My last time this summer - sitting here in the early morning peacefulness drinking coffee, checking my email, bank balance, etc. with my little electric heater blowing warmly on my feet and legs.  Ahhhhhhh!  Almost packed and ready to go - just the last minute things to do. (and there are quite a few of them).  It's been a lovely summer - the beautiful place, nice friendly people, mild weather, and the thing that makes it all even more wonderful - my company! I've had such a good time with all 5 of my kids, plus grandkids, and even extended family coming to visit me here.  I am blessed to be able to do this, and doubly blessed with friends and family. Thank you, God!

Packing up!

It's tuesday and I'm really getting serious about this sorting and packing! Many decisions.....and stressful!!  I'm getting anxious to get home now too!!

Didn't get to Mass here in La Veta last night because of the Covered Dish Supper, so decided to drive down to Trinidad, go to Mass there and then to Walmart. After Mass, I went to the "Wonderful House" chinese food and ate. We had eaten there the other day on Ladies Day Out, and it's really the only restaurant in Trinidad I know anything about - besides - the food is really good!  Poured down rain while I was in Walmart, but had let up by the time I was ready to go, so made it home by about 4:30, and everything went OK.  Two new neighbors were moving in when I got back.

Gertrude, Patti and I walked downtown this morning, and there was a covered dish dinner over at the clubhouse this eve - I took sliced tomatoes I had bought at the little farmers market downtown.  In between I worked on getting ready to leave.  Visited with Max and Jacquie for a little while. They're nice people!

Today was "Ladies Day Out" - 14 of us drove down to Trinidad, rode on the little tour bus, and at at the "Wonderful House" - Chinese Food.  Fun - good food!

What a good day I've had! Started off with 2 walks - one with Katie (pulling on the leash), then brought her home and did my usual walk to Christ the King and back. Never have figured out exactly how far that is, but probably close to a mile and a half.  Jacquie and a couple of other gals were sitting out by their camper when I got back, and wanted me to join them, so after taking a shower, I did.  Visited with them for quite awhile, then before I could get back to my camper, the gal next door - Patti by name - started talking to me and invited me to join her, so I did and - made a new friend! Later went to "happy hour" - had a good time visiting there. Finally starting to feel really at home here - yeah, just when it's about time to leave. An hour or so after I got home from there, Trudy and Al Stucky came by and stopped to visit.  They are native Hutchonians, transplanted to Texas and he grew up over around Halstead and Moundridge, so lots to talk about.  Tomorrow planning a Girls Day Out - down to Trinidad.  I think it will be fun.

Thought about the dog incident for awhile and finally decided to tell Tom about it.  He was upset enough to call the sheriff - later he came and questioned me about it. He will go talk to the people, but that's probably all that will happen.

Company headed for home and I had a quiet day except for one little incident with a neighborhood dog. I was walking Katy on over here on 2nd St. - walking toward Main St. - 2 dogs came running out barking as I passed this junky looking house with a junky camper in the front yard. I yelled at them and the bigger one turned back, but the smaller one attacked Katy, snapping and snarling. I was yelling and kicking at the dog, which caused me to fall down. About that time, the lady of the house came running and grabbed the dog and I just hurried to get away from there!  Scraped up my arm a little bit, but mostly REALLY PISSED ME OFF! I was so mad! When I got back to my RV, Max & Jackque were outside and I was really letting off steam, cussing, and carrying on! 
Later calmed down enough to go to happy hour. 

To San Luis to see the Stations of the Cross, stopped and at lunch at the Al Gon Cafe in Ft. Garland, then back to LV. 

Met Judy and Dan, Pat and Carl in Dodge City and drove on back to La Veta.

Lunch with Kerry, drove to Dodge City mid afternoon and stayed in the Motel 6 (or Super 8?)

Took Sarah to catch her plane early this morning. Back to the motel, gathered up all our stuff, then to the casino for awhile.  Headed for home about 4:30.

Got all my clothes washed and dried, then Tracey & I took Sarah to OK City Tues eve. Stayed in a motel and went to the casino for a couple of hours.

At home in Hutchinson, KS! Visited with Sarah, went to Sweet Adelines Mon eve.

The company headed for home this morning early, and I drove along with them! Actually, Scott drove and Brandy & I rode along. Kelly & Kris were in his car.  Uneventful trip, Sarah had sloppy joes ready when we got there, Colleen was there too.

Communicated with Marilyn several times in last few days and found out she would be arriving at their "ranch" on Saturday around noon - so - coordinated our schedule and arrived their about an hour before she did.  Fun day - after spending some time looking around the ranch, Scott, Kelly, Brandy and Kris went fishing in the river. Didn't catch anything, but said it was fun. I had taken 2 lbs of bacon and some tomatoes along, so had BLTs for supper, then headed back to La Veta.  Scott and Kelly spent Fri and Sat night at the Rio Cucharas Inn and the girls slept here in my RV.

Today we drove down Highway 12 - The Highway of Legends - to Trinidad. On Hwy 25 down past Raton, then took Hwy ??  across to Taos.  Stopped their for awhile, ate lunch and looked around in the shops, then home by way of San Luis, Ft. Garland and Hwy 160. Another fun day!

Up early and headed for Alamosa, the Sand Dunes, Zapata Falls, and the Gator Farm. 

Scott, Kelly, Brandy and Kristy arrived about 5:30.  Went to the La Veta Loco to eat, visited and listened to Kelly play the guitar for awhile, then they went to their rooms at Sammy's Motel.

Drove to Walsenburg (again) this morning to get my hair cut at Maria's Hair Salon - A walk-in shop recommended by one of the gals here.  She was very nice and friendly and did a good job - even told me she knows the perfect "older gentleman" for me - a customer of hers! Too bad there's no way for me to meet him!  This afternoon we played Pokeno in the game room. Not really crazy about the game, but it's a way to get acquainted and be friendly.  8 gals played. Later was visiting with Viola and Doyle next door - it was around 6:30, and he went in and fried some flour tortillas to eat with butter and syrup and insisted that I stay and eat.  Very good - another idea of something to cook for myself.

I have been walking more - early, before it gets hot. This morning (Tues) I walked for about 30 minutes - stopped at the Paradise Coffee Shop the other day, but they're closed on Tues. & Wed. - Maybe I'll skip tomorrow, walk thurs. and stop there again.  They have outside seating - very pleasant place to sit and drink my coffee.Went to Walsenburg, bought a new toilet seat at the Lumber yard, brought it home and installed it. 

K & T left this morning….Boo Hoo!  The time went too fast! They got here on Monday, July 23 around 5:00, and we went on up to the Dog Bar at Cuchara to eat, first thing.  Next morning, we decided we had plenty of time, so headed for the Denver area to visit Blackhawk and Central City.  http://www.blackhawkcolorado.com/   Very interesting and picturesque. Many casinos – a lot more than at Cripple Creek – plus old buildings and interesting sights.  We stayed two nights, (Tues., and Wed.) stopped at a Super Walmart in Colorado Springs to do a little shopping on the way back to La Veta. (Thurs.) Spent Fri. morning washing clothes, to Georges in Walsenburg for lunch, and to the Drawing Class in the afternoon.  Fri. eve, we ate at La Veta Loco – a relatively new café/bar which has excellent hamburgers.  Sat. was an all day class, with a two hour break, and there was a celebration going on in town – an anniversary celebration for Fort Francisco.  Lots of people milling around, so after eating lunch, we walked around for an hour or so, went thru the fort, looked at a couple of coffee shops I wanted to know more about, and checked out the S.P.A.C.e  art exhibits = Kathy Hill had several paintings on display there.  Went to Mass at Christ the King, then ate sandwiches.  Sunday moring early, K&T head for Taos to go rafting on the Rio Grande. I messed around all morning - (walked to the Catholic and back, stopped at Paradise Coffee) - then to the drawing class at 2:00. They didn’t get back till the class was over at 5 – took a wrong turn someplace.   One last meal at La Veta Loco, then to bed so could get up early and pack for the trip home.

Wow! I didn't think anyone would notice if I was gone for a couple of days - boy was I wrong - EVERYbody noticed! I guess some were even a little bit worried about me, and I was told about it after I got back. Funny - it's like a little town - the good and the bad! There are a lot of really nice people here though and they are all very nice to me.

Was really getting bored over the weekend, so decided to take a little road trip.  Thought I would leave Sun. morning, but realized there would be things going on Sun., (out to lunch at Sammies w/the group, then playing Pokeno)  so better to wait a day.  Mon. morning got up and around with the intention of leaving before anyone noticed, as I didn't want to explain where I was going. I left at 7:43 am, but 2 different people caught me as I was leaving and asked (indirectly) where I was going! I gave evasive answers to both! :) (Just ornery, I guess, but it's none of their business & I shouldn't have to explain!) Had a nice little outing - to Ft. Garland for breakfast, then on down to Taos and eventually to the Cities of Gold Casino/Hotel where got a room for Katy & Me. The gambling wasn't going very well, so didn't stay at the Casino very long.  Tried it again Tues. morn - still wasn't working, so headed on toward "home". People and cars everywhere in Taos - their PowWow going on.  Stopped in San Luis and walked around a little. That's an interesting old town - a church there that I would like to go into, but didn't - this time.  Tried to find out how to drive up to the chapel on top of the hill where the Stations of the Cross are, but didn't find it.  Got home around 3:30-4:00.

Called The American Furniture Warehouse in Pueblo this morning to see if the comfy lawn chair I had ordered by phone on monday was in and ready to be picked up - and it was! So - started making plans to drive to Pueblo. Was also wanting some "Frisket" to use in my watercolor projects, and when I started really looking, I discovered the Walmart Superstore is within a few blocks of the furniture store - Woopee!  Left here a little before noon, drove to Pueblo, found the furniture store and picked up the lawn chair, paid a visit to Walmart, found what I wanted there along with a few groceries, stopped for gas and was back home by a little after 5:00.  The American Furniture Warehouse is huge!! All shopping is done either in catalogs, ads or online and ordered. When you go to pick up your order, there are a bunch of guys with loaders running back and forth bringing merchandise up front to be loaded by the customers after they have paid at the desk.  I don't believe they do business anyplace but in Colorado according to their ads.  Several more RVs have arrived in the last couple of days - The park is almost full, and I am surrounded by Huge "Mansion"/RVs.  Some are so big they make mine look like a pup tent!

The Potluck/Covered Dish we had this evening was enjoyable - even had entertainment! One of the campers played his guitar and sang - had fun.  Don't remember if I told you about my neighbors, Viola and Doyle - both in their early 80's - have gotten pretty well acquainted with them. He was out here this morning talking and petting Katy and I asked him to help me level my camper a little bit better so the bathroom door wouldn't swing shut, which he was more than happy to do. About the time he finished, another guy, Harry (of Linda & Harry) came over with a lawn mower and said Linda told him to come mow my lawn - so he did! :)  Just that little strip - only took him about 5 minutes, but I am starting to feel like I owe these guys and need to find something I can do, like a good dessert I can make and give out, or something. Also found out Viola is a singer/piano player. After dinner tonight we tried out a few harmonys. Enjoyed that - I've missed my singing! We agreed we'd do it again.

Weekend - Went to Mass at the little church here in La Veta at 6:00 Sat. eve. Sunday played pokeeno with the gals over in the game room. Otherwise pretty quiet - I did paint - watercolor - some.

4th of July was quieter than I've ever seen! No fireworks AT ALL around here - any kind of fire is banned because it's so dry and the wildfire danger is very high.  Spent the the day reading, writing, and played Pokeno with the gals in the afternoon.

Drove down to Santa Fe on Sunday, where we checked out several stores, including a GIANT shoppping mall, spent the night at the "Cities of Gold Casino/Resort" and returned to La Vita on Monday.  T & E left early Tues. morn. to make the trip back to KS.

Tracey & Erin got here about 4:30 or 5 and we went to Cuchara to the Dog Bar to eat.

Colorado fires

Red dots are fires - blue dot is where I am

Colleen's Visit

Thursday, June 28 - To Cuchara for lunch at the dog bar, where Colleen found a cute T-shirt, back to La Veta to pick up her stuff and then to Walsenburg where we had plenty of time to look in a couple of shops there.  One was the consignment shop where we found the lady from Kansas that we (T,K,&I) had talked to before. On down to Trinidad in plenty of time for the train which was supposed to arrive at 5:55. After the usual driving around to find the depot - which is not really a depot at all only an area alongside the track where you board, and which is Well Hidden under I-25 - finally located it, parked with about an hour to spare and then found out the train would be an hour and a half late!  Due now at 7:30!! OMG - So - killed 2 1/2 hours, train finally arrived, Colleen got on, and I got back to LV just before dark! I guess you could say everything turned out all right after all - with a few hiccups!!

Wednesday, June 27 - Up early and after eating some delicious waffles prepared by Marilyn, we (drove to San Luis - only an hour or so away - with the intention of walking the Stations of the Cross there.  Only went part way though - sun too hot, no water, no hats - generally not prepared, so decided to save that for another day and found a nice little restaurant for lunch. Colleen & I then headed on toward La Veta, but decided to detour back down to Taos to see the Pueblo, which we had missed.  Got there around 2, found the Taos Pueblo about 2:30 and guess what - CLOSED!  So headed back up to Hwy 160, ate at the ALL GON cafe in Ft. Garland, and came "home" to La Veta.

Tuesday, June 26 - On to Chimayo, spent 3+ hours there, then to Taos, and after calling to make sure our "reservations" were still secured, drove on to D&M's place west of Antonito.  Spent the night there with D&M, and Karen - nice visit with them, and we really appreciated their hospitality.

Monday, June 25 - Very good breakfast at the hotel, spent the day walking around, looking at the famous places in Santa Fe - The Plaza, Loretta Chapel,  Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Monks Corner, and others. Later drove on out (15 miles) to the Cities of Gold Casino/Hotel where we had reservations, checked in and then drove back into Santa Fe to attend Mass at the Cathedral and look around a little more.

Sunday, June 24 -  Colleen is coming on the train, and sick dog or not, I have to pick her up, so headed for Trinidad, met the train, then we started toward Santa Fe, NM.  By this time, I was very worried about Katy, and had decided to try to find a Vet to look at her in Santa Fe.  On the way (with the help of Google) I found an Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Santa Fe pretty close to the Highway we'd be coming in on.  It took us awhile to find it, but we finally did, and were really happy with the place.  We were there for about 2 1/2 hours, and it cost me $114, but worth every penny! They gave her an anti-nausea injection, fluid IV under  the skin, and a prescription for antibiotic.

I had made reservations at the Old Santa Fe Inn - a couple of blocks from the Loretta Chapel. Got checked in there around 4:30, and went to look around, but everything was closed, so found a place to eat, then back to the hotel and to bed early.

Friday, June 22 - Pretty busy today getting ready to be gone a few days.  Will pick Colleen up in Trinidad at the Amtrak "Depot" about 10:00 a.m. About bedtime this eve., Katy suddenly started throwing up and kept it up. I had to clean up several messes - finally just went to bed. When I got up Sat. morning, there were several more places where she had thrown up - mostly on the linoleum, thank goodness, but she was one very sick puppy! I didn't know what to do about it, and by the time I decided it would be a good idea to call our Vet., it was too late. No Vets available Sat. afternoon.  Called a couple of places here in this area, but no luck. Maybe she'll get over it by herself, but she just lays not eating, not drinking much - not herself at all - obviously sick!

I have forgotten to mention how the weather has been since I've been here. Last week several days were pretty warm - up to high 80's mid-afternoon, but this week it's been very comfortable, even cool in the shade. Do have to run the AC some because the sun warms up the camper.  Cooked pork sirloin in the crockpot with potatoes, onions and carrots. Made plans with Colleen for her to come out on the train on June 24th for a few days - maybe go to Santa Fe.  In the afternoon I drove over to Walsenburg. Went to the library to check on a Friends of the Library book sale and to the dollar store. 
'

TV Fixed!

Sent this email to Kerry this afternoon:  "I fixed the TV!  Just had to tell someone! There was an error message that kept coming up and I googled it and found a discussion about how to change the settings on the receiver for this dish and did it and it worked!  I was so surprised I couldn't believe it actually worked ".  Went to Happy Hour after I got the TV going.  So many that were here last year and had been coming for years have not returned - for various reasons - health problems being the main reason.  These "regulars" are all retirement age, some older, some younger than me, so I guess it's to be expected, but several of my favorites are missing. I happened to sit by one of my "non-favorites, Linda, and after listening to her prattle on and on for about 30 minutes I said I had to go walk my dog, and left. It's still early in the season and people are arriving everyday (some leaving too!), so hopefully some new people will join in and the group will get larger!

The "TV-fixer-guy" finally showed up again. LSS (long story short) - there's a problem - the receiver can't communicate with the dish.  He suggested I need to purchase a newer dish, but when I called DirecTV, they said if I did, it would be just like the one I have now.  SO - I guess I'll give up on being able to watch TV - I have Netflix and Hulu and there is other TV programming available online, also a number of radio stations.  I'm not that much of a TV watcher anyway - I'll survive just fine without it. Went to Walsenburg to the grocery store later, and got my carwashed, so accomplished something!

Well my Satelite TV guy never did show up today!  I'm disappointed! He seemed like the kind of a guy you can depend on, but - just goes to show, I guess.  I tried to call him later in the day and got no answer, so left a message, trying not to sound too cranky, but probably did (sound cranky). Oh well. I can live without TV, I just hate it when someone tells me they'll do something and they don't do it! Got the holding tank (sewer) emptied and flushed out. A camper upkeep job that has to be done every 7-10 days or so.  Not hard to do, but don't like to do it!  Three more of the "Regulars" from last year arrived today, so the social life is picking up - at least there are enough people now to have our happy hour every afternoon.

Yesterday I called a guy that had been recommended to my by Tom (park owner) to try to get my satellite hooked up so I can watch TV.  He came and got it all set up, but not working yet.  He seemed very knowledgeable - had worked for Dish Network before retiring. When he left he said he had to get some information about the DirecTV satelites, as he wasn't able to establish communication. Still seemed to think he could get it going though, and coming back this morning to try again........later had a nice visit with a couple from Clovis, N.M. who had just arrived in a tiny little camper pulled by a car similiar to mine. They will only be here a couple of days.....Windy, windy day! The wind blew all day - midafternoon dark clouds built up in the S.E. and the wind changed direction. It never did rain, but I woke up several times during the night and the wind was still blowing! This is just like Kansas! This morning it's calm, sunny and beautiful.

Sunday was very quiet - a little too quiet! I have to remind myself that if I was at home, it would have been just as quiet there. I tried to go to Mass, but the time was wrong on the Pueblo Diocese Website - said 10:30am at Christ the King in La Veta, so I got all ready and went, but the parking lot was empty, and the sign in front said Sun. Mass was at 6:00 Sat. pm.  St. Mary's in Walsenburg had 10:00 Mass, but too late for that.  Stopped at "Sammies" and ate sausage & eggs - later had upset stomach - I think it was the sausage! Altogether kind of a downer day. On the bright side - had a phone call from sr.in law Pat and enjoyed a nice visit with her. 

Saturday morning - Got most of my cleaning done and pretty well organized. Darlice (from last year) was just here to give me some lemons off their lemon tree in ????? - forgot where they live, have to ask again!  She also wanted to tell me about another couple from last year that has arrived, and to come over to the "gathering place" by the river about 4:00.  There is Sat. night Mass at the little church here in La Veta at 6:00 pm - planning to go.  Otherwise - have been trying to catch up with Tom (Park Owner) for a couple of days. I need help getting the Satellite TV to work, and he said he knows someone that may be able to help - so will go over to the office (again) and see if he's there.  A large group of campers moved in yesterday - was told it's a camper club gathering - don't know where from.

Fw: Re: How was your first day?

This was my email to Kerry after she wrote asking about my first day:  Hi! The first day by myself has been a little bit "what the heck am I doing here?!!"   -  It will be better when the park fills up more and there's more going on.  (and kansas gets hotter)  I haven't sat around much though - got 2 buckets of water (one w/suds and one to rinse), my "sturdy" stool (that the Satellite dish was sitting on), and the long handled brush I bought yesterday at the hardware store - and washed the whole outside!  Had to improvise a little with a cloth wrapped around the brush and soaked in clear water to rinse with - skipped a few of the highest places that didn't look dirty, but it looks so much cleaner! Not allowed to use the hose for this - probably because it would cause a big mess, especially if several did it at once - also cost.  Then came in and worked on sorting and organizing makeup, medicine, cleaning supplies, etc. - THEN - showered in my own bathroom. Will probably use the "real" shower in the bath house most of the time, but it's kind of nice to be able to use mine when I feel like it.  Tomorrow I'm going to clean inside - still a lot of dead moths laying around - and maybe go to Walsenburg to the Dollar Gen.

Drove out last Friday - Kerry, Tracey, and myself in 2 cars. We arrived at the Circle the Wagons Campground around 7:00 pm. Arvy had been delivered as planned and parked in the space I had reserved - #18.  Not leveled or hooked up to water, sewer, or electric though and I was a little disppointed about that, as I expected it all to be done.  It's not that hard to do those things, and we were able to get it all done, but just didn't want to after a long day's drive.  Also had to haul all my stuff in, and fix the beds for sleeping.  Strong smells in the camper, due to the bug and mouse treatments I had left. The worst was mothballs! I won't do that again!  Sat., after spending some time putting things away, we headed toward Colorado Springs with a stop at Walmart, checked into out motel, then up to Cripple Creek.  Stayed one night in Colorado Springs, and one night in a motel at Cripple Creek.  Monday, we drove on up to the south side of Denver to the new Ikea store.  Back in La Veta before dark. Tues. worked on trying to get the Satellite TV to work, plus a few other little jobs that I needed help with, and Wed. morning K&T headed for Kansas.  So - It's just me & Katy now, and we aren't expecting any more company until around the 4th of July when Tracey & Everette come to visit.  I worked on getting organized today. Tomorrow (hopefully) I will start washing the outside and/or cleaning inside. 

Back to Colorado!

I'm getting excited - in about 3 weeks, I'll be back in my "other residence" in La Veta, Colorado!  Wow! The winter went by so fast! I'm making plans & lists, have my spot reserved, and have talked to Birco and made arrangements to have Arvy pulled down to La Veta, parked, set up and dewinterized. Oh yeah - by the way - It's official! My camper's name is ARVY.