Balloon Fiesta Day Four “Morning” ( RV field )

   Today was great for the balloon launching, but because we went to see the launch the other day today we stayed in the RV park to watch the landings. Form 6:30 until 9:30 give or take we were surrounded by balloons of all shapes and sizes. I had a hard time watching everything that was going on and sure I missed more then one “great photo” .. It was fun and interesting to watch the balloons come down around the rigs and land in the field. Sometimes it was the end of the flight and then again it may have been to trade passengers and go right back up. I really need to find a way to return next year and become part of a crew.. ( ground crew ) ….

 

Only took 435 photos today to bring my total to 807 so far and I am not done yet. 

 

 

I am doing this blog early and will do a second one about today tomorrow. Tonight we go see the ” Special Shape Glowdeo” hoping my camera will be able to get the shots after dark. I seldom take photos at night because of my eyesight, have problems focusing at night.. 

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Hiking the Path Less Traveled

So far the first 24 hours at City of Rocks SP in NM has been interesting, at least from my point of view. Last night we had rain but not before it hailed on us during our walking of the dogs. But then after the rain stopped it was cool enough to sleep with the windows open.. Oh yah!!!!

Sort of a rainbow

Early morning dog walk

Then this morning after the dogs got walked I went on a long photo hike alone..  Had planed on only doing a 4 mile hike around the park, but…… I came across a path I had not seen before of other visits and could not help myself, it was lets see where this path goes..  Now from the beginning it was clear not many folks have been on this path. If not for the bright yellow paint on a rock ( markers ) I would never have made it to the end. As it was I miss guess what way the trail was going twice and had to backtrack to last marker and try again, not sure how many times I was just lucky and guessed right. Next set of photos are just of a few sections of the trail to show what I mean.

This last photo gallery is of some of the sites along the climb. Best hike in a long time even if the photos are not the greatest.

 

Shot of City of Rocks I like best.

I think this is one of my best scenic photos…

Top of the world Ma!!!!!!

Safe at Bottomless 9/5/2013

Arrived at Bottomless Lakes SP NM.  Only a minor problem, my right rear hubcap came off about a mile before getting to camp, it is now in the back seat of the car.  Had every thing down and relaxing by 1pm.. Went into Roswell NM for dinner, and to check out the laundry we will need to use in the morning.  Not much to say about the first day..

Okay second day and laundry has been completed, also stopped at Subway and purchased a sandwich for dinner. What to do next??? I know start the chicken chile so it is ready for lunch tomorrow..

First step in my chicken chile.. Slow cook the chicken.

Ha…. did not think it would be a step by step did you??

 

Chicken cooked now to simmer for several hours with all the ingredients and spices.  Will be ready for lunch tomorrow…

 

 

Photo galley of the Wetland trail here at Bottomless. I am amazed at how wet it is compared to last year, maybe we will see more birds this winter.. Did not see much today except dragon flies and butterflies. ( both too fast for me today )

mmmmmmmm

Less then a stellar welcome back to Oasis SP NM

Pulled into Oasis SP NM around 1pm 8/29/13. At first things looked good, will be setup and relaxing before 2pm. Then it happened, when we drove the car off the dolly something caught the front bumper and all but tore it off. Not a clue what happened we did it the same way we have been doing for months now, but something was wrong.. Had to call the insurance company and get the car into a shop on a “holiday weekend “..  To make a long story short had to drive the motorhome to the shop as well so that we had a way back.  Why not get a rental you ask?? Ever try getting a same day rental the day before a holiday weekend??? Let me tell yah, the best I was able to do was get on a waiting list as number 10..  SO do have to say progressive did a great job finding us a shop and taken care of things so that we do have the car sitting at the shop waiting to get fixed. So now seeing $$$$$$$ flying away…  LOL… had to put that in, but shit does happen…  Just wish I knew what went wrong …

Brighter side of the coin, during our first morning walk we spotted an Owl and it had its catch of the day. I can not say what that catch was because I could not get a good look. So welcome back to Oasis SP…

Catch of the day

Road Trip into the past…. ( sort of )

Hooked up with Laura and Herb for a road trip to Virginia City MT. From what I have just finished reading this  is a living town of about 150 year round residents . The locals have been playing host showing off this 1860’s gold mining town to visitors from around the world. The folks who take the time to visit walk down the same boardwalks once used by vigilantes. You can see inside many buildings that have been furnished with artifacts from that time to look much as there would have then.

Over 100  buildings  are complete with artifacts and furnishings.  The stagecoach, tour is available or you can tour on an old firetruck.  At certain times of the week in summer months visitors can attend a live theater show, stay the night in  historic lodging. Shop for gifts, or enjoy a meal.

 

All in all it was a fun day, we did the tour of the buildings ( not the stage or truck ) looked inside the shops, ( did not buy ) enjoyed a nice lunch and the company of friends.

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Very nice day with friends

Enjoyed the day very much. First I got a nice photo of a gray horse during my morning walk. Then I got to spend most of the day with friends. We went and checked out a local 4-H club fair and I got to see one of the strangest checkins I ever saw.. Ended the day with a nice lunch at a asian restaurant. Now back in camp just chilling out, tomorrow we wash the rig…

A Very Nice Day

Today was a very good day for us. First we got to sleep in to 06:15am, normal get up is 06:00am. Unpacked chairs and setup to be used outside, have not done this in weeks. Then Laura and Herb came over for a visit and we went to lunch in Columbus MT. Had wanted to try the place in town but it was still closed at 11:45.  Afternoon we just sort of relaxed and played games or did some reading.. Tomorrow we have to get a few supplies when we go visit Laura and Herb in Livingston..

Once again off grid and on again….

Now in Lander Wy at an RV park that claims to have WiFi access, only problem is you can not get it inside your rig. Right now the wind is blowing and it looks like it might rain, so I am not about to sit outside the office ( only place I can find that internet works. ) to get on. From now on when I pull into a place that “has” wifi I will check it out before paying…  Staying at this location until July 1st, will take a day trip to Yellowstone and maybe a Casino…

 

Day 2  ( July 30 )

 

Road trip to Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP…  Would have been a fun day except all four dogs got sick from a treat we gave them last night. Ended up cutting the trip short and oh so much fun cleaning up after three of the dogs lost it in the car. Did get some nice shorts of the trip prior to the fun..

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Day 3 Last day of July 2013

 

Went to the local casino and played for about three hours, almost won…. LOL…

Decided to break camp early and go about 100 miles so that I do not have to do 300 tomorrow. Now in Worland Wy for the night. Tonight we have cable, phone, and internet.. Tomorrow we should be in Reed Point Mt, and stay put for three weeks.. Looking forward to relaxing and not driving for a few weeks…

First good drive day since the break down..

Oh joy oh joy!!!!!!!  Started the engine in the RV and no Check Engine light came on…  YES!!!!!!!  Broke camp and headed down the road next long lay over will be in Colorado. Weather was not the best but then again even with the sometimes hard downpours it was better then driving in 100 degree heat.. Only stopped  for gas ( twice ) and to get something to eat for lunch. Suzanne was even given a free desert because it is her 64th birthday..

View from window at Restaurant.

Suzanne enjoying lunch

Restaurant we stopped at. Food was very good.

Drove  about 275 miles today and not one thing to complain about, best day driving in what feels like forever.. Spending the night in Hesston KS, ” Cottonwood Grove RV Campground ” ….

Best sky has looked all day

cottonwood turtle

Camp Cotonwood

Tomorrow we will try to make it into Colorado, next day stop just outside Denver for two or three night before moving on.

I just thought this looked cute, we parked in the truck parking when we stopped for lunch..

Makes my rig look small

We are still waiting and waiting, and waiting

The RV made it into a stall this morning, as of 10am all we know is the belts all need replacing and are on order.. Still need to inspect the undercarriage, change the oil. and check the breaks… Hoping to get it back tonight but went ahead and booked the motel room for another night because we had to have someplace to wait..

Whenever we do leave Memphis we will have less time to get to OK then I would have liked, so may have some long drive days ahead. Had planed to be in Ok on the 28th and chill out for three nights, now I will be lucky to arrive on the first. That is it for this morning, hoping to get good news this afternoon.

Repair shop called at 3pm to inform us the rig was looking good and should be ready in about 45 min, oops not true. When I asked about the undercarriage ( exhaust pipe coming off ) and the break check, he said he did not know about them. So now we wait some more…

I think Spencer and Rosie’s looks say it best.. WHY are we still in this motel room????

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