Storrie Lake State Park, New Mexico

I'm sorry I've been AWOL for a while - thank you for the concern of the people who have e-mailed asking if we're okay.  This is what I've been e-mailing back, and I decided to put it here, too, so I don't have to re-type what I've been doing:

I’m in a place where I have great Internet, TV and Sirius Radio and I have so many choices of things to do, I’ve been neglecting my blogging - writing and reading. Don't worry, I'll catch up!  All the international news and political stuff is really engaging me, too, and even though I have good TV, I’m mostly following the latest news on the Sirius radio stations.  

I’m also downloading audio books from my library’s Internet site and tons of free books from a free download site for my Kindle Fire, and free movies from another site – I’m in hog heaven and have so many things I want to be listening to and watching and reading, it’s hard to choose.  Big problem, right?  How could anyone ever be bored?  I'll have lots of things stored away to access when winter comes and I don't have such good connections.

I’m finding that when I’m in a spot where I’m not so well connected, I tend to post more.

So... Katie and I are here at Storrie Lake State Park. This park is very different from Bluewater Lake. It does have a lake, but it's soooo dry.  The lake is super low and I don't think boats are allowed right now, certainly not motor boats.  I guess that keeps it nice and quiet for us non-boaters. :)

It's very quiet here in the electric part of the campground. Since I am getting good antenna TV for the major stations - and since some of the shows are starting their new seasons - I opted for an electric campsite for $4 a  night with my annual pass.

Here's our site and our view out the window:

 

Most of the sites have an adobe structure that has a large picnic table.  The field on the left used to have water in it, but it has dried up in this area.

The first night I wasn't able to get an electric site in the lower campgrounds, so I went to the upper campground, which isn't as nice or roomy, but it IS closer to the lake.  This is a view out the back  of some of the sites.

The other day I had a knock on my door, and Vermont Chris was standing there.  I had met her briefly when she was volunteering at Heron Lake State Park, but at the time I didn't realize it was Chris I was talking to in the office.  I didn't have Internet there, and had been planning to e-mail her so we could meet, and it turned out we had met and didn't know it.  She didn't know it was ME and I didn't know it was CHRIS at the Office.  We had e-mailed a few times, and were both members of the womengosolo forum.  It was so nice to see her again, and we have been visiting back and forth the last couple of days.

Vermont Chris

Chris has a new dog, Edna, who is just a real cutie and seems to be really smart.

Edna - look at that great face!

Katie and Edna

This week I needed an oil change in the truck, so I went to a local shop, which I would highly recommend.

Las Vegas Diesel Repair/Weld

226 S. Grand Avenue

Las Vegas, NM  87701-3871

Contact Information:  Charlie Gold  
(505) 425-5734  lasvegasdieselrepair@hotmail.com

I went in for an oil change, and they changed the oil, oil filter, fuel filter and air filter.

Ernie also took off my outer back tires to check the air pressure of all six tires, and brought them back up to where they should be.

Then Ivan came over to see if he could figure out why my converter wasn't charging my house batteries.  He checked my generator, batteries and the converter.  The first two were fine, and he said 14 volts were going into my converter, but nothing was coming out.  He thought the problem was the converter, itself. He didn't think it had anything to do with shorts in the wiring.

They are not experts in failed converters, but they are a full service shop and that was Ivan's diagnosis.  So, now I've e-mailed Progressive Dynamics again to see about another warranty issue.  My original converter has a 2-year warranty, and the first one was installed 11/1/11, so I have more than a year left in my original warranty.  These are supposed to be really good converters, so I'm hoping the third time will be the charm.

Charlie - he's the boss.

This is Ernie, he changed my oil and took care of my tires.

Ivan, who checked my batteries, generator and converter.

Donald, who changed my fuel filter.  I know - this isn't where the fuel filter is. 

I asked him to pose for me since his job was completed UNDER the rig.

These guys were all so polite and informative.  I was there for a total of four hours, with them working and checking things the whole time, except over the lunch period.  Ernie especially was super patient with all my never-ending questions.

I really appreciated their good, hard work, and if I ever need anything again when I'm in the area of Las Vegas, NM, I'll sure take The Palms back to them.  Currently they have a labor rate of $95/hour.  When I got my bill, it was less than I was expecting, which was also a very good thing!)

Sunset last night

There doesn't seem to be a lot to blog about here and I'm keeping pretty busy - so if you don't see a post for a couple of weeks, don't worry.  I'll be back!

From Me and Katie, have a great Sunday evening, everyone!  :)