run off as soon as they saw me. Instead, they seemed to pose for me. 

For more Scenic Sunday photos, click here.

First Snow Day Of The Season

When the alarm clock went off at 4:30 a.m., I thought I heard the soft pattering of snow on the roof of the trailer.  I jumped up (OK, I slowly got up and grumped about it some) and looked out the front door to verify that it was, in fact, snow. Yep, snow. On October 7.

 

My duty station this morning was the entrance station. I was surprised to see the buffalo out in the meadow in the snow, because they haven't been around in more than a month. They are usually gone back down to House Rock Valley by this time. 

 

Sunrise over the meadow on the Kaibab Plateau. How beautiful is that?

 

The snow came in showers, and snowed like crazy for about a half an hour at a time. A couple of times it was coming down so hard and fast that it covered the road. 

 

But, then, a half hour later, it was all gone again, and the sun was peeking out. The forecast high was 52, but I don't think it got there today. That wood stove really came in handy today.

 

This is looking across the road from the entrance station, to the parking lot. 

 

And here I am playing in the snow, um, er, I mean working. Isn't that a cute outfit? I was glad when my shift was over, so I could go home, get a blanket, a cup of hot tea, and a gluten free cookie!

Remember Whensday

Me on the left, Donna on the right in 1995

I met my friend Donna, in 1964 or 65, when we were in the 8th grade. I was the new kid, having moved from Austell to Douglasville, Georgia, after school had started for the year. We were inseparable in our early teens, spending almost every weekend at her house.  We helped each other through our first marriages, having our children, and through the divorces that followed. 

We visited as often as we could over the years, but it never seemed like often enough. The photo above was taken in May of 1995, when we drove to San Antonio, Texas together to take a bassinette to my son and his wife for their firstborn child. We decided that since we were close enough, we would just drive down to Mexico for one day before returning to Atlanta.  

Donna bought a longhorn steer skull, with a horn span of what seemed like six feet. If it had been one more inch, we would have had to have driven all the way with the rear windows rolled down so they could stick out.  A few years later, when I hit the road for my life as a gypsy, I lost track of her. We haven't seen each other in almost 10 years, maybe more. But, I found her on Facebook this week!  I hope we can get together when I go home to Douglasville over the winter. 

For more Remember Whensday posts, click here.

Where Does The Time Go?

I'm sitting here tonight, wondering how in the world it got to be October 6th already, and thinking I only have 18 days before we leave the North Rim to go to Alabama. I am psyched for traveling again, and really glad that I'll be in a place where I'll see water every day. I am happy that I will see my daughters and my grandson again soon. But on the same token, I am saddened that I will be leaving a place I love so much. Saddened that there aren't enough days to spend with friends before we go. Lonely for them already and we aren't even gone yet. 

And as I think about that, I also wonder how I got to be fifty-seven years old so fast. Where did all THAT time go. I think about the people back home in Georgia, the related ones, of course, but more often the chosen ones. People who have been my friends for years, who still love me, no matter what flaws I may have.  Amazed at how many of them I have found on Facebook, and who want to get together with me for lunch or coffee, or whatever, when I get back to town this winter. And overjoyed that I found one in particular just recently, who I have known since the 8th grade. Knowing that she was my best friend for many years, and that I have known her for more than 40, and happy that I may see her again soon.

And that kind of thinking always leads me to think of my mother. My relationship with my mother has always been shakey--I have never felt like I have accomplished quite what she wanted me to, or that she has ever approved of anything I have done. Lord knows I have tried.  But at 57, I have tried to let all that go, and just love her, no matter what, in the hope that she would do the same. Sometimes that is hard to do. Sometimes I cringe when I see her phone number in the caller ID, and sometimes I don't answer when I know it is her. Sometimes I do, hoping she will be the sweet mother I always hoped she would be. Too often, though, it's not. And I know I can't change that.  I really do try to be patient with her. She misses me--my sister tells me that she does. It's just hard to believe that when every time she calls me she loses her temper with me--whether it is something I say, or, a lot of the time, whether it is something I DON'T say. 

We have very different opinions about a lot of things, from politics to religion, and back again. Most of the time she rants on rather loudly about whatever it is that has gotten her ire up, and I just listen until she calms down. More and more often, though, if I keep my mouth shut and bite my tongue in an attempt to NOT make her mad, that just makes her mad. And I have told her over and over again, that just because we have different opinions, it doesn't mean I don't love her.  That maybe we should agree to  not discuss religion or politics, and just talk about family, and my life and her life. And forget about the rest.

Our most recent telephone conversation ended with her calling me some ugly names, and hanging up on me. And I cried like I was eight years old again. I wish I could figure out why this happens. My sister says it is because she misses me. And that she wishes I would call her more often.  And I might agree, that that is the case. But who wants to call when they know what the result will be?

I know there will come a time when I will wish that every time the phone rang it would be my mother. She is almost 82 years old, and I know how lucky I am to have had her in my life for as long as I have. I just wish she would feel lucky to have me, even if I am 2,000 miles away. Mama, do you know I love you???? do you know that you did a great job raising me? do you know that even if I didn't accomplish what you dreamed for me, that I have achieved my dreams for myself? do you know that I am lonely for you, too?

Scenic Sunday

Autumn colors on Hwy 67 at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. The colors came on fast and disappeared just as fast, but for the short time they were here, they were fabulous! Yellow aspens among the firs and ponderosa pines.

For more Scenic Sunday photos, click here.

Mmmmm, Chocolate Chip Cookies!

 

I made some yummy chocolate chip cookies tonight, using Pamela's Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix. For a review, click here.