Today has been a bit challenging. I don't want to put the cone collar back on Bella, but she keeps running away from me. I believe she is mad at me. The good thing is that she really isn't messing with the wound. I'm afraid she is going to grab that drain and pull it out. I don't know why they had to make it so long hanging out. That would certainly bug the heck out of me if it were on me. She licks it from time to time, but that is all.
I didn't sleep very well at all last night. Every time she moved I woke up to make sure she wasn't messing with it. But, she, for the most part was not.
I am out of my medication and coffee tasted terrible this morning so we went off to Walmart.
That doesn't make any sense to you at all does it. Well, I can get my prescription filled there and it is a good place to buy large containers of water. i also bought a little clock. The one I have by the bed is a plug in and it is very bright, even on the dim setting, also, overtime we move I have to unplug it and reset it, and overtime the power goes out, or just when ever it feels like it, it starts blinking and I have to reset it. So, I got a smaller, battery operated one that is not lit up at night but you can press the button on the top and it lights up faintly just so you can see the time.
We got a sandwich and then drove over to the park where we usually run and sat at a table and ate. Bella finally went potty. I was a little concerned about that.
When we crossed the street to the main park she went crazy running around like the happy puppy she normally is. Obviously her wound is not bothering her. Still, she's not supposed to be running on it so we had to leave.
We came back home to wait for Rob to fly in so we could pick him up.
I worked on my stitching and watched Call The Mid Wife on my iPad.
About 4:30 Lexus called and told me my car was ready. Yippee! I had actually forgotten about it. So, we jumped in the car and drove to Lexus.
So, when I bought my car I paid extra for a special blackened chrome package. All of the chrome on my car is blackened around the edges, sort of like antiquing on rings, and it makes it look really cool. Well, my new wheel is not blackened, it is straight chrome and it looks obvious. The man told me it does not come from the factory blackened and they must have painted it. Oh my God. Why is it always something. I called Escondido and sure enough, it is a special deal that they do and they send it out to have it done. I said ok fine, but I am in Albuquerque, and my car looks stupid and no one told me when I bought it already done that I would not be able to get replacements for it.
Naturally, it is the end of the day and the person I need to talk to has already left. So, I got the business cards for everyone in charge in Albuquerque and the people in Escondido have my contact info and Bella and I left to deal with it tomorrow.
We stopped at Costco on the way back to the base and bought a gel topper for the bed.
When we got home I only had time to strip the bed and throw the topper on top so it could undo itself before having to go to the airport for Rob.
Yippee! Rob's home.
He helped me with the bed, then we sat outside for awhile and chatted before going to bed. We almost need a ladder now to get into the bed.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Sunday, 14 May, Albuquerque,
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY: MOM, BARBARA, NANCY, AND ALL YOU OTHER MOTHER'S OUT THERE!!
It is another lovely morning. I sat out for a bit, but it was way to hot. The sun faces us in the morning and it was quite warm so I had to scoot inside.
Bella was sitting next to me and she kept licking (that drives me crazy) any way, I looked to see what she was licking and she has a little fingernail size hole in her hip.
Shit. It is all hard behind it. I have no idea what she did to get it. It is Sunday and Mother's Day I wonder if I am going to be able to find a vet open today. There is a Vet clinic here on base, but I doubt it is open today. I will definitely have to check.
They are having a Mother's day brunch today. I did make reservations to go at noon. I want to go, but feel a little odd going by myself. I wish I knew someone here to go with.
Actually, I wish Mom and Barbara were here to go with me.
I sent them flowers and will definitely call them. I want to wait until a little later tho so that their flowers get delivered.
I got ready and went to the brunch.
The brunch was nice. They had a nice spread. Two ladies were sitting next to me and we chatted for a moment. Another older lady who seemed to know everyone and was making the rounds stopped in and chatted with me.
Mom called to thank me for the flowers. I told her she wasn't supposed to thank me. I'm glad she got them. And it was nice chatting with her.
I ate quickly and left after only one small flute of champagne. I really was concerned about Bella.
I took her to an emergency clinic not to terribly far away. They were very nice. They said it seemed to be some sort of a picture that went under the skin and made a rather large pocket. They wanted to sedate her, flush it out, put a drain in it and suture it. They sent me away so they could do all that. I hate leave my kids at the vet.
I went home and played on the computer and waited for them to call me.
Finally around 5 they called and said all went well and she was waking up and would be ready to be picked up at 7 pm. Good. Now I just need the time to hurry and go by. I miss her.
Finally I went to pick her up. She seemed scared and a bit out of it. They had put a cone on her head and that was making everything worse. As soon as we got in the car I took it off and settled her on my lap.
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| this picture was taken in Hawaii in 2009 |
Bella was sitting next to me and she kept licking (that drives me crazy) any way, I looked to see what she was licking and she has a little fingernail size hole in her hip.
Shit. It is all hard behind it. I have no idea what she did to get it. It is Sunday and Mother's Day I wonder if I am going to be able to find a vet open today. There is a Vet clinic here on base, but I doubt it is open today. I will definitely have to check.
They are having a Mother's day brunch today. I did make reservations to go at noon. I want to go, but feel a little odd going by myself. I wish I knew someone here to go with.
Actually, I wish Mom and Barbara were here to go with me.
I sent them flowers and will definitely call them. I want to wait until a little later tho so that their flowers get delivered.
I got ready and went to the brunch.
The brunch was nice. They had a nice spread. Two ladies were sitting next to me and we chatted for a moment. Another older lady who seemed to know everyone and was making the rounds stopped in and chatted with me.
Mom called to thank me for the flowers. I told her she wasn't supposed to thank me. I'm glad she got them. And it was nice chatting with her.
I ate quickly and left after only one small flute of champagne. I really was concerned about Bella.
I took her to an emergency clinic not to terribly far away. They were very nice. They said it seemed to be some sort of a picture that went under the skin and made a rather large pocket. They wanted to sedate her, flush it out, put a drain in it and suture it. They sent me away so they could do all that. I hate leave my kids at the vet.
I went home and played on the computer and waited for them to call me.
Finally around 5 they called and said all went well and she was waking up and would be ready to be picked up at 7 pm. Good. Now I just need the time to hurry and go by. I miss her.
Finally I went to pick her up. She seemed scared and a bit out of it. They had put a cone on her head and that was making everything worse. As soon as we got in the car I took it off and settled her on my lap.
We went home and I tried to make her as comfortable as possible until bed time. She made some noises like she was uncomfortable from time to time, but for the most part she just slept.
When we went to bed I checked in the bed and sure enough, there were marks from her wound. She did it sometime yesterday evening. She never yelped or limped or gave any indication what-so-ever that she had been injured. Poor little thing.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Saturday, 13, May, Albuquerque.
Bella and I sat outside enjoying the morning with our coffee. It is very warm this morning.
About 9 am I decided if I am going to go for a run I had better do it now.
If one remembers from the last time we were here. There is a park about half mile from here that has a running/walking track around it that is just under a mile. There is also a little park around that that has picnic tables. The park area is a nice, safe area where I can let Bella off the leash. There are lots of bunnies and squirrels she likes to chase. So, I decided we would walk through the park area off leash, then I would hook her up and run the three sides of the track, then walk through the park area again. So, we did that for 4 laps. When we were getting ready to leave I remembered that right near where our RV is parked there is a walkway that goes from the park into the housing area. The park is also on the edge of the housing area so I decided to see if the two were joined. Sure enough, there is a sidewalk that goes the entire way. It was great. No more having to walk through gravel or stickers or along the road. Sidewalk the whole way. We ended up doing 4.5 miles. It was great.
We sat outside for a long while afterward cooling off and enjoying the day. It got chilly so we went in and I continued working on my stitchery and watched TV until bed time.
About 9 am I decided if I am going to go for a run I had better do it now.
If one remembers from the last time we were here. There is a park about half mile from here that has a running/walking track around it that is just under a mile. There is also a little park around that that has picnic tables. The park area is a nice, safe area where I can let Bella off the leash. There are lots of bunnies and squirrels she likes to chase. So, I decided we would walk through the park area off leash, then I would hook her up and run the three sides of the track, then walk through the park area again. So, we did that for 4 laps. When we were getting ready to leave I remembered that right near where our RV is parked there is a walkway that goes from the park into the housing area. The park is also on the edge of the housing area so I decided to see if the two were joined. Sure enough, there is a sidewalk that goes the entire way. It was great. No more having to walk through gravel or stickers or along the road. Sidewalk the whole way. We ended up doing 4.5 miles. It was great.
We sat outside for a long while afterward cooling off and enjoying the day. It got chilly so we went in and I continued working on my stitchery and watched TV until bed time.
Friday, 12 May; Santa Fe
It was really, super, super windy during the night. I had to go outside and rescue the plants and bring them in again. Also, the rugs were blowing around so I had to anchor them down. I felt sort of sorry for the people in the tent.
This morning, however, is lovely and calm so I took the plants back out and gave them a good watering.
We sat outside for a little bit and I watched in amazement as the people with the tent got up and started taking everything back down and packing it away. Wow. All that work just for one night. We chatted for a bit. They are only traveling for 2 weeks and have a lot of traveling to do.
I decided today would be a good day to go visit Santa Fe. It has been many years since we have been there.
I fed Bella and then we went.
It was about a 45 min drive. It was an easy drive. I didn't really know where I was going so when I got into Santa Fe and saw a park we stopped and got out and walked around. I didn't take any pictures because it is a bit difficult when I am by myself and have Bella on a leash. I don't have enough hands and just about when I am going to take the picture she pulls.
I found what seemed to be old town. That's what I was looking for anyway. A place that had shops and places to eat.
I parked down by the Cathedral. St Francis of Assisi. It is beautiful.
This morning, however, is lovely and calm so I took the plants back out and gave them a good watering.
We sat outside for a little bit and I watched in amazement as the people with the tent got up and started taking everything back down and packing it away. Wow. All that work just for one night. We chatted for a bit. They are only traveling for 2 weeks and have a lot of traveling to do.
I decided today would be a good day to go visit Santa Fe. It has been many years since we have been there.
I fed Bella and then we went.
It was about a 45 min drive. It was an easy drive. I didn't really know where I was going so when I got into Santa Fe and saw a park we stopped and got out and walked around. I didn't take any pictures because it is a bit difficult when I am by myself and have Bella on a leash. I don't have enough hands and just about when I am going to take the picture she pulls.
I found what seemed to be old town. That's what I was looking for anyway. A place that had shops and places to eat.
I parked down by the Cathedral. St Francis of Assisi. It is beautiful.
We didn't go in because there were a lot of people and I didn't want to hassle with it. Besides that, I was very hungry and wanted to find a restaurant and have some lunch.
I found an Italian outdoor caffe and had a nice salad (greek type actually) and a nice glass of white wine.
After that we walked around a bit. I found the main square with the park in the center. People had set up their wares all around it. I naturally had to look at everything.
When we moved back into our house in Tahoe in 2013, I knocked a baguette diamond out of my wedding set while moving stuff. So, I took off my rings and put them in my jewelry box. I kept meaning to get them fixed, but didn't know where to take them. In the mean time, after getting all settled, I started wearing my Grandmother's engagement ring with a gold band I found somewhere. Since moving out of the house and back into the RV I have not been able to wear my wedding set and have continued to wear my Grandmother's.
Today I found a really cool ring that I like as a wedding band and so I bought it.
It is actually two silver bands with gold wrapping around them. I think it looks pretty cool with my Grandmother's ring. I like it.
We continued wandering around all the shops. I ended up buying two tops. One with colored embroidered flowers along the v neck and the other just white with white embroidery.
I got hungry again, (and thirsty) so we stopped in at a Mexican Restaurant and had margarita and some nachos. Evil on both accounts.
We decided it was time to go home so we started heading out. My hair has been bugging me since the last cut. The gal was only 3 months out of beauty school and did not do a very good job. So, I yelped and found an salon. I arrived at 4:18 and had to wait until 5:30 and then it was almost 7 pm when I finally got out of there.
I watched TV and worked on my stitchery for the rest of the evening.
Thursday, 11 May, Albuquerque.
When I went to bed last night the clock was flashing. The power had been cut to it again and I didn't know what the time was to reset it so I just unplugged it and went to bed.
Rob woke me up and said I didn't have to get up yet, but soon. I told him to wake me up when it was time to go, all I had to do was put clothes on.
A few minutes later I got up, took Boo out for a pee and sat down with a cup of coffee that turned into two.
I had to take Rob to the Airport so he could fly to Seattle. He has his yearly training for the next three days.
Bella and I drove back to base and returned the movie.
We went back to the rig and thought about what to do for the day. It was still very overcast with sun around the edges. It is supposed to clear up, be sunny and warmer over the next several days.
I want to go to Santa Fe and thought about going today, but remembered that my car is supposed to be done today and I have to go and give them the loner back within 24 hours of them calling me that mine is ready. So, I decided tomorrow would probably be better.
I picked up an adult coloring book about dogs and puppies, when we were in Taos, so I decided to do a page. It wasn't as relaxing as it is supposed to be. The whole time I was stressing about the time I was wasting and the fact that I am a lousy artist. It was actually somewhat stressful. I did stay with it to the end, but I certainly don't believe it turned out to be anything to write home about.
Soooo, I turned to the blog.
I was really far behind on it, and again, it is due to the lousy internet connections where it comes to getting the pictures off my phone and onto my computer. Surprise, surprise, they were all there.!
I worked on it throughout the morning and then Lexus called me and told me the wheel had arrived and the maintenance had been completed, that the air conditioner filter was dirty and so it was replaced, but they did not have my tire in stock and neither did Phoenix. So, they had to order it from Calif and its ETA is not until Monday, but they may get it tomorrow. I said no problem, as long as I can keep the loaner I am here until Tuesday anyway. I said if it is going to be longer than Monday let me know so I can extend my stay. OK, so no more worries about that.
I got all caught up on the blog.
We had a bit of an incidence yesterday afternoon. When I got back from the gym I was heated up from the run and needed to cool down before shower. So, I started playing computer games when then, not only did I get cooled off, I got cold, so I turned on the fireplace. Rob came home and I was still goofing around, and I asked him to turn on the heat, which he did and then headed into the bedroom. all of a sudden there was a big clang like something had fallen or something. Then there was a smell. Rob came out and the fuse panel was open and the "second air conditioner" circuit was popped. I also heard a pop next to me while I was sitting on the couch which I figured was the GFIC. I reset the AC circuit while Rob went out to check the outside circuit which had popped and he reset it. I was feeling the the panel and under the main circuit it was quite warm and the burnt smell was there. Rob came back in and turned off the main circuit and when he flipped it back on there was a pop and a spark. Holy Shit we both said at the same time. But, everything is working again. Of course we turned off the fireplace, but we really don't know what happened.
Rob started calling around and got ahold of a Mobile RV guy who right now is scheduled to come out on Tuesday to check things out. If he gets a cancellation he will come out sooner.
In the mean time, I told Rob to turn on the fireplace and then flip the fireplace circuit breaker. Sure enough, when he did, nothing happened. When the guys re-did our back end, took out the fake fireplace rock work, installed the cabinets and rewired, then didn't wire the fireplace onto the same circuit it was on before. They've wired it in with other things which is why we are always blowing circuits when it is on. They did such a crappy job with the whole thing. Lesson learned, go with the professionals, Never try to save money by going with the fly by night guys.
So, someone is coming out Monday and hopefully he can get us straightened out.
One of these days, perhaps we will be able to get back on the road and continue with our journey. But in the mean time, we are in a safe place that is easy to get in and out of and anything that we need to be fixed or adjusted should be available here.
I put the rugs and the chairs out and sat outside for a bit. I also took the plants outside. It had been really windy so we brought them in and set them on the sewing cabinet. It was nice to get them out and into the sunshine. It was nice for us to sit outside and enjoy the day as well.
I spent the working on my stitchery. I am working on June's Kleenex box. Rob picked out a sail boat and ocean scene. It is coming along. It is in a book rather than on the computer, so I cannot enlarge it. That is making it a bit difficult with similar colors. Thank goodness for the flash light on the iPhone. Proper light makes all the difference in the world.
During the late afternoon a SUV towing a very very tiny little trailer pulled up. They had 2 adults and 4 children. There was no way they were going to all fit in the little trailer. I watched as they pulled everything out and then set up a very large tent. Ahhhh, that makes sense. They spent quite a bit of time staking it down and then attaching and staking down a rain cover. It took them quite some time to get everything set up. I kinda miss our tent camping days.
Rob woke me up and said I didn't have to get up yet, but soon. I told him to wake me up when it was time to go, all I had to do was put clothes on.
A few minutes later I got up, took Boo out for a pee and sat down with a cup of coffee that turned into two.
I had to take Rob to the Airport so he could fly to Seattle. He has his yearly training for the next three days.
Bella and I drove back to base and returned the movie.
We went back to the rig and thought about what to do for the day. It was still very overcast with sun around the edges. It is supposed to clear up, be sunny and warmer over the next several days.
I want to go to Santa Fe and thought about going today, but remembered that my car is supposed to be done today and I have to go and give them the loner back within 24 hours of them calling me that mine is ready. So, I decided tomorrow would probably be better.
I picked up an adult coloring book about dogs and puppies, when we were in Taos, so I decided to do a page. It wasn't as relaxing as it is supposed to be. The whole time I was stressing about the time I was wasting and the fact that I am a lousy artist. It was actually somewhat stressful. I did stay with it to the end, but I certainly don't believe it turned out to be anything to write home about.
Soooo, I turned to the blog.
I was really far behind on it, and again, it is due to the lousy internet connections where it comes to getting the pictures off my phone and onto my computer. Surprise, surprise, they were all there.!
I worked on it throughout the morning and then Lexus called me and told me the wheel had arrived and the maintenance had been completed, that the air conditioner filter was dirty and so it was replaced, but they did not have my tire in stock and neither did Phoenix. So, they had to order it from Calif and its ETA is not until Monday, but they may get it tomorrow. I said no problem, as long as I can keep the loaner I am here until Tuesday anyway. I said if it is going to be longer than Monday let me know so I can extend my stay. OK, so no more worries about that.
I got all caught up on the blog.
We had a bit of an incidence yesterday afternoon. When I got back from the gym I was heated up from the run and needed to cool down before shower. So, I started playing computer games when then, not only did I get cooled off, I got cold, so I turned on the fireplace. Rob came home and I was still goofing around, and I asked him to turn on the heat, which he did and then headed into the bedroom. all of a sudden there was a big clang like something had fallen or something. Then there was a smell. Rob came out and the fuse panel was open and the "second air conditioner" circuit was popped. I also heard a pop next to me while I was sitting on the couch which I figured was the GFIC. I reset the AC circuit while Rob went out to check the outside circuit which had popped and he reset it. I was feeling the the panel and under the main circuit it was quite warm and the burnt smell was there. Rob came back in and turned off the main circuit and when he flipped it back on there was a pop and a spark. Holy Shit we both said at the same time. But, everything is working again. Of course we turned off the fireplace, but we really don't know what happened.
Rob started calling around and got ahold of a Mobile RV guy who right now is scheduled to come out on Tuesday to check things out. If he gets a cancellation he will come out sooner.
In the mean time, I told Rob to turn on the fireplace and then flip the fireplace circuit breaker. Sure enough, when he did, nothing happened. When the guys re-did our back end, took out the fake fireplace rock work, installed the cabinets and rewired, then didn't wire the fireplace onto the same circuit it was on before. They've wired it in with other things which is why we are always blowing circuits when it is on. They did such a crappy job with the whole thing. Lesson learned, go with the professionals, Never try to save money by going with the fly by night guys.
So, someone is coming out Monday and hopefully he can get us straightened out.
One of these days, perhaps we will be able to get back on the road and continue with our journey. But in the mean time, we are in a safe place that is easy to get in and out of and anything that we need to be fixed or adjusted should be available here.
I put the rugs and the chairs out and sat outside for a bit. I also took the plants outside. It had been really windy so we brought them in and set them on the sewing cabinet. It was nice to get them out and into the sunshine. It was nice for us to sit outside and enjoy the day as well.
I spent the working on my stitchery. I am working on June's Kleenex box. Rob picked out a sail boat and ocean scene. It is coming along. It is in a book rather than on the computer, so I cannot enlarge it. That is making it a bit difficult with similar colors. Thank goodness for the flash light on the iPhone. Proper light makes all the difference in the world.
During the late afternoon a SUV towing a very very tiny little trailer pulled up. They had 2 adults and 4 children. There was no way they were going to all fit in the little trailer. I watched as they pulled everything out and then set up a very large tent. Ahhhh, that makes sense. They spent quite a bit of time staking it down and then attaching and staking down a rain cover. It took them quite some time to get everything set up. I kinda miss our tent camping days.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Wednesday, 10 May, Albuquerque, NM
Today is laundry day! The hamper is full, we have tons and as it turns out, Rob needs it done so he has clothes to leave with. Yippee! I don't have to struggle with it myself.
As it turns out, there is a laundry here in the RV park. So, we gathered it all up and drove it over. There was only one working one open (we would need at least 3) and one that was scoshie. We decided to try the scoshie one and it worked. We went back to the rig and read for awhile and then the three of us walked back over to put stuff in the dryer and wash the third load. We returned to the rig again. I had picked up a booklet of the happenings on base for May and June. I was perusing it and deciding what to do while I would be here by myself. There was a lunch menu for all the clubs and they were having a Mexican buffet for lunch today at the Mountain View. They are also having a Mother's day Brunch there on Sunday. We walked back to the laundry and folded the dry clothes and then put the last load in the dryer. We walked back to the rig and put things away. Then we drove back to the laundry and folded the last load.
From there we drove over to the Mountain View Club and had lunch. It was so so, but I did sign up for the Brunch on Sunday.
We went back to the rig and put the last of the clothes away and changed into workout clothes.
Did I tell you it is still really cold and stormy here?
We decided to jog over to the gym, do a workout and jog back. Then Rob was going to go off and do a golf practice and I was going to chill with Bella.
It is only a little over a mile to the gym. We set off jogging and at the half mile point I am dying. My chest is killing me and it is the cold air that my asthmatic lungs are not liking in the least bit. I stop, catch my breath and take off again, only to have to stop again in another half mile. We get to the gym and check it out. There is a cardio room, 4 weight rooms, a couple basketball courts and another room that has some crazy equipment in it.
I find the wt. room with the machines I like and Rob goes off to one of the free weight rooms. I do 30 min of upper body doing 15 reps each on about 8 machines plus twice on an abdominal machine and 2 rounds each on what I call the gross female machines which work the inner and outer thighs. I went to find Rob and he still has about 10 more min. So I went out in the main floor. They have a Ninja Warrior obstacle course set up out there and they are getting ready to do some competitions. The pros have set it up and they ran through it setting the times. Then soldiers and dependents have signed up to run through it to see if a) they can complete it, and b) if they can do it in good time. As I learned later, this is the 2nd of 2 days, so the contestants may have already practiced a little bit, but I don't know that to be true.
Anyway, I sat in the bleachers that they had set up and watched. The pros (the main being a little female who is probably just barely 5 feet and maybe 100 lbs.) Explained the course and the rules and all. Then she ran through it and no disrespect, but she was like a little agile monkey and ran through the whole thing in 1 min. point 3 seconds. The next gal was a bit slower, but she still did it and the male pro, although faster, had a foul and so she, Kacy was still the time to beat.
Rob came and joined me as the pros were going through, and for one or two of the competitors, but then he had to leave for his golf. I stayed and watched the whole event. It was pretty cool. It really was all about upper body strength. There were rings, and bars and grids, and a couple large pvc logs. The logs were the killers. They were 4' long. There were two of them separated by three rings, all suspended by chains. You had to jump up and hug the log and some how bounce across it (hugging it) then grab onto the rings to get enough swing to grab the second log and scoot (hugging) across it, and then jump off and land beyond a line on the floor. That lap is what killed most.
OK. There were 5 laps. First were 4 sections of 3 pegs with balls on the end that you had to go from ball to ball to get across then it transitioned to 4 strips of metal sticking out from the wall at different levels. You had to hang on with your finger tips and make your way across to the end where both hands had to be together before you could drop off. then came the log, rings, log. Lap three was a ring or two then a bunch of hanging pegs and balls and rings. The fourth lap was a series of 8 trapezes that you had to swing across and jump off. The last was a triangle shaped ladder with a ring hanging at the apex. You had to hang with your feet not touching the floor from the bottom rung, then climb up the ladder (only using your arms and hands as your legs are dangling...The whole event was arms and hands only with your legs dangling) and then descend down the other ladder hanging on the bottom rung with both feet up until they say.. Good! It was fun to watch. Most people died on the log lap. They could not make the transition from the rings to the second log. You could have one foul (fall off, miss something, not make it over the line, etc) and still be able to continue from where you goofed, but the second one disqualified you.
There were probably 20 guys and only 4 gals who tried. It. I so wanted to try, but I have no upper body strength and knew I couldn't do it. Anyway, of the 4 gals (who were not the 2 pros) only one of them made it all the way through the course.
I stayed until the end and then jogged back to the rig. I payed on the computer for a little while cooling off from my run and then took a shower.
Oh, after lunch, and before the gym, Rob and I went to the BX where I did buy new tennies and we got a movie. The one called Numbers? about the women computers for the space program. Mom and I had started listening to the book while we were on our trip.
When Rob got home he showered and then we watched the movie. It was really good, probably the only time I could say the movie was better than the book.
After the movie Rob went to bed. I have been having trouble sleeping lately, so I stayed up and watched more TV until I was really tired and then I went to bed.
I have to tell you, I am very concerned about our country. I just do not understand what our President Trump is doing. I keep trying t0 be open minded, but he just keeps coming across like a psycho-puppy. His latest is firing Conley, the Director of the FBI His whitehouse people don't know what to make of it. Some are absolutely, it was right, others are saying it is just more fuel to head him toward impeachment. In the meantime, how can our country look to anyone else as less than a joke?! It is so disheartening.
Let's pray from our nation and our people.
As it turns out, there is a laundry here in the RV park. So, we gathered it all up and drove it over. There was only one working one open (we would need at least 3) and one that was scoshie. We decided to try the scoshie one and it worked. We went back to the rig and read for awhile and then the three of us walked back over to put stuff in the dryer and wash the third load. We returned to the rig again. I had picked up a booklet of the happenings on base for May and June. I was perusing it and deciding what to do while I would be here by myself. There was a lunch menu for all the clubs and they were having a Mexican buffet for lunch today at the Mountain View. They are also having a Mother's day Brunch there on Sunday. We walked back to the laundry and folded the dry clothes and then put the last load in the dryer. We walked back to the rig and put things away. Then we drove back to the laundry and folded the last load.
From there we drove over to the Mountain View Club and had lunch. It was so so, but I did sign up for the Brunch on Sunday.
We went back to the rig and put the last of the clothes away and changed into workout clothes.
Did I tell you it is still really cold and stormy here?
We decided to jog over to the gym, do a workout and jog back. Then Rob was going to go off and do a golf practice and I was going to chill with Bella.
It is only a little over a mile to the gym. We set off jogging and at the half mile point I am dying. My chest is killing me and it is the cold air that my asthmatic lungs are not liking in the least bit. I stop, catch my breath and take off again, only to have to stop again in another half mile. We get to the gym and check it out. There is a cardio room, 4 weight rooms, a couple basketball courts and another room that has some crazy equipment in it.
I find the wt. room with the machines I like and Rob goes off to one of the free weight rooms. I do 30 min of upper body doing 15 reps each on about 8 machines plus twice on an abdominal machine and 2 rounds each on what I call the gross female machines which work the inner and outer thighs. I went to find Rob and he still has about 10 more min. So I went out in the main floor. They have a Ninja Warrior obstacle course set up out there and they are getting ready to do some competitions. The pros have set it up and they ran through it setting the times. Then soldiers and dependents have signed up to run through it to see if a) they can complete it, and b) if they can do it in good time. As I learned later, this is the 2nd of 2 days, so the contestants may have already practiced a little bit, but I don't know that to be true.
Anyway, I sat in the bleachers that they had set up and watched. The pros (the main being a little female who is probably just barely 5 feet and maybe 100 lbs.) Explained the course and the rules and all. Then she ran through it and no disrespect, but she was like a little agile monkey and ran through the whole thing in 1 min. point 3 seconds. The next gal was a bit slower, but she still did it and the male pro, although faster, had a foul and so she, Kacy was still the time to beat.
Rob came and joined me as the pros were going through, and for one or two of the competitors, but then he had to leave for his golf. I stayed and watched the whole event. It was pretty cool. It really was all about upper body strength. There were rings, and bars and grids, and a couple large pvc logs. The logs were the killers. They were 4' long. There were two of them separated by three rings, all suspended by chains. You had to jump up and hug the log and some how bounce across it (hugging it) then grab onto the rings to get enough swing to grab the second log and scoot (hugging) across it, and then jump off and land beyond a line on the floor. That lap is what killed most.
OK. There were 5 laps. First were 4 sections of 3 pegs with balls on the end that you had to go from ball to ball to get across then it transitioned to 4 strips of metal sticking out from the wall at different levels. You had to hang on with your finger tips and make your way across to the end where both hands had to be together before you could drop off. then came the log, rings, log. Lap three was a ring or two then a bunch of hanging pegs and balls and rings. The fourth lap was a series of 8 trapezes that you had to swing across and jump off. The last was a triangle shaped ladder with a ring hanging at the apex. You had to hang with your feet not touching the floor from the bottom rung, then climb up the ladder (only using your arms and hands as your legs are dangling...The whole event was arms and hands only with your legs dangling) and then descend down the other ladder hanging on the bottom rung with both feet up until they say.. Good! It was fun to watch. Most people died on the log lap. They could not make the transition from the rings to the second log. You could have one foul (fall off, miss something, not make it over the line, etc) and still be able to continue from where you goofed, but the second one disqualified you.
There were probably 20 guys and only 4 gals who tried. It. I so wanted to try, but I have no upper body strength and knew I couldn't do it. Anyway, of the 4 gals (who were not the 2 pros) only one of them made it all the way through the course.
I stayed until the end and then jogged back to the rig. I payed on the computer for a little while cooling off from my run and then took a shower.
Oh, after lunch, and before the gym, Rob and I went to the BX where I did buy new tennies and we got a movie. The one called Numbers? about the women computers for the space program. Mom and I had started listening to the book while we were on our trip.
When Rob got home he showered and then we watched the movie. It was really good, probably the only time I could say the movie was better than the book.
After the movie Rob went to bed. I have been having trouble sleeping lately, so I stayed up and watched more TV until I was really tired and then I went to bed.
I have to tell you, I am very concerned about our country. I just do not understand what our President Trump is doing. I keep trying t0 be open minded, but he just keeps coming across like a psycho-puppy. His latest is firing Conley, the Director of the FBI His whitehouse people don't know what to make of it. Some are absolutely, it was right, others are saying it is just more fuel to head him toward impeachment. In the meantime, how can our country look to anyone else as less than a joke?! It is so disheartening.
Let's pray from our nation and our people.
Tuesday, 9 May, Santa Rosa to Albuquerque.......
We got up early and enjoyed our coffee. It is still rainy, but most of it has moved on. Rob dumped and did his outside chores except for the elec. and water. I got things ready on the inside.
Rob called Sal and the Pickup checked out and was ready to pick up. So, off we went in my car to Albuquerque. We decided we would pick it up, then head back lickety quick and hook up and hit the road. We would get into Oklahoma City at around 8 pm. I called a really nice RV park to see if we could stay a week. They only had two nights so I said never mind.
We hit some weather and I mean we hit it. Rain first then hail and I mean big hail. I was thinking OH MY GOD there goes my paint and then I'm thinking dents. There are no overpasses to hide under or anything. It was awful. Finally it turned back to rain and then stopped.
We got to the truck and Sal explained to Rob everything he'd done and showed him the bad parts. He grabbed the truck and we headed off to Trader Joe's to get some eats for the road. Since Rob drives the Truck and RV he stops, goes in the RV and fixes himself anything he wants to eat. Since I drive my car I never have any food. This time I said hey, lets get some healthy food for the road. We grabbed some salads and wraps got back on the road.
About 17 miles out of Albuquerque we are traveling on 40, I'm following Rob and he runs over some road sign that is in the road. Apparently he didn't even see it, because he doesn't swerve or anything. I swerve to avoid it but catch it any way. I decide I am going to go on ahead of Rob so I can finish the inside of the rig. I pass him and then my car starts making a bad noise and is thumping. I know I have a blow out. I pull over and get out and luckily Rob pulls in behind me. Sure enough, I can see where the sign hit my wheel and gouged it and sliced my tire. The slice caused my tire to really heat up and blow out. It smelled like burning rubber and I had to open the windows.
Rob changed my tire. My spare is a spare and I have tire and wheel replacement for road hazard. I am going to need to replace both, plus, I have a "maintenance required" light on for my 55,ooo. check. Rob has to go to Seattle on Thursday for his annual flight check out, so we decided to take a deep breath and change plans. My car is safe for me to go to the Lexus dealership back in Albuquerque for repairs and maintenance. Rob will go on to Santa Rosa, pick up the RV and then drive it back to Albuquerque and we will stay at the FamCamp on the Air Force Base until he is finished with his training. It is easy for him to fly to Seattle from Albuquerque.
So, we parted ways.
The Lexus people were really nice. They will replace my tire and wheel, which are covered, will do my maintenance and replace my Air conditioning filter which is not due until 60K, but there is an odor so they will do it now. They told me they have the tire, but will have to order the Wheel and it won't be in until Thurs. I said no problem, we are staying in town.
They gave me a loaner car (nice GS 300) and I went off to Kirtland to see if we could get an RV spot. No problem. I paid for a week. Now, the only problem is that Rob will not arrive for another 2 hours. So, Bella and I went for a walk and then went to the BX and looked around. I threw my running shoes away because they were pretty worn down, so I looked for some new ones.
We still had about an hour to go so we grabbed some food and waited for Rob.
When he pulled up and I led him to our spot we were in a time crunch. The storm was coming. It was really windy and threatening rain. I was afraid that was going to mean hail again.
We quick as could be leveled the side (we have 3 slide outs on the driver's side of the 5th wheel, so we always have to put it up on at least one block and sometimes two). We got it up and then hooked up power. Rob wanted to quit, but I said no, let's get the truck unhooked and then we can just go in. It was cold and windy, but we were actually able to get leveled out, unhooked, power and water hooked up and Bella's fence up. Then we went in and finished the inside. We even put up the antenna and dialed in all my favorite broadcast stations.
We had our dinner watched my favorite programs and went to bed.
The stress is off. The truck is fixed, Rob can get to Seattle, he knows I am in a safe place while he is gone and my car is in the shop getting fixed and more importantly cleaned inside and out. It was a nightmarish mess.
All is well, good night!
Rob called Sal and the Pickup checked out and was ready to pick up. So, off we went in my car to Albuquerque. We decided we would pick it up, then head back lickety quick and hook up and hit the road. We would get into Oklahoma City at around 8 pm. I called a really nice RV park to see if we could stay a week. They only had two nights so I said never mind.
We hit some weather and I mean we hit it. Rain first then hail and I mean big hail. I was thinking OH MY GOD there goes my paint and then I'm thinking dents. There are no overpasses to hide under or anything. It was awful. Finally it turned back to rain and then stopped.
We got to the truck and Sal explained to Rob everything he'd done and showed him the bad parts. He grabbed the truck and we headed off to Trader Joe's to get some eats for the road. Since Rob drives the Truck and RV he stops, goes in the RV and fixes himself anything he wants to eat. Since I drive my car I never have any food. This time I said hey, lets get some healthy food for the road. We grabbed some salads and wraps got back on the road.
About 17 miles out of Albuquerque we are traveling on 40, I'm following Rob and he runs over some road sign that is in the road. Apparently he didn't even see it, because he doesn't swerve or anything. I swerve to avoid it but catch it any way. I decide I am going to go on ahead of Rob so I can finish the inside of the rig. I pass him and then my car starts making a bad noise and is thumping. I know I have a blow out. I pull over and get out and luckily Rob pulls in behind me. Sure enough, I can see where the sign hit my wheel and gouged it and sliced my tire. The slice caused my tire to really heat up and blow out. It smelled like burning rubber and I had to open the windows.
Rob changed my tire. My spare is a spare and I have tire and wheel replacement for road hazard. I am going to need to replace both, plus, I have a "maintenance required" light on for my 55,ooo. check. Rob has to go to Seattle on Thursday for his annual flight check out, so we decided to take a deep breath and change plans. My car is safe for me to go to the Lexus dealership back in Albuquerque for repairs and maintenance. Rob will go on to Santa Rosa, pick up the RV and then drive it back to Albuquerque and we will stay at the FamCamp on the Air Force Base until he is finished with his training. It is easy for him to fly to Seattle from Albuquerque.
So, we parted ways.
The Lexus people were really nice. They will replace my tire and wheel, which are covered, will do my maintenance and replace my Air conditioning filter which is not due until 60K, but there is an odor so they will do it now. They told me they have the tire, but will have to order the Wheel and it won't be in until Thurs. I said no problem, we are staying in town.
They gave me a loaner car (nice GS 300) and I went off to Kirtland to see if we could get an RV spot. No problem. I paid for a week. Now, the only problem is that Rob will not arrive for another 2 hours. So, Bella and I went for a walk and then went to the BX and looked around. I threw my running shoes away because they were pretty worn down, so I looked for some new ones.
We still had about an hour to go so we grabbed some food and waited for Rob.
When he pulled up and I led him to our spot we were in a time crunch. The storm was coming. It was really windy and threatening rain. I was afraid that was going to mean hail again.
We quick as could be leveled the side (we have 3 slide outs on the driver's side of the 5th wheel, so we always have to put it up on at least one block and sometimes two). We got it up and then hooked up power. Rob wanted to quit, but I said no, let's get the truck unhooked and then we can just go in. It was cold and windy, but we were actually able to get leveled out, unhooked, power and water hooked up and Bella's fence up. Then we went in and finished the inside. We even put up the antenna and dialed in all my favorite broadcast stations.
We had our dinner watched my favorite programs and went to bed.
The stress is off. The truck is fixed, Rob can get to Seattle, he knows I am in a safe place while he is gone and my car is in the shop getting fixed and more importantly cleaned inside and out. It was a nightmarish mess.
All is well, good night!
Monday, May 8, Santa Rosa, NM
So, they were supposed to get the parts (Fuel injector and wiring harness) needed for the pick up today and Rob was really hoping it would be ready and we could hit the road. I was like, Rob, they are getting the parts today, they still have to put them on and fix everything and I would not get your hopes up about getting it in time to hit the road, or even today for that matter. Remember now, the truck is in Albuquerque which is an hour and a half drive from here. That is three hours round trip to get it.
We chilled until about noon and then Rob finally called. They got the injector and harness and installed them. They were waiting on another part or two and would call when it was finished.
In the mean time, Rob and I decided that for our exercise we would walk to the little golf course carrying our little bags with only a few clubs, play the 9 holes walking with our little bags and then walk back. So we did. Bella loves it because she does not have to be leashed on the course and she gets to walk with us. Rob likes it because it is only $10. each to play it. I do not like it, because it is a goat pasture and the only thing nice about it is the guy who runs it and the greens are really nice. If we were going to stay longer I would make him new flags. All the flags on the greens are shredded. I should make new flags for him anyway and mail them to him. That would be a fun thing to do.
We returned to the rig. The truck man called at about 4 and said it was basically ready, but he wanted to go drive it, especially on the freeway. Since it was so late we all decided we would call first thing in the morning and make sure it all checks out, then go get it, come back and hit the road.
We hadn't unpacked everything and it was threatening to rain, so we packed up all the outside things and didn't unpack the inside. We ate dinner, watched a little TV and went to bed.
We chilled until about noon and then Rob finally called. They got the injector and harness and installed them. They were waiting on another part or two and would call when it was finished.
In the mean time, Rob and I decided that for our exercise we would walk to the little golf course carrying our little bags with only a few clubs, play the 9 holes walking with our little bags and then walk back. So we did. Bella loves it because she does not have to be leashed on the course and she gets to walk with us. Rob likes it because it is only $10. each to play it. I do not like it, because it is a goat pasture and the only thing nice about it is the guy who runs it and the greens are really nice. If we were going to stay longer I would make him new flags. All the flags on the greens are shredded. I should make new flags for him anyway and mail them to him. That would be a fun thing to do.
We returned to the rig. The truck man called at about 4 and said it was basically ready, but he wanted to go drive it, especially on the freeway. Since it was so late we all decided we would call first thing in the morning and make sure it all checks out, then go get it, come back and hit the road.
We hadn't unpacked everything and it was threatening to rain, so we packed up all the outside things and didn't unpack the inside. We ate dinner, watched a little TV and went to bed.
Sunday, 7 May, Taos to Santa Rosa, NM
Rob wanted to get a work out in, so he went off to the gym.
I took a shower and packed up all my stuff. He got back, showered, packed and we left.
We decided we wanted to take the scenic route back to Santa Rosa. I kind of wanted to go through Santa Fe, but we went a longer route.
One of the first places we stopped was at the Taos Pueblo.
We had a nice guide who showed us around and explained things to us.
Those mounds are ovens where they do their cooking.
They get their water from this river.
We wandered around for about an hour and checked out some of their arts and crafts and ate some of their flat bread. Then we headed out.
Our next stop was the Earthship Development.
Their electricity is powered by solar and wind
It's a pretty cool concept. You would have to have a well for back up, but it is a very interesting system.
We continued our journey along Hwy 64 and then connected onto Hwy 84. It was really pretty and really snowy!
We finally got out of the snow and into some really colorful rock formations.
We stopped in at Echo Amphitheater which is shaped like a band shell and is a natural chamber carved by the wind and water into the sandstone. It was really pretty.
It really did Echo and Bella could not figure out what to make of it.
We continued on down the Highway and stopped in at White Rock Overlook.It is perched on the crest of a mesa and offers a panoramic view from above the Rio Grand Valley. The river is 700' below.
Off in the distance there is a waterfall.
As we peered over the edge there was a rainbow from the mist.
I took a shower and packed up all my stuff. He got back, showered, packed and we left.
We decided we wanted to take the scenic route back to Santa Rosa. I kind of wanted to go through Santa Fe, but we went a longer route.
One of the first places we stopped was at the Taos Pueblo.
There are about 100 people who live here full time with no electricity or running water.
Our next stop was the Earthship Development.
These are self-contained, built with all recycled materials, and built into the earth.
They grow their own fruit and veggies inside their green house that is watered by collecting their gray water and filtering it first, then running it though the plants, then finally using it in the toilets.
The collect their fresh water from the rain and snow and filter it for use.
We continued our journey along Hwy 64 and then connected onto Hwy 84. It was really pretty and really snowy!
We continued on down the Highway and stopped in at White Rock Overlook.It is perched on the crest of a mesa and offers a panoramic view from above the Rio Grand Valley. The river is 700' below.
We followed a trail about a half mile to the stream where the little waterfall is coming from.
We continued on.
It is really pretty country up here. We came out East of Albuquerque. I couldn't believe it. We still had 2 more hours of driving and it was getting dark. Although it was really pretty, Bella
We stopped in at a terrible Mexican Restaurant in Edgewater. The food was not good and they had no bar service. Which meant No Margarita to go with my lousy Mexican food.
We finally got back to the rig at about 10:00 and went straight to bed. It was nice to be home.
Saturday, 6 May; Taos, NM
Rob went off to a coffee shop, leaving Bella and I still asleep in bed, and brought us back some coffee. Nice! We enjoyed that cup and then he went to another coffee shop and this time returned with, not only coffee, but breakfast treats as well. Toast and Jam!
We took Bella out for a little walk and then took her back to the room. Rob and I changed and walked down to a nice studio for a really nice Yoga class. I really liked it and it was a pretty good work out for me. We walked back to the room, showered and packed up some snacks.
We went exploring part of the "Enchanted Circle" We started with The Rio Grande Gorge State Park and its amazing bridge.
We took Bella out for a little walk and then took her back to the room. Rob and I changed and walked down to a nice studio for a really nice Yoga class. I really liked it and it was a pretty good work out for me. We walked back to the room, showered and packed up some snacks.
We went exploring part of the "Enchanted Circle" We started with The Rio Grande Gorge State Park and its amazing bridge.
We went over to the look out to get better views of the Gorge..
And I spotted a big horn sheep.
We followed it for a bid and then it turned and looked at me.
Wow!
We hiked through the park for a little bit, checking it out and looking for more sheep.
Then we decided to continue on our journey.
We drove up to Taos Ski Valley.
We wanted to go on a two out and then back for a total of 4 mile hike to Williams lake. It was a pretty drive, but there was still a ton of snow and we couldn't do the hike.
The resort is closed, but there were still some people up there "earning their turns" with their snowboards (hiking up carrying the boards, putting the board on and then snowboarding back down). We hiked in the snow for a little bit, but we were very concerned about Bella freezing her feet so we returned to the car.
Yesterday when we were wine tasting we met a gal who was new to Taos. She told us about some hot springs so we decided to go and check them out. They are along the river, back in the gorge. So we decided to go there.
First, we stopped back in town and split and sand which and each got a smoothie. There was a very cool wagon that we walked past. Rob likes wagons.
Back at the gorge, we found the parking lot and then began the long hike down to the bottom of the gorge, to the river, to the hot springs.
Along the way we encountered a couple guys on the trail who were flying a drone. They were checking out a herd of Big Horn Sheep. We watched them for a bit then continued on. We came upon a couple girls who were heading back up. They had not made it to the hot springs because they encountered a herd of Sheep on the trail and were afraid. We continued on down and then encountered that same herd. On of them was actually on the trail so we waited for it to move off so we could continue. We were a little nervous, but mostly just awed.
We finally came upon the hot springs. There were several people there, but they were packing up getting ready to leave.
Rob wanted to go in, so he went on down to feel the water. Bella and I hiked a little further then came back. Rob said the water wasn't all that warm and he decided not to go in. By that time, the clouds were rolling in and we began to hear thunder. We decided we had better get a move on. We did not want to be struck by lightening.
It did rain on us a bit, but it felt good, as it cooled us off as we were hiking back up.
We made it back to the car without getting drenched or struck by lightning.
We returned to the hotel to change and then headed out to a couple if the brew pubs. We went to one and just had a beer and then went to another. There Rob had a vertical tasting of six beers and I had wine. We had some really yummy food and then played some pool. I used to be good, but now he kills me. Actually, I beat myself the first two games then he beat me. I think I might have won one game.
We went back to the hotel and they had some flamingo type music and dancing. The place was packed again, but Rob and I found a spot up on the balcony and watched for a little while.
After a bid we decided we had had enough and went back to our room to bed.
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